The three of them were eager to return home. What should have taken two days was completed in just one.
As the familiar Uchiha compound gates came into view, Hikari faltered slightly, her steps hesitant. More than ten years had passed since her sealing, and though the buildings stood unchanged, she couldn't help but wonder… was there still a place here for her?
"Hikari? What's wrong? We're almost home," Gin asked, noticing her unease.
That's right—she still had Gin. He was her family now, and this was still home.She let her worries go and followed the two men through the gates.
"It hasn't changed at all… still feels the same," Hikari murmured, her eyes half-lidded as she drank in the familiar atmosphere.
"Tajima-sama, I'll leave her daily care to you, Gin. If anything comes up, I'll have someone contact you," Tajima announced briskly, already eager to dive back into his duties.
Gin blinked, then smirked faintly as he realized his uncle's true intent. "Got it," he replied.
"Uncle, just don't take that cloak off during battle, okay? Or the dark persona might come back," Gin reminded him.
"I know," Tajima nodded, then left hurriedly.
"See? This is why you never wanna be in charge. Too busy," Gin sighed at his uncle's retreating figure, then turned to Hikari. "Alright, let's go home."
"You… still live in the same place?" Hikari asked quietly, remembering the rundown house she used to sneak glances at years ago. Now there was a strange boy there too… was it really okay for her to stay?
"Same place, but I built a big fancy house now. Don't worry—pick whichever room you like. Full board and everything." Gin waved it off, clearly proud.
As they walked shoulder-to-shoulder, passing through the streets, the older clansmen eyed them with thinly veiled contempt, whispering behind their backs:"That brat again… dragging some girl home. Didn't he get caught stalking some little girl before? Disgraceful…"
Even without sensory techniques, Hikari could feel the malice in those gazes. She clenched her fists, ready to retort—until she caught part of their gossip and her eyes narrowed, wariness flashing in them.
"Gin… what are they saying about—"
"Don't listen to those old hags. All they do is gossip." Gin's expression darkened as he grabbed her hand and led her away.
When they reached his home, Hikari gasped. "Wow…"
She stared wide-eyed at the new, sprawling mansion.
"C'mon, make yourself at home!" Gin grinned, knocking loudly on the door. "Hey, brat! Open up! Your beloved adoptive father is home!"
The door swung open with a slam, forcing Gin to dodge nimbly.
"You little brat, trying to kill me so you can inherit my house, huh?" he barked, raising his hand to smack the boy who'd opened the door—only for the boy to dodge skillfully.
"Oh, you're still alive? The gods must be blind," Senju Itama sneered, arms crossed, looking entirely unimpressed.
Gin's temples throbbed. "You ungrateful little…!"
Before he could lunge, Hikari stepped forward, frowning deeply. The moment she saw the boy, a strange sense of danger gripped her. As she sized him up from head to toe, however, her wariness faded.
"Gin, who is this?" she asked sweetly, stepping close and pressing herself lightly against his arm with an innocent smile.
"Huh? Oh. This is the brat I told you about. See how annoying he is?" Gin replied casually, not noticing Hikari's sudden possessiveness.
"And who's she?" Itama shot back, finally noticing Hikari.
Seeing her pressed up against Gin set something ablaze in him, and he snapped, "Don't bring random strays home. If you're in heat, go take care of it in the woods."
"You little—!" Gin raised his hand again, but Hikari gently stopped him.
Instead, she stepped forward, pulling down her hood to reveal her delicate face. Smiling demurely, she straightened her posture and spoke:"Hello. I'm Uchiha Hikari, Gin's childhood friend. Thank you for taking care of him while I was away."
She dipped into a polite bow, her eyes glinting challengingly as she looked back up.
"Hmph! Fake Uchiha," Itama spat, gritting his teeth. He was young, and though he tried to hold his ground, she completely outclassed him.
"Alright, alright. Enough posturing. Let's go inside," Gin interrupted, not noticing the silent sparks flying between the two.
Inside, they sat in a tense triangle formation in the living room, each keeping equal distance from the others.
"I'll make tea," Itama declared first, heading off to prepare it.
Hikari's grip on her cup tightened when he set it before her with a smug little smirk. This little brat…
"Ahhh… Not bad at all, brat," Gin said, savoring a sip.
Itama met Hikari's gaze and raised a brow, clearly taunting her.
The cup in her hand shattered with a sharp crack.
"Ah!" Hikari cried out, clutching her scalded hand, her face twisted in pain.
"Little light! Are you okay?!" Gin rushed to her side, grabbing her hand.
"I-I'm fine… I can handle it… I've been through worse…" she murmured, stealing a sly glance at Itama as she buried her face in Gin's chest, silently telling him: Compared to me? You're not even close.
Itama sat stiffly, fuming. That manipulative hag…
Gin channeled green chakra into her hand, quickly healing her with a hint of pride. "See? My skills are decent, huh?"
Hikari looked at her hand in awe. "Gin… you're amazing! When did you learn that?"
Gin grinned sheepishly. "Eh, just a little something I picked up. Still a long way to go."
Itama ground his teeth as he watched them. Tch. That little burn would've healed on its own anyway…
In his heart, though, he muttered darkly: Hmph. You think you've won? Just you wait.
(End of Chapter)
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