Date?

After the long day of academy, Ryomaru walked out with Hinata and Temari, soon caught up by Hanabi. Although Hanabi was a year younger than Ryomaru and the others, she hated being left out, a frequent source of frustration that today manifested as a playful pout.

As she joined the group, Hanabi made suggestive gestures to Hinata with her eyebrows, subtly pointing at Temari. Hinata, catching the hint, coughed and stuttered, "T-Temari, I wanted to go s-shopping and I thought maybe today you can join me, if it's okay with you."

Temari's eyes narrowed slightly as she pieced together the situation. Hanabi, clever as she was, wanted some alone time with Ryomaru and had orchestrated this little diversion with her elder sister's help. Temari's gaze shifted to Ryomaru, who wore a casual smile, his ice-blue eyes wandering around the village scenery as if he was completely oblivious. She knew he wasn't, but he played his part well to avoid any awkwardness.

She liked Ryomaru, a truth she had admitted to herself long ago. But their three-year age difference, at this stage in their lives, felt more like a chasm. Temari was torn. The thought of leaving him alone with Hanabi was akin to rolling dice with her own feelings. What if Ryomaru started developing feelings for Hanabi, the adorable princess of the Hyuga Clan, with her own promising future?

However, Temari also didn't want to expose her emotions recklessly, not when she and Ryomaru were not a couple, and she barely understood her own feelings.

Seeing that Temari hadn't responded, Hinata cautiously pressed, "Is everything alright, Temari?"

"I…" Temari hesitated, then smiled warmly at Hinata. "Sure, shopping sounds fun. Let's go."

Ryomaru, still wearing his congenial demeanor, gently teased, "Going to pick out something nice, Temari?"

Temari shot a playful glance at him. "Maybe I am," she replied, refusing to show any unease. "Any recommendations?"

Ryomaru chuckled. "Hmm, something as vibrant and strong as the Sand's winds," he suggested, with a charming tilt of his head.

Hanabi seized the moment, her face lighting up. "That means you'll be with me, Ryomaru!" she exclaimed, not hiding her excitement.

He laughed softly and ruffled Hanabi's hair affectionately. "Looks like it, Princess."

Temari felt a twinge in her chest at their interaction, but she squashed it down, reminding herself she had chosen this path for now. With a determined exhale, she hooked her arm with Hinata's.

"Let's find that vibrant and strong item then," Temari said, her tone steady and her eyes set on the path ahead, consciously allowing Hanabi this chance with Ryomaru, while not closing the door on her own future possibilities.

After the duo left, Hanabi looked at Ryomaru with a hint of pink on her cheeks. "What do you want to do?" she asked. "We can train if you like." Then she started to curse herself in her mind. 'This was my one chance alone with him and I suggested training! How idiotic can I be?'

As she was chastising herself, Ryomaru giggled, a lighthearted sound that made her heart flutter even more. He reached out and playfully ruffled her hair again, a gesture that was affectionate and warm.

"It wouldn't be fair to the others," he said, his eyes twinkling like the night sky, "if we ended up outclassing them after some secret training. How about we go on a little adventure instead?"

His grin was genuine, but Hanabi was too shy to meet his gaze. She looked at the ground as she stammered, "A-a little adventure?"

Ryomaru nodded. "Sure," he replied, "let's explore the village, find the best takoyaki, maybe? It'll be fun, like a... special day for just the two of us."

Hanabi's face turned a deeper shade of pink. The idea of spending a day alone with Ryomaru, having fun and eating together, felt incredibly intimate. It was just like... "A date?" she whispered, almost afraid to say the word out loud.

Ryomaru teased, "Are you so eager to go on a date with me?" His voice was playful, but there was an affectionate undertone that didn't escape Hanabi.

Hanabi huffed as she tried to hide her pink cheeks, looking away. "Maybe I am," she retorted, trying to sound nonchalant, but her voice quivered just slightly, betraying her emotions.

Ryomaru's laughter was gentle and endearing, easing the tension in the air. His eyes softened at her response, and he tilted his head slightly. "Well, if you want to call it that," he said warmly, "then yes, a date. Only if you're comfortable with it, of course."

Hanabi felt her heart race in her chest, a torrent of excitement and nervousness. She hesitated for a moment, then lifted her eyes to meet his. In that instant, she saw nothing but sincerity in Ryomaru's ice-blue eyes. It was a look she had never seen directed at her from anyone else. But she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing her like that, so she grinned back and nodded, "Your treat."

Ryomaru nodded, his smile mirroring hers, respectful and kind. "Well, of course," he replied. "It wouldn't be a proper date if I let you pay."

This comment brought back the pink hue to Hanabi's face, and she found herself momentarily lost for words. Instead, she turned her head to hide her glowing face, though her eyes were sparkling with happiness.

Ryomaru could see her joy despite her best efforts to hide it. Not wanting to push her too much, he decided to steer the conversation in a lighter direction. "So, what's your favorite kind of takoyaki?" he asked. "We need to make sure this adventure of ours is top-notch."

Hanabi regained her composure, and her playful spirit came rushing back. "The ones with extra octopus and lots of sauce," she answered confidently. "And they must be piping hot!"

A chuckle escaped Ryomaru's lips. "Extra octopus, lots of sauce, and piping hot," he repeated, committing it to memory. "Sounds like you're a takoyaki connoisseur. I'm looking forward to this even more now."

Hanabi's eyes sparkled brighter at his response, her heart skipping a beat. She realized that, in this moment, all her nervousness was fading away, leaving a warmth that she hadn't expected to feel. With Ryomaru, she felt at ease, as though she could truly be herself.

"We better get going, then," she said, her voice steady but filled with excitement. "The best takoyaki stand won't wait for us forever!"

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