Chapter 268: A few more things
In the humble confines of the small building Malik had acquired in the Land of Birds, an air of celebration and gratitude permeated the space. The walls, though not grand, echoed with the laughter and chatter of young women whose courage and resolve had played a pivotal role in the recent tumultuous events.
Malik, standing at the center of the room, addressed the group with a warm, charismatic smile. Each of the women—Isa, Mashime, Ichi, Jome, and Shiname—gathered around, their eyes reflecting a mix of surprise and joy as he presented them each with a heavy bag filled to the brim with gold.
"Thank you, all of you, for everything you've done," Malik said, his voice imbued with sincerity. "This gold is but a small token compared to the courage you've shown and the service you've rendered to your land."
Anenokoji Isa, the one with long, midnight blue hair, was the first to respond. Her soft, warm brown eyes widened as she felt the weight of the bag in her hands. "Malik, this is too much," she protested gently, her voice a melodious echo in the quiet room.
Malik chuckled softly, his gaze affectionate. "Isa, consider it an investment in the future of the Land of Birds, and in all of you. Your bravery should be rewarded."
Next to Isa, Suwa Mashime, the librarian's apprentice with lavender purple hair, clutched her bag closely. Her voice, always filled with a mix of pride and humility, trembled slightly as she spoke. "We will use this well, Malik. Thank you for believing in us."
Nanba Ichi, the healer's apprentice with sunflower yellow hair, nodded in agreement, her shy demeanor giving way to a smile of gratitude. "Your generosity is overwhelming, Malik. We will make sure it helps our village."
Mizuno Jome, the baker with vibrant coral pink hair, laughed softly, the sound like bells chiming in the wind. "Looks like I'll be baking a lot more than bread with this," she joked, earning a round of giggles from her friends.
II Shiname, the blacksmith's apprentice with forest green hair, added her own thanks, her voice strong and clear. "This will help the forge greatly. Thank you, Malik. Your support means the world to us."
Malik flirted playfully with each of them in turn, his remarks light and teasing, bringing blushes to their cheeks and laughter to their lips. "Remember, the daimyō herself knows of your bravery. I wouldn't be surprised if you all end up as celebrated heroes of the Land of Birds. Perhaps, even a little too busy for old friends," he winked, his tone teasing.
As the evening wore on, the small building filled with the sounds of plans and dreams being discussed. Malik listened, his heart full, as each woman talked about what they would do with their newfound wealth, from improving their respective crafts to helping their families and the community.
Before the night ended, Malik gathered them once more. "Remember, this isn't just a reward. It's a responsibility. You've shown great strength and character, and now you have the means to make a real difference. I believe in you all, not just as the saviors of today, but as the leaders of tomorrow."
With heartfelt goodbyes and promises to meet again, the women left the building, each stepping into the night with a new purpose and a new promise to keep. Malik watched them go, a proud smile on his lips, knowing that the Land of Birds was in good hands with such fierce and capable women ready to shape its future.
======== some time before while Malik was still talking to the group of women =====
As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, Tenten and Neji found themselves in the private bathhouse of the Land of Birds' royal palace, a place of tranquility and relaxation where they had come to unwind after a long day of negotiations and training. The room was filled with the soft, warm steam of the natural hot springs, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and distant blossoms.
As the steam from the hot spring swirled around them, Tenten and Neji found themselves in a moment of rare peace, their bodies getting ready to start relaxing into the warmth of the water, their minds quiet after the storm of battle. Tenten, her dark eyes reflecting the soft glow of the lanterns, looked at Neji, her gaze taking in the other woman's massive breasts, barely contained by the thin fabric of her undergarments.
Neji, her fair skin glistening with a fine sheen of sweat from the day's activities, stood before the mirror, her lavender Byakugan eyes reflecting back at her. She let out a long, tired sigh, her body aching from the day's exertions. Her long dark brown hair, usually worn loose, was tied into a neat bun by Tenten, who now stood behind her, her own dark brown hair styled in two Chinese-style buns on her head with short fringe-bangs framing her face.
