ALL NOVEL Chapter 44: Land of Snow
It seemed surprising that she was opening up so quickly, especially considering her initial panic. I couldn't help but think that perhaps my charm was having an effect on her—after all, I had a way with people.
"Listen, Yukie," I said, trying to keep the conversation light yet reassuring, "whatever it is that's bothering you, we'll handle it together. You're not just a client to us—you're someone worth protecting."
Her gaze softened for a moment, and I sensed a hint of relief in her expression. It was clear she had been carrying a burden, and even though she wasn't ready to share it all yet, there was a small crack in the wall she had built up around herself.
"Alright," she replied quietly. "But I'm still not going to the Land of Snow."
I gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll see about that."
Seeing her stubbornness, I couldn't resist the urge to reason with her, so I suddenly grasped her face and kissed her. Initially shocked by my boldness, she soon began to enjoy the kiss, responding to the unexpected intimacy.
After a moment, we pulled away, and she demanded, "What was that for?" her anger barely masking her confusion.
I replied, "But you enjoyed it, didn't you? Don't worry—this kiss means you're my woman now, and I will always protect my loved ones."
Flustered by my response, she retorted, "Who said I'm your woman? You're so young; do you even make sense?" I smiled and replied, "Love knows no age."
"Give me your autograph", I asked her. She seemed surprised by my sudden shift to a lighter topic, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "An autograph, huh? I didn't expect that from a ninja," she said, her tone softening.
I grinned. "Well, even ninjas can appreciate a good movie, you know. And besides, you're not just any actress—you're Yukie Fujikaze, the star I grew up watching. It would mean a lot to me."
Her eyes met mine for a moment, and I could see some of the tension in her shoulders easing. "Alright," she replied.
As she handed me a slip of paper and signed it, I couldn't help but think that this was the first step in getting her to trust me. Whatever she was running from, I would protect her from it.
"Yukie, have you decided what to do?" I asked, breaking the silence. She hesitated before responding, "I'll trust you this once, but you must protect not just me, but others as well; there's a big problem at hand."
"Yes, my queen, your orders are my honor," I replied without a hint of embarrassment, though she seemed quite flustered.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" she exclaimed, her cheeks reddening.
"My lovely queen has given me a mission, and that makes me so happy!" I said, a grin spreading across my face, reveling in the mix of seriousness and playful affection in the air.
"What do you say, my queen? Should we head back?" I asked, glancing at her.
"Yes, we should," she replied, determination in her eyes.
We made our way back to the shooting spot, and as we arrived, I couldn't contain my excitement. "Guys, she accepted to go to the Land of Snow!" I shouted.
The reaction was immediate; they were stunned by my announcement. Yukie, in particular, reacted instinctively, bolting away as soon as she heard the words "Land of Snow."
Even though they didn't understand how I had managed to convince her, my companions quickly set to work preparing for our departure. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and uncertainty as they gathered supplies and organized our journey.
After a few hours, we finally climbed aboard the ship that was heading towards the Land of Snow. The vessel rocked gently on the waves as we settled in, anticipation hanging in the air. I couldn't help but glance at Yukie, wondering what challenges awaited us in the icy expanse ahead.
I moved closer to her and asked softly, "Can you tell me what happened that you're so afraid of?"
A heavy silence lingered for a few moments, and I sensed that she was struggling to share the details of her past.
"It's okay..." I began to reassure her, but I was interrupted.
"Naruto, it happened ten years ago..." she said, her voice trembling slightly as memories rushed back. I could see the weight of her experiences reflected in her eyes, and I knew this was a moment of vulnerability for her.