Shadows Under the Moonlight 3

"Wait!"

Just as the two of them reached the door, Ino, who had been hugging Yamanaka Inoichi's leg, suddenly spoke up. The color had faded somewhat from her cheeks, which had been red with embarrassment. Looking at Samu Kokaze walking toward the door with Naruto, she hurried after them in a little trot.

Whew...

After taking a deep breath, she looked at Samu Kokaze's handsome face, her little face flushing red again. "We'll come out and see you off too!" As she spoke, she looked back at her companions.

Behind her, Shikamaru and the others looked at Ino with excited expressions. They exchanged glances and nodded. Although it was already dark outside, today was Ino's birthday, so naturally, they would indulge her in everything.

At Ino's words, Yamanaka Inoichi's eye twitched. Looking at Ino, who was clearly just trying to go out and play, he had no idea what to say. Normally, he could put on a father's authority and make her obediently stay home, but he had already ruined this birthday party because of himself. Now...

Looking at Ino's expectant eyes, he simply could not refuse her!

He could only redden and nod stiffly. "Come back early!"

"Ino, there's no need, right? My house is very close." Samu Kokaze frowned slightly at her words.

Saying he wanted to leave had not entirely been because of Ino's father. Samu Kokaze had not forgotten the faint trace of killing intent he had sensed outside the door, nor would he truly mistake it for an illusion.

Although he did not know who the other party was or what faction they belonged to, their killing intent toward him had been real. And it had not been the probing kind of killing intent tinged with amusement—it was genuine intent to kill him.

The reason he had asked Naruto to leave with him was because Naruto had Anbu protecting him. With the Anbu behind Naruto, they could lure out and eliminate the enemy hiding in the shadows.

If everyone in the house went outside, leaving aside how it might affect this plan, the Anbu guarding Naruto alone might not be able to fully protect all of them. After all, their primary target was Naruto, not the others. If anything happened to Ino and the rest, Samu Kokaze would feel guilty for the rest of his life.

After all, these people before him were his only friends in this world.

"Oh, come on! Your house is close, but what about Naruto's? Just hurry up and go!" Ino's eyes widened at Samu Kokaze's refusal as she glared at him threateningly.

"Naruto is staying at my house tonight, so you can keep playing first." Ignoring Ino's threatening look, Samu Kokaze took a light breath and spoke in a low voice.

"You're acting so strange today! Then you can at least come out and play with me, right? Today's my birthday!" Hearing Samu Kokaze refuse again and again, Ino sensed something was off. She stared wide-eyed at his face, unwilling to miss the slightest clue.

"What are you talking about?" Samu Kokaze gave an awkward laugh under Ino's unwavering stare. "I just got up too early today and feel a little tired."

"Really?" Ino asked suspiciously.

"Of course!" Samu Kokaze nodded with great certainty.

"Fine, then. We'll forget it for today!" Ino gave Samu Kokaze a serious look, seeming quite regretful.

"Naruto, let's go!" Seeing that Ino had finally given up, Samu Kokaze let out a long breath and called to Naruto beside him.

"Huh?" Naruto, who had been staring straight at Sakura, froze at the sound of his voice. But he quickly recovered, nodding as he replied, "Oh!"

Watching Naruto and Samu Kokaze head outside, Sakura looked at the pitch-black sky beyond the house and said to Ino, "Then Ino, I'll head home too! I'll come see you again tomorrow!"

Hearing the words behind him, Samu Kokaze abruptly raised his head and covered his face, his expression filled with grief and indignation.

Of course.

Naruto, who was nearly at the door, heard Sakura's words and his ears immediately perked up. He stopped following Samu Kokaze toward the door. Without even waiting for Ino's response, he spun around and shouted excitedly, "I'll walk you home, Sakura!" Then he turned to Samu Kokaze, whose expression seemed somewhat aggrieved, and said, "I won't be sleeping at your house tonight, Feng!"

"Who wants an idiot like you walking them home?!" Sakura shouted in irritation.

"Haha! Don't worry! Leave the important task of walking you home to the great Naruto! I guarantee I'll get you home safely." Naruto laughed wildly as though he had not heard Sakura at all.

"This idiot." Sakura gritted her teeth and muttered as she watched Naruto grin broadly. Still, she ultimately did not refuse him, which counted as reluctant agreement.

"Huh? Feng, why haven't you left yet?" Naruto asked in surprise when he noticed Samu Kokaze was still standing there.

Hehe... Sorry for not leaving, then.

Forcing a smile onto his somewhat stiff face, Samu Kokaze looked at Naruto, who had already put on his clothes and was ready to go out. His expression was less than pleasant as he said, "I'll come with you to see her off. It's hard not to worry about a girl going home alone on a winter night."

"Oh!" For some reason, Naruto's excitement faded considerably upon hearing Samu Kokaze was coming too, but he still quickly agreed.

"Ino, since Feng, Naruto, and Sakura are leaving, Choji and I should head home too. It's already so late." Shikamaru, who had remained in the room, looked at the several people dressed and ready to leave as he spoke to Ino.

"I see!" Hearing Shikamaru's words, Ino looked somewhat disappointed at the untouched cake on the table. But when she looked at Sakura, her eyes darted before she suddenly smiled. "Since you're all leaving, then everyone can go out together! First, we'll walk Sakura home, and then Feng can walk me home. Perfect, it's decided!" At the end, she happily slammed a fist into her palm.

"Give me two minutes, I'll be ready right away!"

Watching Ino dash off energetically to put on her clothes, Samu Kokaze barely maintained a smile on his face while cursing inwardly. Since they were all going out together sooner or later, what had been the point of him saying so much just now?

"Hey!" While Samu Kokaze was cursing to himself, Shikamaru, already fully dressed, walked over and asked quietly, "Did something happen? Ever since you came inside, I've felt that something was off about you."

"Hehe..." Samu Kokaze gave two dry laughs. Looking at Shikamaru's probing expression, he replied, "It's nothing. I just suddenly feel a little uneasy, like something is about to happen, so I wanted to get home earlier."

"Really?" Shikamaru asked skeptically.

"Yeah, of course!" Samu Kokaze answered firmly.

Looking at Shikamaru, who did not ask further but still had a trace of suspicion in his eyes, Samu Kokaze cursed inwardly. This was why precocious geniuses with high IQs were the most annoying!

"All done!"

Ino's voice rang out. Watching her emerge from the inner room in a purple coat, wrapped tightly from head to toe as she shouted excitedly, Samu Kokaze rubbed his head with a headache.

"Then, Uncle, we'll be going now. I'll make sure to bring Ino back safely."

Looking at everyone in the room, now fully dressed, Samu Kokaze sighed and spoke to Ino's father, who had stood there motionless ever since hearing Ino wanted to go out.

"I know. Go on, then!"

A low, powerless voice sounded. Watching Yamanaka Inoichi walk into the inner room, all life seeming to drain from him in an instant, Samu Kokaze forced an ugly smile and looked up at the sky.

Uncle, I didn't want to lure your daughter out on this night either, but this was fate!