Neji, her overshirt already discarded, was seated in her undergarments, her massive breasts barely contained by the tight strapes. She reached behind her, her long, elegant fingers deftly unhooking the clasp of her raps. With a soft sigh, she let the garment fall, allowing her breasts to spill free. They were truly a sight to behold, massive and firm, with nipples that were a deep, warm brown, a stark contrast against her fair skin.
Tenten, watching in the mirror, couldn't help but stare. She had seen Neji's breasts before, of course, but it never ceased to amaze her.
Tenten, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and a hint of mischief, reached out and placed her hands on Neji's massive breasts, feeling their weight and softness. Neji, taken aback by the sudden contact, let out a small gasp, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Man, how do you walk around with these all the time?" Tenten asked, her hands itching to bounce them and test the weight of Neji's ample assets. "I can barely keep mine in check, and they're not even half the size of yours."
Neji looked down at her chest, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "With great effort and practice," she replied, standing up and making her breasts jiggle enticingly. "It's not just about the size, Tenten. It's about the balance, the control."
Tenten laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she let her own gaze linger on Neji's chest. "Balance, huh? The only balance I see is that our nipples are the same color."
Neji just shook her head and closed her eyes, as she made her way into the water, "We talk about my bosom, far to much when were alone, Tenten." Tenten for her part just shrugged as she grabbed her own much smaller chest, " Your boobs are kinda hard not to notice."
Tenten was about to follow her last comment up when she saw something that got her attention quickly, "Thats cute!"
Neji opened her eyes and gave a confused look, "Whats Cute!" Tenten then steps into the hotsprings water and glided over to her future sister in law, and gently picked up Neji's arm, Looking at her armpit hair, Neji's face burned red as she lowered her arm, "Malik like them like that, he asked me to stop shaving them,I saw no promelm in that, so I did, simple as that."
Tenten's eyes widened in amusement as she took in Neji's armpit hair. She couldn't help but chuckle, "You have armpit hair, Neji. That's... different."
Neji huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, which only served to emphasize her massive bosom. "It's not that unusual. Some women have it, some don't. I just happen to have it."
Tenten grinned, enjoying Neji's discomfort. "I know, I know. It's just... unexpected. I mean, you're always so put together, so serious. I wouldn't have guessed you'd have something so... human about you."
Neji uncrossed her arms, her expression softening. "Everyone has their quirks, Tenten. Even you."
Tenten laughed, splashing water playfully at Neji. "Touché. But still, it's cute. And I'm glad you're comfortable enough with yourself to embrace it."
Neji rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "It's not a big deal. Malik likes it, so I keep it. End of story."
Tenten nodded, her expression turning more serious. "Speaking of Malik, I've been thinking. About us, I mean. About our future together."
Neji looked at Tenten, her lavender Byakugan eyes filled with curiosity. "What about it?"
Tenten took a deep breath, her eyes searching Neji's. "I know we've both accepted that Malik will be our husband, that we'll share him, but... I want to make sure we're on the same page. I want to make sure we're both happy with this arrangement."
Neji was silent for a moment, her gaze never leaving Tenten's. Then, she nodded. "I am, Tenten. I truly am. I know it's not the traditional way, but... Malik is not a traditional man. He's powerful or at least when he has to be, he's kind, he's... unique. And I love him for it. I want to be with him, in whatever way that looks like."
Tenten smiled, relief and happiness washing over her. "I'm glad to hear you say that. I feel the same way. And I want us to be open with each other, Neji. I want us to talk about our feelings, our fears, our hopes. I want us to be a team, in every sense of the word."
Neji reached out, taking Tenten's hand in hers. "I agree. We're both strong, independent women, but that doesn't mean we can't rely on each other. We're bound by love, by duty, by our commitment to Malik. And I want us to honor that, to cherish it, to nurture it."
Tenten squeezed Neji's hand, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Neji. I'm glad we had this talk. I feel better knowing that we're on the same page."
Neji smiled, her expression softening. "Me too, Tenten. Me too. Now, let's enjoy the hot spring. Malik will be here soon, and I don't want to look like a prune when he sees us."
