"Little Itachi really likes Naraku."
Mikoto was happy to see the two children getting along so well, and she picked up her camera to take a photo.
This was already her third roll of film; the first two had been developed and bound into an album, which she would flip through when she had nothing else to do.
Unfortunately, among the dozens of photos, everyone else had smiles to varying degrees, but only Naraku couldn't smile like he used to.
He couldn't even manage a feigned smile, no matter how hard he tried to put on an act.
Lady Tsunade said that Naraku's brain had undergone some kind of lesion, causing him to lose control of his facial nerves and muscles, which is why he couldn't express many emotions.
But Mikoto knew in her heart that the lesion was secondary; the main reason was that Naraku was in too much pain.
When those sharp long swords pierced his soul, they did so cleanly and ruthlessly, and even now, his heart was bleeding and had never healed.
Mikoto was only down for a moment before she brightened up, thinking of a good idea for afternoon tea: "Let's roast some oranges! Let's call Kushina, oh, and Sister Kana seems to be off today too!"
"O-o-oranges!"
Itachi, not understanding, imitated his mother, clapping his little hands, so excited that he almost tumbled off Naraku's lap, scaring the latter into quickly steadying him.
"Wow... o-o-oranges!"
"Alright, alright, Little Itachi, we'll eat oranges, we'll eat oranges~"
Not long after, Kushina, having received the news, rushed over with Kana and Shizune.
As soon as she entered the house, she took off her coat and burrowed into the kotatsu, letting out a satisfied sigh: "I'm alive again! Kana, Shizune, you two come in too!"
"Honestly," Mikoto said, placing the oranges on the small grill, chiding, "You're being too dramatic, Kushina, are you really that sensitive to cold?"
"Hehehe~"
Kushina pouted like a child and burrowed deeper into the blanket.
"Good afternoon, Sister Kushina, Sister Kana, Shizune."
After greeting them, Naraku lowered his head guiltily, trying to avoid Kana's gaze, but she cupped his face and rubbed it vigorously.
"What have you been messing with in the lab again, Naraku? Didn't I tell you not to push yourself!"
In Kana's perception, Naraku's Chakra flow had slowed down considerably again, and its activity was even lower than the last time they met. It was clear he had been staying up day and night, poring over those strange Sealing Jutsu, completely wrecking his body.
"Don't think that just because everyone is busy and can't keep an eye on you, you can do whatever you want to yourself!"
"S-s-sorry..." Naraku couldn't break free and could only endure it, pleading incoherently, "Sister Kana... I w-was wrong..."
"You're always quick to admit your mistakes, but when have you ever changed?"
Kana was both angry and heartbroken. She released Naraku's little face, which had been rubbed red, and poked his forehead hard with her index finger, issuing a stern warning: "Just wait until Lady Tsunade comes back to deal with you! Hmph!"
"Mm..."
Touching his faintly aching cheek, Naraku blinked at Kana a few times, only to be mercilessly rejected by her.
"Playing pitiful won't work either; just give up on that idea."
"How can you be like this... Sister Kana, I really know I was wrong..."
"Hahahaha..."
Time quietly slipped away amidst the laughter. Before they knew it, the sunlight outside the window had turned soft and warm, and there were only a few oranges and snacks left.
Naraku had indeed been exhausted from working on experiments these past few days. He was completely muddled, curled up in the blanket with Itachi, fast asleep, emitting steady and even breaths.
The other four exchanged glances, smiling in unison. They got up to tidy things, moving very carefully, afraid that any loud noise would wake him.
After the cleanup, Mikoto saw off Kushina, Kana, and Shizune. Just as she was about to close the door, she saw Fugaku returning with the setting sun, his expression grave.
She welcomed her husband in, asking as she drew the bolt: "What's wrong?"
Fugaku lowered his voice and said: "Let's talk inside."
The two went to the bedroom. After Fugaku recounted his conversation with Orochimaru that afternoon in detail, Mikoto was no less shocked than him and had to take several deep breaths to calm herself down.
"You're joking, right...?"
Mikoto twisted the hem of her skirt repeatedly, asking in a trembling voice: "Is this the only way? How could Naraku possibly agree... Even if it succeeds, he'll torment himself for the rest of his life..."
"The only solution Lord Orochimaru gave was this."
"Then, does Lady Tsunade have another method?"
"With the war currently stalemated, although Lady Tsunade can return once soon, it's impossible for her to stay in Konoha for an extended period to treat Naraku."
Fugaku shook his head, comforting his wife with a bitter smile: "It's alright, we probably still have two winters, so we can think about it slowly."
"Two..." Mikoto leaned on her husband's shoulder, her lips trembling as she repeated, "Two winters..."
...Days always slipped away unnoticed, as if in the blink of an eye, the time had reached the New Year.
The villagers of Konoha Village had always been very enthusiastic about celebrating the New Year, but the war had stolen their peace and joy, making this holiday, which should have been a time for reunion, heavy and oppressive.
The lively streets and shops of previous years were now deserted, leaving only desolation and silence.
There were no beautiful decorations, no cheerful laughter, and many familiar faces were gone.
Naraku only left the laboratory when it was almost dark, walking alone down the empty streets.
The streetlights on both sides of the road had lit up early, casting warm yellow light that vaguely reflected on the ground, elongating his solitary figure.
The cold wind whistled past his ears, like countless invisible hands tearing at his clothes, repeatedly pouring through the gaps into his hood and down his collar, attempting to freeze his blood.
-- If only I had known it would be this cold today, I wouldn't have thought a scarf was too much trouble.
A slight itch rose in his throat. Naraku suppressed the urge to cough and focused on walking, when he suddenly bumped into a figure that abruptly appeared in front of him.
"Ah... S-cough cough... Sorry."
He apologized instinctively, then recognized the other's eyes and exclaimed in surprise: "Kakashi? Didn't you send word that you'd be back tomorrow..."
"I told you, you never have to apologize to me."
Kakashi wrapped the scarf from his arm twice around Naraku's head, securely covering his head and neck.
As soon as the first loop of the scarf went on, the thick fabric almost completely blocked the biting wind. His head and face quickly warmed up, and Naraku comfortably squinted his eyes slightly, seeming to enjoy it greatly.
Seeing his eyes red from the cold, Kakashi, busy tying the rest of the scarf, sighed helplessly: "Didn't I tell you to always wear it when you go out?"
"Y-mm..."
Before he could finish the first syllable, Kakashi, looking displeased, suddenly tightened the scarf, stuffing Naraku's remaining words into his mouth, turning them into gurgling sounds.
Naraku finally managed to make a sound from within the heavy wrapping: "Mm, because I could finish the last little bit today, I was in a hurry, so—"
"What kind of Ninjutsu is it, exactly?"
Kakashi only left Naraku's eyes exposed. Afraid he couldn't see his feet, he took Naraku's left hand and put it into his own pocket, then began walking back home.
"It's a very powerful Ninjutsu, anyway. I'll tell you in a couple of days."
"Alright." Kakashi nodded, then added: "Don't work so hard anymore. No matter how powerful a Ninjutsu is, it's not as important as your body."
Naraku clasped his warm right hand, his voice a little louder.
"Okay."