Chapter 19: You Are My Sunshine
After that incident, Nana could clearly feel Itachi's feelings towards her changing.
He no longer dared to look her in the eyes, and their time alone grew less frequent as he used his missions as an excuse to avoid her.
With the Uchiha clan meetings and Fugaku's outings becoming more frequent, Shisui also rarely visited. He was always busy, shuttling between the Hokage's office and the clan, seemingly on some secret mission.
These past few months, Nana had felt mentally unwell, likely due to anxiety over the impending massacre or Itachi's sudden change in attitude, leaving her in low spirits.
"Host, today is Naruto Uzumaki's birthday." 077 reminded her, hoping to lift her mood.
"Naruto's birthday? It's already October 10th? Time flies..." Nana looked out at the falling leaves, hoping her chaotic worries would settle like the autumn leaves.
Due to her gloomy mood, she hadn't left the house in a while, even taking sick leave from the academy. Her last outing was two months ago to practice the Gentle Fist with Neji.
Nana picked a warm outfit from her wardrobe. Clothes that once fit perfectly now hung loosely on her thinning frame, prompting a sigh.
"Are you going out, Nana? Feeling better?" Mikoto, packing at the door, asked happily as Nana came downstairs.
Mikoto had been worried about her sudden illness with no apparent cause. She'd considered seeing a psychologist if there was no improvement.
"Sorry to worry you, Aunt Mikoto. I'm better now," Nana forced a smile, her pale face looking fragile.
"Don't push yourself... how did you get so thin?" Sasuke, seeing her for the first time in a while, took her hand, now bony and gaunt. His concern was evident.
Sasuke had always worried about her, but each time he knocked on her door, she turned him away, only seeing her mother.
"I'm fine, don't worry," Nana reassured, patting his hand.
She considered inviting Sasuke to Naruto's birthday but seeing him ready to go out with Mikoto, she kept silent.
With the cool autumn breeze, the half-green, half-yellow leaves still clung to the branches, gently swaying and falling.
Nana bought a strawberry chocolate cake and some fruit, hoping Naruto would like the cake. Soon, she arrived at his house.
"Naruto? Are you home?" She knocked gently, hoping he was awake.
"Coming, coming... Who is it? Nana-chan!" Naruto, rubbing his eyes, opened the door, then quickly shut it, changing into clean clothes and washing his face in seconds.
"Nana-chan! You came! I missed you! Come in! Did you bring fruit?" Naruto reopened the door, smiling brightly at the dazed girl.
Nana blinked, unsure if she'd seen a pajama-clad Naruto earlier.
"What's this..." Naruto tried to help carry her things inside, seeing not just fruit but a cake. He was stunned.
"You're not mistaken, Naruto. I brought you a birthday cake," Nana said, placing the cake on the table.
"Nana-chan... you..." Naruto's eyes filled with tears. Living alone for so long, he'd stopped expecting anything on his birthday.
But Nana-chan remembered and came to celebrate! This wasn't his first time crying, but these tears were sweet and happy.
"Naruto, happy birthday," Nana said, gently taking his hand.
Seeing the tidy room, she felt warm knowing Naruto had followed her advice to improve.
"Nana-chan, you look thinner and not well. What's wrong?" Naruto, now closer, noticed her frailty, fearing she might vanish.
Naruto had visited Sasuke's house on her first day of absence, only to be turned away by Fugaku, who briefly mentioned her illness before dismissing him.
He found the Uchiha clan members unfriendly, colder and harsher than other villagers, leaving him to silently pray for her recovery.
"I'm fine, just a little cold. I'm better now," Nana lied, spinning around to show she was okay.
Nana unpacked the cake, the sweet aroma filling the room. She placed candles on it, sitting across from Naruto.
"Naruto, happy birthday! Make a wish!" Nana smiled warmly, lighting the candles, feeling honored to celebrate with the hero she had grown up watching.
"I wish to be with Nana-chan forever!" Naruto declared, eyes bright, making his wish.
"Silly, wishes won't come true if you say them out loud!" Nana blushed at his directness, fitting his style.
"No, what if it doesn't come true!" Naruto panicked, regretting his outburst, clutching his chest. This was his lifelong wish!
"Don't worry, Naruto. I'll always be with you," Nana reassured, seeing his unease.
"Nana-chan, when's your birthday? I'll give you a big gift!" Naruto decided to celebrate her birthday each year with surprises.
My... birthday...
Nana suddenly fell silent. She couldn't remember her birthday.
As time passed, her memories of her past life faded. She couldn't recall her original appearance or name.
"I... I don't have a birthday..." she said, tears sliding down her cheeks.
Who am I? Nana finally understood her illness.
It was fear, the helplessness and loss of being alone in this world. The initial excitement had faded, replaced by silent loneliness.
"Nana-chan, what's wrong? Don't scare me!" Naruto, seeing her change, stood, the table screeching on the floor.
"I won't ask again, I promise!" Naruto knelt, his voice trembling with fear, regretting his words.
Maybe his cries brought back some awareness. Nana's pupils focused, seeing Naruto, tearfully mumbling, holding her. She smiled softly.
"Nana-chan! You scared me!" Naruto, relieved, wiped his tears.
"If you don't have a birthday, let's share mine. I'll always be with you," Naruto said sincerely, holding her hand.
He brought two bowls of ramen and vegetables from the cabinet, preparing them.
"What's this..." Nana blinked, confused.
"This is my special Ichiraku ramen, Flame of Pure Heart. Let's eat together!" Naruto's eyes shone, hoping to cheer her up.
He added vegetables, remembering her advice to eat healthily.
"Naruto, you're my sunshine," Nana said suddenly. Only she knew she'd said it before, but this time to the real Naruto.
Nana kissed his forehead, smiling through tears.
Since she was here, returning wasn't possible. She would forget the past, letting worries and loneliness fall like autumn leaves.
Naruto froze, his face and ears reddening, tears still wet.
You appeared when I was most alone, became my first friend, helped me. You're my angel, my sunshine!
077, seeing her relieved, finally relaxed after months of failed attempts to help.
Pain accompanies people, and to conquer fear, one must face and overcome it.