The morning sunlight shone into Anko’s simple bedroom. Rather unused wooden furniture stood slightly dusty. A queen sized bed existed in the middle of the room, precisely in the way of nature's own alarm clock, the piercing rays of morning light. It disturbed the restful slumber of three individuals lying upon the bed. It was me, the fucking sun was waking me up. I was sleeping in a warm comfortable embrace of Ino, which was embraced by Anko and the sun had the audacity to disturb this serenity. She scrunched up her eyes and burrowed her face further into my nape, attempting to get away from the sun rays. Her bright blonde hair glistened under the morning light. It was silky smooth to the touch and smelled like strawberries with a hint of citrus. Her long hair was not done in a ponytail only when she slept. Tantalisingly teasing to touch, with one arm trapped under her and another too afraid to disturb her sleep. This little vixen would be the bane of my existence, if not already. How lovely! I got up, it was time to wake up and get a tongue lashing. Anko was not pleased about the joint training session with Might Guy.

“Listen here you little shit!” Anko started, as her first words of the morning. Her voice was no longer raspy and weak. Her groggy eyes with furrowed brows were trained on me. With baited breath and a grin I waited for the yelling to start.

“Good morning to you too, Sensei.” I said smiling. Surprising both me and Ino she leaned in and kissed my forehead.

“Thanks for saving my life, little hero, that was stupidly brave.” She said smiling. Then leaned in to kiss Ino on the forehead as well.

“You too, blondie. Thanks.” Even with her tired eyes, her smile was dazzling under morning light streaming through the window. Ino and I just stared at each other with wide eyes. Then there was light knocking on the front door. A moment later it slammed open. I could not see through these walls, because of the seals and not knowing what to expect I grabbed my kunai and rushed downstairs and Ino followed me.

Only to see Tsunade waltzing through the hallway heading straight for the upstairs bedroom, where we were. She raised an eyebrow at me, mainly me holding a kunai but said nothing, then she saw Ino.

“You. Should be at the hospital.” She said in a neutral voice. I sheathed my kunai and stepped in front of Ino.

“That’s my fault, Hime-sama. I had to bring her with me to check up on Anko-sensei.

“Hmph. You are lucky. You are excused this time, but always listen to your doctor. Always!” Tsunade said, as she walked past me and Ino into Anko’s bedroom.

“Yes! Ma’am.” I saluted.

Two small figures stood on the doorway.

“Hey. We were going to visit Ino at the hospital but we were told she would be here.” Shikamaru spoke up after we noticed each other. Before I could speak Ino peaked from behind me.

“Oh my goodness!” Ino chirped from behind me.

“Come on in!” I invited Chouji and Shikamaru into the living room.

“This is Ryoshi-san. He is my teammate.” Ino introduced me and then turned to me and gestured towards the boys..

“These two are my friends and classmates, Chouji and Shikamaru.” She introduced them to me.

“Hey. Hello” They both intoned and I answered in kind.

“Dad said you had a rough mission and were in the hospital. So we came to check up on you.” Shikamaru said.

“Yeah.” Ino responded with downcast eyes.

“Sit down and catch up. I’ll make you guys some tea.” I said walking towards the kitchen. I started rummaging the cabinets for some cups and tea when I heard a gentle knocking on the front door. I was not expecting the first group of guests. Now there is more? I opened the door only to see a short girl startle.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Umm. Hello Ryoshi-san.” Said the surprised Hyuuga princess. The timid girl took a moment to collect herself before continuing.

“I heard about your team being in the hospital and w-wanted to bring you some food.” She said as she hurriedly extended a bag she was holding at me and closed her eyes. I was holding back from chuckling at her shyness as I gently placed my hand on her head, she barely made it to my chest’s height.

“Ah. You are so kind, Hinata-chan. Relax a bit and come inside! I was making some tea. I would like you to have some too.” I said as I gently patted her head.

“Go through here and sit down with Ino. I'll bring the tea in a moment.” I smiled at the girl and noticed her frown.

“Nevermind. Maybe you can help me?” She seemed relieved and smiled at me, nodding.

Ah, being shy sucks. I wanted to help her, from what I know she wasn’t very happy at her home. The problem was I didn’t know how. Nothing short of kidnapping fixed her problem and that just made bigger issues. I was contemplating while we waited for the water to boil. Best thing I could do, probably was to boost her confidence so she can help herself and maybe help her be less timid.

“Hey Hinata-chan.” I said and she turned towards me attentively.

“I just wanted to say, it is good to have you around. If you ever need any help don’t be afraid to ask. Okay?” I said as gently as I could, trying my hardest to sound serious for a change.

