The village was abuzz as people filled the streets of Konoha, excited chatter about the chūnin exams being more or less the only conversation Michiko was able to catch as she made her way to the Hokage tower. People who were just arriving at the village were crowded at the gates, waiting their turn to have their paperwork approved and be let inside, eager to make their way towards the arena and hoping to still find seats if they weren't part of the crowd which had a special spot reserved just to themselves.
This was just the kind of atmosphere and energy Michiko enjoyed.
But not when she has been stuck for the better part of the day in the Hokage tower waiting for the bloody Raikage to show up because for one reason or another he actually decided to show up. Something that surprised even Hiruzen and made the council somewhat wary about the whole thing and…did Michiko mention how hungry she was? Because right about now she was willing to even go for a portion of ma po tofu. And that said something because Michiko really disliked overly spicy food.
And she knew that to dish be particularly spicy because Anko once dared her to eat it.
She didn't speak with Anko for the rest of the day. Though it seemed her friend was content with mocking her.
Right. Back to the topic at hand.
Ay was late and Michiko was not impressed. And she just knew he was doing it on purpose too. Asshole.
Eventually he did arrive, not in the bit sorry for his tardiness, and they moved to a larger meeting room where the three village leaders went over the day's programme.
Normally, one wouldn't really bother to invite a village head to the chūnin exams unless they had a good number of genin in the final, were related to a participant in some way, or to show a good relationship between their villages. In the Raikage's case it was the first one, four genin was not bad (keep in mind finals weren't meant to be dragged out too much), while in Michiko's case it was the first and last reasons which applied.
All three if you counted Itachi. Who was more like a little brother to the redhead. In a way he was more so than even Seiichi, if by sheer virtue that Michiko could actually hold an elaborate conversation with Itachi and even fight the child, while that could not happen with her blood brother. Yet.
That is not to say that Michiko wouldn't eviscerate anyone imbecilic enough to think that even so much as touching a hair on her baby brother's head with the intent to harm was a smart idea.
It was an ideology even peace loving Itachi could agree with.
Returning back to the main point. Unless one of those reasons was present a village head wouldn't really be invited by the hosting village. Pretty much because all the political implications and security risks weren't worth it.
Sarutobi talked the two through the days events —Michiko, unfortunately, couldn't wander about the village while Ay was essentially forced to remain were Hiruzen could see him. Political fairness and all that— explaining all the important political figures coming and how promising this batch of genin looked like yada, yada.
If there was ever a time Michiko and Ay agreed on something it was during that meeting. Because for all that the Uzumaki liked Sarutobi, this was pure boredom.
And it was compulsory boredom that, for the sake of politeness, she had to at least pretend she found interesting.
Ay didn't. And Michiko hated that she felt slightly jealous of the overly muscular man who just bluntly stated what he thought. The two of them might have actually gotten along in a different life.
Nevertheless the morning passed and the three village heads were making their way towards the arena, accompanied by their guard who were simultaneously trying to be invisible and threatening. Rahyō, who arrived last night, was engaged in a staring competition with a Kumo ninja for one reason or another. Pity the Konoha ANBU couldn't join in due to their masks pretty much obscuring their eyes from others.
Once at the arena they ascended up a flight of stairs, making their way to the top booth reserved just for them, when a familiar voice called Michiko's name. Pausing the redhead turned to face Izumi who was excitedly making her way to Michiko, slowing down as she realised that maybe she didn't catch the redhead at the best time.
By the time she stood before Michiko Izumi was red in the face and mumbling a myriad of apologises directing them at Hiruzen, Ay and the Uzumaki respectively.
Michiko for her part had to bite back a laugh and ruffled the Uchiha's hair affectionately. Doing a marvellous job of ignoring Ay's scroll while Hiruzen held in a snicker.
"Mah, I haven't had a chance to see you and your mother in a while. She here with you? Tell her I said hi and I will come by to visit before I go," the teen instructed, watching the smile bloom once again on Izumi's face before the young Uchiha returned to her group of friends. (All looking at the girl with various levels of incredulity displayed on their faces as the brunette bounced back to them.)
"Friendly with the Uchiha clan aren't you Uzumaki?" Ay remarked offhandedly, looking almost bored as he said it.
"Well, they are family," Michiko chirped right back, willing her body to not stiffen and adopt the nonchalant posture Fujinoma-sensei taught her long ago. Maybe she was being paranoid. After all, it wasn't like Kumo was known to dabble in the habit of [attempting to] kidnap clan children or anything. Right.
