"L-Listen to me, meow! Lord Soren! Let me explain!"
"Meow didn't do anything!"
"Meow is innocent!"
"Meow was forced!"
"Meow was just petted, that's all!"
Juno stretched out both chubby paws in despair, trying to cling to his master. But Uchiha Soren had already dissolved into space with a silent Spatial Step, leaving the frantic cat behind.
The purple-haired kunoichi beside him blinked, watching the pitiful little creature roll and cry on the ground.
(He's… adorable. I really want to pet him.)
(He must be Young Lord Soren's ninja cat…I should check what's going on.)
The more Juno wailed, the more Uchiha Zhili's fingers twitched with the urge to scoop him up. But his instincts were sharp—he sensed her intent immediately.
With a meow! he leapt away, arched his back, and glared at her with round, offended eyes.
"Princess Kaori used that exact clueless, adorable expression to trick me!" Juno hissed angrily, tail puffed out.
He remembered it clearly—after stepping out of Soren's arms, he had somehow wandered directly toward Minamoto Kaori.
Because she was Soren's future wife, he had to inspect her!
Juno was weak…
But Juno was brave.
And then he was captured.
No—fooled by her dangerously pretty face.
Wrapped up in her soft hands… until Soren force-summoned him back.
Juno lowered his head. Even now, the faint floral scent lingering on his fur felt like a crime.
If Lord Soren came home smelling like another cat—even a friendly one—Juno would explode too.
Seeing him slump in despair, Zhili hesitated, then knelt and extended a gentle hand.
"If you're looking for Young Lord Soren," she said softly, "I can help you find him."
Her calm voice brushed against his ears like cool silk.
Juno perked up—
Saw the Uchiha crest—
Then panicked again and flailed.
"No! I can't stay with you people! Meow belongs to Lord Soren!"
"Juno?" Zhili murmured. "What a lovely name."
She thought of her own ninja cat—ugly, grumpy, and unbearably rude. Just last night it had scolded her for not awakening a Mangekyō yet.
Compared to that creature…
Juno's loyalty was precious.
"Meow won't talk to you anymore! Meow has to find Princess Kaori and prove to Lord Soren that I am NOT a disloyal cat!"
Determined, Juno trotted off.
Zhili followed quietly, curiosity sharpening her steps.
They moved past the damaged streets toward the Embassy. The daimyo's envoy had just returned under Senju escort. While guards focused on the nobles, no one cared about a round orange cat. Juno huffed, crouched—
—and leapt.
Barely.
His claws skidded.
His belly wobbled.
But he scrambled onto the carriage.
Zhili had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.
Who would imagine that the terrifying, brilliant Uchiha Soren owned such a ridiculous, lovable creature?
(If I marry Young Lord Soren… then Juno will be mine too…)
The thought made her cheeks warm.
But then slender arms reached from inside the carriage—lifting Juno straight into a delicate embrace.
The envoy halted at the Embassy.
A small, veiled girl stepped out with Juno held against her chest.
Not an outsider, Juno had said.
Zhili's eyes sharpened.
Suppressing her chakra signature, she vanished and moved to listen.
Inside a private room, Minamoto Kaori removed her veil. She knelt on the tatami, planted a soft kiss on Juno's head, and breathed in relief.
"When you suddenly disappeared, Juno, I was terrified."
"Meow was summoned by Lord Soren."
Her hands were gentle—far gentler than Soren's rough, electric petting.
Juno liked both.
But he forced himself to focus.
"Princess Kaori, you are Lord Soren's fiancée—so meow must—"
"—Fiancée?!"
Two voices overlapped.
Uchiha Zhili stepped from the shadows. Her dark eyes locked onto Kaori.
Kaori froze.
Juno froze.
Then vanished with a teleporting pop!
(Cowardly but wise.)
Left alone, the room thickened with a quiet, charged tension.
Uchiha Zhili studied the girl before her.
Small.
Delicate.
Beautiful enough to feel unreal.
A princess.
A genuine beauty.
The kind any clan would fight over.
"I am Uchiha Zhili," she said, voice cool and poised. "That orange cat is the summoning beast of our clan's young lord, Uchiha Soren."
Her gaze sharpened further, like the edge of a kunai.
"So—Princess Kaori. About this 'fiancée' matter… would you care to explain?"
Kaori swallowed. She had lived a sheltered life—but in the last few hours she had:
Met a talking cat
Seen a towering red giant
Survived an evacuation
And now confronted a kunoichi with eyes like drawn blades
Her soul had grown tougher.
She inhaled softly.
"I only follow my father's decree," she said. "I am to marry the young lord of the Uchiha—Lord Soren."
Zhili's eyes narrowed. Chakra tension coiled—Kaori trembled—until Zhili reined her power in.
Then realization dawned in Zhili's mind.
Juno was Soren's cat.
Meaning Soren already knew Kaori existed.
What would his stance be?
Would he take her?
Refuse her?
Ignore her?
Zhili glanced at Kaori again.
Beautiful. Noble. Fragile.
A girl she could kill with a single hand.
And felt something painful twist inside her:
Jealousy.
Frustration.
Admiration.
With Kaori's beauty and status… who wouldn't accept her?
Most likely—Soren wouldn't refuse either.
Zhili stepped close until her shadow covered the smaller girl.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Princess Kaori… I will be waiting for you in the Uchiha clan."
Kaori blinked—then understood.
A soft, shy smile bloomed on her lips.
"Lady Zhili… I also look forward to meeting you in the Uchiha clan."
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