Chapter Fifteen

Anbu – Part Two

Hanabi – 23
Konohamaru – 24


It was her bladder that woke her the next morning, and she cursed herself for not getting up to use the restroom before falling asleep. The passion she experienced the night before made her high in the best way possible, but it also made her careless. She felt his heavy body draped around her, still bare and warm against her. She blinked her eyes open, feeling frustrated when everything still looked pitch black. Maybe it was just very dark, and when she could get into the light she'd find her vision restored.

Gently, she peeled his body up and off of her own, suppressing a giggle at the annoyed grumble he returned her with, arms curling around nothing as she pulled herself up. She fumbled in the room as quietly as possible as she attempted to locate her clothes, having no sense of where he might have thrown them during their fit of passion. She recognized pants and a shirt, and that was good enough. She pulled them on, realizing the shirt must be Konohamaru's as it was loose around her, but decided not to bother making more noise to find her own.

She ran her fingers over the table she knew their masks were on, tracing the outline of the paint, recognizing the pattern of his mask, so reached for the other to pull on. Quietly, she unsealed the door and exited. She let out an annoyed puff of air as light filled her vision, and it was still blurry. Attempting to retrace her steps to the bathroom he had guided her to earlier, she stopped at the sound of footsteps not her own.

"Need assistance?"

"N—no," she managed to stutter out, able to make out the recognizable orange head of hair and deep voice of the older man. "Just…going to the bathroom."

"Here." She recoiled at the hand on her elbow, stumbling backward. "No ill intention, it's right here."

She reluctantly nodded, letting him pull her in front of the same door as yesterday.

She hoped he wouldn't wait for her outside, but wasn't surprised to find him still standing there when she came back out.

"Let me have a look at your eyes." His voice wasn't demanding, but it wasn't exactly soft, either. She paused. "I might be able to help before you take off."

"Well…" she sighed, looking over her shoulder towards the room Konohamaru was slumbering away in before nodding once more. "Alright."

She followed closely behind him as he led her into another room, gesturing at a seat for her, wondering if she was making a mistake. He knew about her eyes being damaged and she had to contemplate how he knew. Was he just clever? Or did Konohamaru tell him? Or…

"Sorry, but you'll have to remove your mask."

"I can't," she responded quickly, a hand instinctively pulling over the cheek of her mask.

"I already know who you are," he spoke candidly, and she recognized him folding his arms, "heiress to the Hyūga. Honestly, I'm surprised you of all people would be considered suitable for Anbu."

She cursed him in her head. Deciding it wasn't up for debate, she had to ask, "did my teammate tell you?"

"No." He shook his head. "But the hidden villages with their secret operatives aren't as sneaky as they'd like to think. Seems pretty risky to send out a Hyūga princess and a grandson to a revered Hokage."

Damn him! How could he read them so effortlessly? Did Konohamaru know him?

"Fine," she sighed, gingerly pulling her mask up and laying it in her lap. "Just help me if you can."

"Tell me what happened." She could see him kneel in front of her, seemingly inspecting her eyes.

She took in a little breath, trying not to wince as he reached out to push her hair from her nose. "He tried to run, and I used the byakugan to locate him. I captured him, but then he yelled, and his chakra network…it lit up. No, it didn't light up—it burned." She sucked in another shallow breath. "It felt like fire was touching my eyes. I had to look away, but I guess it was too late."

"Is your byakugan blurry, too?"

Reluctantly, she replied, "yes."

"Hmm," he hummed, reaching a hand to press against her temple. She resisted the urge to smack the hand away. She shuddered as she felt the warmth of chakra begin pouring into the side of her head.

"What—" She reached up to grab his wrist, but his hold was steady.

"Just repairing some nerve endings," he mumbled, hand still hovering. She reluctantly loosened her grip on his wrist and let her eyelids shut. She had to admit that whatever he was doing, it was soothing. A few moments passed before the chakra dissipated and his hand left her temple. She blinked her eyes open, finding her vision even blurrier.

"It's worse!" She gasped, eyebrows furrowing in anger.

"Worse before it gets better," he corrected, standing up to his full height. She glared at him. "It will take time, but they'll heal just fine. Have one of your Hyūga medics look at your eyes when you get home, but otherwise, rest will fix them."

"How can you know that?" she questioned skeptically. When he ignored her question, she gave an annoyed sigh. "How am I supposed to get home with my eyes like this?!"

"The boy you're with seems fond of you," he commented, turning his back to her as he rummaged through some drawer. "I'm sure he'll get you home just fine."

"That's a little bold of you to assume," she snapped, forcefully pulling her mask back on.

"Wear these." Again, he ignored her comment as he turned back, holding something towards her. She took it from his hands, recognizing the feel of glasses.

"Sunglasses?" she questioned with a frown. "With my mask? How?"

"You ask a lot of questions," he chuckled, moving towards the door. "Let's get you back to your teammate." She grumbled as she got to her feet, following him despite herself. When they arrived back at the door to the room they shared, he said, "when you're both ready, come get some food before you leave."

"That's kind of you," she mumbled, crossing her arms. "You don't have to."

"It's up to you," he spoke coolly, turning from her, "but do say goodbye before taking off. I know Anbu have the penchant to disappear without a word."

"Alright," she whispered as she watched his form leave, then turned back to the door. She unsealed it and reentered, unable to see anything within the room.

"Hey," his soft voice called as she resealed the lock. She stopped, pulling her hands together, suddenly feeling nervous. "Exploring?"

Despite it, she felt herself melting at his tone, the way he could be so playful even after everything. "Just needed to use the bathroom…"

"I would've helped you."

"I know…but you seemed so peaceful."

"Mmm," he mumbled as she approached, and she felt his hand grasp hers, tugging her towards him. "I am a shinobi, Hanabi. I woke up as soon as you moved, or did you just wanna make me worry?"

"Hush," she whispered as she sat on the edge of the bed, his arm wrapping around her waist.

"You want me quiet?" he asked, and it seemed intentionally devious.

"N—no," she breathed, letting him pull her down to meet him on her shoulder. "I mean—yes. Or—"

"What time is it?" he interrupted, and all she could feel was him rustling against her.

