In Naruto, I Have an Affair with Mikoto and Kushina

As the night went on, Souta sat beside the bed, arms crossed. He kept an eye on Pakura, but exhaustion was catching up to him.

At some point, his head dipped forward, and he dozed off.

Morning

Pakura's eyes snapped open.

For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling. Her body ached, her wounds throbbed—but she was alive. Someone had treated her.

Her eyes shifted downward.

This is already simple and effective, but I can tighten it a bit more:

Souta sat on the floor beside the bed, arms crossed, head tilted forward as he slept.

Pakura's fingers twitched.

Slowly, she reached under the blanket, gripping a kunai.

Silent. Careful. She lifted it.

One strike. That was all it would take.

She raised it—

Then stopped.

If he wanted to hurt her, he would have done it already. Instead, he treated her wounds and let her rest.

Her grip loosened.

With a quiet sigh, she placed the kunai on the table.

She looked at him again, this time with curiosity.

Souta stirred. A quiet groan left his lips as he shifted, cracking one eye open.

Pakura tensed, hand twitching toward the kunai—then stopped herself.

His gaze met hers.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then, Souta sat up, rubbing his temple. "You're awake."

Pakura swallowed. "Yeah."

His eyes flicked to her bandages, then back to her face. "How do you feel?"

She hesitated. "…Better."

Souta nodded. "Good."

Silence.

Pakura curled her fingers against the blanket. She wasn't used to this. Being cared for. Being… saved.

She glanced at him—really looked at him. Calm, unreadable, but something in his voice was different. Polite. Measured. No arrogance. No condescension. Just quiet concern.

Her heart skipped.

Irritated, she looked away. "Tch. Don't get the wrong idea. I didn't ask for your help."

He raised an eyebrow. "Then who was it that broke into my house, put a kunai to my throat, and passed out?"

Pakura clicked her tongue, looking away. "That's not the point."

Souta exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. "Right. Of course." He leaned back, arms crossed. "You're welcome, by the way."

Pakura's fingers twitched. She hated this—being in someone's debt. Being vulnerable.

"…Thanks," she muttered.

Souta smirked. "Didn't quite hear that."

Her eyes snapped to his, a faint heat creeping up her face. "I said thanks, alright?"

He chuckled. "See? That wasn't so hard."

Pakura scowled, but her heart hammered against her ribs. Damn him. Why was he so composed? So irritatingly unbothered, even after she nearly slit his throat?

She should leave.

But her body had other plans. The moment she sat up, sharp pain shot through her ribs.

Souta moved instantly. "Don't push yourself." His hand rested lightly on her shoulder.

Pakura froze.

His touch was barely there, but it sent an unfamiliar jolt through her chest.

She quickly shrugged him off. "I'm fine."

Souta sighed. "Sure. And I'm Hokage."

She clenched her jaw, ignoring her pounding pulse.

"…Why?" she asked suddenly.

He blinked. "Why what?"

"Why help me?" Her voice was quieter. Almost unsure. "You don't even know me."

He studied her. "I warned you when we first met. Your village doesn't like you. They sent you on a death mission."

Pakura stiffened.

She wanted to deny it. But deep down, she knew the truth.

She tightened her grip on the blanket. "Tch… It's not like that."

Souta leaned back. "Isn't it?"

Frustration bubbled inside her. He didn't get it. He wasn't a shinobi. He didn't understand duty, loyalty. And yet…

The way he spoke, the way he looked at her—it was like he saw through the excuses.

Her heart thumped, and she hated it.

"Forget it," she muttered. "I'll be gone soon."

Souta raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. With injuries like that? Sure."

Pakura clicked her tongue but stayed silent. The truth was, she had nowhere to go.

Souta sighed, rubbing his temple. "Look… you can stay a few days. No more than that."

Her head snapped toward him. "What?"

"I can't have people finding out I'm sheltering a shinobi from another village," he said. "It'd be a problem for me. I don't have that kind of power to protect you."

She searched his face for any sign of deceit. There was none—just cold, practical truth.

"Tch. Whatever," she muttered.

Still, something about it… stung.

Souta stood, stretching. "You should rest. I'll bring food later. Try not to die before then."

Pakura rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

The Next Few Days

Despite herself, staying wasn't so bad.

Souta changed her bandages, made sure she ate, and left her alone when she needed space.

But the way he did it—so casual, so… kind—unnerved her. No pity. No hidden motives. Just quiet care.

More than once, she caught herself watching him.

The way he pushed his hair back when frustrated. The dry humor in his voice. The way he never once looked at her like she was broken.

Her heartbeat would quicken. She'd scowl and look away.

By the third day, she was strong enough to move again. She knew she had to leave.

And yet, when Souta placed a cup of tea beside her without a word, something tightened in her chest.

She didn't want to go.

Pakura exhaled sharply, setting the tea down. "This is pointless. Sitting here, resting… I need answers."

Souta raised an eyebrow. "Answers?"

She stood, testing her strength. Sore, but manageable. "I'm going back. I need to find out why they did this—why they sent me to die."

He didn't react, just studied her. "And if you don't like the answer?"

Pakura's hands clenched. "Then I'll deal with it."

Souta shook his head. "You're stubborn."

She smirked. "You have no idea."

Turning toward the door, she hesitated. Her instincts told her to leave without another word. But something stopped her.

Slowly, she reached into her pouch, pulling out a thin scroll.

She tossed it to him. Souta caught it with ease. "What's this?"

"A way to contact me," she said, crossing her arms. "If you ever need help, use it."

His eyes flicked to her. "You owe me that much?"

Pakura scoffed. "I don't owe anyone anything." She turned away, her voice quieter. "I just don't like leaving debts open."

Souta smirked. "Uh-huh."