"Fate's Crossing

**Chapter 16: Morning Moments and Playful Encounters**

I came to you with a new chapter

**Chapter 16: Morning Moments and Playful Encounters**

The soft glow of the morning sun filtered through the curtains of their bedroom, gently waking Naruto from a deep, peaceful sleep. He stirred slightly, noticing the warmth and softness beneath him. Blinking his eyes open, he quickly realized his face was pressed against Ino's bare chest. His heart leapt into his throat as the memories of last night came rushing back—Ino had been surprisingly assertive, and they had shared a night full of intimacy and laughter.

His face turned crimson as he realized the position he was in, but before he could move, Ino, still half-asleep, mumbled softly. "Good morning, Naruto-kun," she whispered, her voice thick with drowsiness.

Naruto felt his heart pound in his chest as he tried to pull away, but Ino's arms instinctively wrapped around him, pulling him closer. "Let's stay like this... just for a little while longer," she said, burying her face into his hair.

Naruto's mind raced, his face glowing red from both shyness and the sheer intimacy of the moment. "I-I... Ino-chan..." he stammered, but she only giggled, snuggling closer.

Eventually, they both managed to pull themselves out of bed, Ino tugging Naruto by the hand and leading him toward the bathroom for a shower, a routine they'd somehow fallen into since getting married. Though still shy about it, Naruto could never refuse the mischievous glint in Ino's eyes as she playfully dragged him along.

After cleaning up and getting ready for the day, they stepped out into the fresh morning air, walking hand-in-hand down the street. The town was buzzing with early-morning life—people running errands, heading to work, and enjoying the bright new day. Ino leaned into Naruto's side, feeling completely content.

As they walked, a young woman noticed Naruto's striking appearance—his bright blue eyes and blond hair catching the sunlight. She smiled flirtatiously and approached the couple with confidence.

"Hey," she said, completely ignoring Ino's presence. "You're really cute. How about you and I go grab a coffee sometime?"

Naruto blinked, his eyes widening in shock. Before he could respond, Ino stepped forward, her protective side kicking in. She placed herself between Naruto and the woman, her hands on her hips. "Back off," Ino said firmly, her voice steady. "He's my husband."

The woman raised an eyebrow, glancing between them. "Oh, really?"

Ino, still blushing from the events of the last few days, leaned closer to the girl, lowering her voice slightly. "See these marks?" she said, pulling down Naruto's collar slightly to reveal the faint scratches from their passionate night. "I'm the one who gave him those. He's mine."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise, and without another word, she quickly backed away, not wanting to get involved any further.

Naruto's face turned beet red as he realized what just happened, and Ino, too, blushed furiously when the weight of her words sank in. "I-I can't believe I just said that," she mumbled, her face buried in Naruto's chest in embarrassment.

Naruto, equally flustered, awkwardly patted her head. "Y-You... really do have two sides, don't you, Ino-chan?"

Ino smiled sheepishly, feeling both proud and embarrassed at her outburst. "Maybe," she muttered, snuggling closer to him. "But you love me anyway, right?"

Naruto laughed softly, wrapping an arm around her. "Of course I do."

Naruto and Ino walked hand in hand through the park, the sun shining down on them, creating a peaceful atmosphere. They had decided to take a break from all the chaos of the past few days—getting married, teasing from friends, and adjusting to life together. Ino smiled, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort as she sat down on a bench next to Naruto. She leaned her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around him as they watched the children playing nearby.