“I don’t know how you got along with my sister or Ino before, but now I can guarantee Ino and I consider you a friend and we will help if we can.” I said as the tea boiled. She looked down and she nodded.

“Here, help me carry these.” I asked as I handed her the tea cups. She looked confused for a moment, probably at the number.

“You know Choji and Shikamaru? They are here to visit Ino as well.” Then understanding dawned on her and we went to the living room. Ino stopped talking immediately and stood up to hug Hinata.

“Hinata-chan!” She squealed as she squeezed the shorter girl.

“H-hello, Ino-chan.” She said her voice barely above a whisper.

“Jeez, Ino let her at least place the cups. We all sat down around the table sipping tea, as Ino went into her frenzied re-telling of our mission. It was a comfortable morning without stress and among friends.

Soon, it was time for the kids to leave for school and I spoke up.

“Can you guys do me a favour and tell my sister where I am and to visit if she can?” I asked the leaving group. They all responded affirmatively as they left. Now it was just Ino and I, while Tsunade was still upstairs with Anko.

“You reckon we could do some chakra exercises in here? You know, without destroying Sensei’s house.” I asked Ino and immediately a thundering voice reached us from upstairs.

“Absolutely not! Yamanaka is doing nothing but resting!” Tsunade yelled.

“Guess not.” I sighed. After a few lengthy moments of contemplation Ino spoke up.

“I wanna visit my parents.”

“That’s great, you know you don’t need my permission.” I said smiling.

“I do but… you will stay here won’t you? I feel… uneasy leaving.” She said slowly. She seemed… worried? I wondered, then it hit me. Of course it’s the influence of ‘it’. It either made her feel apprehensive to separate from me, or she was genuinely afraid of going mad.

“Oh Ino you know, as soon as you feel something bad, you can easily come back and I will be right here.” I said gently.

“Maybe a little chat to relax before I leave?” She asked innocently.

“Of course. Ask anything you want.” I said sitting down opposite her to be face to face. I looked at her devilish grin and oh boy was I going to be in for a wild ride.

“So you’ve been unabashedly flirting with Anko-sensei.” She said and I nodded in answer, not liking where this was headed. I was not ready to have a birds and bees talk with a young teen. Also I was certain that was being taught in the academy, as seduction arts were a real thing. I heard Tsunade crack into laughter upstairs as well. How the hell did that woman hear what we were saying all this time?

“I was just wondering what kind of girls… do you actually like?” She asked, blushing slightly and breaking eye contact.

“Hmm? I like…” I stopped myself from answering, thinking about the implications. She already displayed tendencies to listen to me above all else, it would not be good for my answer to warp her personality somehow. So I tried giving lighthearted answer.

“I am a wicked man, Ino.” I smirked devilishly just like her. Then I started listing girls I liked.

“I like big girls, witty girls, leggy girls with nice thighs. I like a good chest no matter what size. Tall queens, short stacks, from mild girls to wild girls. Can’t forget about ice queens as well.” Tsunade upstairs was trying to hold back her laughter until now. Now it echoed in the house unfiltered.

“Wow. That is perverted… yet very impressive.” Ino responded calmly..

“Honestly, I think it is a bit difficult for me to speak on the subject. Perhaps ask your dad why. He might be able to answer.” I said shifting my tone slightly to be more serious.

“Urghh, fine. I am leaving.” Ino said, exacerbated and stood up and left.

With nothing to do, I considered studying. Something I would have never thought about before. Unlike before though, now I don't have the resources. Maybe Anko does.

“Hey, Sensei. You don’t have a book for studying seal work, do you?” I yelled.

“Come up here.” She yelled back. I immediately rushed upstairs, yelling on the way.

“I hope you are naked and I'm coming in!” I looked around after entering and to my disappointment no one was naked.

“You pervy brat! Why are you like this?” Anko chided me as Tsunade looked at me sternly.

“What can I say? I’m an old soul.” I shrugged.

“Anyway I had a book like that, check under the bed. I think that’s where I stashed it last.” Anko said.

I squeezed into the dusty dark underbed, looking for treasure.

“Sage damn, Sensei.” I yelled from there, putting as much shock as I could into my voice.

“You need to hide this stuff when there are children around. Especially Icha-Ic-” I was saying until she cut me off.

“W-what!? That’s i-impossible. That’s not where they-” She managed to stop herself from finishing the sentence. I grabbed the book on seals and lunged out from under the bed to see her face. It was beet red in a blush. Absolutely gorgeous. Especially the eyes shouting murder.