After dinner, Uchiha Yang prepared to head out to meet his close friends, Uchiha Lie and Uchiha Yan. He wasn't sure if either of them had a fiancée yet, but he had to admit—arranged marriages had their benefits. For those without prior attachments, there was no real reason to reject them.
Just as he adjusted his high-collared Uchiha clan robe and prepared to step outside, his mother's voice stopped him.
"Where are you going at this hour?"
"It's nothing, just going out to meet Lie and Yan for a walk," Uchiha Yang turned back to answer.
His mother gave a knowing smile. "Oh, those two brats? Then take Meimei with you. Everyone else is pairing off—you'll look lonely on your own. That's final. Meimei, stick close to Xiaoyang, and make sure he doesn't wander off." She gently pushed a petite girl forward.
"Wander off? Am I six?" Yang thought to himself. But, truth be told, having company wasn't so bad.
"Meimei, want to take a walk together?" Uchiha Yang asked, his tone relaxed.
Meimei blushed slightly but nodded. "Sure, I hope I won't be a bother."
As they stepped out, his mother called after them, "Have fun! Don't come back too early!"
Watching the two leave, a refined-looking Uchiha elder smirked. "I knew you'd do this. If they weren't engaged already, you would've made sure it happened."
Yang's mother crossed her arms. "What's wrong with that? My son spends all his time training or thinking about the clan's future. You fathers have no idea how to guide your sons. I'm the only one doing any real work here!"
The elder chuckled, shaking his head. "I just hope they understand your intentions. Meimei's lineage is strong, and she has a good heart. Though she's a bit soft… but maybe that's what our Xiaoyang needs."
A shadow flickered past them as the night swallowed their figures.
---
"Where do you want to go?" Uchiha Yang asked as they walked through the quieter districts of the Uchiha compound.
Meimei thought for a moment. "Let's go to the food district. It's the busiest place at night."
"Good choice. Do you usually go there?"
"Not often, but I love sweets. The taste of something sweet makes people forget their troubles."
Yang smirked. "Sweets, huh? I have a friend who makes some good ones. I'll get him to teach me, and I'll make them for you." As soon as he said it, he realized how forward he sounded and felt a little embarrassed.
Meimei giggled. "You mean Yan? I've heard about him. Your mother told me a lot about you. I admire you—you always chase after what you want. Listening to your stories, it seems like you never sit still."
Yang shrugged. "Sitting still won't change anything. If you don't move, nothing happens. Don't you have any dreams?"
Meimei suddenly stopped walking and looked at him. "I want to be a strong ninja. I want to protect my mother. I want to choose my own path."
Yang observed her for a moment before speaking. "You don't like coming back to the clan, do you? But your bloodline makes it inevitable."
Meimei lowered her gaze slightly. "I know my father's death wasn't simple. I lived peacefully before, but I always felt like I didn't belong there. And about this engagement… did I ever say I disliked it?" She lifted her eyes to meet his. "Do you think I could find a better match than you? Your mother didn't pressure me. This is the first time in my life I made a decision for myself."
Yang sighed in relief. "Good. I was hoping you'd say that."
Meimei smirked. "Although… I did think you'd be shorter than me."
Yang frowned. "Why would you think that?"
She laughed, her voice like the chime of bells. "Because you're younger than me, little brother!"
Yang looked visibly annoyed, making her laugh harder.
"Come on, or the best desserts will be sold out!" Meimei grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward.
---
After a while, Meimei slowed, catching her breath. Uchiha Yang, unfazed, glanced at her and then made a single hand sign.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
With a burst of smoke, a massive black-furred wolf appeared. Its deep crimson eyes gleamed in the moonlight.
"Took you long enough to summon me, Master," the wolf rumbled.
Meimei gasped. "A talking wolf?! Is this your personal summon? It's huge!"
Yang smirked. "Meet Kurozume. He's my summon and partner." Then, without warning, he scooped Meimei up and placed her onto the wolf's back.
She yelped, holding onto his arm tightly. "W-Wait! This is too sudden!"
The wolf chuckled. "So this is the mistress? Don't worry, I'll be gentle."
"Mistress?! Who said—" Meimei's protest was cut short as Yang climbed on behind her.
"Relax, I'm riding too. Now let's go to the food district. I'll even get you some sweets, Kurozume."
The wolf's ears perked up. "Desserts? Say no more! Let's go!"
With that, Kurozume dashed forward, the wind whipping past them.
Meimei clung to Yang, half-thrilled, half-terrified. "So fast! Slow down a little—I feel dizzy!"
Yang patted Kurozume. "Alright, let's take it easy for now."
As the wolf slowed to a smoother pace, Meimei sighed, then chuckled. "This is actually… kind of fun. Is this what it feels like to be in the ninja world?"
Yang's expression darkened slightly. "No… this is just our world. The real ninja world is something else entirely. You don't want to see that."
Meimei glanced at him, sensing a weight behind his words. She decided not to press further. For now, the night was peaceful, and that was enough.