Chapter 96 - Binding Off

The involved parties converged in the large meeting hall of the Hokage Manor shortly after lunch, the next day. The large round table that they had eaten dinner off of, that night, had been replaced with a smaller one, so that everyone could be heard properly, and glasses of water were set down at each place.

Naruto easily looked the most-nervous. His eyes seemed sunken and his expression was stretched tight, his lips pursed. He sat at the head of the table, with the Hakaza clan to one side and the representatives from Cloud to the other, with the Taki clan taking up the space in between. He had to clear his throat several times before he began the proceedings with an unsure, "Now, uh, let's try and make this a productive meeting, y'know? The goal is to reach agreements, not insult each other. Okay…?" There was no answer. "Well… okay, let's start talkin'…"

The outset was, of course, rocky. Rotsuki began by airing a list of grievances for which he held the Hakaza clan accountable, which Shin reminded him he'd largely covered the night before, at dinner. "Unless you're doing this for formality's sake. In which case I am not impressed."

Rotsuki smiled thinly in reply, and continued.

The first issue at hand was illegal goods. Tensho joined in, on this matter, because such business was also his business, and he did not appreciate rats like Rotsuki getting the facts wrong, in nearly so many words.

"We sell this stuff 'cos there's a need for it. We don't need to advertise an' trick people into what they don't want. They know what they want. They ain't stupid," he'd added, which Rotsuki quickly dismissed as irrelevant.

That was when Shin bore down with accusations of prudishness. "Really, are you trying to deny that people take pleasure from the unusual and erotic? Because they do."

"We kind of don't want kids getting into that sorta stuff, Boss Shin," Rotsuki replied.

"Well, then, restrict the places that sell them! It's not like we allow children to purchase such things," Shin said. "Besides, don't you allow swimsuit and lingerie catalogues to be sold in public? What's the difference between that and a pin-up collection? A mere few inches of fabric. Sometimes even less than that!"

"You're getting off the point, Boss Shin."

"I am not, I am making a point," Shin replied, crossing his legs under the table.

"And that would be?"

"That if you weren't so close-minded we wouldn't be having this issue in the first place."

"So first I'm uncivilized, and now I'm close-minded," Rotsuki said.

"You'll find that they're quite related, Raikage."

Kiine, from her place at the table, sighed discretely and shook her head.

"Besides," Shin continued, "I'm quite puzzled by the fact that you're so tight-laced about human sexuality when you so casually promote violence and have mandatory combat lessons in your children's schools."

"You're one to talk, Boss Shin," Rotsuki said.

"Oh, shut up, both of you."

Nobuhiro was scowling, scratching behind his ear.

"Didn't you hear the Hokage? We're tryin' to find solutions here, not insult each other. For heaven's sake."

Boss Shin blinked his shiny eyes a few times, in confusion. "Excuse me?"

"This ain't achieving anything. We both got issues. Let's solve 'em. Okay?"

"And how do you propose we do that," Rotsuki said, smoothly.

"By just forgettin' who we are. Or something." Nobuhiro glanced at Tensho, gauging his approval. His eyebrows were lowered, but in concentration and confusion, and not anger. "I mean, at the heart've it, we're just two different groups tryin' to get somethin' worked out between us. Culture don't matter here. Hell, Boss Shin, c'mon, ain't you ever had a tiff with a clan you didn't agree with?"

Shin looked up, his mouth lowering. "Well, I have…"

"Then just pretend that the Raikage's a rival Boss. An' you, Raikage, you don't need t'be so high and mighty. Try an' be cooperative, okay? Jeez. If you don't wanna hear any solutions then we won't get anywhere."

"…well, color me surprised," Rotsuki said, crossing his arms. "Though I do think Boss Shin should have come to this conclusion himself…"

"Enough of that." This time, it was Tensho that spoke. "Nobuhiro's right, stop makin' us step backwards like that." Nobuhiro could hear, under Tensho's breath, a lightly-muttered "You asshole."

"You're as much to blame in this as I am," Shin added. "I'm willing to make compromises if you are."

Rotsuki's expression in return was sarcastic and questioning.

However, Shin made good on his offer, putting forth an idea of a plan that involved putting a tax on certain materials and allowing them to be sold, supervised, in stores. "I'm offering to reduce a cut of my own profits, here! Though I believe it would work out somewhat in the end, since I'm already spending enough money fending off your men with my 'illegal' material."

"That's a start," Rotsuki said, shortly.

He warmed up some as more plans were suggested. Kiine also began chiming in, with her own ideas, as well as Tensho.

