22.
Visiting the Uchiha compound wasn't new to Kyoya.
After all, Kyoya often fetched Itachi here whenever he was bored. Watching the black-haired doe-eyed small animal manage other adorable small animals in order to play at being a protector always made Kyoya's day, so it was pretty much all he did these past few months.
(They were so adorable - so serious, as they organized themselves with a discipline that astonished even him considering their young age.)
(He wasn't quite used to it at first actually, since Kyoya originally started doing patrols for shit and giggles and he knew better than to expect more for toddlers that hadn't quitted their thumb-sucking phase yet.)
(Even Kyoya's own disciplinary committee took a lot of his time and effort before it could become the fearsome organization it was before he died, however-)
(The small animals here were truly exceptional. All had the potential to be ferocious carnivores and with enough polishing, Kyoya was confident they could become a powerful player in this world on their own right.)
(Kyoya, of course, wasn't conceited enough to think that the present "friendship-association-that-advocate-for-peace" - as advertised by the masked ninja they conned into the club - was solely because of him.)
(He was self-aware enough to know that the first small animal he took under his wing was a genius and with the dog-girl helping in building interpersonal relations with toddlers of budding exceptional talent - a Hyuuga Kou was one notable example - they eventually had an...army.)
(Kyoya got his daily entertainment dose from these babies, so he didn't mind that they were using him as a mascot.)
The coloring of the people inside the compound was nostalgic, so Kyoya could even say that he actually liked making the trip. The black hair and dark eyes made him feel as if the world was in order again and washed his eyes from the shocking array of hair colors and eye-colors available in this universe.
Kyoya could barely tolerate the brunettes and blonds in his Namimori since most were often flaunting the rules set by the school in an attempt to look better than their peers, so the addition of violet, green or Kami forbid, even pink-
It made his skin itch. If not for the fact that he knew it was grown naturally, Kyoya would have made an attempt in beating them up a long time ago - regardless of the fact that he didn't even have the strength to do so.
The Uchihas cold and aloof temperament was also admirable - in line with his own, actually - and made him nod in approval, so it truly wasn't a hardship to visit from time to time.
His friendship with their heir and whispers of how he admired their work also spread throughout the compound so he was looked at favorably all in all with grandmas patting his cheeks lightly as they stuffed him up with food and guards looking at him with approval - glancing the other way despite Itachi's father's orders to hinder Kyoya's intermittent abduction of his kid.
Kyoya, in short, enjoyed the whole Uchiha compound experience and them being unpineapple-like was a very huge bonus.
But today, Kyoya had a solid reason for going this time.
His family was even formally invited so he had his mother as chaperone instead of the usual guards.
If only he didn't have to wear a fancy yukata, then everything would be pretty much perfect. However, his carnivore of a mother insisted on him putting on the clothing with a voice that would tolerate no complaints and Kyoya felt it was too tiring to even fight for it since the outfit wasn't pink this time.
There were flowers, yes - exquisitely embroidered at the side, but it didn't look garish so he could grudgingly accept it.
Still, for the sake of not being seen as easy by his mother, Kyoya put up a token of effort as he tried to explain that it wasn't as if there was a special occasion. Itachi mentioned to him yesterday that it was just a small gathering since they already celebrated Sasuke's birth within his clan, but-
Eh.
Kyoya had tuned out his mother's counterattack after saying his piece. He had better things to do than argue with the woman.
Like wondering when he could fight against that masked white-haired boy in the name of the friendship-association-that-advocate-for-peace, for one.
And thinking of a gift for Itachi's baby brother, for another.
Since Kyoya would like to think that he was a pretty responsible pet owner, a bit of effort wouldn't hurt for his first official visit.
(And it definitely wasn't because he actually looking forward to visiting another small baby, and currying favor to poke their soft chubby cheeks, no.)
(Definitely not.)
(...How ridiculous.)
-----
It was Uchiha Mikoto's first time meeting Nara Shikari and well-
She was pretty excited.
Not that it showed on Mikoto's face since she knew how to do her part, but considering the little girl's efforts in avoiding her - Shikari had somehow managed to evade her for months and would time her visits to Itachi accurately enough that Mikoto barely got a glimpse - Mikoto couldn't help anticipating their meeting.
Whispers of how charming the Nara heiress was had circled around the compound and Mikoto thought enough was enough. She didn't want to be the only one out of the loop and with Kushina's connections added on with their gradually increasing reputation among the other clans, she arranged herself a nice small gathering in the name of little Sasuke.
Mikoto quickly found out that it wasn't the wrong move.
Seeing the plump cheeks, the bright and vivid brown eyes coupled with her mother's lustrous hair, Nara Shikari certainly made a pretty picture.
Mikoto was very satisfied.
After exchanging pleasantries with Yoshino and playing the part of a good host - skillfully managing kids and their parents so everyone could have a good time, Mikoto privately thought to herself that Fugaku was pretty much off the mark this time.
Shikari was very adorable. So polite. So courteous. Definitely a top-grade daughter-in-law material.
He spent dissuading her for weeks before the party, about Shikari's charm or her lack of it to begin with, and bespoke of troubles the little girl had caused after founding the official friendship-association-that-advocate-for-peace watched over by two renowned up-and-coming village prodigies, Hatake Kakashi and Maito Gai.
Fugaku said the little girl was very unladylike, not fit for shouldering the position of being the future clan wife at all and Mikoto please listen to me damn it, don't talk about marriage argh-
Heh.
Mikoto could see for herself how well-behaved the girl was. Although she did have a playful nature, Mikoto firmly believed that this trait bespoke of the makings of an exceptional shinobi.
Looking at Kushina, Mikoto believed that the stunts Shikari pulled weren't any worse than the pranks her best-friend once did and doing it earlier only meant the Nara heiress had better talent at being a saboteur specialist.
Considering the fact that she founded a...club at such a young age - goodness, that wasn't a demerit at all. Even a blind man could see that Nara Shikari was a good seed.
Mikoto frowned slightly.
It was unfortunate that she would have to leave her husband some face, but Mikoto would like to think of herself as reasonable. It truly was too early to decide but-
"Kaa-san, Shikari would like to hold Sasuke, is that okay?" Itachi asked carefully.
The little girl was behind her son, the two of them making a charming picture as the girl quietly nodded.
"She wanted to present her gift to my baby brother herself," Itachi continued. "Shikari didn't want to disturb him so willfully though, so she wanted to ask for your permission."
"Yes," Shikari affirmed gently.
Mikoto laughed softly, charmed. "Okay. Remember not to jostle him too much, Itachi. He just finished eating earlier."
When Shikari elegantly bowed in thanks with an adorable eager light in her eyes, Mikoto heartily improved.
Shikari was very exceptional. Mikoto wondered if asking her husband to draft her in the Military Police would work in cultivating the feelings between the two in the future so even if she didn't ask for an engagement right off the bat, the kids would walk in that route themselves.
Hm.
-----
Author's Note: Where Kyoya thinks that being a little lady mostly consists of being silent lest he says the wrong thing and was hindered on his way to poking baby Sasuke's cheek.
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