Naruto love story

14-Ascension

I stumble through the dense forest with the feelings of anger and frustration eating away at me. I'm covered with dirt, all over my clothes and face. I look like a joke. I feel that all my pride is gone, it went out the window along with my fathers sword. The forest is covered with trees and the sounds of various animals all around me.

I come to a stop in front of a small stream, I drop to my knees and begin washing away all of the dirt off from my face. The nice warm water felt nice as it hit my face, forcing all of the rough, mucky dirt away from my face. I stare into the calm stream of water and notice my reflection appearing On the water. I can't believe how weak I was... It feels like I look like a child all over again. I thought that I had grown up and become independent and strong, but I was lying to myself. I am still a weak, helpless child who needs to be looked after.

Naruto, Shikamaru and Sakura came to my rescue... and I just left them like that, to deal with all of those sound ninja all by themselves. Not only do I feel weak now, but I also feel selfish for leaving them like that, only caring about myself. No, its their fault, I didn't ask for them to save me, I was fine on my own!

I hear rustling in the bushes behind me and I immediately stand up on my feet. I try to reach for my fathers sword but I threw that away... Now I also feel stupid.

"She's right around here," I hear a strange, deep voice state as the rustling gets louder. I don't recognize that voice, could the sound ninja be looking for me? but then what happened to Naruto and the others? I quickly scan for a spot to hide, but there was no time, a dog emerged from the bush... a dog?!

"There she is," the dog states calmly, its a small, brown pug that's wearing a hidden leaf headband and a vest.

"Dammit Kumori, don't run off like that again!" I hear Naruto's voice shout obnoxiously as he appears from the bush along with Sakura and Shikamaru. Oh no, what do I say to them? Sorry for running off and leaving you for dead?

"But the sound ninja..." I utter in confusion. Did they defeat all of those sound ninja all by themselves?

"Luckily Asuma sensei was there to help us," Shikamaru replied before I could say anymore.

"He went back to take care of the rest of the ninjas that have invaded our village," Sakura explains.

"That doesn't matter right now!" Naruto shouts hurriedly, "We have to go help Sasuke!"

"Sasuke?" I unintentionally utter out with a worried expression. Why am I so worried about him? I guess since he was my childhood friend I still feel some sort of connection. That and he's the only one that I can relate to.

"Yeah, that's why we came out here to look for you," Shikamaru adds on. "Kakashi assigned us with the task of finding you and taking you along with us to assist Sasuke in his battle against Gaara."

"We have to get a move on!" Naruto barks as he gets ready to leap away to Sasuke's rescue.

"No," I reply timidly.

"What?" Sakura utters out in confusion at my words.

"What the heck do you mean 'no'?!" Naruto snaps in anger as he makes his way towards me.

"I'll just get in the way..." I reply, not making eye contact with any of them. I can feel their sharp eyes gazed towards me. Without my fathers sword I'm more of a liability than anything else. I have to go look for it, without that sword I am nothing...

Before I could finish the rest of my thoughts, Naruto grabs my shirt and pulls me towards himself in anger, forcing me to stare into his blue eyes with a surprised expression on my face. His angry and disappointed face leaves me speechless.