Chapter Eighteen
Slice
Hanabi – 24
Konohamaru – 25
Paperwork was draining. How her father did it all day, every day, rarely delegating it out, she had no idea. Her eyes felt tired and she hadn't used her byakugan once today. Hanabi shoved it aside with a huff.
"Need a break, Lady Hanabi?"
She shot her eyes up to an older Hyūga who started gathering the paperwork. "I'm fine."
"Why don't you visit Lady Hinata?" they offered, and it was in kindness. She sighed.
Her clan had softened so much since the war, since her sister became wife to the Hero of the Leaf. It was nice, she had to admit. But it always rubbed her a little wrong, when they'd treat her like a child, like she wasn't anywhere near the level of her father. She had accepted her role as heiress to her clan a long time ago, and while she had some gripes with it, she knew it's where she'd end up, and she did take that seriously. She made the effort to project power and confidence, but it always felt like her status as a bratty girl followed her wherever she went. She supposed she'd never fought in any great wars. No one her age had.
Well, except one. Some would count Konohamaru's battle with one of the Six Paths of Pein a win of the war. She did. When she was just a girl, the thought amazed her. She saw her dear sister, recovering painfully in a hospital room after taking on the main path for Naruto's sake. Her love. When Eiji enthusiastically told her that Konohamaru had taken on one of the paths, she remembered feeling her stomach drop. A sickly feeling, like she was about to tell Hanabi that he was dead. But instead, he'd been the victor. Everything about the story made her admire him all the more.
As an adult, that thought was gut-wrenching. She could only imagine her sweet (as annoying as he could be) nephew in the same position, he was nearly ten, close to the same age as Konohamaru at the time. She'd rather take a receiver to the chest like her sister than let Boruto try to take on an enemy like that.
Boruto…
She hadn't seen her sweet niece and nephew in over a week. Perhaps a visit was due.
"Sure, that'd be nice."
She pushed herself up and gave thanks to her relative before setting out for her sister's home.
Her knock went unanswered, but she heard them. She huffed and fished out her key, unlocking the home to find Himawari a top Konohamaru's back, fists in his hair and squealing.
"Hey! Hair pulling isn't fair!"
She stopped to take in the scene.
Maybe ten white sheets pulled tight from every corner of the room, creating a fort. Boruto sitting on the couch, looking annoyed as he played on his handheld. Konohamaru wrestling with Himawari relentlessly kicking her little feet while he tried in vain to reach behind him to grab her.
"Big sis?"
"Op!" Konohamaru accidentally knocked Himawari off of him when he shot up to his knees in front of her. Himawari groaned with frustration but immediately tackled him back down as laughter bellowed out of him. As Himawari grabbed his scarf in some attempt to perhaps choke him, giggles fell out of her naturally and Hanabi couldn't help the twitch of her lips.
"Help me out big sister!"
"Wha—?"
"I need your help!"
Hanabi sucked in her lips, something like silly excitement bubbling in her chest as she watched the sweet scene. Konohamaru glanced at her and winked before turning his attention back to the little girl and threw her into a pillow, not allowing her to get another hit.
"You better choose a side, big sis," Konohamaru teased, poking his tongue out at her. Such simple actions made her weak.
Hanabi grinned, running her tongue over her top teeth. "Well of course I must choose my sweet Hima's side."
Himawari squealed laughter as Hanabi piled on top of them, yanking Konohamaru back by the shoulders. Hanabi couldn't help it, Himawari's laugh was too cute. She forced him to the ground and pinned him down, allowing Himawari to feel like she was pinning him as well on the other side, knowing he was feigning weakness. He pretended to struggle as he leaned his head. "Boruto! C'mon, not gonna help me out?!"
"Oh gods," Boruto groaned, rolling his eyes, "you guys are soooo lame."
"Awww, big brother Kono needs help," Hanabi teased with a devious smirk down at him.
"Oh, you're asking for it," he teased back, that silly grin plastered on his face. Himawari yelped when she was thrown aside and Konohamaru shot up, instantly bringing Hanabi's front to the ground and pinning her arms behind her. Hanabi couldn't keep back a cackle as Himawari jumped on his back once more, clawing his neck. "Ah! Watch the nails, Hima!"
"Don't watch the nails! Tear him up!" Hanabi called, struggling as she ripped her arms from Konohamaru's grasp and went rolling with both him and Himawari until he was flat on his back. "Oh my! Boruto, look at your poor big bro," she taunted, swinging her leg over his chest as Himawari pinned his arms, "guess ladies are just better, huh?"
Boruto grumbled as he threw his handheld to the side on the couch. He glared at his aunt. "I could take you."
"You think so?" Konohamaru asked breathily, his eyes darting to Boruto. "I wouldn't be so sure, bud. This lady beat me in the chūnin exams."
"What?!" Boruto gasped, rising to his feet and Hanabi felt a little sense of pride in her chest. "Big bro Konohamaru, how could you lose to her?!"
"Not the smartest thing to say," Konohamaru huffed. She glanced down at him to find him biting his lip to repress a grin as he looked at her with something like admiration. She pushed back that pestering urge to lean down and kiss it off his face. Instead, she activated her byakugan and shot her eyes at her nephew.
"You're about to lose to two girls, babe." She coated her words in sugar as she caught the boy before he could land a hit, pulling herself off Konohamaru to wrestle him. Himawari cackled as she joined in on the match.
Konohamaru scooted away as he watched the three tumble, laughing. This version of Hanabi was one of his favorites, the one that indulged her niece and nephew unashamedly. Ever since the moment Boruto was born, he adored how she was with them. He thought that might have been the moment he fell in love with her, though couldn't be sure. He still hadn't kept that promise to lord his status as team leader over her but found no issue with boosting her up.
He really did admire her, after all. Boruto should, too.
He let out a taunting 'ooooh' when Hanabi threw the rambunctious nine-year-old to the ground.
"Konohamaru!" the boy grunted as he rubbed his head, "you asked me for help."
"Well, this is just more entertaining," Konohamaru justified with a smirk.
"He's right." Hanabi wiggled a finger in a come-hither motion. "You asked. Take me on, won't you?"
The demand made his heart flutter. She was so damn sexy when she exuded confidence, which she normally did. But damnit, when she demanded things of him…
"Fight!" Himawari commanded, stepping away.
Boruto folded his arms, giving Konohamaru a knowing smirk. "Yeah! Yeah! Let's see big bro and big sis go at it, huh?"
"Fight, fight, fight—" Himawari started it and Boruto joined in, both pumping their fists, and he locked eyes with Hanabi, who gave him that telling look. He sat up on his elbows and gave her a crooked smile, one hand wagging his fingers to beckon her.
Something about having her on top of him, trying to pin him was…
"Put up a fight, you idiot," she whispered as she struggled to hold his wrists down.
