"Fate's Crossing

*Chapter 9: The Weight of Loss*

Back with a new chapter

*Chapter 9: The Weight of Loss*

The sun had barely risen over the horizon when Naruto and Ino stepped out of the apartment, the morning air cool against their skin. It was a day like any other—or so it seemed. Ino walked beside Naruto, her hand occasionally brushing against his as they made their way toward the police headquarters. She had grown used to these quiet morning walks, and though she appreciated the calm, something about today felt different.

Naruto's expression was distant, his blue eyes clouded with thought. Though outwardly composed, there was an undercurrent of tension in the air around him. Ino noticed it almost immediately. His usual energy, the spark that always seemed to light up even the darkest moments, was dim today.

"Are you okay, Naruto-kun?" Ino asked softly, her voice carrying a note of concern.

Naruto glanced at her briefly and gave her a small, reassuring smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about work."

Ino frowned slightly, but she didn't push further. She had known Naruto long enough to recognize when he was bottling up something deeper, but she also knew that he would talk when he was ready. She would be there for him when that time came.

As they approached the police headquarters, something strange caught Ino's attention. The usual hustle and bustle of the station was subdued. The officers and detectives milling about the entrance were quiet, their faces somber and heavy with emotion. There were no loud conversations, no laughter or jokes—just an oppressive silence that settled over the building like a thick fog.

Naruto seemed to notice it too. He paused briefly at the entrance, his brow furrowing in confusion as he looked around. "That's strange," he muttered. "Why is everyone acting so... off?"

Ino's heart tightened with an unspoken sense of dread. She had seen that look before—on people's faces when bad news had spread, like the aftermath of a tragedy. Her eyes darted around, searching for any clues, but the air was thick with unspoken tension.

As they walked further inside, the feeling of unease grew. The usual buzz of the station was replaced by hushed whispers, officers exchanging glances and shaking their heads. Even the clerks at the front desk were unusually quiet, their heads bowed as if weighed down by invisible burdens.

"Something's wrong," Ino whispered, her hand instinctively reaching for Naruto's arm.

Naruto gave a small nod, but he remained silent, his expression unreadable. They made their way down the hallway, passing by colleagues who barely acknowledged them. Some of the younger officers looked like they had been crying, their eyes red and swollen.

It wasn't until they reached Naruto's office that they finally got their answer.

Sasuke was standing by the door, his arms crossed over his chest, his face unusually serious. His dark eyes met Naruto's as soon as they approached, and there was something heavy in his gaze—something that made the knot in Ino's stomach tighten.

"Sasuke," Naruto greeted casually, though his tone lacked its usual warmth. "What's going on? Everyone's acting strange."

Sasuke didn't respond immediately. He unfolded his arms and took a step toward Naruto, his expression hard to read. For a long moment, he just stood there, watching Naruto as if trying to gauge his reaction before saying anything.

Finally, Sasuke spoke, his voice low and grave. "Naruto... it's Jiraiya."

Naruto's face remained neutral, though Ino saw the briefest flicker of something—shock, maybe, or recognition—in his eyes.