"Even the fiercest warriors must rest;
Their pride, at last, surrendering to sleep.
Watch how they guard each other in the dark—
These fragile hours are theirs to keep."
— Senju Tōka, from Gojō's collection
静
か
24 — QUIET
"TIME TO CALL IT A NIGHT," Naruto said, rolling his shoulders as though shaking off invisible weights.
How long had they been at it? Outside, the sky was ink-black, and heavy snow blurred the world beyond. The shoji screens remained open for now, their seal-triggered mechanisms still waiting for dawn's first touch to slide them shut. Not that it mattered — the screens had been crafted with privacy in mind, and their surface was a perfect barrier against both light and curiosity.
"Now?" Hanabi asked, with a hint of demand. "Truly?"
A knowing smile played across Naruto's features as he gestured toward their third companion. "Well, considering Neji has fallen asleep already…"
Hanabi turned, surprise flickering across her face as she took in her cousin's uncharacteristically peaceful form. "I... hadn't noticed."
"I realized."
For a moment, they stood in silence, both watching Neji. The fire crackled softly in the hearth, its warmth barely reaching the corners of the room where shadows gathered like old memories.
"His neck must be terribly uncomfortable in that position," Hanabi finally observed.
"Well..." Naruto's grin widened slightly. "If it's not hurting now, it definitely will tomorrow."
"That's hardly something to smile about," Hanabi chided, though her own lips betrayed her with the ghost of a smile. The slightest crack in her armor.
"Of course not," Naruto replied, all insincerity. "Care to help me move him upstairs? I could throw him on my shoulder, of course, but…"
Her pale eyes studied him thoughtfully, undoubtedly noting how he shifted his weight to his stronger side. "You seem awfully confident he won't startle awake the moment we touch him."
Naruto shrugged, the gesture casual but his eyes knowing. "Just a feeling. Besides, most shinobi are better at sensing presence correctly while asleep than I am."
She considered this for a moment before nodding, her own exhaustion finally beginning to show in the slight slope of her shoulders. "Very well," she conceded. "But only if you stop looking so amused."
"Can I help it if his sleeping face is so... different?"
"Less guarded?"
"As though someone finally removed the stick from his—"
Hanabi held up her hand, though the firelight caught a genuine smile this time. "I take your meaning. Shall we?"
Together, they managed to lift Neji without disturbing his sleep — Naruto took most of the weight while Hanabi carefully supported his head. The walk upstairs was rather slow, considering.
"Left here," Naruto breathed, leading them through the shadowed hallway. "The guest room is — Actually, no. My room instead."
Though Hanabi's eyebrow arched questioningly, she followed without comment. The room they entered spoke volumes about its occupant — neat but lived-in, scrolls and calligraphy tools arranged with a recently imposed order. A half-finished seal design lay on the desk, too.
"Help me with the futons," he murmured, nodding toward the closet.
"No seals here?"
His only response was a quiet snort, though his eyes flickered briefly to a drawer where, she likely knew, more complex arrangements were stored.
They managed to arrange two futons side by side, though Hanabi insisted on precise alignment even as Naruto stood patiently holding her unconscious cousin. When she finally indicated her satisfaction, they lowered Neji onto the left futon with gentle care.
"I can hardly believe he's still asleep," Hanabi whispered, watching as Neji's head settled naturally to one side. A strand of dark hair fell across his face, and she looked like she was resisting the urge to brush it away.
"Dealing with that seal — whether applying or removing it," Naruto replied just as softly, pausing before adding, "takes more from a person than most realize."
"I suspected as much." Understanding softened Hanabi's features.
"And your own day hasn't exactly been restful."
"I've had worse," she responded automatically, then amended, "...but yes."
They stood in companionable silence, watching the steady rise and fall of Neji's chest. The moment was broken when Hanabi failed to suppress a yawn.
"You should rest too," Naruto suggested.
"As should you," she countered. "Though I thought we were meant for the spare room?"
"Changed my mind. It's rather cramped. And full of trinkets, admittedly."
Hanabi glanced around the current space, where starlight now painted silver patterns on the floor. "And this isn't? I'll be trapped between Neji and the wall."
Naruto's quiet laugh accompanied them back downstairs, their footsteps drawing faint protests from the wooden floors. The temperature had dropped further, and the fire's warmth beckoned invitingly. In the living room, he gestured to a neatly folded stack of blankets and pillows against the wall.
"The couch is yours if you prefer," he offered, selecting a blanket. "Not quite the Takeminaka, but better than the floor."
Hanabi hesitated. "And where will you sleep?"
"Floor, naturally." His grin suggested this was no hardship. "With, admittedly, a large cushion. Or perhaps I'll take the armchair, if I'm feeling particularly sophisticated."
"Naruto—"
"It's fine. Take your pick." He waved off her protest, tossing a pillow onto the couch. "Wash basin's down the hall, first door on the right. Fresh towels should be there too. Let me find you something to sleep in."
Before she could object, he disappeared into the back, returning with folded pajamas — simple blue fabric decorated with subtle spirals.
"Women's size — if on the taller side. Might be a bit loose, but better than sleeping in your clothes," he explained, extending them. "If Neji were awake, I would — Well, he didn't seem to mind too much earlier."
"Do you think I do not carry my own…?" she asked, though the question lacked edge. Naruto shrugged and, after a moment's consideration, she accepted them anyway. "…Thank you."
She remained standing, her gaze moving between the room where Neji slept and Naruto himself. Her expression was carefully composed, but not unkind. "Will the temperature drop much tonight?"
"Not significantly," he replied with a slight smile. "Though the wind does play tricks through the village after dark. Care to hear the local stories?" She failed to suppress another yawn, and he chuckled. "Another time, perhaps."
When Hanabi returned from freshening up, her steps were light, and the borrowed clothes were hanging loose on her frame. Naruto had added wood to the fire in her absence.
She looked between the couch and his makeshift bed on the floor.
"Why aren't you taking the couch?" she asked directly.
"Because I suspected you wouldn't choose my cramped room."
"Well, you were right about that. I'll stay here too," she declared, settling cross-legged on the floor a slight distance away. "If only to give Neji a chance to flee if you decide to attack me while he recovers."
"Fair enough," Naruto agreed easily. "But please, take the armchair?"
"No." Her tone was sharp but softened immediately. "You should take it."
"I'm fine here."
"Then I won't take it either."
He studied her, trying to understand the stubborn set of her jaw; she returned his gaze with equal intensity. "Alright," he conceded finally, settling onto the floor. "Living room party it is."
Hanabi dragged the other cushion near the window, before lying down and pulling the blanket to her chin. The room fell quiet save for the soft whisper of snow continuing to fall outside. Naruto shifted onto his side, gazing at the ceiling, and gradually her breathing deepened into the rhythm of sleep.
For once, exhaustion tugged at his own consciousness. Perhaps he could actually sleep too…
"Goodnight," he murmured to the quiet room, never expecting an answer.
But after a pause, barely more than a breath—
"Goodnight, Naruto," came her barely audible reply.
i/Y1NfnA : A Night in Komorebi Mura's Most Luxurious Hotel
i/Y1cBPa : Extra — "Neji: On Gratefulness, but Not Too Much of It"
AN: See? Pretty short.
Next chapter: Trust