To Have a Mother [Slow Updates]

Episode Eleven: The Endorphin Effect

Akari dragged Neji throughout the village, ignoring his small grumbles every now and again. She held his hand firmly and allowed a smile to sketch across her face. Eventually, the young Hyūga had given in. He returned the grip on his hand and he stopped making Akari drag him as he seemed more willing to walk alongside her.

"That's more like it!" The jōnin gave a toothy grin at him. "I thought I'd invite you because you didn't look like you wanted to go home."

Neji felt a light blush on his cheeks as she smiled at him with such warmth. He looked away, nodding appreciatively. "It was considerate. Thank you."

"Of course!" Akari inhaled a breath and let it go. "I know it's been a while, but I truly hope all my children will be able to forgive me."

"I don't see why they wouldn't," Neji said nonchalantly. "No one emits the same warmth and love as you do. Those who would shun it are idiots."

Akari's green eyes widened as it was a rarity to hear such a compliment from the grumpy Hyūga. Seeing how surprised his superior reacted to his commentary, Neji removed his hand from hers and pressed his fist to his lips to clear his throat.

"I have absolutely no idea where that came from."

Akari blinked in amusement and couldn't contain her laughter. Neji grew red in response, cursing the blood for rushing to his cheeks so noticeably.

"Oh, Neji, it's not your fault," Akari told him, patting his head gently. "My Heiwagan, after proper execution, will affect you for a few hours after."

"What effect?"

"It's called the Endorphin Effect. The whole point of my jutsu is the put you in a better mood and heal your mental stress. The nature of the jutsu also relates mental healing with physical healing as you can tell your head no longer hurts. So, after delving into your mind and experiencing your most desired reality, the endorphins cause you to feel a sense of euphoria."

"Euphoria?" Neji asked, lifting an eyebrow. "You speak of it as if it's a drug."

"Well, I assure you that my Heiwagan is completely safe and very healthy for you. However, in some cases, certain individuals may experience it very intensely. So, if you want to compare it to drugs, I suppose you can consider the euphoria a sort of..."

Neji giggled a bit and covered his mouth, looking up at Akari in confusion and betrayal.

"... high."

"A-Akari S-Sensei... what the..." Neji began speaking, but couldn't finish as he involuntarily burst into laughter, covering his face with embarrassment.

Akari bit back her own laughter to avoid causing Neji any further humiliation. She sighed and pulled him into her to provide him comfort while he let it out of his system. He couldn't even resist her. He couldn't stand to imagine the stares he must be getting for his inappropriate behavior in such a public area.

"Aw, Neji," she said, stroking his hair, "you have such a lovely laugh. I wish I could hear it more often."

"Th-This is you're f-fault, S-Sensei!"

"Don't worry," she told him, guiding him to a more private area. "The hysterical laughter will pass. Give it a minute."

After a moment, Neji's laughter ceased. He looked up at her, flushing red, with tears brimming in his eyes from laughing so hard.

"I'm so sorry, love," Akari told him, continuing to stroke his hair. "It's not my intention to embarrass you, I hope you know that."

"I do," The boy scoffed, breaking his gaze with the jōnin and gently placed his hand on his hair atop hers. "That's precisely why it is so infuriating."