"Hire me and Anko to protect the children?"
Kurenai Yuhi stared at Raizen with wide eyes.
Raizen nodded. "Exactly. You're both Jōnin; protecting a group of infants will be a breeze for you. While I'm away these next few days, I want to hire the two of you to ensure their safety."
Kurenai smiled. "There's no need to 'hire' me! Given our relationship, helping out is a small matter."
Raizen nodded appreciatively. "Between us, we don't need to be formal, but I still have to provide a reward for Anko. I'd feel bad troubling her otherwise."
"Mhm!" Kurenai agreed.
Raizen tightened his grip around Kurenai's slender waist. "I don't plan on leaving tonight."
Kurenai's face flushed instantly. She shook her head. "No, you're not allowed to stay."
Raizen leaned in, his lips brushing against her earlobe. "Why not? You're my fiancée. I have every right to stay here."
Kurenai continued to shake her head, her voice a soft protest. "You're a bad man. I'm not letting you stay."
"I promise I won't get up to any 'bad' business," Raizen countered.
"No, I don't believe you. You're a big liar," Kurenai whispered.
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"You just are."
"I swear, I won't trick you."
Kurenai looked at him skeptically. "Really?"
Raizen nodded. "Truer than pearls."
"Then... I suppose I'll trust you for now."
Raizen used the Flying Raijin to return home briefly, having dinner with Momoko and the others. After letting them know his plans, he teleported back to Kurenai's house.
After they had both finished bathing, Raizen entered the bedroom and looked at Kurenai with a playful smile. Kurenai met his gaze, her face burning with bashful modesty.
She stared at him intently. "We had a deal. No getting up to no good."
Raizen nodded. "Mhm, I know."
He grabbed a spare mattress, laid it out on the floor beside Kurenai's bed, climbed in, and pulled up the covers. He smiled at her. "Goodnight, darling."
With that, Raizen closed his eyes and was soon breathing deeply in sleep.
Kurenai sat there, utterly bewildered. He's really... just going to sleep? Without doing anything?
After a while, unable to catch any sleep herself, Kurenai whispered, "Raizen-kun, are you awake?"
"I'm asleep," Raizen murmured back. "It's just... a bit chilly. Can I move a little closer?"
"Then... come a bit closer," Kurenai whispered back.
Raizen rolled over to her side.
"Is that warmer?" Kurenai asked, her face red even in the dim light.
"Still a bit cold," Raizen said. Before she could react, he lifted the corner of her duvet and slipped inside.
"Raizen-kun! You—why are you in my bed?!" Kurenai felt her entire body go stiff at the sudden contact of his warmth.
"Much warmer now," Raizen sighed.
"You said... no bad business," Kurenai reminded him weakly.
"What bad business?" Raizen asked, simply pulling her into his arms.
Kurenai's face was beet-red, practically steaming. She waited, but after a long time, Raizen made no further moves. She turned her head cautiously and found that his breathing was steady; he had actually fallen asleep.
How embarrassing... she thought. The only one thinking of 'bad business' was me.
But Raizen-kun is so handsome when he sleeps. I love him so much.
Kurenai turned on her side to face him, watching him quietly. Thus, the two slept face-to-face. Nothing happened.
The next morning, Kurenai woke to find the space beside her empty. Soon, a savory aroma drifted into the room. She stood up groggily and followed her nose to the kitchen.
"You're awake, Kurenai."
Raizen was wearing an apron, spatula in hand, skillfully stir-frying.
"Raizen-kun, you can cook?" Kurenai yawned, walking over. "Mmm, it smells incredible!" Her mouth began to water at the scent.
"Go wash up quickly. It's almost ready."
"Mhm!" Kurenai nodded excitedly.
Soon, Raizen set the table with several steaming dishes. Kurenai, freshly washed, sat down and stared at the spread with glowing eyes. "It smells so good! Raizen-kun, where did you learn this? I've never seen dishes made like this before."
Raizen sat down beside her. "When I was wandering alone, I had to feed myself. I'm self-taught." He offered a small, white lie.
Kurenai blinked. "Raizen-kun... it must have been so hard, wandering all by yourself."
"It wasn't that bad. Now eat up—I made these specifically for my darling." Raizen picked up a piece of braised pork and fed it to her.
"Mmm! It's delicious! Truly incredible!" Kurenai's face radiated pure happiness. "You eat too, Raizen-kun." She chewed happily and returned the gesture, feeding him a piece.
Suddenly, a voice boomed from outside.
"Little Kurenai! What did you make that smells so good? I could smell it from my house!"
With that, Anko Mitarashi pushed the door open, still wearing her pajamas. "Hehe, Raizen's here too!" Seeing him didn't faze her in the slightest. She sat down casually. "This looks like a lot. I'm eating too."
Kurenai rolled her eyes at her friend. Raizen laughed and went to the kitchen to fetch another set of bowls and chopsticks.
"You've arrived at the perfect time, Anko. I was just about to look for you." Raizen handed her the chopsticks.
"Look for me?" Anko asked, popping a braised rib into her mouth and looking at him curiously.
Raizen nodded. "Yes. I have a mission I'd like to entrust to you."
Anko stared at him. "What mission? If it's 'Seeking Heirs,' I'm not doing it! Go find your Little Kurenai. Her chest might be small, but she's got the hips to handle it."
"Little Bean! Who are you calling small?!" Kurenai snapped, clearly displeased at being disparaged in front of her fiancé.
"You are small. Do you really think yours are bigger than mine?" Anko countered, puffing out her chest without a hint of shame.
"Hahaha," Raizen let out an awkward laugh as the two started comparing measurements. "Anko, it's not the 'Seeking Heirs' mission. It's something else entirely."
Anko paused. "What is it? I'm not doing anything troublesome or low-paying."
"It's not troublesome at all. Very easy, in fact. I need to leave Konoha for a few days, and I want you to protect my children while I'm gone. I can pay you 200,000 Ryo for your time."
"Isn't Little Kurenai here? She's a Jōnin too; surely she's enough for protection?" Anko looked at Kurenai, then her eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Wait... are you two planning to sneak off on a honeymoon together?!"
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