The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, its soft glow filtering through the cracks in the barn's walls. This would have have awaken Naruto, had he not already been awake for hours. He had barely slept at all, the events of the previous day replaying in his mind, each memory more painful than the last.

He lay on a pile of hay in the loft, staring up at the ceiling, feeling the hollow pit of regret gnawing at him. Every time he closed his eyes, he could see Irelia's face—the anger, the hurt, the tears that had welled up as she turned away from him. The expression she wore, as if he had shattered something precious between them. He felt his heart twist with each remembered detail, a feeling he wasn't entirely familiar with, a pain that seemed to settle deep inside his chest and refuse to leave.

"Kurama?" Naruto called out internally, his voice soft, almost vulnerable. He could feel Kurama's presence stir within him, the warmth of the fox's energy comforting in a way he hadn't expected.

"Yeah, kid. I'm here," Kurama rumbled, his voice echoing in Naruto's mind.

"I don't know what's happening to me," Naruto admitted, his eyes unfocused as he stared up at the barn ceiling. "I feel… awful. Like there's this heavy weight on my chest that I can't get rid of. I know I hurt Irelia, but it feels like it's hurting me too."

Kurama was silent for a moment, then spoke, his voice deep and understanding. "What you're feeling, Naruto, is heartbreak. You broke Irelia's heart, and now yours is breaking too. It's the pain of knowing that you've hurt someone you care about. Someone you love."

Naruto closed his eyes, a pained expression crossing his face. "Love…?" he whispered, the word feeling strange and almost foreign in his mouth. But deep down, he knew it was true. He cared about Irelia more than he had realized, more than he had ever cared for anyone since leaving Konoha. The way she smiled, the way she fought so fiercely, the way she was willing to protect those she loved without hesitation—it had drawn him in, and he hadn't even realized just how much he had fallen for her until it was too late.

"You're hurting because you know you hurt her," Kurama continued, his voice gentle, something Naruto wasn't used to from the usually gruff fox. "That's what love is, kid. It's not just about feeling good when you're around someone. It's about feeling their pain when they're hurt. And right now, you're feeling the pain you caused."

Naruto swallowed, his throat tight. He thought back to his time in Konoha, to the anger he had felt when Nagato had killed Jiraiya. That blind rage, the desire to make Nagato pay for what he had done—it had consumed him. It had taken everything he had to understand Nagato's pain, to forgive him despite everything. But now, with Irelia, he felt like he had done the very same thing that Nagato had done to him. He had caused pain to someone he cared for, and there was no taking it back.

"I had no right to do that to her," Naruto whispered, his voice cracking. "I had no right to hurt her like that."

Kurama let out a sigh, the sound reverberating through Naruto's mind. "Maybe not, kid. But the fact that you realize that means there's still hope. You're not perfect. You're going to make mistakes. But what matters is what you do now. How you fix it."

Naruto nodded, a determined glint coming into his eyes, despite the sadness that still lingered there. "I have to make this right. I have to find her and apologize."

Kurama gave a low rumble of approval. "That's the spirit, Naruto. You've always been stubborn when it comes to doing the right thing. Just don't give up on her. She's hurting, but I think deep down, she knows you're trying."

Naruto took a deep breath, letting Kurama's words wash over him, giving him a sense of purpose. He would find Irelia. He would make things right, somehow.

Suddenly, a sound caught his attention, and he sat up, his heart skipping a beat. He heard the barn doors creak open below, and for a moment, hope flared in his chest. Maybe it's Irelia, he thought, quickly getting to his feet.

But as he peered down from the loft, his heart sank. Instead of Irelia, it was Riven. She was dressed in her work clothes, her platinum hair tied back, and she looked up at him as she entered, her gaze meeting his.

"Good morning," Naruto said, trying to hide his disappointment. He gave her a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

Riven nodded, her expression unreadable. "Good morning," she replied quietly. She moved towards the side of the barn, gathering some tools for the day. "I need to get started with the work."

Naruto watched her for a moment before climbing down the ladder to join her. He could feel the awkwardness between them, a lingering tension that hadn't quite dissipated from the night before. He hesitated, then spoke up. "Do you need any help?"

Riven shook her head, not meeting his gaze. "No, I'm fine. I can handle it," she said, her voice curt as she picked up the tools and turned away.

Naruto stood there for a moment, feeling out of place. He wanted to help, to do something to take his mind off the aching feeling in his chest, but it was clear that Riven wanted to be left alone. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright then," he said softly. "I guess I'll… go see if I can find Irelia."

Riven paused, her eyes flickering back to him for a brief moment, something unspoken in her gaze. But she said nothing, simply nodding before turning back to her work.

