Chapter Nineteen
Stakes
Hanabi – 24
Konohamaru – 26
When her father offered for her to embark on a diplomatic assignment with only those of her choosing, Hanabi was ecstatic.
"You think I would ever want to go to one of those things?"
"You don't have to be rude about it!"
Hanabi glared at her little teammate, pouting with an invite in her hands.
"Sorry, Hanabi. I have a mission tomorrow," Jun apologized on behalf of both of them, "and I know Eiji would love to go." He glanced at her as she rolled her eyes. "But it's kind of short notice. She does have responsibilities with the police force."
Hanabi sighed, defeated as she dropped the invite into her lap.
Her father was finally sending her alone for the first time on a diplomatic mission. No Hyūga, no guards. He only requested she find a friend or two to accompany her. Of course, he'd only told her today, and she was due to leave within three days if she was expected to make it there on time at her normal pace. The only two people she really could invite were right here, denying her.
"Sorry," Eiji finally conceded at her look of disappointment. "Jun's right, I would go, even if I didn't want to."
"It's okay." Hanabi shook her head. "I know it's short notice. I wish it wasn't."
Eiji pushed a bottle of beer in front of her before patting her shoulder. "I know someone you could invite, though…"
"Hm?" Hanabi perked an eyebrow, looking up from her position on the floor. "Hinata can't be away from the kids that long, and I don't think they're ready for this long of a trip."
Eiji sat across from her on the couch, lowering her eyes at her. "You're stupid sometimes."
"Eiji!" Jun sighed as Hanabi leaned back, offended. He rubbed at his forehead as he sat next to Eiji, looking up at Hanabi warily as she returned with a confused look. He shook his head. "Konohamaru…?"
Hanabi squinted at him. "Very funny, especially from you, Jun. Didn't know you had such a great sense of humor."
"Why not?!" Eiji exclaimed, slapping her hands together. "You're twenty-four-fucking-years old! Which, by the way, thanks for the invite—but anyway—"
"I didn't have a party or anything—"
"Anyway," Jun cut in as an argument brewed between the women, "Eiji is…correct. You are going to be 25 soon, Hanabi." Hanabi shot her glare his way, but he didn't flinch, entirely used to being glared at by either of them. "Perhaps it's time for you to take some personal autonomy."
"Eh?" Eiji tilted her head.
"Control over your life."
"Yeah," Eiji agreed readily with the clarification, "what he said. Personal autonomy! Take it!"
"You all make it sound so simple." Hanabi sighed, turning her head away.
"'Cause it is!" Eiji retorted. "Want me to march into that stuffy old man's room and demand it for you? I'll take your autonomy for you!"
Jun laughed now, reaching over to pat at her balled-up fists. "Not really how you use that word, love."
Hanabi wrinkled her nose at the affectionate nickname, feeling a little blush coming on. "I appreciate the sentiment, okay? Thank you."
"Hmm," Jun hummed, looking back at her now. "I do hope you'll find someone to come along. Perhaps Moegi or Udon? I mean, even Tadashi might be preferable to other Hyūga at this point, no?"
"No!" Hanabi sighed irritably, pushing up to stand. "Moegi and Udon are busy with their genin, and I am not taking a Hyūga if I don't have to. Not even Tadashi."
"Tora-sensei?" Eiji teased, eyes following her as she went to the front door to pull on her sandals.
"Thanks anyway." Hanabi waved them off, securing the other one before getting to her feet. "I guess I'll see you in a few weeks."
"Goodluck!" Eiji called as she shut the door behind her.
Of course, she'd love to take Konohamaru, no doubt about it. But how in the world was she supposed to tell her father she'd be bringing Konohamaru with her, alone? No, it simply would never happen.
"When do you think those idiots are going to get over whatever it is they're doing?"
Jun's eyes paused on the text he was reading to consider Eiji's words. Slowly, he closed the book and rested it on top of her calves, which were lazily hung over his lap. He turned to her resting figure, flipping through T.V. channels while Yorimaru snored in the corner. She paused her channel surfing to look back at him.
"You know what I mean."
"I do." Jun nodded contemplatively, clasping his hands atop one another on the book. "I'm not so sure they can just…get over it, Eiji."
"And why not?" Eiji asked, dropping the remote on the floor before sitting up, feet still in his lap. "S'not like they don't look at each other with those googly eyes all of the time."
Jun chuckled softly. "Sure, but googly eyes aren't really enough."
"Exactly!" she declared as if he confirmed what she meant. He shook his head, forcing her to frown.
"It's not that simple. It's really not something we can fully understand."
"And why not? My clan doesn't do this weird controlling thing over dating," she retorted, to which he frowned as well.
"Not all clans are alike, you know that…"
"Most of them are! What makes the Hyūga so special?"
"They're very protective of their kekkei genkai," he elaborated, "not just anyone can marry into the clan. They prefer to marry within the clan to ensure the children are born with byakugan. But that's especially true of their heirs."
"That's disgusting." Eiji grimaced.
"Some think so. But…Hyūga affairs are very private." His voice went a little lower. "There's no telling what pressure Hanabi is under."
"If her sister can marry the Hero of the Leaf, why can't she date the Third's grandson?" It was a question she was dying to ask but was always pulled back by Jun to not put Hanabi in an uncomfortable position.
Jun was silent for a moment before answering honestly, "I…I'm not sure." He set his textbook aside and clasped his hands around her ankles. "I guess we should just count ourselves lucky."
Eiji shimmied out of his grasp to turn her body towards his and rested her head on his lap, nudging her head into his palms so he would be forced to encase it. "I guess so."
"At least we're not participating in that silly bet."
"Oh, right," Eiji laughed, averting her eyes, "we're not, definitely not…what?!" She raised her hands in defense as he tilted his head at her. "They wouldn't let us anyway…"
Jun lowered his eyes suspiciously as she covered her mouth.
"And I totally did not…" She paused and glanced up at him, silly mischievous grin covered by her hand. "...have one of my cousins place a HUGE BET on them for the end of next year!"
"EIJI!"
Kurenai and Mirai embraced Konohamaru for a hug before he took off from their home, then Mirai bolted out back with two new kunai hooked around the fingers of each of her hands. Kurenai laughed as she followed after her, admiring the way she so effortlessly spun them around at such an impressive speed.
"Ahh!" Mirai declared triumphantly as she sunk them both right into the middle of a target set up outside. It was tattered with constant use. "These things are so light! Hey, watch this—"
She jogged over to the target, plucking them back out, then returned to her position. Kurenai watched curiously as she whispered a wind jutsu, and saw the flare of chakra envelope both of her hands. Kurenai gasped, "is that your fathers—"
"YEAH!" Mirai beamed, immediately launching each kunai once more, flying at least four times the speed they previously had. They both went straight through the target, sinking into the fencing behind it. "Oh—shoot!"
"It's okay!" Kurenai laughed a wet laugh, a sob threatening her as emotion overcame her, though she did her best to push it back. "We can get a new one! Maybe one made of something tougher."
Mirai grinned, nodding happily. "Konohamaru's been teaching me."
Mirai looked up at her mother, giggling as she saw tears forming at the bottoms of her eyes. Kurenai sighed affectionately, "oh, honey…"
"Cool, right?" Mirai looked like she was swelling with pride. Kurenai nodded quickly, swiping at her cheeks. "It's just like dads."
"It is." She nodded, smiling widely. She gestured towards the target with encouragement. "Show me—again! As many times as you can."
