More Important Things

Nine-Tails understood, and in anger, it stood up straight from the sofa, like an upright Tom Cat.

Before Nine-Tails could even send a telegram, Naruto spoke first.

"At worst, I'll just buy the Fox-dog a bunch of alcohol tomorrow as compensation."

Upon hearing this, the Nine-Tails silently lay back down, pretending nothing had happened. Actually, the weather wasn't very cold; at least it didn't feel it, as long as it wasn't freeloading.

Having calmed Nine-Tails down, Naruto smiled and said to Ino.

"Don't worry about me, you go into the room first."

"But."

"No buts!" Naruto pushed Ino into the room, then went back to the living room to get a candle and placed it on the bedside table. He stood at the door, waved, and then slammed the door shut.

The living room was dimly lit, and he stood at the doorway without leaving immediately. Instead, he silently counted down from ten in his mind.

"Ten, nine, eight, three, two, one."

The door opened with a creak, Ino was startled to see Naruto standing in the doorway. She quickly turned away and whispered.

"You'd better not try to steal the Fox-dog's blanket. It's fine if we sleep in the same bed, since we're both innocent."

Naruto smiled at Ino, nodded, and replied with a "okay."

Inside the room.

Ino's slender body sank into the right side of the bed, motionless. Until she felt the candle in the room being blown out and heard the rustling sound of someone getting into bed so close by.

Her stiff body trembled slightly; she now regretted her impulsive actions.

I just felt sorry for him, thinking it would be too pitiful to let him sleep in that room. After a sudden pang of compassion, I inexplicably opened the door.

It feels like the deed is done now, and it's too late to regret it.

"Are you nervous right now?" Naruto asked.

"Don't say strange things." Ino turned her back completely, burying her burning face in the blankets.

She had assumed Naruto's room would be messy, but when she entered, she found it surprisingly tidy, and even the blankets had no odor.

These elements easily create a clean and tidy atmosphere, reducing the girl's resistance.

Ino was very receptive to this, whether it was holding hands in the dark during a power outage, or gazing into each other's eyes by candlelight, in a clean room, or under a fluffy, fragrant blanket.

In the darkness, Naruto could feel Ino's body temperature coming from the side, and he suddenly asked.

Are you in a hurry to go home tomorrow?

"Hmm." Ino's voice was very soft, almost inaudible.

"The New Year Festival should have been postponed. Tonight isn't too important. Tomorrow, I should go to the shrine with the elders of the Akimichi Clan and Nara Clan."

"So you mean there's no time tomorrow and I have to get up early in the morning?" Naruto asked.

"More or less, what's wrong?" Ino asked softly, feeling that her voice was so soft she could barely hear herself.

"It's nothing, I just wanted you to stay a little longer." The voice came from the other side.

Ino paused for a moment, then turned away. In the darkness, the two were neither too close nor too far apart, sharing the same bed, and even though they were completely innocent, they couldn't help but blush.

"I," Ino gazed into those incredibly familiar eyes, pursed her lips, and hesitated, unable to utter the words.

I felt a little uneasy. Did he mean he wanted me not to leave? Should I agree? Actually, it wouldn't be a big deal to occasionally miss the New Year Festival.

Although I've never missed a single one, it's snowing heavily now, and Konohagakure has never had such a blizzard before. Even if I don't go, it's alright.

Naruto lay on his pillow, his head turned to the side as he stared at Ino in a daze, and he couldn't help but find it a little amusing.

I've been in this world for half a year now. At first, I was lively and energetic, causing all sorts of trouble. Then, after being disciplined a few times, I became more well-behaved, completed a few missions, and made a few friends.

He's faced life and death, and seen many troubles. Actually, things aren't so bad now. At least in the future, he won't be easily swayed by others, and he can afford to buy whatever he wants.

"I could actually come back later," she said.

"Hmm." Naruto responded, then saw Ino brush her hair back and look at him with a slightly unfocused gaze, as if she had made up her mind.

"You've always remembered what happened with Itachi Uchiha, haven't you?" Ino asked.

"Why are you suddenly asking this?" he asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I noticed you had a pretty strong reaction last time; you got really nervous every time someone knocked on the door," Ino said, pursing her lips. "I think you probably had a stress response from being frightened."

"Probably, but it's alright, it doesn't have a big impact."

"I've heard from others that if you talk about it in a safe environment, the psychological trauma will be much better," Ino said hesitantly. "I'm very grateful to you for asking Jiraiya -Lord Jiraiya to find me a teacher."

"But there's nothing I can do for you, so..."

"Don't take that kind of thing to heart. Our relationship doesn't need to be calculated so meticulously," he said.

"It's different, these are two different things." Ino shook her head, her blond hair scattered on the pillow, her eyes stubborn and bright. "I can't pretend I don't know anything and accept it with a clear conscience."

