Naruto : Nameless Brothel

The crisis room door burst open, revealing a visibly frustrated Temari. After hours of fruitless debates, no concrete decision had been made. The enemy ninjas were likely from Iwa, but without solid proof, accusing the village was out of the question. Gaara needed rest, and a diplomatic war would only complicate things further.

Temari strode down the hallway, her fan firmly strapped to her back. She wanted to hit something, to release the frustration consuming her. As she neared her quarters, a familiar silhouette caught her attention.

On the rooftop, legs dangling over the edge, Naruto gazed at the night sky. The moonlight illuminated his pensive expression. Temari stopped in her tracks. Her heart clenched as she recalled their recent battle against the unknown ninjas. Naruto had fought with rare ferocity, as if protecting Gaara was a personal mission.

She bit her lip, pushing away her thoughts. Ever since his arrival, Naruto had done nothing but help. So why did this uneasy feeling linger?

Taking a deep breath, she climbed onto the rooftop and approached him.

"You'll catch a cold, idiot."

Naruto glanced at her lazily before flashing a teasing grin.

"Didn't think you'd worry about me. That's cute!"

"In your dreams," she shot back, crossing her arms.

"Then what are you doing up here so late, sitting next to me?" Naruto persisted.

"I... I... ugh, you!" Caught off guard, she pouted, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks before she smiled.

"After all, Naruto is still Naruto," she thought. It reassured her to see him relaxing as well, since he had remained intensely focused since the mission began.

Naruto burst into laughter and patted the spot beside him. After a brief hesitation, she sat down, casting her gaze toward the star-filled sky. A comfortable silence settled between them before she finally spoke.

"I wanted to thank you… for Gaara."

Naruto's smile softened.

"Don't worry about it. That was my mission, after all."

"Hm…"

She lowered her gaze slightly, and after a few seconds, broke the silence again.

"He suffered a lot… He grew up alone, feared by everyone. Our own father…"

Her voice wavered slightly, and she looked away.

Hearing this, memories resurfaced in Naruto's mind as he continued staring at the stars. He, too, had been through a lot.

"I know what that's like," he finally replied, his tone quieter.

Temari glanced at him, intrigued.

"I never knew my parents, and for the longest time, the village looked at me like I was a mistake… a monster."

A pang of guilt tightened in her chest. She, too, had once seen Naruto as a loud, foolish nobody. And just recently, she had mentally called him a monster while he was trying to save her brother.

"N-Naruto… I'm sorry."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, studying her. She averted her gaze, visibly uncomfortable.

"For the way I used to see you," she continued. "I thought you were just an annoying, noisy kid… But you're so much more than that."

Silence hung between them before Naruto sighed.

"You're right. But it doesn't matter anymore… though calling me annoying? That hurts."

Temari rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I said."

"Oh, no, that's exactly what you said!"

He laughed, and despite herself, she smiled.

"You're unbearable."

"And you're smiling, even though you looked like an old grouch five minutes ago."

"WHAT?!"

Naruto erupted into laughter, and to her surprise, Temari found herself laughing along. It was strange… but nice. For the first time in a while, she felt lighter.

"Thank you, Naruto."

He raised an eyebrow at her.

"For making me laugh."

Naruto smirked. "Did you get possessed or something? Since when are you this nice?!"

She shook her head, amused. Maybe, just maybe, Naruto Uzumaki was someone she wanted to get to know better.

After sharing a lighthearted moment under the stars, Naruto and Temari climbed down from the rooftop, returning to the dimly lit corridor. The cool night air still clung to their skin, and though fatigue weighed on their shoulders, the atmosphere felt more relaxed.

However, as they turned the corner, they stumbled upon two familiar figures: Sakura and a ninja Naruto didn't immediately recognize. The latter wore black attire, had pale skin, and an expression that was utterly unreadable.

Sakura stiffened upon seeing Naruto.

"Naruto… What is he doing here?"

The blond's gaze darkened instantly. His cheerful expression vanished, replaced by an unusual coldness. Temari noticed the shift and observed the scene carefully.

"Sakura, how are you?" Temari greeted with a slight bow. "Thank you for your help on this mission. We know you fought Sasori…"

Sakura nodded.

"We arrived after you left Suna. Kankuro mentioned another suspicious location, so we followed that lead and…"

She hesitated, memories of the battle resurfacing.

"We ran into Sasori, Deidara's partner. It was a tough fight… and he got away."

Naruto sighed inwardly. Once again, the enemy had slipped through their fingers. Gaara had nearly died, and despite everything, a major Akatsuki member had still escaped.

Naruto stepped forward, intending to walk past them without a word.

Then, he felt it.

A murderous aura.

Crushing. Oppressive.

Naruto's eyes immediately locked onto the source of the threat: the new Team 7 member.

Sai.

Even with that ever-present, artificial smile, Sai's gaze was sharp, calculating. But that fake expression couldn't mask the killing intent radiating from him.

"Sai!" Sakura gasped, alarm in her voice.

But before she could react, a sudden pressure filled the corridor.

Heavy. Suffocating.

The air itself seemed to vibrate under an invisible force.

A chilling sensation crawled down everyone's spine.

Nearby guards rushed toward them, hands on their weapons.

"An attack?!" one of them shouted.

But it wasn't an attack.

Naruto's eyes had changed.

In the dimly lit hallway, his pupils had turned a deep, menacing crimson, slitted like those of a beast.

With a single glance, the aura of the Nine-Tails crushed everything in its wake.

Sai, so sure of himself just moments ago, flinched. A flicker of emotion—perhaps surprise, or even fear—crossed his eyes.

Temari shivered. This wasn't the same Naruto from a few minutes ago. The energy emanating from him felt… wild. Uncontrollable.

Sakura paled.

"Naruto…" she murmured.

Sai tensed, then slowly stepped back. His forced smile didn't waver, but his body betrayed newfound caution.

"My apologies," he finally said. "I didn't intend to provoke such a reaction."

The murderous aura gradually faded, along with the suffocating pressure in the hallway.

Naruto remained still for a moment, fists still clenched. Then, without a word, without even glancing at them, he turned on his heel and walked away.

Sakura wanted to call after him, but the words died in her throat.

He didn't want to talk.

Temari, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, watched as Naruto's figure disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.