SWNOVELXO Chapter 22: Chapter 22
By the time the night had fully settled, Danny and Star walked side by side through the quiet streets. The cool air wrapped around them, the distant hum of the city's nightlife barely audible in the background. Star had stuck to Danny like glue all evening, her presence a constant reminder that something had changed between them. There was an unspoken tension hanging in the air, one that neither of them could quite articulate.
For Danny, the shift in his relationship with Star had been both exciting and confusing. He liked her—there was no denying that. Her confidence had always drawn him in, even when he had been the quiet, awkward kid who had trouble fitting in. Now, with his new abilities and the changes to his life, everything felt different. But even with all the newfound power he wielded, he knew this wasn't something he could rush.
Star, on the other hand, was a puzzle he didn't fully understand yet. Her strong personality had always been something to admire, but now, after everything that had happened, he was starting to see another side of her. He could sense her struggle with the idea of being vulnerable. She was the type of girl who prided herself on her independence, unwilling to be just another face in a crowd of admirers. He could sense her internal conflict, and it made him hesitate.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Danny said, stopping outside her house. His voice was calm, but he couldn't hide the uncertainty that lingered beneath the surface. He wasn't sure where they stood, and he had no intention of pushing her into anything she wasn't ready for.
Star nodded, her eyes searching his face for any hint of what he was thinking. She stepped closer, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite her usual confidence, this felt different. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and she couldn't ignore it any longer. Without thinking, she leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips, a quiet confession of everything she had been feeling.
When they pulled away, Star found herself feeling both relieved and conflicted. She knew she wanted him now, but there was something lingering in her mind. Sam. Her friend. The girl who had always been by Danny's side. What would she think?
Danny, on the other hand, was already certain of one thing: he wanted to build something bigger than just one relationship. The influence of Naruto, who had multiple wives, had planted a seed in his mind. It felt natural to him—after all, he now had the power to make choices that others couldn't. Why settle for just one person when he could have multiple? He liked Sam, sure, but he could feel the pull toward Star, too. And maybe, just maybe, there were others who would join him in this new life he was creating.
As Star turned to head inside, Danny couldn't help but wonder if Naruto had influenced him in ways he didn't fully understand. He felt his teenage instincts kicking in, the desire to explore his newfound strength and relationships. But he didn't know what the future held. He had a lot to learn, both about his powers and about the people in his life.
The night stretched out before him, full of unanswered questions. But as he walked away, he was sure of one thing: he was going to figure it all out, even if it meant navigating a complicated maze of emotions and relationships.
On the other side of town, a sleek black Camry cruised down the road, its headlights cutting through the night. The driver, a middle-aged man dressed in simple clothes, glanced at his passenger. The man, who appeared to be in his thirties, had a scruffy beard and a tired look in his eyes. He wore a casual jacket, and his disheveled appearance suggested a life on the road.
"Thanks, man. Been strapped for cash lately, and couldn't afford the fare," the man said gratefully as he buckled up in the passenger seat.
The driver, a man in his forties with salt-and-pepper hair, nodded without saying much. "No problem," he replied in a calm, reassuring tone. "I'm heading that way anyway. Just sleep tight, and we'll be in the next town in about two hours."
The man settled into the seat and closed his eyes, clearly exhausted, while the car continued down the empty road. The rhythmic hum of the engine filled the air as the car passed under the dim streetlights, the world outside moving at a slow, almost peaceful pace.
Elsewhere, Tucker had been out buying snacks, walking casually down the sidewalk when he happened to notice the Camry driving past. He wasn't particularly paying attention, but the faint glow of his necklace caught his eye. It gleamed with a subtle light that seemed to pulse with an energy he couldn't place.
His hand froze mid-step, the snacks almost slipping from his grasp. The glow from the necklace intensified for a moment, sending a strange shiver down his spine. Confusion flooded his mind as he quickly looked around, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. The car seemed normal—just an ordinary ride with two men inside, a harmless interaction between the driver and passenger.
Tucker's instincts screamed at him, but his mind couldn't understand what was happening. The car drove off into the night, its tail lights fading in the distance.
"Where's the threat?" Tucker muttered under his breath, his curiosity piqued. The situation seemed too normal to be a threat, yet something felt off—something he couldn't quite grasp. His necklace had never reacted like this before.
After a moment of hesitation, Tucker took a deep breath and shook his head, deciding not to act impulsively. Instead, he tucked his snacks back into his bag and started walking back home, deciding to talk to Danny about what he had witnessed. He couldn't shake the unease that lingered in his chest, and he needed answers.
The strange encounter had left him with more questions than he had answers, but for now, all he could do was share what he had seen and hope Danny would know what to do next.
Danny couldn't help but smile as he made his way home, the feeling of pleasure from earlier still lingering in his mind. It was, without a doubt, one of the best days he'd ever had. His senses had been overwhelmed in the most incredible way, and the memory of Star's presence had him thinking about her constantly. He could feel his heart racing just from the thought of her. Everything had felt different this time—it hadn't been like before when Naruto had fully taken control of his body. This time, he had felt like it was his mind calling the shots, with Naruto only nudging him in the right direction.
Yet, a part of him couldn't shake the nagging feeling that it hadn't been fully him in control. Even as he smiled to himself, there was that faint discomfort in knowing that Naruto had still been there, guiding him. It was a strange mix of satisfaction and unease. He wasn't sure if he liked the fact that Naruto had helped him at all, even though it had made everything feel amazing.
"I need to do better," Danny muttered to himself, his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. "I can't keep letting someone else control me."
From within his mind, Naruto's voice echoed calmly. "Good, this is how it should be. You need to understand the value of control."