"We don't want to give up what we view as our rightful business, yeah," Kiine said. "I mean, our families've been doing this for generations, and to deny us our stake in the world is no more fair than uprooting any other family business. 'Legitimate' or not. So, why not collaborate?"

Outlawing trade entirely wouldn't work in the long run, not in the least, and everyone knew that. And transferring the sale of goods to pre-existing businesses that could be more-closely monitored and taxed was similarly impractical, especially considering how highly-specialized some the products sold by Hakaza Curiosity Shops were, and how iconic they were.

"We could send you a cut of the profits from our Curiosity Shops as a sort of tax," Kiine explained, "in exchange for having our properties treated like legitimate businesses and having our trade routes left unbothered. Plus, you could always hire our guys to fetch things for you, if you think the job's too specialized or diplomatic for your ninjas, yeah? I mean, that's what we're good at."

"Kiine, I don't want us to pay more taxes," Tensho said.

"It's just an idea, Papa," Kiine said, in what was almost a whisper.

"…not a bad idea at all," Rotsuki replied. "Though I find it hard to believe that your men are capable of doing anything that my men can't."

"Hey, remember what went down in Sekiraun?" Kiine said. "My man Yuki and I took out a whole guard station full of your guys by ourselves. We're pretty darn capable. Oh, and can we agree not to hold anyone hostage again? Ever? Please?"

Rotsuki smiled, and for once, it was genuine.

"The hostage thing I suppose I can work out," he replied.

Kiine grinned at Shin, whose smile was small and quite pleased.

By the time the meeting was over, hours later, very many plans had been made, but very few had been agreed upon. However, nobody seemed to have much of a problem with this.

"Why don't we take the next few days off to enjoy the tournament," Rotsuki said, as everyone was standing. "Wouldn't want that to spoil the sport."

"Oh, I could not hardly agree more," Shin replied. "And in fact, I'm feeling rather mad at myself for taking up so much of our gracious host's time."

"Who, me?" Naruto said. His face had loosened a great deal over the course of the meetings. "Oh, no, it's no problem. I just wanted to make sure you guys got at least a start in all this, y'know…"

"Why don't we schedule for another meeting, after all this is over?" Rotsuki said. "I'd be glad to invite you to Kumogakure. Perhaps I could have someone escort you around the city, see how businesses are run there. Give you a few ideas."

"Oh, I'm sure I'll have a few suggestions for you in return, if that's the case," Shin said, laughing afterwards. "That sounds like a fine arrangement, though. Just a matter of where and when. Shall I send you a letter?"

"Either that, or I can."

"Splendid."

Kiine nudged into Nobuhiro as they all made their way out. "Jeez, Nobu, I didn't expect that outta you!" she said. "And here I thought you hated ninjas more than Papa."

"Eh, only certain ones," Nobuhiro said, trying to sound gruff. This, however, made Yuki smile.

Kiine hugged Naruto afterwards. "Thank you so much for putting this all together," she said. "Really, we couldn't have done this without you, yeah."

"Hey, just helping where I can, y'know!" Naruto replied. "I'm just glad we actually got somewhere."

"Yeah, I'm totally surprised," Kiine said, "especially considering what traditional old farts these guys are," she added, in a mumble that made Naruto laugh.

"Hey, Hokage." It was Nobuhiro, again.

"Oh, yeah, what's going on?" Naruto said, his face creased slightly with surprise.

"I know we all wanna enjoy the tournament that's comin' up, but, uh, I wanna make sure that you don't forget to meet with me an' my boss about those debts we owe you, all right?" Nobuhiro's shoulders rocked from side to side as he tried not to shuffle his feet. "I mean, that's why we're here'n the first place, isn't it."

"Nobu!" Kiine said.

"What, just tryin' to make sure we stay on-course, here," Nobuhiro replied. "Wouldn't wanna stop all our progress here."

Naruto smiled warmly. "I'll be sure to arrange something, Nobuhiro-san. Thank you for reminding me, y'know."

"Yeah, s'nothing," Nobuhiro said. "Thanks for bein' so damn patient with us."

Naruto's laugh went on for a while. "Yeah, sure!"

"Hey, so." Kiine pulled him away again, firmly, by the arm. "You got anything going on tonight?"

"Not… particularly, I mean, I was gonna see if I could get together with some friends later and get some hang-out time in, before the tournament started 'n all that, y'know. Why, you had something in mind?"

