Chapter 44: A Changed Home
Uchiha Raizen walked to the door of the sewing room where his mother, Uchiha Yōyō, was working and knocked gently.
"Mother, I'm back," he said.
"Raizen! Come in, come in!" Uchiha Yōyō's voice was warm with welcome.
He slid the door open and entered. Inside, his mother, his second sister Uchiha Shiori, and Haruka Ozawa were busy sewing a new set of robes.
"Mother. Second Sister. Haruka. I'm home."
"Welcome home," they chorused.
"Shiori, go help your eldest sister in the kitchen," Uchiha Yōyō instructed. "I'd like to speak with Raizen for a moment."
"Of course, Mother. Welcome home, Brother." Uchiha Shiori gave him a quick smile before leaving the room.
Once they were alone, Uchiha Raizen took a seat.
"Raizen," his mother began, her tone gentle but direct. "Haruka has spoken with me. I know about the... arrangement between you. And I know about your... physical limitation." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "What I want to say is this: if this cannot be resolved, I will take Haruka as my own daughter. But if it can be, and if she is willing to wait for you, then that is her choice to make."
Uchiha Raizen felt a flush of embarrassment. He hadn't expected Haruka to be so forthright with his mother.
"Mother," he replied, meeting her gaze. "The issue is a side effect of my unique ability. It imposes a temporary restriction. In a few years, when the restriction lifts, I will be... fully functional. There is no permanent problem." In the Warring States Period, a man's inability to perform his marital duties was a severe mark of shame, potentially worse than being weak. He had to reassure her.
"I see." Uchiha Yōyō turned to Haruka. "You heard him, Haruka. Knowing this, are you still willing to wait for our Raizen?"
"I am willing," Haruka answered without hesitation, her voice soft but firm.
Though their relationship had begun under unusual circumstances, Uchiha Raizen felt a surge of masculine pride. Haruka was a genuine beauty. In his previous life, winning the affection of such a woman would have been an impossible dream. For the first time, he felt a profound sense of gratitude for his second chance in this world.
After chatting a while longer, the three of them left the room. Uchiha Yōyō now fully accepted Haruka as part of the family and took her to the kitchen to help with dinner, shooing Uchiha Raizen away when he tried to follow.
With nothing else to do, he wandered into the garden and stood by the small ornamental pond.
I should be able to walk on water now, he thought, remembering the basic chakra control exercise.
Focusing, he gathered chakra into the soles of his feet. He carefully lifted one foot and placed it on the water's surface. It held.
"Not bad," he murmured. Emboldened, he shifted his weight and lifted his other foot.
Splash!
His chakra control wavered for an instant, and he plunged into the pond. Fortunately, he knew how to swim, saving himself from the ignominious fate of being the first ninja to drown in his own backyard.
Dripping wet, he climbed out. Maybe I should start with tree-walking, he decided. That should be easier.
For the next hour, the garden was filled with the sounds of thudding and frustrated grunts as he repeatedly failed to stick to the side of a tree. Despite his high chakra reserves and physical stats, his control was still abysmal.
When Uchiha Kuna came to call him for dinner, she found him covered in dirt, grass, and pond water. She shook her head fondly and sent him off to clean up before he was allowed to sit at the table.