As steam rises from the hot spring, Tenten leans back, sighing. "Mission went well, huh? You didn't even break a sweat."
Neji gives a small, knowing smile. "Efficiency is key. The enemy never had a chance."
Tenten swirls the water absentmindedly. "You say that, but I saw you covering for me more than once. Protective much?"
Neji lifts an eyebrow. "If you think I would let you fail, you underestimate me. Besides…" Her expression softens. "He would be disappointed if either of us got hurt."
That brings a quiet pause. Both women, warriors in their own right, share the bond of being chosen by the same man. They aren't jealous—it's not in their nature. Instead, it's a shared understanding.
Tenten smirks. "He's got it easy. Two lethal, gorgeous women devoted to him. He should be worshiping the ground we walk on."
Neji closes her eyes, letting the warmth seep into her muscles. "He already does." A beat passes, and then she adds, "Though I suppose a few more gifts wouldn't hurt."
Laughter bubbles between them—because despite their strength, their honor, and their sense of duty, they're still allowed a little indulgence.
The hot spring's warmth seeps into Tenten's muscles as she leans back against a smooth rock, her eyes half-lidded with contentment. The mission had been exhausting, but now, in the quiet lull of steam and moonlight, her mind drifts to something far more thrilling—her wedding.
"I've been thinking," she says, lazily trailing her fingers through the water. "Malik and I—well, mostly me, but that's beside the point—we want it to be simple. Small. Outside, definitely. Maybe in the meadow just outside the village, where the trees frame everything perfectly." Her voice lifts with excitement as she pictures it, the breeze catching delicate white fabric, the scent of blooming flowers hanging in the air. "And no ridiculous traditions, no over-the-top decorations. Just us, the people who matter, and—"
Neji interrupts smoothly, her gaze unreadable. "How many children do you want?"
Tenten jolts, her shoulders stiffening. "W—what?" The heat from the spring suddenly feels overpowering.
Neji, unbothered by her reaction, stares her down like it's a mission briefing. "You've clearly envisioned the wedding in detail. Surely, you've thought about what comes after."
Tenten opens her mouth but no words come out. A traitorous blush spreads across her cheeks.
"I—uh—well, I mean, I've—" She clears her throat. "I haven't exactly thought about numbers. That's—that's a big decision."
Neji tilts her head slightly, expression as calm as ever. "You seem nervous."
"I am not nervous! I just didn't expect the conversation to take this turn!" Tenten splashes the water slightly, flustered beyond belief. "Weddings, Neji. That's normal hot spring talk. Kids are—different."
Neji leans back, as if giving her space. "You are deflecting."
Tenten groans, covering her face with her hands. "Fine! Maybe—maybe two. Or three? I don't know! I just—ugh, you're evil."
Neji's lips twitch in amusement. "It's an important question. You should be prepared."
Tenten sinks further into the water, thoroughly defeated. "You don't get to judge me! Have you even thought about it yourself?"
A brief pause. Then, in a voice as steady as ever, Neji responds, "Yes."
Tenten peeks through her fingers. "And?"
Neji simply closes her eyes, serene as ever. "That's a conversation for another day."
Tenten groans dramatically. "Unbelievable."
The steam curled around them like whispers of fleeting thoughts, the warmth of the hot spring sinking into tired muscles. The mission had been exhausting, but now—finally—Tenten and Neji had time to unwind. Or at least, *that's* what Tenten thought, until Neji dropped a revelation into their conversation like a kunai into still water.
Tenten was already flustered when Neji had suddenly asked how many children she wanted. It wasn't exactly something she had put serious thought into, and she barely managed to stammer out an answer before Neji, ever composed, coolly deflected her frustration with a statement that made her freeze.
"Malik has said many times that he is cursed to fall in love with many people," Neji murmured, as though simply stating a fundamental truth of the world. Her voice, as smooth as ever, made the words all the more unsettling.
Tenten blinked, heat rising not just from the water but from the realization she was processing. "Excuse me—what?"
Neji, unbothered by her reaction, turned slightly in the water, her usual graceful poise unwavering. "You know as well as I do that we are not his only wives," she continued, unfazed. "There are at least ten others, possibly more . . . definitely more."