"Oh…morning, I think," she whispered, feeling him wrap around her. She giggled when his nose bumped into her mask, apparently not realizing it was still on.

"Damn thing," he muttered, a hand leaving her waist to pull it off of her.

"You don't like my mask?" she asked, teasingly. She felt herself being pulled closer.

"I like it. But I like you better," he mumbled against her neck, and it made her tense up. "Sorry…"

"Don't be," she breathed, returning his embrace in spite of herself. Something slowly began gnawing at the back of her mind, that annoying voice that told her she was making a mistake.

"I can't really tell with you," he chuckled, the pats of breath hitting her collarbone that made her stiffen, "you're so hot and cold."

She swallowed at the words, gently tugging his hand off of her waist. "We should get ready to go…"

"Yeah…"

With that, she willed her body to roll out of the bed, finding him following her closely. She hissed quietly when he hit the light switch.

"Eye's not any better?" he asked lightly as she heard him rustling with his clothing, not willing to face his naked form despite all they had shared so far. She shook her head, folding her arms. "Did you talk to Jugo while you were out there?"

"Yeah…he did something, said he mended some nerve endings, but it's going to get worse before it gets better."

"So they're worse right now?" She heard his voice draw nearer and dug her fingernails into her forearm when she felt one of his hands slide around her waist. She nodded. He leaned in, to the point she felt his breath against her ear. "I think your shirt would be a little tight on me…"

"Oh," she breathed, dropping her arms at the realization she was still wearing his shirt. His fingertips traced the curve of her waist until they reached the hem and something about his lazy movements felt so intentionally wicked.

"Can I?" Those words, again. Can I. His finger rested on the hem without pulling on it, waiting for permission.

"I…I need to rewrap…" she whispered, gently moving his fingers away, feeling a little guilty about her bashfulness. Despite it all, she couldn't push down how nervous being bare in front of him made her. Something told her to pretend like their night together didn't happen, which she knew would trigger that horrible, crest-fallen look on his face and make her feel terrible. But she was well and truly confused, unsure of what this meant for them going forward. If anyone from her clan found out, it would be a disaster, she was sure of it.

"Right," he murmured, and through blurred vision, she could make out his bare torso turning from her, back now facing her. She peeled off the too large garment, reaching out to tuck it into a waiting hand and accepting the smaller shirt from his other hand.

Quickly, she pulled a roll of bandages from her satchel and began pulling them around her chest. After she deemed it enough, she tore the piece and pulled her shirt over herself, giving him a little tap on the shoulder blade to let him know it was okay to turn back around. "Shall we?"

"Hold on." He grasped her hand before she could leave. She swallowed thickly, bracing herself for the inevitable question.

What are we?

"You almost forgot this." She darted her eyes around to no avail but did recognize her chest plate being set in her hands. With a little sigh, she mustered a smile and pulled it on, allowing him to tighten the straps for her from behind.

"Thank you."

She tried her best to trace his movements and avoid bumping into things as she had earlier, knowing if she did, he'd certainly fret over her once again. She recognized the sound of Jugo's voice greeting them, "morning."

"Thanks for putting us up," Konohamaru began, and Hanabi stood back, letting him take on the lead. "Think you'll be alright with the kid?"

"Perfectly," Jugo responded, stepping in front of Hanabi. She squinted her eyes as he held something towards her. "Some rations for your travel back."

"Oh." She nodded, accepting the offering. "Thank you."

"And don't forget those." She glanced down to see his finger point at the sunglasses she had hooked around one of her satchels. "I really recommend them."

"Sunglasses, huh?" Konohamaru stepped towards her and she knew he must've had a smirk on underneath that mask. "Pretty cool."

"Yeah, alright," she huffed, "we should get going."

"I'll catch up. I'm just gonna go check on the kid real quick."

"Oh, alright." She watched as his form left her view, shifting uncomfortably with Jugo next to her. "Can…can you tell me why? His chakra network is so bright? And yours?"

"Hard to explain," he responded coolly. "It's something like a curse, really."

"A curse?" she repeated, blinking up toward him.

Before he could elaborate, Konohamaru reappeared and gestured down the hall. "All good. Let's head out."

"Thank you," Hanabi finally finished off this interaction for good by nodding towards him, then joined Konohamaru closely behind.

Once they were securely outside, he stopped her before she could try leaping away. "You should wear those."

"I'd have to take off my mask." She waved him away, trying to start their journey, but was swiftly grabbed by the arm before. "Quit that!"

"Our mission is over. It's okay to remove it for this," he reasoned, pointing a finger at her nose. "Don't make me carry you."

"Oh please," she grumbled, pulling her arm away.

"Think I won't?"

"Think I'll just let you?"

"What's this attitude?" He stepped towards her, shadowing her in his frame.

"Whenever I disagree with you, you say I have an attitude," she snapped, feeling a little on edge now with her judgment being called into question.

He folded his arms, leaning his weight on one foot. "Because you tend to disagree when you have an attitude."

"That's pretty presumptuous of you."

"Just put the damn glasses on, Hanabi."

"Pagoda."

"Put the glasses on, Pagoda."

"Fine!" She pulled off the mask and forcefully shoved it into her pack, scrambling to open up the sunglasses in a far too dramatic action. Once she had them securely over her ears, she turned to look at him with a deep frown, finding she could barely see anything. "Happy?"

"Not particularly," he sighed, stepping towards her again. She resisted the urge to smack his hands away when they wrapped around her elbows. "You…you're regretting it, aren't you?"

"This is not the time." She didn't allow him to continue, stepping backward from his stance. "Can we go, please? I want to get home sooner rather than later."

"Yeah." His tone was short. "Fine."

"Thank you," she mumbled, turning and activating her byakugan, the only way she could have a halfway decent vision.


Once she had tumbled for the fourth time, he told her enough was enough and gave her an ultimatum: let him carry her on his back, or force him to throw her over his shoulder. She begrudgingly hopped on his back, securing her arms around his neck while his hands tucked underneath her knees, enveloping her around his back. Once again, she was being weak.

