"Samui, I'm going out for a bit," Shinho murmured, looking down at Samui nestled in his arms. Her limbs were tightly wrapped around him, a soft, heavy weight against his body.
"Mmm," Samui mumbled, releasing her hold and rolling over to the other side of the futon. Her eyes remained closed throughout.
She was simply too exhausted.
Shinho glanced at the curve of her pale hip and couldn't resist giving it a light pat. The soft, yielding touch pleased him. He got up, dressed, and left.
The sparrow fashioned from paper led the way, guiding him quickly to Konan's tent. The sparrow quivered, then dissolved into paper scraps.
"Konan," Shinho called softly, standing at the entrance.
He waited for several seconds, but there was no response.
Asleep? He thought.
That didn't seem right. If she were already asleep, she wouldn't have been able to control the paper sparrow.
It wasn't a summoning technique, after all, just her unique paper manipulation jutsu.
After a moment's consideration, Shinho reached out and lifted the cloth flap, stepping inside.
The tent was sparsely furnished, with only a futon on the ground serving as a bed. He paused, taken aback.
Konan was lying on the bed, seemingly asleep.
Her eyes were closed, her breathing even. A thin blanket covered her, leaving only her head exposed.
Shinho's initial confusion quickly morphed into a raised eyebrow.
Konan was feigning sleep. As a Rank Six Gu Immortal, his senses were incredibly sharp.
He could detect the subtle increase in Konan's heartbeat and the slight quickening of her breath as he approached.
Such changes wouldn't have occurred if she were truly asleep.
Late night, a man and a woman alone, pretending to be asleep, offering no resistance... Shinho's mind flashed to a term frequently used in certain Japanese films – the kind that involved sleeping...ahem.
He wasn't exactly a saint, and with Konan playing possum like this, to do nothing would be practically inhumane.
He'd been battling all night, but the battle had merely been invigorating for him. Besides, he was a Rank Six Gu Immortal, not some ordinary mortal.
With that thought, Shinho crouched down and reached out, grasping the edge of the blanket covering Konan.
Slowly, he began to pull it back. A strange thrill coursed through him. He understood now why some people enjoyed these kind of things.
Snow-white shoulders and arms came into view. Shinho blinked.
She wasn't wearing anything underneath.
He pulled the blanket away completely, his gaze tracing the smooth expanse of her skin.
He swallowed involuntarily.
Konan lay there quietly, like a peeled popsicle, tempting him to take a taste.
Shinho's gaze fell upon her soft, rosy lips.
He lowered his head and kissed her. Konan's body trembled slightly, but her eyes remained closed.
She parted her lips, her breath coming in short, rapid gasps.
The kiss ended.
Shinho looked at the rise and fall of her chest as she took deep breaths.
Desire surged through him. Bathed in the moonlight, Konan was breathtakingly beautiful, living up to her codename, Angel.
With a flick of his wrist, the blanket rolled up and fell to the side.
Shinho's eyes widened.
He didn't hesitate any longer. He leaned over Konan, supporting himself with his arms as he gazed down at her.
"Konan?" Shinho whispered, noticing the slight flutter of her eyelashes.
There were no apparent response.
This was blatant feigning.
For a skilled kunoichi like Konan to remain unresponsive with someone practically on top of her was unbelievable.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale light into the tent. Two figures slowly merged together.
Konan's eyes fluttered open.
She bit her lip, a fine sheen of sweat appearing on her forehead.
"How are you?" Shinho asked solicitously.
"I...I'm fine," Konan replied, her brow furrowed as she shook her head.
"Why were you pretending to be asleep?" Shinho asked, nuzzling her pale cheek.
He wanted to distract her, but he was also genuinely curious.
"I... I was sleeping," Konan said, averting her gaze.
"Such a stubborn mouth," Shinho chuckled, shifting his weight. "Yet it's so soft."
Konan shuddered, clenching her fists.
More beads of sweat formed on her forehead, tracing paths down her cheeks to the pillow.
