Chapter 29

As Kakashi left, Sakura remained standing in the center of the room, her thoughts swirling. The idea of Shoi's connection to the Otsutsuki clan had cracked open a door to possibilities she hadn't considered before. 

Her mind fixated on one thing:

If Shoi is somehow connected to the Otsutsuki, then he should have a way to cure Sasuke...

Her heart clenched at the thought of Sasuke—his constant struggles, his past, and the burden of his Rinnegan. 

She had tried everything within her knowledge to help him, but nothing had been enough. 

The Otsutsuki's power, though terrifying, held secrets beyond the comprehension of most shinobi. 

If Shoi was tied to that power, there was a chance—however slim—that he knew something, or could do something, to finally free Sasuke from the Coma That Haunted Him.

Sakura bit her lip, her fists clenching at her sides. But how do I approach him without raising suspicion? She couldn't just ask him outright about his abilities or his connection to the Otsutsuki. 

The Hyuga clan was fiercely protective of their own, and if Shoi was involved in something larger, any wrong move could tip him—and the entire clan—off to her true intentions.

She knew exactly what she needed to do: build a romantic relationship with Shoi, make him think she was genuinely interested in him. She'd let him believe that she cared about him, that she wanted to be with him. 

Slowly, she would show him affection, convince him that her feelings were real. And when the moment was right, she would take advantage of everything he had to offer.

It wasn't a plan she was proud of, but it was the only way. If she could make Shoi fall for her, he'd trust her, he'd let her in—and that's when she'd get the information she needed. 

His secrets, his powers, his intentions, and most importantly, whether he could help Sasuke.

The idea of seducing Shoi didn't bother her anymore. If pretending to love him was what it took to save Sasuke, she would do it. 

She wasn't afraid to manipulate Shoi's feelings, to make him believe they had something real. Once she had his trust, she would use it against him.

"I'll make him believe I love him," she thought coldly. "I'll build a relationship, make him think he's special to me. Then I'll take everything."

 ...

After a few days, as Shoi was leisurely hanging around the Hyuga compound, his attention was drawn to the entrance.

Suddenly, a young woman around his age appeared, walking in with confidence. Her sharp eyes quickly scanned the area, noticing no one else in sight. Without hesitation, she ran toward him, leaping into his arms with a tight hug.

"Aww, Princess is back," Shoi teased, looking at her with a smirk.

The woman was Hanabi, the younger sister of Hinata, and her face turned slightly red at being addressed as "princess."

"You..." she stammered, her usual composed demeanor cracking for a moment as she blushed, trying to regain her cool. "..."

Shoi chuckled, leaning back against the compound wall. "Yeah, but you don't really mind, do you? Besides, it's fitting."

"You..." she stammered, her usual composed demeanor cracking for a moment as she blushed, trying to regain her cool. "You know we have to be careful here."

Shoi grinned, pulling her in closer despite her protest. "Relax, no one's around right now. Besides, you've just returned from a long mission. I deserve a welcome, don't I?"

Hanabi sighed but allowed herself to relax in his arms for a moment, leaning her head against his chest. "Fine, but you need to stop calling me 'princess' out loud. If someone overhears us..."

Shoi chuckled softly, running a hand through her hair. "You're worrying too much. But alright, Hanabi." He lowered his voice playfully. "Happy?"

She punched him lightly on the shoulder, but there was a smile on her face. "You're impossible."

They stood there for a while, enjoying each other's presence. 

After a few minutes, Hanabi gently pulled away, her face returning to its usual composed expression. 

"I should go and report to Father that I'm back," she said, her voice more serious now. "But you—" she gave him a quick glance, her eyes softening again, "meet me at our secret place. I'll be there soon."

Shoi smiled, his usual playful demeanor shifting into something more tender. "I'll be waiting," he replied quietly.

Hanabi nodded, her eyes lingering on him for a moment before she turned and headed toward the main house. 

As she walked away, Shoi watched her until she disappeared from sight.

Once she was out of view, Shoi stretched, taking a deep breath. 

The secret relationship they shared was a constant balancing act, but moments like these made it all worth it. 

He knew how much Hanabi carried on her shoulders—between the Hyuga clan's expectations and her duties as a kunoichi, finding time for them was always tricky.

Shoi glanced at the sky, the sun beginning to set, casting a warm glow over the Hyuga compound. Their "secret place" wasn't far, just a small, hidden spot in the forest where they could be alone without prying eyes. 

A place where they didn't have to be the Hyuga heiress and the outsider, just Hanabi and Shoi.

he pushed off the wall and made his way toward the spot.

As he approached, Shoi arrived at the familiar clearing, the air cool and quiet, with only the sound of the wind and the distant hum of the village. 

He glanced around, the soft light of dusk filtering through the trees. A small stream bubbled nearby, its water sparkling under the fading sun. 

He sat down on a large rock near the stream, waiting for Hanabi to arrive.

Minutes passed, and the forest grew darker. Shoi leaned back, staring up at the sky as the first stars began to twinkle. 

Suddenly, he heard the soft rustle of leaves behind him. A familiar presence filled the air, and before he could turn, Hanabi stepped into the clearing.

She moved quietly, her posture more relaxed than it had been back at the compound.

"Miss me?" she asked with a playful smile, her voice light as she approached.

Shoi grinned, standing to meet her. "Always."

///

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