❝ a flower bud. ❞

sweltering moisture, like a fog. The bright moon is completely out, with small stars twinkling scattered around the moon. The night was quieter than usual. Even the quiet footsteps of the people can be heard, and the night animals singing, oblivious to the destruction that currently happened in the world.

Coming out from the secret underground room, four powerful figures welcomed the living. Completely set to help the young generations for the war that currently happened.

"What the―!" Suigetsu startled, pointing at the large flower bud not far from him. "What is that?!"

"A flower bud," Juugo answered stoically.

"Yeah I know that! But what kind of flower is that big?!"

"Hmm, I was too focused on Sasuke-kun's wish that I didn't see it earlier," said Orochimaru, looking at the flower with interest. "Is it an experimental result?"

"Hohoho! Konoha is getting better and better that they have this big flower!" Hashirama exclaimed with a wide smile, getting a sweatdrop from the Third Hokage.

"...Shodai-sama."

Tobirama tilted his head as he inspected the flower bud. He really wasn't interested and wanted to go straight to the battlefield but he couldn't help it when he senses something in it. "I can feel chakra inside it."

"Yeah, me too," Minato nodded in agreement.

Hashirama's smile faded as if he just realized something. His expression turned into confusion and excitement. And after he was in front of the flower bud, he held out his hand. Placed his palm to the petal.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Tobirama frowned when he saw Hashirama pulled out his chakra.

Everyone who saw the First Hokage's actions fell silent, confused expressions clearly written on their faces. But that changed when the petals opened one by one. Uncovering something ―someone, from its deep slumber.

That someone is a girl. With straight green hair leaning on the makeshift lounge made from a petal.

Everyone approached, observing how the girl opened her eyes slowly, revealing her deep forest green eyes. Her facial expression was blank, before slowly changing. Like her soul had just returned.

"Sasuke, isn't she is your friend?" whispered Suigetsu, recognizing the girl's green hair which he rarely met beside her in his life.

"Shizuka?" The third Hokage gasped. Relived and wondering at once why she was inside the flower and didn't join the war.

The said girl blinked her eyes several times. Her eyes then fixed on the Third Hokage. "Sandaime-sama? Aren't you―"

"Orochimaru brought us back," after hearing Hiruzen's reply, Shizuka then noticed the people around her.

"Shizuka huh..." muttered Tobirama, his mind replaying the memory of a little girl fighting him when he was first brought back to life. "You have grown."

"Oh, so you're Shizuka, huh!!!" Hashirama exclaimed, patted the girl's back as he laughed heartily. "Long time no see! You're not a kid anymore!! I feel so old!!"

"Shodai-sama, I think you should stop... She obviously doesn't look comfortable," said Minato, staring with pity at Shizuka who was patted roughly by Hashirama without realizing it. Making the girl nodded her head at his force.

Suigetsu watching them back and forth, wondering why Sasuke's friend could get to know the previous Hokage. It even looks like they're close. "Wait, wait, no one wants to explain why she's inside that freaking big flower?"

Hashirama stopped, making Minato and Shizuka sighed in relief. "It's because of her connection to the tree. If you protect the forest, the forest will protect you. It looks like the trees sense something that made them protected her."

"Connection with trees? Can anyone do it?" Minato wondered.

"Usually the ones who can do it are a Midorima and a mokuton user," Shizuka explained, "but not all mokuton users can do it."

"And the ones who can free her are others who also have a connection with the tree," Hashirama added.

"No wonder Midorima is often called the servant of nature," Orochimaru licked his lips. "Interesting."

"So, it seems like the trees predicted that Shodai-sama would come and freed her," Hiruzen concluded.

Tobirama crossed his arms. "I heard Midorima has a mokuton user once every 100 years," then he turned towards Shizuka. "Are you one of them?"

She nodded, making the Hokages gasped in shock.

Hashirama immediately put his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his chest as his other hand ruffling Shizuka's hair. "Aah, finally there is someone like me!!! I'm so happy!! Why didn't you tell me that time?!?!"

