Main World
Summer, Year 29 of Konoha.
Imperial Palace, garden.
On a summer evening, the setting sun dyed the sky gold and red, its lingering rays spilling over the garden lawn and bathing everything in warm light. The cicadas gradually fell quiet, giving way to the distant splashing of a fountain and the occasional laughter of children.
A long table stood in the center of the garden, covered with a white tablecloth and laden with dishes. They had not been prepared by the Imperial Palace's chefs, but by the consorts themselves. Kushina's braised pork, Tsunade's grilled fish, Sakura Haruno's tempura, Pakura's clay-pot stew, Karura's cold salads, and Sasha's roast meat. There were also desserts made by Liuli and tea brewed by Kaguya.
Mikoto stood at the garden entrance, holding a tray with several cups of freshly brewed tea. She did not go in, but stood there watching the people talking and laughing around the long table. Toyotomi Yinglang sat at its head, his moon-white kariginu replaced with dark gray casual clothes, his long black hair falling loosely over his shoulders. He looked somewhat more relaxed than usual. Liuli sat on his right and Kushina on his left. Tsunade, Sakura Haruno, Pakura, Karura, Sasha, and Kaguya sat in that order. The children sat along the other side of the table, arranged by age, from nine-year-old Jilan to one-year-old Yueji, like a row of steps descending in size.
"Mikoto." Toyotomi Yinglang's voice came from the far end of the table, quiet but clear. "What are you standing there for? Come over."
Mikoto's fingers tightened slightly around the tray.
"Your Majesty, I... I won't be joining you."
Toyotomi Yinglang turned to look at her. The sunset cast sharply contrasting light and shadow across his face, and a faint smile curved his lips.
"You