Kitazawa went home.
Well—Kurenai's home.
He hadn't been back to his own place for a while.
To his surprise, Kurenai wasn't there.
That struck him as odd. Lately she hadn't been taking missions and was staying in to study fūinjutsu.
"Out grabbing a bite?" he wondered. When he couldn't figure it out, he let it go.
He took out the gift boxes from Naruto, Sasuke, and the others and set them on the coffee table.
Dropping onto the sofa, he picked up a square box at random.
The name on the label: Yamanaka Ino.
Inside was a black kimono.
He felt the fabric—excellent hand.
He stood, held it up to himself, and found it fit perfectly.
"Huh."
How did Ino know his measurements?
Byakugan popped into his head.
If Hinata used it, she could've taken his measurements without him even noticing—especially since they sometimes sparred. Plenty of chances.
"Byakugan really is convenient."
He shook his head and grabbed a second box.
This one was from Uchiha Sasuke—very light.
Inside was a ninjutsu scroll.
He arched a brow, a little excited.
Fire Release?
But he'd already gotten quite a few Fire Releases from Sasuke, including B-rank ones. As for A-rank Fire Release, the original story barely mentions any—even Uchiha Madara was shown using B-rank Fire Release like Great Fire Annihilation and Dragon Flame Release Song.
B-rank on paper, sure, but in his hands they could destroy worlds.
Rank measures difficulty to learn, not raw power. Usually the harder it is, the stronger it is—but not always.
He unrolled the scroll.
Not Fire Release—Wind Release.
An A-rank jutsu: Wind Release: Blade of Wind.
It forms a razor gale from the fingers, frighteningly fast—most shinobi can't evade it.
In the original, Sunagakure jōnin Baki one-shot Special Jōnin Gekkō Hayate with it.
If it can drop a Special Jōnin, it'll carve through chūnin and genin.
No doubt about it—the Uchiha were being very generous.
A-rank jutsu are rare and precious. And this was Kitazawa's first A-rank Wind Release.
Just then, the door opened.
He looked up to see Kurenai step in, barefoot.
"Eh?"
She met his eyes, surprised. "Why are you home?"
"I was going to ask you that—why weren't you?" He waved the scroll. "I'm opening the birthday gifts my students gave me."
"A-rank Wind Release?" Kurenai took the scroll, glanced at it, and blinked. "Who's so generous?"
"Sasuke," Kitazawa said with a smile.
"As expected of the Uchiha," Kurenai sighed. "Handing out a priceless A-rank like it's nothing."
Even most jōnin don't command many A-ranks, much less gift them.
"What did you do?" she asked, curious.
"Nothing," he said, blinking innocently. "Just did my job as a teacher."
"And you expect me to buy that?" Kurenai rolled her lovely eyes.
"The Uchiha want to get closer to Tsunade-sama," he said after a beat. "Though, yes, part of it is that I've taught well."
Compared to a seven-year-old who'd already awakened two-tomoe Sharingan, an A-rank Wind Release scroll wasn't much.
"I see."
Kurenai sat down beside him. "Mind if I help open the rest?"
"Be my guest." He slipped an arm around her.
"Not like this—I can't reach the boxes." She eyed the coffee table.
"Since when does a distance that short stop you?" he teased.
"You and your mischief." She gave a little huff, lifted her leg, pinched a box between her nimble toes, and flicked it over.
"Impressive," he said, gaze dipping to her jade-pale feet.
"This one's from Yakumo." Leaning into his arms, Kurenai opened it.
"A scroll painting?" Kitazawa peered at the rolled canvas.
"Looks like it." She unfurled it—and froze for a moment.
It showed the two of them leaning together under bright sunlight, the picture radiating warmth.
"Yakumo put real heart into this. It's lovely." A smile bloomed on Kurenai's face—clearly pleased.
"It's a normal painting," Kitazawa said, feeling for chakra. "No chakra woven in, so we won't be jumping out of it."
If Kurama Yakumo had used Genjutsu: True Illusion Creation along with the painting, they could've staged spiderman on the spot.
"Mhm."
"If you like it, it's yours," he said, seeing how reluctant she was to put it down.
"It's your birthday present from Yakumo. Is it really okay to pass it to me?" she asked, shaking her head.
"Why not?" He hugged her tighter and breathed against the white curve of her neck. "What's mine is yours."
The warm breath made her shiver; the line made her want to laugh and also moved her.
