Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Loneliness doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you are strong enough to wait for what you deserve.” -Niall Horan

Naruto Uzumaki’s morning began like any other—slow, groggy, and a little too quiet for his liking. The sun had barely risen over the rooftops of the Hidden Leaf Village, casting a soft golden light through the window of his tiny apartment. He squinted at the light with one half-opened eye, the other stubbornly refusing to acknowledge the new day. A blue-and-white patterned sleeping cap, crooked on his blond head, drooped pitifully over his face. His pajamas—a matching set he’d swindled on sale last month—were wrinkled and a little too big, the pants dragging on the floor as he shuffled to his kitchen.

If you could even call it a kitchen.

It was more like a collection of second-hand appliances crammed into a corner of the room. The old toaster sat atop the counter, slightly crooked like everything else in Naruto’s life, and the faint hum of the refrigerator was the only sound that cut through the stillness of the morning. He pulled open the fridge door and frowned.

Empty. Again.

Naruto groaned inwardly, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. Man, when did groceries get so expensive? He knew he should’ve gone shopping yesterday, but he’d gotten distracted by… what was it again? Oh right, trying to train with Shadow Clones in the park until he collapsed from chakra exhaustion. Probably not his brightest idea. But it beat chores. Who wanted to waste their day doing boring stuff like cleaning and grocery shopping?

“Blegh,” he muttered aloud, pushing a hand through his messy hair. I hate chores.

His stomach growled in protest, but he ignored it. Ramen for breakfast? Nah, too early. Even Naruto had his limits. It wasn’t even 7 AM yet, and he had to at least pretend he was an adult for a few minutes before sprinting to Ichiraku’s for a bowl of miso. Besides, he couldn’t go anywhere with an empty fridge. Groceries first, ramen later.

He grabbed a slice of bread and popped it into the toaster, then leaned against the counter, arms crossed, waiting for the bread to toast. Waiting. Always waiting. Lately, it seemed like all he did was wait—for something exciting, for something big to happen.

Naruto wasn’t sure what it was, exactly, but after the Land of Waves mission, everything had felt… dull. No, boring. The mission had been life-changing. His first real C-rank! Sure, it almost ended in disaster, but that was beside the point. He’d gone head-to-head with dangerous shinobi, witnessed the darker side of the ninja world, and somehow walked away stronger than ever. For a brief moment, he’d felt like a real ninja—a shinobi with a purpose. Someone important. And now?

Now, he was back to D-rank chores like pulling weeds, chasing lost cats, and picking up groceries.

So lame.

Kakashi-sensei had insisted on sticking to D-ranks for a while. Something about not rushing into another life-threatening mission so soon. Blah, blah, blah, Naruto thought, rolling his eyes. We almost die once, and suddenly, we’re stuck pulling weeds forever. If Kakashi-sensei wasn’t so much of a worrywart, maybe they’d be doing something cooler. A super-secret, awesome, SSSSS-rank mission! Or even an A-rank!

But no, they were back to lame chores. He could already hear the nagging voice of the old lady next door, asking him to take out her trash. Naruto wasn’t that great at ninjutsu yet, but surely the Hokage wouldn’t mind if he used a Shadow Clone to deal with stuff like that, right?

A loud pop snapped him out of his thoughts. The toast. Right.

Naruto grabbed the toasted bread and stared at it for a moment. He wasn’t particularly hungry, but he figured he should at least eat something. Shoving the plain toast into his mouth, he chewed half-heartedly, wondering how on earth the rest of his day would go. Grocery shopping? Ugh. And cleaning. He glanced around his messy apartment—clothes strewn across the floor, a broken chair propped up against the wall, and dust that had long since claimed ownership of most of the flat surfaces.

Would his life ever start to get exciting again?

He missed the thrill of being out there, in the field, doing real ninja work. For all the danger they’d faced in the Land of Waves, it had been worth it. He’d felt alive. Now, he just felt… stuck. Stuck doing boring chores when he could be out there, showing the world what a future Hokage looks like.

Even though they nearly died. Points for that, he supposed.

Naruto tossed the remaining bit of toast into the trash. His fridge might’ve been empty, but he wasn’t that desperate. His eyes flicked toward the door. Maybe he could swing by Ichiraku’s, just for a quick bowl, and then go grocery shopping. Yeah, that was a solid plan. Priorities.

