After hours of steady travel, the forest path finally opened up, revealing a modest roadside hot springs resort tucked between tall cedar trees.
A faint mist hovered around the wooden buildings, and the soothing sound of water flowing over stone filled the quiet air. It wasn't glamorous, but it was peaceful—and more importantly, it was the perfect place to rest before the dangerous mission ahead.
Yamato glanced over the team, assessing their stamina with a trained eye.
"We'll take a short break here," he announced. "We need to stay in top condition. Everyone, relax—but don't let your guard down completely."
Naruto practically sighed in relief.
"Hot springs? Yes please."
Even Sakura looked grateful—her shoulders visibly relaxing at the idea.
---
The Men's Side.
Naruto and Sai stepped into the men's springs first, wrapping towels around their waists before lowering themselves into the steaming water. The heat was immediate and soothing, loosening the tension in their muscles. Yamato joined them moments later, settling into the water with the kind of peaceful sigh only adults seemed to be capable of.
For a while, the only sound was the bubbling of the water and the distant rustling of trees.
Naruto leaned back, stretching his arms against the rock edge.
"Ahhh… man, this hits the spot."
Even Sai nodded. "Thermal therapy is quite effective in restoring bodily function. This is efficient."
Naruto frowned. "Dude… you could've just said 'it feels nice.'"
Sai blinked. "But I don't feel things."
Naruto rolled his eyes so hard the steam nearly cleared.
Across from them, Yamato closed his eyes, the picture of serenity—until he slowly opened them and spoke in a tone far too calm for what he actually said:
"Nothing," he began, "feels better than being naked together."
Naruto's eyes snapped open. Sai paused mid-blink. Even the hot spring's water felt like it cooled for a second.
Yamato continued as if delivering a lecture:
"It builds trust. Companionship. A bond between men. Don't you agree?"
A deep, cold chill crawled down Naruto's spine like a ghostly hand.
'What is WRONG with this guy?!' he screamed internally.
But outwardly, frozen by fear and social pressure, he managed a stiff:
"Uh… y-yeah."
Sai, ever the wildcard, added, "This is a logical observation. Social nudity promotes shared vulnerability."
Naruto turned to him slowly, horrified.
"Bro. Stop. You're not helping."
---
The Women's Side.
On the other side of the thin wooden partition, Sakura sank into her own spring, letting the warmth envelop her. The women's side was quieter, lined with small lanterns and smooth stones that reflected the mellow light.
She let her head fall back against the rock.
"…Finally," she muttered with a tired smile.
The heat loosened her shoulders, melting away the stiffness from travel. She inhaled deeply—the scent of warm water, cedar wood, and faint minerals filling her lungs.
Her thoughts drifted.
'If this mission goes well… we might actually get closer to finding Sasuke.'
A soft sadness passed through her.
But after a few moments, another image flashed in her mind.
Naruto earlier, standing at his door… towel barely holding on… water running down his chest…
Sakura sank deeper into the water, face heating—not from the steam.
'Okay. Nope. No. Focus, Sakura… focus.'
---
Back on the men's side, Naruto stared blankly at the surface of the water as Yamato hummed peacefully.
' I honestly miss Kakashi now' he thought.
The group continued relaxing in the hot springs, letting the gentle warmth wash away the fatigue of the long journey. Each of them knew that once they resumed their mission, moments like these would be rare—maybe nonexistent—so they savored the quiet while it lasted.
By the time they finished, the sky had already shifted into a deep velvet blue. The hot springs' lanterns flickered softly, casting pools of amber light along the pathways as everyone headed to their rooms.
Yamato gave a few last instructions about departure time before retiring. Sai followed silently, his expression unreadable as always. Sakura gave Naruto a small, almost shy wave before disappearing behind her door.
---
Naruto lay on his futon, staring up at the wooden ceiling. His body was relaxed, but his mind refused to settle. Images of what awaited them—Orochimaru, the spy, Sasuke—flashed through his thoughts. The stakes felt heavier than they had earlier that day.
Unable to stay still, he got up and slipped outside.
The night air was cool and refreshing. A hint of pine and damp earth carried on the breeze, mixing with the distant sound of running water. Fireflies flitted lazily across the nearby garden, their glowing bodies creating drifting specks of green light in the darkness.
Naruto walked toward the quiet stone walkway near the back of the resort, his hands in his pockets, staring up at the star-filled sky.
He wasn't alone for long.
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
"Naruto?"
He turned, already recognizing the voice.
Sakura stood there, hands clasped behind her back. Her hair was slightly damp from the bath, framing her face differently than usual. The faint glow of the lanterns made her eyes look warmer, softer.
Naruto raised a brow. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were stalking me."
Her entire expression snapped.
"W-What? I—I was just taking a stroll! Alone! By myself! It's just a coincidence!" she said way too fast, flustered.
Naruto laughed, lifting a hand. "Relax. That's why I said if I didn't know better."
She huffed… but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
Naruto tilted his head toward the path. "Walk with me?"
"…Sure."
Side by side, they slowly wandered through the resort's garden. Crickets hummed rhythmically. A lantern swayed gently in the wind. Their arms occasionally brushed, though neither commented on it.
Then—
…ahh… ahh—mmm…!
A muffled series of sounds slipped through one of the private bathhouse rooms.
Sakura went bright red.
Naruto kept a straight face. A perfect poker face. But the smirk he was fighting threatened to escape. They kept walking.
TO BE CONTINUED