Hanabi smiled, her playful demeanor softening as she walked over to where Shoi stood. Without a word, she gently tugged his arm, guiding him to sit down with her by the large rock near the stream.
The soft glow of the setting sun bathed the clearing in a golden hue, and the calming sound of the flowing water added to the serenity of the moment.
"Come here," Hanabi said softly, sitting down and patting her lap.
Shoi raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You're feeling generous tonight."
"Just for you," she replied, her voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with her usual composed exterior.
Shoi didn't need any more encouragement and laid his head in her lap, stretching out comfortably on the cool grass.
As he settled, Hanabi's fingers instinctively threaded through his hair, the touch gentle and soothing. Shoi closed his eyes, letting out a content sigh as the tension from the day drained away.
This was the only place where they could truly be themselves—no clan expectations, no missions, just the two of them.
"You look exhausted," Hanabi murmured, her fingers moving softly through his hair, occasionally brushing against his cheek.
"Long days without you around," Shoi teased, though his voice was filled with sincerity. "The compound is a lot duller when you're not here."
Hanabi chuckled softly, leaning down slightly, her face hovering just above his. "I'm back now," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin.
Shoi opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. In the fading light, her eyes seemed to sparkle, reflecting the warmth of the moment. He reached up, placing a hand on her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly against her skin.
"I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I don't plan on letting you leave anytime soon."
For a while, they stayed like that—Shoi lying peacefully with his head in Hanabi's lap, her fingers tracing soothing patterns through his hair.
The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving only the sounds of nature and the soft intimacy of their shared space.
...
Two weeks had passed since that peaceful evening with Hanabi, and life in the Hyuga compound had settled back into its familiar rhythm.
Shoi, however, had been quietly nurturing something far more delicate than his relationship with Hanabi—his growing connection with Hinata.
Over the past weeks, he had naturally found more opportunities to be around her—whether it was helping her during training sessions or accompanying her on errands throughout the compound.
He never forced the interactions; they flowed easily, as if their paths were meant to cross more often.
Shoi noticed how her soft-spoken demeanor made it easy for him to be a comforting presence in her life. She was different from Hanabi—less fiery but equally captivating.
Hinata, with her kind heart, seemed to welcome his presence.
She always had a warmth about her that made Shoi feel like he was doing the right thing by being there for her.
Their conversations were light and sincere, touching on small worries she had about the clan, her duties.
Shoi never judged her for it; he simply listened, offering words of encouragement when she needed them. His intention wasn't to manipulate but to help her see that he cared deeply for her.
Shoi's connection with Hinata had grown stronger over the past few weeks the main thing in this was his deep knowledge of her emtion's, with each moment they spent together feeling more natural, more intimate.
He never had to force anything; their interactions felt genuine, and Hinata, with her gentle heart, had become someone he found himself drawn to more and more.
It was late one evening when they found themselves alone in a secluded part of the compound, away from the prying eyes of the Hyuga clan.
The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the courtyard. They had finished a quiet conversation about her training, and for a moment, there was a peaceful silence between them.
Shoi's heart raced as he stood next to her, the sound of the wind rustling the leaves above filling the air. Hinata looked so serene, her soft features illuminated by the moonlight.
She gazed ahead, her mind seemingly lost in thought.
Something stirred inside Shoi—an impulse he hadn't expected. He didn't fully understand it, but in that moment, it felt like the right thing to do.
Before he could second-guess himself, Shoi stepped closer to Hinata, closing the distance between them. In one swift motion, he gently grabbed her by the waist, pulling her toward him.
Hinata gasped softly, her body tensing for a brief second before she realized what was happening.
Her eyes widened as Shoi wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. She could feel his warmth through the fabric of her clothes, his heartbeat steady against her chest.
It was an intimate moment, more intense than anything that had passed between them before. Her breath hitched, and for a second, she didn't know how to react.
Shoi's voice broke the silence, soft and steady. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "I just... I couldn't help it. Being around you—it's different. I feel like I need to protect you, like you're more important to me than I realized."
Hinata's heart raced as she processed his words. She felt a mixture of surprise and something else—something deeper, more vulnerable.
Her hands hovered in the air for a moment before she gently placed them on Shoi's back, her body slowly relaxing into his embrace.
"I..." Hinata began, her voice shaky, unsure of how to respond. She had always been reserved, never one to express her feelings so openly.
But Shoi's sudden closeness, his sincerity, broke through the walls she had built around herself.
"I didn't expect this," she admitted quietly, her face slightly flushed.
Shoi pulled back slightly, just enough to meet her gaze. His hands still rested on her waist, his eyes searching hers for any sign of discomfort.