He padded across the room, reaching for his jacket, when something stopped him. A faint twinge in the back of his mind. He froze, half-dressed, senses sharpening.

Naruto’s pulse quickened as he reached out with his chakra, trying to get a better feel for it. He wasn’t great at sensing chakra yet, but this one was familiar. Kakashi-sensei? He frowned, pulling on his jacket. Why was Kakashi here? It was his day off, wasn’t it?

Naruto made a face. Ugh, don’t tell me Kakashi-sensei wants to make us do more stupid damn “missions”. What was with that guy? Didn’t he know that it was illegal to trespass on other people’s property? Or at least, it should be.

He sighed dramatically, grabbing the doorknob. What was he even doing here this early? Probably some dumb mission. Or worse, another lame training exercise where Naruto was guaranteed to get tied to a tree.

Naruto pulled open the door, ready to confront his lazy, silver-haired sensei with his usual dramatic flair—but the words died in his throat.

There, standing in the entryway, was Kakashi Hatake, holding a bowl of vegetables.

Naruto blinked.

A bowl of vegetables.

“Pleh! Gross!” Naruto exclaimed, taking an involuntary step back. “What is that supposed to be?”

Kakashi’s single visible eye crinkled in amusement above his mask. He was his usual self, casual and laid-back, dressed in his full ninja gear despite it being early morning. “Good morning to you too, Naruto,” Kakashi drawled, as if it were perfectly normal to show up uninvited with a bowl of leafy greens. “I see you’ve already eaten breakfast.”

Naruto stared at him, dumbfounded. What is he doing here? With vegetables?!

Kakashi glanced at the empty slice of toast in Naruto’s trash. “Toast, huh? I was going to offer you something more nutritious, but…”

Naruto gagged, his face twisting in disgust. “You want me to eat that? No way! What kind of crazy sensei brings vegetables to someone’s house?!” He paused, looking suspiciously at the bowl. “Wait, wait—did you buy those from that old vendor lady? Is that even clean?”

Kakashi tilted his head, his eye still crinkled in that annoyingly calm way. “Have some respect for your sensei, kid. You need some fiber in your gut, so I brought these. I thought you might want to try something healthy for once. All I’ve really seen you eat is carbs.”

“Eh—?!” Naruto looked horrified, his voice rising an octave. “You’re joking, right? Like, this is a prank, right? I mean, seriously, vegetables?!”

Kakashi gave a nonchalant shrug. “It’s important to have a balanced diet. Even future Hokages need their vitamins.” He teased with playful note of mockery, expertly concealing the amusement that flared in his usually carefree eyes.

Naruto groaned loudly, slumping against the doorframe. “What are you even doing here, Sensei? Don’t you know it’s my day off? I was just about to—uh—go buy some stuff. Believe it.”

“Well, as much as I’d love to chat about your breakfast habits, we have a bit of a situation,” Kakashi said, his tone shifting just slightly—enough for Naruto to pick up on the change.

Naruto straightened up, his stomach twisting with anticipation. Finally, something interesting. “A situation? Does that mean—?”

“We have a mission.”

Naruto’s face lit up. “A real mission? Not some lame D-rank? Are we fighting rogue ninjas? Rescuing a kidnapped princess? Saving the whole village from destruction?!”

Kakashi’s expression remained unreadable behind his mask. “Aha— no. But pack your things.”

That meant they were leaving the village again! 

Still, a mission was a mission. Anything had to be better than grocery shopping. He quickly shoved his feet into his sandals, the excitement bubbling back up inside him. Whatever it was, it had to be more exciting than another day of chores.

Kakashi’s eye crinkled with amusement. “Yes, Naruto. A mission. But don’t get too worked up. It’s not exactly an S-rank, either. Not that you’d ever be able to handle one.”

Naruto’s shoulders slumped, but only for a second. A mission was a mission, and it was leagues better than another day spent grocery shopping or running errands for cranky neighbors. “I’ll take it!” he declared, fists pumping in the air. “When do we go?”

Kakashi folded his arms, looking as relaxed as ever. “Meet me at Training Ground 23 by noon. Be prepared. I’ll be bringing along the rest of the team.”

Naruto’s enthusiasm faltered. Noon? He’d have to wait hours. His grin quickly returned, though. That gave him time to get ready—he could get his things together, grab a quick breakfast… and maybe even squeeze in a quick bowl at Ichiraku’s. Or, he thought with a sigh, he could pick up groceries and avoid another empty fridge.