Truly, he didn't really want to put up a fight, this was way better.
"You sure you want that?" he questioned with a little mischief in his tone. She squinted at him, and he appreciated the dusting of pink on her cheeks.
She leaned in so her whispered words would be muffled to the kids. "Give me all you got, baby."
With those words, he tore one wrist from her fingers and hooked it around her waist, shoving her to the floor. He gasped and chuckled as she immediately shoved him off, tumbling over him. He kept it in the back of his mind to keep it kid-friendly, intentionally avoiding any sort of erogenous zones—but he had to tuck that away for later—wrestling with her might be enjoyable when they were alone.
As they went, he found it harder and harder to remember her niece and nephew he was supposed to be babysitting were in the room. Every little touch, no matter where, sent electricity through him. How he wanted to just cage her in and kiss that smug look off her face. Eventually, he let himself become pinned under her, earning a cheer from Himawari and an exaggerated groan from Boruto.
"Big bro, you didn't even put up a fight!"
Hanabi climbed off of him with a victorious smirk, and he shot her a look. One that told her she'd know who was really victorious later.
"It's like you wanted her to win!"
"Big sister is just stronger," Himawari commented with glee. "See brother? Girls are strong, too!"
"I never said they weren't…" Boruto grumbled. Konohamaru let out an amused puff of air.
"You two go get washed up for dinner," Konohamaru commanded as he got to his feet, brushing himself off.
"Okay!" Himawari replied readily.
"Fine…"
As the two went up the stairs, one faster than the other, he turned to her.
"Where's my sister and Naruto?" Hanabi questioned breathily as she readjusted her shirt.
"Took a little night off." He shrugged, making his way to the kitchen. He chuckled when she appeared behind him, all too close in the best way possible as she pressed her cheek into his shoulder to inspect what he had pulled out. "Just something your sister left in the freezer."
"Aw," she whined cutely, poking his side in a way that made him have to resist a little shiver, "thought you were a master chef."
"Who says I'm not?" he questioned playfully as he set the frozen tray on the stove. He turned to her, catching her waist with his hands, and delighting in the little gasp she offered. He smirked down at her as her hands rested on his elbows.
"Making freezer meals? Not very impressive…"
"Just making sure I do what your sister told me," he whispered, leaning in towards her. "I should follow orders, right?"
She leaned away from him, but he knew what she was doing because her hands never left his elbows, instead tightened. She squinted up at him. "Guess you'll just have to prove yourself to me at another time, hmm?"
He snickered, bringing his bottom lip into his teeth in amusement. He knew exactly what he wanted to say, but wanted to tease her a little longer, so he pushed her against the edge of the counter, leaning in close. "Are you asking me to cook for you?"
"Oh—" She gasped, shaking her head.
"Let's make it a date," he continued, unbothered, as he ghosted his lips over her cheek, leaning towards her ear, "my place, tomorrow."
"Bold of you!" she huffed, trying to shove her palms into his chest. He chuckled, resisting the push. "Think I want to have a date with you, huh?"
"I know you do," he snickered, pressing into her further, hands trailing to the small of her back, "but, okay, go on. Tell me no. Say it loud and proud and I'd never suggest such a thing again."
"I—" she stuttered, and he sighed in relief against her lips connecting with his. She liked her games, that he knew. He'd indulge in every one of them if it meant having this gorgeous girl under him. He eagerly returned the kiss as her hands trailed up towards his neck, only to be cut off by a tiny voice.
"Big sister~!"
"Off," she commanded immediately, but he needed no further direction, instantly tearing away from her to tend to the frozen tray.
"I can't get this sweater right!"
He watched with mild amusement as Himawari tumbled towards Hanabi with a twisted sweater. She quickly snatched it up and righted it, pulling it over the younger girl's form before patting her head affectionately. "There you are, little one." Hanabi gestured for the table before turning to him and he tilted his head at her bashful expression. "Sorry to intrude. I'll go."
"Hey." He grabbed her elbow before she could take off. "You should stay."
"Yes!" Himawari chimed in as Boruto trailed down the stairs. "Please stay!"
"Yeah," Boruto added as he trailed down the stairs, "there's enough, right, Konohamaru?"
"Of course." He directed the words at the kids, meant for Hanabi.
"I'm not intruding on your fun?" she asked, peering up at him with a pouty lip. He grinned, forcing his eyes not to linger on it.
"Adding, if anything."
"We built a fort!" Himawari exclaimed excitedly.
"I saw that." Hanabi giggled, and he watched her indulge in Himawari's little stories about what each 'room' of the fort was. It was easy to enjoy Himawari's company.
"Lasagna?" Boruto questioned as he crouched in front of the oven, peering inside. "You know this takes a bunch of time cook, right?"
"Huh?" Konohamaru tore his gaze from the two to look at Boruto. He cinched his eyebrows. "Oh, right."
"We should go get burgers!" Boruto exclaimed, trying to open the oven to snatch the frozen tray out.
"Ah—I dunno—" Konohamaru grabbed Boruto by the scruff of his collar to pull him back before he burned himself. "Your mom—"
"We should go out," Hanabi interjected from the living room. "That sounds nice. When's the last time I took you two out to eat? I'll call mama real quick."
"Oh yeah." Boruto fist-pumped. "Big sis for the win!"
"How quickly your loyalty changes." Konohamaru folded his arms, perking an eyebrow at the boy. He shrugged.
"Burgers above all else, big bro."
Hanabi hung behind Konohamaru and Boruto with Himawari and smiled as Boruto tried to bat at his hand roughing up his hair. He was getting so big, so fast, his head already reaching her chest. Already about to start at the Academy. Already going to be a little ninja, just like they had been. The thought brought her a certain nostalgia. She wondered who he'd be teamed with. Probably not Shikadai, even if they were good friends. Maybe the only other kid produced from the last team 7, Sarada. She raked her brain, wondering if Kiba had any kids. She knew Shino didn't. Mirai was already a genin now.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?"
"Yes, of course." Hanabi smiled down at the little dark-haired girl. Konohamaru was right, she did end up looking just like Hinata. Lucky girl, she supposed, unsure of whether a female Naruto would really be the picture of beauty. "You were saying something about drawing?"
"Yes! I drew a picture of us!" she said, excitedly. "When we get back, I'll show you! It's our whole family."
"Whole family?" Her smile widened. "Even grandpa?"
"Mhm! And you, mommy, daddy, brother, Konohamaru, aunt Sakura, Sarada! Everyone!"
"I'm in your picture, Hima?" Konohamaru called behind him with a grin. Hanabi bit her lip as she smiled at him.
"Of course!" she exclaimed, skipping forward to come to his side. She put her hand in his and Hanabi's heart could have melted. "You're like daddy's brother!"
