My New Life is Harder Than Expected(Naruto SI-Waifu Catalog) (Patreon)

Chapter 45

(Following Day…)

There’s nothing quite like waking up and realizing—you’re finally free. No longer just another expendable soldier in service to a shinobi village. No more gambling your life for a place that raised children to kill and called it duty… where making it to thirty was considered impressive. That chapter was over.

But what truly made this morning glorious… were the warm bodies wrapped around me, sunlight slipping through the window and spilling across my face like a whispered welcome back.

We’d gone all out the night before—celebrating my return, and the end of our long, bloody journey through the Naruto world. The feast was wild, the mood electric. For once, we let ourselves breathe.

Mei, unfortunately for her, never got the chance to make good on her promise to keep me up all night and finally lose that long-protected Christmas Cake virginity.

She was curled up to my right, head on my shoulder, snoring softly. My arm was wedged between her breasts, rising and falling with every breath—a side effect of her drinking herself into a blackout.

On my left, Izumi lay just as close, body pressed into mine, her presence a soothing counterweight.

But the real culprit behind my current struggle?

Kushina.

She was sprawled across my chest, using it like her personal pillow, lips parted in peaceful sleep, a small drool spot growing with every breath—looking far too content. Her nightgown, like the others, was little more than a tease, doing absolutely nothing to help the situation downstairs.

Especially when her thighs, warm and impossibly soft, were snugly wrapped around my morning wood. Judging by the dampness of her panties and the slow, unconscious grind of her hips… she’d been at it for a while.

Yeah… getting up was definitely going to be a problem.

Kushina shifted again, slow and sinfully sweet, the soft grind of her hips sending a jolt up my spine. Her thighs squeezed tighter around me, a breathy moan slipping past her lips as she stirred awake. When her half-lidded eyes opened and met mine, that sly, sleepy grin said everything.

“Mmm… looks like someone’s happy to see me,” she murmured, dragging her fingers down my chest, nails grazing skin. “Morning, Akari~”

Before I could answer, she leaned in, lips brushing my neck as her hand slipped beneath the blanket. Her fingers wrapped around me with practiced ease, and I had to grit my teeth as a low growl rumbled from my throat.

“Hey.” Mei’s voice cut in—sharp, jealous, and very much awake.

She pushed herself up on one elbow, green eyes narrowing at the redhead in my lap. “It’s my turn next, remember?” Her voice was husky but edged with irritation as she tugged the blanket tighter over her chest. “Don’t cut the line just because you woke up horny.”

Kushina didn’t miss a beat. “Not my fault you can’t hold your liquor, Mizukage,” she teased, giving me a slow stroke that made my hips twitch.

Izumi, still half-asleep, chuckled softly from my other side. “You two fight all you want. I’ll just enjoy the show…”

Mei scoffed and started swinging her leg over me, clearly ready to reclaim her “spot,” when—

BANG!

The bedroom door slammed open.

Everyone froze.

Naruko stood in the doorway like a deer caught in explosive tags. Her mouth opened. Closed. Then opened again. “I—I—uh—wha—?!”

Her wide eyes scanned the room, from Mei’s exposed shoulder to Izumi’s bare thigh and finally—very obviously—to the blanket barely hiding my situation… and Kushina’s hand beneath it.

No one moved.

Mei looked two seconds away from launching a pillow across the room. Izumi just raised an eyebrow, unbothered.

And Kushina—who had just moments ago been all confidence and teasing—snapped upright like she’d been struck by lightning. Her eyes went huge, and in a heartbeat she yanked the blanket up to her nose, her face lighting up a fierce crimson.

“N-Naruko?!” she squeaked.

“I—I thought you were sleeping in!” Naruko stammered, visibly spiraling. “I didn’t mean to—I didn’t know—!”

Her eyes were locked on me, then immediately flicked away, then back again. Then dropped to the floor like it was the only safe place left in existence.

Kushina shrank behind the blanket, only her eyes visible now. “I—I wasn’t—! I didn’t mean for you to see—I mean, I was, but not like—UGH!”

