"Why is your face so red?"
Shinho asked with a hint of amusement.
"It's…a bit hot," Hanabi blurted, trying to cover her fluster.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Hinata's expression instantly grew worried.
"I'm fine!" Hanabi shook her head vigorously, guilt tugging at her heart. Her sister was always so kind, yet here she was entertaining questionable thoughts about her brother-in-law.
"Well… I'll leave you two alone," Hanabi said, grabbing Amaru and Fū before turning to go.
"Huh?" Hinata blinked.
What just happened?
She always thought she understood her sister well, but now she wasn't so sure.
"Have you eaten yet?" Shinho asked, scanning the street for food stalls.
He hadn't eaten a proper meal that night, and considering how much energy he'd already spent alredy, he was feeling especially hungry.
Sure, as a six-turn Gu Immortal, he didn't need to eat, but who could say no to tasty snacks?
"My father doesn't like street food," Hinata explained softly, "so we ate dinner beforehand."
"Then keep me company while I get some teppanyaki"
Shinho had already spotted the stall he wanted.
"Alright," Hinata agreed with a gentle nod.
"Hokage!"
"Your Majesty!"
As soon as Shinho approached the stall, the owner greeted him excitedly, and a few other customers joined in, equally thrilled to see him.
"I'll take two orders to go," Shinho said with a polite smile.
"No problem!" The owner beamed, thumping his chest in assurance.
It was advertised as teppanyaki, but in truth, it was more like a savory pancake made from batter, fish, and eggs, a style similar to okonomiyaki.
While the food cooked, even more people approached Shinho to say hello. When it was done, the owner absolutely refused to take his money, and Shinho decided not to push the issue.
"This way."
Shinho led Hinata off the bustling main street and into a quieter alley, where a giant tree stood. He guided her onto a solid branch.
"Here."
He handed Hinata one of the pancakes.
"Thank you, Shinho," Hinata said, taking the warm food in hand.
From here, she had a clear view of the lively streets below and the dazzling fireworks above. Standing beside Shinho, she felt her heart brim with happiness.
"Mmm, it's delicious," Hinata said after her first bite.
Shinho turned to look at her softly moving lips.
"Sh–Shinho?"
Hinata noticed his gaze and grew flustered.
He leaned in and kissed her. After a moment, he licked his lips, smiling. "You're right, it tastes wonderful."
Hinata's face burned bright red. She'd never experienced such…well, such a way of sharing a meal before.
Shinho chuckled and went back to enjoying his food. It didn't take long for him to finish.
"Hinata," he said, gazing at the glowing lights in the distance, "interested in some new 'training'?"
"Huh?" Hinata stared at him in confusion for a few seconds before finally catching on. Blushing, she nodded shyly.
Shinho pulled her into his arms.
Startled, Hinata glanced down to the ground below and clung tightly to his arm.
"Don't worry. I won't let you fall," he murmured reassuringly into her ear.
Somehow, that gentleness calmed her nerves.
"Then let's begin," Shinho said, sliding his hand beneath the edge of Hinata's yukata.
Her body stiffened at the direct touch, without the usual layers of clothing beneath, she could distinctly feel the warmth of his palm.
Adhering to her clan's traditional rules for proper dress, Hinata wore nothing else beneath the yukata.
It was all too easy for Shinho to reach her soft skin.
Within moments, Hinata turned scarlet, steaming.
Her mind was spinning, leaving her only dimly aware of his roaming fingers.
The rush proved overwhelming, and before he realized it, she had fainted against his chest.
Shinho shook his head lightly.
While they'd done some similar "training" in the past, they hadn't gone quite so far before.
Carefully, he retracted his hand, smoothing out Hinata's yukata and making sure she looked presentable.
He sighed. Since hinata fainted, he started to feel a bit lonely. Perhaps it was time to put his Territory Immortal Gu to use again.
…
Not far away, a small group was wandering the streets, drawing attention as they passed. They were Kumogakure ninja.
"It's lively," Yugito Nii remarked. "It'd be even better if this were in Kumogakure."
"One day," Darui said, rubbing the back of his neck with conviction.
"Let's not dwell on that tonight." Mabui offered a gentle smile. "It's rare for all of us to gather again; we should be happy."
Darui and the others had been staying in the so-called City of Lightning and needed Shinho's permission to enter City of Fire. Months had passed since they'd all last met.
"How are things for you here?" C asked, changing the topic.
"Could be worse," Mabui replied after thinking for a moment.
Apart from having to wear a dog tail with the plug at times, she hadn't faced anything too extreme.
"Not great!" Yugito cut in abruptly.
