Spear & Shield

Spear & Shield
Chapter 41

Yasu felt a little gross when she realized it was still light outside. She definitely didn't mean to drink that much this early. And while she wasn't quite drunk-drunk (no thanks to her interrupting mother) she was just on the messier side of tipsy. The feverish wave of drinks that had been bought for her were nothing more than a blur. How many cups of sake? How much beer? And when did they start drinking the hard liquor?

She was aware of herself enough to hide the obvious tells, gently surging her chakra to burn off the alcohol as quickly as possible.

Her father had shot her a funny look, but her mother didn’t seem to notice. If the alcohol hadn’t been affecting her system as much, she may have noticed how stiff her father was walking or the sheen of sweat that was beginning to coat his forehead. She may have also taken note of her mother's formal yukata, or how she was being uncharacteristically silent as she led them through the Food District of Konoha.

Instead, she was focusing on walking evenly, while also wondering if she was holding her arms the way she normally did. What about her breath, could they smell the alcohol? Wait, was she still walking correctly? Yeah, yeah, she totally was. No one could tell. She was normal Yasu, going out for a normal dinner with her normal parents at a normal restaurant. Oooh, she hoped they had grilled fish. She could definitely go for some grilled fish right now.

Little did she know, her parents were trying to hide tells of their own. They both knew very well that this was not a normal dinner.

The three walked silently, eventually arriving at a traditional kaiseki restaurant.

Excitement began to bubble in Yasu's empty stomach. She could tell by the entryway alone-- This place was pricey . She would have never been able to afford it on her own. And given that her parents were rather stingy at the best of times, this must be a special occasion.

The hostess was a lovely young woman dressed in a navy yukata, who bowed deeply when greeting them. Yasu walked behind her parents as they were led to a private room. “Is anyone else coming? Saburo? Shiro?” The gods knew the Ushi clan’s biggest weakness was free food. She was surprised by the absence of her glutinous brothers.

“Just us,” Ume smiled over her shoulder as the hostess gently slid open the door. “...Well, just us and Hotaru-san.”

Yasu stepped into the room, surprised to find an unfamiliar man already seated at the table. “Oh… Hello.”

He was a sort of skinny thing. Tall, with long legs that folded awkwardly beneath him. He scrambled up in an ungraceful flail of limbs to bow at the waist. “Good afternoon, Ushi-sama!” he greeted her parents first, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Yasu-san.”

“Hotaru-san is a loyal patron to the family company,” her mother explained smoothly, almost as if she had rehearsed. “He’s interested in employing your talents, Yasu-chan.”

“Eh?” Yasu blinked slowly, ushered by her mother to sit at the table. “Really? I don’t usually do private jobs. What type of work do you need done?”

Hotaru cocked his head in a questioning manner, but his reply was cut off when the hostess reappeared with the first course.

Yasu was mostly bored as their party was served, only perking up once her grilled fish arrived. The smell alone was enough to steal her attention away from her parents and their strange guest. She was so focused on her plate she hardly noticed the conversation around her.

Ume, who was sitting next to Yasu, loudly cleared her throat, “So tell us about your business, Hotaru-san.”

“Ah,” Hotaru smiled shyly, “I manage imports into Fire Country, mostly through the east.”

“And that’s your family’s company, correct?” Ume practically fluttered her eyelashes, glancing keenly between Yasu and Hotaru.

He nodded, fiddingling nervously with his teacup, “Yes, Ushi-sama. It started almost four generations ago.”

Ume hummed approvingly, “And Yasuchika tells me you studied in the Capital?”

“Also true. I apprenticed with my father while finishing my studies. I was taught by one of the Daimyo’s personal advisors.”

At the end of the table, Yasuchika grit his teeth. He was a little miffed at how his wife was swooning over someone half his age. His eyes shifted across the table where his daughter was happily digging into her grilled fish, blissfully ignorant of her mother's ploy.

His heart sank a little, guilt gnawing in his chest. 

Realization hit him the second he saw his wife all dressed to the nines for a family dinner but by then it was already too late. He was a bit annoyed that she decided to tarnish their celebration with an unwanted guest but… Well, this was a dance they had done many times before. If anything, he should have expected her to pull something like this. 

His eyes flit to the boy across the table once more. Hotaru was a gentleman if Yasuchika had ever seen one. He was meek and polite and incredibly well-educated and well-dressed. He was business-oriented and took his career very seriously-- something Yasuchika usually found very admirable.  

By all means, Hotaru was great on paper. Yet Yasuchika couldn’t bring himself to like the boy.

“What are your plans for the future, Hotaru-san?” he asked gruffly, leveling his tone to be neutral with just an edge of hostility.

The boy struggled not to collapse into himself, forcing his eyes to meet the older man’s iron stare.

So he was intimidated. Good.

“A-ah… Yes, well… I think I’m at a place in my life where I should settle down. I would like to buy some land and build a house so I can start a family.”

Yasu finally pulled her attention away from her delicious meal and perked up, “Are you thinking about a traditional build or something more modern?”

Hotaru looked taken aback that she addressed him so casually, “Uh, more modern, I suppose. For convenience sake, at least. What would you prefer?”

She shrugged while chewing another bite of her fish, “I personally prefer traditional, but I like modern amenities. How large is the land? If it’s a larger plot, traditional designs can be just as practical as modern designs.”

Hotaru blushed a bit, “It’s a fairly large plot near the capital. Big enough to farm.”

"A landowner," her mother practically gushed. "That's quite impressive for a man your age. Right, Yasu?"

Yasu didn't even register her mother's comment. “Have you thought about subletting? Farming can be a great passive income for landlords.”