Tenten gripped the edge of the hot spring, sitting up straighter. "Ten others? We know ten others who love him, Neji! You don't know how many more exist out there!"
Neji inclined her head slightly. "And that includes Ino and Sakura."
That made Tenten tense up further.
"Ino and Sakura are one thing," she echoed, her voice raising slightly. "You know how they are! There's no way this is going to be—ugh, this is going to be chaotic! Those two are competitive, and loud when they want to be!"
Neji remained calm, adjusting her posture in the warm water. "Regardless of their personalities, Malik intends to marry them all. That is undeniable."
Tenten groaned, sinking deeper into the water until only her eyes were visible. She had been excited about the wedding—imagining the quiet outdoor ceremony, the simple vows, something personal and intimate. But now? Now, she was realizing the sheer scale of everything.
Her voice came out muffled. "There are going to be so many kids."
Neji didn't even blink. "Exactly."
Tenten sighed, lifting her head and rubbing her hands over her face as though trying to physically scrub away the overwhelming thought. She dropped her hands, looking at Neji with bewilderment. "And you're just… fine with this? Sharing him with basically half the kunoichi in Konoha? With—this?"
Neji took a slow breath, letting the steam roll over her skin. When she spoke, her voice remained steady. "I have considered it fully. No matter what, there will likely be many children. That is simply a fact we will need to accept."
Tenten let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "You make it sound like it's a mission briefing."
Neji's lips twitched slightly. "It is a matter that requires strategy."
Tenten exhaled, giving Neji a side-eyed look. "So? If you had to put a number to it—how many kids would you want?"
Neji was quiet for a moment before answering, "One."
Tenten nearly choked. "One? Just one?"
Neji nodded. "One to pass on everything I know to. One for the Hyūga clan." A pause. "If more come, then more come."
Tenten stared at her before throwing her hands into the air. "Oh, sure! That's easy for you to say! You only care about passing things down to one! Meanwhile, I have to worry about Malik's entire *army* of kids running around!"
Neji, ever composed, gave her a measured look. "Do you not care about legacy?"
Tenten groaned dramatically, rubbing her temples. "I mean, yeah, but—ugh. That's just—so much. I wanted a small wedding, Neji! Small!"
Neji merely glanced at her, the faintest hint of amusement in her gaze. "That was never going to happen."
Tenten sagged in defeat. "…Yeah. I guess not."
A beat passed between them, steam curling in the air around their relaxed forms. Tenten sighed, flicking water at Neji half-heartedly, though they both knew it was a pointless gesture. "Fine. If more come, more come. I just hope they inherit your ability to stay calm under pressure, because otherwise, we're doomed."
Neji's lips curved in the faintest smirk. "That would be ideal."
And so, in the gentle heat of the hot spring, Tenten quietly resigned herself to the fact that her life was about to become far more complicated than she had ever planned.
--- a short little while later ---
The peaceful atmosphere of the hot spring is suddenly disturbed—not by an enemy attack, but by something arguably more chaotic.
From above, wrapped in nothing but a pink-and-gold towel, Malik descends like a celestial being who somehow forgot that most people enter baths by walking, not floating down from the heavens. His deep hot pink eyes glow softly, matching the gentle shimmer of his magic, which radiates around him in warm waves, making him look like something plucked from a dream—or maybe a fevered hallucination.
"How are my two queens doing this fine night?" he asks with a confident grin, his voice silky smooth as he glides down into the water.
Neji—graceful and composed as ever—acknowledges him with a soft nod and a barely-there smile. It's not overly expressive, but there's something warm in the way her gaze lingers on him, something content.
Tenten, on the other hand, looks at him like he just crash-landed into her personal peace and shattered every logical thought she had left in her brain.
The crazy look she shoots him is somewhere between admiration, exasperation, and the type of confusion only Malik himself could invoke.
Now, there are many things Tenten could say here—things like, "Why do you always make such an entrance?" or "Malik, seriously, normal people just use the stairs!"
But no.
Instead, in her own special way that barely makes sense, she goes for maximum chaos:
"So." She clears her throat. "Kids. Wives. Weddings. Explain."
