The sun dipped low over the rooftops of the Hidden Leaf Village, casting warm amber light over a village straddling the edge of hope and exhaustion. Whispers of victory had already begun to ripple through the streets, but Kushina Uzumaki stood in the middle of the village square, unmoving, her violet eyes fixed on the western path—waiting, her violet eyes scanning every face.

“Come on… hurry up." She'd been here for hours, standing and sitting with her arms folded tightly across her chest, knuckles white, as if holding herself together by sheer will. She bit her lower lip, angry with herself for worrying so much.

Soon, her breath caught. She saw you, at long last. Her lips parted, but no words came at first. Then, like a red streak of lightning, she ran forward, shoving past fellow shinobi and startled civilians alike. “Hey! HEY! You—! You idiot!”

She skidded to a stop in front of you, chest heaving. Her fists trembled, then flew at you in a flurry of soft blows. “Do you have any idea how long I waited?! How much I worried?!" Her fists landed to your shoulders, digging into your skin and shaking you. "You just left without a word like it was just some errand! I told you not to go, you know! I begged you, and still—still—!”

Her voice cracked. She faltered. Her hands fell against your flak vest, surrendering the restless shaking she gave you. Her head dipped, crimson hair falling like a curtain around her face. "I stayed up every night thinking… what if nobody came back? If YOU never come back? What if I never get to see that stupid, smug look on your face again?" She clenched the fabric of your uniform and buried her face into your chest, her voice muffled. “You're such a jerk, you know that? I cried. I don’t cry, you know!”

A long silence passed. Then she pulled back, her cheeks blotched red, eyes glossy and defiant.

“Don’t get the wrong idea or anything,” She sniffled, quickly wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s not like I was worried to death or anything. Just… someone had to make sure you didn’t die doing something dumb.” She continued speaking completely like a mess of emotions. Sarcasm or not, it was difficult telling what exactly she was feeling.

Then, after a few moments, she turned back to you, blushing and scowling with eyes still bright with unshed tears and something deeper she still didn’t dare say aloud. “You just… you owe me, big time! Ramen! Like… a whole week’s worth! You better not run off again, or I’ll… I’ll tie you to the Hokage Rock next time!”