Ay gave Michiko an indescribable look for a moment before huffing and crossing his arms. Hiruzen on the other hand had a serene expression on his face as he aded his own comments to the bucket.
"Ah, yes. Michiko has always been rather close to the Uchiha clan. Though I believe the proceeding are due to start shortly," and up they went. All the way to the top where they took a seat in one of the three chairs provided, their semi-concealed guards behind them.
It took a couple more minutes for things to calm down to a more manageable level and the contestants began entering the arena. This was also the moment to notice the large number of genin who passed. Because for an international chūnin exam having fifteen finalist was a large number and you better hoped the people watching didn't grow bored.
There were five Uzu participants, six from Konoha, one of which was Itachi, and as mentioned before, four Kumo shinobi.
Looking over the assembled genin Michiko couldn't help the corners of her lips pulling up. The sun was high up in the sky and every now and then her genin's headbands would catch the sunlight just right and it would be reflected.
Off their Uzushiogakure headbands.
To be perfectly honest she might feel the slightest urge to cry but she was far too in control of her emotions to allow for such a display in their current setting.
In the end Hiruzen finally thought it the right moment to address the gathered crowd and genin, proclaiming his gratefulness to everyone assembled yada, yada.
So much ass kissing, it was incredible.
The proctor called off the first pair which so happened to be a Uzu kunoichi named Aki and a Kumo boy by the name of Tarui.
Now, when the proctor gave the go ahead, one might have expected immediate action. However, the two genin remained motionless for a while, staring at each other, trying to analyse their opponent.
Aki said something along the lines of "Surrender, it will make it easier for you down the line," but Michiko couldn't have been certain as Ay began ranting over the impertinence of her genin.
Of course the Kumo boy simply scoffed and began his attack —he was really nimble, Michiko had to admit— only for Aki to take off to the arena walls. Scaling them like it was nobody's business before throwing herself from the top edge.
She was using chakra to do so no doubt, as she achieved good altitude. The moment she was more or less above the middle of the arena, the girl displayed some really flashy kunaijutsu and Michiko didn't bother to hide her smirk.
She should have probably mentioned this before, but as the selected genin were more or less specially trained for these exams, they also really loved their explosives.
Which may have to do with that one time Michiko oversaw the team training and rotated between them all to show them exactly how to apply academy level fūinjutsu in a proper combat situation.
So, in all honesty, the redhead was not even a bit surprised when the kunai all landed they detonated immediately while Aki was still mid-air. 'She must have used the heavy led kunai so they landed quicker,' the teen summarised.
Of course, it was a beautiful explosion which affected the entire arena. Sending dust and pieces of debris flying in the air. Preventing the audience, sans the sensors, from seeing what was happening.
Meanwhile, Michiko was doing an excellent job at avoiding both Hiruzen and Ay's looks.
The smoke cleared eventually and both genin were still standing. From the looks of it, Aki was also slightly affected by her attack but no where near as badly as the Kumo genin who was heroically still standing on shaking legs. The ground was also completely destroyed as she just knew the next concurrence will not appreciate this change of terrain.
The fight ended with a taijutsu bout that left Aki victorious. Now whether or not that was entirely due to the girl's taijutsu was unknown, as Tarui did brilliantly staying conscious and still putting up a fight despite the severe burns marring his body.
Either way, a win was a win and in real life it really didn't much matter how you defeated your opponent as long as you defeated them and lived to tell the tale.
So Michiko clapped alongside the rest of the crowd but refrained from making any vocal cheers, while Ay was fuming beside her.
Ah, life was good.
The next match was Itachi's, though it was a bit crap in the sense that he was required to fight another Konoha shinobi. Alas. That was the way of life.
Was it even worth mentioning that the boy won his match without even using his sharingan?
Next was Shido, another one of Michiko's. He was paired up against an Aburame who wasted little time in unleashing their kikaichū. And Kami help her if she didn't find the sight of so many bugs just gross. She would take being covered in blood and grime any day to insects. And to think the Aburame let those things live inside them.
It was kinda too bad for the Aburame but Shido was fire user, and he made sure to let the other boy know.
Next was Kumo versus Konoha which resulted in Kumo's win. Then another Kumo Uzu match resulted in the lighting village's second win in a row which might have resulted in an overly smug Raikage.
