Hanekawa woke to warmth.
His eyes opened slowly, taking in the familiar outline beneath the quilt. For a moment, he froze.
Not Tsunade. Not Kurenai.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Of course she is, he thought with a mixture of exasperation and resignation. The Rabbit Goddess had a concerning habit of doing whatever she pleased.
He sent a pulse of chakra through the barrier he'd erected—one strong enough to keep their conversation private from the other two sleeping figures. His voice came out calm, measured. "You have thirty minutes."
Kaguya's eyes narrowed slightly. She responded through their shared chakra link, her tone suggesting she found his ultimatum amusing rather than threatening.
Hanekawa exhaled slowly. Forcing her out would only make her irritable, and an irritable Kaguya Ōtsutsuki was a problem he didn't need this morning. Instead, he waved his hand, reinforcing the barrier with another layer of chakra. At his current strength, neither Tsunade nor Kurenai would hear a sound.
He settled back against the pillow, trying to relax despite the absurdity of the situation.
Tsunade lay on her side, using his left arm as a pillow, her breathing deep and even. His gaze drifted downward—pale skin, the generous curves he'd admired countless times—before he caught himself. His arm was pinned anyway.
On his right side, Kurenai clung to him, her long black hair spread across the pillow like spilled ink. Her face was flushed even in sleep, a reminder of last night's hesitation. With Tsunade present, she'd been noticeably uncomfortable. But that was fine. One became two, two became many.
Hanekawa closed his eyes again, feeling Kaguya's gentle touch resume. He drifted back to sleep, dreaming of an ocean where a goddess who couldn't swim choked on saltwater while he laughed.
---
When he woke again, it was past nine.
"You're finally up," Tsunade murmured, pressing herself closer against him.
"Mm."
Hanekawa reached over and stroked her hair absently. Sleeping in because of Kaguya's midnight visit. Perfect.
"Rare for you," Tsunade observed, glancing at the still-sleeping Kurenai. A slight smirk played at her lips. "You're in a good mood."
"It's New Year's Day. Should I be miserable?"
Tsunade snorted. "Fair point." She sat up, her movements deliberate, and studied him with an intensity that made him wonder what was going on behind those dark eyes. "I'm hungry. Go cook."
Hanekawa placed a hand over his heart. "Since Teacher has commanded it, I shall obey even unto death!"
Tsunade stared at him for two seconds, then laughed—a genuine, unguarded sound that made something in his chest tighten. She climbed out of bed and changed into a formal kimono, the kind reserved for New Year visits. The fabric wrapped around her curves differently than her usual clothes, creating a new kind of appeal. Less overtly sensual, somehow more striking.
"I'm going to wash up," she announced before leaving.
The moment the door closed, Hanekawa turned to find Kurenai's eyes open, watching him.
"Still pretending to sleep?" he asked.
"I just woke up," she said, but her eyes betrayed her.
"Your eyes are terrible liars."
He leaned forward and blew gently against her ear. She shivered, her face flushing deeper.
"I... I wasn't..." She seemed to be searching for words that wouldn't come.
The awkwardness of facing Tsunade again was written all over her face.
"It's all your fault!" Kurenai glared at him, as if anger might somehow erase her embarrassment.
"My fault?" Hanekawa smiled. "Your performance last night was clearly—"
"Shut up!" She clamped her hand over his mouth, and as she moved, her body was briefly exposed to the cool morning air. He couldn't help but grin against her palm.
He reached out and pinched her thigh. She yelped and fell backward onto the bed, glaring at him with an expression that was more flustered than angry.
"Time to get up," he said, kissing her forehead. "Get dressed and come eat."
She watched him leave, her hands covering her face, clearly wrestling with how she'd face Tsunade in the light of day.
---
By the time Kurenai emerged from the bathroom, Tsunade was already at the table, fresh and composed.
"Good morning, Kurenai," Tsunade said casually.
Kurenai froze. "Tsunade-sensei, good morning."
"Don't be nervous." Tsunade's tone was almost amused. "Think of this place as your home."
Kurenai blinked, clearly not expecting such magnanimity.
"I won't argue with you about anything," Tsunade continued, making space for her to pass. "Go wash up."
