"Incredible! Even the spear scar and this one from wolf fangs—they're all gone!" Noriko exclaimed in shock, inspecting her body, now resembling a very beautiful model's.
Kenshin couldn't help staring at her incredibly toned figure with the softest skin, and when Noriko leaned in to examine her new shin closer, he couldn't resist touching her neat, firm ass.
"What do you think you're doing?!" she snarled, jumping aside. Along with her shredded clothes, the chakra-suppression bracelet had vanished from her body.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have done that…" Kenshin replied abashedly, surprised at himself. Until now, he hadn't seen her as a sexual object, but after marriage, he realized his immense attraction and love for this unruly girl.
"Do that again and you'll regret it!" she snorted, to which Kenshin just smiled, sensing no usual fury in her. Her words didn't offend him; instead, he felt an irresistible pull and warmth toward her.
Noriko truly felt no anger toward him but instinctively acted aggressive. The romantic feelings born minutes ago hadn't rooted in her mind yet, so she behaved as usual, unaware she now treated Kenshin far more friendly.
Deciding the procedure was over, Noriko threw on the coat and hurried to leave to change and go for a walk. Her instincts screamed to hunt and revel in dominating cornered prey.
"We're not done. Hitomi needs to examine you," Kenshin said calmly, gently grabbing her hand.
"Don't touch!" she barked, wrenching free lightning-fast.
"What's wrong with you?" Kenshin asked surprised, expecting more obedience after the ritual, but she now bristled even at what she'd allowed before.
"Nothing. I was a cripple before and had to tolerate your brazenness, but not now!" she replied authoritatively, prompting Kenshin to sigh heavily and sit on a chair. He didn't understand her increased aggression or how to have children with her.
"And how long do we wait for that milk cow?!" Noriko grumbled crossly, arms crossed over her chest.
"Don't call her that. Show respect to the woman caring for your health," Kenshin said seriously. He barely restrained himself from rash actions toward her. He'd thought marriage would make her more obedient, but now he had no idea what to do.
"Pff…" she sighed but said nothing.
Hitomi arrived minutes later and looked at Noriko in surprise, sensing kinship. Then she glanced at Kenshin, who briefly explained what happened.
After a quick check, Hitomi was stunned. Even supposedly incurable injuries were fully healed.
"Incredible! You have perfect health—try not to lose it," Hitomi said, finishing the exam.
"I was just about to! Hurry up feeding the kid; we've got plenty of unresolved issues!" Noriko said resolutely, rising from the couch and donning the coat.
Kenshin was in total shock at her words and forgot what he wanted to say for a second. Suddenly anger seized him, and he exclaimed resolutely:
"Enough! Noriko, I forbid you from fighting family members!" he growled authoritatively, making Noriko flinch and grimace under immense pressure.
She tried resisting the mounting pressure but surrendered seconds later, dropping to her knees and growling, "Fine!"
"Why is she still disobedient?" Hitomi asked surprised, ignoring Noriko's nonsense.
"No idea… But I feel like I'll be completely gray in half a year…" Kenshin sighed, wincing at the pile of problems on his head.
"Are we done? Then I'm off—glorious hunt awaits!" Noriko growled enthusiastically, clenching her fists to the cracking point.
"You're not going anywhere," Kenshin said calmly. He was still stunned by her character worsening. Last week she'd been very restrained and obedient, but marriage hadn't increased her meekness—it decreased it drastically.
"What do you mean not going? A true warrior can't stay cooped up long! We discussed this!" she barked, frowning.
"Want to hunt?! Fine. But I'm coming with you," Kenshin said, barely containing anger. He didn't want to fight his new wife and tried suppressing his irritation at her disobedience.
"What? No!" Noriko and Hitomi exclaimed in sync.
"Don't indulge this unruly wench!" Hitomi declared resolutely, furious at disobedient Noriko.
"Shut up, woman! When two alphas talk, women and kids stay quiet!" Noriko growled in rage. The marriage ritual and full healing hadn't bred obedience but greater dominance.
"You ungrateful bitch!" Hitomi exclaimed, intent on teaching the arrogant girl a lesson.
"ENOUGH!" Kenshin boomed, freezing Noriko and Hitomi in place.
"Hitomi, thanks for the help. Go back to the baby," he said softly, tenderly kissing her lips' corner. She smiled sweetly in return, glared at Noriko discontentedly, and headed out.
Once Hitomi closed the door, Kenshin turned his blazing gaze on Noriko and sighed wearily after seconds.
"Let's go," he commanded authoritatively, and she silently obeyed, following close.
"Finish your business and wait for me," Kenshin ordered at her room. She showed no displeasure and entered quietly.
"What the hell is wrong with her?!" Kenshin thought angrily, heading to the workshop to prepare for a trip beyond Nakayama Family territory.