Naruto watched her for a second longer before heading towards the barn doors, his heart heavy once more. Their journey to Irelia's home had been momentarily halted, but he knew they couldn't go any further without making things right. He needed to find her, to apologize. He needed to tell her how much she meant to him.

He stepped outside into the crisp morning air, the cool breeze brushing against his face. The sky was clear, the sun beginning to rise, casting a warm glow over the fields. Naruto looked around, his eyes scanning the area for any sign of Irelia. He felt a pang of worry—what if she had left without him? What if she had decided she didn't want him around anymore?

No. He couldn't think like that. He had to find her.

As he started to walk towards the edge of the field, Naruto heard the familiar sound of footsteps behind him. He turned, surprised to see Jiro approaching him, a thoughtful expression on the old man's face.

"Naruto," Jiro called out, his voice calm but carrying a weight of understanding. Naruto stopped and waited for the older man to catch up, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Old man Jiro," Naruto greeted, trying to keep his voice steady despite the turmoil he felt. "Do you… do you know where Irelia is? I need to talk to her."

Jiro nodded slowly, a serious look in his eyes. "I do. She went to a nearby pond, a place she could be alone. But, Naruto," Jiro added, his voice softening, "I think it would be wise to give her a bit more space right now. She needs time to sort through her thoughts."

Naruto frowned, his expression filled with frustration. He wanted to make things right, to apologize, but he also knew that Jiro was probably right. Irelia needed time, and barging in before she was ready would only make things worse. Still, the thought of just waiting, of doing nothing, felt unbearable.

Jiro must have noticed the struggle on Naruto's face, because he placed a reassuring hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I know you want to fix things, but sometimes the best thing you can do is give the other person a chance to breathe. She cares about you, Naruto. That much is clear. But right now, she needs to process everything."

Naruto looked down, his shoulders slumping. He nodded reluctantly. "I get it. I just… I hate that I hurt her. I hate that I was the one to cause her pain."

Jiro offered him a small smile, a gentle, knowing look in his eyes. "That means your heart's in the right place lad. She'll see that eventually, but give her time. You need to be patient with her—and with yourself."

Naruto let out a heavy sigh, nodding once more. "Yeah, I understand. Thanks, Old man."

Jiro gave him a pat on the back before turning and heading towards the pond. Naruto watched him go, feeling a mixture of hope and helplessness. He knew he had to give Irelia the space she needed, but it didn't make the waiting any easier.

xxx

Naruto turned away, feeling the weight of the morning pressing heavily on his shoulders. His heart ached with regret, his thoughts still swirling with everything that had happened. He needed to do something—anything—to release the tension building up inside of him.

Without another thought, he made his way across the farm, heading towards an empty field that lay beyond the rows of crops. The grass was long here, and the area was secluded, the perfect place for him to blow off some steam. He clenched his fists as he reached the center of the field, feeling the frustration bubble up inside of him.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto called out, and in an instant, several identical copies of himself appeared around him, each one mirroring his determined expression.

He stood still for a moment, taking a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he looked at the clones. The anger at himself, at the hurt he had caused Irelia, the helplessness of not being able to make things right—all of it boiled over.

"Alright, let's do this!" Naruto shouted, and with that, he lunged at the nearest clone, his fist flying forward with all his might.

The clone dodged, retaliating with a punch of its own, and Naruto blocked it, his muscles tensing with effort. He turned, swinging his leg out in a roundhouse kick that connected with another clone, causing it to dissipate into a puff of smoke.

The remaining clones spread out around him, their expressions fierce as they charged. Naruto met them head-on, his movements fluid, each strike filled with the frustration he couldn't put into words. His fists moved faster, each blow more powerful than the last, the physical exertion allowing him to channel his emotions into something tangible.

He punched, blocked, and dodged, his body moving almost instinctively. The clones were relentless, just as he had intended, and for a while, he lost himself in the combat, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It was a way to escape, to focus only on the present moment and forget, if only for a little while, the heaviness in his chest.

One of the clones caught him off guard, landing a solid hit to his side, and Naruto gritted his teeth, using the momentum to spin around and strike back, his hand glowing faintly with chakra as he slammed it into the clone, dispelling it in an explosion of smoke.

"What are you doing, brat?" Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, the fox's tone filled with both curiosity and concern.

"I need to get this out," Naruto replied between breaths, his eyes narrowed as he faced the last of the clones. "I can't just sit around doing nothing. I need to fight. I need to feel like I'm doing something."

Kurama let out a low rumble, almost a sigh. "You think beating up clones will make you feel better about what happened with Irelia?"