Kiine shrugged. "I dunno, just asking. I sorta wanna meet your daughter, still, unless you don't want to…"

"Oh! Yeah, I think I could do that. Dinner with you and Yuki-kun and Kou-kun and her, y'know? I can go out with my friends later."

"That sounds pretty cool, yeah! You should go ask her," Kiine said. "I can bring my family home, even, while you track her down. I mean, y'don't have to go escorting us everywhere."

"Sure, sure," Naruto said. "I'll come by to pick you and the rest up later tonight. Give your parents a night off! Let 'em explore."

"Awesome. See you then, yeah!" Kiine said, and Naruto waved back, in return.

Tracking Yomena, after that, was fairly simple. He knew her chakra, a shining purple-in-orange contradiction, glimmering like oil on water. He took his time to walk there, however, waving at the passers-by, tossing greetings here and there.

He found her sitting under a tree in a park near a civilian residential area, legs in the lotus position, hands folded in her lap. The light breeze sent the ribbons in her hair fluttering behind her like paper slips beneath a wind-chime.

He approached her. "Hey, Yomena!"

She opened one eye. "Hokage-sama."

"What are you up to?" he said.

"Tracking the spiritual landscape of this area," she replied, closing her eyes again. "There is an unusual amount of agitation here. I thought to see what was causing it, of course."

"Oh… uh, okay," Naruto said, and cleared his throat. "Uh, anyways, so I was wondering, do you wanna have dinner with me tonight?"

She opened one eye again. "Excuse me?"

"One of my guests is real interested in meeting you an' I thought it'd be nice if we did it over dinner."

"Is this one of the other Kages?" she said.

"…no, uh, she's the daughter of a… syndicate family. But she's real nice, I promise! And I think she'd really like you, y'know."

Yomena lowered her eyes, thinking. "Is having her meet me the only reason for this dinner?" she said.

"Well… and I guess 'cos it'd be a nice thing to do, y'know," Naruto replied, shrugging. "I mean, hey, if you don't want to…"

The emotion that he could not sense out of her was absolutely unnerving.

"I believe I'll have to decline. I'm not very fond of those sorts of dinners."

"O-Oh, okay…" Naruto said. "I mean, it wouldn't be very formal, it'd just be us in a restaurant or a ramen booth-"

"It is those sorts of dinners I am referring to, of course," Yomena interrupted, flatly, opening both eyes.

"…oh, uh, sure…" Naruto said. "Well, hey, whatever you do for dinner, I hope you like it."

"Thank you," Yomena said. "Now if you'll excuse me." She closed her eyes and lowered her head, slightly, returning to her thoughts.

"Yeah, uh, seeya…"

Naruto took the uncomfortable afternoon that followed to finally stop by the Hyuuga compound and update Hinata on everything over a cup of tea.

They discussed many things. The success of the talks between Cloud and the Hakaza clan, for example, and his preparations for the bogus mission he was planning on giving Sasuke's son Hajime and her niece-by-proxy, Ninako, so they'd have an excuse to do what they needed. The discussion of the latter made Hinata smile especially warmly.

Naruto left the compound feeling far more relaxed than he had in quite a long while. What with the tournament proceeding without a hitch, thus far, and everything else going so smoothly… Having all his ducks in a row felt awesome.

…yeah, sure, there was still the issue of Karin and what to do about her punishment, or if there was even going to be one in the first place. But that was something that could be worked out over many more months, certainly after the tournament. He definitely wanted for her baby to be born healthily and taken care of before anything else went down, that was for sure.

(He tried not to think about anything else, regarding that baby. That wasn't his business, to get involved with that.)

(Even though he knew where the child came from.)

"Yomena said she wasn't really interested in having a casual dinner, so I guess it's just us, tonight," he announced, when picking the kids up. "Is that all right?"

"Aw, okay," Kiine said. She'd abandoned her formal dresses of the past few days in favor of jeans and layered tank tops, which suited her far more than anything else did. "Well, where to, then?"

"Anywhere you wanna check out?"

"…would it be bad of me to ask for us to go back to Ichiraku again?" she asked, and Naruto laughed, totally approving of her choice.

With the kids gone, the adults took the opportunity to entertain themselves unsupervised.

"I say we go see what sorts of wonderful spirits this city can provide us!" Shin said, waving his arms around like a dancer. "I want to feel like a rosy-cheeked schoolgirl!"

"Boss Shin, you are utterly ridiculous!" Mikan replied, chuckling. "But I do say that isn't a bad idea at all. What do you think, Tensho?"