"Then I'll keep it for you—for now," she said after a short pause.
"Mm." He answered, breathing in her faint fragrance.
"You're taking advantage again," she murmured when he planted a kiss on her shoulder.
"Given our relationship, is that what we call it?" he said, suddenly solemn.
"Fine, I can't out-argue you." She straightened. "Your turn—come here."
"You're the best, Kurenai." His eyes lit up, and he buried his face against her without shame.
The next instant, softness and faint springiness pressed against his cheeks—pity there was still fabric between.
Kurenai flushed, but didn't push him away. She'd only meant to hold him—she hadn't expected Kitazawa to push it that far. At least he didn't go as far as he did at night—no instant regression of twenty-one years.
She patted his head and went back to opening boxes.
"Whose is it?" he asked from his white-on-white vantage point.
"Naruto's," she said, suppressing the tickle at her chest. "Limited-edition instant noodles."
"Very him." Kitazawa chuckled.
They weren't cheap—and as Naruto's favorite, he'd clearly splurged.
Half an hour later, Kurenai had opened everything.
Aside from Hinata's ninja blade, most of the gifts were more about the thought than the price tag—which made sense; they were kids.
"So where's your birthday present?" Kitazawa finally lifted his head from her warm embrace.
"Tonight," Kurenai said, tugging at her collar, cheeks pink. "And you already collected a half hour of interest early."
"Interest?" He blinked, then got it. He cupped her face and kissed her.
After a long moment, he smiled. "Now that's interest."
"Since it's your birthday, I'll let you get away with it," Kurenai said, shooting him a look. "I'm going to pack what we need for tomorrow—and I'll do yours too."
"Thanks." He let her go. "You're going to make a perfect wife and mother."
"Obviously." She stood with a grin, bare feet sinking into the carpet. "You marrying me is your good luck."
Straightforward as ever—once she'd settled on Kitazawa, even talk of marriage came easy.
She headed to his room. They'd be away a week or two, so there was plenty to prep.
Kitazawa, with a rare bit of free time, decided to practice fūinjutsu.
He currently had two jutsu-study tasks: learn four Water Releases by the end of the third term, and learn three sealing techniques over winter break. The latter was tight—only three weeks left. As for the former, he'd nearly finished three Water Releases; just one to go.
He took out the sealing scroll Tsunade had given him.
It recorded three basic fūinjutsu.
A quick scan, and he chose to start with Finger Carving Seal—looked the simplest.
Finger Carving Seal carves text. In the original, Jiraiya used it to write on Fukasaku's back after the fight to the death with Pain—basically a way to leave a message. It can also engrave on metal plates, stone, and skin.
He pulled a blank scroll. Before learning seals, you learn to draw the formulae—sigils.
Time slipped by.
The rhythmic clack of high-heeled sandals sounded in the hall.
He looked up to find Tsunade, looking irritated, and Shizune, looking resigned.
He didn't need to ask—she'd lost at the casino again.
With them were Uzumaki Rina and Karin.
"No money for a gift, so take this," Tsunade said, tossing him a scroll.
"Tsunade-sama, you really are… direct," Kitazawa couldn't help laughing.
"Got a problem with that?" Tsunade crossed her legs and fixed him with a look.
"Of course not." He glanced at her soft-pale arches, opened the scroll, and found a taijutsu called Body Pathway Derangement—more precisely, a taijutsu plus medical ninjutsu hybrid.
By sending chakra to disrupt the target's brain, it scrambles motor nerves—try to raise a hand, and your foot moves; try to make a fist, and your leg kicks. Hugely practical, but generally only medical-ninja can learn it: it involves the brain and nerves and requires intimate knowledge of anatomy and exquisite chakra control.
"Thank you, Tsunade-sama," he said, putting Body Pathway Derangement away.
"No big deal," she yawned. "I was going to teach you eventually."
"Kitazawa," Shizune said, setting Tonton down and handing him a gift box. "This is my present."
"Thanks, Shizune-senpai."
Inside was one of her usual concealed-weapon rigs: arm-mounted, launching senbon/needles. Great for ambush or self-defense. He personally wouldn't use it—he was thinking of giving it to Kurenai.
"Kitazawa, come help," Kurenai called, poking her head from the kitchen.
"I'll go," Shizune smiled. "It's your birthday; you shouldn't be working."