“Got it, Sensei!” Naruto said with a thumbs-up, already half-thinking about what he could afford with the few ryō he had left.

Kakashi gave a small nod. “See you there.” And with that, he shunshined away in a puff of smoke, leaving Naruto alone in his doorway.

Naruto watched the last bits of smoke dissipate, unable to stop grinning. “Finally, a real mission!” he shouted into the empty apartment, his voice echoing off the walls. He was practically buzzing with excitement, the frustration of the past few weeks all but forgotten. But a loud growl from his stomach quickly reminded him that he still had some basic chores to handle first.

Alright, alright, he thought, throwing a quick glance toward his empty fridge. Groceries first, mission later.

He grabbed his fabric grocery bag from under a pile of clothes, brushing off some of the dust. It was a little beat up with holes, sure, but it still worked fine. Slipping it over his shoulder, he took a quick inventory of his funds. After his Ichiraku splurge a few days ago, he was left with about 250 ryō. Enough to get by, but he’d have to stick to the basics.

Besides, his heart was still pounding with excitement. A mission! Finally, something to break up the mind-numbing routine of chores and training. He’d been half-dreading that Kakashi-Sensei would just give him a some lecture or, worse, more D-rank grunt work. But an actual mission? Even if it was just something simple, it was better than spending another afternoon weeding or pulling cats out of trees.

Kakashi had barely left before Naruto sprang into action. He grabbed his bright orange jacket, then spotted the empty corner of his apartment where his food should have been. Right… groceries.

He let out a sigh, shoulders slumping as reality hit him. He could practically hear the voice in his head, Hokage-Jiji reminding him to be responsible, to manage his money wisely. “Being a ninja is more than just about battles, Naruto,” he’d say. “It’s about taking care of yourself.” Yeah, yeah, Naruto thought, with a huff. It’s not like that old geezer was ever around, anyway. That old man was his money source, and although it sounded rotten to say it like that, it was only the truth. He played a small part in his life, visiting every blue moon and giving him the bare minimum to stay with a roof over his head. Not that it hurt his feelings or anything, but Naruto felt like he was always given the bottom of the barrel. Every time.

But I guess that’s how life works, I guess.

He pulled his old fabric bag out from under a pile of clothes and shook it out, watching dust float into the air. It was frayed, a little dirty, but he didn’t care. It worked. Slinging it over his shoulder, he took a quick mental inventory of his money situation.

His monthly allowance from Jiji—500 ryō—had been decent enough, at least until he’d blown a chunk of it at Ichiraku’s a few days ago. So now, after a few other small expenses, he was left with 250 ryō. Damnit, he’d accidentally spent half of it! Barely enough to cover the basics, but he was used to making it stretch.

“Alright, let’s do this,” Naruto muttered to himself, stepping out into the morning sunlight. His stomach gave a low, grumbling protest as he picked up his pace toward the market. Guess a little bit of grocery shopping never killed anyone.

As he ran, his thoughts started to wander. Groceries, allowance, budgeting—none of it was really a big deal to him, just something he’d grown used to. He could make 250 ryō work; he’d done it before. Still, he couldn’t help but feel a little pang of envy when he saw other kids his age, their parents with them, pushing carts loaded with all kinds of food. He kept his chin up, though, shrugging it off like it didn’t matter. After all, he could handle things on his own. He’d been doing it since forever.

Besides, a real ninja wouldn’t complain, believe it! he thought with a grin, the same one he always plastered across his face when things got a little too quiet.

Naruto jogged through the winding streets of the village, his grocery bag swinging at his side. The excitement of the mission buzzed in his mind, but a twinge of dread simmered beneath it as he neared the market stalls. He was used to this—a necessary, mundane errand that always came with a side of side-eyed glances and muttered whispers. The air smelled of fresh vegetables and spices, with a hint of something sweet from a bakery across the way. He passed a stall selling shiny red apples, their skin gleaming in the sunlight, and slowed for a moment, his mouth watering. But he quickly shook himself.

Ugh, focus! You don’t need fancy stuff; just enough to get by.

