Kurenai froze mid-step, her hands instinctively moving to cover herself. "What are you doing?"
Hanekawa smiled at her flushed cheeks. Compared to Tsunade and Samui, she seemed almost impossibly innocent. "You're adorable."
"Flattery won't work!" Kurenai huffed, though her protest lacked conviction. The distraction had worked perfectly—she'd forgotten all about the strange scent clinging to him.
His gaze drifted lower, settling on her lips. "Kurenai..."
Kurenai's breath caught. She noticed his attention and felt suddenly lost for words. After a few seconds of charged silence, the awkwardness became unbearable. She spun around and bolted for the house.
"You haven't taken off your shoes yet," Hanekawa called after her, following easily.
Kurenai stopped dead. She turned back, gritted her teeth, and walked forward deliberately. "I'll do it myself."
"Let me help." Without waiting for permission, Hanekawa crouched down and grasped her ankle.
The soft touch made him smile. He pinched gently, testing the delicate skin.
Kurenai's instep tightened involuntarily, her toes curling. "Stop—that tickles!"
She tried to pull away, but with one foot held, her balance shattered. She stumbled forward with a small cry.
Hanekawa caught her smoothly, his arms steady around her waist.
"This is your fault!" Kurenai glared up at him, though her indignation was undermined by the fact she was pressed against his chest.
"Entirely my fault," he agreed, grinning. "Let me get the other shoe."
"Don't you dare tickle me again!" She pointed a warning finger at him. "I'll kick you!"
Hanekawa's eyes flicked to her bare feet, clearly tempted. He thought better of it and simply removed her other shoe with practiced efficiency, revealing delicate feet that made him want to—
"I'm hungry! Go cook!" Kurenai announced, stepping back quickly and padding away barefoot.
Smart girl.
---
In the kitchen, Hanekawa prepared grilled fish, miso soup, and rice. Kurenai appeared in the doorway, watching.
"Why are you lurking there?" he asked without looking up.
"I have nothing else to do," she said, then hesitated. "Do you need help?"
"No, but come here and try this." He held up a piece of grilled fish.
She opened her mouth immediately, biting into it with a satisfied hum. While she chewed, he reached over and ruffled her hair.
Kurenai made a soft sound of protest but didn't pull away, too focused on the food.
---
They ate together at the table. Kurenai picked up her chopsticks, then paused. "Why are you watching me eat? It's uncomfortable."
"If you can't finish, I'll help," Hanekawa offered, serving her rice.
"I can manage this much," she said seriously.
"I accepted an S-rank mission today," he said, changing the subject.
Her eyes lit up immediately. "What kind?"
"A ninja named Shennong stole one of Konoha's sealing techniques. We need to recover it from the ruins of the old Sky Village."
"The Sky Village?" Kurenai tilted her head thoughtfully. "I heard all their ninjas could fly. Is that true?"
"Partially. They use chakra-powered tools, not ninjutsu."
Kurenai's face fell slightly. "I wanted to learn flying techniques..."
"You want to fly?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow.
"Of course! Flying through the air sounds amazing!" She said it with such certainty that he couldn't help but smile.
"I'll take you flying after dinner."
Kurenai's eyes widened. "Really?"
"I know a flying technique," he confirmed, tapping her forehead. "How's that sound?"
"Great!" She practically vibrated with excitement. "I need to eat faster!"
She tried to eat quickly but kept slowing down, anticipation making her clumsy.
---
The moment they finished, Kurenai grabbed his hand. "Let's go!"
"Hold on tight," Hanekawa said, spreading his arms.
"Don't touch me!" she said sharply, remembering the earlier spanking. She wrapped her arms around his waist instead.
The next second, she shrieked as his fingers pinched her thigh, sinking into the soft flesh.
"What are you doing?!" she demanded.
"You said not to touch you," he replied with mock seriousness. "You didn't say anything about pinching."
"Hateful!" She grabbed his waist and twisted hard.
Hanekawa gasped, and Kurenai immediately panicked. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," he assured her, smiling. "Ready? I'm taking off now—don't let go."
Kurenai clung to him tightly as they lifted into the air.
"Wow!" she cried out, her voice carrying on the wind. She twisted to look around, then down at the miniaturized village below. The height made her dizzy, so she looked up instead—at the star-filled sky.
"So beautiful," she whispered.
"You're prettier," Hanekawa said softly, meeting her ruby eyes.
