Naruto longs for people to love him. Unfortunately, he often finds their attention easier to gain than their affection. This constant struggle for validation is why he indulges in childish pranks, like setting that trash can ablaze. He only wanted to brighten the spirits of the sick children, but again, his intentions have been misunderstood.
"Alright, that's enough," a nurse snaps, and Naruto squirms under her piercing gaze, a sense of guilt washing over him. "Naruto-kun, I'm sorry, but you don't get to set foot in this hospital again unless you're injured. Do you hear me?"
He nods hastily, forcing a sheepish smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes.
"And you," the nurse continues, facing Kakashi. The silver-haired man drifts his gaze away from his book, his interest piqued by her stern tone. "Next time, bring the girl or don't come at all. And stay away from my interns. I need them working, not hidden in a closet." With a dramatic swirl of her white coat, she strides back into the hospital, leaving the two shinobi behind in stunned silence.
After a moment, Kakashi snaps his book shut with a sigh. "Alright. We should head back," he says, glancing at Naruto.
The boy trails after his sensei, arms crossed behind his head, attempting to mask the disappointment creeping into his heart. To distract himself, he starts joking and teasing the villagers as they pass, embellishing tales of pesky bugs and grumpy old men, but he quickly notices the sidelong glances Kakashi shoots him. It's clear that his sensei sees through his façade, and that only deepens Naruto's frustration.
Eventually, they reach the rice paddies, green and golden swaying in the gentle breeze. Naruto scans the horizon, searching for any sign of his teammates. "Where are they?" he mutters under his breath, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach.
"Kakashi! Over here!" Mole calls out from the far edge of the field, waving his arms.
As they draw closer, Naruto's gaze lands on Wolf, crouched near the edge of the river. The serene sound of flowing water suddenly feels ominous as she pushes herself upright, revealing a shocking sight behind her—a decapitated body sprawled on the riverbank.
"What—what's that?" Naruto croaks, a chill running down his spine. Cold beads of sweat form on his forehead.
"A corpse," Wolf replies nonchalantly, as if she were commenting on the weather.
"But the... the head?" Naruto's voice quivers, panic rising within him.
"Over there," she says, her fingers pointing with eerie calmness.
Despite knowing he shouldn't look, curiosity compels Naruto to follow her finger. He catches a glimpse of the decaying face, twisted in a grimace of death, and it's as if the world tilts beneath him. In a flash of horror, he drops to his knees, retching violently at Mole's feet. The young Anbu kneels beside him, rubbing his back in a soothing gesture that feels both comforting and surreal.
"Have you seen Sasuke and Sakura?" Kakashi asks, concern lacing his voice.
YOU ARE READING
Sharing Lives | SasuSaku ✔️
Fanfiction[BOOK 1 OF THE SHARING SERIES] Two different worlds meet. Two existences collide. On the one hand, an orphan learns what love, friendship, and devotion mean. On the other, a young girl realizes the implication of being a civilian kunoichi in a worl...