The girl, Kei, had some sort of nature release kekkei genkai. For ranton couldn't be anything else. Though in all honestly it looked more like a laser beam, it was an effective technique and the girl was proficient in using her ability no doubt about it. Of course this resulted in Joichiro's defeat but Michiko wasn't upset about it. Mainly annoyed with Ay but that was not her genin's fault. He put up a good match.
Another Uzu Konoha match followed resulting in Uzu's win, though Kotori had the grace to congratulate her opponent and offer a hand up. It unintentionally revealed that even their shinobi though well of each other, which of course reflect well upon the alliance between their villages.
Alliance in which Ay pretended to want in so he could get better access to various kekkei genkai users Kumo didn't have.
Second to last match was between Uzu's Saru and Kumo's Toroi, who lived up to his name and although a heavy hitter was far to slow. Thus unable to keep up with Saru, who also lived up to his own name. Moving more like a money than a diligently drilled genin but hey? Who was Michiko to hate? It certainly proved to be one of the more amusing fights, —kids fighting each other and causing serious injury was something she found fun…damn this world can sure change a person— especially given the fact that Saru had a tendency to toy with his opponent. Leaving behind an explosive tag always far too close to the other boy's leg. Scarring poor Toroi each time, regardless of the fact that some were duds while some were most definitely real.
Michiko might have called it a good match if it weren't for the fact that Saru most definitely acted out of bounds once the match was called in his favour. Taunting the defeated boy to the point even she was angry on the boy's behalf.
"I'll most definitely have a talk with him," Michiko said before Ay could say whatever it was he opened his mind to say.
The redhead had already known that for all that Saru won this match he wouldn't be advanced to chūnin. He was skilled but much too impulsive and clearly too arrogant for his own good. But this behaviour sealed the deal.
Michiko was aware you couldn't alert every single person's personality to fit your beliefs. You couldn't control their action and she didn't want to either. A village was an entity made up of the various people within it and some could be pleasant while others…less so.
Nevertheless, that did not mean she wouldn't deal with unacceptable behaviour when she saw it from one of her own. For his own good if nothing else.
Never underestimate your opponent. Do not flaunt your superiority and do not let your arrogance blind you. Because those could be your last mistakes.
It was something her father drilled into her head from a long age. Back when they still used to live inter home within one of Yu no Kuni's numerous forests.
They were words she believed in. Teachings she wanted to impart to the younger generation as well.
Therefore when the final match was called, which due to their numbers was between Saru and Konoha's last contender, Michiko was actually pleased when the Uzu boy had his ass handed to him.
'You won't alway fight in a place were there is still the possibility for someone to interfere and prevent your death because of your arrogance,' Michiko thought as the first round of the finals was finally over.
Leaving them with seven contestants; three from Uzushio, and two from Konoha and Kumo.
A sort break of five minutes was announced, giving the people in the tribunes a chance to go refresh or relieve themselves if they so required. It also allowed for more animated conversations to take place now that they weren't watching more battles.
When things resumed, the first fight to take place was between Itachi and Aki, which in all honesty Michiko didn't even bother believing will result in a victory for Uzushio.
It also left her slightly conflicted in regards to who to cheer for since Itachi much as well be her sibling while Aki was a genin from her village whom she had gotten a chance to better known after her selection for this exams.
Decisions, decision.
"The Uchiha will win," Ay declared in a bored tone, slouching in his chair—which was much larger than Hiruzen or hers because of the sheer size of the Raikage. Not that it was a bad thing. She might never admit it out-loud, unless heavily intoxicated, but Ay was not bad on the eye at all. Which was really unfair because he was such an annoying man and it was a pity that he was gifted with such a body. Those shoulders will be the last thing Michiko says on the topic.
"Ah," was the reply she gave while Hiruzen diplomatically said nothing in this instance. Not that anyone really needed to say anything. The winner was obvious and it was not Aki.
Although after being caught in a definitive hold the girl had the brain to give up and the two shook hands at the end.
The next matches resulted in a victory for the following: Uzushio's Shido and Kumo's Kei, who after defeating Kotori had to fight Konoha's only other genin in the competition and defeated them as well. Following that match was Itachi and Shido's which resulted in the later being knocked unconscious, leaving the final to be fought between Kumo and Konoha.
