Chapter 133: Sound Slumber
When Uchiha Keiyuki saw Ling being supported back by two people, his heart sank. They had only been out for a short while. How could things turn out like this?
You know, he was one of those sent by the Uchiha clan to act as a backup this time. Before departure, Tajima Uchiha even pulled him aside and told him privately that he hoped Keiyuki could take good care of Ling.
After all, as the clan leader, Tajima Uchiha's every move was closely watched by the enemies. If he went himself, it would surely attract unnecessary trouble.
Uchiha Keiyuki readily agreed. After all, Ling had always been well - behaved and never given people any trouble since childhood. Unlike other juniors, he never actively provoked other clans, even the Senju.
He even heard their long - time enemies on the battlefield praise Ling with hidden murderous intent.
Who wouldn't want to look after such a junior more carefully?
In contrast, his nephew was a far cry. All day long, he was either causing trouble or about to cause trouble. As long as he wasn't leading younger kids in training, he was bound to be the biggest troublemaker in the whole group.
Look at this. His nephew, Uchiha Eiji, had only taken people out for less than two hours, and he brought back a perfectly fine kid, Ling, on his shoulder. If something went wrong, how could he face Father?
Thinking of this, Uchiha Keiyuki quickly stepped forward, eager to know what had happened. But the moment he smelled the strong alcohol fumes, the eagerness on his face vanished instantly, and the corners of his mouth visibly drooped.
The somewhat elderly ninja folded his arms, his eyes glinting with a scarlet light. "Uchiha Eiji, you'd better explain to me why you went to the tavern before I lose my temper."
Uchiha Eiji almost instinctively lowered his head to avoid his gaze. He nervously stroked the little Nekomata in his hand before starting to explain.
The more Uchiha Keiyuki listened, the darker his face got. Finally, he just pointed at the house behind him. "I'll let you off for now. Come to me together when Ling wakes up... I'll investigate myself, so don't think about secretly discussing and trying to get away with it. Got it?"
"Yes..."
After entering the house, Uchiha Eiji immediately showed his annoyance by roughly rubbing the little Nekomata's head. Then, The Nekomata's Journey, who had regained his senses, leaped from his arms and swiped at him with a paw.
This swipe clearly lacked the restraint it showed when hitting Ling. Uchiha Eiji's cheek immediately swelled up. Meanwhile, The Nekomata's Journey nimbly leaped using the force, stepped on Uchiha Masaki's head, and landed on the bed.
"Ouch—what a fierce cat." Uchiha Eiji covered his face, but there was no sign of anger. Instead, he playfully leaned over. "Hey, are you mad? Don't be mad. I didn't do it on purpose. How about I buy you some dried fish?"
Uchiha Masaki also placed Ling on the bed. Watching his friend teasing the cat, he twitched the corners of his mouth. "If I were you, I wouldn't mess with that cat."
"What are you talking about?
Uchiha Eiji covered his face with one hand and held the dried fish for teasing cats in the other. "Hey, this is a summoned beast (The Nekomata's Journey) that could get Ling reported to be in a critical situation. If you manage to summon it, you've really got a great deal."
"Besides, I'm different from you talented guys. A weakling like me from the Uchiha clan needs protection!"
"It's good that you don't hide your desires... but being too blatant about it isn't very likable," said The Nekomata's Journey, tilting its head and looking at Uchiha Eiji in front of it. "Moreover, I'm just following this kid around to see more interesting things. I have no intention of helping him in battles. You'd better give up on that idea as soon as possible."
"Eh... So, even though it's so powerful, it's not a battle - type summoned beast?"
"Rather, it's because it's too powerful that it doesn't like battles... Do you like bullying weaker opponents?"
Uchiha Eiji thought seriously for a moment and then nodded, which left The Nekomata's Journey speechless.
Seeing The Nekomata's Journey turn around and show its backside to them, Uchiha Eiji and Uchiha Masaki didn't want to keep annoying it. They settled Ling down, huddled together and muttered secretly for a while about how to deal with the reproaches from the clan elders, and then left.
After hearing the door close, The Nekomata's Journey turned back again, staring at Ling, who was sleeping soundly with even breathing. "Humph~ You're so similar, yet you're not lonely at all... You're really making this cat more and more eager to see what happens next."
Saying this, The Nekomata's Journey stretched lazily like a proper cat, then nimbly jumped onto Ling's chest. "Purr~ There's still plenty of time. I'll go somewhere else... Meow?"
Just then, Ling rolled over and hugged The Nekomata's Journey whole. After a brief moment of shock, The Nekomata's Journey started to scratch at Ling's hand, trying to get away, but Ling pressed his chin against its head and unconsciously rubbed it. "Be good and stop making a fuss..."
The Nekomata's Journey looked at Ling, who mumbled something and then fell back into a deep, defenseless sleep. It let out a snort and nestled down in his arms. "Humph~ You're such a clingy kid... Well, never mind. I'll take a little nap too."
Ling could feel that he was sleeping deeply. As a ninja, he knew he shouldn't let his guard down. However, the smell of sunshine in his nostrils made him unconsciously let go of all his defenses and just want to sink into it.
It was just like when his mother was still alive. The quilts at home would always be sun - dried, fluffy and soft. They were so inviting that he couldn't resist and would unconsciously stay in bed and delay his training.
When he regained consciousness, it was the familiar darkness. Ling stared blankly for a long time, unconsciously rubbing the soft, fluffy, and sun - scented "pillow" in his arms. [Am I... being too comfortable?]
"Kid, you really sleep without a care in the world~"
Ling stopped rubbing the "pillow" with his chin and switched hands to touch it, as if trying to confirm something.
"Humph~ No matter how much you confirm, you've been holding me for almost a whole day."
Ling removed his hand, looking apologetic. "Sorry, did I bother you?"
"Interfering? Not really. After all, the Tailed Beasts are, in a sense, immortal. This short period of time means nothing to me..." The Nekomata's Journey stood up and shook its fur. "But you're really gutsy, daring to sleep hugging a fully - powered Tailed Beast without any defenses."
Ling sat up, holding The Nekomata's Journey, and began stroking its fur. His voice was still hoarse from just waking up, but the smile in it was hard to hide. "Well... maybe it's because I know Little Neko won't do me any harm?"
The Nekomata's Journey was taken aback for a few seconds, then snorted with laughter. "You sure know how to sweet - talk."