Ninja In Love (Sasuke X Oc)
17

...❝Inari❞'s...

SHIORI POV

As we sat down at the table and ate, Mr. Tazuna started laughing

"Hehehe, this is amazing! It's been a long time since we had so many guests around our table"

Naruto and Sasuke finished their meal and finished it

"I want more!" they said at the same time

Sakura and I looked at them as they glared at each other

They vomit

"Don't eat too much if you're gonna spit it out!" sakura said

"Sakura's right Sasuke. There's no point in eating if you're going to spit it all out" I told her with slightly furrowed brows

"I have to eat" he told me

"And I have to eat more of it. It's the only possible way for me to be strong enough to defeat him" Naruto exasperated

"Stay away. Disgusting" I said as I covered my mouth with a handkerchief in disdain

"You both make me lose my appetite" I whispered

"That's very true. But vomiting won't help you" Kakashi Sensei told them

"Yes" Sakura nodded

"You eat like pigs. Where's your manners?" I said, still not seeing them

We continued eating. Everyone is done. We started drinking tea. I stayed at the table, lecturing Sasuke about his manners

"Honestly Sasuke. You know I love you but such behavior is unacceptable in my book. You and I both belong to the Noble Clan and both have firm parents, our manners must always be restrained. The discipline of the two of us is the best, so I never thought you could eat like a pig, even in front of me" I started to scold

"I said I'm sorry" Sasuke said softly

SAKURA POV

I left the table. I saw a picture, it was everyone in the family, but it was torn

"Excuse me" I turned around

"This picture is ripped. Is there a reason for that?" I asked

"Inari, you keep glancing at her all dinner. Looks like someone else is with you in the picture. But they're ripped. I mean, that's kind of weird, isn't it?" I added

Everyone seems uncomfortable. Shiori stopped lecturing Sasuke and they looked at me. Kakashi Sensei and Naruto did the same. Mr. Tazuna put on an angry face again. And Inari looked down

"This is my husband" replied Miss Tsunami as she continued washing dishes

"They used to call him a hero in this country" Tazuna said calmly

Inari jumped out of her chair without saying a word

Miss Tsunami turned around

"Come here, where are you going?" She asked

He left without a word and slammed the door behind him. Miss Tsunami rushed after him. Before he left, he turned to Mr. Tazuna

"Dad, you can't talk about him like that in front of Inari, you know that!" He snorted and closed the door

"Come so—I mean, what happened to her?" I asked

"Hm. Is there a story behind this?" Kakashi Sensei asked

"He's not his real father. He will come to our family later. And he gave us so much happiness. He and Inari were very close" Mister Tazuna began

Naruto saw the picture. Inari smiled, was happy, and laughed

"In those days, Inari used to laugh all the time" Mr. Tazuna pointed to the picture

"But then, it's all over" Mr. Tazuna said

We looked to see it. There were tears that washed his cheeks

"He never laughed or smiled again, from that day everything changed. The word 'courage' has been stolen from this country. We felt helpless, desperate, and Inari suffered the most. From that day on, since it happened" Mr. Tazuna said, looking at the table

I sat on the little bench behind the desk

"Tell us. What happened to Inari?" Kakashi Sensei asked curiously

"First, you need to know about the man, his father. The man who taught us the word 'courage', who is the hero of this country" Mr. Tazuna took off his glasses and wiped away his tears

"Hero? Really true?" I asked

"You can decide for yourself. He came here about three years ago"

...•~•~•~•~•~•👑•~•~•~•~•~•...

"Pouch!" Shouted Inari, battling against the two boys behind her

"Pochi, no!"

The dog on the arm of another child started barking hearing his name

"That's not his name" Akane, the boy holding the dog said "From today, it's called Shooting Star. And he's my dog now!"

"No, he's not! She's mine! And his name isn't Shooting Star, I've had it since he was a kid. He's my friend and he's not yours!" Shouted Inari while trying to break away from the two children who were holding her back

"Shut up!" Akane yells

He looked at Pochi and grinned

He threw Pochi in the water. Pochi started to rebel, then howled

"Pouch!"

"See what happens if you don't listen to me? Now, I won't lift a single finger to help him" Akane smirked and looked at the two boys

"Okay, you can let go"

The two release Inari, clenching her fists, facing Akane

"Why did you do that? My dog will drown!"

"Ha! If he's your dog, jump in and catch him. Be a great hero and save your friends!"

