The set table caught Naruto's eye, especially the cinnamon cake that reminded him so much of the ones his mother made. Hinata looked at him seriously as she poured coffee into the cups.
"I'm glad the pieces fit you."
"They look great, you have a good eye."
"I think so, sit down, you can help yourself."
"Thank you."
Hinata watched the young man before her intently. His face was anything but ordinary, a handsome man who certainly drew attention. If he was truly wanted, it would be hard to go unnoticed, with striking features from his square jaw to his intense blue eyes, not to mention the golden locks strewn across his head.
She was determined. After breakfast, she would take him to Konoha Station, and he would be on his own. After all, as a good Christian, she had already done her part.
"You're looking at me weird, miss."
"Sorry, look, I don't know how to say this without sounding rude, but you need to go."
"It's okay, I didn't expect to spend my vacation here."
The blond stood up, leaving his coffee half-eaten. She was right, she'd already made enough and she wasn't obligated to put up with him there.
"Before you go, I need you to see this."
"Where did you find this photo, Hina?"
"Two guys were here looking for you. They said they were police officers, but for some reason I have my doubts."
"What were they like?"
"A gray-haired guy of average height and a tall, strong dark-haired guy with long hair and intense green eyes. But don't worry, I didn't say anything about you."
"Thank you, Hina. You saved my life for the second time. These guys aren't the police, they just want to kill me at any cost."
"They told me to be careful around you because you committed murder."
"That's a lie! I didn't do anything there!"
" Naruto was so excited that he felt his abdomen crack, the stitches in his skin opening. Hinata immediately laid him down on the couch, grabbed the sutures, and redid the stitches.
"I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay, Blue."
"Naruto, my name is Naruto Uzumaki."
They both looked at each other with a certain complicity, the two strangers beginning to build a bond of trust without even realizing it.
...
"Tell me it's a lie, godfather, my father can't be dead!"
"I'm sorry, son. You don't know how much I wanted to take this pain from your chest, Sasuke."
Danzou hugged Sasuke Uchiha, his godson, affectionately, trying to comfort him from the pain of seeing his father's bloodied body on his office desk. The boy's shirt was still stained crimson. They were both still at the morgue waiting for the paperwork to prepare the funeral.
"Did you find him, godfather? That damned man?" "Believe me, I'll move heaven and earth until I find that killer. The police are already taking care of everything."
"I want him destroyed, godfather. I want Naruto Uzumaki dead!"
Sasuke's pain was doubly painful, agonizing. He couldn't believe his best friend had been capable of that. Naruto hadn't just spat in the plate he ate from, he had also killed his benefactor, the only one who had given him a chance to be someone in life.
But it wouldn't stay that way. If he had ever loved Naruto like a brother, he now hated him just as much. He would move heaven and earth, go to hell if he had to, but he would get revenge on his father's killer, Fukaku Uchiha.
...
"And that's how I ended up here. I don't know what to do, Hina. I'm completely lost, desperate."
Hinata gently held the boy's hand, supporting him. He responded by placing his other hand on hers.
"I have to find a way to find my friend Sasuke and tell him the truth."
"I think it's best to wait a little longer, Naruto. I believe everything you told me, and I don't know. I think if you dare go back now, you won't survive."
"So what am I going to do?"
"Maybe I've completely lost my mind, but you can stay here at least until this wound heals completely. I have an extra bed up in the attic. It's clean and airy. You can hide there if you want."
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I have. I've already gotten myself into trouble by lying to those guys, haven't I? And I also hate injustice."
"You don't know how grateful I am, Hina."
"Come on, and by the way, my name is Hinata Hyuuga."
"Nice name."
"Thank you. Well, go finish your coffee. I'm going to the market to buy some things. I might take a while. I'll bring the key, so if anyone knocks on the door, don't answer.
" "Okay, listen, what is this place?"
"It's a village far from Tokyo. You're in Konoha."
He saw the beautiful brunette put on her cap, grab a large bag, and walk through the door. He smiled when, minutes later, he heard a car engine start. He went to the window and saw the short woman driving the large, rusty red pickup truck. Whatever the case, that woman was truly unlike anything he'd ever seen.
...
"Why did you come here, Shikamaru?"
"What? Why? I came to see you, Sasuke, to support you. We're cousins and friends, have you forgotten?"
"I don't need you here. You can get lost."
"What?"
"You think I didn't hear Nara? You're