"You okay, Obito?"
Lumian stood by the doorway, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. He looked at the boy sitting on the white bed, guilt tugging at him as he spotted the bandages wrapped around Obito's head.
Next to the bed, Obito's orange goggles sat on the stand, seemingly removed so that someone could wrap the bandages around his head.
Rin stood beside the bed with her arms crossed. She glanced briefly at Lumian, then turned her attention back to Obito.
Obito didn't answer right away. He was glaring—not with anger, but with the kind of irritation someone shows when you bump into them in a hallway or take the last rice ball. His brows were furrowed, lips pressed into a thin line.
"You bastard.....," he muttered, cheeks puffed slightly. "You always act like you can't handle 10 push-ups, but then suddenly you pull out moves like that? Was I that annoying to you or something?"
His voice wasn't hostile—just frustrated and a little hurt. He looked more like a kid who lost a game than someone truly mad.
Lumian laughed nervously, scratching the side of his head. "Yeah… I might've gotten a bit too into it. Sorry, man. I didn't mean to hit you that hard."
He gave a small bow, sincere despite the awkwardness.
Obito let out a loud sigh and leaned back against the headboard. He closed his eyes for a moment—until Rin stepped forward and gently placed a hand on his forehead.
"Are you okay, Obito?"Rin asked gently, leaning in closer with a worried look on her face.
Her voice was soft and sweet, laced with concern, and her amber eyes sparkled in the golden sunlight streaming through the window. The warm light bathed the room, making her look almost angelic.
Obito's eyes flew open. His mood shifted instantly—like a switch had been flipped.
"W-What? No! Not at all!" he stammered, grinning awkwardly. "I'm totally fine! Really! I feel great, actually!"
To prove it, he sprang to his feet. The bed groaned under the sudden movement, and he wobbled slightly, but he forced himself to stand tall—trying to look cool and composed.
Lumian raised an eyebrow. "You sure? You looked half-dead a second ago."
"I said I'm fine!" Obito snapped, cheeks burning red.
Rin giggled softly, bringing her hands behind her back as she tilted her head. "You're such a terrible liar, Obito."
. . .
"Like hell he is."
. . .
The voice didn't come from any of them.
Lumian turned, frowning, and looked toward the white curtain hanging to the left of Obito's bed. Curious, he walked over and gently pulled it aside—revealing two more beds, both clearly occupied.
Kotetsu lay on one of them, arms crossed and lips twisted into a pout.
"At least his friend apologized," Kotetsu muttered, glancing sideways. "Unlike this guy."
"Hey! You should be the one apologizing, you bastard!" Izumo snapped from the bed beside him, pointing a shaky, bandaged finger at Kotetsu. "Seriously?! Did you have to go for my precious parts?!"
Kotetsu turned his head away, suddenly very focused on the wall.
Both boys sported bruised cheeks from their earlier exchange.
Lumian blinked, then looked between them with a deadpan expression.
"Am I interrupting someth—?"
"No!" both Izumo and Kotetsu shouted in unison.
. . .
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
An elderly woman stepped in, her footsteps soft but firm. She wore a long white coat over traditional robes, a stethoscope hanging around her neck.
Everyone in the room turned their attention toward her.
Seeing the familiar figure, Rin's face lit up with hope as she rushed forward.
"Ms. Chiyo!" she called out, her voice gentle but urgent. "Is Obito going to be okay?"
The old woman sighed, brushing a lock of grey hair away from her face as she glanced toward Obito.
"He'll be fine," she said with a grumble. "Just make sure he doesn't do anything reckless for a week. No running, no sparring, and definitely no trying to impress anyone."
Rin sighed in relief, her hands pressed together in front of her chest. "That's great!"
She turned back toward the boys with a bright smile. "You want to head out now?"
Lumian chuckled and looked at Obito. "Come on, tough guy. Ramen's on me—my way of saying sorry."
Obito's grin stretched wide—so wide it almost looked unnatural. His eyes lit up, voice raising a pitch in excitement. "Deal!"
From the beds nearby, Izumo raised a hand. "Hey, Ms. Chiyo! What about us?! Can we leave too?"
Chiyo narrowed her eyes at him. "Absolutely not. You're both staying overnight."
Kotetsu's jaw dropped. He looked from her to Izumo in disbelief. "But—!"
"No buts!" Chiyo cut him off, folding her arms. "You two need proper rest before you're allowed to leave. Honestly, with how much noise you're making, it's a miracle you haven't passed out again."
