Kurenai was furious when they arrived back at Konoha, storming off somewhere after escorting the genin back through the outpost. It was late however, so all the genin went home.

"Saul-kun."

"Yes Hinata?"

"Hold me... Please?"

They cuddled together through the night. Hinata seemed pretty shaken up by the mission. The sight of people being so casually killed was likely even worse for a girl with such good vision. Being someone from modern society, there was a distaste in his mouth from being shown something like that. That was all for him.

Saul rubbed Hinata's back, soothing her in his arms. He was honestly just glad she didn't seem to notice he left a shadow clone behind. That kind of situation would suck to deal with.

"Do you think, one day, that will be you or me? That we'll just die?"

"Maybe." Saul answered honestly. Having already died once, the thought of dying again wasn't so scary to him anymore. "If you die I'll make sure to revive you."

"But how? Saul-kun? And what if you die? What will I do?"

At that point it wouldn't be my concern, though, right? Because I'd either be dead or living another new life. He didn't exactly understand how he came here in the first place. Regardless, there existed many ways of revival among ninja. The most accessible version of this technique was the One's Own Life Technique. He could capture a ninja, force them to cast it under Genjutsu, and then trade their life for Hinata's. 

"Don't ask me how, but I will never abandon you. Even if death takes you from me."

"How?" She insisted, looking at him with determined white eyes.

"...I'll tell you how when I know exactly, ok? Right now all I have is a rough idea."

She stared at him unflinchingly. "Saul-kun."

Saul sighed. This girl. He really didn't care so much about his own life, but if she was really so determined, he guessed it wouldn't be harmful to have a little extra insurance. At the end of the day if she used her life to revive him, then he could just find someone else and force them to bring her back as well.

"Check our surroundings with your Byakugan. Absolutely no one else can hear what I will tell you."

Veins bulged around her eyes as she looked rapidly around the surroundings. She scanned seriously, but could find no one. 

"Saul-kun, no one is listening."

"Check underground. Pay special attention to things like tree roots or vegetation."

Hinata scanned thoroughly, checking deep underground. Still, nothing seemed out of the ordinary at all. She shook her head. 

"One last thing. Once I tell you, you must never ask me how I know what I know. If I ever feel ready I will tell you upon my own volition. Do you agree?"

Hinata was completely serious, sensing that Saul-kun was not joking with her. After some consideration, she nodded slowly.

"Granny Chiyo from Sunagakure has developed a forbidden Jutsu, one she plans personally to use on her deathbed to revive her grandson's parents. The Jutsu's name is One's Own Life Reincarnation Technique. It works by the principle of equivalent exchange, a life for a life. Once the user of this Jutsu performs it, they will die."

Hinata's mouth opened in shock. Was her Saul-kun a spy!? From the Sand Village? And if she died, was he planning to die for her sake!?

"Saul-kun. Never ever use that Jutsu, ok? Never ever ever!"

She shook her head left and right for emphasis, her long black hair swaying with the movements. Saul caressed her head, brushing down her hair to calm her. He teased,

"But if you die Hinata, what would I do? I wouldn't be able to just sit there and do nothing!"

Hinata heard his teasing tone, but she didn't care as she tackled him to the bed and kissed him. "I don't care, Saul-kun! If you ever use that jutsu for me, I will immediately use it for you right after! Reviving me would be a waste of time!"

"But what if I don't let you learn the Jutsu?" Saul continued teasingly.

Hinata eyed him fiercely, "I would learn it if you learned it, no matter what, Saul-kun!"

It was rare to see Hinata this aggressive, this passionate. On most points she'd either concede pitifully or completely change tune to agree with him, but on this one she was fierce, like a kitten, staring up at him with those lovely, pupil-less eyes. They had really grown on him.

He kissed her on the lips, causing her anger to deflate. A dreamy smile appeared on her face. Oh, Hinata. Never change.

"I'm getting very good at Genjutsu, Hinata. I'll be able to put someone else under Genjutsu and use them to cast the Jutsu instead, ok?"

Hinata frowned and looked down.

"But wouldn't that be bad? T-to take someone else's life just for someone like me?"

Saul chuckled, "That just means neither of us are allowed to die, right? Because your life is worth infinitely more to me than anyone else's. I'd do it in a heartbeat."

Hinata started crying, kissing him all over the face and hugging him tightly. He hugged back, feeling her warm body pressed up against him like it never wanted to leave. Stroking her hair, patting her back, resisting the temptation to squeeze her ass. His patience now would have many dividends later.

After a while in his arms, Hinata fell sound asleep while still clinging to him. Soon after he also accepted its Siren's call.

The next morning, Saul had a homemade breakfast made by Hinata and went out to see Yakumo. He had missed yesterday due to returning from the mission so late, and he wanted to show a bit of sincerity by arriving in the morning. Hinata was growing more and more secure with him, not making a fuss when he wanted to go see Yakumo alone. Instead Hinata just smiled cheerily and reminded him to come back soon. It was progress, especially for her.

*Knock, knock*

There was no response. Usually she would open the door within a few seconds of his arrival, but this time he was arriving at an unusual time. She wouldn't be expecting him.

*Knock, knock, knock*

"Hey Yakumo! It's me, Saul!"

After a little while longer, the woman opened up the door for him. She was much more 'raw' than normal without having the time to dress up like she normally did. Her long brown hair was slightly frazzled from sleeping in the bed, she was still in her pajamas, and she had small dark circles under her eyes. She sniffled, a wet inhale of snot.

"Hey Saul." She croaked, "Sorry for making you wait, I wasn't expecting you."

She must have had a sore throat. Sniffling like that... A cold? Or something else. Saul had never gotten sick since he was transported to this world - he wondered how Yakumo was so illness prone even though she trained her body to the standard of a genin.

Saul waved his hand impassively, "It's no problem. I came by early today because we got a C-ranked mission. I wasn't able to see you yesterday because of it, and I wanted to make things up to you.

Yakumo tried to smile politely, but she couldn't hide the radiant joy in her eyes. "I completely understand, Saul-san, it's not your fault. Please, come inside, make yourself at home!"

Author's Note: I had some extra time today, so here's a third chapter for you all to enjoy! I'm going to bed now.