After a few more rounds of sinking kunai into the target, which was on the verge of ruin, they called it quits when she was throwing it hard enough for it to almost make it out of the fencing, dangerously close to a civilian trail. Kurenai beckoned her daughter to sit with her as she prepped tea, singing her praises, concealing her emotional reaction as best as she could.
Mirai continued to twirl the kunai, admiring the sheen of them.
"It's so nice of him to drop those by," Kurenai commented fondly as she sat with her. "Konohamaru always had good taste in kunai."
"You know he's secretly dating Hanabi?"
Kurenai paused, giving her daughter a curious look. "What makes you say that?"
Mirai snorted, shaking her head. "You've seen them, haven't you?"
"I suppose." Kurenai nodded slightly. "But that doesn't mean they're dating."
"Please!" Mirai cackled, smirking. "They're together all the time. And Konohamaru is way too obvious."
Kurenai snickered, her eyes drifting away briefly as she felt a certain…nostalgia hit her, right in the heart. She bit her lip before looking back up. "You shouldn't speak ill of your cousin after he delivers you such a thoughtful present."
"I'm not!" she defended, shaking her head. "Just stating facts."
Kurenai smiled, letting her curiosity get the better of her. She just wasn't as involved in village chatter anymore, but would shamelessly indulge with her darling daughter if she invited it. If she didn't have anyone else to gossip about her dear nephew and her student's sweet little sister, then who knows where it may end up, anyway? "In what way is he obvious, then?"
"The way he looks at her, you know? Like, okay, at the Tanabata festival, Konohamaru followed her around. Like a puppy!" Kurenai giggled. "Like he couldn't stay away, even when I was trying to get his attention. He's hopeless."
"Oh." Kurenai let out an amused puff of air, smiling. "That's cute."
"I guess," Mirai responded with a shrug, "kinda sad, if you ask me."
"I'll ask," Kurenai said, tilting her head, "why is it sad?"
"Because they don't think they can be together," Mirai replied, frowning. "I asked him why they're not just together and all he said was 'complicated'. What does that even mean?"
Now Kurenai frowned, too. She sighed. "Just that. It's complicated."
"Come on!" Mirai huffed, lowering her eyes. Kurenai let a sad little smile pull at her lips.
"Things are so different for you, honey." She reached out to brush at her daughter's bangs. "You'll never be weighed down by arbitrary rules and clan nonsense. You are luckier than some."
"What?" Mirai looked up at her with curious eyes, leaning against her mother's hand as it cradled her cheek.
"You know your father was Lord Third's son." Mirai nodded. "For the longest time, I kept him at arm's length, because it never felt right to pursue him."
"Why?" Mirai glanced to the side at a framed photo of her father, who she never knew but so desperately wished she could. She clung to the stories people would tell her, especially her mothers.
"Because he was his son," Kurenai sighed softly, pulling her hand back, "because I didn't come from a prestigious clan. He was our village leader's son. I didn't think I was worthy of him."
"That's dumb," Mirai countered, quickly, "you're a badass, mom."
"Oh." Kurenai pulled her hand to her mouth, a high smile behind it. "You're too sweet."
"It's true!" Mirai raised her hands. "Shikamaru said he was head over heels for you! And why not, right? So what? Hanabi can't be with Konohamaru because he's our third Hokage's grandson?"
"Oooh," Kurenai whispered, turning away. "Well, it's a bit of the opposite."
"What?!"
"The Hyūga are considered a little higher ranked than Lord Third's grandson."
"HUH?" Mirai guffawed, eyes wide. "Yeah right! How can some girl from the Hyūga be considered better than a Hokage's grandchild?"
Kurenai smiled faintly. "She is the heiress, Mirai. Hyūga are very protective over their byakugan, especially when it comes to direct descendants."
Mirai squinted suspiciously. "But the Sarutobi's are…well, we have great chakra control, right?" Kurenai nodded. "And grandpa was chosen by the second to be Hokage, he had the longest reign, Konohamaru mastered sage mode—I mean, if that's not worthy of some heiress, then what is?!"
"Hmmm," Kurenai hummed through her nose, tilting her head. "You're right."
"So?"
"Did I ever tell you that your father and I kept our romance a secret?" Kurenai smirked at her daughter's shocked expression. "For some time, no one knew we were seeing each other."
"Weird!" Mirai gaped, shaking her head. "Why?!"
"It was more fun that way."
"Ugh," Mirai groaned, rolling her eyes. "So what? Are you trying to say Konohamaru and Hanabi are being secretive for fun?"
"Perhaps." Kurenai giggled, crossing a leg over the other. "Though they may be doing a bad job of it."
"You know, Shikamaru said he always knew."
"Wh-what?"
"Nothing!" Mirai sprang up, grinning mischievously at her mother. "Gotta go!"
"You little sneak." Kurenai giggled as Mirai planted a kiss on her forehead before sprinting away.
Kurenai took a moment to look at her coin pouch, sitting on a table near the front door, then glanced at the phone next to her. She hesitantly picked up the receiver and dialed.
"Hello, Shizune. Oh, I'm well…I was actually just thinking that I might like to take you up on the betting pool."
Hanabi was nervous.
Why was she nervous?
"You can do this," she exhaled as she approached Konohamaru's apartment, fingers almost tearing the cardstock in her hand. She froze when she heard voices coming from inside, quickly flicking on her byakugan. When she saw the chakra network of Udon, she instantly decided to make a run for it.
"Hey Hanabi!"
What luck.
"Oh, hello Moegi." Hanabi raised her hand weakly in a wave as Moegi approached.
"Stopping in to see Konohamaru? I was just heading in." She nodded her head to the side as gesture for her to join. Hanabi shook her head, backing away.
"Ah—no, no, I was just leaving."
"Whatcha got there?"
Hanabi threw her hands behind her back, shrugging. "Nothing!"
"Konohamaru give you some love letter or something?" she teased, craning her neck to see behind her. As Hanabi quickly tried to make some excuse to escape, she was foiled by Konohamaru's door being slid open.
"Hey Moegi! And Hanabi." Udon perked an eyebrow her way. "You here to see Konohamaru?"
Moegi snorted next to her without making a comment and Hanabi sighed through her nose.
"Come inside! It's freezing." He waved them in and Hanabi begrudgingly followed.
Feigning as much confidence as she could gather, she marched into the kitchen where Konohamaru was, who, looking shocked and about to greet her, was cut off by her shoving the cardstock into his chest.
"Just came to drop that off. See you."
And she scurried away without another word, bidding Moegi and Udon a quick goodbye.
Konohamaru pulled the cardstock eye-level, inspecting it.
"An invite…to a wedding…" he mumbled to himself, scanning it. His heart jumped slightly when he realized it was an invite to a wedding that Hanabi was expected to attend in the Stone. Was she trying to tell him she'd be gone for a while? Or was this…?
"What's that all about?" Moegi asked mockingly from the doorframe, Udon peering over her shoulder with a smirk.
"Ah, nothin'." He quickly slipped the cardstock under a stack of papers, flashing them an innocent smile. "She was dropping off her share for my mom's birthday present."
"Oh, yeah?" Udon asked curiously, "what are you guys getting her?"
"Uh—" He hadn't thought that far ahead. "Not sure yet."
"Alright, whatever." Moegi rolled her eyes, brushing past Udon to return to the living room. "C'mon, I brought mahjong."
