The two of them encountered no trouble on their way back inside Konoha. Later however, Saul was questioned by some Anbu about Karin's presence. He told them the same story he corroborated with Sakura.
Even though Konoha was a big village, strong, and much more powerful than the Land of Grass, Saul was not confident the village would not hand over Karin if requested by Kusagakure. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, had a history of even betraying his own shinobi to appease other villages.
The most egregious of which was the betrayal of Hyuuga Neji's Father, Hyuuga Hizashi. Kumogakure, the Village hidden in the Land of Lightning, had attempted to kidnap Hinata when she was young. This was for the purpose of stealing the Hyuuga clan bloodline through her, turning the young girl into a brood mare for the village. They coveted the Byakugan.
When the Hyuuga clan found out about this and saved Hinata by killing the diplomats responsible, Kumogakure doubled down and threatened war if they did not receive the body of their clan head, Hyuuga Hiashi.
Kumogakure was at war with Iwagakure (the village of the land of stone) at the time. A war on two fronts would have been catastrophic for Kumogakure. Yet Hiruzen, an old man who both feared war and lacked the political insight to take a hard stance against outsiders, immediately caved for the sake of 'peace'. He ordered the Hyuuga to capitulate to Kumogakure's commands and offer the head of Hyuuga Hiashi. Hizashi, Hiashi's twin brother who was marked by the caged bird, volunteered to die instead for his brother's sake.
But this whole incident was pointless to begin with. If Kumogakure was actually willing to go to war with Konoha over such a thing, Konoha's show of weakness by offering Hizashi would have had the opposite effect. Hiruzen's intentions to act for the sake of the greater good would only force Konoha into the fire of war!
In Karin's case, she was a grey area. Most people defaulted to do the 'right thing' as long as greater 'repercussions' were not involved. This is the reason why Saul only healed one arm of Karin's and did not heal her further. Her scars were irrefutable evidence of the abuse she had endured. They provided an immediate visual explanation for Sakura, the Anbu, and everyone around about the reason as to why she did not return to Kusagakure.
However, Saul did not doubt Konoha's future stance regarding Karin if the Kusagakure was still within Konoha. Had their ninja demanded, they immediately would have offered up the abused girl back to their village for the sake of 'peace'.
This is why Saul delayed Karin's entry into Konoha so much. If Kusagakure knew to ask for their ninja back, Hiruzen would personally seal her fate. Now however, the final stage of the Chunin exams was merely a few days away. The date of the Third Hokage's death by Hiruzen was fast approaching.
He needed Karin nearby before the end of the Chunin exams, however. She was extremely useful as a chakra battery and a training aid. Saul's training efficiency alone had skyrocketed thanks to her efforts. Her nearby presence would be extremely helpful for his activities during the Konoha crush.
Even now, he was getting the girl to slowly warm up to doing small chores around the house. He wanted Karin to do such things rather than Hinata.
The black haired woman sat in his arms now, with her Byakugan active, as he had his hands wrapped around her stomach. The plump softness of her ass was slightly distracting, but it was the middle of the day right now. Saul was currently relaxing after a long day of hard training. His body needed rest.
"So Hinata, what do you think about your odds against Neji?"
"Neji-kun...?"
Her sight penetrated into the Hyuuga clan compound, despite their supposed barrier.
A black haired man with long, flowing hair spun around striking a wooden target with incredible force. His white eyes strained as he moved - each strike was precisely aimed at where a Tenketsu would be. Blue chakra swirled around his fingertips.
*HAH!*
*BANG*
His palm connected with the wooden dummy with a movement that looked as light as a slap. Yet a graze of his finger caused the wood to explode, sending off splinters of wood. Neji continued, his movements practically a blur.
"Eight Trigrams, Sixty Four palms!"
The man's movements were as graceful as the dance of a Crane, yet had the bite of a Lion. Each strike was stronger, faster than the last. Splinters flew everywhere from the wooden training dummy until the final strike. The Chakra injected within the dummy at all the points converged into one blast, exploding it and sending it flying backward!
Neji took a deep breath, then exhaled. He walked away and grabbed another wooden dummy. Hinata's vision receded.
"Well?"
"...I don't know, Saul-kun. I guess I didn't really watch at a good time."
"What do you mean?"
"Neji-kun was slacking. His movements were so slow and weak. And he even acted like he didn't notice my gaze... Saul-kun, he has always been so strong. Neji-kun must have been pretending just now to trick me."
"Are you sure about that, Hinata? How would he notice you watching?"
"Neji-kun has always had a much stronger Byakugan than I. If I've improved this much, then he must have as well... He... Had a much stronger resolve than me. There is no other explanation."
Saul playfully bit into the back of Hinata's neck, causing the woman to let out a gasp within his arms.
"S-Saul-kun~!"
"What?"
"D-don't do that!"
"Why not?"
"It tingles..."
Saul caressed her stomach and then lightly kissed the area where he bit. Hinata let out a small moan.
"It was a punishment, Hinata. You should believe in yourself more, just as I believe in you. Is that really the only explanation?"
Hinata felt nothing but warmth from his playful punishment and loving reproach. She pressed herself further into his back as she relaxed contentedly. She loved how he made her feel.
"No..."
"That's right. By the way, isn't it nice to have someone else doing the housework for a change? I can have you all to myself now."
Hinata watched with her Byakugan again, watching the frail red haired woman busy herself around the house. She was currently sweeping the floors in the corner of the living room. The former clan heiress pursed her lips.
She could have just done the work with a shadow clone. Why was her Saul-kun so insistent on having someone else do it? Hinata saw such menial chores as her own small way of expressing just how much she valued his presence with her, every single day. Even though she was too embarrassed most of the time to express how she truly felt, she showed her affection through the little things.
It was a bittersweet feeling. Clearly her beloved Saul-kun was expressing his care for her in his own way by finding someone else to do the chores. After all, she wouldn't let him do anything around the house - that was Hinata's bottom line. Yet still... What was she supposed to do now? She loved the feeling of being appreciated, loved, needed.
The woman got up.
"Saul-kun, I'm making dinner."
Saul gave an exasperated sigh. "Hinata, can't you just rest for once?"
The woman defiantly shook her head. "I-its fine if it's just housework... But meals..."
She smiled at him. Hinata leaned in and kissed the man on the lips before he could say anything. She wanted every meal of his to be special after all.
"Fine! Do as you wish, you silly girl."
Hinata grinned. She left to go to the kitchen. Saul called after the sweet woman.
"...Thank you, Hinata. I appreciate you."
Ah her beloved, perfect Saul-kun💗 Hinata would never let this man go~!
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