Mirai stood where he was, looked at Kushina's puffed-up face, and sighed.
"Kushina."
"Hmph!"
"I'll make you grilled meat tonight."
"Then I want three plates."
"Deal."
Kushina huffed, turned, and headed toward the Uchiha Clan Grounds. After taking a few steps, she stopped and glanced back at him.
"Are you not coming? Do you expect me to carry you home?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Mirai hurried after her and casually draped an arm around her shoulders.
Kushina struggled a little but failed to break free, so she let him hold her.
The two walked side by side beneath the sunset, their shadows stretching long and overlapping across the stone path.
That evening, Mirai made good on his promise and grilled some meat.
Kushina ate until her mouth was slick with grease, completely forgetting about what had happened during the day.
After she had eaten her fill, she slipped into Mirai's bed as usual, wrapping her arms around his neck and demanding kisses, hugs, and touches.
This time, Mirai did not stop at the usual point. He held her and responded earnestly for a long time in the darkness.
Kushina was dizzy from his kisses. Curled up in his arms, she muttered, "You're being really strange today."
"How am I strange?"
"You usually avoid me."
"I'm not avoiding you today."
Kushina fell silent for a moment, then buried her face against his chest and softly said, "Then I forgive you."
"Forgive me for what?"
"The Mikoto smell on you."
"Uh... sleep."
"Mm."
Moonlight fell through the window and spread across the floor like a thin layer of frost.
Time flew by—Naori's birthday arrived quickly.
That morning, Mirai had just returned from the training grounds when he saw Kushina sitting in the courtyard, flipping through a fashion magazine she had swiped from