Chapter 45: Naming

Rasa came back quickly and left just as fast. 

He didn't even touch the meal that had been set on the table. He just went into the house to grab a few things, exchanged a few brief words with Karura, and then hurriedly left.

As for Hattori, Rasa only shot him an angry glare as he entered, then completely ignored him—just as he usually treated Hattori.

Hattori didn't mind, though. After putting Temari to sleep, he began eating on his own. By the time Rasa had left, Hattori was already helping himself to a second bowl.

When Karura returned after seeing Rasa out, she wore a smile but couldn't completely hide the disappointment in her expression. 

Seeing this, Hattori raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. After all, it was a matter between the couple, and it wasn't his place to interfere.

For a while, the table was quiet, with only the light clinking of Hattori's chopsticks and bowl as he ate.

It seemed Karura felt the need to break the silence. 

"Rasa said he's going out on a mission and may be gone for quite a while. If you'd like, Hattori, you're welcome to stay here."

"Hmm? Sister Karura, you mean…"

Hearing this, Hattori's eyes lit up, and he instinctively set down his chopsticks.

"You're suggesting we team up to give old Rasa a green hat? Oh, yes, yes, yes…"

"Pfft… cough, cough, cough…"

Before Hattori could finish, Karura, who had just taken a sip of soup, spat it out in surprise, then looked at him with a mixture of laughter and exasperation as she coughed.

"Cough, cough… Didn't I tell you not to mix with those troublemakers in the village? Who even taught you to say things like that?"

"I learned it on my own!" Hattori declared confidently. "It has nothing to do with Maki or Yashamaru!"

"Oh, I see." 

Although Karura's smile remained, her eyes narrowed.

"I'll have a chat with them."

"(ω`)"

…

Hattori felt no guilt for throwing Maki and Yashamaru under the bus. After finishing his meal, Karura cleared the table, while Hattori took Temari to the next room for a nap.

When Karura finished washing the dishes and opened the door to check on them, she saw Hattori and Temari fast asleep, their heads touching and their breathing steady and soft.

Smiling, she shook her head, gently closed the door, and went to sit on the sofa to knit.

People often lose track of time when they're focused on something. It was only when the sky began to darken that Karura realized it was getting late, and she quickly started making dinner.

When dinner was ready, she went to the next room and saw that her daughter, Temari, was already awake, sitting quietly on the bed and playing. Hattori, on the other hand, was still sound asleep.

Though she'd seen it before, she still found it remarkable.

"This boy really can sleep; maybe that's just his special genius."

She chuckled to herself and then leaned over to gently nudge Hattori, calling softly, "Hattori, time to get up for dinner."

"Mmm…"

Hearing her voice, Hattori grunted softly, then slowly opened his eyes, taking a while to come to his senses.

"Oh… it's you, Sister Karura. Is it morning already?"

"Pfft!"

Seeing him still half-asleep, Karura couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head.

"I think you've slept yourself silly. It's already dark out! Come on, get up for dinner."

She picked up Temari and headed back to the dining room.

After sitting up for a moment to fully wake up, Hattori scratched his tousled hair and shuffled out of the room.

Karura had already set the food on the table and handed him a damp towel as he walked out.

"Here, wipe your hands before you eat. Oh, and Hattori, you didn't go to the medical unit all day—are you sure that's okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine!"

Taking the towel from her, Hattori wiped his hands with a grin.

"They only just learned how to use bandages to stop bleeding. They won't start learning healing techniques until next month. Besides, Sister Suisha is keeping an eye on things, so I don't have to worry. I just pop in every few days to check on them."

"Oh, I see."

Hearing this, Karura nodded with a smile.

"Well, that's a relief. I know Suisha; she's a reliable medical ninja. Actually, she's the one who delivered Temari, and I'll probably need her help again for my second child."

"Second child?"

Hattori froze at this, his gaze instinctively shifting to her slightly rounded belly.

"Uh… Sister Karura, you mean you're expecting again? Are you sure it's not just… weight gain?"

"Pfft!"

Hearing his words, Karura couldn't help but laugh, giving him a playful glare.

"It's definitely not weight gain! I went to the hospital for a checkup; I'm already five months along!"

"Hiss…"

Hattori drew in a sharp breath, looking at her in astonishment.

"Temari's only a little over six months old, and you're already five months along? So that means not long after you had Temari, that old beast Rasa couldn't keep his hands off you?"

"Pfft!"

Karura burst into laughter again, lightly swatting him as she did so.

"You're just a kid; what do you know? And don't say things like that anymore, especially not in front of Rasa, or I'll get upset. Got it?"

"Okay!" 

Hattori didn't want to actually upset her, so he nodded obediently.

After a moment, though, he remembered something and quickly asked, "By the way, Sister Karura, have you decided on a name for this child?"

"Uh… not yet."

A hint of sadness crossed Karura's face.

"I only found out last month, and I meant to tell Rasa, but he's been so busy. We haven't had a chance to think of a name yet; we'll probably have to wait until he comes back."

"Oh, don't wait!"

At this, Hattori jumped up, patting his chest confidently.

"I'm great at naming! Let me think of one; I guarantee old Rasa will be so happy he'll roll around laughing when he hears it!"

"…"

Seeing Hattori's excitement, Karura didn't have the heart to dampen his enthusiasm. After a pause, she nodded with a resigned smile.

"Alright, you can come up with one. If I think it sounds good, I'll tell Rasa when he comes back."

"Alright! Listen carefully!"

Taking on a serious expression, Hattori pointed dramatically toward Karura's belly.

"Knowing old Rasa's personality, I can already guess what name he'd choose for this unlucky kid. His name will be… Kankuro!"

"…"

*(End of Chapter)*