Asuma Sarutobi leaned against the wooden railing of the balcony, his thoughts heavy as he watched the sun dip below the horizon. The village was a flurry of activity, the excitement of the Chuunin Exams still fresh in the air, but he found it hard to focus on anything but the nagging feeling in the back of his mind.
Over the past few days, something had shifted between him and Kurenai. She had become distant, her laughter less frequent, her smiles less genuine. He noticed the way her eyes sparkled whenever Hyuk was near—a kind of sparkle that was entirely absent when she looked at him. It was as if a veil had descended between them, one that Asuma couldn't quite penetrate.
It was unsettling. He had always known Kurenai to be a caring person, deeply committed to her friends and teammates. But lately, there was an intensity in her gaze, a lustful glint that made Asuma's heart clench. It wasn't directed at him; he could see that clearly. It was directed at Hyuk Haruno, the young ice user who had captivated everyone with his prowess and icy charm.
Asuma's brow furrowed as he recalled the Chuunin Exams. Kurenai had barely left Hyuk's side, a subtle yet unmistakable energy buzzing between them. She would touch him casually, a hand on his shoulder or a playful nudge, each gesture more intimate than the last.
"No, she wouldn't…" Asuma muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. Kurenai was loyal, wasn't she? There was no way she would cheat on him, let alone with someone so much younger. Yet, the nagging thought wouldn't leave him alone.
He thought back to the rumors swirling around the village about Hyuk. Whispers of him being a womanizer, of charming older women with his cool demeanor and enigmatic personality. Asuma brushed the thought aside. They were just rumors, nothing more.
"She's just being a big sister to him," he reasoned, trying to convince himself. "She's always been protective of her students. That's all it is."
But deep down, Asuma couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more—something brewing beneath the surface that he had yet to uncover. The way Kurenai looked at Hyuk made his stomach churn. He couldn't help but feel a sense of dread, like a storm cloud looming on the horizon.
"Maybe I'm just overthinking it," he said aloud, forcing himself to take a deep breath. A flicker of uncertainty ignited within him.
What if she was slipping away? What if she was starting to choose someone else?
Asuma's gaze hardened. He wouldn't let that happen. He was determined to get to the bottom of this, to confront Kurenai if necessary. He wouldn't let some young upstart take away the woman he loved.
"Just wait, Kurenai," he thought, determination building in his chest. "I'll find out what's really going on."