The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the warmth. Not the warmth of the morning sun. Not the warmth of the blanket. Someone's arm was wrapped around me. I opened one eye. I saw Kakashi still asleep.
For a few seconds, I simply stared at him. His silver hair was a complete mess, which was something I rarely got to see. Usually, he was already awake before me, pretending he had been reading for hours while somehow knowing exactly when I opened my eyes.
But today was different. Maybe he was actually tired. I carefully shifted, trying not to wake him. But who would I fool this man can sense anything even at he's slumber. His arm tightened around me the moment I move. I froze a bit, then I heard his sleepy voice.
"Where do you think you're going?" I looked at him. He's whole face showing.
"Nowhere."
"You're moving."
"I was just getting comfortable." He opened one eye slightly.
"You were already comfortable."
"I changed my mind." He stared at me for a moment before closing his eye again.
"Then stay."
I couldn't help but smile. For a little while, I did. I listened to his breathing and watched the sunlight slowly creep through the curtains. Everything felt peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
Then I felt it.
A faint pressure, my eyes opened completely. I immediately became still. I felt it yet again that Intent. Someone was there, outside watching me.
'Kura-nii.'
There was a long silence. Then—
"I know."
My fingers tightened slightly against the blanket.
'They're here again.'
"Yes."
I slowly sat up. Kakashi noticed immediately.
"What is it?"
I looked at him. For a moment, I considered keeping quiet. Then I remembered what he had told me yesterday.
'You don't have to carry everything yourself.'
I took a breath.
"Kashi..."
He sat up. His expression changed immediately when he heard my tone.
"What happened?"
I looked toward the window for bit then back at him.
"Someone followed us." He didn't speak at first, he patiently waiting for me to continued. "From the Land of Waves." Kakashi's eye narrowed.
"Are you sure?" worries evident in he's eyes. I nodded at he's question
"I felt them."
"How?" Confusion was understatement, He needs explanation in what I just said. I sighed because clearly, I wasn't used to share everything's going on inside my head to him. That's why I hesitated at first, I wasn't ready to explain that I have been training with the fox.
"I just... know."
He watched me carefully, I expected questions but instead, he stood.
"Stay here." He said and walk to the window. I blinked, at what he said. I quickly followed him.
"Where are you going?" I asked him.
"To check." Hearing that I stopped him and grabbed he's hands "Kashi, wait." He stopped and look at me. I shake my head. "Don't." His gaze softened.
"Why?"
"Because if they're watching us, they'll disappear the moment they realize you've noticed."
Kakashi stared at me I could tell he was thinking. He sighed and nodded.
"You're probably right." I released his sleeve.
He walked toward the window; he didn't open it. He simply looked outside.
Nothing.
No movement.
No unfamiliar chakra.
No obvious signs that anyone had been there.
Kakashi's eye narrowed.
"How long?"
"What?"
"How long have you been sensing them?"
"Since we were leaving the Land of Waves."
His expression became serious.
"And you didn't tell me?"
I looked down. It's not that I didn't want too though. I was not just sure of what I'm feeling. Also, I just learned how to sense intent just day's ago and I'm not really sure of what I'm getting was right.
"I wasn't sure."
"Naruto--"
"I didn't know what they wanted." I cut him off, knowing him, he would basically scold me right now.
"And yesterday..." I reached into my pocket and pulled out the leaf I had taken from the windowsill.
"They were here."
Kakashi took it from my hands. He examined the leaf and its stem. "It's still fresh." He said and then look at me. I just nodded "Any tracks?"
I shake my head for an answer; he didn't say anything waiting for me to continue. "No charka and all, no clue or any remnant scent in the air. I just like that they' weren't there all along" Kakashi looked at me confuse yet again.
"Then how did you know?" I didn't answer that question. He stared at me for another moment then sighed.
"You're going to explain that someday, aren't you?" He knows me very well. I just shrugged reply with my never ending….
"Maybe." His eyes curved slightly.
"That's becoming your favorite word." I smiled and yet again I replied with...
"Maybe." He just shook his head but he didn't push. Instead, he handed the leaf back to me. "Whatever this is, we'll deal with it." I looked at him. "You're not dealing with it alone." That earned a smile from me. Something warm settled in my chest. I'm for sure that Kakashi would even take a bullet for me.
We eventually left the house. Kakashi insisted on walking with me. I didn't complain well I like it better though. There was something reassuring about having him beside me. Even if I knew he couldn't sense what I could.
As we walked through the village, I kept my attention on everything around us. To the people, buildings, tress, and all but I found nothing. There's no strange pressure, no unfamiliar presence nothing at all. When I'm finally getting comfortable there's that presence again.
'There'
I suddenly stopped at my tracks. Kakashi glanced at me from he's book.
"What?" he asks.
I looked toward the rooftop from my east side. Someone was definitely there a moment ago. I could feel them. Only for a second. A gentle pressure. Then it disappeared the moment I notice. My eyes narrowed.
