Transcending Realities: A Journey to Reclaim Home

While we made our way back to Konoha, I glanced over at Karin walking beside me. "Karin, how did you end up meeting Orochimaru?" I asked, genuinely curious.

She shot me a sideways glance, her brows furrowed. "Why do you want to know about that?"

I shrugged. "Like I said, from now on, I'm your family. If we're family, I need to know about you, right?"

Karin hesitated, her expression softening slightly. She seemed to be weighing her options before letting out a sigh. "Fine," she said after a moment. "But you have to promise me one thing—this stays between us. Never tell anyone else. Got it?"

"Promise," I said firmly, holding her gaze.

She nodded, though she still seemed unsure, and then she started. "It was a long time ago, back when I was just a kid. My village was attacked—bandits or shinobi, I don't even know. My mother and I tried to run, but... well, she didn't make it."

Her voice wavered slightly, but she continued. "I ended up wandering alone for days, barely surviving. Then one day, Orochimaru's people found me. They said I had... potential. Something about my Uzumaki blood. At the time, I didn't really care. I just wanted to live, so I went with them."

I stayed quiet, letting her talk.

"At first, I thought I'd found a safe place, but I was wrong. Orochimaru saw me as a tool—my chakra, my healing ability. That's all he wanted from me. But I guess I convinced myself it was better than starving on the streets."

She looked away, her voice bitter now. "So, that's how I ended up stuck there. Not much of a story, huh?"

I stopped walking and turned to face her. "That's not true," I said, my voice firm. "What you went through—that's not something anyone should have to face. But you're here now. You survived. And that means something."

Karin blinked at me, her eyes wide, as if she wasn't used to hearing that kind of thing.

I gave her a small smile. "Like I said, you've got family now. You're not just a tool or someone to be used. You're one of us."

For a moment, she just stared at me, her expression unreadable. Then, she looked away, her cheeks faintly red. "Tch. Don't get all sentimental on me, Uzumaki Naruto," she muttered, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

We continued walking, the silence between us no longer uncomfortable. I could feel that something had shifted—just a little—but it was enough.

As we walked, I glanced at Karin again, sensing the weight she carried. "Why are you so guarded, Karin? I get it—you've been through a lot. But now, you can relax. I'll be there to protect you," I said, stopping in my tracks. My voice softened, and I bowed my head deeply. "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me the most."

Karin froze, clearly caught off guard. "H-Hey, what are you doing? Lift your head!" she stammered, her face flushed and her tone flustered. She moved closer, trying to grab my shoulders to pull me upright.

As she did, I noticed her hand—the marks. Bite marks. Not just one or two, but countless scars covering her arms. My breath caught, anger and sorrow swelling inside me. "Karin... what happened to you?" I asked, my voice trembling. "What are these bite marks? Who did this to you?"

Her eyes widened, and she quickly pulled her hand back, trying to hide it. "It's nothing," she muttered, avoiding my gaze. "Just... forget about it."

I grabbed her wrist gently but firmly, not letting her brush it off. "Karin, these marks aren't nothing. Tell me the truth. Please."

She hesitated, her shoulders tense. Then she let out a shaky sigh, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're from the others in Orochimaru's hideout. He discovered that my chakra could heal people... but only if they bit me and drew out my chakra directly. Whenever someone got injured or sick, I was the one they came to."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "Those bastards... they treated you like a tool. Like you weren't even human."

She tried to laugh it off, but it came out hollow. "It's fine. I survived, didn't I? That's all that matters."

"No," I said firmly, meeting her gaze. "That's not fine, Karin. You deserved better than that. You still do. No one has the right to use you like that. Ever."

She blinked at me, her expression softening, and for a moment, I saw the pain she kept hidden behind her walls. "You're... different," she murmured, almost to herself. "No one's ever said that to me before."

I placed a hand on her shoulder, my grip steady. "Get used to it, because I'll keep saying it until you believe it. You're not alone anymore, Karin. Not with me, not with our family."

For the first time since we met, she smiled—a real, genuine smile. It was small, but it was there. "Thanks... Naruto," she said softly.

We resumed walking, the air between us lighter. But inside, I made a silent vow: I wouldn't let anyone treat her like that again. Ever.

As we walked, I turned to Karin, glancing at her arms again. "Let me heal you," I said firmly. "Those marks don't belong on you. Show me where they are, all of them."

Karin hesitated, pulling her sleeves further down. "It's fine, Naruto," she replied quietly. "I've gotten used to them."

I stopped in my tracks, interrupting her. "No, it's not fine," I said, my voice resolute. "Without those marks, you'd look even more beautiful. Girls should be treated fairly—that's what my mom always told me. To help you move on from your painful past, I'm going to erase them."

Her cheeks flushed, and she fidgeted under my gaze. "O...okay," she finally muttered, clearly flustered.

"Wait here for a moment. You deserve to rest and recover properly," I said with a reassuring smile. Forming a series of hand signs, I focused my chakra. "Wood Style: House Formation Jutsu!"

In an instant, wooden beams and panels sprang from the ground, forming a sturdy house right before her eyes. The structure was simple but warm, with large windows and a welcoming entrance.

Karin stared in awe. "Naruto, you're really something else," she said, her voice filled with genuine amazement. Her gaze lingered on me, and curiosity sparked in her eyes as she activated her sensory abilities.

Suddenly, she froze, her body trembling. "Ah!" she screamed, staggering backward as sweat formed on her brow.

I rushed to catch her before she fell. "Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, alarmed.

Her voice quivered as she whispered, "That chakra... so dark... so full of hatred..."

I sighed, gently steadying her. "That's Kurama," I explained calmly. "The Nine-Tails. His chakra is overwhelming because he's carried centuries of hatred and pain. But don't worry—he's under control."

Karin's eyes widened. "The Nine-Tails... you've been carrying that all this time?"

I gave her a small smile, brushing some dust off her shoulder. "Yeah. It's not easy, but we're learning to work together. Don't let it scare you, okay? You're safe with me."

She nodded slowly, still shaken but reassured by my words. "I didn't expect you to be this strong," she admitted.

"Strength isn't just about power," I said. "It's about protecting those who matter. Now, let's get you inside so I can heal those scars."

Karin followed me into the house, still processing everything. But for the first time, she seemed willing to let her guard down, even if just a little.