Secret Switch

No, I need to change the subject quickly, Zeyu thought, rubbing his eyes.

After pondering for a long while, he caught sight of the lump of sand in Gaara's hand and suddenly hit upon an idea.

"Um, Gaara, I've thought of a way to help you," Zeyu said.

"Is that so? What kind of way?" Gaara turned his head away, wiping his face as he asked.

Zeyu snatched the sand lump from Gaara's hand and pulled out a short blade, carving and whittling away at it.

Gaara watched Zeyu's movements with some confusion.

Before long, a small figurine had been crafted by Zeyu.

Zeyu held it out in front of Gaara and said, "When you have nothing to do, you can try making things out of sand. It's not just a way to pass the time; it can also train your control."

Gaara looked at the little figure in Zeyu's hand, and a sudden realization dawned on him.

He immediately spread his hands, trying to condense the sand to make something.

However, 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 into Gaara's hand. "Practice slowly, you can do it." With that, Zeyu stood up, preparing to leave.

He hadn't taken two steps when Gaara's voice came from behind: "Wait a moment, Zeyu."

"What is it now?" Zeyu asked, turning back.

"That... thank you," Gaara said, standing up.

Zeyu smiled back and said, "No need, just remember what I said."

Having said that, Zeyu waved his hand and turned to walk away.

"Which part?" Gaara asked.

"All of it!" Zeyu replied.

Gaara watched Zeyu's retreating back, then looked down at the little figurine in his hand and gave a faint smile.

Returning to his bed, Zeyu had just sat down when Hinata, lying on her side, asked softly, "Zeyu-kun, where did you go just now?"

Seeing that Hinata was awake, Zeyu quickly lay down on his side and scooted closer to her.

He leaned in toward Hinata's ear and whispered, "I just went for a walk. Did I wake you, Hinata?"

Zeyu's breath brushed gently against Hinata's ear, making her feel ticklish, and she shrank her head further into the blanket.

"No, it's just... I felt like you weren't there, and I was a little worried..." Hinata said.

Zeyu reached out to stroke Hinata's head and said softly, "Hinata, you're really so cute. It's alright, I was just taking a stroll."

Hinata gripped the blanket with both hands and peeked out, revealing only her eyes, and asked in a small voice, "Really?"

"Mm, rest easy. I'm right here," Zeyu said, reaching out a finger to lift the blanket covering her face.

Her face, slightly flushed beneath the covers, was revealed—looking incredibly obedient and adorable. Her delicate, cherry-like lips looked even more beautiful under the faint moonlight.

Zeyu couldn't help but stare, momentarily dazed.

Seeing Zeyu staring at her without blinking, Hinata couldn't help but feel shy. Her face turned even redder, and she cupped her cheeks with her hands, whispering, "Zeyu-kun, don't stare at me like that. You're making me shy."

Being told this, Zeyu snapped back to reality and said, "Sorry, Hinata is just too cute; I couldn't help but look a little longer."

As he spoke, Zeyu leaned in closer and added, "Hey, Hinata, kiss~"

This time, Hinata was even more embarrassed. She quickly reached out to cup Zeyu's face and said bashfully, "No, Zeyu-kun, everyone is here."

Zeyu reached out to grab Hinata's hands and pulled her waist closer, his face inches away, their lips nearly touching.

"Hinata, we haven't kissed in days," Zeyu said, a hint of grievance in his eyes.

At the same time, he gently pressed his hand against Hinata's waist, feeling the soft, fleshy sensation beneath his palm.

Hinata felt a tingling, itchy sensation spread across her waist from that touch. Being watched by Zeyu made her heart race, as if a cat were scratching at her insides.

With Zeyu leaning in so close, his scent filled every breath she took. She gradually lost her composure, slowly closing her eyes as she prepared to lean in for a kiss.

Just then, Megumi suddenly rolled over, turning onto her side and facing away from the two of them.

Startled by the movement, Hinata quickly opened her eyes to look at Megumi, her heart pounding even faster.

