**Chapter 10: Bonds**
A pair of captivating eyes curved into crescent moons as Haku said softly, "Hello. I really like your eyes."
"Is that so?"
Naruto moved closer to Haku and crouched down to drape his jacket over her. "It's getting cold. Be careful not to catch a cold."
"Mm."
Haku's joy was palpable.
"Come on, let's get up."
Naruto took Haku's small, delicate hand, his face lit up with a sunny smile.
"Mm..."
Nodding, Haku used Naruto's support to stand.
*It must be because she hasn't eaten properly for days,* Naruto thought.
Just as Haku stood, she swayed weakly and collapsed into Naruto's arms.
"Careful!"
Naruto cried out in alarm, catching her with both arms.
The two huddled together for warmth, their hearts glowing with warmth despite the chill of the deserted street.
"Come with me, okay?"
Naruto gently stroked Haku's head, his voice tender.
"Mm."
Shy and reserved, Haku didn't offer much more.
But the joy in his heart was plain on his face for anyone to see.
"Alright, come on then."
Releasing Haku, Naruto turned his back to her and said, "Hop on."
"B-but... is that okay?" Haku's expression clouded with worry.
"It's fine. I'll carry you."
Seeing that Haku wasn't going to make a move, Naruto simply crouched down and hoisted her onto his back.
Feeling her soft weight against his back and the warmth of her breath so close to his neck, Naruto's heart skipped a beat.
Suppressing the flutter in his chest, he adjusted Haku's position and began retracing their steps...
"Here we are, Haku. How about we grab a bite to eat here?" Naruto asked, turning his head to smile at her.
"Mmm... okay..."
Haku, who had been greedily inhaling Naruto's scent with her eyes closed, fluttered her beautiful eyes open in a fluster and answered shyly.
"Great. Let's go inside then."
With Haku's consent, Naruto strode into the restaurant.
"Hey, boss! Bring out all your signature dishes. And make it plenty!"
Naruto greeted everyone with the enthusiasm of a nouveau riche entering a fancy restaurant.
"Uh..."
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Staring at the group of people giving him looks as if he were a complete idiot, Naruto froze for a moment. Then, he silently pulled Haku to an empty table nearby.
*It's better to keep a low profile.*
"Your order, sir..."
After a long wait, the waiter began bringing Naruto's dishes to the table, one by one.
Finally, he brought... a massive plate of rice.
"Uh... this..."
Staring at the mountain of rice, Naruto's lips twitched. "This should be enough..."
He glanced at the other tables, where people were enjoying small plates of appetizers and drinks. Only his table...
"Uh... Haku, let's ignore everyone else and eat."
Naruto forced a smile and handed Haku a bowl and chopsticks.
"Mm," Haku replied obediently, taking the utensils and placing them on the table.
Just as Naruto was about to pick up his chopsticks to eat—before he could even reach for them—he froze.
"Haku, what are you doing?" Naruto asked dumbly, watching her grab a handful of rice and stuff it into her mouth.
"Um... eating..." Haku replied with a shy smile. Her delicate cheeks flushed pink despite being slightly smudged with dirt.
"Haku, aren't you going to use chopsticks?" Naruto asked instinctively, before immediately realizing that her life skills were practically nonexistent.
"Haku, eating like that isn't hygienic. Here, let me show you how to use chopsticks." Naruto handed her his chopsticks and demonstrated the proper grip.
"Okay," Haku said, releasing the rice she had already mashed into a ball and gently gripping the chopsticks.
Several minutes later...
"Come on, Haku, be a good girl and open your mouth again." Cradling Haku in his arms, Naruto picked up a slice of meat with his chopsticks and brought it to her lips.
"Mmm," Haku hummed softly, her blush still deepening as she gently opened her mouth and took the meat into her mouth.
After more than ten minutes of fruitless attempts to teach her, Naruto had resolutely resorted to feeding her himself.
"Learning can wait, we can take it slow," Naruto said.
"Naruto-nii, I'm full," Haku whispered, calling him "nii" as Naruto had suggested. Her rosy cheeks betrayed her continued shyness.
"Alright, let's go then," Naruto said, patting his slightly protruding stomach as he glanced at the table.
It was only then that Naruto realized his question to Haku had been entirely unnecessary. The chaotic state of the table made it clear there was nothing left to eat except for the vegetable broth, which they could still drink...
Picking Haku up, Naruto paid the bill and left the restaurant.
"Haku, you don't mind me carrying you like this, do you? You're full, and carrying you on my back might be bad for your stomach." Naruto lowered his head to ask Haku, who was nestled quietly in his arms.
"No, thank you, Naruto-nii," Haku replied, her shy smile radiant with happiness.
"It's nothing, don't mention it," Naruto said, his gaze drifting aimlessly into the distance, his own face unusually flushed...
The two tacitly avoided delving deeper into the matter. In truth, Haku had been able to walk on her own for some time.
By the time they reached an inn, evening had already fallen. Naruto, carrying Haku in his arms, rented a room, ignoring the strange looks from the other guests. After collecting the key, he bounded up the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the building.
*Click, bang!*
He swiftly opened the door, rushed inside, and locked it just as quickly. Naruto threw himself onto the bed with a contented sigh. "Whew... finally back in contact with my beloved bed..."
"N... Naruto-nii-san..." Haku murmured, nestled in his arms, her delicate body trembling slightly.
"Uh..."
Only then did Naruto realize he was still holding Haku. He quickly released her, scratching his head with an embarrassed grin. "Haku, why don't you go take a bath first?"
"Okay," Haku replied, her fair cheeks flushing an inexplicable crimson.
"Oh, and here's your nightgown," Naruto said, handing her the garment. "These are your clothes for tomorrow morning. I'll leave them at the head of the bed."
"Oh."
Haku nodded, took the nightgown, and headed toward the bathroom with a soft reply.
(End of Chapter)