Naruto: Mastered Your Strategy?

"Excuse me," Ino said as she stepped into Ren's home, slipping off her shoes.

The spacious, traditionally styled living room caught her attention immediately.

The arrangement was refined and gave the impression of an ancestral home—rare to see outside of the larger clans.

The layout of the second floor seemed to reflect a more modern design, though she could only glimpse it.

"Welcome back, sir," a timid voice greeted.

Ino looked up to see a red-haired girl wearing glasses. She blinked in surprise at the sight.

"This is Karin," Ren said simply.

"...Hello," Ino responded, quickly recovering.

"This is my student, Ino," Ren introduced in turn.

"Nice to meet you," Karin said politely, her tone soft and reserved.

Ino's eyes lingered on Karin's striking red hair. She hesitated before asking, "Is she... your maid?"

Karin flinched slightly, unsure of how to respond.

"She's not," Ren clarified. "She's just staying here for now."

The explanation didn't entirely settle Ino's curiosity, but she let it go as Ren led her further inside. From the kitchen, the sound of someone cooking reached their ears.

"That's Kurenai," Ren said.

Karin's presence made Ino feel unexpectedly self-conscious. The atmosphere turned awkward as she sat in the living room, where Karin soon brought her a cup of tea.

When Ren disappeared into the kitchen, it wasn't long before Kurenai emerged with her usual warm smile.

"Ino, you're here," Kurenai said, her tone welcoming.

"Hello, Kurenai-sensei," Ino replied, standing to greet her.

"Take a seat. Dinner will be ready soon," Kurenai said, still smiling, exuding the air of a proper hostess.

"Karin, go help in the kitchen," Kurenai instructed.

"Yes, ma'am." Karin obediently stood and disappeared into the kitchen.

Ino sat back down, a polite smile on her face. "Thank you for having me over," she said.

"Of course," Kurenai replied, sitting beside her. "You should come by often. Next time, bring Shikamaru and Chōji too—we'd love to have you all."

Ino giggled. "I just found out today that you and Ren-sensei are, well… a couple."

"There's no need to make a big deal of it," Kurenai replied, her tone gentle.

…

In the kitchen, Karin watched Ren work efficiently.

"Is there anything I can help with?" she asked hesitantly.

"Can you cook?"

"...No," Karin admitted, before quickly adding, "But I can learn!"

"Just stand there for now," Ren said without looking up.

"...Okay." Karin obediently stayed put, watching him with intense focus as he moved.

When he handed her a dish to take to the table, she eagerly stepped forward—only to have her hand swatted away.

"Wash your hands first."

"Sorry!" Karin quickly ran to the sink, scrubbing her hands under the water with a nervous energy.

…

When dinner was served, Kurenai led Ino to the table while Karin helped set out plates and utensils.

"Try these," Kurenai said to Ino. "I made these two dishes, and this one is Ren's."

Ino picked up her chopsticks, sampling a bite. Her eyes lit up.

"Mmm, this is delicious!"

Kurenai's smile widened. "I'm glad you like it."

"It's even better than my mom's cooking!" Ino exclaimed, earning a laugh from Kurenai.

Ren ate quietly, while Karin kept her head down, eating her food silently at the end of the table.

Ren's cooking is better, Karin thought to herself but kept it to herself.

"You'll make a perfect housewife one day, Kurenai-sensei," Ino said with a playful smile.

Kurenai chuckled, clearly pleased. "You're such a sweet talker, Ino."

"I mean it, though!"

Kurenai began piling food onto Ino's plate. "If you like it so much, you should come over often. You're Ren's student—treat this place like your own home."

"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei! I might just take you up on that," Ino said, giggling.

Most of the conversation during dinner was between Ino and Kurenai, their laughter ringing throughout the room. Ren only chimed in occasionally, while Karin remained silent, focused on her meal.

When the meal was over, Karin quietly helped clear the table while Ren leaned back in his chair.

…

At the door, Ino bowed politely to Kurenai.

"Thank you for the meal," she said.

"If I'd known you were coming, I'd have prepared something even better," Kurenai replied.

"It was perfect already," Ino said with a smile. "Thank you for having me."

Kurenai turned to Ren. "Aren't you going to walk your student out?"

"It's late. She should get home and rest," Ren said simply.

Kurenai sighed, shaking her head, while Ino chuckled.

"Goodnight, Kurenai-sensei," Ino said, then raised her voice slightly. "Goodnight, Ren-sensei!"

…

Late at night.

In her room, Karin lay in bed, clutching her pillow as faint sounds from the next room filtered through the walls. Her face burned, and she buried her head under the pillow.

When the noise finally stopped, she peeked out cautiously.

Finally... I can sleep now.

…

In the Master Bedroom.

Kurenai rested her head on Ren's chest, her hair slightly damp from sweat.

"Your student looks at you in a way that's... a little too obvious," she said suddenly.

"You're imagining things."

"Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean," Kurenai said, narrowing her eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Kurenai sighed. "I'm a woman. I can tell. Ino kept stealing glances at you all through dinner, thinking I wouldn't notice."

"She's a kid," Ren replied calmly. "She'll get over it in a few days."

"Kids can fall in love too," Kurenai said softly.

"Teenage crushes are fleeting."

"Maybe, but some don't fade," Kurenai murmured. "I think Tenten is one of those. She seemed pretty serious about you."

Ren frowned slightly. "Don't say things like that."

Kurenai let out a deep breath, then playfully bit Ren's hand. When he didn't react, she kissed the mark gently, as if apologizing.

"Don't brush it off. If these girls get hurt because of this, it's on you," Kurenai said, her tone serious.

"I know," Ren replied.

Kurenai rested her head on his arm, stroking the faint teeth marks on his hand.

"What about Karin? Are you planning to keep her here permanently?"

"Does that bother you?"

Kurenai shook her head slightly. "Not really. It's just… strange, having a young girl living with us."

"You said you wanted a child, didn't you?" Ren asked, smirking slightly.

"She's too old to be our child," Kurenai retorted, rolling her eyes.

Ren's voice softened. "I'll arrange a new identity for her after the Chūnin Exams blow over."

Kurenai nodded, seemingly content. They lay together in silence for a while until Kurenai suddenly propped herself up on one elbow.

"You seem to have a thing for young girls, don't you?" she teased.

Ren's expression darkened.

Before she could react, his hand tightened slightly around her waist, making her gasp softly.

Leaning close to her ear, he murmured, "I don't like little girls. I like grown women."

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