"No, I need to change the subject, and fast." Zeyu rubbed his eyes and thought.
After a long moment of thought, he spotted the clump of sand in Gaara's hand and suddenly got an idea.
"Um, Gaara, I thought of a way to help you," Zeyu said.
"Really? What is it?" Gaara turned his head away and wiped his face as he asked.
Zeyu took the clump of sand from Gaara and pulled out his short blade, carving and shaving away at it.
Gaara watched Zeyu's hands, a little puzzled.
Before long, Zeyu had made a little figurine.
He held it out to Gaara and said,
"When you have some free time, try making things out of sand. It'll not only help pass the time, but also improve your control."
Gaara looked at the figurine in Zeyu's hand, suddenly enlightened.
He immediately spread his hands and tried to gather some sand to make something.
But the sand only formed into a ball before collapsing and spilling onto the ground.
Gaara: "..."
Zeyu gave an awkward laugh and placed the little figurine in Gaara's hand.
"Keep practicing. You can do it." With that, Zeyu stood up to leave.
He had barely taken two steps when Gaara's voice came from behind him:
"Wait, Zeyu."
"What is it now?" Zeyu asked, turning around.
"Um... thank you." Gaara stood up as he spoke.
Zeyu smiled back at him.
"You're welcome. Just remember what I told you."
With that, Zeyu waved and turned to leave.
"Which part?" Gaara asked.
"All of it!" Zeyu replied.
Gaara watched Zeyu walk away, then looked down at the little figurine in his hand and smiled faintly.
When Zeyu returned to his bed and sat down, Hinata turned toward him and asked softly,
"Zeyu, where did you go just now?"
Seeing that Hinata was awake, Zeyu quickly lay down on his side and moved closer to her.
He leaned toward her ear and whispered,
"I just went for a walk. Did I wake you?"
Zeyu's gentle breath brushed against Hinata's ear, making her feel a little ticklish. She burrowed farther beneath the blanket.
"No. I just got a little worried when you weren't here..." Hinata said.
Zeyu reached out and stroked her head, speaking softly.
"You're so cute, Hinata. Don't worry, I just went for a walk."
Hinata clutched the blanket with both hands and peeked out, showing only her eyes. She asked quietly,
"Really?"
"Yeah, don't worry. I'm right here." As he spoke, Zeyu reached out and lifted the blanket covering Hinata's face.
Her cheeks beneath it were faintly flushed, and she looked so sweet and adorable. Her delicate lips seemed almost to glisten, made even lovelier by the faint moonlight.
Zeyu couldn't help staring, momentarily dazed.
When Hinata saw him gazing at her without blinking, she grew embarrassed, her face turning even redder. She cupped her cheeks with both hands and whispered,
"Zeyu, don't stare at me like that. You're making me embarrassed."
Hinata's words brought Zeyu back to his senses. He said,
"Sorry. You're just so cute, Hinata. I couldn't help looking a little longer."
He moved closer and added,
"Hey, Hinata, kiss~"
Hinata grew even more embarrassed. She quickly placed both hands on Zeyu's face and said shyly,
"No, Zeyu, everyone's here."
Zeyu took hold of her hands and put an arm around her waist, bringing his face close to hers. Their lips were only a little distance apart.
"Hinata, we haven't kissed in days," Zeyu said, a hint of grievance in his eyes.
At the same time, he gently pressed a hand against her waist, feeling its softness beneath his palm.
The touch sent a ticklish, tingling sensation through Hinata's waist. Under Zeyu's gaze, her heart fluttered as if a cat were scratching at it.
With Zeyu so close, all she could smell was him whenever she breathed. Little by little, she began to give in. She slowly closed her eyes, about to kiss him.
Just then, Megumi turned over beside them, facing the other way with her back to the two of them.
The movement startled Hinata. She quickly opened her eyes and looked at Megumi, her heart beating even faster.
"Wait, Zeyu, I'm really scared someone will find out. It's embarrassing..." Hinata closed her eyes, afraid to look at him, and continued,
"Could you give me a little time?"
Hinata's shy, yet unwilling-to-disappoint-him expression nearly melted Zeyu's heart. It was so endearing.
So he leaned toward her ear again and whispered,
"Sure, but... I'm going to charge a little interest."
"Interest? What...?"
As Hinata asked, Zeyu licked her ear.
"Ah! Zeyu... don't!" Hinata said shyly, drawing her head back at the ticklish sensation.
Zeyu pressed his advantage, licking her again and even gently biting her ear. A little while passed before he finally let her go.
Hinata lightly bit her finger, tears welling in her eyes. Her whole body was burning.
Only when she realized Zeyu had stopped did she finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Zeyu, that tickles so much. I won't be able to hold back."
Zeyu smiled faintly, tightening the arm around Hinata's waist before gently biting her soft, fair neck.
"Ah!" Hinata couldn't stop herself from crying out at the sudden sensation. She hurriedly covered her mouth.
She glanced at Megumi. When she saw there was no reaction, she lowered her hand.
But Zeyu continued licking Hinata's neck.
Hinata could only cover her mouth again, while her other hand clutched Zeyu's arm tightly where it rested against her stomach.
She tried to endure it, but in just a moment, she was already covered in a sheen of sweat.
No... I can't hold back much longer. Hinata's body tingled, and she was burning all over. Her eyes had grown a little hazy.
A short while later, Hinata couldn't hold back anymore.
She turned toward Zeyu and hugged him, cupping his face in her hands.
"I'm sorry for making you wait, Zeyu."
Then she kissed him on the lips.
Zeyu was so surprised by Hinata's initiative that he froze for a moment. Looking into her beautiful eyes, he closed his own and kissed her back.
After a long while, they finally parted. Their warm breath mingled, and a strand of saliva stretched between their lips.
They panted and gazed into each other's eyes, both of their faces flushed.
"You were so forward, Hinata. You startled me," Zeyu said with a laugh.
Hinata came to her senses, her face turning even redder. She buried her head in Zeyu's arms.
Zeyu stroked her head and comforted her softly.
"But I don't mind. I love you most of all, Hinata. I love everything about you."
Hinata pursed her lips and looked at Zeyu.
"Me too. I love you most of all, Zeyu. I love everything about you."
They both smiled and hugged each other tightly again.
"..."
Why did I have to wake up, damn it! How annoying! Megumi thought bitterly as she lay on her side, pretending to be asleep.
And I woke up needing to use the bathroom, too. Ugh, this is so annoying.
She opened her eyes and stared at the bright moon outside the window, filled with an indescribable sense of gloom.
Meanwhile, in the Forest of Death,
inside the hollow beneath the roots of a great tree,
"How's Zaku?" Dosu asked the girl in front of him, his body wrapped tightly from head to toe, with only one eye showing.
"Oh, he's all right, but he can't use ninjutsu with his hand for now," Kin said, her long hair draped over her shoulders.
Dosu glanced at Zaku, who was lying off to one side, and said helplessly,
"Haah, we should leave soon. There's no point staying here any longer."
"But didn't Lord Orochimaru say..." Kin asked, confused.
Dosu snorted.
"Forget it. Orochimaru doesn't care whether we live or die. He even gave Sasuke that thing ahead of us. It's obvious he was sending us to our deaths."
Kin was left speechless. She slowly lowered her head.
Dosu took a deep breath and said,
"Anyway, we can't kill Sasuke right now. We can only try to get out and see what happens. If we stay here, we're just waiting to die."
"Zaku's hand needs treatment, too."
The two of them looked at Zaku and could only sigh helplessly.