She gave in, resting her cheek against the edge of his shoulder and shutting her eyes. She had a hard time focusing on anything besides his large hands wrapped around her legs and his earthy scent, everything far more sensitive than normal for likely several reasons outside of her lack of vision. Reluctantly, she admitted to herself that being weak with him wasn't quite as bad as with others.

Hours of travel later and he woke her unintentionally, unaware that she had been asleep. "Sorry. You can go back to sleep."

"Mm…" she hummed, brushing her nose against the nape of his neck and she blinked open her eyes, finding her eyesight much the same as earlier. "S'fine…what's up?"

"Mind if we stop by that little village again? I have something I need to take care of."

"The one we collected the boy from?" she asked, sleepily. "I guess not."

"It'll be quick," he promised, "we'll be there in about an hour."

"I guess it'll give you a little break from carrying me."

"Doesn't bother me." She shifted her head at his relaxed tone. "You know how I feel about these things."

"Always a caretaker," she agreed quietly, resting her cheek back on his shoulder, eyes fluttering shut once more.

"Yep."

When his pace slowed, she activated her byakugan to find the shanty area coming into view once more. She found only one lone chakra network there today, seemingly lying down in one of the huts. "Just one person there…I think they're sleeping or resting."

"Got it. I'll let you hang out here." He stopped next to a tree, and as she blinked away the byakugan, found herself being deposited against it, the village no longer in view. "Be right back."

She drew her knees to her chest as she watched him take off, form disappearing behind the trees. She let out a tired sigh, pulled the sunglasses up onto her forehead, and dug the pads of her fingers into her eyelids, rubbing to the point of seeing little stars. When her hands dropped and her vision remained unclear, she balled up a fist and bumped it against her forehead, cursing herself. She was trying to not think too hard about how she'd keep this under wraps when they got back to the Leaf, from not just her father, but Kakashi as well.

She looked up when she heard light rustling, indicating someone was drawing near once more, and recognized Konohamaru's form…but around his arms, a body was draped.

"Is that…" she whispered, chest tightening at the realization.

"He asked me to burn her body," he mumbled, crouching down on one knee to gently rest the lifeless form on the ground a good distance away. She was suddenly thankful for her lack of clear vision, knowing she wouldn't be able to resist the morbid curiosity that would push her to watch him. She didn't envy him.

He draped a sheet around her before digging into one of his satchels, pulling out what looked like a small scroll. Delicately, he placed it over the middle of her body and locked his fingers together, whispering. He set his palm over the tag, then stood up and backed away. Hanabi's teeth clenched as the smell of smoke filled the air, dreading whatever smell it might carry with it. Her eyes followed his body as it approached her before falling onto his knees. She turned to him as his back slammed against the trunk of the tree she was also resting against. He pulled his mask off so he could drag his hands over his face.

She knew he probably looked as exhausted as she felt. What they had been through was more than exhausting: her eyesight being compromised, the sick realization that a boy accidentally killed his mother, being asked to burn the body of that mother, not to mention him carrying the boy most of the way to the hideout, and now carrying her home. She felt herself feeling sorry for him, wanting to comfort him, so she dropped the hard façade and reached out to pull his head down into her chest.

He readily accepted the embrace, immediately conforming to her figure and wrapping his arms around her waist. She gingerly rubbed her fingertips in circles against the crown of his head, the thick strands of hair curling around them as she did so. His shuddered sigh against her chest was hot against her, but she managed to remain poised.

Nearly an hour later, as the sun began disappearing, they remained in that position. It felt absurd to be watching a sunset with Konohamaru curled around her while a poor woman's body burnt to ash several meters away from them. It made her resent the mission completely, despite how excited she had initially been. This was a moment they would share and carry for the rest of their lives, and that thought made her feel a little sick. If it had been with nearly anyone else, any other Anbu she had ever been teamed with, it likely wouldn't have felt so heavy.

After the sun fully set and the moon and fire were the only things lighting up their surroundings was when he finally dragged himself away from her. She reluctantly let go of him, letting him rise to his full height and go back to the now small pile of ash, flame starting to dwindle. She heard him sigh as he whispered a jutsu, and a small hole formed underneath the pile, swallowing it into the earth and cutting off the flame. She heard him whisper, "rest in peace, Yalina."

When he returned to her, he held out a hand and she accepted it, letting herself be pulled up into his arms. He embraced her roughly, and she couldn't help but let him. His heavy body sagged against her, forcing her to step back to rest against the tree they had just been seated against. She looped her arms around his neck and rested a hand on the nape of his neck, massaging it as soothingly as she could muster.

"You're a better person than me," she whispered, "I don't think I could have done that…"

"Hmm…" he mumbled against her shoulder, head shaking back and forth for a couple of seconds before resting again. Slowly, he retracted from her, one hand still resting around her back, the other lifted to her face. She felt him tug the sunglasses off the top of her head and watched as he hooked them into a satchel. "Sun's down, should be okay to take these off and put your mask back on." He reached back up to pull her mask over her face. Despite the gloomy environment, his gentle movements made her feel warm.

She nodded, reluctantly letting go of him when his hands pulled from her body. He turned and crouched, arms ready to take hold of her. She sighed, "are you sure? I can walk."

"Too slow." He shrugged. "Gotta get you home so someone can look at your eyes. I'm alright."

With another nod he wouldn't be able to see, she climbed onto his back once more, letting herself be carried again.

A few hours later and she activated her byakugan, finding hundreds of chakra networks coming into view, letting her know they were just on the outskirts of the village. "I don't think you should carry me through the gates."

"No?" he asked, the playful tone returning that brought her a tiny shred of relief. "Yeah, you're probably right."

She planted her feet on the ground as he dropped her, straightening out her chest plate. "Konohamaru…please don't let them know about my eyesight, okay?"

"How can you be treated if they don't know?" he questioned, folding his arm as he leaned over her.

"I've already got a plan." She held up a hand. "I'm pretty sure I can get away with visiting my medic without raising suspicion. If my father finds out the byakugan's been compromised…I'm not really sure how he'll react. I don't want to find out."

