"Really, why did I even ask that idiot? My brain must be scrambled," Neji muttered, slapping Clap and looking up at the sky. He was a little upset, but much better than before.
"It was definitely the right move to make Shukaku my little brother. I can beat him up anytime to ease my mood."
(Waaah... Shukaku fainted and cried in the desert.)
"Sigh, no matter what, life goes on." Neji sighed. Since things had happened, all he could do was look forward.
Life is like this. If you can't resist it, just accept it.
Back in the room, Neji found Kaguya sitting on the bed, diligently mending the torn robes from their previous fight.
But having been a princess since childhood, she'd never done anything like this before. Her sewing was clumsy, and she kept pricking her pretty fingers.
"Even though your recovery is strong, there's no need to put yourself through this kind of suffering." Neji felt his heart ache. He quickly walked over, stopped her from what she was doing, and gently rubbed her hand.
Kaguya's pretty face flushed red. She was overjoyed, as this was the first time Neji had ever been so intimate with her. It filled her with sweetness. She let him hold her hand without protest, just watching him quietly.
"Why are you doing this instead of resting? I don't only have this one outfit."
Kaguya listened obediently to Neji's concern, an uncontainable smile on her face. With that smile, it was as if the entire sky had brightened.
"I thought you were still troubled, and I didn't know how to comfort you, so I wanted to do something I could."
"You silly goose." Neji's heart warmed, feeling like he had something in his eye that resembled a Truth-Seeking Ball. "You should rest properly."
"No," Kaguya stubbornly shook her head, snuggling closer to Neji.
"Why?"
"I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, you won't be here when I wake up." Kaguya lowered her head, her voice filled with deep unease, like a child about to be abandoned.
The way the Goddess of Rabbits, who struck fear into the hearts of the entire ninja world, looked was something that should have made anyone proud. But Neji felt no such thing.
Looking at the fragile Kaguya, he just felt pity.
"Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."
"Really?"
"Really." Neji stroked Kaguya's long silver hair, wrapping his arms around her as they lay down on the bed.
Their eyes met. Smelling Neji's unique scent, Kaguya finally relaxed and nestled into his embrace.
They lay there quietly, listening to each other's breathing, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
It wasn't until late into the night that Kaguya woke up in Neji's arms. Looking at the man watching her sleep, Kaguya felt her heart pound as if it would fly out of her chest. She was the picture of a shy young woman, completely lacking the overbearing aura she would possess later.
"Mwah~"
Neji looked at the shy girl in his arms and couldn't resist kissing her beautiful eyes. He asked softly, "Is there anything you want to eat?"
For people like them, not eating for a meal or two was no problem. But Kaguya wouldn't pass up a chance like this to be alone with Neji. At her request, Neji took her to the riverbank, where they had their first picnic.
Neji went into the river and caught a few large fish. Frankly, in his previous life, he had honed his cooking skills to a high level for independence. He handled this task with ease. Before long, they were having their moonlit dinner.
Kaguya snuggled close to Neji, and they leaned against each other, having their first "date."
"Oh, right." Suddenly, Kaguya remembered what had happened that morning and felt a pang of fear.
Hearing Kaguya, Neji chuckled. He lightly tapped her forehead and told her about the Gelel Stone. He was surprised that the power he couldn't control had protected him twice on its own.
Even Kaguya couldn't answer Neji's questions. Neji shook his head slightly and stopped thinking about it. It was best to let such things take their natural course.
"Tell me your story."
After dinner, Neji held Kaguya as they lay on the grass, looking at the twinkling lights in the starry sky. Neji wanted to know more about Kaguya.
"Hmm..." Kaguya pondered. Originally very happy, she pursed her lips upon hearing Neji's words. Neji could clearly sense her nervousness.
"What's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing." Kaguya gently rested on Neji, breathing in his scent and feeling his presence before slowly speaking.
"I come from the other side of the starry sky. There is a brilliant and powerful nation there, unlike here. The people there possess great power from birth."
"Our Ootsuki clan is one of the groups living there."
"One of the groups?" Neji was surprised.
"Yes. There, our clan is the guardian of the Divine Tree. We are responsible for planting and growing the Divine Tree, collecting the Chakra fruit, and then handing it over to our clan leader. They, in turn, submit it to the true rulers of our land."
"Although I am the princess of our clan and the Clan leader, in our nation, I am just someone who plants trees. I have no right to demand anything from my clan. It's quite ridiculous, isn't it?" Kaguya said sadly, lying in Neji's arms.
"I see." Neji finally understood why Kaguya had been so nervous earlier, and he playfully pinched her cheek.
"Owww, it hurts!" Kaguya rubbed her slightly red cheek and looked at Neji with irritation.
"You feel pain, so that's right." Neji put an arm around Kaguya's waist and flipped her over, pinning her down. His pure white eyes locked onto hers.
"You don't trust me enough. I love you as a person. Whether you're the Goddess of Rabbits, an Ootsuki princess, or someone who plants trees, it doesn't matter to me."
"I'm sorry~~"
"Hmm? No, what did you just say?" Kaguya belatedly reacted, looking at him with hope and a hint of shyness.
Neji smiled slightly and gently pressed his lips to Kaguya's.
After a long time, their lips parted. Kaguya looked intoxicatingly beautiful, her heart filled with warmth. Her empty heart was now enveloped in deep love.
This time, Neji remained rational.
"Let's go back too."
Neji slipped his hand under Kaguya's knees and carried her in a princess hold, flying towards the distant mansion.
However, they were unaware that a new, dangerous power had unknowingly emerged, rapidly forming into a higher intelligent being at a speed more terrifying than an evil god.
The thoughts and will of all living beings cannot be controlled.