"Don't push yourself," Shinho said softly. "You can rest easy. I'll take care of things."
"Mm," Konan replied, meeting his gaze before closing her eyes once more.
But in the darkness, her other senses became heightened.
Soon, a wave of heat washed over her, spreading throughout her body. Her pale cheeks flushed, her cool demeanor taking on a fiery, seductive quality.
Finally, Konan couldn't hold back any longer.
She reached out, her slender arms encircling Shinho's neck.
Her body writhed beneath him, her eyes fluttering open to reveal depths of swirling emotion.
Shinho looked at Konan.
She was silent, her teeth clenched, but her entire being radiated an irresistible allure.
His passion ignited.
In the stillness of the night, Konan's voice finally broke the silence.
Time passed. The sounds eventually faded, leaving only the rhythm of their breathing.
The long night finally ended. The first rays of dawn painted the sky. Shinho woke up on time.
He looked down at Konan nestled in his arms.
She was sleeping soundly, the lingering traces of sweat on her pale cheeks and her hair clinging damply to her skin.
As a Gu Immortal, Shinho didn't require sleep, but Konan did. She had been too exhausted last night and still hadn't awakened.
"Sleep some more," Shinho whispered, kissing her gently before getting up. It was time to make breakfast.
He opened the tent flap, letting the cool sea breeze wash over him.
He glanced back at Konan before closing the flap. He turned toward the makeshift kitchen on the beach, but noticed someone had beaten him there.
Hinata, dressed in her swimsuit and cover-up, just as she had been yesterday, she stood by the stove, heating water.
"Hinata, good morning," Shinho greeted her, walking over. "What are you making?"
"Ramen," Hinata replied after a slight pause. "Lady Tsunade said she wanted ramen."
"Is she awake? I didn't see her," Shinho asked, scanning the area with a puzzled frown.
"I asked her earlier, but she went back to sleep. She said to wake her when it's ready," Hinata explained.
Shinho understood.
He reached out from behind and wrapped his arms around Hinata's waist. Hinata leaned into his embrace, a smile gracing her lips.
Although she didn't voice it, she knew Tsunade held a special place in Shinho's heart. As a devoted and caring partner, she knew her place.
"There's something I wanted to discuss with you," Shinho said, inhaling the faint, sweet scent of Hinata's neck. "It's about our marriage."
"M-marriage? What about it?" Hinata asked, turning to look at him.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious."
Shinho, watching her, leaned in and kissed her cheek.
"Mm," Hinata giggled shyly.
She had genuinely thought something had gone wrong with their wedding plans.
"I initially planned to hold the wedding at the Hyuga compound, but with Ino joining us, it's not quite appropriate anymore," Shinho said, gently stroking her smooth abdomen.
"That's true," Hinata agreed, quickly understanding his meaning.
The Yamanaka clan certainly wouldn't be pleased.
"I have an idea," Shinho said, his finger tracing circles around her navel.
Hinata glanced down, a blush creeping up her cheeks.
"I'll marry you in the morning, with the reception at the Hyuga compound," Shinho said, clearing his throat. "Then I'll marry Ino in the afternoon, with the reception at the Yamanaka compound." Even though he knew he was already a scoundrel, saying it out loud still felt incredibl terrible.
"I don't mind," Hinata said after a moment of thought. "But will Ino accept getting married second?"
"Hinata, you really are..." Shinho trailed off, speechless.
Unselfish, considerate, and always thinking of others – she was the perfect wife.
"Hm?" Hinata asked, tilting her head. "What is it?"
"Nothing," Shinho smiled. "She'll agree."
"Okay," Hinata replied, dropping the subject.
She opened the pot and added the ramen noodles.
Seeing this, Shinho released her.
Holding her while she cooked would be inconvenient.
"I'll go wake the others," Shinho said, deciding it was time.
He headed to Tsunade's tent. The sight that greeted him was... less than graceful.
Tsunade lay sprawled out, clinging to the blanket like an octopus. He couldn't really blame her though.