Izumo and Kotetsu both slumped, their heads hanging low as they sank back into their pillows. Their eyes stared solemnly at their feet, hidden beneath the white sheets.
Across the room, Obito, Rin, and Lumian exchanged amused looks. Obito was already off his bed.
Obito picked up his goggles and put them on, his vision turning orange.
With Chiyo's approving nod, the three began to leave. Obito, already halfway through the door, turned with a grin and flashed the bedridden duo a big thumbs-up.
"Good luck recovering, you two! I'll bring you snacks next time!"
. . .
The door clicked shut behind them, sealing off the warmth of the group's laughter and light-hearted teasing.
For a moment, there was stillness.
Then, Chiyo's voice cut through from just outside.
"Don't you even think about sneaking out," she warned, sharp as a kunai.
And then she, too, was gone.
. . .
Silence fell. A heavy, almost exaggerated kind of silence—the kind that hung in the air after something loud and bright had passed.
Kotetsu and Izumo lay in their beds, staring up at the plain ceiling.
Outside, the sun dipped lower, casting golden-orange light through the window. Dust motes floated in the air, spinning slowly in the dying light. The distant murmur of voices and the occasional bird outside were the only sounds left.
The two boys exhaled at the same time and slumped back further into their pillows.
"….."
"….."
The silence stretched, neither one bothering to fill it.
Then finally, a voice broke the stillness.
"…Do you think he meant that?" Izumo asked quietly, eyes still on the ceiling.
A pause.
Kotetsu sighed, not even bothering to look over. "No. He'll forget by tomorrow."
Izumo let out a small huff, somewhere between amusement and resignation. "Yeah… probably."
The quiet returned again, but this time it felt a little softer.
Izumo turned to his side and tugged the blanket up over his head, nestling deeper into the bed. His body began to relax as he settled in for sleep.
But just as his eyes were beginning to close, something made them open again.
A voice. Quiet. Almost hesitant.
"…Sorry."
Izumo's eyes widened. He blinked and turned his head toward the other bed. Kotetsu was hidden beneath his blanket, only the tips of his dark hair peeking out. The apology had been muffled, but it was clear. And it wasn't sarcastic. No teasing. Just… simple. Honest.
Izumo stared at him for a second, caught off guard by how human it sounded.
Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
He rolled onto his back, eyes on the fading sunlight as it painted long shadows across the ceiling.
"…Me too," he whispered.
The room didn't respond. It didn't need to.
Both boys quietly pulled their blankets tighter, letting the warmth wrap around them. Outside, the golden light had faded to a soft indigo, and the first stars began to blink into view.
As darkness settled over the village, the nurse room remained still—peaceful, calm, and for the first time all day… quiet in the best way.
And though neither of them would ever admit it out loud, sleep came easier that night.
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"Ahhhh! Now that's the stuff!"
Obito leaned back, patting his belly with both hands, which bulged slightly from the massive bowl of ramen he'd just devoured. A loud burp escaped his mouth.
"Obito!" Rin gasped with a giggle, lightly swatting him on the back. "You're so gross!"
Obito only laughed harder at her reaction, his voice echoing through the street. Clearly, he was riding the high of a full stomach and good company.
"Yeah!!!" he shouted as he suddenly broke into a run, dashing ahead of the group with surprising energy.
Rin's eyes widened in alarm. "Obito! You're not supposed to be running! You just got out of the nurse room!"
But the boy didn't seem to hear—or more likely, he didn't care. He was too busy skipping, spinning, and hopping like someone who'd just been gifted him a second chakra system.
"I feel amazing! Woohoo!!" he cried, throwing his arms in the air as he did a little spin in the middle of the path.
A few passing villagers gave him odd looks—some raised eyebrows, others with furrowed brows of mild annoyance. One old man muttered under his breath and walked a little faster.
Next to Rin, Lumian let out a soft chuckle, watching Obito's antics with an amused expression.
"He really bounces back fast, doesn't he?"
Rin exhaled through her nose, but the corners of her lips curled into a fond smile. She watched Obito with the kind of affection only someone used to his chaos could manage.
"Yeah…" she said softly. "That's just how he is."
As Obito ran in circles ahead of them, shouting nonsense and drawing even more confused glances from strangers, Rin and Lumian simply walked behind at a relaxed pace—content to let the whirlwind burn off his energy.
. . .
. . .
