On the top floor of the Uzumaki Tower, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled shadows across the floor.
Now she was all alone here.
Well, except for the Anbu hidden God knew where, watching over her and making sure she didn't wander too far from the Uzumaki Tower----
So boring.
Kushina sat on a soft cushion with an ancient scroll about the Four Symbols Seal spread out in front of her, but her thoughts had long since drifted out the window.
It had already been----three days.
Hiroki hadn't come to see her for three days!
(^)
"That idiot----" Kushina absently wound a finger around one of her long, fiery-red locks, the corners of her mouth curling up despite herself. "He's probably off doing something ridiculous again----"
Lately, she'd clearly felt that her chakra reserves had grown quite a bit, and her muscles had grown noticeably stronger too. Her abs were almost starting to show.
There was no way that guy had forgotten his promise to her.
Though Kushina complained, her heart was full of anticipation.
Just then, familiar footsteps sounded from below the tower!
It was Hiroki! Hiroki was here!
Kushina's eyes lit up at once. She leaped off the cushion, forgetting even to roll up the scroll, and hurried to the window to look down.
Sure enough!
That familiar figure was carrying a wooden box that looked rather heavy, walking toward the tower at an unhurried pace.
It was Hiroki!
It was him! He'd really come!
An indescribable joy filled Kushina's heart, sweeping away all the little frustrations she'd felt over the past few days.
Humming an off-key tune, she turned and ran toward the door, ready to give him a "surprise."
She tiptoed over to the door, hid herself completely behind the heavy wooden panel,