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Naruto: The Art of Deception 15
🕑 Added 2025-03-12 17:37:40 +0000 UTCChapter 15: She can’t be that easy
Rei crossed her arms, watching him. She looked like she was deciding if he was worth her time or just another idiot she would forget by morning.
“You always let yourself get your ass kicked in bars, or was tonight just special?”
Naruto, or rather, Arashi, grinned wider as he wiped the last trace of blood from his lip. “What can I say? I’m a generous guy. Gotta let the locals feel good about themselves.”
She snorted, shaking her head then, to his satisfaction, she gestured toward the empty chair across from her.
“Come on, before you start bleeding all over the floor.”
That was an invitation if he had ever heard one.
He moved easily, ignoring the dull ache in his ribs, and slid into the seat. His arms draped over the back of the chair, his legs spreading just enough to take up space.
The perfect picture of a man with nothing to hide.
While hiding everything.
Rei leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on the table, her eyes scanning him searching for something beneath the surface. “You don’t look like a trader.”
Arashi smirked and reached for his drink. “And you don’t look like a girl who gives a shit about traders.”
Her lips twitched, barely a smirk, but enough to tell him she was playing along. “Maybe. But I do have a good eye for liars.”
He took a slow sip, letting the warmth of the alcohol linger on his tongue, letting her words settle between them.
“Then tell me, sweetheart, what do you see?”
Her fingers traced the rim of her glass, but her eyes stayed locked on his. “A guy who knows how to talk his way out of things. Or into them.”
“Depends on which is more fun.”
She shook her head. “Alright then, mystery man. What’s your name?”
He tapped a finger against the rim of his cup. “Arashi.”
She arched a brow. “Just Arashi?”
“Just Arashi. If I gave you more, that would take all the fun out of it.”
She hummed, not quite believing him. “And what exactly are you doing here, just Arashi?”
He leaned in slightly, voice dipping lower. “Would you believe me if I said fate led me here?”
She scoffed, lips curling into something sharp. “No.”
“Smart girl.” His eyes darted down for just a second, catching the slight part of her lips before dragging back up. “I’m just looking for something worth my time. Maybe I found it.”
Her smirk was slow. “You’re really laying it on thick.”
“Can’t help myself.” He tilted his head slightly, eyes dragging over her, unhurried. “You are kinda my type.”
She raised a brow, unimpressed but still playing the game. “Oh yeah?”
“Mmm. Keen eyes. Wicked tongue. And a body that could ruin a man.”
Her fingers twitched against her glass.
He saw it.
Felt the slight shift in her breathing. She was still composed, still in control, but she was aware.
Interested.
She took a slow sip of her drink, tongue slipping out to catch the drop lingering on her lip, and that was when he knew.
He had her.
Arashi let the silence stretch just long enough to make it feel intentional, then smirked.
“So, sweetheart, are we just gonna keep talking, or are you gonna let me buy you another drink?”
~~~~~~~~
Rei lifted her drink and took a slow sip, her expression shifting just slightly as she studied him again. Her lips pressed together, like something wasn’t adding up.
“Wait a second…” She leaned in, eyes narrowing as she traced over his face, then down to his jaw. Her focus dipped lower, hovering for just a breath before she shook her head. “That guy busted you up pretty good, didn’t he?”
Naruto rested his chin in his palm, elbow propped lazily on the bar, lips curling up at the corners. “That’s one way to put it.”
Her hand twitched, fingers lifting slightly before she seemed to catch herself, stopping just shy of his cheek. She hesitated, then let her hand drop.
“You were bruised. I saw it.”
He hummed, tilting his head slightly.
“And?”
Rei’s brow furrowed, her attention dipping lower as the loose collar of his shirt shifted. No sign that he had just been hit hard enough to send him crashing into a table.
Her lips parted slightly, a slow breath slipping out.
“What?” Naruto’s smirk deepened. “Disappointed?”
Her head snapped back up, searching his face.
He could almost hear the thoughts racing in her mind. Faster healing wasn’t impossible. Some shinobi trained their bodies to recover quicker. Some bloodlines had regenerative abilities.
For a moment, he wondered if she would push. If she would call him on it.
But then she leaned back, scoffing under her breath. “Tch. Must be nice.”
He grinned, lifting his drink, taking a slow sip like they were just talking about the weather. “Good genes.”
She rolled her eyes, but the curiosity stayed.
Good.
Let her wonder.
His eyes drifted to her mouth. She caught it.
And she liked it.
Rei didn’t hesitate. She set her drink down and reached for him, her fingers curling into the fabric of his vest. Not a tug, not quite a pull, just enough to tell him she could.
“So?” Her voice was smooth, teasing. “Are you gonna make a move, or am I doing all the work here?”
Naruto laughed, the sound settling warm between them. His hand found her waist, fingers sliding over the curve of her hip, pressing just enough to make her shiver.
“I’d never make you work for it, sweetheart.”
Then he kissed her.
She tasted like sake, warm and intoxicating, but there was something else too. The moment their lips met, she leaned in, a quiet hum slipping from her throat as her grip tightened against his vest.
She didn’t hold back. She kissed him in a bold, unapologetic way. Testing, teasing, pushing to see just how much he would give.
He gave her exactly what she wanted.
By the time they pulled away, she was breathing a little heavier, pupils slightly darker, lips parted like she was already thinking about the next time.
Rei ran her tongue over her lower lip, eyes still locked on him. Her voice came huskier than before. “You keep kissing me like that, and I might just invite you back to my place.”
Naruto’s thumb traced the curve of her hip. “Then what are we still doing here?”
She grinned, catching his hand as she stood. “Come on, Arashi.”
He let her lead him out into the night, her fingers wrapped around his, the promise of trouble in every step.
