Splash-
Kurotsuchi lifted both feet out of the stream, droplets sliding down skin that had grown even fairer and softer after soaking in the water.
Drip, drip.
They trickled from her calves to her feet before falling back into the stream.
Standing on the riverbank, Kurotsuchi said to Luo Mang,
"It's getting a little hot. Let's head back."
"Sure."
Luo Mang nodded in agreement. He quickly fanned his face with his hand to ease the heat.
Thank goodness Kurotsuchi had brought it up. Any longer in this heat, and he would have had to wash his face with the water she'd soaked her feet in.
Kurotsuchi smiled.
"What a lukewarm reaction. We're on a date, you know."
"Yeah, it's a little hot. I'm not really in the mood. Let's find somewhere to eat first."
Luo Mang figured that after finding a shop, eating something, and resting a while, he would be in the mood. They still had the whole afternoon, didn't they?
Kurotsuchi nodded thoughtfully.
"Hehe, you treated me to snacks, so I'll treat you to a local specialty from our Rock Shadow Village. Come on."
After saying that, Kurotsuchi wore a mysterious smile.
Luo Mang asked curiously,
"What specialty?"
Every village had its own specialties, which was perfectly normal, but he really couldn't imagine what Rock Shadow Village might have. Sand Village came to mind; perhaps they had something like grilled cactus.
After all, the desert had plenty of plants that couldn't be found elsewhere.
Kirigakure had seafood, and Cloud Shadow Village had hardy mountain cattle.
But he really couldn't think of anything Iwagakure had.
He had expected an answer, but even after waiting quite a while, Kurotsuchi neither changed her smile nor answered. She merely chuckled.
"Hehe."
That left Luo Mang rather bewildered.
"Huh?"
He followed her along