The key turned smoothly in the lock. Hanekawa pushed open the door to Tsunade's house just as Kurenai came to an abrupt stop behind him, her usual energy noticeably absent.
Unlike her typical cheerful self, she seemed restless today—her fingers opening and closing nervously at her sides.
"What's wrong?" Hanekawa asked with a slight smirk. "Afraid the teacher won't feed you?"
"Of course not!" Kurenai denied quickly, her ruby eyes darting away. "I've just never spent New Year's at Tsunade-sensei's house before. It feels... different."
"Different how?" Hanekawa stepped inside, gesturing for her to follow. "Come on in."
Kurenai peered into the living room, her head tilting slightly. "Is Tsunade-sensei home?"
"Probably at the casino." Hanekawa set down the dishes Kurenai had brought, completely unsurprised. "For her, New Year's is just another day to gamble. The calendar doesn't change her schedule."
"She's really... carefree," Kurenai said, still looking uncertain.
"Don't praise her when she's not here to hear it." Hanekawa reached for the dish in her hands. "It won't improve her luck."
"I'm being serious!" Kurenai rolled her eyes at him, her voice taking on a teasing edge. "You know, I've noticed you have absolutely zero respect for Tsunade-sensei."
"I have plenty of respect for her," Hanekawa replied without missing a beat.
Kurenai clearly didn't believe him. She curled her lip, kicked off her shoes to reveal white tabi socks, and padded inside. The traditional New Year's kimono she'd chosen required the formal footwear, but she was already complaining about the geta sandals.
"It's much more comfortable barefoot," she said, wiggling her toes.
"It does suit you better," Hanekawa observed, glancing at her.
Kurenai's face flushed crimson. "I'll show you when I get home!" she blurted out, then immediately looked like she wanted to vanish into the floorboards.
Wait, what? Hanekawa blinked. Did she just—
"I-I should help you cook!" Kurenai stammered, her entire face now the color of her eyes.
"Not necessary," Hanekawa said, shaking his head. "I can handle it."
"Then... what should I do?" Kurenai asked, clearly flustered.
"Watch TV," Hanekawa suggested. "If the teacher hasn't come back by evening, we'll go find her at the casino."
"Okay!" Kurenai practically jumped at the excuse to escape, then paused. "Do you want some juice?"
"Sure."
She hurried to the kitchen, and Hanekawa heard her release a long, shaky breath. He suppressed a smile. She's adorable when she's flustered.
A few minutes later, Kurenai appeared in the kitchen doorway with a glass of lemonade. Hanekawa was washing vegetables, his movements efficient and practiced.
She walked forward and brought the glass to his lips.
"Thanks," he said, taking a few sips before handing it back. "You finish it."
Kurenai froze. "Eh?"
"What? Does it bother you?" Hanekawa glanced at her, one eyebrow raised.
"N-no, I don't mind..." Her face turned an even deeper shade of red.
"Cute," he said simply.
"Don't say things like that!" Kurenai spun around and fled back to the living room, where she collapsed onto the sofa and drained the rest of the lemonade in one go, trying to cool her burning face.
What is he doing to me? she thought, her heart still racing. This is... this is...
She suddenly realized what had just happened and her ears turned pink to match her cheeks.
The front door opened.
"I'm back!" Tsunade announced, carrying two bottles of wine. She took one look at Kurenai and raised an eyebrow. "Why is your face so red?"
"It's just cold from outside!" Kurenai said quickly, jumping to her feet. "Hanekawa and I went shopping and bought kimonos and ingredients for dinner!"
"Your kimono is nice," Tsunade said, giving her a once-over with an approving nod.
"We got you something too!" Kurenai pulled out a paper bag, her nervousness returning. "We weren't sure if you'd like it..."
Tsunade opened it and found a beautiful kimono inside. She paused, then smiled—a genuine smile that made Kurenai's heart skip. "I like it. Thank you."
After Tsunade changed into the kimono, Kurenai's breath caught. The legendary Sannin had transformed. Gone was the rough, heroic warrior; in her place stood a woman of mature elegance and noble bearing. The kimono hugged her voluptuous figure perfectly, and the golden hairpin Hanekawa had chosen caught the light beautifully.
