The morning light filtered through the curtains as Hanekawa's eyes opened. Kurenai Yuhi slept peacefully in his arms, her crimson hair spilled across the pillow like silk. He'd planned to wake at Tsunade's house as usual, but New Year's Eve demanded different arrangements. Today was for thorough cleaning—a tradition across the ninja world. He'd already told Kurenai they'd spend the evening at Tsunade's place, the three of them ringing in the new year together.
Hanekawa studied her sleeping face, then let his hand drift down to rest over her heart. The steady rhythm beneath his palm was soothing.
Kurenai stirred awake, instinctively gripping him. Fear flickered across her eyes before recognition returned.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, amused by her reaction.
"I... I wasn't thinking about anything," she mumbled, her face flushing as the memories of last night caught up with her.
"Let go. I'll make breakfast," Hanekawa said, leaning in to bite her ear gently. "We'll continue this evening."
Kurenai froze. Wait—we're going to Teacher Tsunade's house tonight...
She didn't voice the question, but her mind raced with implications. Surely Tsunade wouldn't...
When Hanekawa emerged into the living room, Yuhi Shinku was already there. The older man's jaw tightened slightly at seeing his daughter's boyfriend exit her bedroom, though he'd grown somewhat accustomed to it. Still, tradition was tradition, and living together before marriage felt wrong to him. But what could he do now?
After breakfast, the three of them began cleaning. By the time they finished, the house gleamed. Hanekawa and Kurenai headed toward Tsunade's residence.
"Finally," Tsunade drawled, opening the door in her pajamas. "Come in. Make yourselves at home."
It was already mid-morning. She'd been awake for a while but saw no reason to get dressed.
Kurenai's eyes caught on those pajamas. Her breath hitched.
No. That was just a dream. It couldn't...
But the design was identical to the ones in her dream. She felt Hanekawa's hand gently pull her inside, and she couldn't break free.
Meeting Tsunade's gaze, Kurenai felt an inexplicable pressure settle over her.
"Need help cleaning?" Tsunade asked casually, crossing her legs on the sofa, her white feet swaying slightly.
"Kurenai and I can manage," Hanekawa replied smoothly.
"Fine." Tsunade turned her attention to the television.
The day passed in a blur of activity—cleaning, shopping, television. Nothing unusual. Just another New Year's Eve.
But Hanekawa knew the real moment would come after midnight.
---
At twelve o'clock, the New Year's bell rang across the village. The old year faded; the new year arrived.
"Kurenai," Tsunade said, picking up her chopsticks as they ate soba noodles. "What are your plans after this?"
"Going home," Kurenai answered, confused by the question. Everyone returned to their own homes on New Year's—it was custom.
"It's snowing outside. Not safe to travel alone," Tsunade said matter-of-factly. "Stay here. We have plenty of rooms."
Kurenai's eyes widened. The dream...
"The teacher's right," Hanekawa agreed.
"I... okay," Kurenai managed, her heart hammering.
After they showered and retired to their rooms, Kurenai sat on the edge of the bed, trying to calm her racing pulse. The door opened.
Hanekawa stepped inside.
"Is Tsunade-sensei... asleep?" Kurenai's voice wavered.
"Sleeping," he confirmed, his eyes glinting. "I set up a barrier. She won't hear anything."
"You're terrible!" Kurenai glared at him, though relief flooded through her. The tension dissolved.
"How dare you scold the Hokage?" Hanekawa raised an eyebrow, advancing on her.
Kurenai felt the chill of the room against her skin as he removed her pajamas. She crossed her arms instinctively, but he caught her wrists.
"You always bully me!" she protested, her lips curving upward.
"Then bully me back," Hanekawa said with a smile.
Kurenai pushed him back onto the bed and straddled him, looking down with newfound confidence. "How's this?"
"Perfect," he breathed.
Emboldened by his praise, Kurenai continued, lost in the moment.
But Hanekawa's attention was divided. His perception extended outward, waiting.
There.
A smile played at his lips.
---
Outside the room, Tsunade stood frozen in the hallway. The sounds were unmistakable—Kurenai's breathless voice, Hanekawa's low responses.
She bit her lip hard enough to taste blood.
This damn brat.
They'd agreed beforehand. She'd agreed. But hearing it, knowing it was happening...
She hesitated for only seconds before pushing the door open.
Kurenai's head snapped toward the sound. Her eyes went wide, pupils dilating as she saw Tsunade in the doorway.
"Tsunade-sensei, you—"
Kurenai tried to move, but Tsunade was already there, her strong hands gripping Kurenai's waist.
The dream. It was real now.
Kurenai's body trembled, caught between shock and something else entirely.
Hanekawa's expression shifted. "Tsunade-sensei—"
"What? Feeling sorry for her?" Tsunade's voice was sharp, but her eyes betrayed her.
Kurenai opened her mouth, unable to form words. Her face burned.
"I feel bad for both of you," Hanekawa said calmly. "You both need rest."
"Fine," Tsunade conceded, sliding into bed beside them.
Kurenai lay there, exhausted and overwhelmed. Her eyes cleared slightly when she noticed Tsunade's proximity.
"Tsunade-sensei, I—"
She stopped abruptly as Tsunade made a soft sound, her face flushing.
Oh.
Kurenai understood then. Tsunade wasn't immune to this either.
As a woman, Kurenai had to admit—Tsunade's figure and presence far outmatched her own. But Hanekawa had always been fair, always balanced.
Still, Kurenai's stamina couldn't match Tsunade's legendary endurance.
"Sleep first," Hanekawa said gently, pinching her cheek.
"Mm," Kurenai responded weakly, watching Tsunade with a mixture of envy and resignation.
Later, as Kurenai drifted off, Hanekawa sat up and wrapped his arms around Tsunade's waist. Beads of perspiration dotted her pale skin, adding an undeniable allure.
Tsunade leaned down and kissed his forehead—an instinctive gesture that surprised even her.
Warmth bloomed in her chest, though confusion lingered in her expression.
Hanekawa nestled against her, breathing in her familiar scent, and let the night settle around them.
Outside, snow continued to fall on the village, blanketing everything in white. The new year had truly begun.
---