Kaguya silently told herself in her heart, "Trust him one more time, trust this man before me."
Shun noticed her subtle movements and knew that all the apprehension and unease in her heart had vanished.
Shun gently turned her face, slowly leaned down, and kissed her lips.
Kaguya trembled all over, her pupils slightly contracted. She clearly hadn't expected him to suddenly kiss her, and her body instantly froze.
But after just one second, she relaxed, and the tip of her tongue gently touched his lips.
A thousand years of loneliness and pain, waiting and yearning, seemed to gradually melt away in this kiss.
She responded to his deep affection in her own way, conveying her feelings to him without reservation.
After a long time, Shun slowly pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, their noses touching, their breaths mingling, their heartbeats clearly audible in the quiet space, like synchronized drumbeats.
"Kaguya, let's watch our child grow up together, and watch the clans of the Ninja World work hand-in-hand to explore the Universe, okay?"
Kaguya looked at the longing in his eyes and softly hummed, as if making a promise for life.
A thousand years of pain was terrifying, but the warmth and protection before her were more worth cherishing. She couldn't abandon the happiness before her or the chance to build a future with her beloved because of the past.
She gazed steadily at Shun and nodded after a long while. "Good."
Hearing this, Shun was filled with ecstasy. He hugged her tightly. "Kaguya, thank you for being willing to trust me. I promise you, I will never disappoint you."
Kaguya leaned in his arms, feeling his joy. "I trust you. But you must remember, every word you said today counts. If you fail to deliver, I won't forgive you."
Shun nodded vigorously. "Of course it counts. In this life, I will never regret it. Even if I am smashed to pieces, I will fulfill today's promise."
He had never thought that Kaguya would agree to his proposal so easily, or trust him so completely without reservation.
Shun felt a warmth in his heart, and his eyes grew slightly hot. He gently stroked Kaguya's cheek, his fingertip tracing her delicate skin, wiping away the barely noticeable moisture at the corner of her eye. The deep affection in his eyes was almost overflowing, thick and undeniable.
His hand tightly embraced her waist, giving her no chance to escape, kissing her deeply and devotedly.
After a long while, he slowly pulled back, looking at her with burning eyes, as if making the most sacred oath. "I will never fail you. Our child will surely be proud of you, will surely know to cherish you, and will never let you suffer the slightest grievance again."
The two fell silent again, just embracing quietly, as if trying to integrate each other into their own lives, feeling the other's body temperature and heartbeat, and enjoying this rare tranquility and happiness.
Shun gently stroked her long hair, his movements tender and soothing, his fingertips tracing her strands, feeling her presence, his heart filled with contentment.
Kaguya buried her face in his chest, holding him tightly, her arms wrapped around him, feeling his heartbeat and deep affection, feeling this solid warmth. A thousand years of loneliness vanished at this moment.
Here, time seemed exceptionally slow. Every minute and every second was filled with tenderness and understanding.
There was no external clamor, no struggle for power, no racial barriers, only their mutual deep affection and yearning for the future.
At this moment, they were not the Lord of the Ninja World and the Progenitor of Chakra, but merely a pair of lovers leaning on each other and cherishing one another, wishing only to embrace like this until the end of time.
Shun knew that today's visit had achieved its goal. Not only did it soothe Kaguya's unease caused by the new concubine's arrival, but it also deepened their bond and even secured the most important promise of their lives.
He successfully made Kaguya let go of her worries and willing to join him in conceiving a new life. For him, this was a happier accomplishment than unifying the Ninja World or exploring the Universe.
He could clearly feel that Kaguya's feelings for him had transformed from initial wariness and distance into dependence and trust. This change was something he earned through countless acts of tenderness and companionship.
How he wished time could freeze at this moment, allowing them to forever enjoy this warmth and happiness, forever holding the person in his arms, never to be separated.
But he knew he still had many things to do and many responsibilities to bear.
He gently patted Kaguya's back, his movement tender yet reluctant, signaling that he had to leave.
