Tenten's curiosity was completely hooked by Hinata's beautiful Little White Snake, and she wasn't listening to what they were chatting about at all.
The more she looked, the more she felt those jade-like scales were beautiful and its little head was cute. Plus, with Hinata saying it had a gentle temperament, she couldn't help but grow bolder.
"Hinata... can I... can I touch it?" Tenten asked tentatively.
Before Hinata could answer, Little White on her shoulder seemed to understand, raising its slender body slightly. It didn't show any aggression; instead, it tilted its head, looking curious.
"You can try."
Hinata extended her hand, and Little White crawled onto her arm, stretching towards Tenten to make it easier for her to touch.
Tenten was delighted. She carefully extended her finger, holding her breath, and slowly reached toward the Little White Snake's smooth, cool body. Just as her fingertip was about to touch it, Little White suddenly moved.
It didn't attack, but with a nimble speed inconsistent with its lazy appearance, it "whooshed" and launched itself from Hinata's wrist. Its slender body traced a white line in the air, landing precisely on a dry rock at the edge of the hot spring pool.
It was less than half a foot away from Tenten's face, staring at her with its big eyes.
"Wahhh—!" Tenten was completely unprepared and was startled by the sudden, magnified snake face right in front of her!
The young girl's subconscious fear and scream made her jerk backward like a frightened rabbit!
The hot spring pool wasn't very big. With this retreat, her foot slipped on the smooth pool bottom, she instantly lost her balance, and she fell backward with a scream.
And right behind her was Hinata, who was soaking in the hot spring.
Splash! Crash! Water sprayed everywhere.
Tenten flailed her arms in a panic, but she still landed firmly in the hot spring—or more accurately, she landed right in the arms of Hinata, who was directly behind her.
Hinata clearly hadn't expected Little White to pull such a stunt, nor had she expected Tenten's reaction to be so intense.
She was sat upon firmly by Tenten, and the warm spring water surged up, wetting more of their hair and cheeks.
In her panic, Tenten's hands instinctively grabbed out, catching Hinata's waist. She curled almost entirely into Hinata's embrace, her head subconsciously burying itself near Hinata's neck.
The air was quiet for a few seconds before Tenten suddenly realized what happened.
"Cough, cough... Sor-sorry, Hinata! I... it suddenly..."
Tenten lifted her head from Hinata's embrace, her face red enough to drip blood—half from shock, half from immense embarrassment.
She had actually been scared by a little snake and dove into her companion's arms! Too embarrassing!
Meanwhile, the "culprit," Little White, was currently coiling leisurely on that rock. Its small head was slightly raised, watching the disheveled Tenten and the Hinata she was holding in the pool. Its tail tip flicked gently, as if it were feeling smug.
Tsunade took in everything, stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but "pfft" and burst into laughter. The laughter grew louder and louder, echoing heroically through the hot spring courtyard.
"Hahahaha! The snake you raised, little one, has quite a personality! It did that on purpose, right? Look how scared Tenten is!"
Hinata was held tightly by Tenten. The warm spring water mixed with the sensation of the young girl's soft body made her stiffen for a moment. A feeling of pressure came from the front; the two spheres collided.
Immediately after, the faint fragrance emanating from Tenten also wafted over.
Hinata let Tenten hold her, glancing at Little White, who seemed somewhat "smug" on the rock.
(Well done, Bruce, you did great.)
Hinata was secretly pleased, but on the surface, she still spoke to Little White with a straight face.
"Little White, don't mess around."
Hearing its master's voice, Little White flicked its tail tip again, then slowly slid down from the rock, returning to Hinata's side unhurriedly, as if the prank just now had never happened.
Tenten was still hanging onto Hinata, her heart not yet settled. Seeing the little snake return, she subconsciously shrank back again, but upon discovering it had returned to that harmless, obedient appearance, she slowly let out a sigh of relief. Her gaze, however, couldn't help but glance toward the now-quiet Little White Snake.
Seeing it now looking harmless to humans and animals, even somewhat obedient and cute—as if it were a different snake from the swift and "scary" one just a moment ago—she felt she was ready again.
She bit her lower lip, her gaze wandering between the Little White Snake and Hinata's calm profile. Finally, unable to resist, she carefully spoke up again, her voice softer than before, carrying a hint of hesitation and embarrassment.
"Um... Hinata... is it... can I try touching it again? Just once..." Tenten extended her index finger to demonstrate, her eyes filled with both anticipation and a hint of nervousness.
Hinata tilted her head slightly, stared at it for a moment, and then spoke.
"You can." Hinata held Little White in her palm and moved it in front of Tenten.
Tenten held her breath, her heart pounding from anticipation and a little bit of nervousness.
This time, her movements were slower, inching closer to the snake's body.
Finally, her fingertips gently touched the cool, smooth white scales.
The sensation wasn't as scary as she had imagined; instead, it had a unique, moist, and cool comfort, like high-quality jade, but with the suppleness of life.
Seeing that Little White had no reaction, Tenten grew a bit bolder. Using her fingertips, she stroked it very gently in the direction of the scales' growth. The Little White Snake's scales were arranged tightly and neatly, feeling incredibly smooth to the touch.
"So smooth..." Tenten couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice, her eyes brightening even more. The previous shock had long been replaced by novelty and joy.
"So beautiful..."
Little White seemed to enjoy this gentle stroking, its eyes narrowing comfortably, and its tail tip flicking happily, splashing tiny ripples of water.
Seeing it so cooperative, Tenten completely relaxed, a bright smile blossoming on her face as she began to stroke it more boldly.
Hinata took the opportunity to hand Little White over completely, letting her hold it in her palms to play with.
Tsunade took in this scene, smiling as she took a sip of wine.
"Just a moment ago it was scaring people, and now it's enjoying it. It's full of spirit."
In the hot spring pool, the atmosphere became warm and interesting again. Tenten was focused on "petting the snake," while Tsunade watched with great interest.
After a while, Tenten was satisfied. She placed Little White by the hot spring, then suddenly remembered she was still sitting in Hinata's lap and hurriedly got up.
"Th-thank you..." Tenten steadied herself, feeling extremely embarrassed. Hinata's hair had been soaked by the water she splashed.
"Sorry, Hinata, I got you wet..."
Indeed, she was wet, Hinata thought.
"It's fine. It's a hot spring, it's normal."
Tenten scratched her head embarrassedly, "It scared me to death... But looking closely, it's really beautiful. Does it only listen to you now?"
Hinata glanced at Tenten and answered, "For now, yes."
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