He remembered what it was like here a few years ago, back when he was younger and still didn’t quite understand why the villagers looked at him that way. He used to come by the market, hoping to get candy or toys or even just some attention. Once, he’d set his eyes on this amazing animal mask in a stall, just like the ones he’d seen on ANBU operatives. He’d stared at it, mesmerized, imagining himself as a ninja hiding behind the mask. He remembered about following this group of kids and scaring them with it. When he’d only stopped to take a quick look and maybe just ask to hold it for a minute—the shop owner had shoved him out, throwing the mask at his head while he was on the ground. 

He still remembered how he’d grabbed it off the ground and run, holding it to his chest as if it might disappear if he looked back. That disdainful look in the man’s eyes hurt worse than the shove. That look—cold and resentful, like Naruto wasn’t a kid at all but rather a nuisance—stuck with him more than anything else.

As he neared the first row of vegetable stalls, Naruto lowered his head slightly. Throughout his childhood, he constantly sought the spotlight, desiring notice of those around him. Yet, in places like these, with bustling villages filled with ordinary folk, he often felt invisible, like a ghost lingering at the edges of their conversations. Though he made efforts to stand out—whether through his usual bright clothing or foolish antics—it seemed that instead of being the center of attention, whispers would ripple through the crowd, carrying his name only as a subject of gossip. Behind his back, people exchanged knowing glances and muted laughter, making him acutely aware that, despite his efforts, he remained an outsider in their close-knit community. And besides, the last thing he needed was another scene. Naruto had his list—a mental one, mostly consisting of essentials he could stretch until next month. Milk, rice, a few eggs. And if he had any money to spare, some ramen packets. Nothing fancy, nothing he’d have to haggle over.

Just keep moving, he thought. Grab what you need and go. Don’t give ‘em a reason to look at you.

He approached the first stall, glancing over the prices. 40 ryō for a small bag of rice, 50 for a carton of milk. 

Jeez, pretty pricey if you ask me.

He adjusted the strap on his bag, setting his jaw. No matter how many times he came here, the market always felt like…well, like enemy territory. He pushed the thought away, reminding himself that he wasn’t that desperate little kid anymore. Now he had a mission to prepare for.

An plus, he didn’t need to spend that much. He was leaving on a mission for who knows how long, so it was only ideal to buy non-perishable food.

Ramen!

The village streets were already busy, voices rising as people bartered. Naruto glanced around, his gaze flickering over familiar faces. None of them smiled at him. He was used to that by now, the way they looked at him. He pretended not to notice, putting on his usual easygoing smile as he walked by.

But he did notice. He always noticed.

A faint memory tugged at him. Years ago, he’d wandered these same stalls, empty-handed, just looking. He remembered peering into a candy vendor’s stall, his stomach growling, trying to work up the courage to ask for something small. Just a little piece, even. But when he’d spoken up, the vendor’s face had hardened instantly, looking at him like he was something unpleasant to get rid of. No candy. Not even a friendly word. Just a look of annoyance, and that same awful stare he’d learned to hate.

Naruto shook his head, trying to forget it. No use thinking about that stuff now. He’d also once walked past a vendor selling masks, his eyes skimming over the animal replicas hanging on display. One of them, a plain cat ANBU mask. At the time, he’d wished he could buy it, in order to scare some kids he’d asked to follow. 

But before he’d asked, the vendor had shoved him aside and thrown the mask at his head. It had clattered to the ground, scratched and battered, but he’d grabbed it and run anyway, ignoring the sting of tears as he raced away from all those cold, angry faces. That look, he thought bitterly, it’s like they’re always asking me what I’m doing here, like I shouldn’t be here. It’s my village too, ya’ know.

Naruto’s fist clenched around the strap of his bag, his gaze focused straight ahead as he made his way to a nearby vegetable stand. The owner’s eyes flicked toward him, that same edge in his gaze, but he didn’t say anything. Naruto forced a smile. “One miso ramen cup and another tonkotsu!” and he clamored, keeping his voice light, hoping it sounded casual.

As the vendor handed him the packaged cups, Naruto dug in his pocket for a few ryō, counting them out carefully. He could feel the weight of the man’s stare, waiting for him to hand over the coins and go.

They can look all they want, he thought stubbornly. I’m not going anywhere.

It was stupid, he knew—getting upset over a few glares. He’d learned how to ignore it. But sometimes, especially on days like this, the recollections felt so recent. It was like he could still see those moments in his mind, the faces blurring together, all with that same expression.

