𝙮𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙛𝙚𝙣 | 𝘮𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘮𝘪 𝘧. ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

009 ⭑ ᴀʀʀᴀɴɢᴇᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ

The stone steps leading up to the main building were surrounded by well-manicured gardens. The sound of gravel crunching beneath their feet echoed in the crisp air of the cool morning. As they approached the entrance, the building loomed even larger, its elegant and traditional architecture standing out against the tranquil surroundings.

Pausing at the entrance, Megumi glanced over at Ino, his gaze silently asking if she was ready. Ino took a deep breath, her expression still taut with irritation, but she gave a nod, her silent confirmation that she would remain calm.

Satisfied with her assurance, he led the way forward, pushing open the heavy wooden doors that barred their entrance to the main hall.

Stepping inside, they were greeted by a grand, spacious hall, with tall ceilings and elegantly designed interiors. The room was sparsely populated, with just a few others in the hall, including Satoru, who stood in front of another door, waiting for them with a smile.

Satoru's smile widened upon seeing the both of them entering together. "Ah, there you are! I was starting to wonder if you had decided to make a run for it." he teased, his voice light and carefree.

Megumi shot him a flat look, not in the mood for his humor, while Ino simply scowled, her irritation from before still lingering.

Satoru chuckled at their annoyed faces, clearly enjoying the tension in the air. "Relax, you two. This won't take long, hopefully." he reassured them, ushering them into a room with a sweep of his arm.

As Ino and Megumi stepped into the room, their eyes fell upon the sight of elder clan members seated on either side of a large table. Elders from both the Gojo and Zenin clans were present, their presences creating a charged atmosphere.

Their gazes flicked across the room, taking in the sight of each of the elders, and the weight of the situation slowly began to sink in.

The elders from the Gojo clan looked at Ino almost distastefully, their eyes narrowing with a mixture of disappointment and disapproval. It was clear they held reservations about her abilities and place within the clan. On the other side, the Zenin clan elders regarded Megumi with pride, their expressions filled with approval and high expectations. Despite these contrasting reactions, both sides remained resolute and unwavering in their stances, the tension in the room palpable.

Ino could feel a sharp pang of disappointment as she observed the unfavorable looks on the Gojo elders' faces, their gazes brimming with dissatisfaction and a hint of disdain. It was as if they had already made up their minds about her worth and potential, dismissing her without so much as a second thought.

Her heart sank, but she refused to let it show. She clenched her fists tightly, the knuckles turning white, yet she managed to maintain a composed and neutral expression. In this tense and charged environment, the last thing she wanted was to display any signs of vulnerability. Each breath she took felt heavy, filled with the weight of their judgment, but she stood her ground, determined not to let their disapproval shake her resolve.

Ino could feel the heat of her anger rising, but she kept her face neutral, not wanting to give them the satisfaction of knowing that she'd been affected by their looks.

Satoru stood behind the pair, his hands resting on their shoulders, an uncharacteristically serious look on his face as he looked at the elders assembled across the table. "Go on, take a seat," he said, his voice gentle yet firm, "There's something we need to discuss."

Ino was about to protest, her mouth already half-open. However, before she could voice any words, she found herself locking eyes with Satoru.

The look he gave her, though gentle, held a firm resolve that couldn't be argued with. It froze her words in her throat, the protest dying before it ever left her lips.