Konohamaru spent the day with his friends, thinking about the invite. Was he finally getting to join her on one of her diplomatic missions, barring being in Anbu? He felt both excitement and worry. Excited, because he got to see how she really was out there, and it was just a chance to spend time with her. Worried, because they'd be joined by other Hyūga, and he had no idea how he'd be able to behave himself for a trip to the Stone. It took several days to get there, plus however much time they spent there, then several days back.
But he had made his decision the instant he realized what she was asking of him. He'd go, there was no way he wouldn't. So when his friends bid him farewell, he instantly began seeking her out. It was one of the many times he was jealous of her byakugan—she could find where he was within minutes. Instead, he had to focus on sensing chakra. It wasn't nearly as advanced as Jun's, but it was something, and when he was near her, he could detect her like she could him.
After breezing through the village, stopping through all the usual suspected locations like the Uzumaki household, Jun's apartment, and even the Hyūga compound, he was puzzled. She had just been here a few hours ago, where would she run off to?
With an exaggerated sigh, he resigned himself to returning home and seeking her out tomorrow.
Then an idea struck him. He'd stumbled on her at the lake several times in the past, and it was worth a try. He was glad he had when he could pick her out sitting on a high branch of the tree that sat directly next to it. He wondered if he could be sneaky this time, but decided against it. Taking her off guard high up in a tree would probably spell disaster for him, so instead, he gathered a small amount of chakra in his hands to light up the surrounding area, and she instantly whipped her head around to meet his eyes. He grinned up at her and she tilted her head. Even in the cover of darkness, he didn't miss her nose turning red from the cold.
"What are you up to?" She pushed off, letting herself fall to the earth below her.
Acting casual, he pulled the invite from his jacket pocket and flipped it around to face her. She raised her eyebrows at him expectantly, folded arms and all. He bent towards her to become eye-level, and in a serious tone, asked, "is this a formal event?"
"Sheesh." She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "It's a wedding, Konohamaru. I know you don't have much class, but…"
"Sheesh you." He reached out to ruffle the top of her head, to which she batted his hands away. "Was that sad attempt at being indifferent your way of inviting me as your plus one?"
"Hmph." She turned her nose up at him. "Maybe it wasn't."
"Well, I wanna go," he responded quickly, sidling up closer to her with a sly smile. He chuckled as she puffed her cheeks out, doing her best to have that angry little scowl. "When do we leave?"
"Two days."
"Two days?! Jeeze, Hanabi, a little more heads up would be nice!"
"You don't have to go!" she snapped back, "if you're gonna get all riled up about it!"
"No, no." He shook his head, tucking the invite away. "I want to. I'm just kind of surprised, is all. Does your dad know?"
"Well, yeah," she sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I justified it that you were former Anbu, so y'know…the best friend I have to take, right?"
"Aw, best friend." He leaned into the tease, looping an arm around her neck to bring her to his side. Her exaggerated sigh was too cute.
"I meant the best of my friends! Or—I mean—the best at—bah!" She shoved at his side, turning away with a huff.
"You're my best friend, too." He pulled her closer despite her resistance, leaning down to place a kiss on the top of her head. She stilled against him and he smiled against her hair, deciding not to press her further. "Third question, how many Hyūga are going with us?"
To this, she paused. He perked an eyebrow, pulling his head away to scan her face. She bit her lip and looked up at him, faintly, "none."
None.
"Oh."
"Yeah…"
"Hmm."
"Hmm?"
"Hmm."
"That's all?!" she exclaimed, glaring up at him. He smirked.
"Mhm." He slid his arm around her waist so she was pressed up against him. "That's all."
"You call me cryptic," she huffed against his chest, begrudgingly draping her arms around his torso.
How many days? Alone?
Gods help me.
"You think it's something about those eyes?" Moegi asked Udon as they sifted through paperwork upon returning to their office after spending time with Konohamaru. Udon perked an eyebrow at her curiously. "You know. Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei. Big brother Naruto and Ms. Hinata."
"You're talking about Konohamaru and Hanabi," he concluded, setting his pen down. "Naruto's not a Sarutobi, though."
"Same difference. Hoshito had the deepest blue eyes I've ever seen." Udon snorted at the wistful tone in her voice, causing her to scowl at him. "So Moriko follows the pattern, doesn't she? They've gotta be into the eyes."
"Konohamaru's got those eyes, too." He smirked, to which she frowned at him. "You think his eyes are dreamy, too?"
"Absolutely not," she snapped, slamming her pen down. "All I'm trying to say is they've got a type, don't they?"
"Konohamaru and Hanabi aren't technically together, though." He pointed out, leaning back in his chair as he pulled his glasses off. He pulled a cloth from his pocket to cleanse them.
"Yeah, and they never will be, at this point," she added, glancing at his glasses. "It's a little sad, but Konohamaru really needs to move on."
"You think so?" he asked earnestly, which made her tilt her head.
"Well, yeah. I like Hanabi, she's really sweet, don't get me wrong. They might even be…" she sighed, rolling her eyes, "cute together. But they're treating it like a game and love isn't a game." He raised his eyebrows at this. "They both know they can't be together, so why even entertain the idea?"
"Pretty harsh, Moegi." He frowned, replacing his glasses back on his nose. "Your mom never tell you love is worth fighting for?"
"I always thought that was stupid." She picked her pen back up, tapping it's end on the wood. "Love should just come naturally. And if anyone's gonna fight, they better be fighting for me, not the other way around." To this, he snickered. "What, you don't think I'm good enough to fight for?"
"Ehh." He wiggled his hand as if on the fence and she leaned over to punch his arm. He laughed. "Just a little hypocritical."
"How so?"
"By that logic, you'd never get anyone who thought you should be fighting for them." Moegi lowered her eyebrows. "Don't you think two people should fight for each other?"
"This is stupid," she mumbled, dropping her eyes back to the paperwork. "Waste of time if you ask me."
"You're not just mad because they wouldn't let us get in on the betting pool?" he asked with a smirk, leaning over the table towards her. She shook her head.
"It's just rude!" Moegi huffed, not looking up. "Just cause we're 'too close' to them or whatever. Not like Konohamaru ever tells us anything."
"Ah." Udon nodded, picking his pen back up as well. "Whatever you say."
Tadashi and Kō sat across from each other with a shogi board between them, both men staring intently at it while Natsu sat to the side with a long blanket draped over her, attached to needle hooks as she worked. Neither of their little ladies required much from them anymore, or really anything at all; they often found themselves sticking around each other as they grew older, like their own little clique within the compound.
Kō took a piece from the board and spoke, "your little troublemaker is going on her first diplomatic assignment alone."
Both Tadashi and Natsu looked up at the 'troublemaker' comment. Natsu frowned with a little glare, but Tadashi let a puff of amusement escape him.
"Not entirely alone," Tadashi responded, reaching over to move a piece.
Kō smiled, contemplating his next move. Natsu shook her head, adding, "and she's not so little, anymore."
"No, she isn't," Kō agreed, reaching out. Tadashi huffed at his play. "Neither is the Honorable Grandson."
Natsu squinted, lowering her needles. "Something you feel the need to say, Kō, dear?"
Tadashi tapped his finger against the board, scratching slightly before moving another piece. He cast his gaze up at Kō who was leaning back, arms folded.
"Your old student, the Nara, approached me about a side bet," Kō continued, looking directly at Tadashi, causing Tadashi to tilt his head curiously. "Tells me someone of the clan will also be going out to the Stone."
