W H I T E // Naruto X Rwby

Rinko sat in his room, the moonlight streaming through the window, casting soft silvery hues across the space.

The quiet glow bathed him as he read the final line of Ninja of Love, Volume 10:

"Love, at its core, is about taking risks—not because you're fearless, but because someone makes you believe they're worth it."

With a soft sigh, he closed the book, the words lingering in his thoughts longer than he expected.

His mind wandered to Yang—her infectious laughter that seemed to echo long after the sound faded, the way her golden hair gleamed like the sun itself, and the gentle, unspoken warmth in her violet eyes whenever they met his.

She was everything he wasn't.

Bold.

Open.

And willing to embrace life's uncertainties head-on.

Yang wore her emotions as naturally as she wore her confidence, making her feelings for him abundantly clear.

And yet, she never pushed—always giving him the space to wrestle with his thoughts. It was as if she understood his hesitation, though he'd never voiced it.

Yet, Yang's unyielding presence, so genuine and unapologetically her, left him wondering.

Could it truly be worth the risk?

She was undeniably beautiful, and, to his reluctant admission, she had a way of stirring something in him he couldn't quite ignore.

But that was part of the problem.

For Rinko—no, Kakashi Hatake—life had been a series of calculated moves, shielded by duty and loss.

Feelings, especially romantic ones, had always been compartmentalized, tucked away in the furthest corners of his heart—only in the small world he built, he allowed for it to graze the surface through the books he immersed himself with.

But now, in this young body, with its surging energy and unrelenting hormones, those boundaries were harder to maintain.

He rubbed the back of his neck, scowling slightly at his reflection in the window. "Damn hormones," he muttered under his breath.

The teenage body he now inhabited wasn't just younger—it was louder, more impulsive, and so much harder to ignore.

He leaned back against his chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling. The moonlight flickered as a cloud passed by.

"What am I afraid of?" he murmured to himself, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at his lips.

Balcony – Yang

Yang leaned against the balcony railing, her gaze lost in the evening horizon. The sky was painted in soft hues of purple and orange, the stars beginning to peek through as night fully settled.

The sound of footsteps pulled her attention. She glanced back to see Team JNPR approaching, their faces carrying knowing smiles.

"Hey, guys," Yang greeted casually, though she could feel their energy brimming with curiosity.

Nora sidled up next to her, leaning dramatically on the railing. "Sooo… you two started kissing yet, or what?"

Yang choked, her face turning bright red as she whipped around to glare at her. "NORA!"

"What?" Nora defended with a mischievous grin. "It's painfully obvious! We saw you two earlier, standing there all cozy, watching the sunset like some cheesy romance novel!"

"Nora, please," Ren sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You know," Pyrrha chimed in gently, her hand intertwined with Jaune's, "if you ever need advice, we're more than willing to help."

Yang groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Why do I feel like this conversation's going to haunt me?"

Jaune chuckled, offering her an empathetic smile. "Because it will."

Yang peeked through her fingers, half-scowling, half-laughing. "You're all impossible."

From behind them, Ruby's voice rang out from the doorway. "Wait, are we talking about Rinko? What'd I miss?!"

Yang groaned louder, burying her face in her hands. "I knew this would happen."

From behind Ruby, Weiss approached with her arms crossed, an eyebrow raised in amusement. "Honestly, Yang, when are you going to make a move?"

Jaune nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, Yang. You've had plenty of time. You two were alone for days back at the house where Ruby's training. Don't tell me nothing happened..!"

Yang peeked out from her hands, her face flushed. "W-we weren't alone! Weiss, Ruby and Selene were there too!"

"But not us," Nora interjected with a wide grin, leaning on the railing. "Come on, spill it! Did he say anything? Did you say anything?"

"Or at least hug?" Jaune added, only to be elbowed gently by Pyrrha.

"I—I don't need to tell you guys anything!" Yang stammered, her blush deepening.

"Oooh, that's a yes," Nora said, nudging Pyrrha. "She totally hugged him!"

"Yang," Pyrrha said gently, her tone understanding, "Rinko is the kind of person who seems… reserved. If you want him to know how you feel, you might have to take the first step."

"Yeah!" Ruby chimed in. "Like, what if you just said, 'Hey, Rinko, I think you're cool and amazing and super dreamy—'"

"RUBY!" Yang cut her off, mortified.

Nora laughed. "Ruby's got a point, though. Rinko's a little… oblivious. If you want him to notice, you can't just wait for him to figure it out on his own."

Jaune scratched the back of his head. "To be fair, I think he does notice. He just doesn't seem like the type to act unless he's sure."