Kurenai froze as his face drew closer. Her eyelashes trembled, her breathing quickened.
"Kurenai, you have nowhere to run now," he murmured.
She opened her mouth, panic and something else warring in her expression. She wanted to protest, but they were suspended in midair—she couldn't let go.
Looking at his teasing expression, she made a split-second decision. She leaned forward and kissed him quickly, then immediately turned her head away, her face burning.
"That was quick," Hanekawa said, amusement clear in his voice as he leaned close to her ear. "Want to try again?"
"You... let me go..." she whispered, trembling.
"Look at me," he commanded gently.
She raised her head instinctively, and his mouth found hers again. This time, he didn't rush. Her soft moan escaped as she tried to process what was happening, her eyes going wide before fluttering closed.
When they finally separated, Kurenai was breathless, her lips moist and slightly parted. She looked at him in disbelief, thinking, How dare you...
But before she could voice it, he kissed her again, deeper this time. She found herself responding despite her inexperience, caught between resistance and surrender until her mouth went dry.
Hanekawa slowly descended, finally setting them down. Kurenai was still dazed, her face flushed, her breathing uneven.
"Still thinking about it?" he asked with a smile.
"N-no!" She quickly let go and ran toward the house. "I'm taking a shower!"
"Why run? I'm not going to eat you," he called after her.
"That's not—" She bit off the response, her face somehow getting even redder as she realized what she'd almost said. The bathroom door slammed behind her.
---
Half an hour later, Hanekawa heard footsteps. Kurenai emerged in a yukata, her hair still damp. She hesitated before walking over and sitting beside him.
He reached out, using a small Fire Style technique to dry her hair gently. She glanced at him, then looked away, her bare feet swaying slightly in the air.
"All done," he said, touching her head. "Get some sleep."
Kurenai stood, then surprised him by standing on her tiptoes and kissing him quickly before disappearing into her room.
Hanekawa sat for a moment, then headed to shower. The feeling Kurenai gave him was different from Tsunade or Samui—softer, somehow. But he liked it.
After his shower, instead of sleeping, he continued practicing Sage Mode. Strength was always worth pursuing.
---
Late that night, Hanekawa used the Flying Thunder God Technique to reach Samui's room. The lights were off, but his perception made it as clear as day.
Samui was waiting for him, bare skin luminous in the darkness.
"Hanekawa," she murmured, moving toward him as he slipped into bed beside her.
Another gentle night.
---
Early Morning
When Hanekawa woke, Samui was wrapped around him like a snake, her face still flushed from sleep.
"Sleep a bit longer," he said, patting her hip. "I'll be back later."
She released him obediently, turning over as he gathered his clothes.
After showering, he prepared breakfast for Tsunade before heading to Kurenai's house. He was grateful for the Flying Thunder God Technique—without it, he'd never manage the schedule.
He knocked on her door. To his surprise, Kurenai answered looking sleepy, her hair disheveled.
"Insomnia?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted softly, not meeting his eyes.
He could guess why. Innocent girl.
"Go wash up," he said, heading to the kitchen.
Kurenai sighed with relief once he was gone.
Breakfast was ready quickly. "I've already eaten at Teacher's place," Hanekawa said. "If you need anything, come find me at ANBU."
"Ah," Kurenai said, reluctance clear in her expression.
He bent down and kissed her gently before leaving.
Kurenai stood frozen for a moment, then a happy smile bloomed across her face.
---
The Mission Begins
By Monday, Hanekawa was at his desk reviewing documents. Since the Third War ended, Konoha had been peaceful. Most reports were trivial.
"Lord Hanekawa," Samui entered in her ANBU uniform. "I've notified the First Division."
"Thank you, Samui." He stood and approached her. "You've worked hard."
"This is my duty—" She stopped mid-sentence as his hand found the inside of her thigh, stroking gently. A faint blush colored her cheeks as she shivered.
"Your reward," he said with a smile, continuing his caress.
"Thank you," she breathed, her legs weakening slightly.
"I'm beginning to wonder if you're really a Water Style user," he teased, withdrawing his hand.
Samui didn't dare look at him, but she unconsciously licked the corner of her mouth, her blush deepening.
"Take the First Division and wait at Konoha's main gate," he ordered. "I'll meet you there."
"Yes," she said reluctantly, leaving the office.