Inari jerks

"After all that big talk, you're not gonna let him go broke, are you?" Akane sneered

Inari took a few steps closer to the edge

'I have to jump and save him! But me, I can't '

"Hey, you're fighting him. Catch her!" Akane pushes Inari into the water near Pochi

"I think you're too far Akane. He may have really drowned or something" one of his friends said

"T-please! Help me!" Shouted Inari while struggling to keep her head above the water

"Forget it" Akane replied

"You say one more word and you'll come in next, okay?" Akane said angrily while holding onto her friend's shirt

At that moment Pochi was doing a dog paddle

"Hey, Shooting Star's on the run! Catch her!"

Inaru stopped thrashing and sank underwater

'Oh no. I can't breathe! '

Inari closed her eyes

"wake up? Finally" Inari heard a voice she did not recognize

Inari gasped and sat down

"I've talked a little bit with those kids. They won't bother you anymore" the man continued

"This. Eat up!"

'Am I alive? Is this real?'

"Did you pull me out of the water, sir?" ask Inari

The man chuckled

"Eat first. Then we can talk about everything"

"Hm. I see, you are also the dog that abandoned you huh? In my country dogs are very loyal. They stood beside their master. After all, you left the dog first so what do you expect?"

"I really wanted to save her but I froze, I was so scared. I don't think I have the courage"

"Hey come on, don't be so hard on yourself, you're a kid. If I were your age, I would be scared too, it wouldn't be a big deal. But always remember this. Live your life so you have nothing to do." regrets. If you care about something, protect it as hard as you can, as fast as you have to keep trying even if you have to risk your life. Protect with both hands. Never give up"

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

"His name is Kaiza, a simple fisherman who came here from another land to pursue his dream. After that, Inari and Kaiza were inseparable. The boy never knew his real father, so you never imagined what it meant to him when he met Kaiza. He saved his life, he admired it, followed in his footsteps like a true father and son. Kaiza spent more time with us until she naturally became a member of our family . And then he became something more"

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

"See where the gate is? We need to put a line in there to close it"

"Line? You have to swim there to do that! Not likely. No one can get through that stream"

"If we don't do it, the entire district will be wiped out! It's the only way!"

Kaiza broke through the crowd, "I'll do it!"

"Don't be stupid! You'll never make it!"

"Dad" Inari said anxiously

"Don't worry," said Kaiza, putting her hand over Inari's head

"Nobody can stop your father. This is our village, so we have to do whatever it takes to help"

Kaiza tied the rope around her waist

The words that Kaiza spoke when they first met ringed in Inari's mind

"If you care about something, protect it. Even if you have to risk your life, protect it with both hands! Never give up!"

"Dad! I know you can do it!" Shouts Inari

Kaiza climbed up the gate and put up the rope

"All right! Let's pull it closer!"

"Everyone, come!"

•~•~•~•~•~•

"Since then, Kaiza has been considered a hero of this country. He taught us all the meaning of courage, and Inari was very proud to be his son. But it turns out that not long after, Gato appears and takes over. He terrorized the whole village. Only Kaiza is fighting him. Gato could not let the local hero stand in his way. It took his whole gang to stop one man. All the villages, including Inari, witnessed her execution. Gato used his death as an example, to make us fear him and make nothing stand in his way"

"Ouch" I swore

Everyone had a strange expression on their faces

"Since that day, Inari changed. So did the Tsunami, and all our people. We're losing spirit"

I noticed that Naruto was silent and still, his head was lying down and he was staring at the picture

He got up, headed to the door and traveled

"What are you doing Naruto?" I asked

"You better take a leave of absence. No more training. You've used too much chakra. If you push harder, it can kill you" Kakashi Sensei told him

"I'll prove it!" Naruto stated

"Prove what?" I asked him

"I'll prove that-that's true" Naruto said as he forced himself to stand up

"That in this world, there are true heroes!"

...•~•~•~•~•~•👑•~•~•~•~•~•...