Another break was set in place to give both finalists time to prepare and for the crow to do whatever it was they wanted and could go in half an hour. Michiko unfortunately needed to remain with the two Kage so she couldn't go speak with either Itachi or her cute genin that struggled so hard.
It would have been nice to have a genin fighting in the final match, if only so she could rub it in Ay's face that they got so far on their first go. But that was really not all the Chūnin exams were.
She said it before and she will say it again. These exams were dick measuring contests. They were to put a show of their village's ability by presenting some of their youngest competitors and try to secure contracts with prominent members of the public to ensure a steady flow of income for their respective village.
And anyone with half a brain that was paying attention would have noticed a distinct difference between the 'power' displayed by the current three villages competing in the finals. Yes, Kumo and Konoha were the last one standing, however; Uzushio had the most wins from most of their genin. While the other two only ended up in the final from essentially two prodigies. (Well, she didn't know how much of a prodigy Kei was but she was definitely strong) Which wasn't exactly bad, it was good to have shinobi strong enough to carve a name for themselves in the future. It would undoubtedly bolster a village's reputation. (Negatively or not was a whole other matter)
Nevertheless, not everyone will be able to hire or request the exact same people at the same time or constantly. You couldn't expect a village to just use a fraction of their shinobi to complete missions. So you need to show that you didn't just have a couple of rising stars. But that your village as a whole contained numerous skilled ninja that would be able to successfully carry out a mission.
Something which in this particular tournament Uzushio displayed more obviously.
Not that Kumo or Konoha were to be ignored of course. Both villages were known for their strengths, and Kumo in particular had a much stronger military if one was to be perfectly honest and objective about it. However it did show Uzushio was gunning to play in the big elite so to say. It showed a start up village was able to play on the same playing field as the big five.
Now wasn't that going to have some interesting implications down the line.
The referee once again took centre stage and drew people's attention to him as he announced the beginning of the final match of this tournament, calling the last two contestants to come down.
'Ohoho~,' Michiko chuckled mentally at seeing the wary look Kei was giving Itachi. Which was fair enough considering the boy didn't look as though he had been fighting the entire afternoon while she looked a bit more…dusty.
Itachi did not waste time activating his sharingan for this match, having every intention of taking his opponent seriously. He drew out his tanto and Kei did the same for her long sword. They allowed one more moment to pass and at a signal only they understood launched themselves at one another.
The boy parried a swing aimed at taking lobbing off his head and bent backwards afterwards to avoid a swipe for his eyes. Forcing himself to do a backwards flip with one hand to put a bit more distance between the two of them. Something the girl seemed intent to not allow him to do as she went right after him.
She went for a downward strike, pushing off the ground slightly to put more weight into her attack and Itachi had to use his own blade to parry. Successfully so, had it not been for the lighting the girl channelled into her blade all of a sudden.
"No hand seals," Michiko noted, tone complimentary as she followed the fight, lips curving upwards in a smile that was a tad bit cheeky.
In response Ay actually puffed out his chest, like he needed to, and sent her a self-satisfied smirk that really made her wand to kick him. Would it be seen as a sign of war if she followed through on her desire? Hmm, decisions, decisions.
Nevertheless, Itachi overpowered the kunoichi in the end, delivering a strong kick to knock the air out of her, he then proceeded to wire the area around her, preventing her from moving least she wanted to be skewered.
The victor was called people cheered and Michiko couldn't wait to stretch her legs.
Of course, by stretching her legs she meant walking back to the Hokage tower, deal with the last political necessities before Ay and his Kumo entourage left. Surprisingly —maybe she was a bit mean— without causing any further trouble.
People in the streets were animately talking and celebrating Konoha's victory, well, if they were from Konoha or betted on it. And the Uzumaki nearly leaped out of the tower —she did keep herself in check— after a long ass meeting with both the Uzu and Hi daimyō. The latter of which couldn't stop mentioning his son to her. Constantly. Like he wasn't obvious enough. The man even had the gall to self invite himself in the village so they could meet!
And to coal to her fire Hiruzen found the entire situation entertaining.
She was hungry. She wanted to eat. She wanted to go see her son and congratulate Itachi and possibly destroy a training ground. She had Rahyō, who accompanied her for the day, dismissed and ordered him to enjoy the festival-like atmosphere of the village.
Afterwards, Michiko made her way to the Uchiha district, where numerous laters were hung outside and people were dancing in the street. The sight warmed the Uzumaki's heart and she felt herself relaxing.
