Chapter 8: Teasing, Blushes, and a Dense Blonde

Shizune hurried down the street, her face still burning from Naruto's words.

"You'd be really good at it! You're really pretty, so wouldn't that make it easier?"

She had no idea how to respond at the time—so she ran. Now, as she walked aimlessly through Konoha, she tried to convince herself it was nothing. Naruto says things without thinking all the time. He didn't mean anything by it. But no matter how much she told herself that, her heart wouldn't stop pounding.

Without realizing it, she had stopped in the middle of the road, squatting down with her hands gripping her head. Why am I even thinking about this so much?!

"Uh… Shizune?"

She snapped her head up to see Ino standing over her, arms crossed, while Shikamaru and Chouji sat at a nearby outdoor restaurant, watching with mild curiosity.

"You good?" Ino asked, tilting her head. "Because you look like you're having some kind of breakdown."

Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome. Whatever it is, you should probably sit down before you collapse."

Chouji simply nodded while munching on a rice ball.

Shizune quickly stood, waving her hands. "No, no! I was just—uh—thinking! Deeply!"

Ino smirked. "Yeah? Well, if you need a place to think—or not think—come sit with us. We were just taking a break from training."

Shizune hesitated but sighed in defeat. Maybe a little time with them would get her mind off things.

"Alright," she said, letting Ino pull her toward the table. "Just for a little bit."

What she didn't realize was that Ino loved a good mystery—and if something had Shizune that flustered, she was going to figure out exactly what it was.

Shizune took a deep breath, trying to calm the heat rising to her face as she settled into the seat across from Ino. It wasn't like this was a big deal. It was just Naruto. Just a compliment. So why was her heart still racing?

Unfortunately for her, Ino was already leaning in, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Alright, spill it. What's got you looking like you just ran into your crush?"

Shizune jolted. "I do not look like that!"

Shikamaru, who had been resting his chin in his hand, cracked one eye open. "You kinda do."

Chouji, between bites of his food, simply nodded. "Yeah."

Shizune groaned, resting her forehead against the table. "Why did I even sit down with you guys?"

Ino grinned. "Because you know I won't stop until I get the truth. Now, come on—what's got you so flustered? Training? A mission? Or maybe—" She gasped dramatically. "A boy?"

Shizune tensed.

Ino's smirk widened. "Oh-ho, it is a boy, isn't it?"

Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome."

Chouji just continued munching, clearly enjoying the show.

Shizune peeked up from the table, feeling utterly trapped. She knew there was no escaping Ino's interrogation skills. With a resigned sigh, she muttered, "It's nothing, really. Just something dumb Naruto said."

"Naruto?" Ino repeated, eyes widening. "Wait—our Naruto? Loud, reckless, jumps-into-danger-without-thinking Naruto?"

Shizune winced. "That's the one."

Shikamaru actually looked mildly interested now. "Did he insult you?"

Chouji shook his head. "Naruto doesn't really insult people like that."

"That's what's weird!" Shizune exclaimed. "He didn't insult me at all! He—" She clamped her mouth shut, realizing she was about to confess way too much.

Ino, however, was already on the scent. "Oh, this is juicy. What did he say? Come on, Shizune, don't leave me hanging."

Shizune sighed, staring at the table. "He… he called me pretty."

Silence fell over the group.

Then—

"Oh my god!" Ino squealed, shaking Shizune's shoulders. "Naruto complimented you? That's actually so cute!"

Shikamaru groaned. "Do we really have to do this?"

"Yes, we do," Ino shot back before turning back to Shizune with a mischievous grin. "So? How did he say it? Was it casual? Was it flirty? Give me details."

Shizune groaned, burying her face in her hands. "It wasn't flirty! He just… he saw me looking at a dress and said it was pretty, then said I was too, and then asked how people fought in dresses! He didn't even realize what he was saying!"

Ino clutched her heart dramatically. "He's so oblivious, that's actually adorable."

Chouji nodded. "That does sound like Naruto."

Shikamaru smirked slightly. "And yet, you're the one freaking out."

"I am not freaking out!" Shizune exclaimed. "It just… caught me off guard, that's all!"

"Uh-huh," Ino drawled, resting her chin on her hands. "So, tell me—how do you feel about Naruto?"

Shizune opened her mouth to answer—but no words came out. How did she feel about him?

Sure, Naruto was loud, reckless, and completely oblivious, but he was also kind, determined, and had a way of making people believe in themselves. He had somehow pulled her and Rin into this new life in the present era, making it feel like they belonged here.

And… he thought she was pretty.

Shizune's face burned again. "I-I don't know!" she blurted. "I mean, he's a good guy, but it's not like I like him like that! He's just… Naruto!"