"Mmm, true." Hanabi settled next to Himawari, letting the girl clasp her other hand in hers so both of her arms were being carried by them. "Konohamaru used to follow around your papa like a lost puppy."
"Hey," Konohamaru said warningly, but teasingly.
"Your pops had to put him in line plenty of times," she continued, enjoying his flustered look. Himawari was joined in her amazed look by Boruto. "He made the most trouble."
"You—? Big bro?" Boruto asked in shock. "You're the biggest stiff I know!"
"People grow up, Boruto," Konohamaru snapped and Hanabi smiled with her tongue between her teeth.
"You're one to talk, Boruto." Hanabi giggled. "You're following right along his steps."
"Pff—" Boruto waved her away.
"I want a little brother," Himawari huffed, kicking a foot. "Or sister. I asked mommy and she said no, but daddy said maybe."
"Wh—what?" Hanabi gasped, meeting Konohamaru's similarly shocked eyes.
"Oh man." Konohamaru coughed into his free hand, averting his eyes. "We should probably move this conversation to something different. Uh—besides, we're here."
"Yes, lets," Hanabi breathed, feeling like she was privy to information she had no business knowing.
"What?! Daddy always wanted a little brother, too," Himawari pouted as she was ushered into a booth next to Hanabi. "He says he'll get one soon."
"Eh?" Hanabi furrowed her eyebrows. Boruto rolled his eyes.
"She's talking about big sis dating." Boruto nodded toward Hanabi as he pushed his menu aside. "I already know what I want."
"Care to elaborate, Boruto?" Konohamaru questioned and Hanabi kicked his shin from under the table.
"In-law?" Himawari said questioningly. "He said in-law. I dunno what itmeans."
"Alrighty!" Hanabi slapped her hands on the table, quieting everyone. "Let's look at our menus, shall we?"
She avoided his eyes because she knew exactly what they were saying.
In-law, huh?
As Hanabi helped Himawari pick out her food and they ordered, she was desperately trying to avoid his gaze and nudging his feet from hers. She gasped when he caught her foot in between his, earning a look from the two children.
"Er—this salad is just so—good—" she covered, stabbing her fork into it. For whatever reason, this place did not have chopsticks. That irked her.
"Salad's boring." Boruto frowned at her. "We go to a burger place and you get a salad?"
"Your constant disapproval is always welcome, dear nephew," she mumbled as she yanked her foot from between Konohamaru's.
"He's right, though." Konohamaru grinned at her, shoving his burger toward her. "Here, try."
"Ground meat shoved between bread? No thanks." She waved it away. "Worst thing to happen to this damn village."
"How can you hate burgers?!" Himawari asked incredulously and Hanabi flared her nostrils in annoyance.
"Y'know, I'm beginning to regret taking you guys out."
"Aw, me, too?" Konohamaru asked, batting his eyelids at her and she bit her lips together to avoid unleashing yet another snarky comment.
"Eat," she commanded, grabbing his wrist to force the burger to his mouth, causing a little laugh. She giggled in response as he took a bite. "Besides, if you're all good, I'll get you milkshakes."
"Milkshake!" Himawari cheered while Boruto whooped in agreement.
As they finished up, Hanabi paid for their meal plus four milkshakes to go. They walked along the busy street as the sun set and the moon appeared, Himawari being carried on Boruto's back while Hanabi and Konohamaru chatted behind them.
"Been thinking about maybe applying to be a jōnin-sensei," he told her before taking a sip. She perked an eyebrow, nose crinkling briefly.
"So have I."
Liar.
"Yeah?" he asked with a little surprise. "Thought you'd be busy with all the clan stuff."
"Father still handles most of it." She shrugged, pulling her straw between her lips. She gave him a little smirk as his eyes dropped to her lips. "I still do missions, what's becoming a jōnin-sensei on top?"
"Hmm," he hummed as he sipped his own. "I'd hate to have you as my sensei."
"Oh!" she gasped, slapping his arm. "Rude! I'd be a great sensei."
"Oh, never said you wouldn't be," he teased, bumping his hip into hers. "But I'd be scared."
"Hmph." She pouted, turning away from him. "Coming from the stiff, huh?"
"Stiff!" He shot Boruto a look. "Yeesh, that's gonna stick, huh?"
She paused.
Was she signing up to be an instructor just because Konohamaru was?
She damn well was.
"Besides, you had Ebisu-sensei. If I ever knew a hardass, it was him," she commented casually.
He snickered, "that he is. Made us all the better, though. Gotta respect the guy."
"Except when he's falling over himself when you did that stupid sexy jutsu," she mumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Thought you'd forgotten about that," he responded shyly.
"How could I?" she asked, shooting him a look as if he were an alien. "You better not teach that to Boruto!"
"Never!" He defended, shoving her shoulder with fondness. "But to be fair, the art of seduction is part of the shinobi way…" She shoved him back.
"Here." She rammed her to-go cup into his hands. "I can't finish it."
"I see how you put down dango, you certainly can." He smirked as he pushed the cup back. She shook her head. "Man up!"
"Why don't you woman up?" she retorted, pushing it closer to his lips. "Scared to share some germs?"
"Hmm," he hummed, his crooked smile presented. "From you? Never."
"Oh goodness," she huffed as he took the cup, tossing his into a nearby trashcan.
"Trying to fatten me up?" he questioned, bringing her straw into his lips. She laughed. "Make me all sluggish so you can beat me up?"
"How'd you know?" she asked, bringing her bottom lip between her teeth as she tilted her head at him. His leer made her feel hot. "It's fun beating you up…I might like to do it more often, if I'm honest."
"Promise?"
"Ah—" she stuttered, steering away from him. She huffed quietly, "pervert."
"Don't think I'm the perverted one here," he responded in a hushed whisper, causing her to heat up. "Y'know, your sister and Naruto aren't supposed to be back until tomorrow…"
"Stop." She held out her hand as a signal, glaring at him. She pointed towards her niece and nephew. "Kids."
"Mmm." He grinned as he grasped her hand, pulling it into his chest. She panicked, glancing at Boruto and Himawari to ensure they weren't looking. "They're oblivious."
"Clearly not." She tugged her hand away. "If they're talking about in-laws."
"Interesting, though, isn't it?" he questioned, releasing her hand. "Becoming a Hyūga sounds awfully boring."
"Again, rude. And who's to say you'd become a Hyūga?"
"Who said anything about me?" She gasped quietly, realizing her own blunder. Before she could respond he continued with that knowing, teasing smile. "No, no. Let's keep this going. So what, you'd become a Sarutobi?"
"We're not seriously discussing this."
"I guess not."
She puffed out her cheeks, hoping thinning them would force the blush away. She wondered if she'd ever be able to go an entire day with him without turning red.