Naruto stuffed the cups into his bag, turning to leave. He had what he needed, and he had a mission waiting for him—a real one. He didn’t need to think about the past or the looks. He was Naruto Uzumaki, future Hokage, and he didn’t have time for all that, believe it!

Chapter Text

Naruto dropped the ramen packets on the kitchen counter with a satisfying thud, the grocery bag slumping over like it was as tired as he felt. He didn’t bother putting anything away. No point. It’d all be gone in a week anyway. Maybe less if he got hungry tonight, which—let’s be honest—was a given.

He glanced at the clock. Still had time before noon. The old thing ticked loudly in his apartment.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

His fingers tenderly grazed the back of his hair, parting the matted chunks. Strangely, his gut was still knotted up, and he wasn’t sure whether it was nerves or hunger pains. But it could be the weird, nagging feeling that had been tagging along with him all morning like a shadow.

Kakashi's brief mention of a mission wasn't soothing his spinning belly, either. As per usual, Kakashi-Sensei's dull, uninterested mojo seemed to be more important than having a normal conversation with his upbeat student. Typical Kakashi. Naruto didn’t get that guy. He was cool, sure, but also so quiet. The man dodged every question Naruto asked regarding past missions or events during his youth. Especially regarding whether he'd had a former team. It made him awfully snappy later on in the day.

Nonetheless, a mission was a mission.

Naruto left his rickety apartment, slamming the door behind him out of habit. The streets of Konoha were warmer now, busy with the usual hum of late morning. He stuck to the rooftops for most of the trip, the air slicing past him as he ran, hands tucked behind his head. It helped him think. Or not think.

He landed near the edge of Training Ground 23 just a few minutes early, sandals skidding in the dirt. The grass out here was patchy, the field lined with old posts from sparring matches long since over. 

Naruto let out a long breath and stretched his legs, eyes half-lidded as he stared at the clouds rolling lazily above. The breeze kicked up some dust. revealing a few old gopher holes spread out across the fields. Still, he couldn’t shake that same jitter in his bones.

Now, he had to play the waiting game. It wasn't like him to be this antsy (excited, yes, anxious, not so much), especially knowing that he'd most likely be leaving the village with his team.

Which reminded him, where were they? 

He didn’t have to wait long. The sound of footsteps pulled his attention back to the path, and there they were: Sasuke and Sakura. Walking together... unlike usual. What was going on? Was the world spiraling downward, and he was the only person who had managed to take notice? All he could do was grin abjectly and let his eyes flicker aimlessly. Thankfully, they both looked as they normally did. 

As they approached, the placidness continued to linger. Of course, Sasuke didn’t say anything. Just gave a small nod and crossed his arms, his face like a brick wall. But that was Sasuke, for you. You didn’t get close unless he let you—and he didn’t let anyone.

Sakura gave Naruto a tired smile, her pack slung over her shoulder. “You’re early. That’s a first.”

“Ha! I’m always early,” Naruto said, puffing out his chest. “You guys are just always late.”

“Right,” she said, rolling her eyes—but there was no edge behind it. Just Sakura being Sakura.

After a fluid conversation between the two of them, three if you counted Sasuke's mumbled grunts and sneers, Kakashi-Sensei emerged from the treeline shrouded in shrubs and wildflowers. Held between his digits was his standard orange book, tilted wide enough for him to read but angled shut to confine the contents. What was the big deal, anyway?

The silver-haired Jounin lazily raised his hand, eye crinkling gently. "Hey, everybody." Kakashi then closed his book with a quiet snap, which piqued curiosity among the genin. 

Naruto leaned in, the jitters now poprockets in his stomach. “So, so? What's the mission, Kakashi-Sensei?"

Kakash's tone wavered mildly as he announced. “There’s a small temple hidden deep in the forest outside the village,” he continued. “Old, overgrown. Most people don’t even remember it’s there. But the monks who used to guard it sent word—something strange is happening. Lights in the sky. Earth rumbling. Wildlife acting up. They want a shinobi team to investigate.”

He and the pinkette exchanged a concerned glance, but Sasuke didn't seem to bat an eye. Sakura pursed her lip, tentatively rocking in her seat. However, she didn't say anything.

“Think of it as recon,” Kakashi added. “They just need a report. You go, check things out, and come back. Simple.”

Sasuke scoffed under his breath. “Sounds like a waste of time.”