Danny sighed in relief, the weight on his shoulders feeling lighter. But then, Naruto added, "You must remember that handling outsiders is far easier than handling those close to your heart. You can listen to them, but never let them dictate who you are. Keep your distance. It's about balance, Danny."
His thoughts flashed to Star. What would it be like, he wondered, to have a healthy relationship with someone like her? His mind raced with the implications of what he had just done and how it might have affected her. His physical strength was no longer just human—it was far beyond that. He realized that one wrong move, one loss of control, could have been disastrous. A hug, a touch—it all could have ended in catastrophe for someone like Star. He had to be careful.
"I almost killed her," Danny whispered under his breath, his stomach churning. "Thank you, Naruto… for keeping me in check."
"No problem," Naruto replied smoothly. "All of it was an illusion, anyway. You experienced the lowest level of it, and yet the situation made you believe it was real. But Star is human, and she's fine. In fact, she has stronger feelings for you now."
Danny nodded slowly, a sense of relief washing over him. He was embarrassed, sure, but he also felt grateful for the guidance. His mind wandered, though, as he reflected on how strange it was that someone like Star, who had always been in control, might now look at him in a different light. Maybe she wouldn't respect him if she knew how inexperienced he really was. Was this truly a good thing?
"Would Star want me if she knew how much I struggle with control?" Danny thought aloud. His mind was a whirlwind of doubts and desires. He could see the way Star and Paulina acted—so confident, so dominant—and Danny couldn't help but wonder if he could measure up. They needed someone strong, someone who could take charge.
"Don't think with your body. Think with your heart and mind," Naruto's voice cut through his thoughts. "A relationship is about trust and understanding. If you don't take the time to get to know them, any physical connection will crumble the moment someone better comes along."
Danny paused, his gaze focused on the road ahead, the weight of Naruto's words sinking in. He understood now. This wasn't just about pleasure. It was about creating something real, something that didn't rely on fleeting desires or external control. He had to build trust, learn who Star and Paulina were beyond the surface, and not let his teenage instincts drive him blindly forward.
"I get it," Danny muttered softly. "But it's hard to forget how good it felt."
He could still feel the rush of pleasure pulsing in his mind, the sensation of Star's presence lingering like an unspoken promise. It was difficult to let go of that feeling. But Danny knew he had to. He had to focus on what mattered.
Yet, despite everything, he found himself asking, "Master, could you increase the level of pleasure next time?"
Naruto paused, surprised by Danny's straightforward request. "You really are going further than anyone ever has. Most people would feel embarrassed asking for such things, but you… you're different."
Danny smirked, a bit embarrassed but also oddly confident in his desire. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to ask, but the idea of the experience being taken to an even greater level was tantalizing. He had tasted the pleasure, and now, the idea of it being even better consumed him. But Naruto didn't answer right away.
"I need to think about this," Naruto said thoughtfully, "You might be developing an exhibitionistic mindset. This could affect you in ways you don't fully understand yet."
Danny felt a little unsettled at Naruto's words, the weight of the situation settling on him. He had asked for something that most people would shy away from, but now he was wondering if it was the right choice. Would it change him in ways he wasn't prepared for?
'Danny, what do you think is courage?'
Danny sat quietly, absorbing Naruto's words as if they were a lifeline to a deeper understanding of himself. For the first time in a while, he felt a shift—not just in how Naruto addressed him, but in the wisdom being shared. Naruto calling him by his name instead of just "boy" felt like a subtle acknowledgment of his growth, and it made him feel validated.
He hesitated before responding to Naruto's initial question, his mind racing to define courage in terms he thought would impress his mentor. "Not having any fear and going against strong opponents," he finally replied, his tone resolute but unsure.
Naruto's voice was calm yet probing as he followed up, "With equal power, slightly less power, or no power?"
Danny blinked, confused. He hadn't considered the nuances of courage before. "Slightly less power," he ventured, feeling it was the safest answer.
Naruto's response was immediate and firm. "This is wrong. Remember your encounter with Star and the ghost—were you equal in power or close to it?"
The memory flashed vividly in Danny's mind. The ghost had been a terrifying opponent, far beyond anything he thought he could handle. "No," he admitted quietly. "I could have died at any moment."
"That," Naruto said, his voice almost reverent, "is courage. You felt fear for your life but still fought against the enemy."
Danny frowned, trying to reconcile his earlier definition with this new perspective.
"True courage," Naruto continued, "is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it when you want something badly enough. Even the most courageous people feel fear. What separates them from others is their ability to face it head-on and not let it control them."
Danny's mind churned as he let those words sink in. He thought about Naruto's memories, the glimpses he had seen of his master's life. Naruto had faced horrors that were far beyond anything Danny had experienced—moments of crushing doubt and paralyzing fear. And yet, Naruto had always risen to meet the challenge.
Naruto's voice softened as he added, "This isn't something you're born with, Danny. It's a skill anyone can develop. Deep within all of us is a power that can help us do unbelievable things. But to tap into that power, you must practice and build your bravery, one courageous act at a time."
Danny nodded silently, the weight of Naruto's wisdom settling over him. He understood now that courage wasn't about being fearless—it was about feeling fear and acting anyway. He had seen that in his own life, from the moments he hesitated to the moments he stepped forward despite his hesitation.
Naruto's final words echoed in his mind, a solemn reminder: "Etch this into your heart and mind, Danny. The path ahead will test you in ways you can't yet imagine. If you don't embrace this truth, you might lose yourself when the time comes."
Danny swallowed hard, his hands curling into fists. He wasn't sure what challenges lay ahead, but he knew one thing for certain: he would need to summon every ounce of courage he had—and then some.