SHIORI POV

I got up and did my morning routine, making sure I kept my appearance as neat and beautiful as ever while the others continued to sleep

'*sigh*difficulty being beautiful😌.just kidding. I'm beautiful even without trying🙂'

After an hour, I walked up to Sasuke's futon and bowed

"Sasuke's. Time to wake up" I shook it lightly

He groaned and slowly opened his eyes

- Passing Time

Sasuke and I went down to breakfast

Everyone is here except Sakura and Naruto

Sakura walked to the table and yawned

"Good morning everyone" he said sleepily

He's sitting at the end of the table

Miss Tsunami is approaching us

"Here" he said as he handed Sakura his breakfast

"Thank you" he said

Sakura rubbed her eyes

"Naruto isn't here? Looks like he's out all night again" said Mr. Tazuna

"He's really crazy, he's climbing a tree in the dark" Sakura said

"He could be dead by now, you know, for using too much chakra" I said

"Well, I hope he's okay" said Tsunami, bringing another bowl to the table

"A kid spends the night in the woods alone"

"Nothing to worry about. Naruto is a silly boy, but he is also a true ninja. He can handle himself" Kakashi Sensei assured him

"Shiori's right. Naruto loser. He was probably lying dead somewhere" Sasuke got up and headed for the door

"Sasuke?" Sakura turned around

"But we just started eating" he said

Sakura saw Sasuke's plate

"Huh? That's fast"

I wake up too. I bowed and followed Sasuke

"You're Shiori too?" Sakura asked worriedly and jealously

Sasuke opened the door and turned around to wait for me. As soon as I walked past him, he followed me and closed the door

"Do you think Naruto is really lying dead somewhere?"

"Know him. Maybe not"

'Finally. I'm alone with Sasuke. Now it's more like that'

"You just shut up. Is there something on your mind? Or are you really worried about that stupid idiot?"

"I was just thinking about how happy I was to be alone with you" I said as I hugged her arm

"Yes. Me either. Besides, I definitely would rather be with you than that fool"

"Aww"

"I wish this moment could last longer but unfortunately it will be over soon as we find Naruto" I sighed sadly

"Why do you think we're here to find that loser?" ask Sasuke

"I'm quite observant and logical. Besides, I know you enough to know what you're thinking" I replied

"Same goes for me you know"

We continued our exchange of sweet words as we headed for the forest

We walked to where we practiced before

NARUTO POV

The brother stopped in his tracks

"Oh anyway. I'm male"

"Eh? Huh uh?" I looked at him in disbelief

'Ah 'Ah. Impossible. She is more beautiful than Sakura!'

SASUKE POV

We ran into someone with long black hair, dark brown eyes, and pale skin. I turned around to look back at the man

"Huh?" Shiori looked at me then looked where I was looking and then looked back at me

"What'sthis? I'm definitely much prettier. Are you trying to imply something here?" Shiori asked calmly with obvious anger in her voice and expression

..."Whahuh? No" answered...

"Oh, I've seen a lot of weird things in my life before, but this one took the cake!" naruto said

I hit Naruto on the head

"Hey, what are you doing that for? Stop that!"

"You jerk. Did you just forget about breakfast? You are a complete loser" I said as I crossed his arms

Naruto started laughing and we raised eyebrows. And turn our bodies a little bit away from it

...•~•~•~•~•~•👑•~•~•~•~•~•...

We heard voices

"Knowing Naruto, he could be anywhere! And Sasuke and Shiori have not returned either. I wonder where they are" Sakura said coming from below us

"Do it" said Naruto

"Shiori" I called her to attract her attention

"Huh?" she's staring at me

I nodded at him and he nodded back

Shiori took out a kunai and threw it near Kakashi Sensei and Sakura. We jumped off the branch and onto the other branch, leaving Naruto behind

They were staring at Naruto

"Woah, Naruto can climb that high now using his Chakra? It's great!" Sakura said, impressed

"What do you think? High enough for you guys? I mean, far down, huh?" Naruto asked while clinging to the branch

She stood beside me and Shiori, one of her legs slipped. He started falling off the branches

"Naruto!" yell Sakura

"Uh-Oh" said Kakashi Sensei

Sakura shouted

He focuses his Chakra onto his feet and catches himself to where he hangs upside down

Naruto started laughing

"Hahaha, just kidding!"

"You are really in love! I'm here planning it all the time" Naruto laughed

"We're worried about you Naruto!" yell Sakura

SAKURA POV

'I'll strangle you. Cha. You fools!'

KAKASHI POV

'Why do I think this is gonna end badly?'

