While Naruto spent his days drenched in sweat and sawdust building the bridge, Karin was fighting a quieter war in the kitchen—one against her pride, impatience, and the sheer chaos that was boiling rice without burning the pot.
"Stir it gently, not like you're interrogating it," Tsunami chuckled as she watched Karin jab the soup with a spoon like it owed her money.
Karin huffed, face dusted red from the heat. "It's mocking me, Tsunami-san. I swear it bubbled louder when I turned away."
Tsunami smiled gently. "You're getting better. Yesterday, you burned water. Today, you only bruised the vegetables."
"Progress," Karin muttered, shoulders relaxing slightly. She paused. "Hey... do you think Naruto likes spicy food?"
Tsunami blinked. "You're asking now, after nearly setting his tongue on fire yesterday?"
Karin scowled. "He smiled through it!"
"He cried through it," Tsunami corrected.
They both laughed—and that laughter filled the home in a way that hadn't happened for years. And Tsunami saw it—Karin wasn't just learning to cook. She was learning to care, to open up, to soften in ways she'd never had to before.
While both were doing their own work.
Back at the house, Kakashi—who had been unconscious so long they almost considered using him as a futon—finally stirred. He blinked awake, looked around, and upon realizing his squad was thriving without him, promptly said, "Huh. They're fine," and fell right back into his nap.
Sasuke, who had been dutifully changing his bandages, nearly popped a vein.
"Tch… What am I, your personal nurse?" he muttered.
Even though Sasuke was irritated, borderline grumpy most days, he never neglected his duty. Every morning, he'd make sure Kakashi—still not fully recovered—had food, clean water, and medicine. He didn't complain aloud, but the look in his eyes said it all: Why am I the responsible one while those two go off playing bridge-builder and chef?
But when night fell, the roles shifted again.
While Karin was elbows-deep in the culinary arts, Naruto would slip out under the stars. The moonlit air of Nami no Kuni held a soft stillness, like the calm before a wave. That's when he'd meet her—Haku.
And one night, he did something unexpected.
He brought her home.
The door creaked open.
"Yo! We've got a guest!" Naruto's voice rang out, cheerful and bold as ever. His red hair gleamed slightly with mist from the evening air. He stepped in with Haku walking softly behind him, her presence quiet but graceful, almost like a painting come to life.
"Hello, guys. This is Haku," he said with a wide grin. "She's... a friend."
Haku bowed slightly. "Good evening."
Tsunami, wiping her hands on her apron, looked pleasantly surprised. Inari blinked twice.
Karin narrowed her eyes, "Nii-san, I thought you wouldn't introduce her, keep between ourselves", she teased.
"How can I think I will leave my friend out?" Naruto said.
Now all turned to Karin, who spoke as if she knew about Haku.
"Why are guys looking at me like that? We all three met each other on the first night when we arrived here, she said.
All understood, but they were curious why they both kept secret.
But at that, Tazuna, who was sipping a bit of his usual evening drink, leaned forward with a curious gleam in his eye. "You from outside the village, miss? I know every soul here, and I don't recall seeing you around."
The room got a little quiet.
Naruto's grin faded just slightly. He glanced at Haku, silently giving her the floor. She hesitated—just for a moment—but then turned and faced everyone.
Her lips parted—but before she could speak, Tazuna raised a calming hand.
"Don't worry. I trust Naruto," he said, voice sincere. "It's not suspicion. Just curiosity. You seem like a nice girl."
The tension eased like a gentle tide pulling back.
Haku gave a soft nod. "Thank you. I… I'm just traveling. I help people where I can. I've been staying deep in the forest… I didn't expect to be welcomed."
"Well," Tsunami said, setting down an extra plate, "You're welcome here tonight. Sit. Eat."
Naruto smiled, relieved. "See? Told you it'd be okay."
Karin spoke, joking." I hope you like soup. I helped make it."
"Then I'm sure it will be delicious," Haku replied gently.
Karin blinked at Haku's polite reply… then her lips tugged into the smallest smile. One, she didn't even realize she was showing.
"Then let's have one of the best dinners tonight," she said, placing her hands on her hips, as if issuing a challenge to fate itself.
"Yes!!" Naruto whooped, pumping his fist like a dorky champion of dinner justice.
Haku couldn't help it—she laughed. Just once. Just soft. But it was real. Tsunami noticed it too, and her heart warmed.
