Chapter 18
Honeydew Milk Tea
Everything about Mikoto exuded love.
From the moment the door swung open to night falling, she had accepted Hinata as her own. She seemed to liven up just in seeing Itachi, glad he came, even if late.
"So you passed by before coming?" she asked Hinata softly, who volunteered to help her in the kitchen.
"Hai."
"Yokatta." she sighed, content. Sasuke's memories of Fugaku were vague but Itachi had had difficulty in forgiving his father for passing so soon.
Time seemed to have no effect on the woman before her. At fifty, Mikoto could easily pass for thirty. The tiny smile wrinkles, settling nicely, testimony to a life of smiles and laughs. It was however, the resemblance to Itachi that astonished her.
"Itachi looks so much like you. And you are very beautiful." Hinata complimented
"Well, I'm no spring chicken but thank you dear." her laughter filling the room in spells. "A strong woman never looks like what she's been through." Mikoto replied, almost as though she had recited it all her life.
"My mother was a royal. She left it to be with my father. She left everything for him."
So this is what he had meant.
"You are your own brand of beauty," Mikoto's silvery voice broke her reverie. "Don't forget that."
"Itachi!" a strident voice squealed from the front door, and Mikoto shook her head, not even moved.