bubblegum princess

chapter thirty two

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the end of the beginning:
THE HIDDEN MIST !
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SLOWLY BLINKING as she awoke from her slumber, she slowly sat up while rubbing her eyes awake. Her eyes slowly looked around before gazing towards the clock. 5:30 AM.

Seiren looked down to see Inojin sleeping peacefully beside her, his chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. On Inojin's other side, Shikadai snored softly, his usually serious face relaxed in slumber. Careful not to disturb them, Seiren wobbly stood up, her movements slow and deliberate as she tiptoed across the dimly lit room.

She made her way to where all their bags were stored, each one tucked neatly into its respective drawer. Reaching her designated shelf, she pouted upon realizing her pink duffle bag was perched just a bit too high for her to reach. She stretched on her toes, fingers grazing the edge of the bag, but it remained just out of reach.

Lost in her efforts, she softly gasped when she felt herself bump into someone's chest. Turning slightly, she saw a familiar palm resting on the shelf above her head. Boruto leaned closer, his presence warm and comforting in the quiet night. Her breath caught for a moment, the proximity sending a flutter through her heart, but she stood still, feeling the closeness of him.

Boruto shifted his position slightly, his arm brushing against hers as he tiptoed to grab her bag. His touch was gentle but steady, and she could feel the warmth radiating from him. With ease, he pulled down the pink duffle bag and handed it to her, his fingers brushing against hers in a fleeting, intimate gesture.

"Why are you awake?" Seiren asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She turned her head, her eyes meeting his as she looked over her shoulder.

Boruto stifled a yawn, his eyes heavy with sleep but still managing to sparkle with a hint of mischief. "Couldn't sleep," he murmured, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "Saw you struggling and thought I'd help."

Seiren felt a warmth spread through her chest, her heart beating a little faster. "Thanks you," she said softly, clutching the duffle bag to her chest.

Boruto nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he stepped back, giving her space. The room was silent except for the rhythmic breathing of their friends and the gentle creaking of the ship. "You should come by to the kitchen after," he pointed at her duffle bag and smiled "Shino-sensei and Anko-sensei are preparing for our breakfast. We're almost at the docks."

Seiren nodded, muttering a quiet "thank you" before slipping past Boruto. She kept her head down, not wanting him to see the deep blush spreading across her cheeks. Her heart was still racing from their close encounter, and she could feel the warmth lingering on her skin where his touch had been.

Reaching the small bathroom at the end of the corridor, she quickly clicked the doorknob lock behind her. The soft click echoed in the silence, a small barrier between her and the world outside. She leaned against the door for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, the dim light casting gentle shadows on the tiled floor.

The bathroom was compact but clean, with a faint scent of lavender soap lingering in the air. Seiren's reflection in the mirror showed a girl with slightly flushed cheeks and wide, sparkling eyes, still caught in the lingering effects of her encounter with Boruto. She shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts, and focused on the task at hand.