With a sigh, he seemed to nod, arms dropping to his sides. "You know best, I guess."

"I do." She nodded back, leading them back toward the village.

It was the middle of the night, so the atmosphere was fairly silent, only the light chatter of a couple of drunks hanging out outside of a long-closed bar. Thankfully, she had the layout of her village memorized and moved through it easily. They made their quiet trek up the Hokage tower, Hanabi careful to avoid accidentally tripping over any of the steps as they went. He let her lead him into the assistant's office, finding it empty. She heard him knock on the door to Kakashi's office, and when they received no response, he shrugged, turning back to her.

"Probably at home. It is almost midnight," he pointed out, both knowing it was likely he wouldn't be there at this late hour. She nodded and let him lead her once more back out, accompanying her to the Hyūga compound under camouflage jutsu.

It was one of the few places it was near impossible for Anbu to breach, constant byakugans activated to survey the compound, so neither were surprised when they heard a recognizable voice behind them.

"You've returned, Lady Hanabi. And with the honorable grandson." They turned, dropping the camo as Tadashi approached them. "All is…well?"

"Well, kind of…" Hanabi sighed, and Konohamaru seemed to look at her with surprise as he took off his mask. "Tadashi, I need to see Yasukata."

"Your eyes?" he whispered, understanding immediately as he drew close to her. She nodded with her head hung. Swiftly, he began leading them through the compound to an unassuming room, and finally, she turned to Konohamaru. She reached out to briefly and gently run her fingertips over his forearm before pressing against it, an innocent push.

"Thank you, Konohamaru. I'll meet you at the Hokage tower in the morning."

"Right." He nodded, and she wished he could wrap her into a hug again like she knew he probably would if they weren't under the watchful gaze of Tadashi. "See you in a few hours."

She watched his form disappear from her vision, then with a far-too longing sigh than she would have preferred not escape her, she turned to the door, giving it a light knock to awaken her medic.


She awoke before her alarm went off, and used the timing to her advantage, quickly pulling her Anbu gear back on, having broken protocol the previous night by not returning to their lockers to change first. She whispered the camouflage jutsu before exiting her balcony, choosing to avoid as many byakugans as possible by sneaking out. She activated her byakugan as she climbed up the steps to the Hokage tower, finding Konohamaru's chakra network leaning against the wall just outside of the assistant's office as he waited for her. She whispered a quiet greeting to alert him of her presence, and they both dropped the camo simultaneously.

They walked through the doors to find Shizune looking over some paperwork, who quickly offered a "welcome back" before getting up to notify Kakashi of their presence. They entered, and Konohamaru took the lead in relaying the details of the mission.

"Can I ask something, Lord Hokage?" Hanabi looked up as Konohamaru ventured a question. Kakashi nodded. "Was the boy discovered because of the accidental death of his mother?"

"You're correct," Kakashi sighed, rubbing his fingertips against his nose. "It's unfortunate, but yes. I chose to put Anbu on this mission not just because of the level of danger, but also as to not cause panic in the Leaf."

"Because it was so close," Konohamaru responded. Kakashi hummed agreement.

"Well, go ahead and take a break, you two," Kakashi finished, leaning back in his seat, "sounds like it was a rather tiring mission. Report back in a week."

"A week?" Konohamaru protested, "I'm fine, Lord Kakashi—"

"Why don't you two go get some ramen or something?" He waved him away, spinning in the seat to get up. "Or dango. I've heard the shop just down the block has added a few new flavors."

They both turned to watch as he left the office, disappearing around a corner. It always baffled her how comfortable the older shinobi felt with leaving people alone in the Hokage's office.

"Huh," Konohamaru huffed, rubbing his chin. "Well, I guess I could go for dango. Your treat?"

This drew a little laugh from her and she twisted her lips, feeling a little unsure. "Let's go get changed first, at least."

They traveled back to the building which housed Anbu operations and split to go to their lockers, individually changing back into their civilian outfits. Well, just her into her robes, she found it a little amusing that he defaulted to his jōnin flak rather than something more casual. She had to wonder if he took her compliment so close to heart all those years ago that he might prefer the jōnin flak because of it.

They met back at the entrance of the building, and she frowned as he held out the pair of sunglasses she had hoped he had forgotten about.

"Don't you think it'll be suspicious if I suddenly start wearing sunglasses?" she questioned, reluctantly taking the pair.

He chuckled. "I dunno, people might just think you're cool and fashionable."

"Fashionable?" she repeated questioningly, rolling her eyes as she slid them over her ears. "Yeah, right."

"Although I will miss looking at your pretty eyes."

She froze, wishing she had her mask on now to conceal the inevitable blush. "Shush."

"Whatever you say." She mumbled incoherently under her breath as she followed him out into the bustle of the village, him leading them to the dango stand in question. She frowned, realizing she couldn't make out the lettering to see what was new on the menu and had to rely on him relaying it back to her. "Huh. Chocolate-covered banana."

It drew a surprised giggle from her. "Really? Your secret flavor must have caught on."

"Hey there, Konohamaru," a voice called over the counter before greeting Hanabi as well, "Hanabi."

"Got some new stuff, Nari?"

"You two order it so often, I figured I might as well put it up on the menu."

"Us two?" he questioned and Hanabi felt her ears heat up. "You've been stealing my flavor?"

"You don't own it," she snapped quietly, crossing her arms. He chuckled again.

"Two of those, please."

She fished out her coin pouch, cursing quietly as she struggled to pull out the correct amount of money. Her eyebrows cinched together when she heard the clinking of coins on the counter; he had already paid. "Thought it was my treat?"

"Took too long." She recognized him poking his tongue out at her, and she huffed in annoyance, realizing she only agreed to go with him under the pretense she'd be paying. He knew her too well.

He led her to a nearby table as he set the plates across from one another and she took a seat. "One week off…"

"Good thing, it'll give you time to recover," he commented before plucking one of the dango off into his mouth. With a full mouth, he continued, "I better not see you at the training grounds this week."

"Don't speak with your mouth full," she chided, pulling the dango up to her lips. "It's rude."