"Wait a moment, Zeyu-kun. I'm really afraid of being discovered, I feel so shy..." Hinata closed her eyes, not daring to look at Zeyu, and added, "Could you give me some time?"

Zeyu felt his heart melting at Hinata's cuteness; the way she was so shy yet didn't want to let him down was truly endearing.

He leaned in close to her ear and whispered softly, "I can, but... I'm going to need some interest."

"Interest? What do you..."

Before Hinata could finish her question, Zeyu licked her ear.

"Ah! Zeyu-kun... don't," Hinata said bashfully, her head shrinking back from the ticklish sensation.

Zeyu pressed his advantage, licking her again and even giving her earlobe a light nip, only letting go after a short while.

Hinata bit her finger, tears welling up in her eyes, her entire body burning hot.

Noticing that Zeyu had stopped, she finally let out a sigh of relief.

"Zeyu-kun, it's too ticklish, I won't be able to hold back."

Zeyu smiled slightly, tightening his grip on her waist before leaning in to nip at her tender, white neck.

"Ah!" Hinata couldn't help but let out a startled cry, quickly covering her mouth with her hands.

She glanced at Megumi beside them, and only after seeing there was no reaction did she move her hand away.

However, Zeyu continued, beginning to lick the skin of her neck.

Hinata had no choice but to cover her mouth again, her other hand gripping Zeyu's arm tightly against her stomach.

She endured it, but in just a few moments, she was already drenched in a light, fragrant sweat.

I can't... I can't hold back anymore, Hinata thought. Her body felt numb and tingly, burning with heat, and her eyes had grown hazy.

A short while later, Hinata finally reached her limit.

She turned to embrace Zeyu, cupping his face in her hands and saying, "I'm sorry, Zeyu-kun, for making you wait so long."

With that, she leaned in and kissed his lips.

Zeyu was momentarily stunned by her initiative. Looking into her beautiful eyes, he closed his own and leaned into the kiss.

After a long while, they finally pulled apart. As they separated, a puff of warm air escaped, and a thin silver thread stretched between their lips.

Both were panting, gazing at each other with deep affection, their faces flushed red.

"Hinata is so proactive, you really startled me," Zeyu said with a smile.

Coming to her senses, Hinata's face turned even redder, and she buried her head in Zeyu's chest.

Zeyu stroked her hair, comforting her softly.

"But I don't dislike it at all. I love you the most, Hinata. I love everything about you."

Hinata bit her lip, looked up at Zeyu, and said, "Me too. I love you the most, Zeyu-kun. I love everything about you."

The two shared a smile and held each other tightly once more.

Why did I have to wake up! Damn it! Megumi thought resentfully, lying on her side and pretending to be asleep.

And of all things, I wake up needing to use the bathroom. Ugh, so annoying.

She opened her eyes to look at the bright moon outside the window, feeling an indescribable sense of frustration.

At this moment, in the Forest of Death.

Inside a hollowed-out tree root.

"How is Zaku?" asked Dosu, who was wrapped tightly in bandages with only one eye visible, as he looked at the girl in front of him.

"Ah, he's alright, but he won't be able to use ninjutsu for a while," said Kin, her long hair draped over her shoulders.

Dosu glanced at Zaku, who was lying to the side, and said helplessly, "Sigh, it's about time we left. There's no point in staying here any longer."

"But, didn't Lord Orochimaru say..." Kin asked, confused.

Dosu let out a cold snort and said, "Give it a rest. Orochimaru doesn't care about our lives at all. He even went ahead and gave Sasuke that thing, making it clear he wants us to go to our deaths."

Kin was left speechless upon hearing this, slowly lowering her head.

Dosu took a deep breath and said, "In any case, we can't kill Sasuke right now. We have no choice but to find a way out first; staying here only means waiting for death."

"Zaku's arm needs medical attention, too."

The two of them looked at Zaku and could only sigh helplessly.