'Kura-nii.'
"I felt it."
'Where?'
"Roof. East side."
I was right in the direction of what I'm sensing. But whoever it was had already moved. Kakashi noticed my expression.
"Naruto?"
"Someone was there." I pointed the that roof. He immediately looked towards it. "Did you see them?" I shake my head for an answer. Still sensing and watching my surroundings.
"Then how—"
"I felt them." I answered rather fast. Kakashi went quiet. He just nodded.
"Let's keep walking." We continued toward the training ground. But something was bothering me. Ever since I felt them. Maybe at first because it was the first time, I felt them. And it's really confusing specially that Kura-nii use them as my training. But all along the feeling I've been feeling, it hadn't been threatening. There was no hostility, no bloodlust, no desire to attack.
Just...
Attention.
Someone was watching me. And for some reason, the intent felt strangely familiar.
"You're getting the hang of it. Train more." I heard Kurama says.
Team 7 was already waiting when we arrived.
Sakura was stretching. Sasuke was sitting beneath a tree with his arms crossed staring at nothing. He then looked at me the moment I approached.
"You're late." I stared at him for a bit. I thought he would just "hnned" me. That's change.
"Good morning to you too." I teasingly answered. But still, he's facial expression didn't change.
"You were supposed to be here earlier."
"I had something to do." Sasuke's eyes narrowed. Not believing anything I say. "What?"
Remembering what I did last night…. Yeah, that is something that he didn't have to know.
"None of your business." I watch he's face frowned. Then Sakura looked at me.
"Are you okay?" I blinked. Confused why she asked that. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"We'll, you look rather distracted." I sheepishly scratch my head, looking for any answers. I glanced at Kakashi. Then there he was already opening his book. Traitor.
"I didn't sleep well." I just answered. Then Sakura nodded, believing me. Phew… "That's understandable."
Sasuke looked between me and Kakashi. Still having that confuse look. "You two are hiding something." He said. Not a question but a fact. I nearly choked.
"What?"
Sasuke frowned.
"You've both been acting strange."
Kakashi keep quite the whole time. Turning the page of he's book as if that he's the only person here.
"Have we?"
"Yes."
I stared at Sasuke. He was becoming too observant, and that was dangerous. Not because I didn't trust him. But because I knew he would eventually start asking questions I wasn't ready to answer. I walked over and ruffled his hair.
"You're thinking too much, little brother." His face immediately twisted. To change the topic and asses the situation. That's the only thing I could think for him to stop interrogating me.
"Stop doing that."
Or so I thought…..
"You looked worried."
"I'm not worried."
"Sure."
"I mean it."
"Of course you do."
Sakura watched us.
"You two really are like brothers."
Sasuke sighed.
"I regret everything."
I laughed. For a moment, the strange presence disappeared from my thoughts. And I was glad.
Kakashi announced that today's training would be different.
"We're going to focus on reaction speed and awareness." Sakura's eyes sharpened. She immediately understood why. Kakashi created a simple exercise. We had to move through the training ground while avoiding randomly triggered traps.
Sasuke went first. He moved quickly. Predictably. But halfway through, a wire snapped. He twisted midair and avoided the trap. I watched quietly. Good.
"Ooh hoo, He's reacting rather quickly than I thought" I heard Kurama Commented. Watching from inside me through my eyes.
Sakura went next. She moved carefully. Not slowly. Carefully. She looked at the environment instead of staring directly at the traps. She avoided the first, then the second, then the third. The fourth cut the chance. It finally caught her. She jumped back just in time. A wooden projectile passed inches from her shoulder. She landed and immediately looked around.
No frustration.
No panic.
She continued.
When she reached the end, she looked toward us.
"How was that?"
Kakashi nodded. Sasuke just said "Better" then Sakura looked at me. I was shocked for a moment. I didn't expect her to ask me for my approval. I just gave her a thumb-up.
"You're getting faster." I said while walking towards her. She smiled.
"Really?" I nodded ruffles her hair.
"She's doing good" Kurama commented again.
Sasuke looked at her. "You hesitated less." Sakura's expression brightened. But unlike before, she didn't scream or something. "Thanks."
I watched them. The change getting more and more louder. Sakura wasn't trying to become stronger because she wanted Sasuke to notice her. She wanted to become stronger because she had realized she needed to. That was progress.
Then—
I felt it again.
That pressure. My attention immediately shifted toward the trees. Someone was there and this time it was much closer. My eyes narrowed.
'Kura-nii.'
"Don't move."
I froze by what he said.
'Why?'
"They're testing you."
My heartbeat quickened.
'Testing me?'
"Yes."
'How do you know?'
Kurama was silent for a while. I frowned.
'Kura-nii?'
"Watch."
Then I did. The pressure disappeared. Then a small object flew from the trees. I moved before anyone else noticed. My hand caught it.
It was a kunai, but there was something attached to it. A small piece of paper. I looked at it. There were only four words written across the surface.
