Samui gazed ahead as the Forest of Death came into view. One more day until she'd see Konoha again—until she'd see Hanekawa.
The separation had been torture. Three autumns without seeing someone you cared about, as the saying went. She'd felt it acutely during her time back in the Hidden Cloud, that strange ache in her chest, the numbness spreading through her limbs.
"Is that Hanekawa?" Atsui's surprised voice cut through her thoughts.
Samui's head snapped up. Sure enough, there he was, waiting at the village entrance. Her heart did an involuntary flip. She knew the real reason he'd come—not out of diplomatic necessity, but because of her.
The warmth that bloomed in her chest was almost painful.
"Welcome back," Hanekawa said casually, his eyes lingering on her face for just a moment longer than necessary. "Long time no see."
Samui forced her expression into professional neutrality. "Thank you for greeting us, Lord Hanekawa."
After exchanging brief pleasantries with the others, he vanished using the Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Atsui scratching his head in confusion.
"He barely stayed," Atsui muttered.
Samui said nothing, already knowing the answer. Hanekawa couldn't afford to linger with outsiders watching. But she understood the message: later.
---
By noon, Samui had changed into a secretary's uniform and made her way to the ANBU base. The black suit hugged her frame perfectly, the high heels adding inches to her already impressive height. She'd chosen this deliberately.
When she entered Hanekawa's office, his eyes widened slightly—the only tell she'd get from him in public.
"The handover work isn't finished yet," she said, keeping her voice steady despite the flutter in her stomach. "I asked Atsui to handle it. He needs more experience anyway."
Hanekawa's hand found her hip, and she felt her knees weaken at his touch. His fingers traced the curve of her thigh through the black stockings, and she had to grip the edge of his desk to stay upright.
"I see you're impatient too," he murmured.
What followed was a blur of sensation—his lips on hers, her suit coming undone, the world narrowing to just the two of them. When he finally pulled back, she was trembling.
"I still have work," he said softly, gesturing for her to kneel.
Samui hesitated for only a moment before understanding. She bit her lip and complied, determined to prove her devotion in this way.
---
Later, after they'd cleaned up and she'd caught her breath, Hanekawa made an unexpected offer.
"Would you consider joining the ANBU?"
Samui blinked. "But I'm from the Hidden Cloud..."
"That doesn't matter. ANBU operatives don't reveal their identities." He smiled. "Besides, you'd be working as my secretary. No one needs to know."
The prospect of staying close to him, of having legitimate reasons to be in his presence—it was too good to refuse. "I'll join."
He produced an ANBU uniform and explained the arrangement. When he mentioned she'd need to disguise her figure to avoid recognition, she felt a flush of pleasure at the compliment hidden in his words.
---
That evening, at his residence, Hanekawa drew a bath. When Samui emerged from the bathroom, she found him already waiting. She knelt behind him, running a bath ball across his shoulders, trying to focus on the task despite her racing heart.
"When you have time, come to my office in your ANBU uniform," he said casually. "Your job is to be my secretary."
"Understood," she replied softly.
"What animal mask do you prefer?"
"A dragon," she admitted quietly, thinking of his title—the Dragon of Konoha.
"Then I'll have a dragon girl mask made for you."
Later, as they soaked together, Samui found herself lost in the moment, in the warmth of his presence, in the knowledge that he wanted her close. When exhaustion finally claimed her, he carried her to bed and held her while she slept.
---
The next morning, Samui woke to find Hanekawa lying on her bed, waiting. He'd brought her mask—a beautiful dragon design.
"Your code name will be Dragon Girl," he said, pulling her close.
She nodded, unable to speak past the emotion in her throat.
---
By afternoon, she was working at the ANBU base in her new uniform and mask, learning the systems and procedures from Aoi. The work was straightforward, but more importantly, it gave her legitimate reasons to be near Hanekawa throughout the day.
When she returned to his office later, he was reviewing documents. She stood behind him, massaging his shoulders, and felt him squeeze her thigh in appreciation. They worked in comfortable silence, two people existing in their own private world within the larger structure of the village.
"How do you feel?" he asked as the workday ended.
"Fulfilled," she answered honestly. Before, her job in the Hidden Cloud had been routine, often boring. Now, every moment felt charged with purpose and meaning.
"Come with me on a mission next week," he said, removing her mask and pulling her into his arms. "I'll see you tonight."
As he kissed her, Samui felt the last of her doubts dissolve. This was enough. Being near him, serving him, having these stolen moments—it was more than she'd ever expected.
---