Dusk crept in behind Yugito, edging her shoulders and the tips of her hair in dark Kurenai light.
She had changed into pale gray casual clothes. Her collar was fastened tighter than before, and her sash was neatly tied, but there was an awkwardness in her stance that she had never shown before.
"Lord Yongye, sorry to disturb you."
"The places you injured before still hurt. Lady Tsunade's treatment doesn't seem to have healed them completely."
"I heard your Medical Ninjutsu is even better than Lady Tsunade's."
"I'd like you to... examine me thoroughly, inside and out."
Yongye could barely hold back his grin, though he kept just the right note of teasing in his voice.
"No problem."
"I've never heard a request like that in my life."
A faint blush rose to Yugito's ears. She kept her gaze lowered and said nothing. She simply stepped over the threshold and closed the door behind her.
The door hinge sounded unusually clear in the dusk. The latch slipped into place with a soft click.
She stopped three paces in front of Yongye, knees held slightly together. Raising both hands, she rested her fingertips on the sash at her waist.
She moved without haste, with a trace of hesitant awkwardness, as if she had spent a long time gathering her resolve only to falter at the last moment.
"Lord Yongye, please."
As she spoke, her fingers hooked the edge of her sash and gave it a gentle tug.
The sash slid from her waist and fell in a dark curve through the dusk, landing on the floor beside her feet.
Her robe opened to either side, revealing the white undergarment beneath. Its neckline caught the twilight with a soft sheen.
She took half a step forward and raised her hand, palm up,