The Flower That Will Someday Wilt |Naruto Fanfic|

Chapter 21

Naruto POV

She was dead.... And so was Kakashi Sensei... I felt tears brim my eyesight as my body refused to move. The only friend I made, the only one that actually believed in me, who cared for my wellbeing, was gone. The man who had killed her charged at me, and I could do nothing as I was shaking in fear. I told myself I would be Hokage, for Itami, yet, she wasn't here to watch me. She could never see me become Hokage...

Instead, Sasuke was beating the two, unfazed of her death. I was supposed to beat Sasuke, but I'm so far behind. Then again, Itami believed in me, she even said so herself. I waited for the blow that kept coming closer, but it never came. Itami was in front of me, the man unconscious in her hands. Kakashi was in front of Sasuke, the other in his. I felt relieved, letting a breath I didn't even know I was holding. But at the same time, I felt weak.

"Are you okay, Naruto?" She asked, passing the man to Kakashi as she inspected me with so much care. She lifted my hand, a scratch revealed. With seriousness, she let go and walked over to Kakashi, announcing, "There's poison in those claws. Kakashi, we need to get them out of Naruto's system."

My face went pale as I started freaking out, swinging my arms everywhere. In a second, Itami was holding my wounded hand, making me halt. "Stop moving, the poison will spread even quicker." She scolded, staying by my side in case.

She then looked over at me with a bit of sadness. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I didn't think you'd react like that." She apologized, but I only shook my head with a either false or real smile. I couldn't even tell if I was happy or not. I was happy she was alive, but I was sad that I had acted that way. I probably disappointed her.

I listened in as they told us to just leave the mission and go back to the village. And it was all my fault. With determination, I grabbed a kunai and stabbed my wound, letting the poison out. "I'm not going to run away! I won't back down! I'll protect Tazuna! I vow to this pain in my hand!"

I won't let Itami's wishes down!

Ai/Itami's POV

Blood leaked from the wound Naruto had just stabbed, making me hurry to stop him. I took his kunai from him and inspected his new wound closely. The poison was out, but now we have to stop the blood. Kakashi didn't make it any better.

"It's great that you got the poison out... But now you're going to die from blood loss." He informed with a closed eye smile. Naruto began freaking out more, screaming as he flailed his arms around.

"Give me your hand." I took a hold of his hand as Kakashi tossed me some bandages. It began healing by itself, leaving nothing but skin.

"Am I going to be okay?"

I snapped out of my daze and gave him a reassuring smile, nodding. "Of course you are. I won't let you get hurt anymore from now on." I told him, wrapping his hand in bandages.

He seemed to lighten up from those words, his smile growing wider by the second. I then turned to Tazuna, ready to confront him. But, Kakashi held out his hand, gesturing that he'll do this. So I stayed back and decided to just get more time to talk with Naruto. I haven't been able to speak to him or bond at all for a few days.

That is, until I felt a presence watching us. It was hesitant, and, somewhat, kind and gentle. I looked in the direction, just to see leaves fall gracefully to the ground. "Itami, we're moving." Kakashi called, trying to follow my gaze. I nodded slowly before following after.

-

Boats... I find them inconvenient when we could just travel silently on water. Oh, I have forgotten that Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto can't focus their chakra. Well, I guess a boat could work too. I sat next to Kakashi, where we had small talk.