"Don't avoid what I said," he retorted, swallowing down the frozen dessert. "No stress on those eyes."

"Mmm…" she mumbled irritably as she chewed a piece, swallowing. "Whatever you say, Lord Eighth."

She perked an eyebrow as he went silent, his movements stilling. After a moment, she felt his foot nudge hers gently. "I like it when you call me that." His flirtatious nature still caught her off guard even after all these years. She coughed as she struggled to swallow down the ball of dango, reaching for the canteen around her hip to wash it down.

When it cleared, she ran a hand through her hair as she shook her head. "You're too much, sometimes."

"Can't argue with that," he chuckled, the foot nudging hers slowly retracting. "Was your Hyūga medic able to help at all?"

"Yes," she nodded, setting the skewer down. "Nothing permanent. It'll be back to normal soon."

"Oh, good," he sighed a little breath of relief. She had to smile at his concern. "That's good."

They ate quietly, now, and anxiety began blooming in her chest. They couldn't avoid the conversation forever. "Konohamaru…" she whispered, debating with herself as she ventured into new territory. "We should…go somewhere privately…to talk."

He paused before answering, "yeah, we should. We can go to my place."

"Your place?" she questioned with genuine surprise. "You have your own place?"

"Think I still live with my mom?" he teased. "Give me a little more credit than that."

"I dunno!" she defended, crossing her arms. "A lot of people live with their parents for a while."

"I'm gonna be 25, Hanabi."

"Yeesh." She perked an eyebrow. "Getting up there, huh?"

"Ouch!" he whined dramatically, hands clasping over his heart before repeating, "ouch!"

"Alright, alright. Let's just go."


They walked quietly alongside one another as they made for the Sarutobi neighborhood, Konohamaru resisting the urge to reach out and put a hand on her waist, or pull her hand into his to help her. He was fully aware that showing signs of intimacy in public would probably land him an injury, and he didn't doubt her ability even with poor eyesight. Still, he wished he knew what was going through her head. He had a feeling he knew. He was still conflicted about it all, too. He'd resisted her for this long, and it had all come undone in one night. Seemed to be how things always were, with them.

When they got to his unit, he ushered her in and kicked off his sandals before taking a seat at the sofa. He looked up at her to find her with crossed arms, rubbing her fingertips into her upper arm as if nervous. He patted at the seat next to him and frowned when she shook her head. "I'm…I'm fine standing."

"Yeah?" He didn't want to push it, so he simply leaned back. "Alright."

He decided he'd take a page from Hiashi Hyūga and let the silence sit. Maybe if he could keep his mouth shut for long enough, she'd be the one who broke the tension. Because at this point, he was starting to feel like he'd bared enough of his soul to her without enough in return. It was painful—a kind of pain he continuously subjected himself to and couldn't seem to resist doing so.

Was he surprised by her attitude shift yesterday? Yes. Should he have been? He knew he shouldn't. This was how it had always been between them. But it was harder to accept this time around because he had no idea how to go forward after all…that. He knew what he wanted, and maybe he had a feeling he knew what she wanted, too. But what they wanted and could have were two totally different things.

"You know we can't…"

There it is.

Repressing a frustrated sigh, Konohamaru cupped his chin, staring at her, waiting for her to continue.

When she didn't finish her sentence, he clicked his tongue. "Can't what?"

She paused, as he expected. "Konohamaru…"

"No." He shook his head, dropping his hand and getting to his feet now. "Tell me what we can't do."

"Really?" she huffed, and despite being annoyed, despite feeling like his heart was being twisted, despite it all, he found all of her mannerisms so endearing. The way she dropped her arms and started balling her fists, one of her feet taking a step forward as if to intimidate him, her eyebrows drawing together and lowering. All of it.

Damn this brain.

"You're ridiculous, you know that?"

"I'm ridiculous?" He raised his eyebrows, stepping towards her, feeling the need to press her. "I'm the ridiculous one? I'm not the one who can't say a few simple words."

"Is that right? You know, then?" she seethed, and he felt the tension growing thick between them, and even if it was wrong to feel thrilled by it, he still did. Even as he drew closer, she didn't back away. "Then why don't you say it?"

"You want me to say it for you, Hanabi?" His voice dropped lower as he towered over her, and every little voice in his head tugged at him to grab her, pull her against him, shut her mouth up with his. He had her backed up against the wall now, and he steadied himself against it with one hand, the other pointing at her. "You don't think we—" He gestured between them with the hand. "—can keep doing whatever this is."

"Then you already know," she sighed, turning her head away from him, and he couldn't fight the instinct to wrap his fingers around her chin, pulling her back. She leaned away from his touch and he pulled his hand away, satisfied with simply retaining her gaze. "So why are we doing this?"

Why were they doing this?

"Because you want it."

He wondered if he would ever tire of making her gasp those little embarrassed breaths. If he felt like a predator before, he definitely felt it now, because every instinct inside told him to close in, snaking the hand around her waist. When she didn't push him off, he pulled her in. He felt her breathing pick up as he leaned down to rest his left temple against hers, her fingers wrap around his elbows.

"And I want it."

Her shiver was welcome, he reveled in the way he could bring her to this state of something he couldn't describe as other than arousal.

"It was good, wasn't it?"

"Konohamaru…" she sighed, her breath tickling his cheek. "Of course it was…"

"So you don't regret it?"

"No…I don't." He felt his heart lift at the admission, relief washing over him. He knew he was good at feigning confidence, but even he had his limits when his ego wasn't pet at least once in a while. He could feel her heart thumping against his chest as he pulled her closer. "I don't regret giving myself to you."

"Then?" he questioned, fingers tightening around her waist as he resisted the urge to bury her against him, hanging onto her every word. Everything was telling him to wrap her around him, let her know just how much he wanted her, all of her. Make her know it, feel it. Feel what she did to him, even in the most innocent moments. He wanted to press her. Make her give in. At her silence, an annoyed puff of air escaped his nose before he continued, "talk to me, Hanabi."