"Exactly," Weiss added. "You don't have to be dramatic about it, Yang. Just be straightforward."

Yang groaned again, slumping her shoulders. "Do you guys have any actual advice or are you just going to keep embarrassing me?"

Ren smiled warmly. "If you're nervous, maybe start small."

Pyrrha perked, "Yeah, spend more time with him, talk to him one-on-one. Show him how much you care, even in little ways."

"Mhm!" Nora added with a sly grin. "Like cooking him a special meal! Or, I dunno, accidentally falling into his arms like in those novels Rinko reads."

Yang glared at her, but the corners of her mouth twitched. "You're all the worst."

"But we're not wrong!" Ruby said with a big grin.

As Team JNPR and Ruby laughed at Yang's expense, Weiss placed a hand on her shoulder. "You've got this, Yang. Just be yourself. That's what Rinko likes about you."

Yang sighed, a reluctant smile on her face. "Alright, alright. I'll think about it."

"And we'll all be watching from the sidelines!" Nora said with a cheer.

"NORA!"

"Yo."

That single word made Yang's spine straighten like a snapped ruler. Team JNPR immediately turned their eyes to her, and Ruby barely suppressed a giggle. Yang, however, froze, her face growing hotter by the second.

She didn't need to turn around to know who it was. That voice belonged to Rinko.

Ruby and Nora grinned mischievously, Weiss allowed herself a small, knowing smile, while Jaune and Pyrrha exchanged glances.

"Why are you all huddled up on the balcony?" Rinko asked, his tone casual. He stood at the doorway, a glass of water in one hand, the other resting in his pocket.

When his gaze moved past the group and landed on Weiss and Ruby, his expression softened slightly. "Weiss, Ruby. I didn't realize you were here."

Weiss inclined her head gracefully. "We only just arrived," she replied smoothly. "We didn't want to bother you while you were in your room."

As she spoke, Weiss caught the subtle but frantic eyebrow wiggle from Ruby, an unmistakable signal: Wingman for Yang. Now.

Weiss sighed, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. With a resigned but supportive smile, she stepped forward.

"Rinko," Weiss said, her voice light and deliberate as she reached out to gently grab his arm, guiding him toward the group. "Yang here has something she wants to say to you."

Rinko's eyebrows lifted slightly, his blue eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Oh?"

Yang's eyes widened, and her head whipped toward Weiss. "Wait, what?!"

Weiss ignored her protest, casting a pointed glance back at Ruby as if to say, Happy now?

Ruby gave an eager nod, her grin practically splitting her face.

Rinko looked between Weiss and Yang, his expression calm but tinged with curiosity. "Really?" he asked, tilting his head slightly, his blue eyes focusing on Yang.

Yang, who was usually fearless and quick with a comeback, found herself completely tongue-tied.

She opened her mouth, closed it again, and looked around for an escape route that didn't exist.

"Uh, yeah, Yang," Nora chimed in with a wide grin, leaning on the railing. "You had so much to say earlier. Don't hold back now."

"S-shut up!" Yang roared, sweating and just plainly blushing.

"Well," Weiss said, "we'll leave you two to it."

"Yeah!" Nora chimed in, a wide grin on her face. "Super private, definitely-not-awkward conversation time!"

"Nora," Ren said with a sigh, dragging her along as they headed back inside.

Ruby lagged behind just long enough to whisper to Yang, "You've got this!" before Weiss firmly pulled her away.

As the others disappeared, Yang and Rinko were left alone on the balcony, the sound of the evening breeze filling the silence.

Yang rubbed the back of her neck, her golden hair shimmering in the moonlight. "So… uh… hi," she started awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.

Rinko tilted his head slightly, leaning casually against the railing. "Hi," he replied, his voice calm and even.

Yang glanced at him, trying to read his expression. As usual, it was unreadable, but the gentle curiosity in his eyes made her pulse race.

"I, uh… Weiss kinda set me up for this," she admitted with a nervous chuckle.

Rinko gave a soft smile. "I figured as much. What's on your mind?"

Yang hesitated, her confidence wavering. But then she remembered Ruby's words and took a deep breath. "I just… wanted to say thanks. For everything. You've had my back through so much, and I really appreciate it."

Rinko's gaze softened. "Of course, Yang. We're a team. I'll always have your back."

The sincerity in his voice gave her the courage to say more. "It's not just that," she continued, her tone quieter now. "You… you're kind of amazing, you know? You're calm, steady, and honestly… I think I might like you more than I should."

For a moment, Rinko didn't respond, his expression thoughtful. Then he let out a quiet chuckle. "Yang," he said gently, "you don't have to overthink it. I think you're amazing too."

