Chapter 82: Well Done, Little Kurama
Yu felt somewhat helpless—he'd only asked casually...
Sasuko looked at this block-headed brother and suddenly felt deflated.
Naruko always said that being the sister gave her every advantage, but it was precisely this identity that made it difficult for her to cross that invisible boundary.
Sasuko's spirits remained low as she only responded with a flat "Oh."
Yu walked before her and gently ruffled her hair. "What's wrong? Did you argue with Naruko?"
Sasuko lifted her small face, gazing at Yu's expression full of caring gentleness.
She suddenly wanted to ask.
If I weren't your sister... what kind of gaze would you use to look at me?
But the words ultimately stuck in her throat, transforming into a barely audible sigh.
She only pressed her forehead lightly against Yu's palm, nuzzling like when she acted spoiled as a child.
"It's nothing... just a bit tired."
Sasuko suddenly said softly, "Yu, could you... hold me like when I was little?"
Yu paused slightly. "Why this sudden request?"
Sasuko lowered her lashes, long and trembling. "No particular reason... can you, Yu?"
She lifted her small face, those usually cool black eyes now misting over, pink lips slightly pouting.
Yu looked at his sister's rarely revealed vulnerable appearance and finally softened, opening his arms.
Sasuko gently threw herself into his embrace, arms circling his waist, cheek pressed against his chest.
Yu habitually stroked her raven-black hair, the faint fragrance from her tresses softly lingering.
Sasuko closed her eyes, feeling the steady heartbeat by her ear.
Just like this... just a little longer.
...
That night, autumn wind scattered fallen leaves as Naruko walked aimlessly through the streets alone.
She who always showed a brilliant smile now wore a face full of melancholy.
Thinking of Sasuko about to take her graduation exam—with her abilities, she'd easily pass, especially since she'd taught her all the exam points.
Though she knew that after Sasuko graduated, her own chances would become even slimmer...
She'd thought about giving up but ultimately couldn't accept it.
To Naruko, Yu was different from everyone else. After becoming Nine-Tails' jinchuriki, she could sense others' true emotions: some people spoke of liking while hiding calculations or desire in their hearts.
Only Yu... remained as clear and bright as moonlight.
He was lofty yet not arrogant, gentle and tolerant yet not ambiguous.
In Naruko's heart, he was like an unreachable star—so beautiful she dared not profane it, yet couldn't help wanting to draw near.
A hoarse voice suddenly came from the darkness. "Well, little girl, why do you look so unhappy?"
Naruko immediately grew alert. "Who?!" A golden arm formed from Tailed Beast chakra suddenly lunged at the shadowy area but caught nothing.
The voice came from another direction. "If you like someone, you should pursue them! Want to make a deal with me?"
"I'll make your wishes come true~ Hehe."
Naruko could hear the temptation in those words and sense the malice hidden within.
"I don't need it."
Even if she ultimately couldn't have her wish, she wouldn't do anything to sadden Yu.
Even if she could only watch from afar...
The golden arm struck toward the voice's source again.
Only after Naruko sensed that eerie voice had completely vanished did the golden chakra flames burning on her body gradually dissipate.
Meanwhile, in a hidden underground cavern depths, a mass of writhing black sludge was carefully studying ancient scrolls.
Suddenly, its movements paused as it muttered mockingly, "The idiots of Asura's line are always so stubborn." Viscous ripples of irritation passed over its surface. "But that other girl constantly clinging to that monster is more troublesome... can't find any opening at all."
Obscure characters on the scroll flickered in the dim light as Black Zetsu's form writhed restlessly.
It had prepared this plan for a thousand years, only to have everything disrupted by a monster that appeared from nowhere. Mother's release from the seal grew increasingly distant.
Could it really need to...
The cavern returned to silence, only the faint sound of scrolls being turned, like a venomous snake slithering in the dark.
After this small episode, Naruko returned home.
Though the commissions she'd taken these two years had accumulated considerable wealth, she still lived in that initial small apartment. "I'm home!" she said to the empty room, which as usual had no response.
Naruko kicked off her shoes irritably and pulled off her jacket, revealing a fair and alluring body.
Water poured from the showerhead, sliding down her graceful curves. Warm droplets slid over full fruits, along her slender waist to converge between her legs.
She tilted her face up, letting the water wash over her, golden hair plastered wetly against flushed cheeks. Her fingertips unconsciously traced across skin, as if this could wash away the melancholy in her heart.
The bathroom mirror fogged over, reflecting a hazy silhouette carrying adolescence's unique allure.
Why... of all people, does it have to be Sasuko...
This thought made her suddenly shut off the faucet, a self-mocking laugh coming from the mist. She wrapped herself in a bath towel and walked out, water droplets from her hair tips spreading lonely traces on the wooden floor.
Naruko flopped onto the bed, wet golden hair messily spread on the pillow, the bath towel barely concealing her graceful curves, the hem sliding to her thigh roots, exposing large expanses of snow-white skin. She casually turned off the light and buried her burning cheeks in the blanket.
In the darkness, the usually sunshine-bright girl suddenly began sobbing quietly. Her shoulders trembled slightly, tears silently soaking the pillowcase.
A small red fox materialized beside her, tilting its head and gently poking her trembling shoulder with its paw. "What's wrong, Naruko?" It could sense its host's surging sadness but didn't understand humans' complex emotions.
The bath towel slipped slightly with her sobs, revealing the smooth curve of her back.
The little fox circled anxiously, tail swishing restlessly.
She nuzzled Naruko's cheek with her fluffy head, comforting, "Don't cry..."
But Naruko's crying only intensified.
The little fox tilted her head thinking—ever since leaving that man's house today, her host had been dejected.
She tentatively spoke that name. "Is it because of Uchiha Yu?"
Naruko's crying abruptly stopped, her shoulders slightly stiffening. This reaction immediately gave the little fox her answer.
She watched her host bury her face deeper into the pillow, soft fur lightly brushing her reddened ear tips.
Little Kurama suddenly had an inspiration. "I know! Does Naruko want to see him? Watch this!" With that, she transformed into red light and merged into Naruko's body.
Naruko lifted her tear-blurred face. "Wh-what are you doing?"
Little Kurama answered innocently, "Letting you go see him!" As she spoke, she skillfully formed seals, the Flying Thunder God formula instantly lighting up with golden light in the darkness.
"Wait!" Naruko hastily tried to stop it, but the chakra had already begun surging.
In a flash of golden light, she instantly vanished from her location, leaving only a loose bathrobe spread on the bed, still carrying warm dampness.
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