"We both know," she started, breath hooking in her throat as he stepped forward, one foot nudging between hers as his hips pressed against hers. As if struggling to force it out, she continued, "we both know I can't…my clan, we—I can't just—"

He couldn't help it, after everything, he just needed her. Right now. "I don't know anything," he mumbled, devious in his intentions as he turned his head so that his lips would brush against her jaw. "I'm an idiot, you know that."

"Mmph—" He smothered her protest with his mouth. If she wanted him to stop, he couldn't tell, because the fingers hooked around his elbows quickly traveled up his arms until they were laced around his neck. The way her dainty, slender fingers felt pressed against his nape shouldn't have felt so right, her stubby nails scraping against the skin. If he wasn't busy consuming her lips with his, he would lean into the touch to encourage her further. Instead, he slid his hand off the wall, around her waist, and nestled himself right up against her. It wasn't fair, he thought, that someone who fit against him so well could be so unavailable to him. She was perfect for him.

Gods, he knew he was setting himself up for heartbreak, but he couldn't find it in himself to care. And he knew he should care because if she was anything like him, which he knew she was, she'd suffer through that same heartbreak, too. But right now, he would do anything to keep this moment going for just a little longer. Keep her right here, against him. His.

It gave him pause when she revealed she had never gone that far with anyone else, making him rethink it all briefly. He had no idea if it was right for him to be her first, no matter how in the heat of the moment he was at the time. But he couldn't find a reason to feel guilty about it with the way she responded to him then and right now. He had to hold back a snicker of amusement when he felt her press back up against him, arms now wrapping fully around his neck as she returned the kiss.

He had imagined what making out with this woman he had adored for so long would be like, but could never envision just how good it would actually be. Her lips were soft, her tongue was slick and inviting. He couldn't stop a hand from traveling up her torso, eliciting that tiny, erotic gasp he craved to hear as his fingers brushed against her chest on their way. He tangled his fingers into the thin strands of hair, savoring how soft and smooth the locks felt between them. Since their night together, he couldn't get her breathy, panting moans out of his mind, and how desperate he was to hear them again. Make her breathless and hot and needy for him, like he was for her.

The tiny voice in the back of his mind that told him to stop before it goes too far again, the one that made him beg her to tell him to stop that night in the hideout, was becoming quieter and quieter. It was a faint whisper deep within him that was easy to ignore as her fingers dug into the back of his skull, nails embedding in the skin there, a sensation he never knew would turn him on so much. Her grip on him, telling him not to stop. Telling him she wanted it just as much. He pulled her bottom lip in between his teeth and sucked at the pliant flesh, relishing the soft, plumpness of her lips as he swiped his tongue over it. Her muffled moans fueled him further, and he found himself dragging her off the wall. He walked backward with her tight against him until he fell back on the sofa, and the way she readily climbed onto him excited him beyond imagination.

In her robes, she was so much more exposed, and he did his best not to tear away from her to ogle her despite them unraveling slowly. Instead, he ran the hand holding her head back down and rested both hands on her now exposed thighs on either side of his legs, letting her take the lead. Her hands trailed from the back of his head, one resting on his shoulder and the other wrapped around the side of his neck as she deepened the kiss, and her tongue darting into his mouth drew a low groan out of him. He felt blood rush between his legs as she drove herself further against him, the plush between her legs grinding against him now, making everything tight and eager for contact. Real contact.

When her lips dragged from his to his jawline, he dropped his head against the back of the couch and felt his eyes roll back, her fingers hooking into the scarf to tug a path for her mouth to travel down. He massaged his fingertips against her thighs as she nipped at his neck, fighting every urge to grab her and grind up into her, to make sure she knew what she was doing to him. Make sure she knew how much he appreciated it. He was rewarded for his patience when she rocked her hips into his in just the way he wanted, the hot space between her legs dragging over his hardness. She quieted his sounds now, lips smashing against his just as a needy groan escaped him.

He wanted so much to grab the obi around her waist and untie it, spread her robe open so he could see her completely again. In the darkness of the room and heat of the moment, he didn't get to see nearly enough of her. He wanted to take her entire body in, see every curved line of her toned frame, the bumps of aroused peaks on her breasts, the brown patch of hair just above her opening that he could only feel under his fingers before. See her soaking arousal that begged for him to tend to. And he would, relentlessly, if she let him. There was no limit for him when it came to her.

And gods he wanted to taste her. He shamelessly wanted to spread her wide open and bury his tongue against her, he was so close that night. She stopped him, and it took everything he had not to pretend he hadn't heard her, to reign in his own animalistic instincts. He was glad he did, but goddamnit did he want to feel her against his mouth. Make her writhe with need, drag out those lustful noises from her pretty mouth, feel her clench around him. He knew she'd taste sweet, he just needed to be a little more patient…

As she worked him over with her lips and tongue against his neck, finding it amusing how she paid special attention to his Adam's apple, he perked an eyebrow as he felt one of her hands slide over his. He let her pick it up and guide it between her legs, sliding it over the panty-covered spot that he could feel was already damp. If there was any blood left in his head, it quickly shot between his thighs, and he felt his mind go cloudy at her taking the lead so well. If she wanted him to touch her, he would never say no. He'd give her the attention she deserved.

He gently fingered the elastic, pushing it to the side until he was rewarded with the slick, soft skin underneath. He smirked when her lips stopped moving against him as soon as the pads of his fingers made contact, letting go with a sucking noise as she inhaled a sharp breath. He began stroking his fingertip back and forth teasingly against her, searching for that hard nub he knew would undo her. When he found it, he gently caressed in circles as he pressed his lips against her earlobe, in a low voice, "there?"

Her fervent nodding pulled that chuckle out of him again, the one he knew made her spine tingle as her torso shook against his, her breasts pressing against his chest heavily. The way he could have her wriggling involuntarily under his touch was heavenly, better than anything he'd ever felt before. Except for maybe one thing, but he could wait. She needed to be warmed up, and he'd ensure she was good and hot by the time he was done. He softly replaced the finger with his thumb to tend to the area while his index finger stroked back and forth against her puffy folds to request permission for entrance. When her hips pushed downwards, he took the hint and immediately plunged that finger in. Her gasps against his neck made his skin tingle, enough to wind him tight. He curled his free arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him harshly.