"Is that so?" Tadashi inquired, rubbing his chin.
Natsu rolled her eyes, looking back down at her knitwork. "Please do not tell me you're still on with that silly bet."
"I think you're a tad upset, Natsum" Kō said as he looked towards her, bowing his head, "that you didn't get in on it sooner. But here lies an opportunity."
Tadashi chuckled. "Don't rope Natsu into this."
"Well—" Natsu cut in, bouncing her eyes between the two with her hooks crossed, "I mean…well, continue on Kō. Explain this…side bet."
Kō's lips parted for a grin as Tadashi gestured at him to take his turn. "It's estimated they'll be gone for two weeks as they will be travelling at a shinobi pace." He pushed a piece forward. "About fourteen days. The bet is on how soon the Nara will catch them."
"First day," Tadashi replied, instantly, to which both of the other Hyūga looked up at him in surprise. He shrugged, moving another piece.
Natsu huffed, shaking her head. "Well, that's a bit vague, don't you think? What constitutes—" She brought two fingers up to air-quote. "'catching them'?"
"Public affection," Kō responded, "I leave it up to the Nara to decide what that is."
Both Natsu and Tadashi glanced at one another. He raised his eyebrows expectantly at her, leaning back to see whether she would bite or not. She averted her eyes to the window leading outside, just in time to catch Hanabi skipping towards the front gates, looking bubblier than normal.
"Since you're not as well-versed as the two of us, I'll reveal my bet," Kō offered, pushing another piece forward to conclude the game. Tadashi frowned, pushing a small stack of coins toward the other man. Kō continued as he collected them, "I give it five days. You may have less confidence in our heiress, Tadashi, but I believe she has at least that much will-power."
"You two are terrible." Natsu shook her head, finally refocusing on the blanket. They both looked at her, finding her cheeks pinkening just slightly. "I give her at least 10 days."
"Is that an official buy-in, Natsu?"
"If it were, how many others would be in the pool?"
"I'd say at least 20."
"Oh!" Natsu looked up, eyes wide. "That many?"
The two men snickered, resetting the game.
Hanabi looked on curiously at several older jōnin crowded around a table outside of a bar and found herself wondering what the commotion was about. She strolled up towards them, curiously glancing over one of their shoulders, and furrowed her eyebrows at the sight of hundreds of coins.
"What is this? Splitting prize money from something?" Hanabi questioned, and the two right in front of her whipped around, shielding the table from her.
"Outta here," one of them shooed her, "not for kids to get in on, sorry."
"I'm not—" Hanabi sputtered, squinting at him, then noted one of her clansmen, another jōnin, in the group and she scowled at him. "What's this about, Tokuma?"
"Lady Hanabi—" Tokuma cleared his throat, holding up his hands. "It's not—I mean, he is right, it's for adults."
"I AM 24!"
"Oof, already?" She glanced around for the familiar voice, finding Tora's lazy eyes casting up at her with a little smirk. Hanabi glared at her as she parted from the group, wrapping her arm around Hanabi's shoulders, and guiding her away. There weren't too many people in the village that could so effortlessly make her feel like a small girl. "Never had a party, did you?"
"Uhm, no—"
"Ah, that's alright. This little trip you're going on will feel like a vacation away from family, right?"
"How'd you know—"
"With Konohamaru, no less. What a dream."
"S-Sensei—"
"Ah, looky here—" Hanabi looked down as Tora gestured at a fruit stand. "If I remember correctly, you love bananas, no?"
"Sure—they're good—"
"Give me four of these." Tora motioned at the fruit stand owner, who quickly bagged them for her and took her currency. Hanabi shook her head as Tora pushed them into her hands. "On the house!"
Hanabi sucked in a deep breath, on the verge of screaming out of pure frustration. "What the hell are you doing?!"
"Helping!" Tora smiled mischievously. "Sarutobi's and their monkey's, right? Oh shoot," she huffed a fake sigh. "Look at the time. I better get going. You need to get packed up anyhow, right? Stop by my place after you get back, tell me all about the extravagant, luxurious wedding. Oh, and bring me back some of those cookies I've heard they're famous for in the Stone, okay?" Hanabi glared at her sensei as she patted the top of her head patronizingly. "See you, little lamb."
Hanabi clutched the bananas to her chest, bewildered.
Funnily enough, Hanabi didn't even mind the lack of staying in hotels. Shinobi life had made her quite accustomed to camping out, but she simply refused intimacy on the bare ground when Konohamaru tried. So he insisted on a hotel for their second night and she reluctantly gave in, since they were close to a little village anyway. They had decided to pass through the Waterfall village rather than the Grass, since it was a little prettier, and Hanabi enjoyed being near the water.
As they continued their journey, he directed her to a little cove he told her he'd discovered with some other jōnin on a light mission some years ago.
It was quite beautiful, she admitted.
"I think they call it Paradise Falls." He gestured up at a large, cascading waterfall, directly into a crystal clear, blue pool. "It's actually perfect timing, there's a bunch of snowmelt from up north so the waterfall's in full force." She smiled up at him, impressed with his thoughtfulness. "Pretty, right?"
The waterfall was surrounded by rocky, mossy mountains, and green foliage surrounded the pool it descended into. The greenery cushioned their steps as they got closer to smooth rocks around the perimeter of it. From the right angle, the surface almost looked glassy with the way the sun reflected off of it. The sound of the waterfall was powerful, filling her ears as she got closer.
"Very," she agreed as she toed off her sandals and strolled up to the pool. She tested the water with her toe and was pleased to find it wasn't too cold. She looked behind her to find him kicking off his sandals, too. Her eyes lifted up to his, finding that oceanic shade of blue shimmering under the high sun. She bit her lips together. It had been so long since she'd been to the ocean, not since her last travel to the Mist, which had to have been at least four years ago now. She sighed quietly as she thought of it.
"What's wrong?" he asked, tilting his head at her.
"Just thinking of the ocean." She shook her head. She briefly thought of going to the ocean with Konohamaru. How nice that would be. It almost felt childish to think about, but laying under the sun in the sand with him sounded so incredibly delightful. Of course, having him shirtless for extended periods of time, salty water dripping…well, that didn't sound so bad, either.
"I'll take you," he offered with a smile and she bit her lip, letting her own smile tug up the corners of her mouth.
"Maybe…one day."
He agreed, tugging on the sleeves of his shirt to pull off. She raised an eyebrow. "What? Don't wanna get my clothes all wet."
"Uh—" She squinted at him as he unbuckled his pants. "Excuse you."
"Hm?" he questioned innocently as her cheeks pinkened, his pants falling. "What, you're gonna get in with your clothes?"
"What makes you think I'm getting in?!"
"Live a little!"
Live a little.
"We're out here on our own. No one around." He gestured out. "When's the next time we'll get to do this?"
"I…I don't know." The words felt a little heavy, brought her a certain amount of sadness. With a deep breath, as if to counteract those thoughts with the overwhelming positivity he poured into her, she nodded in agreement. "You're right." He grinned at her as she tugged at her obi, loosening it. "Don't look."
"Nothing I haven't seen before."
"Just—!" she huffed, stopping and he threw up his hands in defeat, turning. She pulled at her shirt and slid off her skirt, then quickly fished into her pack for a tank top, pulling it over her bare chest. "Okay, we're good."
"No fun." He poked his tongue out at her once he turned and she shook her head, beckoning him towards her.
