Chapter 78 - Arc XI: Companionship- Chapter 5

So then…
Yuji kind of understood what he was supposed to do. But he’d really had no practice. He’d been engaged, but never dated. So how did-?

“Shiroko, what do you like to do?”

Step one. Okay, try to get her to take the lead.

Shiroko was kneeling like a perfect little lady, but the smile on her face was wicked.
“Why, Yuji-kun, don’t tell me you’re trying to get me to take the lead already! And before the bedroom! Shame on you!”

What the hell? How do you react to that? Okay, okay, time to think. Uh…
“Well, then, それは… How about we start with…tea?”

“Why phrase it like question? Doesn’t tea sound good to you?” Shiroko asked innocently, that wicked little smile still on her face. She giggled a bit into the cup of tea Yuji had set before her when she had come in. He had such manners. He took a sip, eyes closed and head tilted back, giving him an opportunity to observe her.
“I’m sorry, Yuji. Sakura told me to make you really work on your technique. Don’t take it personally.”

Yuji loosened up a little bit after that. He stood up, offering Shiroko a hand up. She took it, smiling gently. Somehow, despite the ‘I’m so feminine’ act, Yuji could feel that Shiroko was strong. Very strong. And Yuji liked ‘strong’.

And yet, the mini-skirted beauty on his arm radiated with a feminine glow. She was…well, cute. Really cute. Smiling calmly as if she had no idea how cute she was. No hint of arrogance or doginess. No apparent desire to be anywhere else but here. Contentment, that was the word.

How long has it been since I felt content? Yuji wondered even as he made conversation with Shiroko. I noticed my body behaving oddly, but I never thought. Do I actually crave a girl’s attention? Is that what I’m feeling? This…lust? Is that it? It’s making me stupid! I’m thinking things I shouldn’t! She isn’t an object; damnit! None of them are. No. I refuse to give in to-

Shiroko had stopped talking and was studying Yuji. She could see him blushing, as if thinking about-

Well, well, I guess Yuji-kun is still a guy. It’s not like I hadn’t noticed. But without Kuroko, I really have a shot. I know he’s lonely. Sakura told me, and I can see it all over him.

Her hands fiddled with her skirt, playing with the pleats. She didn’t really need to stall for time. She knew what she wanted to say. It was a little awkward, maybe. But all the same, no reason for hesitation. Except for the fact that Shiroko really liked Yuji.
“Um, Yuji-kun?”

Yuji stopped pretending there was a coherent thought in his head and faced her.
“Yes?”

どーくん
どくん

“I, um…I wouldn’t mind it- I mean, I know about Azami and Sakura, and I-Oh, hell!”

She grabbed his head and kissed him. Her lips sweetly met his. An innocent kiss between two children. It was just a quick kiss, over nearly as it started, but damned if both weren’t breathless and blushing afterward!

She held his face, looking up into his eyes. His hazel eyes clashed with her pale green eyes, but an intense feeling of connection buzzed through them both. It electrified the gaze.

“We aren’t strangers, and we aren’t children,” Shiroko heard herself say. “If there’s something on your mind- no, my mind as well- then why shouldn’t we just be honest about it?”

Yuji managed to unfurl his tongue after a couple heartbeats’ time. He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her closer.
“You’re right. This is stupid. We’re both…well, I know I’m…I feel comfortable with you. And I won’t pretend I’m totally into you right now.”

Shiroko shook her head before laying it against his chest.
“No. You’re not.”
She gave him that mischievous little smile from before, and it damn near stopped his heart.
“You aren‘t in me yet, anyway. But you will be.”

Abruptly, she pulled away, leaving him startled and…lonely. What the hell?

“But not tonight!” she called out, sticking her tongue out. She clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward a bit. “Not on the first date! Now, come one, that kiss made me hungry!”

Yuji chased her, feeling like a teenager in love. But this time, someone was actually receiving that affection and giving it back. It felt awesome!

He heard her up ahead, her cute little laugh making him want to catch up in the worst way.
“Always leave ‘em wanting more, Yuji-kun!”
-
-

As they drank their tea calmly, Yuji did find himself indeed wanting more. Shiroko was fun, friendly, and so sweet! But she had a wild side, too. If her sense of humor was any indication, she would be a riot if they ever slept together.

