Lest you fade here all alone

Chapter 8: Uzumaki in Kusa

"Mom!" Karin shouted as she sprinted towards the little cottage where the two of them lived.

Outsiders like them were not supposed to live in the village, so two Uzumakis resided in this remote place, surrounded by lush forest.

There was a grin on Karin's face, eyes shining with excitement. She finally saved up enough money to buy sweet buns that everybody had been talking about and her mother even promised to return from work early today.

"Mom?!" the girl called out again as she opened the door with vigor. "You home?!"

The house was as silent and empty as always. Karin pursed her lips, pressing the box with her purchase more securely to her chest, then quickly crossed the kitchen and poked her head into their shared bedroom with a whispered, "Mom?"

Lately, her mother always took a nap after returning home, so Karin was afraid to wake her up. However, the bedding was undisturbed, the bed still made up as neatly as it was in the morning.

Karin's expression fell. It lasted only a moment before her eyes brightened up again. So what that her mom was a bit late? She would definitely come back soon and they could eat these deliciously smelling buns together!

Karin ran out of the cottage, her precious cargo held tightly in her arms, and settled herself under the nearby tree. From this spot, she could clearly see the big stretch of the road, until it curved and disappeared in between the trees.

Karin started to wait.

She waited and waited. Didn't budge when her stomach growled, demanding food. Continued to wait as the sun dipped lower to the horizon. Stayed in the same place even when the light of day drained away and the sky began to grow dark.

And finally, her patience and stubbornness were rewarded with a sight of her mother's hunched figure slowly walking from around the curve.

Karin jumped to her feet and her childish face lit up in happiness. "Mom!" she exclaimed, rushing to meet the older woman half-way.

Kana Uzumaki smiled warmly at her daughter, stroking her head as soon as the latter came close enough. "There was an accident and a lot of people were hurt. I had to stay longer," she said, her voice soft and heavy with exhaustion. "I'm sorry, Karin."

The girl shook her head, unbidden tears gathering in her light red eyes. "It's fine..." she murmured as she sniffled and blinked her tears away. Then she showed the box and beamed. "Look what I—" Karin's voice abruptly cut off and concern replaced her happy expression when her mother's face went ashen and she put a hand over her eyes. "Mom?"

"Sorry, sweetie," Kana apologized. "I—I don't feel well..." She swayed for just a moment before crumpling lifelessly to the ground.

Karin's eyes widened. The box slipped out of her hands as she reached to catch her mother, help her, do something—

A strong wind blew from the side, carrying a cloud of dust, and Karin instinctively covered her head. After a moment, she looked up again and froze.

A stranger in orange cradled her mother. Holding her from falling to the ground with his arm around her shoulders, he carefully moved her head to a more comfortable position and pressed two fingers to her neck. His brow furrowed, but he didn't retract his hand right away. Fingertips brushed across numerous bite marks and his feather-like touch lingered on one of the fresh ones.

Karin watched as the man's expression visibly darkened and something terrifying resurfaced in his blue eyes. Her heart skipped several agonizing beats and she unconsciously took a step back. But before the panic could fully take control, that frightening feeling disappeared without a trace.