Thud.
The sound of shurikens striking the target came intermittently, echoing through the air. Naruto, upside down on a tree branch, resembled a wilted cucumber leaf, his attention clearly elsewhere as he absentmindedly swung back and forth.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata, who was training alongside him, looked at him with concern. Her voice was soft, yet persistent. "When we visited Sasuke-kun at the hospital yesterday, the doctor said he should be fine. He'll definitely be coming back soon."
Thud.
Another shuriken flew from Naruto's hand, landing with a dull thud. Finally, he leaped down from the tree, letting out a heavy sigh as he looked at Hinata. "It's not just Sasuke, you know. It's also about that time I took Izumi-nee to your house, but then she just… vanished. I can't make sense of it. I don't even remember it happening, but I know I showed up at your house. It can't be sleepwalking, right?"
[And for some reason, I haven't had any dreams lately. Every time I wake up, I feel more empty than ever.]
But bringing it up seemed a little melodramatic, so Naruto kept it to himself as he spoke again.
"…Don't you think you could use your jutsu to find her?" Hinata stopped her training, her voice tinged with sadness.
Even though Hinata didn't know Izumi, and although Naruto's apparent lost focus over a girl might have made her feel a little envious, her kind nature made her worry deeply for Izumi Uchiha's disappearance.
"It's strange," Naruto said, frowning. "The mark was supposed to be permanent, but now… I can't sense it anymore. The mark on Izumi-nee's hand from last time—gone." He rubbed his head, his expression one of overused concentration. He then looked toward Hinata. "But your mark… I can sense that one easily."
Hinata's face turned slightly red from his choice of words, but she instinctively glanced at the small swirling mark in the palm of her hand.
[That's from when Naruto-kun first shook my hand… Ugh, don't think about it, it's too embarrassing.]
"Do you think it's because we're too far apart?" Hinata asked again, her voice tinged with concern.
"Distance just means it takes more chakra to sense," Naruto replied, though his voice trailed off, his emotions darkening. "But even then… what if something happened to Izumi-nee too? After all, Sasuke's clan…"
It was clear that Naruto was too distracted by his worries to continue his training, and Hinata, noticing this, quickly shifted the topic. "Naruto-kun, why don't we go visit Sasuke-kun at the hospital? Maybe he's awake by now."
"Huh?"
"Even though Neji said he'd visit today, Sasuke-kun might already be awake. After everything that's happened, he must be feeling lost when he wakes up," Hinata said earnestly. "As his friend, I think we should be there for him."
Naruto paused for a moment, then nodded with determination. "Hinata, you're right. That's a good point. If Sasuke wakes up and finds out all that's happened, he might not know how to react. Let's go!"
With that, he hurriedly grabbed Hinata's hand and rushed in the direction of the hospital, and Hinata breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
In truth, she wasn't the only one who had noticed Naruto's current confusion. Her father had noticed as well.
Since that day, her father had spoken to her seriously, gently urging her to stay with Naruto after school whenever possible, or at least make sure he wasn't left alone. If she had to go home, she was to bring Naruto with her.
The meaning was clear: stay with Naruto as much as possible. Hinata believed her father was concerned and wanted her to help Naruto.
Naively, she thought this was what he meant. She had no idea that her father's words, if viewed from a different angle, were actually asking her to stay within Naruto's protective reach at all times, never alone outside of school and home.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was sitting by the river, staring blankly at the lake.
"Dad… Mom…"
He mumbled to himself, his lips moving, but no sound came out. It was as if his throat were blocked. Unable to hold it in any longer, tears fell from his eyes, dripping onto the grass below.
"…You've already been discharged. At least leave a message for someone."
A familiar voice called out from behind. Sasuke quickly wiped his face, attempting to hide the traces of his tears, and turned to see Neji, carrying a basket of fruit, his chest heaving from the run.
Sasuke said nothing. He averted his gaze, stood up, and prepared to leave.
Neji, who had been searching for him for a while, saw Sasuke's retreating figure and silently followed.
Sasuke broke into a run, and Neji, picking up speed, followed suit.
The pain in Sasuke's body grew as he ran, and Neji was already nearly out of breath from chasing him.
Both were silent, pushing themselves faster and faster, until they were both gasping for air and gradually slowing down.
"Did… did you… huff… huff… have enough running?" Neji finally managed to ask, his breath heavy, his chest rising and falling with each gasp.
Sasuke clutched his abdomen, where the pain from Itachi's attack still lingered. He gazed up at the sky, silent, not answering.
"…We know what happened," Neji said softly, looking at Sasuke as if talking to himself.
"I understand how you feel right now."
"If you're done running, let's talk."
Neji continued, his voice calm yet filled with a quiet intensity.
"You know, I'm from the branch family of the Hyuga. My father was the head of the branch family, but he died when I was four. He was killed by the main family, driven to his death. And after that, my mother died soon after from grief, unable to live without him. I've known the pain of losing someone close to me for much longer than you."
His words caught Sasuke off guard, making him pause and turn his gaze toward Neji.
He… he's like me?
"It's a horrible feeling, I know what you want to do now. I can see it in your eyes—you know who your enemy is, and you want revenge. But in some ways, I think you're luckier than I am."
"Lucky… are you mocking me?"
Sasuke's frustration boiled over, his anger and hatred taking control as he rushed forward and grabbed Neji by the collar.
"Yes, lucky. Do you know what that feels like?"
Neji, being held by Sasuke, smiled bitterly, then pulled off the bandage from his forehead, revealing the strange green mark on his skin.
"Do you know what 'fate' is, Sasuke?"
"I'm from the Hyuga branch family. Since I was a child, I was branded with the mark of the 'caged bird,' a symbol that means I can never betray the main family. I'll live my life in servitude to them, forever bound to protect the very family that killed my parents!"