Oh, now that was a pretty image. He could almost picture it. Her head on his chest as she slept peacefully, tired out from a good, long, hard play with him. Her soft flesh up against his bruise and scar-ridden body, the two of them practically melting into one another.

Why does that seem weird? Shouldn’t I be thinking of the sex part, rather than what happens after? That’s not a normal thought for a guy my age.

Shiroko was talking about her and Kuroko, and how fun it could be to having a sibling who was a polar opposite. Yuji listened, head propped up on his hand. His thoughts drifted a bit. If he was honest with himself, he was trying to figure out what made Shiroko special.

She’s been teasing me, but nothing like Azami. And she’s strong, but not like Sakura. She’s cute in spades, but while that would get my attention, I know I need more than that to be interested.
Ah, to hell with psychoanalyzing myself! I’m having fun for the first time in a long time. Whatever it is about her I like so much, she’s making me feel special, and even at ease.

“…and since Kuroko and I really don’t mind it, her and I could totally share you! She plays rough, though, so you and I would definitely be ‘bottoms’.”

Yuji shook himself out of his trance, blinking at what he had just heard. Or thought he heard.
“Run that by me again?” he requested, feeling his face flush anew.

That earned him a light rap on the head from Shiroko.
“Dummy. You’re supposed to pay attention to me when we’re on a date! Brood on your own time!”

“Sorry, Sorry,” Yuji apologized quickly. He glanced at her quickly, gauging her mood. He dropped his voice to a low whisper and put on a set of bedroom eyes he’d never thought he had.
“How ‘bout I make it up to you?”

Shiroko felt herself blushing despite herself as she answered with “What did you have in mind.”

Yuji grinned in an almost wolfish way. “Why, walk you home, of course! Walk you home and kiss you goodnight.”

Pfft. Worried for nothing, Shiroko thought.
“That’s it?” she responded, mockingly sarcastic.

“Always leave ‘em wanting more. That’s how it’s done, right?”

Shiroko shoved him in the chest. “You bastard! Besides, that only works when I do it to you!”

Yuji couldn’t help but notice that Shiroko’s hand lingered on his chest longer than it needed to. When she withdrew it, it seemed like an abysmally short time, however. He didn’t want to lose that contact. It grounded him; made him feel ‘real’. His power made him more than human when it came to chakra, but the void left by the women in Yuji’s life grew constantly. This little scrap of attention, probably tossed thoughtlessly…

No. Not thoughtlessly. Sakura had briefed Shiroko. She knew the score. And there was no way she was just toying with Yuji. She really did want to be there for him. He wasn’t sure in what capacity. He’d begun to understand that sex was one thing while a real relationship was another. But at this juncture of his development, he couldn’t tell which. And frankly, he was caring less and less about that distinction every day. Someone being with him- especially at night, when it was hardest- would be amazing to him. If only Miko, or Azami, or Sakura…

Yuji gave his full attention back to Shiroko. Whatever capacity she was interested in him in, they were friends now. Whether it stayed that way or progressed farther didn’t matter to him. Not right now. Not when he knew the value of having an ally watching his back.
-

They returned to Yuji’s home first. He invited her in, and she accepted. It was still early evening at this point, so they sat down for some talk and another cup of tea. Being alone all the time, Yuji had really learned to make good tea. Shiroko commented on it a couple times, one more time than politeness required.

They chatted about work. Yuji as a servant and Shiroko, who had come from the Land of Iron to live with her aunt and uncle here.

“…You see, Kuroko and I are actually fairly distant cousins. But we’ve always felt like sisters. That’s why I came here.”

Shiroko leaned on the table with her elbow, looking toward the door.
“My parents are okay, I guess. But they expected too much of me. I’m not ready to take on the family dojo yet.”

Yuji was sitting formally, sipping his tea.
“Oh? What art?”

Shiroko sighed a little. “Well, Kyudo was always my forte. My sister- My real younger sister- was more proficient with Battoujutsu.”