"So long as we don't have to discuss business at the table I'm fine with anything," Tensho said, smiling for what was probably the first time, since arriving in Konoha.

"Oh my goodness yes," Shin replied. "Enough of this, it's bad for my complexion. Now I must get dressed up!"

They settled on a lantern-lit café, of all places, because Shin became quite smitten with it, and once Mikan became enamored, the choice was set. The two of them spent a great deal of time going over the wine list together, during which Tensho leaned in to speak to Nobuhiro at his adjacent wire-legged table.

"So what was with today?" Tensho said.

"What was what today."

"The whole stepping up and getting Shin and that Raikage guy to shut up. An' that little speech afterward, about ninjas and us not bein' so different."

"Oh." Nobuhiro folded his hands on the metal surface of the table, his fingertips touching his knuckles. "Well… I just did some thinkin' last night, is all. Since that banquet whatever was fuckin' disastrous, an' I sorta didn't want it to happen again. And that just happened t'be the conclusion I came to, is all."

Tensho's expression was skeptical. "Even after that shit the Raikage said about even a serving girl bein' guilty?"

"Hey, hey, I never said I liked the guy. He's a piece of shit but if we get him to cooperate then he's out of our hair," Nobuhiro replied. "Besides, he's not a piece of shit because he's a ninja, he's a piece of shit because he's a piece of shit. That's what I figure. I mean," he added, quickly, "that Naruto guy is pretty damn decent. And Boss Shin seems to get along with that other dude. What's his name."

"I guess you got a point," Tensho said, shrugging. "I dunno. I'm remainin' cautious."

"So'm I, boss, so'm I. But, hey, it's workin' out pretty damn well so far, right?" He smiled using the left side of his face, like he usually did.

"We'll have to wait and see," Rotsuki replied, though his mustache bristled with a smile of his own.

They returned to the inn a few hours later with several bottles of wine in hand that Shin and Mikan felt would be a shame to leave the restaurant without, one of which Shin immediately opened upon returning to the common room of their suite. The kids got home a while after that, to find Shin dancing with Nobuhiro while Shankusu sang a shanty very loudly. Nobuhiro had a very uncomfortable look on his face.

Kou covered his face with one of his hands.

"Hey, kids, how was your time out?" Mikan asked.

"Pretty great, Mama. Naruto-san met up with Gaara-san and Bee-san while we were out on a walk afterwards, and they were gonna go out and get some drinks, so we headed home, yeah," Kiine said.

"Drinks! Yes, more drinks!" Shin cheered, and giggled.

"Seems you guys have been having some fun, too," Kiine added.

"Yes, rather a bit," Mikan replied. "I can get them to quiet down a bit if you need to."

"Nah, we'll just head back to my room," Kiine replied. "You guys have fun."

She held both Kou and Yuki's hands as she led them back down the hallway.

"Mikan," Nobuhiro groaned. "Help me."

Nobuhiro, eventually, escaped to the lounge. Not to drink, but to get away from the drinking.

Damn, Boss Shin could tuck it away. Not as much as Mikan, but holy hell. He sure couldn't hold it as well as she could, that was for sure.

Nobuhiro ordered a glass of ice water and went to rest his feet in one of the leather armchairs, closing his eyes to listen to the light jazz music that was playing over the lounge's stereo.

He wasn't alone, that night, since it was still fairly early in the evening. Other guests took up places at tables and armchairs, some of them reading books from the large lending library that took up one wall. Over in the corner, one of the tables had been cleared away, and an ashy-skinned girl was apparently teaching a tall, gangly boy how to dance. He had his arm in a thick cast, held up by a bar, and seemed to be having quite a difficult time. Watching them made him chuckle, lightly.

"Better you than me, buddy," Nobuhiro said to himself, taking another sip.

A larger group of people, arrived, later in the evening, and Nobuhiro was surprised to find that he recognized them: it was Naruto, along with Tattoo Guy, a tall man with ashy-skin like the dancing girl, and… Kohriza.

Nobuhiro didn't speak up, staying in his armchair with his glass of melted ice, just watching them, waiting to see what would happen.

He was able to hear snatches of their conversation from across the room: apparently the two ashy-skinned people were related, and both the girl and the boy with the cast joined the group at a table near the bar, while Naruto got them all drinks.

Kohriza kept looking over her shoulder at him, though her glances were small, almost accidental.

Naruto spoke animatedly and loudly, the boy in the cast listening on with wide-eyed, rapt attention, from his place immediately to his right. And apparently what he said seemed to be impressing Kohriza too, while Tattoo Guy just smiled, looking absolutely relieved.