Still, he continued, "Hanabi Sarutobi…doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?"
"Konohamaru Hyūga doesn't, either."
"Konohamaru Hyūga?" They both shot up to catch Boruto's questioning gaze, finding themselves on the porch of the Uzumaki household. "Gross."
"That's not what I said!" Hanabi snapped, shoving passed him to unlock the door. "Mind your business, sweetie."
"How can I? You guys are loud," Boruto grumbled as he followed her in.
"Listen to big sis, bud." Konohamaru slapped his hand on Boruto's back, who recoiled from the contact. "The things we talk about are beyond you."
"Sure they are," he mocked, taking off upstairs.
"Say thank you!" Konohamaru called with judgment.
Boruto groaned, "thank you!"
"You're welcome!" Hanabi called back, smoothing a hand over Himawari's hair. "You should get some shut-eye, too, little one."
"Can you tell me a story?" she asked, clasping her hands together. Hanabi tilted her head. "Mommy does every night. Please?"
"How can I say no?" Hanabi conceded, gesturing to the stairs. "Get changed and I'll be there in a little bit, okay?"
"Yes!" Himawari chirped, beaming as she climbed the stairs.
Hanabi turned to find Konohamaru's ravenous eye. She huffed in annoyance. "Knock it off. They aren't even asleep and I need to read Himawari a story."
"I know that," he teased, closing in on her to trap her against the railing with his arms on either side. "Just haven't seen you in a while, is all."
"Perhaps that was on purpose?" she questioned, hooking one arm behind her back and pressing her palm into his chest to create at least a little distance. He slid his hand over it, mimicking his actions from so long ago, when they were young. When he stole her first kiss.
"You wound me," he whispered, nudging her nose with his as his forehead rested against hers, "tired of me already?"
She didn't respond, scanning his face. That endearing look only he gave her. Only for her. She had to push down the instinct to wrap herself around him and let him simply drag her away.
"I'm done!"
She pushed him away, sliding out from under him. She gasped when she felt his hand slap against her bottom, shooting him a glare, only to be met with those mischievous eyes, tongue poking out. He was becoming bolder, and she wasn't quite sure whether she should be enthralled by it or disgusted.
She chose to let it slide as she hurried up the stairs.
"Alrighty, what do you want me to read?"
Himawari, tucked into her bed with her blanket tucked under her chin, beamed at her. "Not read! Tell me a story."
"Like, make one up?" Hanabi questioned as she sat on the edge of the bed. "I dunno…"
"You gotta have stories!" Himawari protested. "C'mon!"
"Aah…" she sighed, glancing around. She never had a way with words in this sense. "I guess…maybe…alright. Well, there was once…a princess…"
"Princess?" Himawari frowned, looking pouty. "No."
"What?" Hanabi squinted at her little niece. Tough customer. "Okay, uhm, a ninja?"
"Okay." She nodded readily to this. Hanabi sighed again.
"A kunoichi. And she…never knew what it was like to have friends."
Hanabi would roll her eyes at herself if she wasn't in front of her niece. She began recounting her own tale of loneliness, acceptance into the academy, genin to jōnin. She even warped the tale of her capture to the moon, not exactly as it went, but she had to admit, it was a pretty thrilling little story to a young girl. Himawari watched her in amazement as she trailed off, coming full circle to adulthood, not knowing exactly how to end the story.
"And she marries him, right?!" she asked excitedly, practically on her hands and knees to get in her face. Hanabi shuddered a breath. "She has to! She has to! Stories have happy endings! Even if they were sad sometimes. She marries him."
"Yes," she relented, gently maneuvering the girl back into the bed, "yes she does. And they grow old, happily. Now, will you go to sleep?"
"Aaah~" Himawari sighed dreamily as Hanabi tucked the blankets into her sides.
"Look at you, you're more riled up than before she told you her thrilling story."
Hanabi froze with a hand wedged under the girl's side at Konohamaru's voice. How long had he been there? How embarrassing.
"You're a really good storyteller!" Himawari chirped, breaking Hanabi from her trance. "Will you come over more nights to tell stories?"
"I-I dunno, Hima," Hanabi breathed, leaning over to peck her head before clicking her lamp off. "Love you, sweet dreams."
As she stood to face Konohamaru, she gave him a sour look, pushing him out of the doorway to shut the door behind her. They looked over as they heard music begin humming from Boruto's room.
"Night Boruto!" Konohamaru called with amusement as a muffled 'night' was heard from the other side. He turned his attention back to her, brows raised expectantly. "Coming downstairs?" he asked, tilting his head at her. "Or you're going to run off again. Could be either, hard to tell with you."
"Wow." She squinted at him, trying to brush off that boyish smile he always had, one that looked so smug right now. "You're…something else, Konohamaru Sarutobi."
"So are you, Hanabi Hyūga," he retorted, gently poking her sternum with his index finger. She reached up and caught the hand before it could leave her. He glanced down at the hand and then back at her, seemingly gauging her reaction. "I won't tease you about your story. It was a good story."
"Hmm," she hummed, looking at him suspiciously.
He shrugged. "Not lying. I liked it. Some parts more than others, but…"
"You literally just said you wouldn't tease."
"Sorry, that's it!" he defended as she dropped his hand, brushing past him to go downstairs. He quickly followed after her, stopping at the end of the stairs to watch her. She looked over her shoulder, knowing he was holding his breath to see if she would in fact leave.
But she didn't want to leave. She never wanted to leave when she was around him. But her mind was always arguing with her heart. It was her heart's turn for a win, today. She turned the corner and proceeded into the living room, reminding her there were sheets strewn from every corner. She tapped her foot briefly, glancing behind her to find him approaching. "Oh yeah, forgot about this. Guess I can have Boruto come clean it up before bed."
She hummed quietly before getting to her knees, crawling under one of the sheets to find little lights decorating the inside. She giggled. "It looks so nice in here. Hima's work?"
"Who else? The girls got an eye for design." He laughed as he kneeled down to meet her under the sheet. She looked up at him and gave him a genuine smile, admiring the way his blue eyes shimmered with the lantern's light. He hooked his arm around her waist and she allowed herself to be pulled to the floor, him crawling on top of her. He murmured, "I missed you."
"Quit talking like that…" she whispered, turning her head to face away as he rested his elbows next to her head.
"Like what?" he questioned with mock innocence and she huffed.
"Like…you know…"
"But it's true," he retorted, leaning down to nudge her nose so she would face him, "I did miss you."
She let herself be swallowed by those damn eyes. His lips ghosted over hers and she sighed into the kiss, letting him slide his hands into hers above her head, gently pinning them down. She mumbled, "what if one of them comes down?"
"We're in a fort."
"A kid's fort."
"A fort, nonetheless."
