𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨 ✓

Chapter 71 :: Fast Approaching!

She scowled. She knew already by the green vest he wore that the Nara was already a chunin, out of all the recent candidates in the exams. It was a surprise really, what with his lazy nature, but she guessed his brains had to be one of the main reasons he was promoted. Still, for him to be so casual and act so bossy? Ohoho, chunin or not, she'd give him a punch on the noggin!

"Shut up, you pineapple headed fish," she snapped. "Go back to your cloud watchin', will ya!?"

Shikamaru only rolled his eyes, a teasing smirk making its way on his features. "Sure, you lickspittle!"

"You bi―"

"Ladies, ladies!" A familiar voice stepped between the two, his hands outstretched to prevent a fight. Shikamaru for sure was too lazy to start one, but the Inoue on the other hand was always a little too eager to punch someone no matter the situation. Shizake forced a smile, wishing for them to leave as soon as possible. "Let's calm down now, we'll share names once this mission is over. Sakura, Aya, I promise we'll bring Sasuke back, no matter what."

Sakura cried. They couldn't blame her, and Aya's guilt returned even heavier than before, and she forced herself to look away from the sobbing girl. She knew that she too wouldn't have had any luck convincing Sasuke, but the fact that she didn't at least try―

"You heard me?" Naruto placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, a bright, blinding smile on his lips. "I said, I'll bring Sasuke back, okay? You can act tough all ya want, but I know you, and I give you my word. And!" He pointed a finger dramatically at the sky. "I'll teach Sasuke a thing or two about making my best friend cry! You better believe it, ya know!!!"

Her eyes glazed over, but she only smiled at the enthusiastic boy as she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. If it had been a different time, she would've never done something like that in public, but now, she was simply too overwhelmed with her emotions to think properly.

"Don't do anything rash or stupid either, Naruto," she murmured as she pulled away. "And yeah, I believe it, but you know, you should focus more on Sakura's feelings first. She's the one head over heels over him, not me."

The blond smirked. "Oh, I know alright. Don't worry, you guys just leave it up to us!! I'm gonna bring Sasuke back, I promise that in my life!"

Don't make promises that depend on your life, jackass.

"I know," Aya sighed, gently rubbing Sakura's back. "Yeah, I know you alright, you and your stupid ninja way. But if you die, I'm coming to the underworld to find your ass and kill you MYSELF!"

Naruto sweatdropped, gliding away just slightly to put distance between himself and his best friend.

"Y-yeah, I know that," he answered nervously, because he knew of his friend's wrath, and somehow not even Death could save him now that he thought about it.

They nodded, and as they watched them leave, there was doubt in Aya's mind. She hated herself for thinking this way, but she had a feeling that Naruto wouldn't succeed as quickly as he'd thought.

She did notice however, a red-haired woman that hovered beside Naruto in the distance. The beautiful woman turned just slightly, and their eyes met, and she gave a grin just before she faded.

Odd.

She left Sakura to her own thoughts and returned home, her eyes weary from her lack of sleep. With her arms crossed she glanced at the cloudless, blue sky, and a frown made its way on her features. How dare the world seem so at peace despite the fact that her heart was aching?

Somehow, despite seeing Sasuke off, something was still bothering her. She squeezed the charm in her pockets and heaved out a sigh as the wind picked up its pace.

A storm was fast approaching.

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29/08/2022

Fun fact: Shikamaru draws like this;