They all gathered around the humble but full table, the mismatched bowls and plates somehow adding to the charm. The smell of steamed rice, vegetable soup, and some pan-fried fish filled the room, wrapping around them like a warm hug.
"Haku, don't be shy," Tsunami said, placing the last dish on the table. "Have whatever you want. Eat like you belong here."
Because somehow… You do.
Haku looked at the spread. Her hands twitched slightly in her lap. When was the last time she sat at a table like this? The last time she was told she could belong anywhere?
She nodded. "Thank you," she said, her voice just a whisper—but one heavy with emotion. "It smells… wonderful."
Naruto noticed the way she stared at the soup bowl, like it was a dream she wasn't sure she could touch. Without missing a beat, he scooped a big ladle full and poured it into her bowl.
"You better eat it before Inari steals it. That kid's got no mercy," Naruto joked, flashing a toothy grin.
"Hey!" Inari puffed up. "I'm still growing, okay?!"
Laughter rippled around the table. Even Karin let out a soft chuckle, nudging Naruto under the table. "Don't get too proud. I helped cook that soup."
"I know," Naruto whispered with a grin. "That's why it tastes like victory."
Karin rolled her eyes—but her cheeks flushed a little too.
As the chopsticks clicked, bowls clinked, and seconds were served, a strange and beautiful silence settled in. Not the awkward kind, but the rare kind—the kind that happens when people are content.
And for a girl like Haku, who had only known survival, betrayal, and shadows… this was something she'd carry in her heart for a long, long time.
Kakashi, who had been quietly enjoying his meal — still bandaged, but definitely awake and alert — finally spoke up after slurping a mouthful of soup.
He tilted his head lazily toward Naruto and Karin."So… why didn't you two introduce her before?" he asked, as if he were casually commenting on the weather.
Instant. Chaos.
Naruto, mid-sip of soup, choked like a geyser."PFFFT—!!" A fountain of soup rocketed from his mouth like he'd just seen Guy in a swimsuit calendar.
Beside him, Karin jerked back, coughing and nearly flinging her chopsticks across the table. "K-Kakashi! You can't just—!"
Naruto wiped his mouth with his sleeve, blinking rapidly. "Wha— we just— she's— I mean—!"
Kakashi raised a brow, clearly amused beneath that eternally unreadable mask. "She's what, Naruto?"
"She's not my girlfriend!" Naruto blurted out immediately, not even asking that question.
"...No one said she was," Kakashi replied flatly, blinking once.
A beat of silence. Tsunami's lips twitched, trying not to laugh. Even Inari was stifling giggles behind his rice bowl.
Karin narrowed her eyes, cheeks blazing. "She's just someone we met, okay?! A friend! A nice girl who's been helping with herbs and stuff."
"Oh? And suddenly dinner invites too?" Kakashi asked, as if he were some nosy uncle sniffing out teenage secrets.
"It's called hospitality," Naruto muttered, flustered beyond all realms. "Besides, she's cool. She helped me train… and she gets my jokes."
Kakashi hummed. "Well, she does seem nice." He gave Haku a nod, who bowed politely in return, a subtle smile on her lips like she was watching a favorite play unfold.
Then he added, just to stir the pot, "I just hope Karin doesn't get jealous."
"WHAT?!" Karin's voice jumped an octave, her hair practically sparking. "As if! Jealous?! Of her?!"
Naruto raised both hands like he was defusing a bomb. "Let's not go down this road."
Tsunami chuckled, finally breaking the tension. "Alright, alright, enough teasing. Let's eat before the rice gets cold."
As everyone settled again, the table buzzing with leftover snickers and side-eyes, Haku softly whispered to Naruto, "Is it always this… lively?"
Naruto gave her a sheepish grin. "Only when Kakashi's not in a coma."
Haku smiled — wider than she had all night.
And deep down, Kakashi — sharp-eyed as ever — saw something budding beneath the awkward mess. Something honest. Something warm.
But he didn't say anything more. He just took another sip of soup and let the chaos play on.
After dinner, Haku stood up with a graceful nod. "I should check on someone… someone who still needs rest."
Naruto gave her a small wave. "Be safe out there."
She smiled faintly, not quite reaching her eyes, and slipped into the night like a breeze through trees—silent, gentle, but leaving ripples in her wake.