"I am living a little, like you said." She took his hand as he approached, guiding him over some of the slippery rocks just beneath the water. Once they were a little over knee-deep, she tugged him in front of her and giggled, pushing him forward, causing a surprised laugh from him. "Now get in there!"
Once they were close to the Stone, Hanabi had an extremely unfortunate revelation.
"What's up?" Konohamaru questioned at her stopping and gasping. She gritted her teeth, slamming her hands over her face.
"The gift!" Hanabi yelled, digging her fingernails into her scalp. "I forgot the damn gift!"
"Wedding gift?" he asked, leaning in towards her. "How'd you forget that?"
She looked up to glare at him. "Usually I'm with other Hyūga, they take care of that!"
"Spoiled," he tutted, shaking his head and she had half a mind to punch him if she had been younger.
"This is serious, Konohamaru!" She stomped her foot. "It would look so bad if I didn't have anything! Oh gods! Oh no!" She was full-blown panicking now. "Father will never let me go alone again! I have to—damnit, we have to find a village and see if we can find anything. But—but I don't know what the gift was! Oh no, oh no—what if I pick something that's not—"
"Hanabi." She looked up as he put a heavy hand on her shoulders. "Breathe."
"How can I?!" Her hands fell.
Gods you're dumb! First time getting to do this by yourself, and you blow it!
"I got it." She looked up curiously as he fished into a satchel, pulling out a large scroll. "Keep these with me no matter what, just for things like this!"
She watched as he tore one off and set it on the ground. She winced as he bit into his thumb, blood prickling from the tip, and he set his full hand on it, calling for a summon.
With a plume of smoke, Hanabi stepped back and her eyes blew wide at the sight of a little animal she recognized—but not really.
"Sarutobi," the little voice called, laying on his back on the ground with his little paws behind his head. Hanabi blinked down at the monkey.
This must be…Enra?
"Enra, need you to go to the Leaf and pick something up." He pointed south and the monkey squinted up at him.
"A please might be nice."
Rigidly: "please."
"Hmph." The monkey climbed to his feet, turning to look at Hanabi, and she suddenly felt…nervous? A little monkey was making her nervous. "Oooh, you have the Hyūga with you!"
"Uhm—" she stuttered, crouching down to become closer to eye level with the monkey. Unsurely, she bowed towards him. "I'm Hanabi Hyūga."
"I know all about you!" Enra bolted up to her to become right in her face. "Ahhh, I don't think I've ever seen Hyūga eyes up close!"
"You know all about me?" she questioned, wincing slightly as the paws grabbed at her cheeks.
"Enra…"
"Sure do," he continued, unaffected by Konohamaru's warning voice. "Kid talks in his sleep a lot."
Hanabi's eyes went wide, a deep blush overtaking her face as she looked up at Konohamaru, who was looking uncharacteristically shy. And wow, was it cute to see him grabbing his elbow with his other hand, foot rubbing against the ground, face turned away to conceal none other than his own blush.
"You're as pretty as he said." He let go of her cheeks. "But are you as strong and smart as he always goes on about?"
"I—" She let nervous laughter fall out of her. "I hope so!"
"Enra!" Konohamaru snatched the monkey up, but he slid right out of his palm and crawled up his arm. "Mission!"
"That's not really a mission," Enra pointed out, poking his cheek, "I'm not your servant, you know."
Hanabi got back to her feet and approached the two, and both looked at her curiously. Unsure of herself, she tried, "uhm—please, L-Lord? Lord Enra?"
"HA!" Enra bellowed out. "Oh wow, I like her. Yeah, call me that."
"Could you go to the Leaf for us, please? I…I could pay you? I'm not sure if…that's something…"
"Oh gods!" The monkey hopped from Konohamaru's shoulder to hers, wrapping his little furry arms around her neck. "She's so sweet. So much sweeter than you!" He pointed an accusing finger at Konohamaru who scoffed, rolling his eyes. "How can I say no to that? Ah, fine, fine. What is it?"
"Hold on." Hanabi fished into her satchel for some parchment and a pen. She scribbled down instructions quickly before rolling it up. "If you don't mind, take this to the Hyūga compound. Tell them Hanabi sent you and give them this…if possible, seek out a man named Tadashi first."
"C'mon, at least let me know what it is."
"It's a gift." She looked up at Konohamaru warily who simply nodded her along. "For a wedding we're going to. It's…really important."
"Going to a wedding together?" Enra took the scroll, tucking it into his little set of robes. "So you've made it this far since you were last at the jungle, huh lover boy?"
"Grandpa got King Enma and I get…this…" Konohamaru grumbled under his breath as he turned away from the two. Hanabi giggled.
"I like you, Lord Enra," she offered, actually finding the little monkey endearing. It was nice to see someone rib on Konohamaru for once.
"I like you, too, Hyūga." He patted her cheek affectionately. Before he could take off, she briefly recalled the bananas Tora had given her. She gasped.
"Wait, before you go!" Hanabi held up a hand for him to wait and he tilted his head curiously at her. She dug through her pack and picked off a banana, presenting it to him. The little monkey eyed it suspiciously. "For…you?"
"I see." Enra shook his head. "Because I'm a monkey, you just assume I like bananas, is that it? Don't you think that's just a little offensive?"
Hanabi's eyes widened, face going pale white. "Oh no! No-no, I'm so sorry!"
"A-HA!" Konohamaru pointed a finger at them. "See, he is a little jerk!"
"Wha—"
"Ah, you got me." Enra snatched the banana out of her hands. "I'm messing with you, of course I love bananas." Hanabi swallowed, furrowing her eyebrows at him. "Aw, her scowl is kind of like yours, Konohamaru. Wait, scratch that, it's a little scarier." He peeled the banana, winking at her. "I'll be back in a bit. Hey, why don't you show her sage mode, little Sarutobi?"
"Thank you!" Hanabi called just as a puff of smoke appeared next to her, then set her eyes on Konohamaru who had his back turned to her, a nervous hand rubbing the back of his neck. Oh, seeing him embarrassed was just so good. Maybe she'd have to convince him to bring Enra around more often.
"Don't worry," she called playfully, coming next to him to poke his side, "I won't humiliate you further."
"That was…a disaster," he sighed, refusing to meet her gaze.
"Maybe you should be sweeter," she chastised, nudging at him to try to get him to look at her. He finally relented, squinting down at her.
"Maybe I should just give him to you since you guys like each other sooo much."
"No, no." She held up her hands, beaming up at him. "I think he's good for you, puts you in your place."
"Well, this was a mistake."
"I'm sorry!" She laughed. It was just too good being on the other side of things for once. She relented, "really, thank you for thinking of that. You saved me." She laid the back of her hand over her forehead dramatically and he let a chuckle go, pushing her teasingly. She straightened back out. "We have some time to spare…and I did say I wanted to see monkey sage mode?"
"Well…" Konohamaru sighed, looking up towards the sky to find the sun was still just rising. She tilted her head, smiling up at him, genuinely. He nodded. "Give me a few minutes."
As Konohamaru leaned up against a wall with a drink in hand, he watched Hanabi. The ceremony had ended and they were now at the reception, the part that was admittedly, the most tiring for her. But she did look downright gorgeous in the elegant robes Natsu had packed for her. She even put her hair up, one of those big, elaborate, gem-crusted clips. He could even swear it was the one she wore right before the chūnin exams, right around the time he had first dared to attempt to kiss her, clumsy and awkward and maybe even kind of cute. He snickered at the thought, a silly blush threatening to creep up as he thought about how his kid self was so flustered by the sight of her ears and neck.
