"The sun still rises. Even after the worst nights."
---
It started with silence.
Not the kind that echoes through battlefields.
But the quiet that comes after.
The one that lives in hospital rooms and sleepy mornings, where people are healing—and pretending not to.
---
Sasuke was bandaged like a burrito.
He scowled at everything.
Especially Naruto.
"You're the reason I got stabbed," he muttered.
"You're alive, aren't you?" Naruto shot back.
"I was trying to be cool."
"You looked like a pin cushion."
"Tch."
Despite the bickering, they didn't leave each other's side.
That said more than either of them would ever admit.
---
Kakashi was reading again.
Back to his usual Icha Icha antics.
But I caught him glancing at the sky.
Sometimes at nothing.
Sometimes toward the sea.
He was quieter too.
Not somber—just... reflective.
When I asked him if he was okay, he said, "I am now."
---
I spent my time running light exercises with my system—slow recovery sets, stretching, rebuilding torn muscle fibers. No XP pop-ups. No stat boosts.
Just sweat and soreness.
It felt good.
Real.
---
Tazuna's House Became a Refuge
We stayed for a few extra days.
Tsunami cooked.
Inari clung to Naruto like he was a superhero (which, let's be honest, he kinda was).
At night, the four of us would sit on the roof.
Naruto told dumb stories.
Sasuke insulted them.
I recorded all of it in my journal, pretending not to smile.
---
And then—
Naruto asked the Big Question.
"So, uh… do we all like each other now, or…?"
Cue awkward silence.
Sasuke: "No."
Me: "Tolerate."
Naruto: "Best friends, got it."
---
The Mood Shifted.
The longer we stayed, the more we felt like a team.
We helped repair parts of the village.
Played ninja tag with the kids (Sasuke hated it).
Even Kakashi cracked a few dry jokes.
There was still sadness—but it wasn't choking anymore.
It lived with us like a scar.
One we chose to carry.
---
Then One Morning—
Kakashi stood at the door with his arms crossed.
"Pack your things," he said. "We're heading back to Konoha."
Naruto groaned. "Nooo, I finally beat Inari at rock-paper-scissors."
Tazuna gave us a full send-off. Inari cried. Tsunami hugged Naruto so tight he wheezed.
We walked away with full packs, full hearts, and half a dozen bent shuriken Naruto tried to gift the kid.
---
On the Road Back—
Naruto challenged Sasuke to a race.
Sasuke said no.
Naruto ran anyway.
Sasuke ran faster.
I walked.
Kakashi read.
Classic.
---
Back in the Leaf Village, days later:
We were dust-covered, tired—and kind of proud.
The Hokage welcomed us back with a warm nod.
Then handed Kakashi a scroll.
"Chūnin Exams are coming," he said. "Think your team's ready?"
Kakashi glanced back at us.
Naruto was picking his nose.
Sasuke looked bored.
I was doing push-ups in the lobby.
He sighed.
"…Yeah. Unfortunately."
---
Journal Entry 5:
> We lost people on that bridge.
But we found something too.
A team. A purpose.
Also Naruto owes me 14 dumplings for carrying him back after he sprained his ego racing Sasuke.