It's Not Really A Date, but is sort of kinda (Boruto x Sarada)

Part 22

[22:33]

It had been just a couple of nights since Konohamaru had been discharged from the Leaf Medical Centre and given a (mostly) full mission status report on his recent confrontation with three rogue Shinobi to Big Bro Naruto (that is... Lord 7th!). However the felons got their hands on a Delta clone, Amado still had a lot to answer for. But neither that nor almost dying of mercury poisoning were going to keep him from fulfilling his duties as Lord Mizukage's guide and bodyguard during the Festival. Not that the Veteran Mist Shinobi was in much mood for celebrating right now.

Having had to confirm to Chojuro the death of his personal aide (and close friend) Misuno by Shojoji's hand (or technically by his mouth, Konohamaru chose not to go into gory detail), the blue-haired man was holding things together surprisingly well. But he did insist, before doing anything else on his tour of Konohagakure, on stopping for a drink at a certain bar in the kunoichi's memory which the Leaf Jonin could hardly deny him. And of course when they and the Mizukage's entourage were joined by a few more (Moegi, Udon, Hanabi, Lady 5th, and some of the the other 'kage, and even Lord 6th and Guy-Sensei), the commemorative drink fast became a commemorative 12 drinks. At least until Konohamaru stopped counting.

It wasn't exactly light on his purse strings, but the memories they made in that one building that night were beyond value. Tsunade sharing a tender dance with A, to Shizune's embarrassment. And Lord Darui sensitively (coerced into) sharing a dance with Lady Mei. Kakashi-Sensei and Guy-Sensei asking for dances from Lady Tsuchikage, Tsunade, Moegi and Hanabi respectively, and getting slapped, punched, splashed with drinks and 'Gentle-Fisted' straight through the tavern doors, in that order, and getting water-blasted back through the doors again by the Lady Mizukage for not automatically receiving the same offer. Udon working up the nerve to ask Moegi to dance, only for the two to collapse in each other's arms and fall asleep on the floor, completely hammered. Even Konohamaru himself asked Shizune to dance so she wasn't left out, which got awkward pretty fast. And while this went on Kakashi-Sensei and Guy-Sensei undeterred by dance rebuttals competed over who could down the most shots in the fastest time. Konohamaru never imagined he'd ever see a man puke that much through a mask (and prayed he never would again).

Lord Kazekage had elected to retire early that evening as his elder sister was somehow still pretty hungover from the last time. Something for which, given the chaos that was already going down, he was deeply grateful for. But still, he wouldn't have forfeited those first few drinks with glasses held high for all the world. Starting with Chojuro for Ms. Misuno, as well as the late Kagura Karatachi and Hebiichigo. Then Lady Kurotsutchi for her late grandfather and her cousin. Lord A for his own loved ones. Kakashi-Sensei for his old friends Obito Uchiha and Rin Nohara. Ms. Hanabi for her cousin Neji and her late mother. Tsunade for Jiraya, a man Konohamaru barely knew other than how precious he was to her, and to the brown-haired man's own mentor/rival/big brother figure Naruto. And lastly Konohamaru himself for his much beloved uncle Asuma and grandfather Hiruzen, and for his dear friend Mugino.

And later, even a quiet (relatively) drink to Sarada and Boruto.

He felt a little guilty for not telling Naruto or Sakura who treated him later on the whole story about his mystery saviours or the part they played in Konohagakure's salvation. For he had a fair idea who they were under the wig/painted-hair and make-up. And he had a fair idea of why they would be in disguise and alone together in the park at that hour, and made sure Shin and Shojoji were 'indisposed' (unconscious) by the time the Hokage and Leaf Security arrived lest they told anyone.

Indeed, Konohamaru had suspected something growing between two of his three former proteges for sometime now. He knew he could trust the lad to get his better half to safety in an emergency while he dealt with handing over the two criminals to the authorities. As for now, he would just have to trust the two to tell their friends and families when they were ready.

And in regards to his third protege perhaps, maybe, in the spirit of unity, he should see how Mitsuki was doing. After the whole Mist/Funato business and Boruto nearly drowning! And if he likewise had begun to realise, and was still dealing with, his teammates' newfound closeness. A closeness that did not include him.

And just maybe finally put the issue of the white-skinned humanoid being the child of Orochimaru to rest, and REALLY patch things up with his former apprentice. As a former captain should.

.....

In any case, as far as romances were concerned though, Konohamaru's only love right now was his village and its people, and his responsibility to protect them. And that was enough for him. No room for lovey-doveyness in the Veteran Jonin's life and no need for it. Not after.......

"Konohamaru-kun..."

Konohamaru snapped out of his ruminations by the mysterious lilac-eyed ravenette beauty standing next to where he sat. A shy smile on her red (inebriated) face. "...Would... you care to dance?" Hanabi asked in a tone halfway between shy and flirtatious. Konohamaru swallowed nervously as the two locked eyes, hers boring deep into his soul. "...Uhh huh huh, what can I say Hanabi-san.. (he answered anxiously, rubbing the back of his head)... I'd love to and all, but.. you know.. Got my orders, being Lord Mizukage's escort during the Festiv-AAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Konohamaru found himself thrust into a wobbly standing position when a blast of cold water hit his back full-force, leaving his posterior sopping wet and very cold. He glanced over his shoulder to where Chojuro was 'innocently' sitting, and was met with a sideways glance and a sly smile from the marinated Mist Shinobi. Funny how after his 8th (58th) shot he suddenly WAS in more of a mood for celebrating... The brown-haired Jonin glowered back at him, which Hanabi politely chose not to notice. And their guests along with the tavern's other patrons whooped, cheered and wolf-whistled as the Lady Hyuga led a soggy and powerless Konohamaru to what served as their dance floor.

No way around it. Tonight was going to be a memorable one, even if it killed him, Konohamaru thought in exasperation.