'It's just ears and a neck! What's so great about them?'
Ah, if only he knew.
They'd talked about the events before they got there. Naturally, she was the face of the Hyūga here, and he wasn't 'with her' in any official capacity. She still had her responsibilities, so he begrudgingly let her go be the socialite he rarely got to see. The last time he really saw her like this was when he escorted her party as an Anbu op, but at least this time he could tug her away when she got a break between snobs vying for her attention.
Still, it was actually pretty fun to watch. Sure, he felt bad for her—it must be terribly boring—or more like aggravating for her specifically. But…there was something appealing about the fact that despite their best efforts to make her swoon, it was him who occupied her mind. He could tell by the way she would periodically glance over at him, her gaze lingering, her lip biting, the double-takes when he'd wink at her. Knowing he'd be in her bed later. Yeah, that was good enough for him.
So when some man approached him, raising his drink to him, he felt just a little irritated to have his attention pulled from the woman who captivated it. He perked an eyebrow at the man, raising his drink back in offering. The man looked from Konohamaru to Hanabi, then back. "Got your eye on the Hyūga heiress, too?"
Konohamaru tilted his head, casting a suspicious look at the man.
"She's a bombshell, huh?"
Konohamaru let a puff of amused air out from his nose, shrugging. "Yeah, she is."
"I've been waiting for my chance." The man settled next to him on the wall, looking out towards Hanabi. "She's pretty popular, but I guess you can't blame them."
Konohamaru poked his tongue against his cheek, suppressing a chuckle. "Your chance, huh?"
"Yeah—what? Don't think I have one?" The man's tone wasn't hostile, more like amused. "Shoot your shot, right?"
"Aah." Konohamaru offered back, simply. He never took his eyes off her, watching as she glanced back at him once more, then her eye landed on the man who had decided to keep him company. He peered out the corner of his eye to see the man smirk, raising his hand in a little wave toward her. Konohamaru bit his tongue.
"See that? She was looking at us." He elbowed him and Konohamaru scooted away. "But, I think it was mostly me. Sorry, bud."
Konohamaru sucked in his cheeks, turning his head away as he nodded mockingly. Oh, how he'd love to just stroll right up to her and dip her back for a kiss, just to see this guy's reaction. But he stayed put.
"Where you from, guy?"
Konohamaru contemplated. Deciding he was enjoying hearing what other people really thought about Hanabi without fear of it coming back to her, he figured revealing he was from the Leaf would put a damper on that. He took a sip from his drink, mulling it over. He replied, "down south."
"Most of civilization is down south," the man snickered, "anywhere specific?"
"The Grass."
"Ah, so pretty close." The man nodded. "Must've only taken you a few days. Took me damn near a month from the Mist."
"Mist, huh?" Konohamaru perked an eyebrow. "That is a long way out."
"Yeah, and to come to a place like this?" the man scoffed, glancing side to side. "It's depressing, really. It's like a wasteland—oh, there it is." Konohamaru looked up to see Hanabi pulling herself away from the people she was talking to, casually approaching them. Konohamaru glanced at the man irritably as he elbowed him once more, whispering "my chance."
"Good luck." Konohamaru sidestepped, allowing the man to make a fool of himself. He smirked as he accosted Hanabi, instantly reaching for her hands to tug her away. He put his fist over his mouth to bite back a laugh as she glared up at the man. She pulled her hands behind her back and gave him a polite bow. Konohamaru turned his head slightly to listen better.
"Please, won't you join me over here?"
"I was just about to grab a drink, actually."
"Taken care of."
"Oh…"
"Besides, that man has been staring your way just a bit too much, honestly. Best to avoid, I believe."
"He has?"
"Yes, let me accompany you. Now, if you'd allow me to pick your brain about some things I've been working on back at the Mist…"
Konohamaru turned his head back as their voices became quieter while the man dragged her away. He caught her eye as she looked over her shoulder at him, squinting with that signature scowl. It told him she was irritated with him for not stopping this before it began, but how could he? She did say they couldn't be public with their affairs. He's there as a friend, and a friend would make sure she stuck to her responsibilities. It had nothing to do with finding it amusing. He licked his lips, raised his glass towards her, then took a drink.
Then she threw him off his guard. The man took the drinks from their hands and set them aside, and she let him pull her into dance. And she smiled up at that man.
Oh, so she's playing with me, now.
Konohamaru crossed an arm across his chest to rest his hand on his elbow, pulling his drink back to his lips. As the entirely too strong beverage hit his stomach, artificially warming him, he felt a spike of jealousy. That little bubble she seemed to enjoy lighting in him.
He briefly considered a few scenarios.
Passing them by, 'accidentally' tripping with his drink to coat the man's entirely too expensive attire.
Maybe find a pretty girl and have her dance with him, really lay it on thick like he thought she was doing.
Or even just cutting in, shamelessly lay his claim on her with an entirely too rough kiss, carry her back to the hotel. That one was the most appealing.
Instead, he pulled his drink back to his lips and drained it, then went to find another. And he waited.
As the night wound down and the first trickle of people were leaving, he decided now was his time. He'd finally 'rescue' her. Or just douse that fire of jealousy for a brief moment. He set his emptied drink down and stepped towards them, catching her eyes as she looked over the man's shoulder. The man tilted his head and then looked over his shoulder at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey, Grass man," he offered, shifting his eyes, "can we help you?"
"Not you." Konohamaru shook his head, carefully peeling Hanabi's hand from his shoulder, which she willingly let him. "Just her."
"Hey—"
"Ah, yes," Hanabi quickly intervened, stepping away from the man, towards Konohamaru. "I apologize, we've some business to discuss."
"Yep." Konohamaru gave a wry smile down at the man as he awkwardly backed away. "Discuss my visit to the Leaf next month, right?"
"Mm." Hanabi nodded in agreement. "It was a pleasure."
"Hmph," the man huffed irritably, a suspicious eye on Konohamaru. "Perhaps I'll see you before you take off, then?"
"I'll certainly try." Hanabi smiled warmly, giving him a polite bow, that Hyūga demeanor shining through. The one he found so amusing, from his position. One that he knew was fake, one that he knew he could break down with the simplest smile, one that he knew she couldn't resist his beckoning, before letting him definitively pull her into his grip, shamelessly pulling her away, "goodnight!"
As he took her away, he flashed the man a smirk, really pulling her in tightly up against him, entirely too familiar for 'just acquaintances' but at this point, he didn't really give a damn. The only thing that was important was that the man knew he didn't stand a chance. Once they were out of earshot of the man, he wrapped his fingers around her waist tightly, pushing in a tad harder than normal as her hands came to rest on his shoulders and her eyes met his. He watched her tuck her bottom lip into her teeth and gripped a little harder because if he didn't have something to keep him grounded, he'd do something he'd regret.
What little remained of the night was quiet as Hanabi let him hold her to his chest, trying her best to remain composed.
He kind of deserved it, didn't he? He basically pushed that arrogant man into her arms, waved her off without a second thought. Besides, she dealt with this sort of thing often enough. Maybe actually having to see it in person would be enough to finally scare him off. If he couldn't handle it, she figured that would be the end of them, anyway. Might as well find out sooner than later.
