The Missing Pieces(A Naruto Reader Insert)

Acceptance

Hello, people! I didn't update this before because I had a terrible cold, and I'm still recuperation from it. Which is why I feel that this is not the best. I still hope that you guys enjoy it, if there's anything confusing let me know! Thank you!

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The battlefield, even if it took place in a different setting, it was always bloody and noisy. However, even if it changed, it looked almost similar since the location was close to the previous one. No matter how much they fought, little progress was made. Although the leaders could have sent a bigger army of ninja, they knew that they still had to wait for whatever Madara was scheming. But then, as they were fighting, there was just silence, the battlefield that once was always full of clashing blades, cries of either pain or cries of war always occupied it, but it an abrupt silence followed soon after as many of the enemy crushed to the ground.

Most of the teams were present fighting once more Shinobi and Kunoichi were dispatched. It was another day of fighting and as usual, their minds were possessed of how tired and exhausted they were of fighting. However, it was as if their prayer had been heard, it was a strange sight how many, no, the majority simply dropped to the ground.

For minutes, everyone stood in that position, even still in their previous fighting position as to what had happened sunk, when it did, everyone took deep breaths and glanced at one another with silent questions.

Sakura took the initiative and simply inspected the closest enemy only to find that there was no life left inside of that body. Those that were alive showed signs right away, signs that she knew too well; she understood that the once improved immune system was now crushing down. “Bring Shikamaru!” She ordered, knowing that the news had to be delivered to the leaders as soon as possible.

“What happened?” The blond male asked surprised and shocked.

Sakura glanced around only to see that her allies and friends seemed relieved and even if there were alive ones, not even one of her people made a move to help them, but who would? She pursed her lips as she waited for Shikamaru who was brought by Goro, the male with the same expression. “Their immune system crashed and all of their systems, organs, everything is failing. At this rate, every single one of them will die.”

The pony-tailed haired male nodded. “It’s rather strange that they all simply collapsed almost at the same time.”

Those close enough listened carefully as to what was being explained. “Indeed, but not surprising. Perhaps, but even if we manage to take a live enemy, their dying at a really fast rate.” And they were, no matter how fast they were, it wouldn’t be possible to save anyone.

“I’ll alert the leaders.” With that, Shikamaru glanced at Goro and with only a simple nod, they both left.

As for the rest, most of them were elated with joy and happiness. Most of the Kunoichi/Shinobi had been fighting for so long that they haven’t seen their families, so even if it looked cruel to see so many death, it was more than expected. For now, everyone was ordered to take a break before pilling deciding what to do with so many corpses.

As for Shikamarru and Goro, after a few hours of so much talking, they came to stand outside of the Hokage’s office, said leader was simply conversing with Gaara. Shikamaru’s mind raced with many thoughts, but as his eyes trailed back to Goro, a thought crossed his mind that was not related to the current events. [Name]. It hasn’t been that long since your disappearance, it has been two long weeks since you had simply just banished. Despite how much everyone misses you, because of the continuous battle, they didn’t have much time to think about you. Of course, many times you appeared in his dreams, and he’s sure that it was the same for others.

Goro is another case, he had changed. His eyes look rather dull, he finishes his duties but most of the time he seemed rather absent. He wasn’t very friendly with them, but he had completely refused to keep a decent conversation unless it was crucial to speak. Perhaps he wasn’t he had a different way to deal with the loss.

“Enter.” The muffled and yet audible voice of Kakashi brought him out of his thoughts. He motioned for Goro to follow him by nodding, Goro simply moved slightly to enter right after Shikamaru. Sighing, the genius opened the door and enter standing a few feet away from the chairs and then offering his respects to the Hokage. Goro did nothing and just watched the both leaders with an expressionless expression.

“What are your orders?” The male asked as his eyes glanced from the Hokage to Gaara who stood up almost as if he was about to leave, but he simply turned around to glance at the males.

Kakashi leaned forward and took a deep breath. “It had been decided that it would be best for everyone to return, however, make sure to burn the bodies of the death before you depart back to Konoha. Since it’s a long journey, other neighboring villages had agreed to let you rest there for a few days. That is all for today.”

Rather disappointed by the vague orders, Shikamaru nodded. Goro’s expression changed to anger as he curled his fingers forming into fists. “What about [Name]?” Finally, he dared ask. “She has been gone for two weeks, I know she’s alive and we need to look for her. And don’t even dare mention the war because you can no longer mention that excuse.”

Upon mentioning the name, the other three tensed. Kakashi’s eye narrowed. “Do you think you’re the only one to ask me about that? No you are not. As I mentioned to the others before, she isn’t a priority even now. We ha-“

“Don’t you dare!” Growling Goro stepped forward, only to be stopped by Shikamaru’s hand gripping his shoulder. His green eyes glared at Shikamaru as he shrugged the man’s hand from his shoulder. “If that’s how you feel, then I’ll do it on my own.”

“We will.” Finally, the red-haired leader answered silently.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at Gaara before shaking his head. “Give me a week, we know nothing of Madara’s whereabouts. If we simply dispatch a search team, it will simply be like sending a blind man.”

Goro knew that there was so much truth, he glanced at the ground as his hands relaxed in defeat. “We’ll organize before we completely do that, do you understand?”

With a little bit of hope, Goro and Shikamaru glanced back at Kakashi. Not only did one, or two hearts began to beat faster. No, four hears skipped a beat as the simple thought of it. To Goro it might seem like he’s the only one happy that the war is over, no, the leaders’ hearts began to beat with eagerness. They might hide it, but they had been hopeful for such an opportunity to find you. The only question is, will they find you?

And search they did, they searched eagerly everywhere to find any hint as to where it would lead them to your location but even as two months of the long search began, no sign of you. After the third month, they lost all hope and eventually gave up. They returned to their homes, and since there was no sign of Madara either, they simply decided to move on with their lives.

Months and month passed, adding up to a year. And move on with their live they did, with no war threatening their lives, they began to really live.

Kakashi stepped down from his tittle and eventually Naruto occupied it. If only you had seen how happy the male had been, of how your name crossed his mind hoping that you were proud of him.

However, a question always lingered in their mind. Did you really die?