Reincarnation: The Uzumaki Awakens

NARUTO SNEAKS INTO THE BATHHOUSE, HEART RACING...

He slips inside unnoticed, steam filling the air. Suddenly, he's face to face with a surprising scene...

HIS EYES WIDEN, NOSE STARTS BLEEDING PROFUSELY

Naruto's mind goes blank for a split second before panic sets in – he needs to escape!

HE TURNS AROUND AND SPRINTS OUT OF THE BATHHOUSE, NOSEBLEEDING CONTINUOUSLY

Once outside, he leans against the wall, gasping for air. Nosebleed slowly fading...

NARUTO THINKS, STILL LOOKING FLUSTERED:

"That was... unexpected. System's gonna pay for this mission..."

[ SYSTEM'S VOICE CRACKLES IN NARUTO'S EARPIECE...

ദ്ദി(ᵔᗜᵔ)

"Mission rewards unlocked: Shurikenjutsu Mastery achieved – techniques downloadable now. Attribute restoration successful. ]

Naruto exhales relief, but suddenly hears Sakura's voice behind him

SAKURA'S ACCUSATORY TONE SHOCKS HIM:

"Naruto Uzumaki... I saw you running from the bathhouse! What were you doing spying on us?!"

Naruto's eyes widen in panic or his reputation will be ruined if she tells anyone

HE GRABS SAKURA, LIPS CRUSHING AGAINST HERS IN DESPERATION:

Sakura's eyes flutter closed, surprised, as Naruto whispers urgently

"Never tell anyone about this, Sakura... never!"

Then, just as suddenly, Naruto releases her and SPRINTS AWAY INTO THE NIGHT

Sakura stands frozen, lips still tingling, eyes slowly opening in a daze

HER EXPRESSION CHANGES FROM SHOCK TO CONFUSION TO A HINT OF CURIOUSITY:

"What just... happened?" Sakura whispers aloud, touching her lips gently.

She sways slightly, still disoriented, then suddenly snaps back to awareness

SAKURA'S EYES NARROW, MIND RACING:

"Naruto ... this isn't over."

SAKURA RUSHES TO HER HOME, LOCKS THE DOOR BEHIND HER, AND LEANS AGAINST IT...

Her mind replays the shocking kiss and Naruto's desperate lips on hers

SHE TOUCHES HER LIPS GENTLY, STILL FEELING THE PRESSURE AND WARMTH:

"Why did he do that?" Sakura whispers aloud, eyes narrowing in thought

She pushes off the door and walks slowly to her bedroom mirror

STUDIES HER REFLECTION, LIPS STILL SLIGHTLY SWOLLEN, FACE FLUSHED:

Naruto's behavior was so out of character and usually he's cheerful and reckless, not desperate and intimate.

Sakura's thoughts swirl with questions and unexpected curiosity about Naruto

HER MIND WANDERS TO TIMES THEY'VE TRAINED TOGETHER, TEASED EACH OTHER – COULD THERE BE MORE?

Suddenly, Sakura's eyes sparkle with determination

SHE WHISPERS TO HER REFLECTION:

"I'm going to find out why Naruto Uzumaki kissed me."

NEXT DAY AT HOKAGE ACADEMY CLASSROOM, STUDENTS CHATTER BEFORE SENSEI IRIKA ARRIVES...

Sakura sits quietly, eyes fixed on her notes ,unusually subdued

INO LEANS OVER TO SAKURA, WHISPERING:

"Hey Sakura, everything okay? You're really quiet today..."

Sakura nods slightly, still not looking up and especially avoiding Naruto's direction

INO NOTICES THIS AND RAISES AN EYEBROW, THINKING:

"Wait a minute... yesterday Sakura was arguing with Naruto-kun, now she won't even look at him?"

Class starts, Sensei Iruka lectures on ninjutsu history break time arrives soon

BREAK TIME BELL RINGS, STUDENTS CHEER – HINATA GETS UP, BLUSHING SLIGHTLY:

She walks over to Naruto, holding a small lunchbox

HINATA'S VOICE SOFT AND SHY:

"N-Naruto-kun, I brought you some lunch... my mom made sandwiches."

Naruto's face lights up with a happy grin

NARUTO EXCITEDLY:

"Thanks Hinata-chan! You're the best

[ CONTINUE ]ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