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  "You're awake?" Shin said the m, notig Kushina stirring oon. He gave a teasing grin.

  "Ugh… everything hurts," she groaned. "All your fault!" she snapped, giving him a pyful nibble on the arm.

  Shin ughed quietly, letting her vent. After a minute, she released him and sighed.

  "What time is it?" she asked.

  "It's already m. Want to get up?" Shin asked gently.

  She flushed, burying her fa the bs.

  "I 't even stand, thanks to you," she muttered, gring up at him.

  He rubbed his neck sheepishly.

  "Want a hand?"

  "Mm… Just hold me a little longer," she mumbled, voice muffled against his shoulder.

  They stayed that way for hours, dozing off and waking up together until midday came around. Kushina's stomach began growling noisily.

  "I'm hungry." she murmured.

  "The's get up a something," Shin said. He teased her with a little pinch to the cheek.

  "Fine… but you leave first? I o get dressed," She blushed fiercely.

  "Why are you shy now? It's not like I haven't seen it before," he pointed out with a chuckle.

  ....

  Once Shin was dressed, he exited the . After a short while, Kushina emerged, albeit walking somewhat gingerly.

  She caught Shin's eye and turned scarlet, scowling at him.

  "Don't look at me like that. It's your fault I hardly walk," she grumbled.

  He offered a mischievous grin.

  "Let's head back. I'm guessing Tsunade and the others are worried about us."

  He scooped Kushina up in a princess carry and opened a Yomotsu Hirasaka portal.

  Moments ter, they stepped into their home's main room, where Tsunade, Mikoto, and Konan were waiting.

  "Shin-nii, Kushina-nee, You're finally back!" Konan excimed, running over.

  Kushina quickly buried her fa Shin's chest, suddenly self-scious in front of Tsunade and Mikoto. The pair stared, and it didn't take them long to guess what had happened.

  Tsunade gave a brief huff. Mikoto g them with a darkly flicted expression.

  "Do you think they already did it?" Mikoto whispered to Tsunade.

  Tsunade didn't answer, but she k was highly likely.

  "Kushina, mind stepping down?" Shin said softly.

  Kushina carefully stood on her own, her cheeks still bright pink. Seeing the way she moved, Tsunade and Mikoto were all but certain.

  "Hmph." Tsunade couldn't help but scoff.

  Mikoto gred at Shin, who felt a chill.

  "Mikoto, you make us something to eat? We haveen since yesterday," Shin said awkwardly.

  He wasn't good at handling this kind of situation.

  "Sure." Mikoto gred at him for a moment loheo the kit.

  Meanwhile, Konan simply looked puzzled.

  "Kushina-nee, are you…hurt?" Konan asked, notig her unsteady gait.

  "Yeah," she mumbled, shooting Shin a half-serious gre. "Somebody messed me up."

  Konan didn't uand, but Tsunade did. Kushina was clearly ierglow of losing her virginity.

  "You sly fox, Looks like you had quite the night." Tsueased.

  Kushina's initial embarrassment vanished, repced by a triumphant smirk. She even shot Tsunade a challenging look.

  "You jealous, Tsunade?" she taunted.

  "Jealous? Why would I be jealous?" Tsunade scoffed, pretending not to care.

  She stopped as Mikoto returned from the kit, carrying a pte of reheated leftovers.

  "We just finished eating. This is what's left. I heated it up for you," Mikoto said stiffly.

  "What? Yiving us leftovers?" Kushina pined, wrinkling her nose.

  Mikoto's gaze flicked between them.

  "Yes, leftovers. Beggars 't be choosers. Hmph..." She trailed off, depositing the food oable with a flourish, then sat down. Her eyes never left Shin, practically pinning him in pce.

  "...."

  Shi a sweatdrop f.

  "Um… Appreciate it." he offered, trying to defuse the tension.

  Kushina ihen forced a grin.

  "It sure smells…Great! Thank you, Mikoto," she said, swallowing her pride.

  Yet the tension in the room alpable. With an awkward giggle, she whispered in Shin's ear:

  "Smell that sourness in the air? Heh, guess I'm the victor here."

  Mikoto's fists ched at that remark. She shot up from her seat, grabbing Shin's wrist.

  "e with me," she said in a low voice, dragging him outside.

  "Huh? Wait, Mikoto, what—?"

  Kushina stared after them, her brow furrowing. Tsunade smirked from her seat.

  "They're heading into the forest. My guess is you're about to fae petition," Tsunade said quietly, eyes fshing with amusement.

  "You think Mikoto would…?" Kushina blurted. Then she shook her head. "No way. She's not that bold."

  Tsunade shrugged.

  "You never know, I'm waiting for the show."

  ....

  Outside, Mikoto yanked Shin into a secluded clearing among the trees.

  "Mikoto, what's going on?" he began, but she interrupted.

  "I love you, Shin!" Mikoto blurted, face flushed.

  Shin froze, momentarily stunned. He knew she had feelings for him, but she'd never been so direct—her gentle, reserved nature was unlike Kushina's fiery boldness.

  She, however, felt her ce draining when he just stared. Tears welled up unbidden in her eyes.

  "Don't—don't reject me, please," she whispered, voice trembling.

  "I'd never reject you," he said hastily, stepping forward to wipe away her tears. "Of course I love you. You're sweet, thoughtful… Why wouldn't I love you?"

  "Really?" Mikoto's voice quivered, tears slipping free again, this time in relief.

  Shin smiled tenderly.

  "Absolutely. You're beautiful, inside and out. I'd be crazy not to care about you."

  Mikoto sniffled, cheeks afme. Then she inhaled deeply.

  "I want to do what…you and Kushina did," she said softly, looking at the ground. "I want…to be yours."

  Though her face was beet-red, the determination in her eyes shone as she looked up. She refused to lose to Kushina in any sense. Shin, reading that resolve, gently cupped her cheek.

  "The's go somewhere more private."

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