She resisted that nag in the back of her mind to swat him upside the head, instead simply giving in, letting him consume her.
She did miss his touch. What a devious plan he concocted, getting her hooked on him. On his way with intimacy.
"We don't have to do anything," he whispered against her lips as they pulled back, trailing his kisses over her cheek. "Really, we shouldn't. I still like being close to you."
"Mmm…" she conceded, turning her head to expose her neck to him as invitation. He readily accepted, and she shuddered at the feel of his tongue over her pulse point. She squeezed her interlocked fingers with his as his hips rested against hers, letting herself fully enjoy his intimate touches for as long as she could. Letting that little pool of heat bubble in her stomach. Letting herself get lost in him.
She wasn't quite sure how long they were like that, Konohamaru leaving fluttering kisses all over her face and neck and collarbone, stopping just shy of her chest, before eventually he rolled off of her and pulled her against him, their heartbeats eventually falling into sync as they fell into slumber. She knew she was risking one or both of the kids walking in on her draped over him, but she found it hard to care. She reasoned that she could justify that they had fallen asleep separately and accidentally ended up in this position. Whether they'd buy it was a different story.
What she didn't expect was for her sister and Naruto to find them.
"Oi! Konohamaru!" Both were jolted awake when Konohamaru received a swift kick to the ribs from Naruto. "The hell you think you're doing with my little sister?!"
"Aah—" Konohamaru stammered, rubbing his side and Hanabi shot to her feet.
"It's not—it's not anything—" Hanabi defended, pushing Naruto's arms back to his sides. "I just came over to visit and figured I'd help him out, right? And we fell asleep and I guess somehow, well you know! People move in their sleep!"
"Right—" Konohamaru let out a haggard cough as he dragged himself to his feet. Hanabi looked at Hinata with pleading eyes.
"Yes, of course." Hinata nodded readily and Hanabi breathed a sigh of relief. Her sister usually had her back, but this was uncharted territory for the sisters. "I'm sure it was innocent."
"Of course it was!" Hanabi added, making a look of disgust. "Konohamaru? Come on—never, like—gross, come on—"
"Yeah, exactly." Konohamaru shot her an annoyed look. "You're not so hot yourself, Hanabi." They became engaged in a glaring competition as Naruto hummed in annoyance beside them.
Naruto eyed who he considered his little brother suspiciously before relaxing, hooking his arm around Hanabi's neck. "Fine, fine. Kids must've been happy to see you, Hanabi."
"Eh, one more than the other." Hanabi tore her eyes from Konohamaru and willed herself to seem calm, shrugging. "I took them for burgers."
"Oh, that's right." Naruto rubbed the back of his neck after releasing her. "Forgot you called Hinata."
"So forgetful." Hinata giggled as she tugged his sleeve. "We should go unpack. Could you stay for a tad longer, Konohamaru?"
"Yeah, of course," Konohamaru breathed, hand still covering the kicked spot. They watched the couple tread up the stairs before they simultaneously turned to each other, letting out big sighs of relief. "Damn, that hurt."
"That was too close," she snapped, "I'm tempted to close the chakra point he kicked!"
"Hey!" Konohamaru whisper-yelled, pointing an accusing finger at her. "You were a willing participant if I'm not mistaken!"
"Not so hot?"
"Gross?"
Hanabi let out a frustrated hum, crossing her arms as she turned from him.
Too close.
Hanabi knocked on the door to Konohamaru's apartment, her other hand hooked to the handle of a to-go bag full of several bowls of Ichiraku's ramen.
She had finished up a short visit with his mom that morning when she informed her that he'd been sick for the last few days and refusing her help. So she thought she'd be kind and get him his favorite food. Soup was good for illness, after all.
When he pulled the door open for her, clad in sweatpants and a tee, face pale and big rings around his eyes, she was a little shocked. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him so…out of it.
"Hanabi?" he questioned, voice gravelly and eyebrows raising as he looked her over. "What's up?"
"Uhm—" She shook her head, holding out the bag of ramen. "Your mother told me you were sick, so I thought I'd get you some ramen. To help you feel better."
"Wow." He chuckled, gesturing to the floor. "That's actually really sweet of you. If you put it down, I can just pick it up, don't wanna get you sick—"
"Good gods!" Hanabi gasped as her eyes searched his apartment. It had been so clean the last time she was here, but it looked like a wreck today. Tissue and cup of noodle ramen littering many different surfaces, blankets piled on his couch, laundry—it was a monstrosity. "Konohamaru! I didn't take you for a pig."
"Ah!" He held up his hands defensively, looking over his shoulder. "Give me a break, would ya? I'm sick!"
"I'm coming in." She shoved her way past him, setting the bag on his dining table before she started picking up.
"Hey—wait, you're gonna get sick now, too!"
"Someone has to take care of you!" she retorted without looking up, grabbing an empty grocery bag to start stuffing trash in.
"You don't have to, though—"
"You always take care of me." The words slipped out and she wasn't sure she regretted it. She paused for a couple of seconds, staring at an empty ramen cup in her hand. She shook her head, depositing it into the grocery bag before continuing, "so...let someone else take care of you, for once." She looked up at him finally, right in the eye. "Let me take care of you."
"Ah…" he sighed, slumping into one of the chairs at his table. She quickly pulled one of the bowls out and unlidded it, shoving it in front of him before snapping a pair of chopsticks apart.
"Eat."
"Tonkotsu? With extra chashu." He chuckled, reluctantly accepting the utensils. "My favorite."
"Yep," she said nonchalantly as she went back to gathering trash and laundry. "Where's your trash can?"
"I feel pathetic, let me—" He tried to get up but she put a rough hand on his shoulder and shoved him back down.
"I said eat. I'll find it myself."
Konohamaru wasn't quite sure what it was blooming in his chest. If he had to describe it, he might say it was something like unrelenting awe of this woman. This woman who could so easily push him away if things got too close for comfort, but could also put him in his place and take care of him. Just like he yearned to take care of others. He tried not to let people be his caretaker, but maybe once in a while from Hanabi wouldn't be so bad.
He watched as she rummaged through cabinets until she found the trash, promptly throwing away the accumulated garbage.
The summer cold he had was hitting him hard, he had to admit. Harder than anything he'd had in the past. He was as sick as a dog, and kind of regretted having her see him this way. He knew he looked like death walking. He wasn't the type of person to let his apartment go, but he had been sapped for energy for several days now.
She moved methodically throughout his living room and kitchen, collecting laundry and folding blankets, periodically checking on him to make sure he was eating, which he found amusing. He wasn't quite sure how much he liked her assuming the role of mothering him, though, so he told her, "I'm a grown man, Hanabi. I know I need to eat, okay?"