Kaguya seemed to sense his intentions. She tightened her grip on his arm, and buried her head deeper.
Shun's heart softened. He lowered his head and pressed another gentle kiss onto her forehead.
The kiss was full of lingering affection. He softly comforted her, "I know you hate to see me go, and I feel the same way. I wish I could stay with you every moment, never leaving your side. But I still have many matters to deal with. I'll come back to see you as soon as I'm done, okay?"
Kaguya didn't speak, she just nodded, her long eyelashes gently trembling against his garment, her eyes filled with reluctance and anticipation.
"I'll wait for you here. The matters of the Royal Palace are important. You must take care of yourself and don't get too tired."
Shun held her hand, his fingers rubbing her palm. "I'll be back as soon as possible. Take care of yourself, don't overthink things, and if anything happens, contact me anytime."
After another long moment, Shun finally released her hand gently, his finger lightly tracing her palm, as if leaving his mark. He looked at her tenderly, his eyes full of lingering affection and reluctance.
"I should go back now. I also need to visit the other Royal Consorts, lest they become uneasy. With the new concubine arriving, they are already prone to worrying. If I only stay here with you, it will inevitably cause unnecessary suspicion, which is not conducive to the unity of the family."
Kaguya nodded slightly without trying to keep him. The distance in her eyes had completely faded, replaced by a touch of reluctance and understanding at their parting.
She understood his difficulties and his responsibilities, so she wouldn't complain. She would only silently await his return and be his most steadfast support.
Shun raised his hand and condensed Chakra again. A pure white light glowed on his fingertip, originating from the same source as Kaguya's Chakra. He drew a fissure in the air. On the other side of the fissure, the corridor of the Royal Palace was faintly visible.
He stepped forward and embraced Kaguya once more, giving her a deep and prolonged hug. "Once I finish dealing with the matters of the Royal Palace, I will arrange everything as quickly as possible and make more time to spend with you."
Kaguya leaned in his arms, feeling his final warmth. "I'll wait for you. No matter how long, I'll wait for you."
After speaking, Shun reluctantly released her and stepped into the Spatial Gate.
The instant his figure disappeared, the spatial fissure quietly closed, and the place returned to its usual tranquility.
—
Kaguya had changed into a white robe embroidered with golden magatama. Unlike the coldness and loss she showed when they parted earlier in the day, she now seemed filled with soft starlight.
"You're back."
Hearing Shun's footsteps, Kaguya slowly turned around, concealing a trace of barely noticeable delight, like a lover who had waited long and finally saw their return.
Shun quickly stepped forward. Without unnecessary words, he immediately embraced her tightly.
The warmth of his chest enveloped her, carrying a slight coolness, and, more importantly, his unique reassuring presence.
"Kaguya, I kept you waiting. The moment the Royal Palace matters were settled, I came straight away."
Kaguya gently wrapped her arms around his waist, pressed her cheek against his chest, and listened to the steady, powerful rhythm of his heart. All the anxiety in her heart vanished.
"Shun, I know you're busy. Just the fact that you came is enough."
After a long while, Shun finally released her gently and raised his hand to cup her cheek. "Kaguya, tonight, I want you to belong completely to me."
Kaguya slightly lowered her gaze, the tips of her ears tinged with a faint blush. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she gently nodded.
Shun pressed a deep kiss onto her forehead, his other hand tightly circling her waist, and then they moved to the tatami in the bedroom.
—
At this moment, the air was filled with a rich aura of life and sweet affection.
[Ding. Host has interfered with the River of Time... Descendant talent is being enhanced...]
"It's done. Kaguya, we have a child."
"Kaguya, feel it. This is the crystallization of our love, the little life we created together."
Kaguya clearly felt a tiny life forming within her body. It was a marvelous throbbing sensation, carrying her essence and Shun's, and, more profoundly, the bloodline bond belonging to the two of them.
She slowly opened her eyes and gently stroked her lower abdomen, her heart filled with an unprecedented softness and anticipation.
"Mhm, I feel it. This little one seems very active."