Koyuki stepped softly toward the head of the table, her royal robe trailing behind like a ripple of spring wind.
"Naruto," she said firmly, stopping beside him.
He looked up—mid-bite, cheeks puffed out like a squirrel on a food hoarding spree.
"Mm? Hello, Princess," he mumbled through mouthfuls of grilled meat. "C'mon, join us! The food's insane."
She smiled gently. "I'll eat in a bit. I need to talk to you."
Naruto paused, chopsticks frozen in the air like two kunai in suspense."Now?"
"Yes. Right now."Her tone wasn't angry—just… solid. Steady. Full of purpose. The kind that meant business.
He blinked, then looked into her eyes.
Conviction.
Alright, this wasn't about appetizers anymore.
"Okay," he said, swallowing the last of his dumpling like it was a mission briefing. He stood up, brushing his hands on his pants.
He turned to Karin. "Karin, watch over my food. Guard it with your life."
Karin rolled her eyes, arms crossed but smirking."Fine.
Naruto smiled, giving Karin a grateful nod, and followed Koyuki as she led him out of the dining hall, down a side corridor lit by soft lanterns that flickered with a golden glow.
The mood shifted.
The air quieted.
They both quietly reached the balcony.
The moonlight bathed the land in a silver glow, casting a dreamlike shimmer over the snow-kissed rooftops of Haru no Kuni. The wind was soft. Peaceful. Everything felt still.
Naruto stood silently beside her, eyes wide—not at the land, but at her.
Koyuki looked ethereal. The moonlight caught her gown just right, and her face, lit by both moon and emotion, looked more radiant than ever.
He didn't say a word. Just... stared.
"Hello? Earth to Naruto," she teased, giving his shoulder a light shake.
He blinked, as if waking from a genjutsu. "Ah—sorry. You just looked... so beautiful, I forgot how to move."
She chuckled, cheeks tinged pink. "Thanks."
"So, Koyuki—what did you want to talk about?" he asked, straight to the point like always.
But suddenly, her courage froze. She looked at the moon instead. "Isn't the moon beautiful tonight?"
Naruto tilted his head. "Yeah, it is. And… okay. I accept."
She blinked. "Wait, what?"
"You just proposed, right? 'Isn't the moon beautiful'—classic hidden love confession. I accept."
Koyuki gasped softly, her hands flying to her mouth as tears welled in her eyes. Then, without warning, she hugged him tightly.
He blinked again. "Are you… crying?"
"No!" she sniffled. "Okay, yes—but just happy tears! I was so scared you'd reject me."
Naruto chuckled. "How could I say no? You're beautiful, strong, a princess and an actress. Honestly, I feel like I won a jackpot."
Just then, a firework lit up the sky with a crackling boom.
Then another. And another. Explosions of color bloomed in the heavens.
They stepped apart, gazing at the spectacle in awe. Then slowly, they turned to each other. The moment hung between them, delicate and perfect.
They leaned in. Closer. Closer…
Their lips met under the fireworks.
From the shadows, Sandayu wiped a tear, pulled out a small camera, and click—immortalized the moment.
After a few seconds, they broke apart, both a little breathless. But both smiling.
After the magical night on the balcony, Naruto and Koyuki returned to the banquet hall.
Koyuki, now glowing with joy, sat down and finally enjoyed her meal—this time with her heart lighter than ever. She laughed, joked with her guards, and even took seconds.
Naruto? He had already gone for fourths.
By the time dinner was over, his belly looked like it had inflated with chakra—except this time, it was just food.
"Bro… you look like a rice ball with legs," Karin muttered with a snort.
He grumbled, "Let me live."
As the guests slowly filtered out, the once lively hall fell quiet. Just soft footsteps and clinking dishes being cleared away.
One by one, everyone headed off to bed, full and satisfied.
Tomorrow, Kakashi and Team 7 would be leaving Haru no Kuni.
The Next Morning
As the sun peeked over the frost-touched hills, Naruto and his group were already up. No sleeping in—no matter how many firecrackers or love confessions the night before.
Routine was routine.
Push-ups. Sit-ups. Shadow clone training. A few sprints through the palace grounds, to the confusion of sleepy palace guards.