The night had settled comfortably over the village. Lanterns glowed softly from doorways and windows, casting pools of warm light along the path. The stars above twinkled like scattered shards of crystal in the dark sky, and the cool breeze rustled gently through the trees lining the road.
Suddenly, a thought came over Rin's head.
She turned to Lumian, her voice cutting through the quiet like a soft breeze.
"Hey, Amon… what did the Hokage talk to you about?"
Her tone was innocent, curious—more like a child wondering about a secret than an interrogation. Her amber eyes glimmered under the lamplight, fixed on Lumian with open curiosity.
Lumian blinked, the question catching him slightly off guard. He looked ahead for a moment, hands sliding casually into his pockets. Then he tilted his head back to stare up at the stars, letting out a quiet sigh.
"Not much," he said, voice low but steady. "He just wanted to talk about the match today."
He didn't elaborate.
Rin slowed slightly, watching him, but she didn't press the issue. She simply nodded, accepting his answer at face value. "Oh… okay."
Silence returned between them, save for Obito's distant whooping and the occasional footstep on gravel.
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(*Flashback*)
. . .
"Hey Rin, wait for me here, I need to go to the bathroom."
Rin glared at him as she crossed her arms against her chest.
"Thats not an excuse so that you don't have to see Obito right?"
Lumian chuckled as he shook his head.
"Don't worry, you don't have to wait long. I'll be right back."
With that, not waiting for a response, he had already turned to walk away. He turned a corner making his figure disappear from Rin's sight.
She let out a deep sigh as she leaned back on a nearby wall.
"Really.... that guy....."
. . .
Lumian walked quietly down the dimly lit hallway, his footsteps echoing faintly off the polished wooden floor. The stillness of the building made it feel as though he were completely alone.
Shadows clung to the corners, and the faint scent of old paper and incense drifted in the air, giving the space a hushed, almost sacred quality.
"Now… where was that bathroom again?" he muttered, glancing around.
He reached an intersection and tilted his head, trying to retrace his steps. Everything looked familiar—but just enough to be confusing. With a resigned sigh, he turned left—
"Congratulations on your victory today."
A calm, measured voice rang out from behind him.
Lumian froze.
He turned, startled, and found a familiar figure emerging from the shadows of the corridor:
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, hands folded neatly behind his back, a quiet smile resting on his lips.
Lumian quickly bowed in respect, hiding the subtle tightness that had crept into his shoulders.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen stepped closer, stopping just a few feet in front of him.
"Your performance today was quite something," he said evenly. "I assume you've been training diligently?"
Lumian straightened and nodded. "Yes, sir. I've been working hard to catch up with the others at the Academy. I didn't want to be left behind, so… I pushed myself."
He rubbed the back of his neck, giving a sheepish, almost boyish smile. "I guess it paid off."
Hiruzen gave a soft chuckle, his eyes narrowing slightly with thoughtfulness. "I see…"
Silence followed.
The Hokage didn't press forward, nor did he look away. He simply regarded Lumian with the patient focus of someone used to studying people.
Lumian felt a bead of sweat slide down his back. He stood still, resisting the urge to shift under the weight of that gaze.
Then, breaking the stillness, Hiruzen spoke again.
"I'm honestly impressed with your talent. Even the Second Hokage never improved so quickly in a single month, you know."
Lumian widened his eyes slightly, putting on a mask of startled humility. He shook his head quickly, voice rushed.
"You don't have to be polite, Lord Hokage! I just worked hard, that's all. What you saw today was just... effort."
Hiruzen let out a warm chuckle. "Now who's being polite, I wonder?"
Just then, another voice interrupted.
. . .
"Lo-Lord Hokage!"
. . .
A familiar, slightly breathless voice echoed down the corridor.
Hiruzen turned, his smile widening just a bit as he saw the girl jogging up.
Behind him, Lumian sighed inwardly in relief. Perfect timing, Rin.
The young girl skidded to a stop a few feet away, clearly startled to have interrupted something important. She bowed rapidly, hands twitching by her sides as she struggled to figure out where to put them.
"Hello, young Rin," Hiruzen greeted gently. "I forgot to congratulate you on your victory as well."
Rin flushed, bowing again with even more fervor. "T-Thank you, Lord Hokage!"
Then, she noticed Lumian standing quietly beside him. Her amber eyes flicked between them, nervousness bubbling up.
"Am… Am I interrupting something?" she asked carefully.
Hiruzen gave a small shake of his head, voice full of reassurance.
"No, not at all. I was simply congratulating young Amon."