"Fine," she tutted as she grabbed a second bowl from the bag to unlid, setting it next to his nearly gone first one. He chuckled as he peered in the bag, finding at least three more in there. She was clearly taking a page from her sister and Naruto, two people who could put away ramen like no others (except maybe the Akimichi's).
The hot soup was soothing, he had to admit. He'd been surviving on vitamin drinks and cup of noodles, ashamedly.
He was finishing his second bowl when she finished scrubbing his sink and sat across from him, eyeing the soup. "That's all you're eating?"
"Yes, Hanabi." H laughed. "I appreciate it, but I can't eat a hundred bowls like your family."
"Huh," she hummed, shrugging as she gathered the other three and tucked them into his fridge. "Some for later, then."
"Thank you," he said, sincerely as he tried to collect the paper bowls before her, but she was swift, whisking them away before he had the chance. "You got this place clean fast."
"I kind of like it, honestly," she said as she scraped the contents into the garbage before rinsing the bowl to recycle. "I never get to do these little chores at the compound. It's kind of soothing, I guess."
"I guess I can understand that," he conceded, but not without a tease, "it is uniquely you. Weird."
"I like that your way of thanking me is by insulting me." She shot him a look as she crouched into a cupboard, fishing out his tea kettle.
"Not an insult!" he defended. "I've always been attracted to weirdos."
"Oh my," she sighed, rolling her eyes, "quit it."
"Sorry." He laughed, getting up out of his seat. He went to approach her but felt a fairly large sneeze coming on, so he ducked away, attempting to grab a tissue before it could come. "Agh!"
"Excuse you!" she called, looking at him with concerned eyes. "Here."
He looked up through watery eyes as she offered a tissue, shoving it in his face. He sighed as he took it, feeling fairly gross that she was seeing him like this. He mumbled, "sorry."
"For what? Sneezing?" She laughed now, and he felt her roughly grab his elbow and direct him to his bedroom. He could only smirk as she moved him any which way she wanted, pushing him down by the shoulders into the bed, then tucking his limbs under the covers. She grabbed his pillow and fluffed it before yanking his head up to put it back. She was rough with all of her movements, but he wouldn't have it any other way. "Wait here."
"I don't have much of a choice, do I?" he called as she disappeared back into the kitchen. He let out a little sigh, reaching up to rub his eye of sleep. He had been napping before she knocked.
She returned within moments with a steaming cup of tea and set it on his nightstand. "Your tea selection is abysmal, I must say," she chided. He smiled as she reached out to press the back of her hand on his forehead, then promptly hissing at how hot it was. "You're burning up, Konohamaru!" She frowned, rubbing her hand. "Have you taken anything?"
"Not for a while," he admitted. He watched her disappear once more into his bathroom and heard her rummaging through his medicine cabinet. So forceful. He couldn't help but enjoy it. She returned quickly with a few pills and his water cup. He tried to push her away as she attempted to feed them to him. "I'm not a baby, Hanabi!"
"You look like one right now," she jabbed, and he felt his sickly pale skin redden. He grabbed the pills and water cup from her and took them himself with a grumbled thanks, letting her take the water cup back. When she returned, she pushed her hand into his shoulder to force him down. "Now rest. I'll hang out in the living room in case you need anything."
"You're babysitting me?" he asked with amusement as she crossed her arms. She shrugged and he bit his lip, contemplating. If she was going to stay anyway…
He looped an arm around her hips and yanked her down just as she was stepping to leave. "If you're gonna get all sick like me, you might as well c'mere."
"Hey!" she protested as he threw his comforter over her, trapping her underneath with him. "You're gross!"
"I told you not to come inside," he retorted with a smirk, pinning her against him, "but you insisted, you little brat."
"I'm the brat?!" she gasped, shoving him in the chest. When he let out a haggard cough, her expression changed to one of panic. "Oh, I'm sorry!"
"You're sorry now?" he asked with amusement, wrapping a leg around her for added security of her wiggling form. "Way too late for that, honey."
"Oh!" He couldn't take his eyes off the way her cheeks could go from creamy to crimson so quickly. "You're terrible!"
"I am," he whispered, nuzzling his face into the hair draped over her neck. "You love it."
"Oh, whatever," she huffed, clearly giving in to his antics as her arms dropped around him in defeat.
He loved her for it.
"I draw the line at sick sex, though."
"You know, you're pretty nasty sometimes, too, Hanabi."
The air was becoming cooler and cooler as fall quickly descended into winter, and yet, Hanabi was sitting right in the thick of it. Normally, she'd avoid the cold, but right now, she was sitting in front of that same lake from so many years ago, one a few kilometers out from the village, a sort of final rest stop before getting into the Leaf. It was a nice, quiet lake. During the summer, it normally had children and their families diving into it, picnics and kites flying around it. With dropping temperatures, it was peacefully silent.
Hanabi was here because it felt good on her burnt hands. She'd just returned from a mission and hadn't felt like explaining herself to any inquiring Hyūga eyes upon returning to the compound. So she chose to stall a bit longer out here, let the cold air soothe the burns in an area people never visited this time of year.
When she felt that gentle pulse of chakra tickle her ears, she was surprised. She immediately activated her byakugan and frowned at the bright network behind her. With a sigh, she relaxed her eyes, wincing as she tucked her hands into her sleeves. His footsteps drew closer.
"Konohamaru," she greeted without looking back.
"Hanabi," he offered back lightly, coming to sit next to her. She struggled to smile up at him, concealing a look of pain. "Saw Moegi was back, tried to find you."
"Stalker," she scoffed, shaking her head. He smiled, scooting closer, clearly unaffected.
"Felt like hanging out at the lake?" he asked, casting his gaze out as the sun crept below the trees.
"I like it here." She paused, stopping a gasp of pain that was about to come out when her nail scraped against her palm. "I enjoy lakes and rivers. The ocean. Bodies of water, I guess."
"But you hate the rain." Her smile returned with that.
"I like being able to control how I interact with water."
"Ah." He laughed. "Guess that makes sense, since you're a water user, yeah? Gotta have control. Didn't know you liked…bodies of water, though. Interesting."
"Is it?" She tilted her head and he nodded, encouraging her to go on. "Rivers have pretty sounds, a soothing environment. The rocks are always smooth, and the foliage around a river is always beautiful." Hanabi looked away, unsure of whether to continue. He nudged his knee against hers, so she decided to keep going. "Lakes are nice to swim in—if they're warm, I mean—and sometimes there's cute frogs and fishes. When the sun sets, they shimmer, and it's different every time. Sometimes red, or orange, or yellow. Then when the moon comes out, they shine blue or black. It's easy to lose yourself looking into one."
"And the ocean?"