After their early morning exercise, they cleaned up, took a hot bath, and sat down for breakfast. The mood was warm, but there was a quiet weight in the air.
Departure always felt that way.
They were dressed, packed, and ready to hit the road.
The movie crew had settled in for the long haul—plenty of scenes still left to shoot now that Haru no Kuni was blooming again.
But Team 7 was prepped and ready to leave. Packed bags, polished gear, hearts full.
They'd already said goodbye to the crew, the palace staff, and the villagers who had come to adore them. Even Naruto had pulled Fubuki aside for one last warning, whispering with that mix of threat and charm only he could manage.
"Try anything funny, and I won't hold back next time," he'd said with a smirk.
Then they waited by the palace gates, the crisp mountain wind brushing past them, when Koyuki finally appeared—her usual grace now paired with a warm, excited energy. Sandayu walked at her side, his face proud but calm.
She carried a neatly wrapped cover in her hands.
"Here," she said, offering it to Naruto. "My present for you."
Naruto blinked and took it gently. "What's inside?"
Before he could even peek, Karin leaned forward like a curious fox. "Hey, where's mine?"
Koyuki giggled. "I didn't forget." She pulled out a delicate bracelet, made of silver and ice-blue beads. "A Haru no Kuni special. For you."
Karin gasped, eyes twinkling as she slipped it on. "Okay, you do have taste."
Sandayu stepped in with his own gifts. To Sasuke, he handed over a sleek, black set of light armor—clearly built for agility, silent movement, and durability.
Sasuke nodded with approval. "This'll work."
And to Kakashi, a wrapped item was handed over with a knowing grin.
Kakashi opened it and promptly blushed.
A book. That kind of book.
He cleared his throat. "Ahem. I'll treasure this... educational resource."
The group chuckled, but all eyes soon fell on Naruto—still holding his unopened gift.
Koyuki nudged him. "Well? You gonna open it or stand there like a statue again?"
Karin elbowed him too. "C'mon, slowpoke!"
Naruto finally pulled the wrapping aside... and froze.
Inside was a photo. A perfect shot under the moonlight. He and Koyuki, locked in that kiss from the balcony. And right across the bottom, her autograph, signed with a flourish and a tiny snowflake doodle.
His heart stuttered. "Thanks," he said softly, and then leaned forward to kiss her—just a gentle kiss on her forehead.
A kiss that said everything, while sparing her the embarrassment in front of others.
Koyuki's cheeks turned pink instantly.
Karin raised an eyebrow, arms crossed with a sly grin. "Nii-san, you're kissing daimyos now? What's next? Marrying into royalty?"
Naruto just laughed, scratching his cheek awkwardly. "Well, never say never…"
Koyuki covered her face, her voice muffled by her sleeve. "You're impossible…"
A sleek, custom kunai—its steel etched with gentle wave-like engravings, like the flowing connection between them.
He stepped forward and handed it to Koyuki.
"Here. This is for you."
She blinked, curious. "What's this?"
Naruto gave her a half-grin, the kind that always seemed to carry too much emotion to say out loud. "If you pour your chakra into it—just a little—I'll be able to sense it and teleport to you. No matter where I am."
Koyuki stared at it, stunned for a moment. Then clutched it close to her heart.
"Thank you… for the assurance." Her voice was soft, but steady—like snow falling over a quiet village.
He smiled. "I'll visit now and then. Maybe once a month... And if I'm free, once a week."
She laughed lightly, shaking her head. "You better."
Then, with a final bow of respect, Naruto turned.
Karin gave Koyuki a cheeky wink. "Take care of yourself, Sister Princess."
Sasuke offered a simple nod. Kakashi gave a raised hand and a lazy wave. "Try not to miss us too much."
And with that, Team 7 and company began their walk down the snow-lined path, leaving the palace behind.
Koyuki stood there in the courtyard, kunai in hand, watching until they were just shadows against the horizon.
Sandayu came up beside her, placing a warm hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright, Koyuki-sama?"
She nodded, smiling through misty eyes. "I am. After all… he'll come when I need him."
The wind carried her words like a whisper through the valley, while the kunai in her hand shimmered faintly in the morning light.