That puqied Yuji’s interest. “I used to take Battoujutsu. The Yama Taida Koku version. And Kyudo- I’ve always wanted to learn!”

“What does a ninja need with Kyudo?” Shiroko asked, a little dryly. “I mean, with all your ridiculous powers. You don’t need to humor me, you know?”

Yuji gave a genuine laugh. “Oh, please. Come on, Shiroko. I please everyone; that’s why I have so many friends! You know me better than that. I’m not lying to you to get into your skirt or something! I mean it. Kyudo is cool!”

Shiroko lifted her head a bit, interested in and surprised by Yuji‘s reaction. Hard to believe Yuji was like a kid on Christmas all of a sudden. “Eh? You really think so?”

“Seriously! It’s awesome!”
-

In no time at all, Yuji and Shiroko were in their hakama. Yuji demonstrated some of his Battoujutsu. Shiroko borrowed a sword and showed off a bit. She was most certainly the dojo master’s daughter. She was amazing! And that was before he picked up the bow!

Exhaling calmly, Shiroko held the bow at arm’s length. She placed the arrow, again breathing evenly. The began to pull the drawstring back evenly, until the string was taut.

Yuji couldn’t help but notice a few things. She was adorable in a hakama, for one. For another, she was incredibly muscular. It was tight, feminine muscle, and it really suited her. The third thing was that her hair looked really beautiful in a ponytail. She was nothing short of majestic, holding the bow like that. It was almost a shame when she let the arrow fly.

Bulls eye. All three times.

“You’re amazing!” Yuji gushed, a genuine smile on his face. He was so excited over this that it seemed a bit over the top, though he was being perfectly genuine. “How do you do that?!”

Shiroko shrugged. “I just aim, pull, and release. The trick is to keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate things.”

“Sounds like good advice for everyday life, too.”

Shiroko was getting into this herself. For her, Kyudo and Battoujutsu were just chores. Did you do your homework- yup. Did you brush your teeth- uh-huh. Did you practice deadly, ancient arts- sure did. Okay, dinner!

This is doubly odd when you consider that he’s surrounded by crazy-powerful people. That Azami is in a whole ‘nother category. And Sakura’s a top medic-nin.

Shiroko absently gave Yuji permission to hold her bow. He tugged on it experimentally, being cautious and respectful of the weapon. That was as second nature to him as it was to her, apparently.

So why’s he interested in this stuff? It’s not just me he’s into. He was telling the truth earlier, about really loving martial arts. It’s kinda cute. Puzzling, but cute.

“I would love to visit your parent’s dojo someday,” Yuji commented, handing her back her bow. “Maybe even really pick up Battoujutsu again.”

It was really late now. The moon was full tonight, so it wasn’t as dark as it normally would have been at this late hour. But still! They’d been together for nearly five hours, and at no point had either one been bored, or wanted to leave. If they were honest with each other, they didn’t want to part now. There wasn’t a really sexual longing, either. It was more like they were really close friends.

Friends with benefits, maybe? Yuji’s mind toyed with the idea briefly. He shrugged mentally. He certainly wouldn’t object if it came to that. For the time being, however, he should-
“It’s pretty late. I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but if you want to stay the night…”

Shiroko hadn’t planned on it, but why not? Her home wasn’t far- something Yuji well knew. And the Leaf was patrolled at night by chunin and jonin, so there was little in the way of crime. His offer wasn’t just ‘being polite’. He’d made no reference to sex, either. So that left one thing.

He’s really enjoying himself. Well, if that’s the case, why not?

“I’d love to, if you don’t mind having me.”
Yuji swept his arm in a grand gesture, indicating the house.
“You’re really great company. I daresay you make my dull little bachelor pad much more interesting.”

Shiroko raised an eyebrow at ‘bachelor pad’, but let it pass. It was just a remark. No need to over analyze it. Yuji wouldn’t try anything she wouldn’t welcome.

So she bowed at the door.
“Then I’ll impose on you for the time being.”

Yuji grinned at the formality, and responded by bowing in kind.
“No imposition whatsoever.”

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