Shizune felt her whole body growing hotter and hotter.
It was not the dry heat of sunlight on skin.
It was an indescribable heat that seemed to seep outward from the gaps in her bones.
Her cheeks burned. Her ears burned.
Even her breathing carried a scalding warmth.
She tugged at her collar.
When her fingers brushed her collarbone, the sensation felt far more sensitive than usual.
She raised a hand to fan herself, but it was as if the air had been blocked by something. No matter how she waved, the breeze would not reach her face.
"This wine..." Her voice drifted unsteadily, her tongue almost tying itself in knots. "What's wrong with it?"
"Too strong?"
Teizawa's voice came from across from her, carrying a trace of amusement.
The corner of his mouth curved into an eerie smile.
Something flickered in the depths of his eyes.
Something had been added to the wine. It was just like the potent substances used by those desert physicians.
Sunagakure was far ahead when it came to medicine.
No. This was not medicine. This was a tonic.
He found himself a grand-sounding excuse and accepted it without the slightest unease.
"Shizune..."
He stood up and reached her side in an instant.
His arm wrapped around her waist, and his voice was impossibly gentle.
"I really like you."
Shizune's mind had already grown muddled.
As if it had been stuffed full of cotton.
She leaned against his shoulder, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier, her awareness blurring more and more.
"But you're the Kazekage..."
Her voice was as soft as a dream.
"How can you like me...?"
Her hand was still resting near her collar.
She did not notice the other hand undoing the sash at her waist.
Teizawa's fingers passed nimbly through the ties.
With a light tug, the sash came loose.
"What's wrong with being the Kazekage?"
His voice was low and gentle, like he was coaxing a child.
"Does that mean I can't pursue someone I like?"
Shizune lifted her head in confusion and looked at his face, now so close to hers.
Candlelight flickered in his eyes, reflecting her image.
"You... you really like me?"
Her voice carried uncertainty, expectation, and a tremor even she could not explain.
"Of course I do."
Teizawa's voice was firm. His fingers tugged lightly, pulling the sash free and tossing it aside.
"I'll go to Tsunade later and ask her to let me marry you."
"No..." Shizune murmured, her voice soft as cotton candy. "I don't want to leave Tsunade-sama..."
Teizawa's hand did not stop.
His fingertips brushed lightly at her waist.
Shizune's body trembled faintly.
But she did not dodge.
Or rather, she could no longer recognize what was wrong.
Under the combined effects of the wine and the added substance, her consciousness grew more and more clouded, like a boat without an anchor drifting through a violent sea.
She was hot. Sweat beaded across her waist and back.
Her loosened clothing bunched messily around her, like a flower crumpled in someone's hand.
"Huh?"
Shizune lowered her head and looked at herself in confusion.
"My clothes..."
Teizawa smiled.
"I'll help you."
He leaned closer, his voice low as a whisper.
The candlelight swayed softly, casting an elegant shadow on the wall.
Shizune still wanted to say something.
But her voice was cut off.
Outside the window, moonlight slowly shifted across the room and touched the foot of the bed.
The room grew far from quiet.
Tonton poked its head out from under the chair.
Its black bean-like eyes went wide.
Unfortunately, it could not speak.
It gave a soft oink.
Then it shrank back beneath the chair.
The night had only just begun.
Shizune's scream shattered the stillness of morning.
The sound was sharp and thin, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
At this moment, her face was full of panic.
Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were wide.
She was completely dazed.
What happened?
She clearly remembered drinking. How had she woken up like this?
Then, in the next moment, fragments of memory began surging back.
Shizune went utterly still.
"You... what did you do to me?"
Her voice trembled.
As for the culprit, Teizawa only yawned and sat up, revealing a section of lean, muscular waist and abdomen.
Morning light squeezed in through the gap in the curtains and fell across him.
He turned his head and looked at Shizune.
His gaze was soft as a spring breeze.
"I only made the mistake every man in the world makes."
His voice was low and gentle.
"Shizune, you were too enchanting."
Shizune's face flushed crimson.
Tears had already gathered in her eyes.
She bit her lip, her voice hoarse as if filled with sand.
"How could you... How could you do this to me...?"
Her voice grew softer and lower.
"And you've already been with Tsunade-sama..."
"I like you."
Teizawa cut her off, his tone firm.
"With Tsunade... that was just a mistake."
He paused, then lowered his eyes. His lashes cast a shadow beneath them.
"And you know it too. She doesn't look at me that way."
Shizune froze.
She looked at Teizawa's wounded, dejected face and suddenly did not know what to say.
Of course Tsunade-sama would not like him.
He was so much younger than Tsunade-sama, and he was the Kazekage of another village.
Between them lay mountains and seas.
Her heart tightened.
She could not tell whether she felt sad for him or for herself.
"Shizune..."
Teizawa lifted his head and looked at her, his gaze serious, almost like an oath.
"I'll take responsibility for you."
Shizune's mind was in chaos.
He was the Kazekage, powerful and handsome.
She was only a small assistant.
If she were with him, perhaps she would be the one reaching above her station.
Her face was still red. Her heart was still racing.
But the anger in her slowly began to fade.
Teizawa watched the changes in her expression, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
"I'll go to Tsunade right now and ask her to agree to our marriage."
As he spoke, he really lifted the blanket and prepared to get up.
"Wait..."
Shizune panicked and reached out to grab his arm.
Her hand trembled. Her voice trembled too.
"I... I know how you feel about me, but... but I can't leave Konoha right now. I can't leave Tsunade-sama either."
She lowered her head, her voice growing softer and softer.
"Give me a little time, all right?"
Teizawa turned back to look at her.
"But..."
"Once things in Konoha settle down..."
Shizune lifted her head. Her eyes were wet, apologetic, and filled with a stirring even she could not explain.
"I'll go to Sunagakure to see you."
"I see."
Teizawa sighed, his tone carrying a trace of regret.
"Then what am I supposed to do when I miss you?"
Shizune bit her lip and did not answer.
She did not know how to answer, nor did she know whether she even had the right to answer.
Teizawa reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her into his embrace.
Shizune did not struggle.
She only lowered her head.
Her cheek rested against his chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat.
"Then let me have you one more time."
His voice was low as a whisper.
"How can that be..."
Shizune's face flushed again. Her hands pressed against his chest, her voice anxious and soft.
"My body still hurts."
Teizawa lowered his head and looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Aren't you a medical-nin?"
Shizune froze.
That was right. She was a medical-nin. She could heal herself.
The thought had only just surfaced when Teizawa stopped her words.
Her voice broke between their lips.
The hands braced against his chest slowly softened.
Then they clenched his shoulders.
(End of Chapter)
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