Shikai pulled away slightly, his eyes locking onto hers. "I'm surprised you're not shocked by my appearance, Tsunade-sama," he said, a playful smile playing on his lips. "I thought my new skin, my eyes, my hair, and even my horns would surprise you."
Tsunade let out a small laugh. "Shikai, even in a hundred years, I couldn't mistake you for anyone else. And your face... it's always resembled mine, you know." She gave him a scrutinizing look. "But you know... you're looking more and more like those beings you told us about, the Otsutsuki, right?"
Shikai burst into laughter, a rich and warm sound. "Yes, that's right. But don't worry, I have no intention of turning into a destructive being."
A comfortable silence fell between them, a silence filled with a deep connection. Shikai placed his hand over hers, the soft skin of his palm against hers. He met her gaze, captivated by the depth of her green eyes.
"Tsunade-sama," he began, his voice becoming hoarse, "you've always been the one to protect me. The one who taught me everything, who helped me become who I am today."
"Shikai," Tsunade replied, her voice slightly trembling. "You-"
"But things change, don't they?" Shikai moved closer, his eyes fixed on hers. "You've always worried about me, but now, I'm strong enough to protect you. It's time for me to take care of you."
Tsunade lost herself in his gaze, surprised by his confession. She had always seen Shikai as a child to protect, and hearing him speak with such assurance and intensity unsettled her. There was a flame in his eyes, an intensity that made her uneasy, yet also inexplicably drawn. She stared at Shikai, trying to read his thoughts.
"Protect me? Shikai, I'm one of the strongest women in this world. I don't need you to protect me."
He moved closer, reducing the space between them.
"You may not need physical protection, but everyone needs someone, Tsunade. Even you."
His words touched her more than she would admit. She averted her gaze slightly, but her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue.
"You've become far too bold, you know?" she murmured.
"Life is too short not to say what we feel," he replied with a smile.
He moved even closer, his body brushing against hers. "You're a beautiful woman, Tsunade-sama," he said softly, his voice like velvet. "You've always been beautiful."
She felt her heart race. She had never heard Shikai speak this way. It was strange, disconcerting, but also... strangely... She realized that despite all these years by his side, she had never truly seen him as a man. She had never imagined him looking at her this way, like a predator devouring her with his gaze.
"Shikai," she repeated, her voice barely audible.
He placed a hand on her cheek, his thumb caressing her soft skin.
As they spoke, Tsunade lost herself in Shikai's inscrutable eyes. She had always seen him as a student, a protégé, but at that moment, something had shifted. His posture, his confidence, his voice... he was no longer the child she had trained.
Shikai broke the silence, his voice soft yet firm.
"Tsunade... I want you to know that no matter what you feel, no matter how the world sees me, you will always be important to me. And I will never hurt you."
She giggled slowly.
"I know, Shikai, you don't have to-"
Before she could finish, he leaned in slightly and, in an unexpected gesture, pressed his lips against hers.
Tsunade froze, her mind swirling with surprise, confusion, and an odd sense of comfort. She should have pulled away, pushed him back, but instead, she found herself responding softly to the kiss, her hands instinctively finding his powerful chest.
The kiss lasted a moment, but it felt eternal. When they parted, their gazes remained locked.
"Why...?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Shikai, a tender smile on his face, simply replied, "Because..."
Despite her age, Tsunade was someone who was a virgin and had not experienced many declarations of love. Due to her status and personality, apart from the foolish Jiraiya, no one had dared to express such sentiments.
"But weren't you in love with that Terumi? And you even had an affair with that Uchiha. Shikai? Do you think-"
"Shh... you're too beautiful when you're embarrassed," he replied with a mischievous smile.
She lowered her eyes slightly, feeling a bit shy. But Shikai lifted her chin, and Tsunade surrendered, lost in his eyes, her mind swirling with a whirlwind of emotions. She had always been strong, determined, a woman of power, but there, in Shikai's arms, she felt fragile, vulnerable, and eager to let go of control.
At a moment she least expected, it was a soft kiss that quickly turned deeper, more passionate. She closed her eyes and surrendered to the moment, Shikai's body against hers, the warmth of his kisses making her tremble.