"If it were just a small favor, it wouldn't matter, but this kindness is far too much. Lord Jiraiya and Lord Tsunade are people who could never cross paths with me."

Naruto didn't know how to describe the girl in front of him. Sometimes she was a bit naive, but in some matters she was remarkably clear-headed. To be honest, she was perfect for marrying.

There's no rush now; we have plenty of time.

"Alright then, how do you want to repay me?" Naruto asked.

"Hmm," Ino reached out and cupped his face in her hands, saying to his bewildered expression, "Now you can speak."

"What did you say?" He looked completely bewildered.

"Huh? You're talking about trauma? If I'm here with you like this, the painful memories won't bother you anymore, right?" Ino said, somewhat surprised. "Isn't it working?"

That's what the book says!

"What book are you reading?" Naruto had a vague sense of unease.

Ino blushed, pursing her lips and remaining silent. Naruto was speechless, thinking to himself, "Jiraiya's little uncle is really a menace! What kind of literary giant is this?! Damn it!"

"Ah! Could it be that I'm doing it wrong?" Ino, looking flustered.

"It's not just wrong, it's completely the opposite! Utterly unrelated." Naruto sighed and said seriously, "You should read less of these kinds of books in the future."

"Oh, okay." Ino nodded honestly.

The situation is a bit awkward now. The previous method didn't work, and it's not good to pull your hand back now, nor is it good to leave it there. As Ino hesitated, Naruto spoke up again.

"Actually, there's no harm in saying it. Since it's already done, let's just say it as you wish."

"I'm sorry," Ino, somewhat embarrassed.

"There's no need to apologize for that," he said. "Actually, I'm not afraid of death, nor am I that afraid of Itachi Uchiha. I was just really terrified at the time."

"Is it because it's a matter of life and death?" Ino's eyelashes trembled slightly.

"No, I was afraid something would happen to you, I was so scared." His voice was calm, like a lake in winter. "You came suddenly that day, and I had already prepared to fight to the death."

"However, if the Tailed Beast Transformation, about half the village would be reduced to ruins. But at that time, I didn't really care about the lives of the villagers; it was more important for you to live."

"Why?" Ino felt a sudden pang of sadness, her voice thick with nasal tone.

"There's no why, why are there so many whys?" He suddenly laughed, somewhat amused, and said, "Anyway, nothing really happened in the end, thankfully you were alright."

"You—" Her voice suddenly trembled with tears. She pulled her hands back and turned to the side, sleeping with her back to Naruto.

"What's wrong?" Naruto had no idea what had happened.

"It's nothing, I... I suddenly feel a little sad. Waaah..." Ino was already crying while hugging the blanket, and even without Naruto turning over to look, he could tell how many tears were on her face.

"No, why are you crying if nothing's wrong?" Naruto asked, somewhat amused.

"Mind your own business! Waaah!" Ino cried, but her voice was also cute and fierce.

"Didn't you tell me to say this? Now that I've said it, you won't let me ask anymore." Naruto said helplessly, "What kind of logic is this? It's completely unreasonable."

"Waaah! Are you an idiot?!" Ino was crying so hard that she didn't pay any attention to him and kicked him out of the blanket.

"Ah!" Naruto cried out in pain.

Only after Ino calmed down and her crying turned into sobbing did he tentatively ask.

Do you need some tissues?

"You're doing this on purpose! You've already finished crying, why are you still asking!" Ino's voice was a little unclear, with a thin, hoarse tone, which is usually the case after crying.

"I just asked casually. There were no tissues in the room, but they were in the living room," he said.

"Can't you go get it?" Ino said with her back to him, her voice carrying a hint of reproach. There was also a slight hint of coquetry, but very little; that was the part he imagined.

"It's too cold, I don't want to go."

"How could there be someone like you!" Ino was getting a little frustrated. That person loved to deliberately provoke her and was always acting like a jerk.

How could a normal person say such outrageous things at this moment? What inhuman components make up his heart? Is he sensitive to the atmosphere?

"There are a lot of people like me, haha." Naruto reached out and poked Ino's back, asking considerately, "Are you cold? I have a fleece-lined Maid Outfit."

"Go to hell!!!! Ah!!" Ino suddenly turned around and started punching and kicking Naruto. She didn't hit him hard, but she still managed to get him all sweaty.

Nothing was said that night.

The next morning.

Ino was still fast asleep. There was nothing wrong with the two sleeping separately, and there was no scene like the famous scene from the anime where the two lay sprawled out in the early morning.

In short, everything was normal. Naruto felt somewhat relieved that Ino was sleeping so unguarded, despite his reluctance.

His hand was tempted to touch the smooth, long, golden hair, but he quickly stopped himself. He had important business to attend to; he should hurry up and wash up and make breakfast.

Besides