Her moans vibrated through her chest against him as he stroked inside of her, feeling her swell against his fingers in a way he never knew he'd be so desperate for. He felt himself becoming painfully hard underneath her as her body involuntarily wiggled against him, but he was determined to bring her over the edge this time. He knew on that night together, it would be nearly impossible to draw an orgasm out of her for her first time. Something about the fear of pain and the nerves around it being the first time, he knew.

But he'd count himself a lucky man if he could have her gasping his name against him, begging him to bring her to release. All the ways he envisioned her in the past, something he had felt shameful about, his innocent classmate, teammate, friend. It felt wrong to get so worked up at the thought of her flushed face, fingering her, penetrating her. Imagining the feel of her taking him, how tight she might be, how warm. But there was nothing shameful right now about having Hanabi Hyūga writhing on top of him, his fingers buried in her entrance as he added a second, stroking her inside and out and dragging those lewd noises out of her as he went. It took everything he had not to tear open her robe and pull her panties completely back just so he could see his own work, see that erotic sight so he could burn it into his memory.

He pressed his lips against her jaw as he added another finger, eliciting a higher-pitched moan. He whispered against her skin, "you're so wet, honey." He didn't know what compelled the pet name but was pleased when he felt her flutter around his fingers. "Feel good?" She responded with an adorable mmm as she tried to muffle her moans, but he was determined to have her a whining mess. Her hips bucked against him as he dared to question, "have you…ever orgasmed, Hanabi?"

"Aah—" she gasped, burying her nose into the crook of his neck. He already had a feeling the answer was no, he knew she'd find the question embarrassing, so he used his free hand to rub circles into the small of her back in an attempt to soothe her, but his right hand continued to work her over. "I—I don't think—I don't—"

"Shh," he hushed her as his lips covered the point of her jaw, sucking gently. As much as he wanted to leave a mark on her, he knew better. "I'm gonna make you come, okay?"

"Fu—ahh—" He could die happy if he could draw those vulgar words from her, moan his name like a prayer attached to a curse. He rubbed deeper circles into her clit as his fingers continued curling inside of her, making sure to explore every little crevice as he spread her open. When he felt her pelvis forcefully shove into his abdomen, the thought of her getting close made him work faster. When her palms snaked to the front of his chest and began pushing off, his hold on her tightened, refusing to let her go. "Kono—I—it feels like—"

He knew what that meant, and he wasn't going to let her go so easily. "Good," he whispered, pulling the arm from her waist to the back of her neck to force her down, smashing his lips against hers to quiet her worries. He worked more fervently, as if his life depended on feeling her release on top of him, fingers relentless. Her muffled moans against his lips sounded like an invocation, unable to make out anything clear, just that they were begging for something. Her fingernails dug into his chest to the point of stinging in the best way possible, her walls clenching around his fingers as she swelled.

"Kono—" He could make out his nickname whined against his mouth, her voice sounding like barely a tremble as if she'd been sobbing. When he felt her loosen around his fingers, he slowed his pace to help her ride out the orgasm, gently pulling one finger from her and then the other, making sure to spread as much as possible over her swollen folds. He smirked against her mouth when he felt her hands scramble to fiddle with his belt, frantic need etching her actions. The hand that had previously been driving her over aided her wandering hands, pulling the buckle apart with ease as she reached in and clumsily pulled his hardened length out. Her slender fingers wrapping around him made his vision fuzzy.

"In a hurry?" he whispered with amusement as she tried to keep him quiet with her lips.

"Shut up," she mumbled, struggling to lift herself as her delicate hand positioned him under her. He readily helped her, pulling her effortlessly up by the hips as she lined him up with her heat. He felt his own breath catch now as the tip swiped against the gloss collected there, a groan escaping him as she began lowering herself. It took everything he had not to become undone just with the head enveloped by her.

Truly he had no idea how he got here, being ridden by the Hyūga heiress, but he thanked whatever gods might be out there that it was he who got to bury himself inside of her. His finger twitched as he stopped himself from seizing her hips and driving her down, knowing that her second time wasn't enough for her to sheath him so quickly.

Patience…such a difficult thing, especially right now.

"Aah, Hanabi…" he whispered affectionately, hands that had been helping guide her sliding under the side of her robe to rest on her bare waist, fingertips digging into the cushion. Something dark inside of him noted how wide her hips were, something he heard as a teenager that adults tease each other about 'child-bearing' hips. Something feral inside told him they were perfect for him and he filed it away in his mind. That was a fever dream he'd be insane for entertaining at this point in their lives and whatever this relationship was right now, but it was hard not to think about.

Her lips met his shaft and he allowed himself to groan in approval, forehead falling forward onto her collarbone as her hands came to rest on his chest. "Goddamnit," he sighed appreciatively, hand trailing from her waist out, gently pushing the edges of her robes apart to run his fingertips over her breast. When she pushed her chest into his hand, he groaned with want, bucking his hips up into hers to encourage her. He knew he had to be careful. "Tell me if I'm doing too much."

"No—" she gasped quietly, her lips pressed against the crown of his head as her hips slowly lifted, dragging her slick along him. He desperately wanted to grab her by the waist and pull her just a bit further from him, just enough so he could see himself disappear inside of her, but he was practicing that patience. He let her get into her own rhythm, content with having who he referred to honestly as a goddess ride him at her own pace. It was almost wrong how amazing she was at it already, but he shouldn't be surprised. He did always honestly believe she was amazing at everything she did.

He swept the pad of his thumb against her nipple, savoring the hard peak under his touch. He didn't expect her to respond, so he pressed his lips against her collarbone, dragging his tongue against the edge as she began bouncing up and down on him, seemingly becoming braver as time passed. He let her hear how much he was enjoying it, whispering praise against her skin, "you're so good, so, so good."

"It's okay?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling as she swallowed her moans, nose rubbing into him as she pressed her lips together. He held back a chuckle, not because it wasn't, but because it most definitely was okay.

