Yukari Uchiha (English)

Chapter 33

My feet carry me in a blind panic back to the rooftop where I had found a few hours of sleep the previous night. Unconsciously, I return to this place, as if my body instinctively seeks refuge where it last felt a semblance of peace. From here, I can look into Naruto's room, where the small boy sleeps peacefully in his bed, completely at ease. For a moment, I stand frozen, watching him. The gentle rise and fall of his breathing is the only visible sign of the quiet stillness in his heart.

"He sleeps as if nothing in the world burdens him," I think fleetingly, feeling a twinge of envy. But then something dawns on me—something so obvious that I'm ashamed for not realizing it sooner. "No... it's not that his life is easy. This boy probably has it much harder than I do."

I continue watching him as he lies there so peacefully, while my heart feels heavy and burning in my chest. "Naruto... the villagers despise him. They only see the monster sealed within him, never understanding who he really is. He knows nothing about his parents. And besides me... he has no one."

A lump forms in my throat as I think of the weight Naruto, this little boy, carries every day. And yet... he still smiles. He pulls pranks. He lives on as if all that pain can't touch him.

"I... I've let my panic control me too much. But him... Naruto never lets himself break." My thoughts swirl in my head like a storm, but slowly, something becomes clear to me: "I am a shinobi. I am Shisui's sister. And my brother would be deeply disappointed to see how easily I've fallen."

With this realization, I take a deep breath of the cool, crisp night air. It fills my lungs and washes away the panic and doubts that have held me so tightly for so long. "I still have so much to fight for," I suddenly understand, and my heart beats more steadily. I swore to protect Naruto, Sasuke, and everyone I care about. That was Shisui's way too. His dream of peace cannot be forgotten, and I will carry it forward.

I close my eyes, feeling my thoughts settle and my mind clear once more. "I won't fall into darkness. Not anymore." The pain that had overwhelmed me for so long grows quieter—not gone, but manageable. For the first time in days, I feel... calm. Stronger. Suddenly, the silence from my trusted companions doesn't trouble me as much as before.

I cast one last glance at Naruto, who continues to sleep deeply, and although he cannot see it, I give him a quiet, affectionate smile. "If he can endure... then I can too." Then I turn and make my way home.

When I stand before the house that Shisui and I shared, I pause for a moment and take a deep breath. The night's chill prickles my skin, but inside, I feel warmth. The door creaks softly as I open it, stepping in quietly as if fearing I might awaken the ghost of my brother.

I head to the bathroom and wash away the dirt and tension of the day. The warm water runs over my skin, seeming to wash away the last remnants of fear and sorrow. I feel renewed, as if the heavy burden I carried has been cleansed from me. When I step out, I pause outside Shisui's room. My heart tightens painfully, but at the same time, I feel a quiet, soothing voice deep within me.

Slowly, I open the door and step into the room that holds so many memories of him. The faint scent of Shisui still lingers in the air, soft, familiar, and bittersweet. I walk to his bed and sit down. Images from the past flood my mind—memories of our training, our laughter, the conversations we shared. These memories hurt, but they also bring comfort.

With a deep breath, I lie down on his bed, and the familiar scent of my brother wraps around me like a warm blanket. It feels as if he is still here with me, protecting me, guiding me. "He'll never be gone," I think as my eyes grow heavy. "Shisui is always with me, and he'll always give me strength."

With this thought in my heart, I drift off to sleep, peaceful in the knowledge that I will continue to fight for all the people who matter to me.

When I wake the next morning, I feel the soft fur of Kitsune and Yako pressed close to me. Their warmth and closeness give me the sense of security I've so desperately needed. I gently stroke both of them, my fingers running through their silky fur. Kitsune lifts her head slowly, blinking sleepily at me.