“I dunno…” Naruto said slowly. “Weird lights? Creepy temple?"

Kakashi’s eye curved, amused. “Great. You're scheduled to take off this afternoon." 

And with that, they were off.

The woods thickened the farther they trekked, branches knitting together above like tangled fingers. Sunlight peeked through in broken streaks, striping the ground in gold and gray. Naruto kept pace just behind Sasuke, his sandals snapping twigs and sinking into loamy soil with every step.

It was much too quiet for his liking, but Sasuke had denied Naruto's attempts to spark a conversation. What a prick, that guy. 

He tugged absently at the headband tied around his forehead, the metal plate bumping against his knuckles. The knot in his stomach hadn’t budged. If anything, it had gotten enlarged.

He glanced over his shoulder. The forest behind them stretched on forever, nothing but trees and shadows swallowing the narrow path they’d come down. He hated it. Hated how the woods felt alive but dead at the same time. Hated how the air pressed down against his skin, thick and damp, like he was breathing through a wet towel.

Sakura broke the silence. "No birds."

Naruto flinched at how loud her voice sounded. She was right. No birds. No bugs. Not even the soft chittering of squirrels or rabbits darting through the underbrush.

He stuffed his hands into his jacket pockets, pretending the sudden cold creeping down his spine was nothing. Just nerves. Just nerves.

"Maybe we scared 'em off, ya 'know?" he said, aiming for casual, but his voice cracked a little at the end.

Sasuke gave him a look — that same look like Naruto was a dumb mutt barking at its own reflection — and said nothing. He just jerked his chin toward the slope ahead.

Naruto followed his gaze, eyes glinting with something unlabeled. It pissed him off; how dismissive he was. Whatever Naruto said or did, whether it was stupid or tender, Sasuke just— pulsated with incessant sorrow. Something about him was concerning. Running in his veins was malcontent— just pure thwarted ambition. It was sickening to Naruto. He was worried for his teammate, even if he was a total asswipe. 

A narrow ridge jutted out of the ground a little ways off, crowned with rough stone, hidden behind a curtain of moss. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up like needles. It looked wrong somehow. Like the earth had tried to swallow whatever was up there but failed.

"Come on," Sasuke said, already moving.

The slope was steeper than it looked. Naruto stumbled halfway up, catching himself on gnarled roots sticking out of the ground like bone fingers. Dirt clung to his sleeves. The smell of wet earth filled his nose.

By the time they scrambled over the top, Naruto had the taste of mud on the back of his tongue.

And there it was.

The temple.

Or what was left of it.

Half-buried in the overgrowth, the structure sagged under the weight of a hundred years of rain and rot. Its stone walls leaned in strange angles, like a drunk too stubborn to fall. Black streaks stained the outer columns, and huge chunks of the roof had caved in, letting the late afternoon sun spotlight the gaping wounds in the ceiling.

A few prayer flags — or what might’ve once been prayer flags — fluttered weakly in the breeze, colorless and frayed.

Naruto swallowed, his throat dry. He edged a few steps closer, feeling the squish of moss and decaying leaves underfoot. The closer he got, the worse the air smelled. Like copper and rainwater and something sour he couldn’t name.

"You think this is it?" he asked, his voice rough around the edges.

Sakura caught up, brushing twigs from her hair. She looked up at the crumbling structure with wide, wary eyes. "It's gotta be."

Naruto shifted his weight uneasily from foot to foot, arms crossing over his chest. Part of him wanted to march right up to those massive, sagging doors and kick them open. Another part wanted to turn around and sprint straight back to Konoha without looking back.

His hands twitched.

"Wonder how long it's been abandoned," Sasuke said flatly, standing a few paces ahead, surveying the building like it was a particularly boring opponent.

"Yeah, well... abandoned places are the ones ghosts like best," Naruto mumbled, half to himself, fingers curling with deviousness.

The words slipped out before he could stop them. Sakura shot him a glare, but even she didn't try to laugh it off.

"What's with everybody being so serious today?" Naruto suddenly inquired, brows fluctuating in an unsteady manner. "It's like we don't even know each other, ya' know." 

Despite his point being made, nobody said anything. Were they even listening? Or do his teammates just disregard everything he says?

Naruto stiffened, biting his lip with vexation, nose wrinkling with moroseness. "Fine, screw you guys."