But he didn't show any outward signs of anger. Sure, he seemed irritable, maybe a little possessive in the way he took her away and held onto her for the rest of the night, but fairly calm, regardless. Nothing like he'd been a couple of years ago when that Wind dignitary had been at the Leaf. That was truly unhinged Konohamaru if she'd ever seen it. She remembered with embarrassing fondness just how lit up it had made him. He must have matured since then, she supposed.
Still…he was a little bit too quiet. Their journey back to the hotel was silent, his responses to her short and to the point. Had he had a good time? Sure. Good drinks? Not bad. Meet anyone interesting? Nope.
Once they were securely in the room, she pulled her coat off and undid the straps of her heels. She really did like heels, liked how tall they made her, a trait of hers she had wholeheartedly embraced. Let her look down on the men who thought they'd be looking down on her; that was nice. But she couldn't deny the ache they brought her feet, so she discarded them quickly. As the soles of her feet made contact with the bare floor, she sighed in relief, flexing her feet. She approached the bed and unfastened her lone satchel from her thigh, laying it out on the comforter. And that's when she felt his presence behind her, hands immediately sliding around her waist to pull her flush against him. She giggled softly, feeling relieved he wasn't too upset. Maybe just riled up.
She leaned her head as she felt his hand reach up for her clip, prying it open to let her hair fall down her back against his chest. She sighed contentedly as he pulled it to one side and latched his lips to the bare skin of her neck.
"Not mad at me?" she whispered, reaching up behind her to curl her fingers into his hair. She waited patiently as he trailed his lips up her neck, gasping lightly as his teeth attached around her earlobe for a moment before releasing.
"Oh, I'm furious," he responded quietly, and in one movement spun them around so she was sitting in his lap with her back up against his chest. She darted her eyes around, confused, trying to process all that was happening as his hands wandered under her robe, forcefully tugging it open. She gripped onto his forearms to keep herself steady since there was nowhere else to grab.
"You're kidding, right?" she breathed, eyes growing wider by the second as he became rougher with his movements until her robe was peeled completely apart, exposing her.
"Am I?" he mumbled against her shoulder as he yanked the material down, pooling at her waist between them.
"I really—ah—" Her breath caught as he dug his teeth into her shoulder, reaching behind her to push him off. "I really can't tell!"
"Hmm," he hummed, grabbing at the hand that tried to shove him away, instead choosing to suck against the skin. She went completely red as she realized he was bound to leave a mark.
"Hey!" she gasped, pulling herself off of him. His grip was tight, but she was able to wiggle away, turning to him as the robes fell off of her, leaving her in just her underwear. She pointed a finger at his nose. "Bad!"
"I'm not the bad one here," he husked, grabbing her wrist to pull her back up against him.
"What has—what's gotten into you?!" She swallowed the lump in her throat as she scanned his face. The darkness there was completely unfamiliar—it almost made her waver. "Konohamaru?"
He didn't respond, and instead, she found herself being rolled into the bed onto her back. She darted her eyes up as he tugged his shirt from his pants, messily undoing the buttons and pulling it over his head. He was really gonna do this, right now? Without talking about it, at all?
She hated that excitement was bubbling in her chest, watching him with anticipation as he undid his buckle. He raised his eyebrows at her, gesturing with his head towards her. "Panties."
She huffed, that little voice in her head telling her not to let him push her around. She turned her nose up. "Speak like a normal person." She glanced out the corner of her eye, willing her gaze not to linger for too long, despite the fact she desperately wanted to let it rest on his muscled torso and arms.
"Fine," he responded shortly as he dropped his boxers, then climbed on top of her. Another little gasp as she looked up at him questioningly, him prying her thighs apart with his knees and his hand sliding down her stomach. "I don't need them to come off."
"Ko—" She pulled her hand over her mouth to cut herself off as his fingers slipped underneath her panties and began stroking back and forth. She squeezed her eyes shut as she felt his lips attach around her throat, teeth scraping. She felt his other hand roughly pull her hand from her mouth just as his finger dipped inside her. "Konohamaru—ahh—!"
"You're mine."
It was barely there, a growl against her throat, mostly. It made her thighs clench around him.
"You're insane!" she panted as his thumb found her clit, teasing it. "You're going crazy!"
"Maybe." He squeezed her wrist, his length twitching against her thigh. "You make me crazy, you know that?"
"I—oh—" she stuttered, wishing she could wiggle her hand from his grasp to cover her mouth as he relentlessly stroked his fingers against her from inside, forcing pressure upwards.
"I don't mind," he whispered, lips finding the same spot he'd almost sucked a hickey into and reattached, sucking hard there.
"What did I say?!" She gasped, wiggling underneath him as she felt everything become tighter and hotter. "No marks!"
"No one will see this one." He let go for just a minute to say those words. "Just keep it covered."
She couldn't even respond now, feeling like she was going to explode, clenching around his fingers, never slowing their place. She threw her head back as he bit down, knowing it was certainly going to be purple. He released it after a moment, and his tongue dragged over the wound.
"I just wanna make sure," he breathed against it, "you remember you're mine."
"Ko—Kono—" She could barely get it out as she felt it come in waves. "I—oh gods—"
He pulled up and she felt mortified under his hungry gaze. She turned her head away, but he simply nudged her back with his nose, continuing to work his fingers inside her even as she came. This bright sunshine of a man looked nothing like his usual self, it made her feel so small under him. As she came down, she went limp under him, trying to force down how nervous she felt. Her breathing evened out just slightly as his fingers left her, trailing up her body to cup her chin. She bit her lips together as he held her firm to look at him. His breath passed over her lips as he spoke "you are mine, Hanabi."
Something about the way he spoke almost reminded her of his 'team leader' voice, which had, perhaps unsurprisingly, always made her weak in the knees. For him to be using it on her here, right now, she struggled to be mad at. As much as she knew she should put him back in his place, make sure he knew he couldn't talk to the heiress of the Hyūga like that. She knew it was wrong, but her head moved without her permission and confirmed it for him. His eyes glanced over her face, taking stock of her reaction before leaning in for a rough kiss—not the gentle ones he usually offered her when they were intimate. Possessive, claiming her, his fingers digging into her cheeks.
Then they left her face and returned between her thighs, pulling her panties to the side as he rested on his shins, and in one fluid motion, he was inside of her, completely. Her other hand, now free from under his body, instinctively slammed over her mouth with her other hand still pinned beside her. It shouldn't have been surprising, at this point, when his hand snatched it back and pinned it above her, and now he was pulling his hips back and thrusting into her, pulling those embarrassingly loud moans from her.
"Those are mine, too," he whispered against her cheek as she squeezed her eyes shut, pressing her other cheek into the bedding below her. She could barely register his words. "Those little sounds you make."
"Kono—" she whined pathetically, feeling the weight of him bear down on her as he pushed her thighs ever farther open until her legs were parallel to her body. A strangled sound came from her as one hand left hers and slid around her back, pulling her up in a change of position. She found herself straddling him now, her legs hooked around his back as he rested on his knees, his other hand still clasping her wrists together in front of her now.
Her eyes flew open to look down at themselves, briefly wondering if she should be ashamed of how easily he was able to make her comply. It really seemed to require no effort at all as he pulled her hands up to his neck and she instinctively wrapped her arms around it to keep herself up. She panted uncontrollably as that hand found her hip and began guiding her back and forth, forcing her to ride him. The other hand trailed down and discovered her clit again and she couldn't stop the messy sounds falling out of her. She looked back up at him as he leaned in to suck another kiss into her other shoulder, and she couldn't find it in herself to stop him.