She usually slept curled up against him; in his absence, the blanket was the next best thing.
"Sensei," Shinho said, reaching out to pinch her nose.
Tsunade, half-asleep, grabbed his wrist.
With a slight tug, she pulled him into her arms, her long legs and slender arms wrapping around him.
Shino felt a heavy, fragrant weight pressing against his face. He instinctively opened his mouth.
"Ow! What was that for?!" Tsunade yelped, jolted awake.
"Time to wake up and eat some ramen," Shinho said, licking his lips.
"Fine!" Tsunade grumbled, releasing him and getting up to dress.
Shinho left the tent.
He looked around. The others were already up and about, washing up.
Only Konan was missing.
It was understandable; she was still new to all of this.
Shinho hurried to Konan's tent.
He stepped inside and found her still asleep. She lay quietly on the bed, her posture graceful, unlike Tsunade's haphazard sprawl.
"Konan," Shinho whispered, reaching out to caress her cheek.
Konan's eyelashes fluttered, her eyelids slowly lifting to reveal her amber eyes. She looked at Shinho, her lips parting slightly.
Her mouth felt dry.
"Time for ramen," Shinho said, channeling immortal essence into his palm and gently running it over her body.
"Thank you," Konan murmured, feeling a surge of energy. She sat up in bed.
The blanket slipped down, revealing her naked body. She instinctively crossed her arms, a blush coloring her usually stoic features.
"Get dressed," Shinho said quickly, averting his gaze.
He couldn't afford to get distracted. If he was late for breakfast, the other women would devour him alive.
Besides, it was time to eat, not for extracurricular activities.
Soon, everyone was gathered on the beach, eating breakfast.
"What's the plan for today?" Tsunade asked Shinho, her lips glistening with oil from the ramen she'd just slurped.
She looked alluring.
"What do you all want to do?" Shinho threw the question back at them.
"We did everything there is to do at the beach yesterday," Tsunade said after a moment of thought. "There's nothing new left."
The novelty of the beach had worn off, especially for those who lived far inland in the Land of Fire.
"Let's go back then," Shinho said casually.
He had organized the beach party primarily to see them in their swimsuits.
He had accomplished that, and even gained an unexpected bonus – Konan's heart and body, solidifying her place in his heart.
"Alright," Tsunade agreed. "It's time to get back to work. One day of playing is enough."
She was eager to finish her second film and focus on her pregnancy. She would be treating her first child with the utmost care.
With the two of them in agreement, the rest offered no objections.
It was a clear indication of the power dynamic within their group.
After breakfast, they changed back into their regular clothes.
Shinho packed up their belongings from the beach, and they all teleported back to the Hokage Palace.
"I'll be going ahead," Tsunade said, waving her hand as she turned and left the Hokage's office.
"Ino, stay behind. The rest of you can go," Shinho said, watching the others leave until only Ino remained.
"Is something the matter?" Ino asked.
"It's about the wedding," Shinho replied. He explained his arrangement with Hinata. "What do you think?"
"Why am I in the evening?" Ino asked, her eyes fixed on him.
"Because it'll be our wedding night soon after," Shinho said with a smile. "Or would you rather have it at noon?"
Ino froze, her face rapidly turning crimson. She knew exactly what happened on wedding nights.
Just the thought of it made her knees weak and her heart pound.
"I...I'll go tell my family now," Ino stammered, unable to meet his gaze.
She turned and practically fled, flustered.
"Cute," Shinho chuckled to himself.
He sat down at the Hokage's desk and picked up a pen.
The wedding needed to be announced publicly, especially since it was an unprecedented double wedding.
Both Hinata and Ino came from prominent clans.
The ceremonies couldn't be any less grand than Tsunade's, but they didn't need to be overly extravagant either.
After finishing the announcement, Shinho set it aside.
Konan, Samui, and Mabui had just left; there was no need to call them back immediately. It wasn't urgent.
He would have them distribute the announcement tomorrow morning, ensuring the entire shinobi world would know.