Sakura's gaze fell to the floor, gently dragging a pebble with the sole of her sandal. Sasuke merely scoffed, eyes boring holes into Naruto's icy blues.

But from his little outburst, Naruto failed to realize that the wind had shifted direction.

The grass near the steps of the temple parted slightly, like something unseen had brushed against it.

He rubbed the back of his neck, fidgeting. The stomach drop feeling twisted tighter with every passing second, until it felt like someone had knotted his insides together and yanked.

"You guys feel that?" he asked lowly.

Neither answered.

Because at that exact moment, the massive temple doors — weathered and worn and heavy enough to crush a man — creaked.

A slow, painful groan of wood against stone echoed through the clearing.

Naruto froze.

Sakura took an instinctive step back, breath hitching. She bumped into Sasuke, who didn’t flinch but tensed like a bowstring pulled too tight.

Nobody touched the doors. Nobody was even close enough to.

They just... opened.

A thin line of shadow split down the center, yawning wider and wider until the black mouth of the temple gaped open before them.

Naruto’s heart hammered against his ribs so hard it hurt.

From somewhere deep inside, a faint, pulsing glow flickered.

Despite something being absolutely wrong with the unnatural pulsating aura, Naruto crept a few feet forward without realizing it, drawn like a moth to the glow.

"Naruto, wait!" Sakura hissed sharply, grabbing his wrist.

He stopped. Barely.

"We're supposed to observe," she said, her voice strained and tight. "We can't just—"

Her words died out.

Because as Naruto turned to answer her, the ground shuddered under their feet.

Not a normal quake. It felt targeted, like something breathing just beneath the dirt, ready to punch through the surface at any second. Naruto stumbled and

caught himself, palms scraping rough bark and old vines.

"Shit," Sasuke said, low and cold.

The pulsing light inside the temple flared brighter, throwing eerie, broken shadows across the stone courtyard.

A sound emanated from the temple's throat, rising steadily with every breath.

A low, thrumming hum.

Naruto felt it vibrate through his teeth, clenching them with a breathless inhale.

He was breathing too fast now. His hands itched for something—anything—to grab. His instincts screamed to run. But something pinned his feet in place, coercing him not to look away.

His limbs were stone.

His body wouldn't listen.

By this time, Sasuke had been ushering Sakura out of the temple, her footsteps fleeting behind him, and Sakura's yelps bellowing throughout the corridors. 

But just as they passed the jagged threshold into the forest’s light, Sakura yanked herself free.

Her head whipped back toward the dark entrance. Sakura gawked, her voice cracking. “Wait—Naruto’s still in there!”

Sasuke stopped. Just for a second. His fists clenched, jaw tight.

“Dammit,” he hissed, already turning.

The light behind them burst brighter, leaking from the temple’s seams like floodwater through a cracking dam. The trees cast long, ugly shadows that warped across the grass and shivered.

Sasuke didn’t hesitate. He sprinted back up the steps, eyes narrowing against the glare, sandals slamming stone with controlled urgency.

Inside, Naruto hadn’t moved. He stood in the center of the main chamber, lit by the pale, writhing glow pouring from the altar. His back was stiff, fingers splayed slightly at his sides like he was about to reach for something… but didn’t. Couldn’t.

“Idiot,” Sasuke muttered under his breath.

The deeper he went, the thicker the air became. Not just dust or mold, but like pressure underwater. His ears popped. The humming had evolved into a chorus now, low and alien.

“Hey!” Sasuke barked. “Naruto!”

Nothing.

Naruto didn’t flinch. Didn’t turn. Not even a twitch of acknowledgement. 

Just stood there, eyes wide and locked on the altar like something inside it had reached out and grabbed him by the soul.

Sasuke gritted his teeth and stormed forward, grabbing Naruto by the collar and yanking him back with more force than necessary.

“Snap out of it!” he growled.

That seemed to do something, but he still looked paralyzed. Naruto blinked—once, slowly, then gasped like he'd been held underwater. His knees buckled.

Sasuke caught his arm and hauled him back up, the skin beneath Naruto’s jacket clammy with sweat.

“I—I couldn’t move,” Naruto muttered, voice barely audible. “I tried, I swear, but I couldn’t…”

“Save it, deadlast!" Sasuke yowled, hoisting Naruto up. "Move it!"