"Gods, Hanabi," he groaned against her skin as she began pulling herself up to help him along, "you don't know how much I just wanna mark you."
"Yo—you can't—" she managed to choke out even as he continued bruising her skin. "You know you—"
"I know," he cut her off, "not where anyone can see." She dropped her forehead against his neck as he thrust up into her, that swollen bundle of nerves being relentlessly teased for another orgasm. As she got into the rhythm herself without his help, the hand on her hip ran back up and gripped her chin again, forcing her head up to look at him. "But you'll know."
Her shuddered breath felt like it was going to suffocate her as those dark blue eyes threatened to consume her. She nodded fervently,. "Y—yes—"
"You have to tell me." His voice was so low and serious as his finger continued working circles, but there was a hint of gentleness there in the way soft breaths escaped him. "To tell me you're mine."
"I—I am—" she gasped out, barely able to contain herself as he ruthlessly pulled another orgasm from her, "I—"
"Say it, Hanabi," he breathed, his fingers squeezing a little tighter on her cheeks, "you have to say it, say you're mine—now, please—"
"I'm yours!" She finally found her breath as that explosive energy took hold of her. She panted wildly as his thumb trailed over her lips, other hand dragging up from between her legs. She instinctively bit down on his thumb as it pushed past her lips, a little whine escaping her as she rode out the high. "I—I'm yours, Konohamaru—please—" She was babbling now, "please I want—I want to be yours—I am-" If someone asked what in the world was going through her mind, she would have no response, her brain was completely empty. "I promise I'm yours—"
"Shh." His other hand pulled up now so both would cup her cheeks as her pace slowed, bringing her in for a kiss, whispering between it, "you're my girl."
"Mhm—" She nodded, letting him do whatever he wanted with her, as long as he kept his hands around her face, grounding her.
"All mine." She whimpered silently at the loss of his hands, instead coming to rest on her hips to help himself to her. Her arms fell from his neck, fingers wrapped around his nape, one thumb coming to rest on his Adam's apple as she pulled her head back. He continued thrusting into her as he guided her against him, and her mind cleared momentarily as her high slowly came down.
Without thinking, she spoke through panting moans, "and you're mi—mine-" she saw him lift his eyes up to hers, that darkness in them disappearing for a moment. Those deep, blue eyes that almost looked red earlier, that defined jaw that flexed at her words, his Adam's apple bobbing with a swallow against the pad of her thumb as she pushed it in, slightly. Gods, she thought he was beautiful. It's never something she anticipated ever thinking about a man, especially not that chip-toothed troublemaker, but he was. She repeated, "you're mine," she inhaled before pushing out the next part, "say it."
Almost like it was on instinct at her command, he exhaled, "I'm yours." As if rejuvenated, his thrusts became quicker and deeper as his breathing became more erratic. "Fuck Hanabi." His words turned haggard as she felt him twitch inside her. "Do you even know how—gods—"
She immediately dipped in to kiss him, taking the lead now, mumbling against them, "mine." A little whine he would surely be embarrassed about in any other circumstance left him as she bit down on his lower lip, harder than she ever had before, as if punishing him for what he'd done earlier. If he could mark her, she could mark him back. Then, as she felt him groan through his chest and his movements come to an abrupt halt with him buried inside of her, she relented and let him go, allowing him to pull her body right up against his in a hold that was entirely too tight, but exactly what she wanted.
"Hanabi…" he huffed against her shoulder, his grip unrelenting as a hand came up the back of her head to tangle in her hair. "Gods, you've ruined me."
"Ruined you?" she questioned quietly as she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek against the top of his head.
"For anyone else," he responded, muffled by her skin. She smiled, tightening her legs around him. "There's no one else like you."
"Mmm…" she hummed, trailing her fingers into his hair, rubbing gently. "Good thing I'm yours, then."
"Fuck yes you are." She shuddered. No matter how many times she heard that strong language from him, it would always creep up her spine. "I—" he stuttered, and she hummed at him to continue, "I'm sorry…"
"Why?"
"That was…" He paused briefly, considering his words. "That was more than normal, huh?"
His grip loosened, and so did hers, so she pulled away just enough to come face-to-face with him. That dark look was long gone, replaced with shame, eyes closed. She rested her forehead against his. "I uhm…well, I liked it."
She watched as he peeled his eyes open to look at her, those big, worried eyes. Even if he didn't have to be ashamed, he still looked cute like this. She offered him a smile, which he finally returned, brushing his nose against hers. "I kind of thought so."
"No more marks, though," she chastised, which caused him to slide the hand in her hair out to rest on her shoulder, gently pressing against one of the hickeys.
"You didn't like that part?" he questioned, that teasing tone finally returning as he ran a tongue over his bottom lip. "You think you didn't leave a mark on me?" Her eyes darted down to the lip, swollen and red and she raised an eyebrow.
"Just tell people you slept with someone." She shrugged and he squinted at her. "What? Not like you haven't before."
"As far as people know, I'm celibate."
"Pfft!"
"It's true!" he defended, his trademark boyish grin returning. "I swore off women, oh, what—probably two years ago? Maybe three?"
She rolled her eyes. "Don't tell me you were never with anyone after that Anbu mission."
"Nope."
She stopped, eyes growing wider. "Stop joking around…"
He shook his head with his eyes closed, pulling her against him a little tighter. "I'm a patient man, Hanabi."
"Wha…" The question was left unfinished as he looked back up at her. "When have you ever…been patient…?"
"Always, when it comes to you."
"That's…that's ridiculous, you know that?"
"Oh yeah, I'm well aware." He nodded before placing a kiss on both of her cheeks. "I should've moved on ahh, hmm, 10 years ago?"
"Yes!" She gasped, smacking his shoulder. "Yes, you should have!"
"Couldn't, though."
She stopped to look at him, really look at him. Gods, the words almost bubbled out of her throat, but she stamped them back in.
He was so impossibly kind not to force them out of her. He was patient. And she couldn't stop herself from thinking that he was well and truly perfect.
He smiled up at her, leaning in to place a soft kiss against her with those lips she had relentlessly bruised, and suddenly felt guilty. She muttered against them, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be," he responded, quietly, "I liked it, too."
She sighed against him, gently pulling her hands away. "I'll go stiff if I stay like this."
"Me too." He chuckled, scooting off the bed with her still in his lap, then stood with his hands under her backside. "I think we both need a shower."
She giggled softly, returning her arms around his neck, and couldn't say no, especially to seeing that chest and those arms glistening under water. Just thinking about it excited her. She had no idea when they'd have a moment like this, again, and couldn't pass up making the most of it. So she let him carry her away.
As they passed a sign indicating the Village Hidden in the Leaves coming up in a kilometer, she stopped him.
Their time acting like a real, normal couple was coming to an end, and neither of them were nearly ready to let it go. But they had to, Hanabi with the promise that it wouldn't always be this way. Promising him she'd do everything she could to make sure of it, if he could just be a little more patient.
He could accept that because he knew it in his heart, she loved him. Even if she couldn't say it out loud yet, even if he wanted to scream it from the rooftops, wanted nothing more than to make sure everyone knew. Make sure everyone knew she was his and he was desperately in love with her. He could accept it, for now.
Because he knew she had to take it at her own pace, he immediately accepted her words and brought her in for a kiss as she spoke. "I am yours, Konohamaru."
And because she knew he was unbelievably patient and gentle with her, she sighed into the kiss, letting him take her in his arms. "I'm all yours, Hanabi."
