Chapter 35: Yuhi Kurenai Melted by Gentle Affection

In the Akatsuki hideout, the tension was palpable. Pain's command cut through Sasori's sneering at Itachi. "Scorpion, words that disrupt the unity of the organization are unnecessary. Now, let's move on to recruiting new members."

Pain continued, "Itachi, head to the river near our base. Your new partner will meet you there soon. He is also one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, like your previous partner."

"Once acquainted, you and Sasori will head to the Land of Earth to recruit a child named Deidara. I will relay the route details to you through the will of the organization. The rest of you, proceed with your respective tasks."

With a swift command, Pain concluded, "Disperse!"

The members vanished without a trace.

In Konoha, within a lavish inn, Uchiha Natsuhane and Yuhi Kurenai lay in bed. The blanket had fallen to the floor, a testament to someone's restless sleep.

Sunlight poured into the room, gently rousing Kurenai. Squinting against the brightness, she rolled over to escape the light and continue her slumber. However, she felt something unusual beside her.

"Huh? What is this?" Driven by curiosity, Kurenai reluctantly opened her eyes to investigate. Her hand had brushed against Natsuhane.

"Ahhhhh!" Her scream pierced the morning tranquility, jolting Natsuhane awake.

"Kurenai, what's wrong?" Natsuhane, still half-asleep, rubbed his messy hair and asked softly.

"Why... How did we end up... What happened?" Kurenai's memory was hazy, stopping at the moment when Natsuhane's lips approached hers at the izakaya last night.

"Don't worry," Natsuhane reassured her as he got out of bed to retrieve the blanket, which he then draped over her. "We didn't do anything last night. You're pregnant. I wouldn't touch you. We just spent the night together, sharing some intimacy."

Kurenai, clutching the blanket tightly around herself, asked in a panic, "What kind of intimacy?"

Natsuhane began to describe various innocent yet affectionate acts they had shared. Kurenai's shock grew with each detail.

"Did we really do those things?" she wondered, feeling a sense of disbelief.

Scanning the bed, she noticed there were no traces of blood. Realizing they hadn't crossed that final boundary brought a slight relief. But the other acts they shared felt even more intimate and overwhelming.

As Kurenai tried to process everything, Natsuhane had already dressed and handed her a white cloth. "Get dressed, Kurenai. Let's return to the Uchiha compound. You belong with me."

"You... You're serious?" Kurenai asked, recalling Natsuhane's words from the previous night.

"Of course, I'm serious. I may seem like a flirt, but my actions are for the revival of the Uchiha clan. I've never broken a promise to a woman," Natsuhane replied firmly.

Kurenai's thoughts drifted back to the tenderness Natsuhane had shown the previous night, the moments they had shared, and the warmth she felt. It was a stark contrast to the harshness she had often experienced with Asuma. This newfound affection and gentle touch melted her heart.

Blushing, Kurenai couldn't help but question if this was all just a dream. But Natsuhane's actions felt undeniably real. He gently wrapped the cloth around her, the same way he had undone it the night before, showing his experience and care.

Natsuhane extended his hand, "Let's go. We'll get some breakfast first."

Hesitating for a moment, Kurenai placed her hand in his, feeling the warmth and kindness that had touched her so deeply. Her heart felt as if it were melting.

As they left the inn, hand in hand, and walked towards the bustling streets for breakfast, Kurenai felt a sense of acceptance and belonging she hadn't known before.

"From today onwards, I, Yuhi Kurenai, belong to Uchiha Natsuhane," she thought, a sense of peace washing over her.