SASUKE POV

Naruto is awake. His feet suddenly cut off from the tree

"You just have to push him, don't you, show off?" yell Sakura

Shouted Naruto. I dashed down the tree I was in, with Shiori following behind me. I jumped into the tree where Naruto fell and stopped in the middle of the road to reach out and catch him

"You really are Naruto's loser" I told him

"Well? Sasuke!" Naruto said, surprised

"Alright Sasuke! You are the best!" Sakura cheered

"Are you okay Naruto?" ask Shiori

"Yes" he nodded

Shiori and I helped Naruto

- Passing Time

Naruto and I were up in the tree

"Let's go back" I said coldly

"Good!" Naruto nyengir

SHIORI POV

"Now they're both late. I can't expect that from Sasuke" Sakura said

"Yes" I nodded

The door suddenly opened. Sasuke and Naruto. Sasuke helped Naruto stand up by wrapping Naruto's arm around his shoulder and helping him stand up

I became bright and walked towards Sasuke

"That's her. I'm starting to worry you know" I told her, my hands on her chest as I smiled at her

"Sorry about that" He smiled at me

"What have you done? You look like something that a cat dragged in" commented Mr. Tazuna

"My Sasuke still looks handsome to me" I said daydreaming

"Hehe. We both made it. We climb to the top" Naruto said proudly

"good. Now we continue. From tomorrow, you two will be Tazuna's bodyguards

Naruto fell making Sasuke fall too

"Ah. You're a complete loser" lamented Sasuke

We laugh at them

"A few more days. The bridge will be finished. I have to thank you for that"

"All of you have done well but you still have to be careful" Tsunami said

"I've wanted to ask you this for a long time, but I haven't had a chance until now. Why did you stay and protect me even after you found out I lied to bring you here?" Mr. Tazuna asked

"'Those who deviate from the path of justice have no courage but under the wing of a strong leader, cowardice cannot endure'" Kakashi Sensei said

"Huh?" said Miss Tsunami

"That's a quote from the first Hokage" Kakashi Sensei explained

I saw Inari staring at Naruto

"But why?" ask Inari

"Hmm?" Naruto stared at her

"What did you say?" Naruto asked

Inari slammed her hand on the table

"All this stupid training is just a waste of time. Gato has an entire army, they will defeat you and they will destroy you! The cool things you all said, it doesn't mean anything. Whatever you do, the strong always win and the weak always lose!"

"Talk to yourself. It wouldn't be like that for me, okay?" naruto said

"Why don't you shut up? Just seeing you makes me sick. You know nothing about this country. You just interfere. Always laughing and playing. You don't know what it's like to suffer." and be treated like shit!" Shouts Inari

I saw Naruto, a different aura around him

"Listen to yourself whining and complaining like a regretful victim. You can whine all day for everything I care about. You are just a coward" Naruto said

"Naruto, you go far!" reprimand Sakura

Naruto groaned and stood up

"Naruto" Sakura said worriedly

- Passing Time

KAKASHI POV

I approached Inari

"May I speak with you?" I asked

He looked at me and turned his head back

I sit next to him

"Naruto can be a little hard sometimes. But he doesn't hate you. Your grandfather told us what happened to your father. You may not know this but... Naruto also grew up without a father. In fact, he never knew his parents. And he has no friends in our village. Well. Other than Shiori, who was friends with everyone. But she rarely hangs out with him because she spends most of her time with her boyfriend"

"Huh?" Inari looked at me

"Stay away. I've never seen him cry or give up. He was always, eager to jump. He wanted to be respected, it was his dream and he would risk his life for it in an instant. My guess is, she just got tired of crying and decided to do something. Even though he was young and still learning, he knew what it meant to be strong, just like your father. I think he knows better than us what you're back through"

"Huh?"

"What Naruto said before, as cruel as it sounds, he probably said that to himself a thousand times"

SHIORI POV

"Sasuke's. Now it's your turn to take a shower" I said as I exited the bathroom

"Right" he nodded

"I'm going out to get some fresh air" I said

"Don't go far. It's dangerous" he warned me

"No way" I nodded at him

"Hn" he replied as he entered the bathroom

I stepped out of the house

"Shiori's? What are you doing here?" Someone asked

I looked up at the roof where the sound was coming from and saw Naruto

"Just get some fresh air" I replied as I joined him on the roof

"Are you okay?" I asked

"You look really angry back there" I commented

"The boy pisses me off" he said

"Shiori" I heard Sasuke calling

Naruto and I looked down to see Sasuke staring at us

"Come Naruto. It's time to take a shower" I said as I jumped down

"Come" said Naruto

He tripped over the gutter and fell, facing first

"Geeh!"

"You're really stupid" Sasuke commented

"You should be really careful" I smiled

Sasuke and I walked towards Naruto, grabbed his leg and dragged him back inside the house

"AAAAAHHHH! IT HURTS!"