The night was cold. The mountain was quiet.
Naruto had left first. Sasuke followed. Kakashi disappeared into the shadows.
I stayed. Sitting on the edge. Watching the village sleep.
WIND
Whistling through the trees.
I was alone. Like always. Like before I died. Like after.
THUMP
Something landed behind me.
Not Kakashi. Not Naruto. Too heavy.
I turned.
A woman. Short brown hair. Brown eyes. Green jacket.
My heart stopped.
Sakura.
She walked toward me. Sat down. Crossed her legs.
You're the ghost everyone is talking about.
I nodded.
She looked at the village. Her face was tired.
I was at the ceremony. You spoke well.
I said nothing.
My hands. My real hands. They healed a thousand soldiers in the war. Saved a hundred lives.
She held up her palms. Scarred. Calloused.
But no one calls me hero.
CRICKETS
Singing below.
Why are you here?
She looked at me. Her green eyes were sharp.
Because you look like someone who needs to hear something.
What?
You are not alone.
I laughed. A dry sound.
Hah.
I'm a dead man walking. A thief. A freak with a system.
She grabbed my wrist. Her grip was strong. Surprising.
My best friend is a boy with a demon inside him. My other friend is a clan killer. My teacher lost his eye and his best friend and his father.
She squeezed.
We are all freaks, Shin.
Silence.
The wind stopped.
I looked at her hand. On my wrist. Warm.
Why do you care?
She let go. Looked at the moon.
Because Naruto cares. And when Naruto cares about someone. I care too.
HAH.
A small laugh. From me.
You love him.
Her face turned red. Even in the dark, I saw it.
Shut up.
HAHAHA
I laughed. Real. Loud.
She punched my arm. Hard.
THWACK
Ow.
Good. You deserve it.
We sat in silence. Not uncomfortable. Just... quiet.
Sakura spoke. Her voice was soft.
I used to feel alone too. Weak. Useless. Always watching Naruto and Sasuke get stronger. Always left behind.
She hugged her knees.
Then I realized. Being alone was my choice. I pushed people away. Because I was afraid.
Afraid of what?
Of being seen. Of being known. Of someone looking at me and seeing nothing worth saving.
CRACK
I broke a small rock with my fingers.
That's exactly how I feel.
She turned to me. Her eyes were wet.
Then stop. Stop pushing. Let us in.
Who?
Me. Naruto. Sasuke. Kakashi. Even that grumpy old man at the ramen stand.
Hah.
I looked at my hands. The hands that killed a goddess.
I don't know how.
Sakura stood. Brushed off her jacket.
Start small. Eat with us tomorrow. Train with us. Talk to us.
She walked to the edge. Stopped.
Oh. And Shin?
What?
Naruto said you have Kurama inside you now.
My stomach turned.
Yes.
She smiled. A real smile. Warm.
Then you're really not alone. That fox has been with Naruto since birth. He's annoying. Loud. But loyal.
She jumped down. Landed on a lower rock.
THUD
Then another.
THUD
Gone.
I sat alone. The village below. The stars above.
RUMBLE
Low. Deep. Inside my chest.
A voice. Not mine. Not the system.
Grrrr...
Kurama.
I placed my hand on my stomach.
You're awake.
Hn. A growl. Then words. Rough. Old.
The pink-haired girl is right. You are not alone.
Why did you stay? When I gave Naruto his power back. Why did you stay with me?
Silence.
Then. A sigh.
Because Naruto asked me to.
My eyes widened.
What?
He whispered to me. Before you gave the power back. He said: "Protect him, Kurama. He's like me. Alone. Afraid. Pretending to be strong."
CRACK
My heart. Breaking.
Naruto. That idiot.
HAHAHA. Kurama's laugh. Deep. Shaking my bones.
Yes. He is an idiot. The biggest idiot. But his heart...
Silence.
His heart is the largest I have ever known.
I looked at the moon. Bright. Full.
So I'm not alone.
No. Kurama's voice was softer now. You have the idiot. The avenger. The copy ninja. The medic. And me.
RUMBLE
His chakra. Warm. Flowing through my veins.
Now sleep, ghost. Tomorrow we fight.
I lay back on the rock. Stared at the stars.
The first indication.
Not a sign. Not a vision.
Just a girl. A fox. And a truth I had been running from.
I was not alone.
CRICKETS
Singing.
My eyes closed.
For the first time in years. I slept without nightmares.