"Making guests help isn't good hosting," Kitazawa said, heading for the kitchen.
Shizune hesitated and stayed put. Living next door with Tsunade, she'd had no trouble noticing Kitazawa and Kurenai were dating; no need to play third wheel.
Half an hour later, everyone gathered at the table for dinner.
Halfway through, Tsunade was swaying drunk; Shizune escorted her home.
Soon after, Rina and Karin finished and said their goodbyes.
"I'll wash the dishes," Kurenai said evenly, rising. "You run a hot bath. We'll bathe together."
She was used to it by now, so she sounded matter-of-fact.
"I'll be waiting," Kitazawa said obediently.
He was especially curious about Kurenai's birthday present—not just the nightly routine.
He went to the bathroom. After a few minutes, he turned on the hot water.
Steam quickly filled the tub and started to billow.
He rubbed his chin.
Something felt missing.
Oh—glass.
Steam-traced doodles on the glass always had their charm.
He sank into the tub to wait.
Soon, the door opened.
Kurenai came in.
He looked up—and brightened.
She was in a swimsuit.
Her flawless white legs were long and straight, bare feet on the tile. At her waist, twin straps tied off the crucial places. Above her flat stomach, matching straps held up a very persuasive "cushion."
"Why the swimsuit?" he asked. Sexy as it was, wearing one in the bathroom felt… odd.
"Obviously it's for you," she said, stopping in front of him. "I bought a lot of outfits today. I'll change into them for you in a bit."
"So that's the gift?"
Made sense: a private outfit show from a beauty like Kurenai was more than welcome. Judging from the swimsuit alone, the rest would be, uh, stirring.
"Mhm." She paused, then smiled mysteriously. "But that's only the first present."
"There's more?" he asked, surprised. "What is it?"
"You'll know in a moment." She stepped into the bathroom. "I'll wash you first."
"Thanks."
He turned around as usual.
Her hand glided across his back; her eyes went a little hazy.
A moment later, she gave a light tug—her swimsuit slipped into the water.
She squeezed out body wash, lathered her hands, and spread foam over his back.
Then, instead of hands, she pressed herself to him.
His pupils narrowed.
That unique "bath sponge" sensation rolled down his back—his whole body relaxed… yeah, right.
Torture.
But she was working so… conscientiously that he couldn't bring himself to interrupt.
Time ticked by.
"Turn around," Kurenai breathed.
He did—and her face went pink at once.
"Not my fault," he said, blinking innocently at the suds on her skin.
"Mhm." She said nothing, leaned forward, and kept washing him.
A moment later, she bent lower.
Kitazawa's calm expression froze.
He glanced down at her on instinct.
Black hair floated on the surface; water and light blurred his view, but he could make out those puffed cheeks.
He hadn't expected Kurenai to go this far.
He let himself relax against the tub.
Bubbles rose on the water.
Of the three "routes," only one remained open.
Still, Kitazawa was a gentleman. He wouldn't "pull strings"—and he certainly wouldn't take the so-called "back door."
He didn't know how long it lasted.
Kurenai straightened at last, black hair clinging to pale skin; fresh from the bath, she was a picture.
His gaze, however, snagged on the swallow of her throat.
"You… you don't have to—" he began.
Her fingertip pressed to his lips.
"That was your birthday present," she said, licking her lips with a smile.
"Thank you." He wrapped her soft, curvy body in his arms.
"Give me two minutes," she said brightly. "That'll give you two minutes to rest, too."
"Do I need the rest?" he asked, one brow up.
Her blush deepened. She knew exactly how strong he was.
She stood and slipped into the restroom next door.
After brushing her teeth, she returned to the bathroom.
"L-let's go to the bedroom," she murmured, settling onto his lap and looping her arms around his neck.
He steadied himself for a couple seconds, stood, and carried her to the room.
Ten-odd minutes later, they finally made it.
On the bed lay the outfits Kurenai had prepared: a maid uniform, a qipao, a kimono, and various ensembles that were… thrifty with fabric.
Kitazawa drew a long breath, glanced at Kurenai clinging to him, and thought: another night of joyful suffering.
A new day.
Week two of winter break officially began.
Kitazawa woke from sleep.
He yawned and looked at the wall clock—past eight.
He glanced at Kurenai, fast asleep and exhausted, and shook his head.
In the end, she'd paid dearly for trying to tough it out.
Still, that… special experience last night had been pretty interesting.