A/N: This is the second release of the day (2/2).
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Ryoku ran until his legs screamed at him to stop. His sandals slapped against the dirt road, lungs heaving, his heart pounding like war drums in his chest. When at last his strength gave out, he bent forward, hands planted firmly on his knees, sweat dripping off his brow in fat beads. Each breath tore through his throat like fire.
'I—I made it out!' he told himself between ragged gasps, his chest rising and falling violently. Every inhale felt like a victory, every exhale a prayer of thanks. He was no marathon runner; he was a survivor scrambling for air like a dog too long in the heat.
After a long minute, Ryoku straightened, his back popping audibly as he arched and pressed his palms to the small of his waist. "Ahhh…" he groaned, relief spilling out of him as vertebrae cracked in sequence, loosening all the pent-up tension.
And then, as if finally giving himself permission, he began to stretch in earnest. Twisting his arms above his head, bending side to side, rolling his shoulders, crouching and arching like a cat. His muscles screamed, but the relief that followed was better than any medicine. He was so caught up in the ritual that he almost missed the sound of a voice calling out.
He froze mid-stretch, head turning toward the sound. His stomach dropped.
It was them. The trio of familiar figures approaching from down the path—Kiba with that cocky stride, Shino with his calm, unreadable posture, and Hinata, quiet and reserved but walking just close enough to the other two to show she belonged. The three stooges from the training grounds.
Ryoku's lips twisted into an immediate frown. Of all the people he could've run into… Kiba, especially, was the last person he had patience for. But he bit the inside of his cheek and smothered his irritation. If he reacted poorly, he'd only fuel her antics.
As they approached, Kiba predictably spoke first. Her tone was sharp with curiosity. "What're you doing all the way out here near the Hyūga clan compound?"
Ryoku uncrossed himself from his stretch, standing tall again, trying to look nonchalant. "I'm just stretching my back," he replied casually. "I had a rough day today."
Kiba looked seconds away from bursting into laughter, but she tried to keep it contained. Tried. Her lips curled, teeth flashing before she mocked, "Yeah, you looked like you were imagining getting penetrated or something."
"K-Kiba!" Hinata gasped, covering her face in both hands, cheeks flaring bright red. She shook her head furiously, mortified.
"Whattt?!" Kiba cackled, finally letting the laughter spill free. She jabbed a finger toward Ryoku accusingly. "He was bent over with his back arched! We were all thinking it!" She laughed harder, clutching her stomach. "I mean, who even does that in the middle of the street? What are you, some kind of free-use prostitute?!" Her laughter rang loud, echoing across the road as she bent over in amusement.
Ryoku's jaw tightened, his eye twitching. His pride bristled at her mockery, his fists clenching at his sides. 'Stretches. These idiots have never heard of stretches? Cavemen!' His lips curved upward into a sinister smirk as his retaliation formed.
"Weren't you the one bent over in the forest actually getting penetrated?" Ryoku shot back smoothly. "All that moaning—I can still hear it. That's how loud you were."
Hinata practically exploded on the spot, her entire face crimson now. She shook her head violently, hands glued to her cheeks, her whole body trembling with embarrassment.
Kiba's smirk faltered. The amusement evaporated, replaced by the sting of wounded pride. She straightened quickly, snarling. "If I recall correctly, you were licking my pussy like a good dog!"
She narrowed her eyes, watching Ryoku's expression carefully, searching for any flicker of embarrassment. But Ryoku gave her nothing—no shame, no hesitation. Only that same sly smile.
"Yeah?" he countered, tilting his head. "And you tasted good. I could use some more of it." His tongue flicked out mockingly, wiggling in the air as he gave her a lewd demonstration.
Kiba's cheeks flared pink despite herself. The compliment landed, piercing through her defense. She looked away, lips twitching with the beginnings of a smile. "Jeez," she muttered, gaze sinking to the ground. "You're too much."
Even Shino, who had been silent all this time, shifted slightly, the faintest red touching his cheeks.
Ryoku's mind drifted without warning. 'Yeah… it did taste good. What was it? Honey? No… less sweet. Something saltier, muskier…'
But his drifting didn't last long.
The sound of thunderous footsteps slamming against the dirt behind him snapped his thoughts in half. Ryoku spun around in alarm, his heart skipping. In the distance, a figure charged toward them at full speed, dust clouds billowing up behind her. The very same intimidating woman from earlier. Hanabi had called her Meiko.
Ryoku's blood ran cold. Panic shot through his veins. His eyes darted around frantically for somewhere—anywhere—to hide. But there was nothing. No cover, no escape.
"Meiko?" Hinata's voice rang, confusion appearing on her face. She had activated her Byakugan, the pale veins around her eyes bulging as her gaze sharpened on the incoming blur.
"Meiko?" Kiba echoed, puzzled. "Who's that?"
Hinata stepped forward, her hands firm, her expression suddenly serious. "She's Meiko. A guard for my house. If she's running this hard, she must think we're in danger. Everyone, stay close!" Without hesitation, she reached out, grabbing Ryoku's arm and pulling him tightly into her protective bubble.
Ryoku's eyes widened, panic sparking. "W-wait—!" He tried to pull free, but Hinata's grip only strengthened the more he struggled. Her arm coiled around him with surprising force, keeping him close as her eyes scanned the surroundings for threats.
Kiba immediately pulled out a kunai, her expression darkening as she dropped into a guarded stance. Akamaru at her side lowered his head, teeth bared, growling low and deep.
Shino lifted his hands slightly, insects crawling out from beneath his collar in a black tide, scattering silently into the air.
'Fuck! They're misunderstanding the whole situation!' Ryoku's thoughts screamed as he yanked at Hinata's hold again. No luck. Her strength was deceptive, her grip ironclad.
In one desperate twist, his face crashed forward—straight into Hinata's chest. His nose sank deep into the soft swell of her breasts. His hand, without meaning to, squeezed instinctively at the pillowy mounds.
He froze. His eyes widened in horror at what he'd done.
But then… the warmth. The softness. The faint scent of vanilla incense that clung to her clothes and skin. His body relaxed despite his mind screaming at him.
'Holy shit… they're so soft… so big. She smells… amazing. Vanilla? Yeah. Vanilla.'
Despite his better judgment, he let his head rest against them, basking in the comfort, sinking into her chest like it was a pillow crafted by heaven itself. His eyes half-lidded, a blissful thought wandered through his mind. 'Ahh… this is really good. Naruto, you greedy bastard.'
Hinata's jacket strained, her breasts looking as though they'd burst free at any moment. Ryoku's panic ebbed away, smothered beneath the sheer euphoria of the experience. For a moment, Meiko, danger, everything else simply… didn't matter.
But the sound of the charging footsteps grew louder, closer, shaking him out of his trance. His eyes snapped open. Reality came crashing back.
In a panic, he tore himself away from Hinata's chest, weaving his hands into quick seals. "Earth Style: Body Boulder Jutsu!" he muttered under his breath. His chakra surged, hardening his body just enough.
Grabbing Hinata's wrist, he wrenched free of her grip. She noticed immediately, her Byakugan still flaring, but her eyes remained locked outward, searching for enemies.
Without wasting another heartbeat, Ryoku pressed his fingers into another hand sign, his thumb holding down his ring and pinky fingers.
With swift movement, his body flickered out of sight.
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We smashed 400 so let's aim for 500, I think it's pretty doable and obviously the same rewards apply (a double release). Might as well go for it while I'm still uploading daily however long this lasts. Also comments and reviews are appreciated guys.