Chapter 21: “The Festival, the Fireworks… and a Jealous Blonde”

The smell of grilled squid, dango, and roasted chestnuts wafted through the summer air as lanterns hung high above Konoha's marketplace. Tonight was the Moonlight Festival — an annual celebration held under the first full moon of summer. The whole village sparkled with color, music, and laughter, and for a brief night, shinobi and civilians alike shed the burden of their missions to enjoy a moment of peace.

Renji stood just outside the Hyuga compound, nervously adjusting his kimono. It was a deep navy-blue with silver streaks resembling falling leaves — custom-made by Teuchi, surprisingly. The ramen chef apparently had a secret hobby of tailoring on the side.

Hinata, in contrast, looked like a fleeting dream.

Her light lavender yukata, embroidered with tiny white blossoms, flowed softly around her as she walked toward him, cheeks dusted in pink. Her hair was done up with two delicate pins, and the moment their eyes met, Renji's mouth went dry.

"W-Wow…" he whispered. "You look…"

Hinata smiled, shy but radiant. "You look good too… Renji-kun."

The '-kun' still melted him every time.

They walked toward the village square together. Booths lined the streets with games, food, and dancing. Children ran around with sparklers, shinobi shouted over sweet sake, and the Hokage's face on the mountain smiled peacefully down.

Scene Break — Naruto, Uninvited

From the top of a dango stand, Naruto sat on the roof, scarfing down a meat skewer and watching the crowd below.

That's when he spotted them — Renji and Hinata walking side by side.

Naruto blinked. "Huh? Hinata's with that guy again?"

Kiba, next to him, sipped soda through a straw. "Dude, you're only noticing now? She's been crushing on him hard."

"WHAT?!" Naruto nearly fell off the roof. "But... but I thought she was just... y'know... shy around everyone!"

Kiba snorted. "Nope. Just you."

Naruto stared at Hinata, then at Renji — who had just pulled out a wooden charm from his sleeve and handed it to her with a small bow.

The charm was in the shape of a lotus. Hinata clutched it with a gasp, clearly touched.

Naruto stood up, hands clenched. "Oh heck no. I'm going down there."

Scene Break — Fireworks and Feelings

As the first firework exploded in a burst of gold, Renji and Hinata were sitting on the hill above the lake, a peaceful spot where the noise of the festival faded into crickets and warm summer wind.

Hinata leaned her head on his shoulder, fingers brushing his. Renji could feel his heartbeat in his throat.

"Hinata…" he said quietly, "I'm… really glad you're here."

She smiled, lips parted slightly. "Me too…"

They didn't kiss — not yet — but the space between them grew smaller and warmer with every firework crackling overhead.

And then—

"HEY GUYS!"

Both jumped as Naruto tumbled up the hill, panting and smiling wide.

"Fancy meeting you two here, huh?" he grinned, plopping down between them.

Hinata's eyes widened in panic.

Renji pinched the bridge of his nose. "Naruto… buddy. Were you following us?"

"What? Noooo. I just wanted to watch fireworks too. That's not illegal, is it?" Naruto grinned — a little too forced.

Then, seeing the wooden lotus charm still clutched in Hinata's hand, his smile faded slightly.

There was an awkward silence.

Renji cleared his throat. "Want to grab dango?"

"Sure!" Hinata and Naruto said in unison.

Naruto stepped in first and offered her his arm.

Hinata glanced at Renji. Renji raised a brow. Hinata looked torn.

It was comedy and tension wrapped in awkward teenage hormones.

Scene Break — A Seal Misfire in Public

Later, after an unfortunate run-in with a game booth that offered "Truth or Jutsu," Renji — under the influence of one too many experimental dumplings — activated a minor sealing scroll that exploded into a puff of smoke.

Out popped a dozen illusion clones… all naked.

The villagers screamed.

Naruto howled with laughter.

Hinata fainted on the spot.

Renji, blinking through the smoke, looked around. "I swear that wasn't a smut scroll! I was testing chakra distribution!"

From a nearby rooftop, Kakashi just chuckled behind his Icha Icha book.

Scene Break — Dark Whispers

Far away, in the shadowed corners of the Fire Daimyo's road, two cloaked figures watched a glimmering orb.

The image of Renji, smiling beside Hinata, shimmered.

"So… the soul is waking up," one murmured.

"The reincarnated one draws the eyes of fate. He must be watched — or destroyed."

Their forms faded into the wind, as the last firework of the night lit the sky.

End of Chapter 21