In Naruto, I Have an Affair with Mikoto and Kushina

"I meant what I said last night," she murmured. "About wanting to go somewhere else. Somewhere safe. I know it's foolish to dream of a life outside of all this, but I can't help it."

"It's not foolish. It's human."

Pakura looked at him again, searching his face for any hint of mockery. When she found none, she let out a small, tired laugh. "You always know the right thing to say, don't you?"

"Not really. I just say what I mean."

Another pause stretched between them before Pakura shifted, resting her arms on her knees. "Souta," she began hesitantly. "If we did leave… where would we even go?"

Souta sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "That depends. Are you looking for peace, or just a temporary hiding place?"

Pakura hesitated. "I don't know anymore."

He nodded as if he expected that answer. "Then we figure it out as we go."

She let out another quiet laugh. "You really don't plan anything, do you?"

Souta chuckled. "I like to keep my options open."

Pakura shook her head but smiled faintly. "If we do leave, you're not doing it just for me, are you?"

Souta leaned back, resting his arms behind his head. "Maybe I just want to see where the wind takes me."

She gave him a long, unreadable look before finally standing up. "We should get some food," she said, changing the subject. "If I'm staying here, I might as well help with something."

Souta smirked. "You cook?"

Pakura raised an eyebrow. "You don't?"

He laughed. "Fair point."

She shook her head in amusement and walked toward the door. "Come on. I'll see what I can make."

Souta followed, watching as she moved with more purpose than she had the night before.

As the day stretched on, Pakura settled into the small space, moving through the motions of preparing food with practiced ease.

Souta leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her with mild amusement.

"You're surprisingly domestic for a rogue ninja," he remarked.

Pakura shot him a dry look as she stirred the simmering pot. "You think just because I was a shinobi, I never learned how to cook?"

"Didn't say that," Souta smirked. "But it's rare to see someone who's good at both killing and making soup."

Pakura rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she ladled out a bowl and handed it to him. "Here. Try it before you run your mouth any further."

Souta accepted the bowl with a nod, taking a careful sip. The warmth spread through him, the rich flavors lingering on his tongue. He raised an eyebrow. "Not bad."

Pakura exhaled, shaking her head in exasperation. "A simple 'thank you' would have sufficed."

Souta grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"

She muttered something under her breath but sat down across from him, her own bowl in hand. They ate in silence for a while.

As if sensing her thoughts, Souta spoke. "You ever think about what you'd do if you weren't running?"

Pakura paused, her chopsticks hovering over her bowl. "…Sometimes."

"And?"

She exhaled, stirring absentmindedly. "I don't know. Maybe something quiet. Something simple." She gave a small, almost embarrassed smile. "A normal life in some village, maybe."

Souta blinked. Then he laughed. "A normal life?"

Pakura huffed. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing." He shook his head, still grinning. "I just didn't expect it. You don't seem like the type to live a normal life."

Pakura watched him, curiosity flickering in her gaze. "Why do you do it?"

"What?"

"This." She gestured vaguely around them. "The tea shop. Living here, keeping your head down. You don't strike me as someone who just wants a quiet life."

Souta leaned back, gazing at the ceiling. "Maybe I just got tired."

Pakura studied him, noting the way his usual teasing demeanor had momentarily faded. She wanted to ask more but she held back.

Instead, she simply said, "I understand."