Naruko’s whole body twitched. “I—I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to interrupt—I’ll just—I’ll go—!”

She turned and bolted, the door slamming behind her so hard the walls shook.

A long silence followed.

Kushina groaned and buried her face in my chest. “Why did she have to walk in now of all times…?”

Mei muttered, “Because karma exists, and she’s got perfect timing.”

I let my head fall back against the pillow, eyes staring at the ceiling in defeat.

‘There goes my peaceful morning.’

=====

Hours later, after a hearty breakfast—one where Naruko couldn’t look in our direction without turning beet red—I found myself being pulled along by a very eager Hanabi, with Hinata trailing quietly behind us.

Hanabi led us through winding paths until we reached a cliff that overlooked the vast ocean. The waves shimmered under the midday sun, stretching into the horizon. The view made me pause, just long enough to appreciate the beauty of it—before Hanabi turned to face me.

There was no hesitation in her stance, only determination shining in her eyes.

“Sensei—no…” she corrected herself with a shake of her head, “…Akari. I want to hear your answer.”

I blinked, and the memory clicked instantly. Her confession. The promise I made before leaving—to give her a proper answer once I returned.

‘Typical Hanabi,’ I thought with a smirk. ‘Not even a full day back and already demanding closure.’

Unable to resist, I reached out and brushed my fingers over her hand. She slapped it away with a playful pout, her cheeks already tinged pink.

“I see that even after blossoming into a beautiful woman, you’re still my little spitfire,” I teased fondly.

That got her. Her blush deepened, and she looked away, flustered. I didn’t use that nickname lightly—only three times before. The first, back when I became her and Hinata’s sensei. The second, after I revived her following the battle of Konoha. And the last, just before I left on my Otsutsuki hunt, when I told her to wait.

And wait she had—heart on her sleeve, fire in her soul.

Hanabi met my gaze head-on, not backing down, even as her fingers twitched nervously at her sides.

I stepped closer and took both her hands in mine—this time, she didn’t pull away.

“You didn’t hesitate to bare your heart to me back then,” I said softly. “Even knowing the danger, even when I couldn’t promise anything in return... you waited.”

Her breath hitched, eyes wide with hope.

“And now that I’m back,” I continued, “I’d be a fool not to give you the answer you deserve.”

I leaned in, letting my forehead rest against hers. “Yes, Hanabi. I feel the same. I don’t know when it happened, but somewhere along the line, you stopped being my student… and became someone I couldn’t stop thinking about.”

Her eyes glistened, lips trembling. And then she threw her arms around my neck with a joyful laugh, hugging me tight enough to make my ribs ache.

Behind us, I heard a soft inhale.

Hinata.

When I looked back, she was standing just a few steps away, hands clasped tightly in front of her. She wore a gentle smile… but there was something else in her eyes. A weight. A longing.

Hanabi must’ve sensed it too because she slowly pulled away from me and turned toward her sister. “Nee-sama…?”

Hinata looked down for a moment, then lifted her eyes—straight to mine.

“I’m happy for you both,” she began quietly. “Really. But… if I don’t say this now, I know I’ll never have the courage to again.”

The breeze danced around her as she stepped forward, hesitant but determined.

“I’ve loved you too, Akari,” she whispered. “For a long time. I was just… always too shy to say it. You were our sensei, and then you became this hero chasing impossible battles. I kept telling myself it wasn’t the right time.”

Her voice shook slightly, but she didn’t look away.

“I didn’t want to compete with Hanabi. I didn’t want to make it harder for you to choose… But I couldn’t stay silent anymore. Not after seeing you come back.”

Hanabi turned to me, her expression unreadable for a moment… then she gave a quiet smile and gently took her sister’s hand.

“She’s telling the truth,” Hanabi said. “She’s just been better at hiding it than me.”

I looked between them—two women who had each carved out space in my life, in very different ways. One bold and fiery, the other quiet and steadfast. Both had risked their hearts… and now, both stood before me, no longer waiting.

I stepped forward, brushing a strand of hair from Hinata’s cheek.