She was still sulking over being taken advantage of by Shinho, though she wasn't about to broadcast those details.
Thankfully, the Fourth Raikage wasn't around, who knew what might happen if he learned of it. They could very well end up sparking another war, and Kumogakure might not survive that.
"Yugito," Samui interjected with a slight frown, brushing against her hand to warn her not to say too much.
"What's going on?" C asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Nothing…" Yugito paused, frustration evident in her voice. "He's making me guard the gate!"
"She's working in the Anbu," Samui corrected quietly.
"Yeah, it's just gate duty anyway!!" Yugito retorted, lips twitching in annoyance.
C nodded; he understood.
With her temperament and skill, it was natural Yugito would hate such a menial assignment. But as the saying went, under someone else's roof, you do as they say.
"You have my sympathy," C said with a sigh.
"I'm fine," Yugito muttered, glancing toward Samui.
She'd seen Samui get taken advantage of, that too, more than once. But then again, Samui was the prettiest of the three, with the best figure. It made sense she drew Shinho's attention.
Noticing Yugito's stare, Samui felt a pang of guilt.
Just then, a familiar voice echoed in her ears.
Her heart started pounding wildly. She glanced around but saw no sign of Shinho.
"What's wrong?" Yugito asked, puzzled.
"I…just remembered something urgent," Samui replied smoothly. "You go on without me. I'll catch up soon."
Before Yugito could press further, Samui slipped away.
Guided by the voice in her head, she soon found the giant tree. Looking up, she spotted Shinho sitting on a giant branch with a dazed Hinata in his arms.
It's real… Samui inhaled sharply. She had no idea how Shinho was able to call her from more than a hundred meters away without alerting anyone else.
"Lord Hokage," she said, springing lightly onto the branch.
"Seems Yugito isn't a fan of her new assignment," Shinho said with a small smile.
"I-I apologize," Samui apologized quickly, feeling a twinge of apprehension.
Can he hear everything we say, even from that distance? How is that possible?
"You don't have to apologize on her behalf."
Shinho reached out and ran his hand over her yukata.
"It's just that she…"
Samui's cheeks flushed, as Shinho's hand wandered.
She suddenly let out a soft grunt as Shinho gave a slight tug on her yukata. Glancing at the unconscious Hinata in his arms, he noted again that Samui's figure remained unmatched.
"I understand her personality," Shinho said, moving his hand toward Samui's neckline and touching her fair skin.
Samui pursed her lips, subtly loosening the ties on her garment.
"Good girl."
Shinho saw her reaction and knew it wouldn't be long before he could visit her home. She had fully assumed the role of Hokage's secretary.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage," Samui murmured, doing her best to steady her emotions.
"Well done."
Pleased with her response, Shinho leaned in and kissed her.
Samui closed her eyes, looping her arms around his neck. Shinho savored her softness, a wave of heat stirring inside him.
Just then, Hinata's eyelashes fluttered and she opened her eyes. The first thing she noticed was Samui's yukata slipping precariously, and the culprit behind it was, without question, Shinho.
Collecting herself, Hinata realized Samui was receiving the exact same "training" she had, but the difficulty seemed worse.
Her mind went blank for a moment, thoughts spiraling in confusion.
Eventually, Shinho and Samui parted. She caught her breath and looked down, only to meet Hinata's gaze. It was an awkward moment indeed.
"Samui," Shinho said, withdrawing his hand, "you can go now."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Samui readjusted her yukata and leapt down from the tree.
"…Hinata."
Shinho cleared his throat, feeling somewhat uneasy.
In truth, he'd done it on purpose as he wanted to see Hinata's reaction.
One day, everyone would know about one another, so it was better to prepare for it now. Shameless or not, he considered it natural.
"Sh–Shinho?"
Hinata pressed her lips together.
She had just compared herself to Samui, realizing how much more mature and alluring the woman seemed. And most importantly, she hadn't fainted.
"Do-do you not… want me anymore?"
Hinata looked up, asking quite anxiously. There was insecurity in her eyes.
"What are you talking about?"
Relieved, Shinho pulled her into his embrace, smiling. "I'd never do that. I'm going to marry you."
Hinata's eyes went wide.
Marry me?
Her heart thumped wildly at his words.
Watching her, Shinho's expression softened with affection.
The more easily she was reassured, the more he felt her deep devotion and love.
"Hinata…"
He gently brushed a hand over her cheek.
Hinata instinctively met his gaze, her face already like a hot pan. It seemed like she'd faint a any second,
Shinho leaned in, kissing her once again, his lips finding their way past her soft resistance.
Overhead, the sky blazed to life with a fresh burst of fireworks.
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