Yang's eyes widened, her cheeks flushing a vivid pink. She quickly looked away, pretending to focus on the horizon as she cleared her throat.

"Y-you do?" Her voice rose in pitch before she hurriedly masked it with an attempt at nonchalance. "Well," she said, crossing her arms, "that's… good to know."

Rinko couldn't help but chuckle, his calm gaze never leaving her. "What are you doing?" he asked, the amusement in his tone unmistakable.

"What?" Yang replied, feigning ignorance, though the faint blush still painted her cheeks.

"You're acting 'cool' all of a sudden. Is this a new persona of yours?" He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a teasing smirk.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Yang retorted, tilting her head with mock confidence. "This is just… normal me."

"Uh-huh," Rinko said, stepping closer. His voice lowered, playful but steady. "Normal you who suddenly can't look me in the eye?"

"I'm totally looking at you," she lied, her gaze stubbornly glued to the horizon.

He chuckled again, leaning slightly closer, his tone gentler now. "Yang, you don't have to pretend. I already said I think you're amazing."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she finally turned to meet his eyes. The moonlight made his blue gaze even more piercing, and the soft sincerity there melted any lingering walls she had.

"Rinko, I…" She hesitated, biting her lip, before her words tumbled out. "I've liked you for a while now. You're just… different. In a good way. And you make me feel—ugh, I sound like an idiot, don't I?"

"Not at all," Rinko said, his voice warm and reassuring. "You're being honest. That's… very you."

Yang blinked, caught off guard by the tenderness in his tone. She didn't know what to say, but her feet seemed to have a mind of their own, stepping closer to him.

Rinko tilted his head, a small smile playing at his lips. "You're bold, Yang, and I respect that about you."

"And you're annoyingly calm," Yang shot back, her smile returning as her nerves began to fade. "It's infuriating, you know."

"Maa, maa… Is it?" Rinko asked, his voice dropping slightly, the faintest hint of a challenge in his eyes as he smirked.

Yang froze for a split second, caught off guard by the subtle shift in his tone. Her heart skipped a beat, but her instincts quickly kicked in.

"You bet it is," she murmured, stepping even closer, closing the gap between them until their faces were just inches apart.

Rinko tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable but calm as ever. "Then what are you going to do about it?" he asked, his voice low and steady, almost daring her.

Yang blinked, momentarily caught between the teasing and the tension that seemed to hang in the air. Her lilac eyes flickered to his lips, then back to his blue gaze.

She felt a surge of boldness—this was her moment, and she wasn't going to let it slip away.

Without saying another word, Yang grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him toward her, closing the remaining distance as her lips met his in a kiss.

The action was firm, decisive—purely Yang. It wasn't hesitant or unsure; it was a declaration, loud and clear.

Rinko's eyes widened briefly in surprise, but he quickly melted into the kiss, his hand instinctively coming up to rest lightly on her arm.

His calm demeanor cracked just enough to reveal a flicker of something deeper—something he hadn't allowed himself to feel for a long time.

When they finally broke apart, Yang smirked as she met his gaze. "How's that for a dare?"

Rinko exhaled softly, his composure slowly returning, but his cheeks still tinged with a faint blush. "I'll admit… you have a way of proving your point."

Yang, her fingers still lightly gripping the front of his shirt, bit her lip, the words she had been holding back threatening to spill. She took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. "I love you, Rinko. I… I can't deny it anymore. I've tried, but I can't hide how I feel."

Rinko's eyes softened at her confession, the usual calmness in his expression now replaced with something deeper—a rare vulnerability. For a moment, he was speechless, unsure of what to say in response to such a simple yet profound admission.

Yang's heart raced as she watched him, her hand still clinging to his shirt, afraid to let go of this moment, afraid he might slip away.

"Yang…" Rinko's voice was quiet, almost uncertain, as if the words themselves weighed more than he had expected.

She swallowed, the tension in her chest tightening. "I don't expect you to say it back right away. But I needed you to know. I can't keep pretending it's not there."

Rinko's gaze softened even further, and after a long pause, he reached up, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek. His touch was tender, almost reverent, as if he were absorbing the gravity of her words.

"You're not the only one who's been holding back," he said quietly, his voice steady yet laced with something warm. "I just… wasn't sure how to face it. But you…" He paused, looking at her with a hint of a smile. "You make it easy to feel something."

Yang's smile widened, her heart fluttering. "So… what now?" she asked, her voice soft with anticipation.

Rinko's fingers gently cupped her chin, tilting her head slightly so their eyes locked. "Now… we figure it out together," he murmured, his lips curving into a small but sincere smile.