“I always knew there was something in your eyes, Hinata. I just didn’t want to assume,” I said gently. “You didn’t have to compete. You never did.”

Her eyes widened, a soft gasp escaping her lips.

Hanabi leaned her head against her sister’s shoulder, half-joking. “If you’re planning to break the rules and say yes to both of us, you better do it properly.”

I chuckled softly. “You two don’t make it easy.”

But my hand reached out… and they both took it.

And just like that, the moment became something deeper. Something real.

The wind brushed past us again, carrying with it the scent of salt and wildflowers from the cliffs below. I stood there, holding both their hands—Hanabi on one side, head resting lightly against my shoulder; Hinata on the other, eyes searching mine with quiet warmth.

For a moment, no one spoke. There was no need to. The silence said enough. That we had made it. That we were here. Together.

I pulled them both closer, letting them rest against me, their warmth grounding in a way nothing else could.

“You know,” I said quietly, “when I first met you two, you were just kids learning to navigate a world that expected too much from you.”

Hanabi chuckled softly, still nestled against my arm. “And now you’re the one who has to navigate two Hyūga women throwing their hearts at you.”

I smirked. “Life really does come full circle.”

Hinata smiled gently, her fingers tightening slightly around mine. “You always saw us… beyond the clan, beyond the duties. You gave us choices when no one else did.”

“That’s why we fell for you,” Hanabi added. “You never treated us like porcelain dolls or soldiers. Just… people. Women.”

I swallowed hard, the weight of their words hitting deeper than I expected. These weren’t just fleeting affections. These were bonds forged through battle, healing, and unspoken longing.

Turning slightly, I leaned down and kissed Hanabi’s forehead. She closed her eyes and sighed, her grip on my sleeve tightening just a little. Then I turned to Hinata, brushing her bangs aside before doing the same. Her breath caught, and a delicate blush bloomed across her cheeks, but she didn’t pull away.

“I'm not perfect,” I said, my voice quiet. “But I’ll give you both everything I have. If you’re willing to walk this road with me… I’ll make sure you never regret it.”

Hinata’s hand found my chest, resting over my heart. “I’ve been walking beside you for years, even if you didn’t see it.”

Hanabi grinned. “It’s a little late for that, don’t you think? Following you to another world and all and leaving everything behind.” She giggled before a smile grew on her face. “That being said I’m not letting you out of my sights now.”

I wrapped my arms around them both, pulling them into a full embrace, the kind that didn’t just offer comfort—but promised something more.

We stood like that on the cliff for a while, the crashing waves below and wind above surrounding us like a protective cocoon. No words. No distractions. Just the three of us—hearts open, lives entwined.

And far behind us, unseen, a certain blonde shadow stood just out of sight—watching with wide eyes, her fingers curling around the edge of a huge boulder.

But that was a moment for later.

Right now, this was ours.

=====

(That Evening)

The moonlight poured through the open balcony, painting silver trails across the floor and casting shadows over the silk sheets. The air was warm, charged with something far heavier than anticipation.

I had just stepped out of the bathroom, towel slung low around my hips, the steam clinging to my skin as I ran a hand through my damp hair.

That’s when I heard the door open. No knock. Just a confident, deliberate click.

Mei.

She stepped in with a sway in her hips and fire in her eyes. Her nightgown was a deep ocean green—thin, barely-there silk that clung to her every curve and swayed around her toned thighs. Her long auburn hair fell in soft waves over one shoulder, still wet from her own shower.

Her gaze raked over me from head to toe and lingered low. She closed the distance between us in three slow, silent steps.

“No more interruptions,” she murmured, her fingers slipping into the knot of the towel and pulling it loose with infuriating ease. “I’ve waited far too long.”

The towel hit the floor.

Her hand slid across my chest, nails grazing lightly, until her arms wrapped around my neck. I let my hands fall to her waist, sliding over silk and bare skin alike.

“You’ve had your hands all over Kushina and Izumi,” she whispered, lips brushing mine, “but this time… I want you to remember me. I want you to burn for me.”

