He's just too cute❤️

Chapter 23. The Lingering Shadow

Naruto's POV

After the Graduation Ceremony, Akatsuki went to celebrate with their other classmates while we headed back to the KBD. I received the group photos from Itachi and one photo from Pein senpai.

The photo that he kissed on my cheek.

Heat rushed to my cheeks immediately, I shook my head and had a long sigh.

What Pein senpai said to me still repeats over and over in my head.

"Do not trust people easily, Naruto chan. Be careful out there."

If that's the case....

Who should I trust? What exactly did he meant?

I flopped to the sofa with an oof, relaxing my whole body after a whole day. These thoughts were bugging me, giving me a headache. I stared at the ceiling blankly then closed my eyes to refresh my mind. When I opened my eyes again, the guys entered my vision and stared down at me.

"What are you doing, Naru chan?" Lee asked as he brushed my bangs with his fingers.

I shouldn't make them worry me, I better figure this out myself!

"Mm... It's nothing! I'm just tired. I'll later go to take a bath then head to bed."

I bet Sasuke was thinking about something weird, his smile turned into an evil smirk. His fingers slowly caressed my lips then down to my neck. I shivered a bit as he leaned down to me and whispered near my ear.

"Do you want us to go inside with you, Naru chan? We'll be glad if you let us in."

W-Wha!?

I immediately blushed red to the ears, I shook my head and pushed him off with both hands on his chest.

"N-No thanks! I'm g-g-good!"

Kiba patted Sasuke's shoulders and used his thumb to point to the kitchen.

"Maa... Let's cook dinner now, everyone is tired, right?"

Sai lent me a hand and helped me get up, we all walked slowly to the kitchen to cook our dinner, beef udon. Neji and Lee cooked the food while we placed the utensils on the table. Minutes later, the food was done, mouthwatering aroma spreaded put the room as we clapped our hands.

"Itadakimasu!"

Since the all of us were tired, we didn't speak much. I almost slept while eating my dinner. We simply finished our dinner and headed to our rooms.

I should go to bath now and sleep early. We still have school tomorrow anyways.

Grabbing my pyjamas and other stuff, I headed out to the bathroom. My eyelids were so heavy as I let out a yawn. Shino was also heading to the bathroom with me. He patted my head and spoke.

"Naruto, you look really tired. I'll let you take bath first."

"I don't mind Shino kun. I might fall asleep while taking a bath..." I replied, rubbing my eyes and opened the bathroom door.

Shino nodded and we took off our clothes then wrapped our waists with a white towel. A comfortable silence fell as we cleaned ourselves up with shampoos, conditioners and bodywash.

Oh no... My eyelids were sinking, I felt sluggish all over.

(If you think it's weird, nope it's not cuz I tried that before. I was really tired and sleepy, soaking in the bathtub and fell asleep/fainted cuz of fatigue until my mother knocked on the door :) yup. I'm dumb.)