Despite his best efforts, the battle dragged on with an intensity that left him drained and struggling to keep up.
Hanabi's attacks were relentless, each one more powerful and precise than the last. No matter how hard he tried to counter or evade, the fatigue was too much.
His limbs felt like lead, and his movements became sluggish. Eventually, a sharp kick to his side sent him tumbling to the ground, gasping for breath.
As the night deepened, the quiet companionship they shared in the clearing gradually gave way to the reality of their lives.
The stars shone brightly overhead, and the cool breeze whispered through the trees, but eventually, it was time to return to the Hyuga compound.
Reluctantly. Hanabi's hand rested lightly on his head for a moment longer before she gently nudged him awake.
"We should head back," she said softly.
He nodded, slowly rising to his feet.
His muscles protested with every movement, sore from the rigorous training, but he forced himself to stand tall.
The walk back to the compound was quiet. Hanabi led the way with her usual grace and poise, and he followed, still feeling the warmth of her touch lingering on his skin.
The village had settled into a peaceful stillness, the streets empty and the windows dark as everyone turned in for the night.
When they arrived at the Hyuga compound, Hanabi didn't say much. She simply nodded to him, her expression composed, before turning to head toward her quarters.
He made his way to his own room, exhaustion tugging at his every step. Once inside, he collapsed onto the futon, the soft bedding welcoming him after the day's intense training.
He closed his eyes, but sleep didn't come immediately. His thoughts drifted back to the clearing, to the way Hanabi had looked at him, and the quiet comfort of her lap beneath his head.
Just as he was beginning to drift off, there was a soft knock on his door. He opened his eyes, slightly surprised It was late, and he wasn't expecting anyone but he had idea who it might be.
"Come in," he called out, his voice still heavy with fatigue.
The door slid open quietly, and Hanabi stepped inside. She held a small tray in her hands, laden with simple yet delicious-looking food. The aroma filled the room, making his stomach rumble in anticipation.
"I thought you might be hungry," she said, her tone even as she set the tray down beside him.
He sat up, surprised to see her, but even more surprised by the gesture.
"You haven't eaten anything,"
He didn't know what to say, so he just picked up the chopsticks and began to eat. The food was delicious, far better than anything he'd expected. He could taste the care she had put into preparing it, and it warmed him from the inside out.
Hanabi remained silent, watching him as he ate.
Hanabi noticed the awkward way he was holding the chopsticks, his attempts clumsy and inefficient. Without a word, she reached over and gently grabbed the chopsticks from his hands.
"You don't even know how to eat properly," she said, her tone somewhere between exasperation and amusement. "Just sit still."
He blinked in surprise as she repositioned the chopsticks in her own hands, deftly picking up a piece of food and holding it out to him.
There was no teasing in her expression.
He hesitated for a moment, the gesture catching him off guard.
he leaned forward and accepted the bite.
The food tasted even better when she fed it to him, though he wasn't sure if that was because of the flavors or the unexpected warmth in the act itself.
Hanabi continued to feed him in silence, her movements precise and efficient, making sure he ate enough to regain his strength.
"Tomorrow," she said, placing the chopsticks down beside the empty tray, "we'll start early.
There's still much to do."
Over the next seven days, their routine became a relentless cycle of intense training and quiet moments of respite. Each morning, before the sun had fully risen, Hanabi would wake him with a sharp knock on his door.
The training sessions were grueling, pushing him to his limits and beyond. Hanabi was relentless, her standards impossibly high, but she never once let him falter.
Whether it was physical conditioning, chakra control, or honing his combat skills, she demanded his absolute best.
At the start, he struggled to keep up, his body protesting against the constant strain. But as the days passed, he found himself adapting, his strength increasing, his reflexes sharpening.
Hanabi's methods, though harsh, were undeniably effective. She was always there, guiding him, correcting his mistakes, and pushing him further than he thought he could go.
After each session, they would often find themselves in that same secluded clearing, where Hanabi would allow him a brief respite before they continued.
She would sit beside him, sometimes speaking in low tones about the techniques they had practiced, other times simply allowing the silence to stretch between them.
Every evening, as they returned to the Hyuga compound, she would act as though nothing had changed between them.
"Hey have you heard Miss Hanabi Cooks food everynight!"
"What??"
"Miss Hanabi cooks??"
"Yes I saw Miss hanabi cooking at going to the room of the that guest Named shoi"
"Can you believe it? Miss Hanabi, of all people, cooking for a guest? She never cooks for anyone!"
"Who is this Shoi, anyway? A special guest? Maybe someone important?"
"I don't know, but it's strange, right? Miss Hanabi, personally delivering food every night? There's got to be something going on between them."
Hinata, who was hearing this, felt strange. Her sister cooking food? Hanabi had never cooked for her, not even once.
The idea of her younger sister, who was always so focused on training and duties, suddenly taking the time to prepare meals for a that shoi made Hinata's mind swirl with questions.
Was there something else going on that she didn't understand? The thought of her sister keeping secrets gnawed at her, a feeling of unease settling in her chest.
As she stood there, hidden in the shadows, Hinata wondered if she should confront Hanabi about it. But a part of her hesitated.
Hanabi had always been strong-willed and independent, rarely letting anyone into her personal life. Would asking her only push her away?
But then again, what if something was wrong? What if that shoi is blackmailing or something to hanabi and forcing her? Hinata took a deep breath, deciding that she couldn't just let this go.