I didn’t answer. I just lifted her into my arms and carried her to the bed.

She gasped softly as I laid her down, her gown riding up her thighs. I followed her down, trailing kisses from her collarbone to the swell of her chest, feeling her arch beneath me, fingers tangling in my hair.

Mei’s lips found mine again, but this kiss was deeper—hungry. Her thighs locked around my waist, and her nails raked down my back as our bodies pressed tighter, hotter, slick with the growing heat between us.

“Gods… I’ve needed this,” she groaned into my neck as I pulled the straps of her gown down, exposing the soft swell of her breasts to the cool night air. Her nipples were already hardened, eager, and I wasted no time with my mouth and hands.

Mei writhed beneath me, every sigh and moan stoking the fire growing between us. Her nightgown was soon forgotten, tossed aside with a breathless laugh, and then we were skin to skin—nothing between us but heat, want, and years of repressed longing.

When I finally sank into her, her back arched and she gasped out my name like it was a prayer.

“A-Akari…”

Her nails bit into my shoulders, legs tightening around me as I began to move. Slow, deep. Drawing out every cry, every whisper. Her body responded to mine with maddening perfection—hot, wet, and desperate to take me deeper.

The room echoed with the wet slap of skin, the low growls I couldn’t hold back, and the beautiful, breathy moans Mei gave me every time I hit that spot that made her cry out.

Her walls fluttered around me, close—so close.

“Mei,” I whispered against her lips, breath ragged, “Come for me.”

She did—loud, back arching, mouth open in a silent scream as she clenched around me, her whole body trembling under mine.

I wasn’t far behind, groaning as I buried myself deep and let go, the world going white for a few perfect seconds.

We collapsed into each other, drenched in sweat, hearts hammering.

As we caught our breath, she curled into my chest, lips brushing my skin with a lazy smile. “You… owe me so many more nights like that.”

I laughed, running my hand up her spine. “That was just the first round.”

Her smirk returned, sultry and satisfied. “Good. Because I’m not letting you sleep tonight.”

=====

The room had fallen into a hush, save for the rhythmic rise and fall of Mei’s breathing as she lay curled against me—her bare skin pressed to mine, leg draped possessively over my waist. Her hair, still carrying the faint scent of jasmine and steam, fanned across my chest like a soft flame.

She was already asleep, lips parted slightly in the aftermath of our long-overdue night. Her hand rested over my heart, her body warm, her presence comforting in a way I hadn’t realized I craved until now.

But I was still awake.

Eyes open, staring at the ceiling, my mind quietly drifting through the path that had led me here.

The battles I’d fought.

The lives I’d saved… and those I didn’t.

The countless days I’d spent hunting the Otsutsuki, burning through stars and dimensions, walking through warzones and ancient ruins to ensure chakra was removed from the world that had bled for it. I’d dismantled gods, rewritten fate, and carried the weight of a thousand souls on my back. All for this.

For peace.

For this moment.

For the chance to finally breathe.

I thought of Izumi’s laughter. Of Kushina’s confident smile, of Mei’s fire, Hanabi’s boldness, Hinata’s gentle strength. Even Naruko’s flustered face that morning came to mind—and it made me chuckle softly, careful not to wake Mei. And finally of all the others that had decided to follow me into a new life.

They were all pieces of my journey. People I’d saved, people who had saved me in turn. Companions, lovers, friends. Family.

I’d earned this quiet. This stillness. Not as a reward… but as a reminder that there could be life after conflict. That even after all the destruction, all the bloodshed, there was room for tenderness.

A soft sigh escaped me as I tilted my head and kissed the top of Mei’s hair.

I wasn’t done yet. There were still other worlds waiting. Targets to collect. Futures to shape.

But for now? I was content.

For now, there was peace.

And as my eyes grew heavy, heart steady under Mei’s sleeping form, I let myself sink into the comfort of warmth, skin, and silence—with the quiet promise of brighter days ahead whispering to me like a lullaby.

Tomorrow could bring the chaos.

But tonight… I was home.

And for the first time in a year, I fell asleep with a smile.