"You are not alone."
My blood ran cold. Sasuke looked at me.
"What is it?"
I folded the paper and stuffed it inside my pocket.
"Nothing." His eyes narrowed.
"That didn't look like nothing."
I glanced toward the trees. It was Empty. Whoever had thrown it was gone, but I could still feel something.
Not hostility.
Not hatred.
Something else.
Something almost...
protective.
I looked at the paper again.
"You are not alone."
For some reason, those words felt heavier than they should have.
Later, after training ended, everyone began packing their things. Sakura left first, she said she wanted to continue practicing on her own. Sasuke stayed behind for a moment.
He approached me quietly.
"Naru-nii?"
"Hm?"
He looked at the paper sticking out of my pocket.
"What was that?"
I didn't answer at first but he waited. I sighed.
"Something I need to figure out."
"Is it dangerous?"
"I don't know."
Sasuke frowned.
"Then tell me if it is."
I looked at him. He wasn't demanding an explanation. He was simply offering. I reached over and patted his shoulder.
"I will."
He nodded contented of what I said. He walked away. I watched him go. My little brother was growing up. That thought made something ache inside my chest. I turned toward Kakashi. He was standing several meters away. His book was closed.
Again.
"You saw that?"
"Of course."
I sighed shaking my head.
"Do you ever miss anything?"
"Occasionally."
"Like what?"
"Your attempts at lying."
I stared at him.
"Rude."
He stepped closer. Were alone after all. "What did the message say?" I pulled it out and handed it to him. He then reads it. His eye narrowed.
"You didn't tell Sasuke."
"No, I didn't"
"Why?"
"Because I don't know what it means yet. Also, I don't what him tangled up in this matter if something dangerous came up."
"Fair." I looked at the words again.
"You know what's strange?" He didn't say anything and just waited for me to continue. "I don't feel like they want to hurt me." Kakashi looked at me. "Then what do you feel?"
At first, I don't know how to explain it. "I actually don't know." I looked toward the trees then I continue. "But it feels..." I searched for the right word. "Familiar."
Kakashi looked at me confuse. "Familiar?" I nodded. "I don't know why." Kakashi didn't answer immediately. Then he said:
"Maybe that's something worth figuring out." For once, I agreed.
That evening, I sat alone beneath my window. Kakashi have something to do at the tower that's why im sitting alone here. The village was quiet. I held the piece of paper between my fingers.
You are not alone.
I had spent my entire life feeling like I was. Even when people surrounded me. Even when the village was full of people. There had always been a part of me that felt empty.
But now...
The feeling of someone was watching me, someone who didn't seem hostile. Someone who knew where I was and someone who somehow felt familiar. I don't know why but I'm starting to feel comfortable of what I'm sensing. I closed my eyes.
'Kura-nii.'
"I'm here."
'You know something.'
There was silence. I opened my eyes. Kurama couldn't hide something from me. He just doesn't want to. But this time, I feel like there is something that he's not telling me.
'Don't you?'
Still, he didn't answer. That alone told me enough. I narrowed my eyes.
'Who are they?'
Still nothing.
'Are they dangerous?'
I'm starting to get annoyed but then—
"Not in the way you think."
My chest tightened.
'What does that mean?'
Kurama's voice softened.
"It means you should stop looking for an enemy."
I stared at the darkness outside.
'Then what am I looking for?'
For a long moment, Kurama said nothing.
"An answer."
I frowned. That wasn't an answer. At least not the one I wanted.
'You could just tell me.'
"I could."
'Then why don't you?'
There was a strange warmth in his voice.
"Because some things mean more when you discover them yourself."
I stared into nothing. Sometimes I hated it when he did that. That deep and poetic explanation.
But deep down...
I knew he was right; I looked at the message again.
'You are not alone'.
For the first time, I wondered if those words weren't meant as a warning. Maybe they were meant as a promise.
And somewhere far beyond my window...
Two figures stood silently on a rooftop. Neither spoke for several seconds. The woman looked toward the apartment. Her red hair moved gently with the wind. Her eyes remained fixed on the window.
"He looks older."
The man beside her nodded.
"He is."
She clenched her hands.
"I want to go to him."
"We can't yet."
"I know."
Her voice trembled.
"But he's our son."
The man looked toward the window.
"I know."
For a moment, neither of them moved. Then the woman whispered…..
"He's becoming just like you." The man smiled faintly.
"And he has your stubbornness."
She almost laughed. Then her expression became serious again.
"Do you think he knows?"
The man shook his head.
"Not yet."
The woman looked at the window one last time.
"Kurama must have told him."
"No."
She looked at him.
"You're sure?"
"He wouldn't."
The man looked toward the apartment.
"Kurama wants Naruto to discover the truth himself." The woman's eyes softened.
"Then we'll wait."
They disappeared into the darkness. And inside the apartment, Naruto continued staring at the words in his hand. Still unaware that the two people he had spent his entire life believing were dead... Had been watching over him all along.