---
At the Village Gate
"Kurenai, you seem happy today," Nohara Rin observed with a smile as Kurenai practically glowed.
"I haven't been on a mission in a while," Kurenai explained, though the real reason was the kisses she and Hanekawa had shared all week. If there were special effects, hearts would be floating around her.
When Hanekawa appeared, Kurenai immediately moved toward him. "Good morning."
"Good morning," he replied gently, reaching for her head.
"You already said that at home!" she protested with a smile. If Rin hadn't been there, she would have kissed him.
Rin's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Let's move out," Hanekawa said. "The Sky Village isn't far—we can reach it in half a day."
As they traveled, he explained the mission: Shennong had stolen sealing techniques and created the Angkor Fortress, a flying stronghold. Their goal was to recover the techniques and neutralize the threat.
"So we just knock him down?" Kurenai asked eagerly.
"We'll assess the situation first," Hanekawa replied. "Our real target is the fortress itself. It has a critical weakness—parasites from the Aburame clan can destroy its precision systems."
---
At the Ruins
By noon, they'd reached the old Sky Village. Hanekawa closed his eyes, extending his perception.
The Angkor Fortress was massive, hidden beneath the forest. He sensed nearly a hundred ninjas inside—mostly weak, with perhaps five jonin-level fighters. But he didn't sense Shennong.
"The fortress is directly below us," he told the team. "Kurenai, Rin, go down with Samui and the First Division. Take control as quickly as possible."
"What about you?" Kurenai asked immediately.
"I'm finding Shennong. He's not in the fortress."
"I'm coming with you!" she said without hesitation.
"No." Hanekawa shook his head. "There are nearly a hundred ninjas down there. You're needed there."
Kurenai wanted to argue, but she understood the logic. "Be careful," she said seriously.
Hanekawa nodded and threw a Flying Thunder God kunai into the distance before vanishing.
---
The Confrontation
In a small village, Hanekawa found Shennong treating villagers. When the last patient left, Shennong noticed him and went pale.
"Hanekawa! What brings you here?"
"Return what you stole from Konoha," Hanekawa said simply.
"I don't know what you mean," Shennong replied, but his composure cracked when Hanekawa mentioned the Angkor Fortress.
"My people are taking it as we speak," Hanekawa said calmly. "You could try to stop them."
Shennong's face twisted with rage. Without another word, he began forming seals, his body transforming through physical regeneration and activation. His skinny frame became muscular and powerful, radiating dangerous chakra.
He charged without hesitation.
Hanekawa threw a casual punch to meet him.
The collision sent shockwaves rippling outward. Shennong flew backward like a cannonball, hitting the ground hard. But his regeneration kept him alive, uninjured.
Desperate, Shennong opened the Eighth Gate.
Terrifying chakra erupted from his body, the air itself seeming to scream. His speed became almost impossible to track.
Hanekawa felt the force of his assault and raised an eyebrow. Impressive—almost like Might Duy's Seventh Gate.
"Go to hell!" Shennong roared, moving like a drill through space.
Hanekawa clapped his hands.
Wood Style: Tree Realm Emergence!
Massive trees erupted from the ground, but Shennong's chakra-enhanced form punched through them like paper, his momentum barely slowing.
When he was two meters away, the trees finally stopped him.
"How is this possible?" Shennong stared in disbelief.
"You haven't learned the physical techniques that accompany the Eight Gates," Hanekawa observed. "That's your weakness."
Shennong roared and attacked again, his fists creating dark chakra projectiles that shredded the trees. He broke free and came at Hanekawa once more.
Hanekawa activated his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and dodged left, then right. When Shennong tried to kick him, Hanekawa caught the blow on crossed arms, sending him flying backward.
More vines erupted to bind him, but Shennong's power was immense. He broke free, his chakra becoming a tsunami of destruction.
Hanekawa met him head-on.
Thunder Release Chakra Mode!
Earth Style: Rock Fist!
His arm transformed to stone as it collided with Shennong's fist. The impact created a massive shockwave, cracking the earth beneath them.
Shennong flew backward again, and this time he didn't get up. His muscular form deflated like a balloon, chakra leaking away as he reverted to an elderly man, the side effects of his techniques catching up with him.
Hanekawa felt satisfied. The Eight Gates were powerful, but manageable. With proper training and medical support, they could be a valuable asset to Konoha.
He headed back toward the fortress, where his team was waiting.
---