Your arranged marriage to a prominent feudal lord has always been a happy one or so you thought. When he suspects your lack of fertility, he takes up a mistress much to your dismay. Your sister, no less!
The overwhelming depression forces you into...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
...mean nothing
"I must remind you that your attendance is necessary for today's event."
Your eyes drift over to the speaker. Their words are cold, harrowed by life's grievances. You wonder what haunts this person when all you've experienced from them is jubilation and laughter.
"Hiruzen."
The way your voice cradles his name takes him back to a time of blissful peace, forcing his curt stance to weaken. The tension around the edges of his lips lessen. "Yes, I know that you know... It's just been tough."
The weight he carries on his shoulders saddens you. You reach out your hand to console him, patting his arm as you sit beside him. "I understand."
The corner of his mouth twitches with a smile. "Even though the war is over, it is difficult to forget what we have lost along the way." Your heart beats with joy at the news. "So many casualties when all Lord Second wanted was peace."
"But he's fine, right?"
Hiruzen finally breaks into that familiar grin. "Yes, I mean... He should be home already and warming your bed again. It's been a week."
You wonder if that is the case. Things between you two were not exactly great when you last came to a conscious state. You hope all is well now. He is your husband and the man you should love. To be at a place of discomfort with him will only worsen your stress.
Your eyes drift to the scenery, and it is then you realize that Danzo has been sitting beside you. The three of you currently occupy a ramen shop. You can guess the reason for Danzo attending since he was your bodyguard throughout the war. He must have remained in his station afterwards. But why is Hiruzen here to remind you of some event?
"Hiruzen, why must you advise me of today's ceremony?"
"O-Oh." His attention shifts around the environment until it lands on the ramen. "I guess you've been so depressed about your daughter cutting off contact with you that you haven't left your room in a while."
You pause.
"That's why we invited you out to eat some ramen. I remember you've been dying to have some here."
You lower your spoon as your eyes are wide with amazement. "She cut contact." You cannot phrase it as a question as this shouldn't be news to you. "I see."
"Yusei has been trying to cheer you up, but he's only twelve. He shouldn't be viewing his mother like this," Hiruzen adds. "You need to be strong for him."
"Did she cut off Yusei as well?" You worry about their relationship. Even if your unconscious self defiles the relationship of her daughter, the sibling bond between those two should be untouched.
Danzo responds quickly to soothe your panic. "No, they are still close. She also remains close to your sister's side of the family. The only people she refuses contact with is Lord Second and yourself."
