Konoha hospital
"You could've died you idiot." Tsunade scolds.
"But I didn't ~" Taiju purrs, sitting on the hospital bed, swinging his legs like a kid on a swing.
Tsunade scowls, fingers grasping her green coat, "I'm being serious Taiju. Your body wasn't responsive when they brought you here, you're lucky I came before –"
"Tsuna-chan. Let's not talk about ok?" He pleads, standing on wobbly feet, and she reaches to help him, but he keeps them apart with his palm. " J-Just give me a second." He chuckles painfully, nails digging into skin, and Taiju forces his body to stand still.
"Don't push yourself!" She reprimanded him.
Taiju chuckles, "It sounds like you care for me Lady Tsunade ~"
"Pfft–please...you're still my patient so your health is my biggest concern." She clarifies, turning her head to hide her blush.
Taiju, smug as ever, walks up to her despite his moving like a newborn fawn. Extending his hand to cup her face.
Tsunade froze at the action, his fingertips teasing her jawline, moving down to her chin and lifting to meet her lips. The graze of his fingernail sent a shiver down her body, her mind stimulating memories of her past pleasures with him.
"Taiju..." Tsunade whispers, her soil coloured eyes staring into his scarlet pupils.
He snakes his arm around her waist, pulling her flush to him.
"H-HEY—" Tsunade gasps, finding herself just a breath from his lips, her skin tingling from his breathing travelling across her face.
Gulping down saliva, she speaks, "I'm still your Hokage." She softly glares at him.
His eyebrow arched, "You always say that before folding faster than origami. " He teases, his right hand securing her waist as his left moves from the curve of her spine to the area hidden by her green coat.
"Don't you dare." She growls.
Taiju leaned closer, lips pseudo-touching as he pecks the corner of her mouth.
"Mhm?" She hummed.
Taiju removed his hands from her, giving each other some separation as he sighed.
"As much as I would love to continue this." He gestures to her.
Tsunade rolled her eyes at his excuse, "You're still a pervert. " She stated.
He ignores the jab," I need to check on Anko and the girls–I'll see in a day or two."
"Mxm. You really think you run this relationship huh?" Tsunade placed her hand on her hip, stepping closer to him.
"Well..."
Click.
"LADY TSUNADE WE HAVE A–" Shizune pauses her announcement as she looks at her dear Hokage and the infamous swordsman, quite close to each other–not in her usual intimidation tactics but something casual.
"Uhm...do you want me to come back later?" She asks softly, eyes moving between them.
Tsunade's posture went rigid for a second before standing properly, shoving Taiju away from herself, and addressing Shizune.
"No need Shizune. He was just leaving. " Tsunade coughs, glancing at Taiju to get the hint.
Taiju was about to respond with more teasing but that glare promised pain.
"See you later Tsuna-chan~ "
"You basta–"
He flashed away before she could curse him out, Tsunade felt the blush creeping up her neck, teeth grinding hard enough to hurt her gums.
"I'll kill him before Danzo." The sole senju promises.
Shizune looked at her in shock and a bit terrified of her master. "I'll go back to the front..." She slowly moves back, closing the door.
-----
At Kurenai's apartment, the Jonin sat on her couch, lying on her side, chin resting on her palm. Ever since the Tayuya incident yesterday, she's been thinking deeply about her attachment to the squad, from her friendship with Yugao, sisterly bond with Tayuya and Kin, and her...complicated relationship with Taiju.
"I hope he's okay. " She sighs, Genjutsu practice doesn't feel the same without a psychopath willing to endure experimental illusions.
Knock,knock.
"Speak of the devil." She hops off her couch, marching to the door, latching it open.
"You." She says with ice in her tone.
There in front of her is Taiju, still in Anbu gear, sword hugging his waist and headband around his neck like jewellery instead of the symbol of his village.
"Miss me?" He greeted me like a fool.
"No." She responded firmly, hand clutching her door.
"Why does it feel like everyone hates me today. " He ponders.
"Maybe because you're an idiot who nearly started a war with other nations over a blade, or the fact that you nearly died removing Anko's curse mark, even though you're not a fuinjutsu master!" Kurenai lashes out, catching her breath as her face is slightly flushed.
Taiju rubbed the back of his head, "I really messed up." He chuckles cautiously. Looking at her unrelenting glare, he sighs, "Look, I know apologising won't fix things, so just give me some time to make it up to you, all of you." He pleads.
Kurenai tried her best not to fall for the mediocre attempt of an apology but couldn't.
Clicking her tongue, she looks at him again,
"Whatever you're planning better be worth our time." She warns.
"It will." He nods, back to his signature grin, and he holds his hips, "Now that's over..."
"This is far from over." Kurenai drags him inside her apartment, shutting the door.
Slam.
The sound resounding across her neighbourhood, she shoves him to the couch. Taiju involuntarily chuckles.
"Oh–no. He mockingly stuttered.
"Shut up," Kurenai ordered.
He presses his lips together, folding his arms on his lap, waiting for her instructions.
"Yes ma'am."
Standing over him, she tilts his chin to look up at her, that toothy grin of his is full of excitement.
"Hold still," Kurenai whispers, moving her face closer to his.
Taiju puckering up for a kiss, couldn't help his giggle.
"Kurenai-chaaaa—" He groans as she rocks him with a right hook to his jaw.
Taiju landed on the floor, lip busted at the powerful punch, "Kurenai...why?" He holds his busted lip in pain.
Kurenai walks over to him, dark aura circling her body, and Taiju feels the hairs on his back spike up to warn him to move.
"Kure–"
"Don't even think of running. Take these punches like a man or I'll put in a Genjutsu of me beating you to a pulp for the rest of the day." She threatens, straddling his stomach, and she punches his face again.
Bang.
Taiju's skull snapped down to her rug.
Bang.
Blood escapes his mouth.
Bang.
"Mercy..."
The punishment was far from over, despite all the violence, he wouldn't have it any other way. Tonight's plan is still on, after he patches up.
[End of chapter]