Making her way towards the main house she greeted those who recognised and saluted her before opening the door and leaving her shoes by the door. Even a non-sensor wouldn't have had trouble finding the surprisingly rowdy group—Kushina and Anko were involved, not to mention the children.
Kimimaro was the first to notice and go up to her, leaving the corner in which he and the other boys were avidly talking in exchange for a hug and several wet kisses that made him only slightly embarrassed.
"Finally escaped the old bags?" Kushina asked loudly, received a slap upside the head from Ayaka that only resulted in the young woman pouting. Unable to hold in her laughter, Michiko went to congratulate Itachi and ruffle Sasuke and Naruto's hair before making a beeline for the food put on display.
"Anything worth noting?" Toshio asked as he poured some sake in her cup for her before she returned the gesture.
"The usual, though we should expect a visit from the fire daimyō. Apparently," she said the last bit bitterly.
"Did something happen?" Mikoto asked, looking a tad worried till Michiko waved off her concern.
"No. He is just under the impression I would be interested in his son," she complained, ignoring the way Anko was laughing or the aghast expression Toshio was giving her.
"Well, you father will find that delightful," Ayaka joked, eyes filled with mirth at the situation.
"I would rather a war not start due to his overprotectiveness," the woman quickly interjected, and they all pretended to not see how Fugaku nodded approvingly.
It was then that she noticed someone missing.
"Has Kakashi already been by?" Truth was that some of the Uchiha didn't particularly like him due to him possessing the sharingan, and being good at using it. But he was family to the Uzumaki and that automatically meant he spent more time around the Uchiha head family than he might have liked.
It also meant he knew Itachi and was actually on good terms with the younger boy. One would at least expect him to pop by if he wasn't on a mission.
"Who knows where that brat is tebane!" Kushina exclaimed angrily. "He has been burring himself in ANBU work."
"Doesn't have time for us normal people," Anko interjected whilst trying to steal Michiko's mochi. Action which nearly got her hand skewered with a bamboo stick.
"Hmmm, has he now," the youngest redhead hummed in thought, dodging backwards when Anko and Shisui attempted a group tackle.
Really, the two of them meeting might have been the biggest mistake the village ever allowed to happen. They were a menace individually. Together? Words couldn't describe the duo properly.
—.—.—.—.—
The next morning Michiko woke up with an armful of drooling yellow sprawled across her abdomen and she couldn't help the fond eye roll. Gingerly, she combed Naruto's hair with her fingers, moving him slightly so she could cradle him at the side. Burring her nose in his hair Michiko couldn't help but thank all the Kami once again.
Her godson was safe. He had family surrounding him.
And Michiko planned on keeping it that way.
For Sasuke and Itachi as well.
However today she needed to hunt down another brat.
—.—.—.—.—
Tracking one Hatake Kakashi proved easier than one might expect. Especially when said man was inside the village and he had a sensor familiar with his chakra signature doing the tracking.
So even though he was wearing a mask it made little difference to Michiko. Though she really had to wonder what purpose those things served for people whose hair was a good enough giveaway to their identity.
The Uzumaki was patient. She didn't interrupt the ANBU team's training, concealed her chakra and watched for the next hour. If anyone noticed her they didn't say anything before the hour was up.
It was only after they seemingly finished with their drill for the day and she unmasked her chakra that several heads whipped in her direction.
'Three sensors,' the teen noted mentally.
"I'm here for Hatake," she said, using the same voice she used when giving orders or missions. The one which meant business.
Kakashi took a moment, likely processing the situation and wondering what she wanted before turning to his team and dismissing them.
When he landed on her tree branch she made a show of giving him a critical once-over, before saying in a cold voice:
"Come," and taking off. Leaving the male no choice but to follow as they made their way through the Konoha greenery.
They stopped right before the trees gave way to another training ground nearer to a populated area.
Jumping down, Michiko waited for Kakashi to land next to her before quickly swiping the mask off his face. Had he expected it or thought her likely to harm him he could have prevented her from doing it. As it was he simply stood there, eyes squinting angrily at her. His sharingan was exposed and the redhead found herself staring into the eye for a moment too long. Till Kurama's chakra swirled angrily—and rather warily— within her bringing her back to the present.
"You didn't come last night," she told him, hands by her side, leaning mainly on her right leg. She looked very much bored and relaxed. A front they both knew was fake.
