SHIELD Headquarters – 09:15 AM | Internal Hearing Room
The air was cold. And Maria Hill—even colder.
— "You acted without authorization," she began sharply, holding a file in hand. "An incursion into sensitive territory. Activation of non-conventional weapons. Violation of Protocol 07-D."
Naruto said nothing.
He stood with arms crossed.
His jacket was open. Red chakra markings still faintly pulsed across his chest.
Natasha stood beside him, eyes unwavering.
— "He saved my life. And contained an unknown threat. While Stark was being captured fifteen kilometers away—under your satellites' noses."
Hill clenched her jaw.
— "He's not an official agent. He has no field clearance."
— "Then give him one," Natasha cut in. "Because he's the only asset you can't replicate in a lab."
---
Later – Hill's Office
Hill exhaled, long and tight.
— "You have one week. Full report. And I want biological readings on those chakra chains."
Natasha closed the file.
— "You won't get his blood without his consent."
— "I don't need to remind you that I can—"
Natasha stopped, eyes locking onto Hill's.
— "You can do a lot. But not that."
A heavy silence.
Hill shrugged.
— "Get him to cooperate. And maybe I'll pretend this op never happened."
---
Apartment – That Night
Naruto sat on the balcony, gaze lost in the night.
The silence was heavy.
Not from tension.
But from doubt.
Doubt that he even belonged here.
Natasha came to sit beside him, two steaming cups of tea in hand.
— "Do you regret it?" she whispered.
He shook his head.
— "I'm… questioning."
— "What about?"
— "Me. What I've become… What I want to be here."
She rested her head against his shoulder.
— "I never asked you to be anything but yourself."
A pause.
— "And what if 'me' is just… a broken remnant?"
She took his hand.
— "Then let me be the one who puts the pieces back together."
---
Bedroom – Around Midnight
They made love again. But this time, it wasn't a storm.
It was a gentle rain.
A languid rhythm.
A need to feel alive together, not powerful.
He entered her slowly, lying face to face.
Their hands intertwined.
No words. Only breath. And eyes.
She touched him like a fragile memory. And he held onto her like a promise.
When they climaxed together, there was no cry.
Only tears.
—
Later, naked under the sheets, she whispered:
— "I'm not Hinata. I'm not trying to replace her."
He closed his eyes.
— "You're not. You're you. And that… that's what saves me."