As Kurenai hurried past, Tsunade's lips curved into a small, satisfied smile. Let her think I'm being generous, her expression seemed to say. As long as I control the board, I control the game.
---
Fifteen minutes later, the three of them sat down to eat.
"Kurenai," Tsunade said between bites of rice cake, "you'll come with us to the shrine later."
"Of course," Kurenai agreed immediately.
Visiting the shrine on New Year's Day was tradition—something you did with family. The word hung unspoken in the air between them.
"How did you sleep?" Tsunade asked, as if this were a perfectly normal question.
Kurenai's eyes widened slightly. Didn't she see everything last night?
Hanekawa watched Tsunade carefully, trying to understand where she was going with this.
"Very well," Kurenai answered cautiously.
"Then you should move in," Tsunade said, her tone suggesting she'd just decided something obvious.
Kurenai's chopsticks clattered against her bowl. "What?"
Hanekawa felt a surge of excitement before confusion caught up with it. What is Tsunade doing?
"I live alone here," Tsunade continued smoothly. "It's quiet. With the three of us, it will be lively. And Hanekawa can stop running back and forth between houses."
Hanekawa understood immediately. She was consolidating her position. Making it official. Establishing herself as the center of his world.
She really does have the aura of a queen, he thought with something between admiration and amusement. I just hope she can handle Kaguya.
Though honestly, Kaguya was too indifferent to care about hierarchy as long as she got what she wanted.
Kurenai glanced at him, clearly torn. "My father..."
"I'll speak to Shinku," Tsunade said with absolute confidence. "I have that ability."
Something in Kurenai's expression shifted—a kind of relief, as if Tsunade's certainty had made the decision for her. "Okay. Thank you, Teacher."
Hanekawa smiled into his soup. Steady.
Then he caught Tsunade's eye and quickly looked away, focusing intently on his miso soup. "Thank you for the meal, Teacher. Your throat must be tired from talking so much."
Tsunade rolled her eyes but took a sip of soup.
---
The shrine was crowded with New Year visitors, but as the Hokage, Hanekawa was ushered through without waiting. The villagers parted automatically, and he accepted their deference with practiced grace.
After the prayers were finished, Tsunade asked, "What's next?"
"The Hokage Building," Hanekawa said. "There's always work."
"I'll come with you," Kurenai offered immediately. As his secretary, it was a reasonable excuse.
Tsunade considered this. "I'll go speak with Shinku."
Kurenai's blush deepened at the mention of her father.
---
Yuhi Shinku opened his door to find the Hokage on his threshold, and his first instinct was alarm. Has Kurenai caused trouble?
But Tsunade's expression was calm, almost businesslike.
"I have something to discuss with you," she said.
He invited her inside, poured tea, and waited.
"Hanekawa is an orphan," Tsunade began without preamble. "I'm his teacher—his only family. But he's reached an age where he should think about his future."
Shinku started to speak, then stopped. She's right. In the ninja world, the bond between teacher and student runs deeper than blood.
"It's time for him to marry," Tsunade continued. "The best match would be Kurenai. They grew up together. They understand each other."
"I agree," Shinku said, though he'd worried about this for years. Hanekawa was too exceptional. Too many would want him.
"He's willing," Tsunade said, "but he has one condition. He wants to wait until the ninja world is unified."
Shinku nodded slowly. The Hidden Mist was barely holding on. The Hidden Rain was already under Konoha's influence. It was a reasonable timeline.
"There's one more thing," Tsunade added. "I'd like Kurenai to move in with me. To adjust to living in my home before the wedding."
Shinku hesitated only briefly. She'll move out after marriage anyway. Better she adapts now. "Very well. Let her move in."
Tsunade left without lingering, her business concluded. As she walked through the streets toward the casino, she felt neither triumph nor loss—just a quiet certainty that she'd secured what mattered.
She'd given Hanekawa a gift today. The least he could do was fund her gambling habit.
---
February arrived with the promise of spring.
Hanekawa prepared for a trip to the Hidden Mist. It had been too long since his last meeting with Mei Terumi, and the outcome was already written. Hidden Mist was drowning, and no amount of effort would let them catch the Leaf.
The only question was how long they'd keep trying.
---