"Well, it's massive. You could never swim across it. I like to run across it when I'm there…though I haven't, in a while…" She dipped into a frown briefly as she thought, then shook her head. "The coasts I've been to have soft sand that you sink into. And when I'm in the water, I enjoy letting the waves carry me. Feeling weightless, it's…comforting, I guess." She finally looked back up at him, blinking at his warm expression. "Sorry, I'm ranting."
"I like it," he spoke softly, reaching out to set a hand on her knee, probably because her hands were tucked away. "Didn't know you had such a romantic vocabulary."
"Romantic?" She drew her eyebrows together.
"Sounds like one of those novels Moegi's always reading." He smirked. "It's nice. Your flowery language."
"Flowery." She laughed, shaking her head, relaxing a bit. "Maybe my sister's had an effect on me."
"Maybe." He nodded, squeezing her knee. "But you're still Hanabi, and I'm surprised you haven't hit me for touching you in 'public.'"
"I would if I could." It slipped out without her permission, and suddenly, her hands felt like they were on fire. Talking had kept her mind off of it until now. He raised an eyebrow.
"Why can't you?"
"No—nothing—"
His hand left her knee and reached for her forearm and she gasped in pain as she instinctively pulled them tighter to herself. His face contorted with frustration at her stubbornness. "Hanabi, let me see!"
With a defeated sigh, she gritted her teeth and peeled her hands up, presenting the blistered extremities. He gasped, eyes blowing wide as he nearly reached to grab them, but stopped short. "Don't get soft on me, Sarutobi."
"That looks bad!" he exclaimed, "why haven't you taken care of them? Did it happen on the mission?"
"I just unwrapped them," she huffed, gently flexing her fingers, "gave them a breather, that's all."
He paused, seemingly accepting that. Then he shook his head, turning his body to reach into a satchel to pull out a roll of bandages and an ointment container. "You should get them rewrapped."
"I…" She stopped, puffing out her cheeks in embarrassment. "I'm terrible at wrapping. Moegi wrapped them."
"I don't mind." She watched him uncap the ointment and then proceeded to lather it over her hands as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to do. He was actually great at ignoring her tiny hiss of pain threatening to escape, which…honestly surprised her. Especially when she thought of that little boy that moped over the wound in her thigh.
He always seemed so soft.
But maybe he wasn't as soft as she thought. Maybe that little boy had grown into a full-blown adult. Maybe that little boy was far from what she originally thought. And that really wasn't a bad thing.
It could actually be…a good thing, she thought. A team leader shouldn't focus on the pain of his subordinates. Simply take care of them, ensure they were ready to go, no matter what. And perhaps, that part of him was shining through.
She admired it. Not because she didn't admire him normally, she did. But she admired this part of him, too.
His grasp was delicate, she was surprised it didn't hurt more. And soon, the ointment was seeping into the wounded skin, and the cool air mixing with it was first shocking, then soothing once more. She sighed a little breath through her nose as his hands left hers. She spread her fingers so he could carefully, but quickly wrap the bandages around.
She wasn't sure why she would be stunned to find he was so skilled at it. The wrap wasn't tight, but wasn't loose, either, it covered every centimeter of skin, and he was done within seconds. Quickly, like a shinobi should be, because as a shinobi, there was no telling how much time you had. When he reached the end of her other wrist, he gently released her hands and tucked his supply back. She held her hands up to her face, inspecting his work. She parted them to see his face looking worried behind them and sighed. "What happened? Were you attacked?"
With the few seconds she had, she debated telling the truth. She could just tell him it was confidential and that would be that, but she decided she didn't want to lie to him. Even if it was stupid.
"Hot…hot soup…"
"Hot soup?"
Hanabi sucked in a breath, mortified that she was really admitting this. "A raccoon went sniffing around our campsite…it knocked over a hot pot full of soup."
"Right into your hands?"
"I wasn't thinking. I tried to catch it."
The laughter was expected. She let out a grunt of frustration as she drew her knees to her chest and promptly buried her face in her arms. With that, his laughter subsided, and his arm wrapped around her shoulders, tugging her into him.
She mumbled, "I always screw up missions…"
"You don't," he replied, softly. "It happens."
"To me." She buried her forehead further. "I'm an idiot."
"You're not an idiot." She felt him rub his hand up and down her arm. "Just a clutz."
She groaned, shrugging at his shoulder. "What happened to your magic words of comfort?"
"This isn't serious." He laughed, resisting her shrug. "It was a little mistake. You didn't ruin the mission, I'm sure your stubborn ass demanded it continue and you suffered like a fool through it to the end."
She frowned at her knees. He was right.
"Fine," he continued on, thumb rubbing against her shoulder. "A couple of years ago, while I was in Anbu, I forgot my food pills. We were in the middle of tundra, and I didn't want to tell anyone I'd forgotten them." She perked an eyebrow, finally lifting her face from her hiding spot to look at him. He was grimacing as he recalled the memory. "I ended up passing out. Had to carry me to civilization."
She bit her lips together, a smile forming on her face. He finally turned his head to her and glared at her. She couldn't hold it back, "idiot."
"Yeah, thanks for that." His hand lifted from her arm and flicked at her nose. She scrunched it up, turning away. "Can't fight back with those hands."
"Cruel." She glared at him, but let the smile remain. "Sorry, that happened to you."
"Mhm," he mumbled, resting the hand back on her shoulder. "I know I'm an idiot. Least I'm not a clutz." She reached up to rub at her nose with the back of her fingers. He finally smirked, leaning forward. "Want me to kiss it and make it better?"
She pondered a moment, then let her smile turn crooked. "Yeah, c'mere."
"Yeah?" he asked, a little surprised.
She nodded, letting him come close enough so his lips were almost touching the point of her nose.
Once they were, she tilted her head up and bit his nose.
Hanabi frowned as she watched snow dust the ground outside. It didn't snow that often in the Land of Fire, but when it did, she kind of hated it. She knew most found enjoyment in the rare sight, but she always preferred the warmth to the cold. So when it did happen, she tended to stay inside if possible.
It was one of the few times she indulged in hot chocolate, too. She was disappointed when Natsu informed her they hadn't had an import of chocolate this month. Annoying, but she settled over her paperwork with some tea regardless. She was filling out a report after her return from a Hyūga assignment. They were in negotiations with another clan that the council was attempting to buy property from in the Leaf. To expand. For what reason, she was fuzzy on the details. She was pretty sure it was another move to help the branch families become more independent. Her father simply asked her to make the case, and she did just that.
For how unromantic she was with words, she was certainly a diplomatic wordsmith. It was tiring, though.
While she worked, a guard came knocking to let her know she had outside company. She figured it might be her sister, or Eiji or Jun, or both. But the name "Sarutobi" came and she instinctively said, "yes."
Realizing it could have been either Konohamaru or Moriko, she stared at the door. When a large figure approached, she let a smile slip.
"Hey there, princess."
"Don't call me that."