"Amazing," he replied, honestly, cupping her full breast in his palm so he could feel the weight of it. The way it bounced in his hand as she moved was so beautifully erotic, he felt his core tighten as he got close. He slid the nipple between his index and thumb, twisting gently as he murmured "you're perfect, princess."

The way a surprised moan escaped her as he uttered that phrase told him to keep that one tucked away in his arsenal. As her movements became more desperate and he felt her panting became heavier against his temple, he found himself getting near his release, and perhaps she was getting a little tired, too. He wondered if she'd let him cum inside of her again, practically beg for it like she had last time, an action that threatened to cause him to black out. "I-I'm close—"

"Okay," she managed to stifle out, her pace become quicker and he couldn't hold back, wrapping both of his hands around either hip and began dragging her down harshly against him, chasing his own release. Her startled gasp barely registered as he began rutting against her, forcing her up and down until he felt that rush, that twitch. With one final rough jerk, he stilled her on top of him, one hand wrapping around her back to pull her torso flush against him, sweat sticking them together. He groaned against her as he felt himself unload in her, thick, hot ropes.

"Damnit—" he gasped, panting against her chest as he clutched the material of her robes behind her, cursing himself, "I-I'm sorry, I didn't ask—"

"You didn't have to," she interrupted him, her forehead falling on his shoulder as she collapsed against him, his twitching inside of her slowing. "I'm on protection…"

"I know…" he mumbled, wrapping his other arm around her to join in a tight hold, not giving her the chance to wiggle away, "but you still deserve to be asked…"

"Mmm…" her hum against his shoulder made him tingle. "You're very sweet."

He chose not to respond as he caressed her sides, letting her conform to his body as her breathing began to even out, syncing with his. What he'd give to have this be a daily occurrence, sex or not.

"I wish I could see you better," she whispered, turning her nose so it would nuzzle against his jaw. He pressed back gently, basking in her scent and softness.

"Kinda glad you can't." He chuckled, planting a little kiss against her cheek that made her giggle softly, a sound he selfishly lived for, "I'm all red and sweaty."

"And I'm not?" she questioned.

He teased, "you look hot, though." It was just objectively true.

"You're vulgar."

"You like it."

"I…" she paused, slowly lifting off as she blinked down at him. Gods, he adored her lavender eyes, the way they looked so soft, almost doughy. But he knew why they looked that way right now; there was sorrow there. "We can't let anyone know…"

"I know." He nodded readily, concealing the stabbing pain in his heart at the words. He wasn't lying. He did know. "I…I know, Hanabi."

"I'm sorry," she whispered, one of her hands that had been latent on his shoulder trailing up his neck to rest on his cheek. He gave into the touch, leaning into it. Needed it.

"Don't be." He shook his head, enveloping that hand with his own to keep it there. "I just really…enjoy any time I can get with you." He wished she could really see his eyes now, see how sincere he was. How honest he was about how he felt, so he'd just have to say it. "I'm really, really crazy about you, Hanabi. Completely. It's almost scary…how much…"

He scanned her face as her lips dropped into that adorable 'o', eyebrows gathering, and that cute way she slightly scrunched up her nose. He gave into his own desires and leaned up, laying a kiss on it. She surprised him, before he could lean his head back, she was encasing his lips with her own once more. Her other hand joined against his other cheek and she was holding him firmly in place. He felt her hair tickle his temple as she leaned over him, pressing her whole body into the kiss.

It felt euphoric to have her kissing him just as insatiably as he kissed her. The greedy way she didn't let him come up for air, her fingernails digging into his cheekbones, her tongue forcing entry into his mouth which he readily gave. There was no way he could deny her entry to explore his mouth as much as he wanted access to hers. She could devour him for all he cared, he'd let her consume him as long as he could keep her here.

He wasn't sure for how long they were stuck against each other, but he might have passed out from lack of oxygen if they kept it up. He couldn't justify why that would be a bad thing. Lack of air because Hanabi Hyūga couldn't keep her lips off of him? He'd take that deal any day, any time.

So when she finally pulled away, breathless and looking dazed in all the ways he fantasized about, he still felt disappointment. Because this was it, for who knows how long. She was going to climb off of him and apologize and call him an idiot and leave, leave for whatever amount of time, disappear again…it made him panic.

"Don't run away from this."

"What?"

He sucked in a shuddered breath, determined to keep her eyes on him. "Not so easily, okay? Please?"

"What…do you mean?" Her tone was unsure and he couldn't blame her as he searched his mind for the right words.

He sighed in defeat, his head hung. "I…I don't know."

"You think I don't want this?" The words caught him off guard and forced him to look at her, the familiar taut frown on her features. "You really think I'd give myself to just anyone?"

"N—no, of course—"

"It's always been you." His heart felt like it was in a vice grip. "That dumb kid who made the most noise? That stubborn boy who carried me from enemy attack? That sweet teenager who instantly fell in love with my niece and nephew? That man…the only man that can make me feel like this…"

Her baring her soul to him felt like a fever dream.

"That man that makes this happen." He held his breath as she grabbed his hand, placing his palm flush against her chest in a completely unsexual manner, nestled right over her heart. He concentrated as he felt the thrum of her heart against his hand. "The only person who can make that happen. No matter how many idiotic lords try to get in my pants, or people try to steal my eyes, or old Hyūga try to control me…you're the only one that makes this happen."

If there was ever a moment he wanted to just consume her, envelope her, and make her his, it was now. He'd never heard her speak so candidly, and it was just for him. He wanted to cling to those words, hear them for the rest of his life. He was so gone for her.

"I…I…" she stuttered, and he watched as she visibly debated with herself, clearly sure of what she wanted to say, but also just as clearly unsure of saying it aloud, here, now.

He couldn't stop himself even if he tried.

"I love you."

The words escaped him without his permission, and he regretted it instantly when she yanked her hand away, as if burned.

Crestfallen, he watched her scramble to get off of him. She pulled her robes around her and yanked her sandals on, and without a word, she opened his door and shut it forcefully, as if he had called her the worst slur conceivable. He slapped his hands against his face, feeling like the biggest idiot in the world.

There was no way she could possibly accept that admission. Even if he knew she felt the exact same way.