Neji exhales quietly, like she expected this, and Malik, ever unbothered by the ridiculousness, smirks, knowing exactly where this is going.
He turns to Neji first, pink eyes gleaming as he asks, "Did you ask her the kid question?"
Neji doesn't respond immediately. Instead, she glances away, suddenly very interested in the steam rising from the water, as if she hadn't just grilled Tenten about her future children minutes ago.
Malik's smirk deepens. "Uh-huh. That's what I thought."
With effortless grace, he glides over to Tenten, reaching out to cradle her face in his hands. His touch is warm, his thumbs brushing lightly over her cheekbones as his hot pink eyes lock onto hers.
"You," he murmurs, tone rich with admiration, "are radiant, Tenten."
Her blush flares up instantly—not because she can't handle compliments, but because Malik always delivers them with too much intensity.
"You are strong, sharp, and more beautiful than any battle-hardened warrior has the right to be," he continues, his voice dripping with sincerity. "Every time you move, every time you fight, the world watches in awe."
Tenten attempts to maintain some semblance of dignity, but she fails spectacularly.
She splutters, waving a hand as if trying to swat the words away from her face. "O—okay! Fine! Stop—ugh, stop looking at me like that while saying stuff like that!"
Malik chuckles but doesn't release her. Instead, he softens, tilting his head slightly. "First thing's first—you don't need to worry about the wedding. It's yours to control. Whatever you want, it will be. Nothing will change that."
Tenten blinks, her expression shifting as she absorbs the weight of that promise. The wedding, for all its complications, was hers—no surprises, no disruptions. That fact alone calmed something in her heart.
"As for kids," Malik continues smoothly, "we can have as many as you want. If you want zero, we'll have zero. If you want five, we'll have five. It's entirely up to you."
Tenten's mouth opens slightly, caught between appreciation and suspicion. "Wait, wait, wait—so I just say the number, and it magically happens?"
Malik smirks. "Something like that."
She squints at him. "That's too much power for one person."
He chuckles. "I trust you with it."
And then—because Malik lives for entertaining chaos—he throws in one final reassurance.
"As for the other loves in my life," he says, his tone impossibly smooth, "I can personally assure you—and if you don't believe me, you can ask them yourself when we get back to the Hidden Leaf—that most of them only want one child."
Tenten just stares, trying to process that before she zeroes in on the biggest revelation.
"Ino and Sakura only want one child?" she asks skeptically.
Malik nods. "Including them."
She narrows her eyes, suspicious. "But why does that sound like you're leaving a door open for surprise kids?"
Malik's smirk turns playful. "Who can say what the future holds?"
She groans, dragging a wet hand down her face, ready to surrender to fate.
Then, with the grace of someone who is far too confident in his life decisions, Malik snuggles next to her, slipping his arm over her shoulders as if physically anchoring her to his presence.
"We don't need to stress," he assures her casually, leaning into her warmth. "I mean, I'm literally one of the richest people in the world, so it's not like money's gonna be an issue. Kids? Housing? Do you realize we could buy a country if we wanted?"
Tenten gasps dramatically, turning toward Neji as if she's looking for backup. "Neji, did you hear him!? He's talking about buying a country like it's ramen at Ichiraku!"
Neji, ever composed, simply tilts her head slightly. "Would you prefer he bought a village instead?"
Tenten points aggressively. "You're enabling him."
Malik laughs, clearly enjoying himself as he waves Neji over, gesturing for her to join them.
"Come closer," he beckons with a teasing lilt, "so I can properly snuggle with both my queens."
Neji hesitates for half a second before gracefully sliding through the water, settling on his other side with effortless poise.
Malik hums contentedly as he wraps an arm around her, too, fully relaxing between them.
"There we go," he says with satisfaction, sinking slightly into the warmth. "This is nice."
Tenten mumbles under her breath, still recovering. "Yeah, if you ignore the existential crisis I just had."
Neji glances at her. "That was inevitable."
Tenten glares. "I hate that you're always right."
Neji simply smiles—and Malik?
He laughs, perfectly content.