"Hmm," he hummed as the door was closed behind him, and she eyed his hands. He had what looked like steaming tea in two thermoses. "Thought you might need a breather."
"How would you know such a thing?" she questioned as he approached, setting the thermos in front of her. Then it hit her, the waft of milk chocolate. Her eyes widened. "Hot chocolate? Where'd you get this?"
"I have my ways." He smirked, pushing it further to her. She looked at him with awe. "And maybe my mom had a secret stash."
"Your mother…" she whispered, smiling as she picked up the hot beverage. She allowed the aroma to fill her senses, breathing deeply. "She told you I like hot chocolate when it snows?"
"No." He chuckled, rolling his eyes and she squinted hers at him. "I just know you."
The words made her heart skip. He knew her. "I don't recall ever talking about it."
"The only time I've seen you drink hot chocolate, it was snowing. Every single time it's snowed."
He paid attention. Had anyone really paid that careful attention to her before? Outside of perhaps Natsu. "That's…very thoughtful of you, Konohamaru."
"Am I Konohamaru today?" He perked an eyebrow with that coy smile. She bit her lip. "Alright with me."
"What…what brings you?" she asked, resisting the urge to give a snarky retort.
"Can't just visit a pretty lady?"
She groaned with annoyance. "Keep your voice down."
He grinned as he leaned forward. "Just stating a fact."
"Hush," she muttered, finally bringing the edge of the thermos to her lips, and taking a sip. An involuntary sigh of delight left her and she reddened at his leering gaze. "Quit looking at me like that."
"I can't," he teased, though she knew it was honest. "Taking care of clan stuff?"
"Oh." She set the cup down hurriedly, shuffling the paperwork into a pile. "Yes, excuse me."
"No rush." He shrugged, leaning back on his hands as she tucked it into a folder. "Always so busy."
"A little more lately," she sighed, moving the folder to the floor to rest her elbows on the low table, "but it keeps my mind busy, so there's that, I suppose."
They sat in silence for a little while as they both sipped their hot beverages. Hanabi made sure to savor every sip, knowing she wouldn't be able to indulge again for a while. They both looked out the window to watch the snow accumulate to a modest layer. "You wanna go for a walk?"
She perked an eyebrow, an amused look overtaking her expression. "Like some dog?"
He scoffed, "people enjoy walks, too, Hanabi. I know you have Eiji manipulating that mind of yours…"
"Hush." She waved him away. "Besides, I don't like the snow. Thought you'd know that, too."
"I do know it," he offered, lifting off his palms to lean forward, "but you could learn to like it…if you kept warm."
"Impossible."
He smirked and had that little glint of mischief in his eye that she knew meant he was going to whisk her away, whether she wanted it or not. She sighed in annoyance as he got to his feet and grabbed her by the forearms, forcing her up with him. He plucked their thermoses and began marching away. "If you want the rest of this, you gotta come with me."
His games irritated her sometimes. He knew he couldn't drag her out by the hand—that would be too intimate a gesture in the compound, and he knew she would follow that hot chocolate out no matter what. "You little…"
"What's that?" he called playfully as he opened the door, glancing at the guard. "Just gettin' some fresh air! Relax."
The way he spoke to the guards around the compound was so different from when they were kids. When he was clearly, to her at least, a nervous wreck to be in their presence, even if he puffed out his chest and kept a stiff upper lip. His confidence had bloomed beyond reason. She struggled to find a reason not to enjoy it.
Begrudgingly, she grabbed a coat, following him out. He wasn't here all the time, of course, but he had been by frequently enough to know the twists and turns of the compound. She often wondered if anyone speculated anything about them up to this point. If they had, they'd done a good job of feigning ignorance. Well, except for her father and her sister. Her sister was constantly teasing her, and her father had made it abundantly clear that he knew she had a crush.
But she wondered if he knew it was way beyond a crush at this point. She tried not to think about it.
They ended up strolling through Senju park on their way out of the village. Watching kids have tiny snowball fights was always fun. He caught one that was about to hit Hanabi square in the face and she reeled away.
"Hey!" Konohamaru called playfully at Boruto, the suspect in question. He launched it back at him.
"My hero," she teased, and he grinned down at her. "I'm not playing, Boruto! I don't like the cold."
"Laaaame," he yelled just as he was pegged by a stray snowball courtesy of Shikadai.
Konohamaru led her out of the gates until they were far enough from the village that no prying eyes could make them out, then quickly scooped her into a hug.
"Hey!" She gasped against his chest and it made him tingle. Everything about her made him tingle in the best ways. Young him was onto something when he found himself craving that tingle when she swatted at his hands as he playfully nudged her—any excuse to touch her, if she'd let him.
"Aaah you're so cold," he teased, pulling open his coat to envelope her against him.
"And you're excruciatingly hot!" she whined, wiggling against him. His grip was unrelenting.
He blushed at the unintentional turn of phrase. "Think I'm hot, huh?"
"Oh shut up, you know what I meant—"
"Aww, thank you," he continued the tease, swaying with her struggling against him, "and you're unbelievably sexy."
"Konohamaru!" she huffed as he dragged her up to a tree, leaping so they'd come to rest on a thick branch. "We're not that far from the village, someone could still see—"
"That's why we're up here," he retorted as he fell on his bottom with her still struggling against him. All of the ways she moved drove him crazy. "So how about you shut up?"
"Gods!" she complained as she tore from his grasp finally. "You're too confident for your own good, I swear!"
"Is that so bad?" he asked, smirking at her. She huffed in annoyance as she turned her back to him, and he took his chance to drag her back down, this time with her back against his front. He was pleased when she gave a defeated sigh, letting him wrap her up against him, him shoving her thermos into her hands. "See? Told you you'd like it if you were warm."
"Who said I like it?" she hissed back, folding her arms over his as he nestled her between his crossed legs.
"You're telling me this isn't beautiful?"
When she paused, he craned his neck to see her reaction. Her eyes scanned the white forest as she pulled the thermos to her lips. Konoha trees never seemed to lose their foliage.
"Well, maybe," she conceded, resting her head against his chest. "You are ridiculously warm, though."
"That's the will of fire, baby," he whispered against her ear, chuckling as she shuddered against him. "Guess you don't have it."
"That's a mean thing to say," she grumbled, tilting her head so it would knock his back.
"I'm kidding." He laughed, nuzzling against her neck despite it. "You have more fire than anyone I know."
"Hmmm…" she hummed, accepting this compliment.
He smiled, tightening his hold on her as he rested his chin on top of her head. He was just glad she was finally giving in to happiness. He knew he was hard to shake off, even she had to have her limits. Seemed he was getting close to it. When she turned her head to plant a chocolate-lipped kiss on his cheek, he knew he was getting close.
There was hope, after all.