The girl was angry.
"Is this why you asked me to come, Michi—,"
"You didn't answer my question. As a matter of fact Kushina-nee told me you haven't been coming by lately," she interrupted him, crossing her arms in the process as she gave on the pretence of calm and outwardly scrolled at the grey haired man.
"I have been busy, I don't have time—"
"Bullshit," she interrupted again. They were dosed in silence for a moment, only glaring at one another.
"Do you intend on interrupting me each time?" he asked, annoyance in his voice as he adjusted his headband.
"Only when you start lying," Michiko replied, watching as Kakashi sighed and tousled his hair.
"What do you want Michiko," he finally asked, shoulders slumping, the anger leaking put of him. It was too tiring being angry with an Uzumaki. It was a thing his sensei used to say.
The thought of Minato of course only made matters worse as Kakashi was hit by another bout of depression. His thought naturally going from his old sensei to his genin team and their fates. All because he wasn't good enough and let them—
"Spot that," Michiko orderer, bringing Kakashi out of his musing and making him realise the girl had moved. No longer was she several steps backwards and her gaze was soft and sad, rather than the scourging glare from before.
His ANBU mask was also discarded on the floor and Kakashi preventing himself from startling when Michiko put both of her hands on his face, bringing it closer to her own, forcing him to bend slightly to be at the same level.
"Stop doing that. That's what I want. Stop blaming yourself. Stop distancing yourself from everyone—you know with Guy around that won't work. And the only reason Kushina-nee wasn't the one making sense into you is because she had been rather busy recently," she told him softly, red eyes willing him to listen.
"I'm not asking you to forget the dead Kakashi," and this time he couldn't help the inhaling loudly. It hurt so much thinking about them. "…but please. Please stop forgetting about the people who are alive. Who are still here. Who care for you just as much," and it pained Michiko too. It crushed her heart knowing she was unable to do anything to prevent Kakashi from experiencing this pain. Knowing that things have yet to be resolved.
When she felt him try to pull away she didn't let him. Not before she was certain he actually heard what she was trying to convey. Not till her words wedged themselves in his brain at least a little bit.
"Kakashi, the past can't be changed. But you still have a future. And more importantly yet, you still have a present," and his snort at that made her angry.
"Listen here you idiot," the redhead snarled, letting go of his face in favour of grabbing the front of his uniform. "It sucks, it hurts. It will always hurt. But damn it Kakashi. You are hurting us and yourself even more," and if there were tears gathering in the corner of her eyes Michiko refused to acknowledge them.
"I love you, you asshole. Kushina-nee loves you. Naruto loves you. Hell, obāchan loves you and we both know she is a hard to impress woman. Guy loves you, he makes that rather obvious. We are still here. Alive. Right next to you. Stop trying to move away or I'll get Anko to tie you up," and wasn't that the nicest way to threaten someone you were trying to help. It must have been at least the slightest bit humorous because Kakashi laughed and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Arms coming to wrap around her for a moment.
"I need to go write up a report," he said and Michiko nearly lashed out at him. "I'll…I'll come by for dinner," he said, head turned to the side, not meeting her gaze.
For now, that will have to do.
"Next time I'll send Guy to talk to you," she warned, smiling at the look he shoot her before 'popping' out of existence. Leaving only a cloud of dust and leaves in his wake.
A/N: Sorry for the wait and rather crappy chapter. Uni is saying it's piece and I have a project due a week earlier than what I thought originally so I may or may not be somewhat stressed. Also I had been feeling a tad unmotivated about writing this chapter (and the halloween omake ) and some of you might have noticed I published 3 new stories. I did that because I was enjoying writing for those more than I did UR and it helped me relax so apologies if you found that frustrating.
I also caught up with the Noragami manga and have been working on a OC for that as well...*hides behind a wall*
On a side note...this story reached 1k follows! Oh my God you guys ;A; thank you so much for all the support, feedback and lovely words. You lot really make my day and I love you all so much! Hopefully this chapter wasn't too much of a disappointment, nothing really happened and I need to write the next to arcs. (After the 12th of December)
I'll give a hint about what the next arc is about ;) It involves a novel exclusive clan :D
Thank you all once again for reading and I wish you the best!
(P.S: more Michiko art! Two adorable chibies from Tsukiko26 on DeviantArt if you are curious)