With that, the Third Hokage gave them one last look, then turned to leave. As his footsteps echoed into the distance, he offered one final parting message:
"The Hidden Leaf Village will look forward to your progress."
The words lingered in the air long after he disappeared around the corner, like smoke from a recently snuffed flame.
Lumian stared after him, his expression unreadable.
Beside him, Rin tilted her head. "So..... You wanna go now?"
Lumian blinked. Then he smiled.
"Yeah. Let's go."
. . .
(*Flashback End*)
. . .
. . .
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked down the quiet hallway, his footsteps calm and steady. As he turned a final corner, the Academy's front entrance came into view—bathed in the soft golden light of early dawn.
Stepping through the doorway, he was greeted by a few scattered shinobi and staff, their heads bowing respectfully as he passed.
He returned their greetings with a warm smile and a gentle wave, but he did not linger.
Soon, he was alone, walking through the tranquil forest path that served as a shortcut to the Hokage Residence. The route spared him the small talk and well-meaning interruptions he'd surely encounter in the village square.
The falling sun had just begun to touch the horizon, casting long beams of light through the canopy. The trees swayed gently, their leaves rustling in the breeze, catching the sun's golden hue like coins tumbling from heaven.
Then, without warning, a single leaf drifted down before him—spiraling lazily through the air until it came to rest at his feet.
It was a simple thing. Ordinary, even.
But Hiruzen stopped.
His eyes settled on the leaf in silence.
He bent down and picked it up.
It was green—vibrant and healthy. Soft in texture, with the veins of life still running through it. To anyone else, it would have meant nothing.
But to Hiruzen, it meant something more.
He gazed at the small leaf for a moment longer, then exhaled a slow, quiet breath and released it. The wind caught it again, sending it dancing along the path behind him.
He turned his eyes upward, toward the patchwork of sunlight and sky visible through the treetops.
A memory surfaced. A fleeting image of the boy he had just spoken to. That reserved posture. That carefully measured tone.
The thought made the old Hokage chuckle softly to himself.
Then, without pause, he resumed his walk, hands folded behind his back.
And in the privacy of his thoughts, he allowed the words to come freely:
"Sensei… The Hidden Leaf has gained another promising prodigy."
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Lumian sighed as the memory faded, dissolving into the quiet of the present.
For a few moments, he just walked in silence, his mind blank—until one mundane, irritating thought surfaced with perfect clarity:
"I forgot to use the bathroom…"
A low groan left his throat, but before he could dwell on it, a voice spoke up beside him.
"So… we're here."
Lumian looked up. Sure enough, they had arrived—his apartment stood ahead, its familiar silhouette framed beneath the soft glow of streetlamps. The surrounding buildings were silent, their windows casting pools of yellow light onto the stone path.
He turned to his friends and gave them a small smile. "Thanks for walking with me. I'm gonna crash for the night."
Obito grinned, hands behind his head. "Alright then. See you tomorrow, Amon!"
Rin nodded cheerfully. "Goodnight!"
He watched them walk off, their figures shrinking with each step until they disappeared beyond the corner. For a while, Lumian stood there, staring at the empty street they'd vanished into. Then, with a soft exhale, he turned toward his door.
. . .
"CAW!"
. . .
The sudden, sharp cry broke through the quiet.
Lumian flinched and looked up.
A lone black raven sat perched atop the roof of his apartment, its feathers like jagged obsidian against the moonlit sky. It stared down at him with its black eyes.
Their gazes locked.
Then, without a sound, the raven spread its wings. In a blur of motion, it took flight, disappearing into the thick blanket of the night sky. Within seconds, it had melted into the dark—completely unseen, yet somehow still present.
Lumian stood still for a long beat.
Then, slowly, a grin crept across his face.
It wasn't the grin of a boy who just got home.
It was the grin of someone standing on the edge of something far more dangerous… and far more interesting.
His eyes gleamed under the moonlight as he reached for the door and slid the key into the lock.
Just before stepping inside, he whispered to the night with quiet conviction:
"Now then.... shall we start?"
"....."
"....."
"....."
"....."
"....."
"The act of a Marauder?"
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(Author's note:
Marauder Arc is a go!
I fell asleep again today... However, you thought you could fool me again sleep????
I already had a draft I wrote earlier the same day you fool!
MWAHAHAHAHA
Ahem.
Anyways, please leave a review accordingly.
As always, feel free to leave comments!
Thank you..... and POWER STONES!!!!!)