She kept looking back at him more frequently, after that. But he didn't do anything to return her attention, just leaning back in the chair, eyes almost closed.

Eventually, though, he ran out of water. And he went to the bar to return his glass, bumping against her chair slightly as he did so.

She finally spoke. "Oh, Nobuhiro!"

"Speak of the devil! We were just talking about you, y'know," Naruto said.

"Oh, really," Nobuhiro said, putting his glass on the bar.

"It sounds like you were invaluable in helping out with the negotiations today," Tattoo Guy said. "Even though it doesn't really concern me, I applaud you."

"Sure, uh, okay," Nobuhiro replied. "What are you guys all doing here, though?"

"We tend to chill at this bar and grill, yeah," the ashy-skinned man said.

"Pops, there ain't a grill here," the girl added.

"Whatever, it sounded clever," the man replied.

"It's just a place where we can be together comfortably, once we're done with business for the day," Tattoo Guy explained. "We all have rooms booked here."

"Ah," Nobuhiro said, "I see."

"Yeah. Hey, you feel like joining us for some drinks?" Naruto said.

"I've been around far too many drinkers t'night, so I'll have to decline," Nobuhiro replied. "Thanks, though."

"Hey, no worries," said Naruto. "You can still hang out with us at the table, if y'want. We got room."

"I'll, uh… actually be just down the hallway," Nobuhiro said, brushing his hand against Kohriza's shoulder, which was nestled in a wreath of black lace. "But I'll be seeing you guys at the tournament, right?"

"Oh, yeah! I'll be picking up you guys in the morning to lead you to your box, y'know," Naruto said. "It'll be great!"

"Sure, sure. Uh, see you guys later," Nobuhiro said, and left.

He was almost shocked when Kohriza appeared a few minutes later, meeting him where he had been waiting in the hall. His heart was fluttering, at least, and cold sweat was collecting under his clothes.

"You amazing man!" she said, rising up to her tip-toes, even in her shiny, high-heeled shoes, to lay her hands on his broad shoulders.

"I—uh—what, now?" Nobuhiro said.

"Naruto-san told me what happened at the negotiations. You're amazing!" She pulled herself up tighter, into what was definitely a hug. "That's incredibly brave of you."

His arms hesitated in touching her back. "I—I really didn't do nothing special, really, I was just thinkin' about… what was best for everyone and… yeah…"

She let go, looking up at him from where she was standing, her hands clasped playfully behind her back. "I really wish I could have been there. You must have looked so powerful speaking up like that."

"Powerful, huh?"

"Mm, really, I love bold, confident men." She stepped forward, pressing her chest against his stomach.

Nobuhiro gulped. "Uh, really."

"Mhmm. Definitely. You know," she added, a hand wandering up and over his chest, "my offer from a few nights ago still stands. My suite should be empty for a while. And I won't be missed back in the lounge."

"…wait, you mean… you want to…?" Nobuhiro raised his hands, motioning them awkwardly in place of words.

"I have protection, if that's what you're concerned about," Kohriza said, her hard-candy eyes widened sincerely. Her mouth was so close to his, and he could see that her front teeth were slightly larger than the others.

"Oh, jeez, uh—no, no, it's not that, I mean…" His voice lowered. "You—you wanna do it with me?"

"Quite a bit," she replied. He felt her hands, so small against his chest, reaching for the hem of the opening of his robe. "I've sort of been daydreaming about what you're hiding under here…"

Nobuhiro's face felt very hot. "Won't this, uh, cause an issue…?"

"What sort of issue?" she replied, with a wide-eyed glance up.

"I mean, given who you are… you worried about, uh, political scandals…? I mean, nobody gives a shit about what I do, but…"

She hopped up and gave him a little kiss on his cheek, by his scar. It left a blossom of pink lipstick on his skin. "You are so considerate. It's okay, my private life is nobody's business but my own. Besides, I think it'd be good publicity if people found out I was actually interested in someone for once. I've been criticized for being more or less celibate by some columnists, as a matter of fact."

"…the people where you come from are weird as hell, Kohriza," Nobuhiro replied.

She giggled. "Yeah, I know. So, shall we?" She tugged on his robe again.

"Sure, uh, where to…?"

She took two of his fingers and wrapped her hand around them. "This way."

When Yuki finally returned to his and Nobuhiro's room, later that evening, he was confused at his brother's absence, but figured there was a good reason for it.

(At least Nobuhiro wouldn't have to see the kinks left in his hair by Kou's experimentations. He didn't feel like brushing them out, however.)