"Tsunade-sensei, you're beautiful!" Kurenai breathed.
Tsunade settled onto the sofa with a faint smile. "Why did you two decide to spend New Year's with me?"
"It was Hanekawa's idea," Kurenai admitted.
Tsunade's eyebrow arched slightly. That brat...
"You don't need to be so formal," Tsunade said, her good mood evident. "Relax."
"Yes!" Kurenai sat very straight, suddenly very aware of her posture.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"I'll get it!" Kurenai hurried over, opening it to find an ANBU operative in a mask.
"Please give this to Lady Tsunade," the ninja said, handing over a scroll before vanishing.
Kurenai brought it to Tsunade, who opened it and read the contents. Her expression shifted from curiosity to surprise.
The scroll detailed yesterday's battle: Sakumo Hatake's team had been ambushed by Hidden Cloud ninja. Against all odds, they'd killed forty-two enemy shinobi and seriously wounded Yugito—without suffering major casualties.
That shouldn't be possible, Tsunade thought, her mind racing. Unless...
She handed the scroll to Kurenai without comment, but her thoughts were already elsewhere. If this continued, the pressure on her to become Hokage would only increase. She glanced toward the kitchen, where Hanekawa was preparing dinner, and felt an unexpected flutter of hesitation in her chest.
This brat makes a birthday wish every year for me to become Hokage. If I refuse...
She sighed inwardly. One step at a time.
Dinner was lively. Tsunade had changed back into casual clothes, and the three of them sat around the table with five dishes and two bottles of wine. Kurenai poured for Tsunade, who raised her glass.
"Happy New Year!" she declared.
Hanekawa and Kurenai clinked their juice glasses against hers, and the evening took on a warm, celebratory atmosphere.
As night deepened and the TV played softly in the background, Tsunade's cheeks flushed from the wine. She leaned against Hanekawa's shoulder, her arm linked through his, watching the screen with half-lidded eyes.
Kurenai noticed and hesitated for only a moment before moving to his other side, hugging his arm as well.
Hanekawa found himself caught between them, unsure how he'd gotten here. Did I skip a dialogue option?
The pressure on his right arm was considerably greater—and considerably softer. He kept his expression neutral, though his internal monologue was decidedly less composed.
The evening passed quietly until the bell tolled midnight.
"It's a new year," Tsunade said, sitting up with sudden clarity. She was completely sober now.
"Soba noodles?" Kurenai asked eagerly.
"Already prepared," Hanekawa said, heading to the kitchen.
He returned with three steaming bowls.
"New Year's wishes!" Kurenai announced excitedly. "What do you wish for?"
"For the war to end soon," Kurenai said thoughtfully.
"For my teacher to become Hokage," Hanekawa said with a slight cough.
Tsunade's leg shot out, kicking him under the table. Hard.
"I only have one teacher," he continued without flinching.
"Hanekawa's right!" Kurenai said enthusiastically, oblivious to their exchange. "Tsunade-sensei is the most qualified!"
Tsunade simply picked up her chopsticks and ate, ignoring them both.
After dinner, as Kurenai washed dishes, Tsunade pulled Hanekawa aside. "The scroll from this morning—did you read it?"
"I did," he confirmed. "Shisui probably awakened his Mangekyō."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "That would explain it." She paused. "Danzo won't be happy."
"No," Hanekawa agreed. "He won't."
They both knew what this meant. The balance of power in Konoha was shifting, and the pressure on Tsunade would only increase.
As the night wore on, Kurenai eventually fell asleep on the sofa between them. Tsunade carried her to the guest room, tucking her in gently before returning to find Hanekawa already cleaning up.
"Thank you," she said quietly, "for today."
Hanekawa looked at her—at the woman in the beautiful kimono, at the legendary ninja who'd somehow become his teacher, his anchor in this strange new world.
"Happy New Year, Teacher," he said simply.
Tsunade smiled, and for once, it wasn't the fierce grin of a warrior. It was warm. Real.
The next morning came too soon.
An ANBU operative named Aoi appeared at the door with urgent orders from the Third Hokage. Tsunade and Hanekawa were summoned to an emergency meeting.
The Iwagakure Village had made its move.