He looked surprised, "Possibly? After I've settled in with my family, that is."

"Yasu-chan has a mind for business," Ume said with a tight smile. 

Yasu hummed with a shrug, shoveling another bite into her mouth, "Are you married, Hotaru-san?" she asked without really thinking. 

The boy looked confused, "Of course not? Aren't we--?"

"Let's order a bottle for the table, hm?" Ume interrupted stiffly, clutching Yasu's wrist under the table. She shot her husbands a look so sharp, he swore he felt his soul leap out of his body. Moving quicker than a man his age should, he whipped out his wallet for a bottle of the most expensive sake he could afford. Yasu, lulled into a sense of comfort from her previous beverages and the gourmet food, preened at the idea. She readily accepted the cup of fine sake her father passed her, eagerly awaiting a toast in her honor. 

"To Yasuchika," Ume graciously declared, "And our beautiful daughter Yasu-chan… To our family, and expanding it."

The last part was a little rushed, but Yasu caught it nonetheless. "Eh? Are you pregnant again?" she asked her mother rather crassly. 

"Yasu!" Ume scolded with a blush, "Of course not!"

"Then what do you mean by--"

"I'm confused…" Hotaru added, although the fact was obvious. 

"Ume, dear, maybe we ought to let Yasu--"

“Darling,” Ume shushed her husband, “Pour our guest a cup, please.”

“Is it a boy or a girl this time? It’s gonna be another boy, isn’t it?”

“For the last time, I’m not pregnant--”

"Does this mean you accept my proposal?" Hataru blurted out.

"Proposal?" Yasu parroted loudly, eyes growing wide.

Hotaru shrunk down further in his seat, taken aback by her volume, "So are we getting married or…?"

Thick silence engulfed the room.

“Is this an engagement interview?” Yasu asked, sobriety suddenly seizing her like an ice bath. 

The poor guy across from her twitched nervously, actively recoiling at her raised voice.

Her mother merely shrugged and sipped her sake, admitting by omission that she was correct.

“Today. Today of all days?” were Yasu’s next words. “On my day?”

“Today wasn’t just about you,” Ume quickly corrected, “It was about you and your father, and the Village of Konoha. If anything, today was for the Hokage.”

Yasu shook her head in disbelief, slamming down her chopsticks, “Why now?” she demanded. "I thought we settled this when I moved out!"

“It won’t be settled until you have a husband. And frankly, Yasu-chan, you’re hardly ever dressed for a nice occasion--”

“Gods above,” Yasu moaned, raking her hands down her face, “Because of the yukata? Are you serious, Mother? You’re ruining my day over a dress?”

Yasu only called Ume “Mother” when she was particularly cross. The older woman pursed her painted lips, “You’re always working, Yasu! Or training,” she all but groaned, “Or off on another mission! You hardly make time for your own family let alone for a relationship. Think of it as a matter of convenience. Besides, what better day than when the whole Village is celebrating your work? She’s practically famous, Hotaru-san.”

Hotaru nodded politely out of sheer intimidation, “Y-yes, Ushi-sama. The Village has been waiting for the unveiling ceremony all week. Very exciting.”

Half of Yasu pitied Hotaru, knowing all too well what it was like to be on the other side of Ume’s strong-arming. The other half merely wrote him off as a nuisance and a fool.

“I’m not going to marry you,” she told him bluntly.

“Yasu!” Ume interrupted, “Think of your future. You’re not getting any younger, you know. I only want what’s best for you!”

“My future is just fine!” Yasu argued back, having to bite back the fact that she was still plenty young and very much not alone. 

“Then think about our family legacy!” Sometimes, arguing with Ume was like arguing with a philosopher. She always had a counter-argument ready. “Ichiro’s wife didn't even take our name, and gods know when she’ll ever give him children! She just tore him away from his career to make him a cook!”

“Her name is Megumi and I’m fairly certain neither of them want kids right now. And Ichiro’s happy--”

Ume pretended not to hear her, “Those brothers of yours are too busy playing ninja to settle down properly. We all know Jiro will never get married, and Saburo is one step away from being a monk. It’s your duty as our only daughter to at least give us a fighting chance in our old age.”

“This is exactly why Jiro left,” Yasu muttered, just loud enough for her father to hear.

“Yasu!” he hissed back. "Don't start."

Yasu rolled her eyes, now turning her ire to her father, “Did you know about this?”

A slight blush began to creep up Yasuchika’s neck, “I didn’t know she was doing this today. I wouldn’t have allowed it.”

“You’re allowing it now!”

“We’re just concerned about your future, Yasu…” her mother gently interjected, using the same tone she used when dealing with their fussy customers. “We don’t like how you’re all on your own. I’m still taking care of your brothers; I don’t have time to coddle you, too! You’re smart and talented. Finding a husband shouldn’t be this difficult!”

Yasu hated that the only time her mother complimented her was when she was simultaneously criticizing her. She should be more shocked at the gall of her parents, but truthfully, this wasn’t the first time she had been tricked into a miai. Hell, her mother’s been doing things like this since she was barely a teenager. 

Finally, Yasu had enough, “I am so disappointed. With both of you,” she scoffed, not sure how much she actually meant those words. “I’m going home.”

Ume frowned, “Yasu-chan! At least let him tell you his salary! He has three younger sisters! And a dog, too!”

Yasu paused in the doorway, turning her annoyance to the stranger in the room. Her common-sense was clouded by her irritation, so she said something she never thought she would say in front of her parents.

“I have a boyfriend,” she smiled tersely before sliding the door shut behind her.