"Na...Naruto-kunsan."
Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, Naruto was startled awake by Haku's soft voice.
"What is it?"
Rubbing his bleary eyes, Naruto got out of bed, still half-asleep, and walked over to the bathroom door.
"Um… the water's not coming out."
There was a hint of grievance in Haku's gentle voice.
"Oh… You don't know how to use the showerhead?"
Naruto mumbled as he slid the door open and stepped inside. "It's pretty simple. Let me show you."
"See, twist it this way and the water comes out. Turn it the other way and it stops."
Naruto groggily turned the knob, demonstrated it once, and was about to head back to bed, until he looked at Haku.
He froze.
"Uh… I-I'll wait outside. Take your time."
He fled the bathroom in a panic, his face burning red like never before.
That was way too close. And she was… completely…
"Why was Naruto-kunsan acting so flustered?" Haku tilted her head in confusion, then stepped under the cascading water to wash up.
"Mmm… Haku… don't do that… we're still kids…"
Naruto mumbled in his sleep, face flushed, lost in a dream.
"So hot…"
He wiped his forehead and slowly opened his eyes, feeling something warm and soft draped over him.
"It smells nice… like shampoo."
He took a deep breath, then looked to his side, Haku was sound asleep, leaning against his shoulder.
Naruto gently brushed her hair aside and lifted her face in his hands. He'd always been curious about how beautiful she really was in person.
And now that he saw her clearly, he was stunned.
Her face was like a lotus in bloom, delicate and flawless. Haku truly looked like a celestial maiden untouched by the mortal world, so pure, so beautiful.
Naruto gazed at her for a few more seconds, enchanted, then tried to sit up.
"Ugh…"
Trying not to disturb her, he gently lifted Haku's petite body and laid her down beside him, pulling the blanket over her before getting out of bed.
"Phew…"
Glancing down at himself, Naruto gave a bitter smile. "This is what happens when you have that kind of dream…"
He went to the bathroom to take a cold shower, trying to calm himself down.
After drying off and getting dressed, Naruto sat on the edge of the bed, staring absently out the window.
"Naruto-kunsan, you're already up?"
Haku stirred and sat up halfway, naturally snuggling up to Naruto's waist, her expression full of dependence and warmth.
"I can't believe it… In less than a day, things between me and Haku have already gone this far," Naruto thought, dazed.
"Haku, are you fully awake?"
He turned and lifted her into his arms with a smile.
"Mhm. Naruto-kunsan, I haven't felt this relaxed in a long time."
Her face radiated contentment.
After a little while of cuddling, Naruto let Haku down so she could freshen up.
"Haku, once we stop by the Land of Waves for a bit, we'll head home."
As they walked, Naruto glanced at her with a smile.
"Mhm."
Haku returned the look with a gentle nod, her expression full of joy.
Clang, clang, clang…
From afar, the sound of hammering echoed, it seemed the bridge work was underway.
"Hey, Kakashi-sensei!"
Waving from a distance, Naruto led Haku over.
"Hmm… Naruto, huh. Honestly, you didn't have to disappear for so long."
Kakashi gave him a helpless look.
"Hehe, I knew Kakashi-sensei wouldn't be mad."
Naruto grinned and pulled Haku closer, holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Aha… So this important 'business' of yours was bringing back a cute girl, huh?"
Kakashi sighed in mild exasperation.
"By the way, Kakashi-sensei, has anything happened since yesterday?"
Naruto quickly changed the subject.
"Well… there's been some minor stuff. Nothing serious," Kakashi replied with a shrug. "Yesterday afternoon, a guy named Gatō showed up with a bunch of thugs. The two leading them were called something like Zōri and Waraji or whatever. But they were small fry, not even worth worrying about. We dealt with them easily."
"Oh, I see."
Naruto nodded, taking it all in.
"Naruto! You jerk! You've been off having fun all this time while we, "
From a distance, Sakura came running up angrily, her voice laced with frustration… and something else harder to define.
But the moment she reached them, her voice abruptly stopped.
"This girl…"
Sakura stared at Haku, still holding hands with Naruto. A strange tightness settled in her chest.
"Why do I feel this way? Could it be… Naruto has a girlfriend?"
Her face paled slightly, and her vision blurred.
"Oh, this is Haku."
Naruto casually introduced her.
"Oh… okay…"
Sakura didn't even know what she was saying, she just muttered a response.
"Haku, this is Sakura. She's got a bit of a temper, but I like her."
Naruto chuckled, patting Sakura's shoulder.
"Hello, Miss Sakura."
Haku gave a sweet smile. If Naruto liked her, then she would like her too.
"Hi… Naruto, come here for a second!"
Sakura forced a smile and yanked Naruto by the shoulder, dragging him a few steps away.
"What's up, Sakura? You've finally realized your feelings for me, haven't you? I mean, look at this pose, so close…"
Naruto wiggled his eyebrows suggestively as they walked.
"Oh yes, I definitely have feelings for you," Sakura said sweetly, tracing a hand across his chest.
"W-whoa, Sakura, we can take it slow… there's no rush, "
Naruto, now a little dizzy from excitement, stammered.
"Mhm… we can keep being close like this…"
Sakura's hand slid down to his stomach and started to rub gently. "Like this."
WHAM!
"Ugh!"
Naruto nearly coughed up blood from the punch, staring wide-eyed at Sakura as she dusted off her hands casually.
"That's what you get for flirting with this beauty. Serves you right."
With a snort, Sakura turned and walked away, leaving behind an icy but elegant silhouette.
"Tch… This little brat's hard to tame. I'll fatten her up and deal with her later!"
Naruto rubbed his stomach, muttering excuses to himself.
Visit my Patreon for more: patreon.com/vynthor
Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
Naruto: Wandering with Beauties – 38 advanced chapters!
That's a total of 224 chapters ahead of public updates!
With your support, I release 10 chapters per fanfics every week, keeping the stories alive and growing.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey!