Transcending Realities: A Journey to Reclaim Home

As we stepped into the house, it was plain but functional—just a single room with enough space for what we needed. I didn't want to waste time making it elaborate; after all, this was only temporary.

I retrieved a cot from one of my sealing scrolls and spread it on the floor. "Here, lie down and get comfortable," I said, motioning to the cot.

Karin nodded and quietly lay down. "Okay," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness.

I knelt beside her, glancing at the marks on her arms. "Take off your shirt so I can see all the scars," I said gently. "I need to heal every single one of them."

Her face flushed, and she hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright, Naruto," she said, clearly flustered. She slowly removed her shirt, revealing her arms and shoulders. "Only my hands and shoulders have the marks," she added, trying to sound nonchalant but clearly feeling exposed.

I looked at her with understanding. "Don't worry, Karin," I reassured her. "I'll make sure you don't have to carry these reminders of the past anymore."

Focusing my chakra, I placed my hands above her scars. "This might tingle a bit," I warned as green healing chakra enveloped my palms. Slowly, I began erasing the bite marks, ensuring the process was as painless as possible.

Karin watched me work, her eyes softening. "Why are you doing all this for me?" she asked quietly.

I glanced up at her, my hands still glowing with chakra. "Because you've suffered enough," I said simply. "You deserve a chance to start over—without these marks, without those memories weighing you down. And because... you're part of my family now."

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she was silent. Then, she whispered, "Thank you, Naruto."

As I continued healing her scars, I couldn't help but feel a sense of determination. Karin deserved to move forward, just like the rest of us. And I would make sure she got that chance.

"Here, Karin, it's all healed," I said, sitting back after finishing the last mark. The scars had disappeared completely, leaving her skin smooth and unblemished.

She stared at her arms in disbelief, gently touching where the bite marks had been. "Thank you, Naruto," she said softly, her voice filled with gratitude.

I smiled at her, but I couldn't stop myself from saying what was on my mind. "You look beautiful, Karin," I said, my tone sincere and straightforward. I didn't hesitate, didn't try to dress it up—I just told her exactly what I thought.

Her face turned a deep shade of red, and she avoided my gaze. "W-What are you saying all of a sudden?" she stammered, clearly flustered.

I tilted my head slightly, still smiling. "I'm just being honest. Without those marks, you can see your true self—and you're beautiful, Karin. That's all there is to it."

She pulled her shirt back on, her hands fumbling with the fabric as she tried to compose herself. "You're... so straightforward," she muttered, her voice almost inaudible.

I chuckled softly. "You'll get used to it," I said lightly. "Now, get some rest. We've got a long journey ahead of us tomorrow."

Karin nodded, still visibly flustered but smiling faintly. "Yeah, okay," she said, lying down on the cot.

I leaned back, letting her have some space, but I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Little by little, Karin was starting to trust me—and that was what mattered most.

"Want some food?" I asked Karin as we settled down for a brief rest.

"Yeah, Naruto, I'm hungry," she admitted with a small nod.

"Alright, wait here. I'll go hunt something," I said, heading outside the small house we had stopped in.

I stepped outside the house, leaving Karin to rest. The forest around us was quiet, the evening air filled with the faint rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of birds. As I ventured further to find something for dinner, I couldn't help but reflect on Karin's reaction earlier. Her guarded demeanor was slowly melting away, and I was glad to see her starting to relax, even just a little.

3rd Pov

Meanwhile, inside the house, Karin lay on the cot, staring at the wooden ceiling. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions she didn't fully understand.

"He's so different... but in a good way," she thought to herself. She ran her fingers over the now-smooth skin of her arms, remembering the scars that had been there just hours ago.

"Who would go out of their way to care for someone like me? And he treats me like I matter, like I'm... family. He doesn't even know me, not really."

Her chest tightened as a wave of emotion washed over her. It was strange to feel this way—grateful, comforted, and something else she couldn't quite name.

"He must already have someone," she reasoned, her mind drifting to what little she knew about him. "How could a guy like that not? If he treats a stranger like me with this much care... I can only imagine how much he treasures the people he loves."

A tear slipped down her cheek, surprising her. She wiped it away quickly, embarrassed by her own emotions.

"Stop it, Karin. You're just overthinking. You're just... grateful. That's all."

But deep down, she couldn't shake the small spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could be a part of something more, of someone's life, like the one Naruto had shown her was possible.

Naruto Pov

With the rabbit in hand, I sighed, gazing up at the twilight sky. The hues of orange and pink painted a serene canvas above me, a stark contrast to the thoughts swirling in my mind.

"Sorry, little guy," I muttered, glancing at the lifeless rabbit in my grasp. "I hope you lived well... and in your next life, be strong. Strong enough that no one can trample over you."

The words lingered in the air as I stood there for a moment, lost in thought. I wasn't just apologizing to the rabbit—it felt like I was speaking to everyone I'd failed to protect, everyone I'd promised to help.

After a deep breath, I turned and began walking back toward the house. The forest was quiet, the soft crunch of leaves beneath my feet the only sound accompanying me. As I neared the house, I saw the warm glow of light through the cracks in the wooden walls.

Pushing the door open, I stepped inside to find Karin sitting up on the cot, her eyes lighting up as I entered.

"Hey," I said with a small smile, holding up the rabbit. "Dinner is here."

She looked at me, her expression softening. "You went through all that trouble just for me?"

"Of course," I replied as I set to work preparing the rabbit. "You're part of my family and a friend I need to protect.That means I'll take care of you, no matter what."

Karin didn't respond immediately, but I could feel her gaze lingering on me. Maybe she was starting to understand that she didn't have to carry everything on her own anymore. Here, with me, she could finally begin to heal.

I had prepared a hearty dish with the rabbit I had hunted, carefully seasoning it and making sure it was cooked perfectly. Once it was ready, I brought it to Karin.

"Here, take it," I said, handing her the plate.

She took a small bite, her expression unreadable at first.

"How is it?" I asked, feeling a twinge of nervousness.

"It's good," she said, but tears suddenly began streaming down her face.

Alarmed, I leaned closer. "Why are you crying? Is it too spicy?" I asked, worried I might have overdone it.

She shook her head, her voice trembling. "No, it's not that. It's so warm… and I think this is the best dish I've ever had in my life," she said, her tears falling freely.

I set her plate aside and knelt in front of her, gently wiping the tears from her cheeks. "Don't worry," I said softly, "from now on, you'll have food like this every day. Okay?" I wrapped my arms around her in a comforting hug.

"Naruto," she murmured, and then broke into sobs, crying even harder as she clung to me.

I stayed with her until her emotions settled, patiently letting her let it all out. After a while, she finally calmed down.

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked gently.

"Yes," she replied, her voice steadier.

"Good," I said with a light chuckle as I handed her the plate again. "Now, eat your food before it gets cold."

She smiled faintly and began eating, her mood visibly lifted as she enjoyed the meal. For the first time in a while, she looked genuinely happy.