And boy, was there ever.

Naruto stumbled into the foyer of his home quite late in the evening, filled with effervescent cheer. Even though Kohriza had left, he'd had a good enough time with Bee and Gaara and BB and Fuzan for him to forget that she never did come back. He figured she had a good reason.

Beyond the drinks (Naruto only had one or two rum and colas—he didn't like bitter alcohol at all), Fuzan had prepared a rap for him, of all things.

About him.

He'd apparently been rehearsing, but only decided to perform it for him after BB suggested he give it a try.

The chorus, Naruto liked especially. "Na-Na-Na-Na, Naruto! Man, that reminds me," Naruto said, laughing. "I used to have a nickname like that, y'know."

"A nickname, huh? Like what?" Fuzan said, eyes gleaming.

"Yeah. Nana-Naruto. One of my students gave it to me. 'Cos, y'know, I'm the seventh Hokage, and Nana means 'seven,' and it just sounds so good together!"

(This was one of the brighter memories he had of Shusuke, and one he did not mind revisiting.)

"That is awesome, man!" Fuzan replied. "Nana-Naruto, that is some good stuff!"

Naruto was still laughing over it as he kicked off his shoes. "Na-Na-Na-Na, Naruto… Doot doo, hahaha…"

"Hokage-sama."

He looked up. Yomena was in the hallway again. "Oh, Yomena, hey! When did you get back?"

"A while ago."

"Did you get dinner all right?"

"Of course."

He passed by the kitchen, near where she stood. "Well that's good t'hear. I'm still sorta bummed y'didn't want to have dinner with me and Kiine, y'know. Would you be more comfortable with, like… a fancy dinner, or somethin'? Cos I could arrange one of those if y'want."

"I'd rather you didn't," Yomena replied.

"Oh, uh, okay. Then, uh, what would you want?" he chattered, continuing into the hallway. "I mean, if you want it to be just you and me, even. It'd be really great if we could fit that in somewhere, y'know."

"Please stop trying," Yomena said.

"…trying? What do you mean?" He turned around to face her.

"I really don't feel comfortable with this show you're putting on, and I'd appreciate it if you'd just stop," she replied.

"Show? What show…?"

"You know how we are to conduct ourselves while I am your guest here, of course. I stay in the room you've allotted for me, and you graciously keep me without complaint. That is how things are supposed to be." Her eyes were narrowed, and very dark. "This excessive friendliness is inappropriate and I really wish you would stop with it. I know it's not genuine, of course. Which makes it worse."

Naruto was silent, for a while.

"I'm not… trying to be inappropriate, y'know," he said. "I just… want to reach out to you. Get to know you a bit."

"A suggestion by your PR staff, of course," Yomena replied.

His chest began to grow heavy. "No, that's—that's not it. I'm doing this because it's what I want to do, Yomena. I really do want to get to know you better, y'know."

"Then what kept you from doing so for the past ten years?"

For a moment, for just a moment, he felt a gentle pang of… something from out of her. But he could not identify it.

He choked on his words, exhaling to try and remove them. "I just… I don't know. But there's no reason why I can't start now, right?"

Yomena sighed, shaking her head. "Hokage-sama, let me make one thing very clear to you. In regards to me, you are nothing more than a sperm donor. I do not consider you to be my father. I never have, and in all likelihood I never will. The arrangement between you and me and my mother is for the good of my country, of course, and nothing more. I have no interest in getting to know you further, and I suggest you abandon any interest of your own, or any interest your staff might have had."

Whatever pang he had felt was gone, replaced by nothingness.

Naruto swallowed something back.

"…sure, whatever… makes you comfortable, y'know," he said. "I'll leave you alone, then."

"I appreciate it, of course. Thank you."

She bowed.

He nodded back, and retreated to his room.

As soon as his door was closed, he shoved his palms over his eyes.

Of course. Of course she didn't care about him. They only saw each other once, twice a year.

(Shusuke had nothing to do with their distance.)

She just didn't want to know him.

That was surely easier for her, instead of pining for a father figure that was impossible to get to know. She probably already had someone that she looked up to, back in the Land of Demons. Someone that guided her in the right directions. Someone she could talk to.

His palms slid up and into his hairline, fingers grasping hair in frustration.

He knew better than to even try. Ten years, and this distance had worked for them. And now he'd gone and made her uncomfortable.

Well, at least he had things keeping him away from her. And she was gone in a few days.

He wouldn't be bothering her any more, after that.