Ino gave her a knowing look. "Mmm-hmm. Keep telling yourself that."

Shikamaru exhaled, clearly done with the conversation. "If you're this worked up about it, maybe just talk to him."

Shizune groaned. "Yeah, because that won't be awkward."

Ino smirked. "Or you could just let things happen naturally. Who knows? Maybe you'll get another compliment next time."

Shizune glared. "I hate you."

Ino just winked. "No, you don't."

As the conversation continued, Shizune found herself lost in thought. Maybe she did need to talk to Naruto about it… or maybe, she just needed to figure out why it was affecting her so much in the first place.

Later that night, Shizune flopped onto her bed with a dramatic groan, throwing her pillow over her face.

Why does he have to be so damn nice?

Naruto's words from earlier echoed in her head, over and over again.

"I think you'd be great at it. You're really pretty, so why wouldn't others think that too?"

Shizune groaned louder and kicked her legs against the bed in frustration.

Stupid, dense blonde. Saying stuff like that with that big grin of his. He didn't even think twice about it!

Her mind raced as she rolled onto her stomach, hugging her pillow tightly.

Does he say things like that to every girl? No… He doesn't, does he? I've never heard him say anything like that to Sakura or Ino. Or anyone else for that matter. Maybe he really meant it?

The thought sent an unfamiliar warmth through her chest, and she bit her lip.

She wasn't in love with Naruto or anything. That would be crazy. She'd only known him for a short time. But he was… different. He was kind in a way that didn't feel fake. Strong in a way that wasn't just about power. He made her laugh, even when she didn't want to.

And he saw her.

Not just as a teammate, or another medic, or some relic of the past like so many others did. Just her.

She buried her face in her pillow again. "Ugh. Stupid, cute, kind, idiot blonde."

"I should really start charging for therapy," came a voice from the corner of the room.

Shizune screamed, flailing wildly as she turned toward the source.

Tsunade was sitting comfortably in a chair near the window, smirking at her with a bottle of sake in hand.

"W-What are you doing here?!" Shizune stammered, pressing a hand to her chest to steady her heart.

Tsunade took a slow sip of her drink. "I was waiting for you. You've been acting very interesting today."

Shizune groaned, pulling her blanket over her head. "No, I haven't."

"Oh? Because I definitely overheard some rather interesting mumbling just now," Tsunade teased, tilting her head. "'Stupid cute blondes who are dense,' huh?"

Shizune immediately shot upright, her face burning. "I—That's not—I wasn't—UGH!" She fell back onto the bed, covering her face with her hands.

Tsunade chuckled, standing up and walking over. "You know, this reminds me of something."

Shizune peeked up cautiously. "What?"

Tsunade smirked, leaning against the wall. "That huge crush you had on Minato when you were younger."

Shizune froze, eyes widening.

Tsunade's smirk grew. "Oh yeah, I remember it well. You thought he was the perfect shinobi. Kind, strong, brilliant—you practically idolized him."

Shizune groaned into her hands. "That was ages ago! I was a kid!"

Tsunade crossed her arms, looking far too pleased with herself. "And now, all these years later, you just happen to be flustered over a kind, strong, blonde-haired boy who jumps into danger without thinking." She tapped her chin. "Hmm. What are the odds?"

Shizune threw a pillow at her, which Tsunade easily dodged.

"It's not the same," Shizune grumbled, still red-faced.

Tsunade smirked, sitting on the edge of the bed. "You sure? I think you're just switching out one blonde idiot for another."

Shizune groaned dramatically. "Naruto isn't an idiot."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you do like him."

Shizune clamped her hands over her mouth, realizing what she just said. "I-I—That's not—"

Tsunade just laughed, ruffling her hair like she was a child. "Relax, Shizune. It's not a bad thing."

Shizune pouted, crossing her arms. "Even if I did like him, which I don't, he's so dense. He probably doesn't even know what romance is."

Tsunade shrugged. "Doesn't mean he won't figure it out eventually."

Shizune huffed. "Well, if he does, it won't be with me."

Tsunade smirked. "You never know."

Shizune groaned, flopping back down onto the bed. "You're the worst."

Tsunade stood, stretching. "Oh, by the way, I don't mind team members dating, if that's what you're worried about."

Shizune shot up again. "That's not what this is about!"

"But," Tsunade continued, ignoring her, "no fighting other teams over him. I don't need that drama."

Shizune could only gape at her, face burning hotter than ever.

Tsunade gave her one last teasing smirk before heading toward the door. "Goodnight, Shizune."

The door clicked shut, leaving Shizune in stunned silence.

"…How the hell am I supposed to face my team tomorrow?"