Slowly, their faces drew closer, drawn together by an undeniable pull. Yang closed the space between them, her lips meeting his once more. The kiss was gentle, tender, but filled with unspoken promises—an understanding that neither of them could deny anymore.

The moonlight bathed them in a soft, silvery glow, while a cool breeze ruffled their hair and brushed against their skin, but neither of them paid it any mind. They were lost in the moment, the world around them fading as they held each other in silence. Time felt suspended, and for once, the weight of the world seemed lighter.

From a distance, Team JNPR, Ruby, and Weiss stood frozen, watching the intimate moment unfold before them.

"H-holy cow..." Ruby gasped, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement, as she giggled uncontrollably. "I can't believe it, it's actually happening!"

Weiss raised an eyebrow, her expression somewhere between bemused and amused. "Well, looks like they finally figured it out."

Pyrrha, with a soft smile, nudged Jaune playfully. "Told you they'd get there eventually."

Nora, ever the enthusiastic one, jumped up with exaggerated excitement. "Yoooo, they're totally a thing now! Can't wait to see how this goes down!"

Ren, ever the calm one, simply watched, his lips curling into a slight, knowing smile. "It was bound to happen."

Despite the teasing and laughter from the sidelines, Yang and Rinko remained in their quiet bubble, sharing something only they truly understood.

As their kiss deepened, Yang's arms suddenly wrapped around Rinko with surprising strength, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. Rinko, caught off guard, let out a surprised, "Ouh—... Yang?" His voice was laced with confusion as he looked at her.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes and a smirk playing on her lips, Yang leaned in closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Shut up and kiss me," she commanded, her voice low and teasing.

Rinko couldn't help but smile at her boldness. With a soft chuckle, he pulled her closer, his hand gently cupping her cheek as he leaned in for another kiss.

What began as a simple kiss quickly deepened, their lips moving together with a fluid, practiced rhythm. Yang, ever the one to take the lead, expertly guided their kiss into something more passionate, her tongue teasing his. Rinko, though initially caught off guard, found himself following her lead, his own tongue meeting hers with a similar fervor.

In that moment, everything else—the world, their pasts, their duties—faded into nothing. There was only the heat between them, the unspoken understanding, and the way their bodies seemed to fit together perfectly.

For Rinko, this was new territory. Kakashi, with all his years of restraint, had never imagined things would escalate like this. But as the kiss deepened, he realized, for once, he wasn't going to pull away. This—whatever it was between them—was something he wanted to experience fully.

And for the first time in a while, Kakashi, now Rinko, found himself feeling something—hope.

Team JNPR, Ruby, and Weiss watched in stunned silence, their eyes glued to the balcony, where Yang and Rinko's kiss seemed to consume the world around them.

Nora, cheeks flushed and eyes wide, couldn't help but imagine herself in Yang's place, with Ren—her heart skipping a beat at the thought.

Ren simply smiled, a knowing look in his eyes, his usual calm demeanor not fazed by the public display of affection.

Ruby, meanwhile, could barely contain her shock. A faint blush spread across her cheeks as she glanced away, still not fully accustomed to seeing her older sibling in this kind of moment. Weiss, just as flustered, struggled to maintain her composure, her eyes darting nervously between the couple and the others.

Pyrrha and Jaune exchanged amused glances, both of them smiling softly at the reactions around them. It was clear they didn't find the scene as shocking, even if it was still a bit surprising to witness.

But before anyone could react further, a familiar voice broke the silence, sharp and loud enough to snap their attention away from the couple on the balcony.

"What you kids doing in here?" Qrow's voice carried, followed by Sienna, who appeared slightly tipsy but content with a flask in her hand.

Ruby immediately whipped around, her face bright red. "SHHHH! Uncle Qrow—lower your voice!" she hissed, her hands frantic as she tried to calm the situation.

Qrow raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding what was so urgent. "Huh? Why?" he asked, still oblivious.

Ruby didn't bother responding, instead turning her back to him and trying to refocus on the balcony.

Sienna—with Qrow—leaned in with mild curiosity, the flask still in her hand, her eyes narrowing as she peered over Ruby's shoulder.

Both of them froze, eyes widening when they saw Yang effortlessly lifting Rinko by his waist, the two of them locked in a passionate kiss. The moonlight shone just right, casting a surreal glow over them, and the moment felt almost ethereal in its beauty.

Sienna, her cat ears perked slightly and took a sip from her flask. She couldn't hide her smirk. "Would you look at that," she mused, her voice calm but laced with amusement.

"Yup," Qrow replied with a slight chuckle leaning in "I was totally not expecting this."

[End]