Naruto winced, preparing to follow suit behind Sasuke, until his legs suddenly gave out. He landed with a thud and cried out, causing Sasuke to whip his head around. 

Sasuke groaned in frustration, hurrying over as the array of bright colors beamed on both of them. He crouched low, grabbed Naruto by the front of his jacket again, and yanked—hard. “You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Sasuke muttered through gritted teeth, his face half-lit in shifting colors.

The glow spilling from the altar swelled in intensity, casting them in unnatural hues. The temple groaned above them, the stone vibrating beneath their feet like the ground itself wanted to shake them loose. The humming deepened again, low enough to churn the stone beneath their feet.

He hooked one of Naruto’s arms over his shoulder and hoisted him up, staggering slightly under the dead weight. Naruto wasn’t heavy, but the temple felt like it was pressing down on everything.

“Sakura’s outside,” Sasuke said through clenched teeth, pulling Naruto toward the door. “You wanna make her watch me drag your sorry ass out of here, or are you gonna move?”

That did it. Naruto’s hand gripped Sasuke’s shoulder, shaky but aware. He pushed against the floor with his knees, legs wobbling like he was standing for the first time.

“I got it,” he mumbled. “I got it…”

Despite Naruto's reassured whispers, his eyes were glassy and tinged with a rosy pink around the corners. He wasn't going to cry, but staring at something for so long without blinking was sure to dry them out.

They were halfway to the door when the floor trembled violently beneath them.

Sasuke turned, one arm still wrapped around Naruto’s back.

And then—

From the far end of the temple, near the entrance, where the threshold split, a figure exploded from the underbrush.

“Kakashi!” Naruto choked, barely able to lift his head.

The Jounin landed low, crouched like a panther, a hand already glowing with chakra. His visible eye swept the chamber, narrowed with quiet horror.

Sakura had eagerly rushed over, babbling incoherently to Kakashi-Sensei. She had tried to check if Sasuke had any wounds, but he dismissively brushed her off. 

Sasuke grimly stared, gaze locked on the silver-haired man. "You waited until the last minute, Hatake." He hissed.

"Now, now, Sasuke. This mission has become beyond the scope of a genin's training. You should be thankful I'm a perceptive sensei." Kakashi huffed, his gaze locked on the altar.

The light had become a cyclone now, spiraling upward, threads of it reaching toward the sky like skeletal arms.

He moved fast, crossing the space in three wide strides.

"You three— move!"

Naruto barely had time to register Kakashi’s voice before the ground buckled beneath him with a deep, guttural CRACK. The stone floor split down the center like a snapped bone, a searing white light slicing upward through the gap.

“Go, go—GO!” Kakashi barked, dragging the three of them towards the dark corridor. 

They almost made it.

A terrible, alien harmony that clawed down their spines and rattled their teeth. It was like a sensation he'd never felt before.

At this point, there was nothing they could do. There was no running or hiding. All they could do was cower and lower themselves to the ground, holding onto something stable. But there was nothing of the grippy variety.

Wind, or maybe not wind at all, spiraled out from the altar, pushing against them like a living force. Papers ripped from Naruto’s pouch. Dust and petals and loose pebbles lifted from the floor, dancing in the air like they’d forgotten gravity.

Sasuke shouted something—Naruto couldn’t hear it. The world began to bend.

Not tilt. Not spin.

Bend.

The temple itself was warping in on itself, edges curling like burnt paper, space twisting and folding around the light.

Kakashi’s feet slid back.

He grunted and dug in, one hand bracing against the floor, the other gripping Sasuke’s collar—Sasuke still latched to Naruto. Sakura was hunkered under the two boys, holding onto somebody's ankle as her hair flew in various directions.

Naruto’s eyes locked with Kakashi’s.

For one brief moment, Kakashi’s expression shifted—calm, but deadly serious. That single eye focused hard, calculating something unspoken.

Then—

A shriek. Sakura was gone. Just peeled away from beneath their feet.

Then he felt Kakashi launch after her. Without him, there was no protection from the immense wind. Naruto's stomach dropped, and he got that queasy feeling. Almost lightheadedness.

He felt himself falling, and suddenly, Sasuke's arm wrapped around his was gone. They'd had a split second of grip on each other, but that ceased when Naruto had let go. He felt his eyelids flutter shut, the bright, gleaming light engulfing him.

Then—

Nothing.