"Hashirama-sama, please stop," even though Shizuka clearly annoyed and displeased, she still have to respect her elder.

"You're hurting the poor child, brother!" Tobirama scolded. "besides, we have to help the war."

"You're right," Hashirama stopped and Shizuka immediately stepped away far from the man. "My fellow Hokage! Let us burn the image of our village into our retinas... from atop these mountainside images that have watched over it!!"

As the Hokages stood on their faces, Shizuka approached Orochimaru's group. Her eyes stared at Sasuke for a moment. Many questions arose in Shizuka's mind seeing Sasuke who was with the Hokage. But she remained silent and decided she didn't want to care.

"You can go ahead, I want to bring something," Shizuka immediately left, not bothering to hear their answer.

"Eh, bring what?" Suigetsu glanced at Sasuke, asking for an answer.

"Probably her lucky item."

○○○

In the midst of war, Naruto sat down while staring closely at the ten tails inside the red barrier. Sakura was behind him, healing him while giving Kurama time to fill his chakra.

Again, his thoughts returned to Midorima Shizuka. The girl who managed to make his heart flutter. The current girl who was always on his mind.

During this war, he didn't stop wondering plus worried about where she was. He had duplicated himself throughout the divisions, he even gave the shinobi alliance his chakra, but he didn't find even a glimpse of the girl.

To be honest, Naruto wanted Shizuka not to join the war. So that he was sure that the girl would be all right. But he also wanted to fight Akatsuki together with her. As his encouragement even if only by her presence.

Then the sound of footsteps came from behind. And landed in front of him. The two people he knew very well stood not far from him. Naruto immediately smiled broadly.

She's here...

A sudden rush of relief and excitement creeping through his body. Even if his father joined the war with him, only Shizuka could make him feel so relieved. It didn't matter that his relationship with her wasn't that good right now.

Naruto donked his head when he felt Sakura smacked him. He turned to see her smirking while whispering something to him. "Whipped."

"I am."

After Sasuke's ridiculous declaration, Naruto stood up. "Thanks for healing me, Sakura! Now it's time for you to take a breather," he glanced at Sakura as he walked to the spot between Shizuka and Sasuke. "Let's go, Sasuke!"

The two of them jumped and landed in front of the red barrier. And a second later, Sakura landed next to Sasuke while Shizuka landed next to him. "Do you see us as some weak girls who can't keep up with you two?" Shizuka coldly asked. Sparing a glance towards the boys.

"Besides, we too are members of team seven," Sakura added. "Don't underestimate us!"

Naruto grinned, he was feeling happy right now. "All right! Team 7 is finally back!"

Before Shizuka had time to jump forward into the battlefield, Naruto quickly grabbed her wrist. Stopping her and made the girl glance at him.

"What is it?" Shizuka asked, her voice sounding cold, but her gaze fell towards her wrist.

"I wanted to say that I'm sorry," he began, his deep voice sending shivers on her spine. "Sorry, I didn't think about your feelings and so casually dared to die with Sasuke. I will still save Sasuke, but I promise not to die for you."

She looked up to him with wide eyes. "Don't promise me anything," she murmured, looking away from him. "and I should be the one who apologizes. I shouted and let out my emotions at you. Letting my emotions to control me."

"Well Shizuka, sometimes it's okay to let out your emotions. It makes you human. And thank you for being honest with me," Naruto smiled softly as he trailed his finger on her wrist to gently hold her palm. "So, we are okay now?"

The girl looked away, her ears began to turn red. "Tch, It's not like I can do anything about it."

Naruto chuckled, pleased to hear her tsundere answer. "I'm glad."

Shizuka slipping her hand away from Naruto but the teen immediately caught her again and pulled her arm. Making the girl can't help but turn around. And at that point, Naruto leaned forward and pecked her forehead.

"Be careful, Shi-chan."

And he jumped in the battlefield, leaving Shizuka a blushing mess.