Naruto clenched his fists, the last clone rushing at him. He blocked the attack, his arm trembling as he pushed the clone back. "I don't know. I just… I hate this feeling. I hate that I hurt her."

The clone vanished, and Naruto fell to his knees, breathing heavily, the grass beneath him swaying gently in the breeze. He looked down at his hands, the knuckles scraped and bruised from the sparring, and he let out a shaky breath.

"This isn't just about anger, Naruto," Kurama said, his voice gentler now, almost soothing. "You're hurting because you care about her. Because you love her. You made a mistake, and you have to face it. But beating yourself up—literally and figuratively—won't help you or her."

Naruto closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath. He knew Kurama was right. He couldn't just punch his way out of this, no matter how much he wanted to. He had to find another way—a better way—to make things right with Irelia.

"I know, Kurama," Naruto whispered, his voice filled with exhaustion. "I know."

Irelia had spent the night away from the farm, seeking refuge beneath the shelter of the woods. She had tried to sleep, but rest had eluded her. Her mind was too full—full of memories, of thoughts, of the pain and confusion that refused to let her be. The war. The Brotherhood's betrayal. The day Naruto arrived in her life like a whirlwind. The moments they shared that made her heart beat a little faster, her love for him growing despite everything. The loss of Oze. The strength of Seira. And then there was Riven, and the rage that had surged through her like wildfire.

And Jiro—his words still echoed in her mind, a mixture of pain and wisdom that she was struggling to accept. He had told her to see beyond the hatred, to see Riven as more than just an enemy, and as much as she resisted, there was a part of her that wanted to try. She wished her grandmother were here. She had always known what to say to help Irelia see clearly. Her wisdom, her gentleness—it was what Irelia needed now, but all she had was herself.

When the first light of dawn had begun to filter through the trees, Irelia rose, tired and aching, but resolved to return. She made her way back to the farm, her steps slow, her mind still a storm of conflicting emotions.

As she approached the farmhouse, she saw them—Jiro and Riven—already working in the field. Jiro was carrying a bundle of tools, speaking to Riven as they worked, his expression calm and patient. Riven, as always, seemed guarded, her eyes focused on the task at hand.

Irelia felt her chest tighten at the sight of Riven. The anger she had tried to let go of still lingered, a sharp edge that refused to dull. She hesitated for a moment, her feet frozen in place, but then she forced herself to move forward. She had to do this, to face Riven, to try and understand—if not for herself, then for the possibility of peace.

As she drew closer, Jiro noticed her and straightened up, giving her a nod. "Morning, Irelia," he called out, his voice friendly, but there was a wariness in his eyes. He could see the tension in her posture, the way her gaze lingered on Riven.

"Morning," Irelia replied, her voice strained but polite. She glanced at Riven, who had paused in her work, her eyes meeting Irelia's with a guarded expression. The silence between them stretched, heavy with everything unspoken.

Jiro cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "How are you holding up, child?" he asked, his tone gentle.

Irelia tore her gaze away from Riven, looking at Jiro. "I'm alright," she said, though the words felt hollow. She forced herself to add, "Thank you. For everything."

Jiro gave her a small smile, nodding. "Take it one step at a time. That's all any of us can do." He turned back to Riven, but before he could speak, Irelia took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Riven," she said, her voice steady, though her heart was pounding. "Can I talk to you? Alone."

Riven's eyes narrowed slightly, and she glanced at Jiro, who hesitated before nodding. "Alright," he said, his tone careful. He gave Irelia a long look, as if to make sure she truly meant it, then he turned and began making his way back toward the barn, his footsteps slow and deliberate.

As Jiro disappeared, Irelia turned back to Riven. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the tension between them palpable. Irelia took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside of her.

"Why?" Irelia finally asked, her voice breaking the silence. Her eyes were sharp, filled with both confusion and anger. "Why are you here, Riven? Why are you trying to settle down in the very place you were intent on destroying?"

Riven was silent for a long moment, her eyes meeting Irelia's without flinching. She set down the tool she was holding, her fingers tightening slightly as she turned to face Irelia fully. "I followed orders," Riven said, her voice steady but filled with something deeper—regret, maybe, or exhaustion. "I grew up wanting to be a great warrior. I trained my whole life for it, and I became one. That's what Noxus values—strength, power. And I wanted to prove myself."

She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she continued. "But not everyone in Noxus was in on the invasion. This wasn't some grand desire of the people. It was Grand General Darkwill who wanted Ionia—who saw it as a prize to be taken. And for those of us who were part of the military, there wasn't a choice. We followed orders, or we were killed. Noxus doesn't pity the weak. Everything is about power, and if you don't fall in line, you're crushed."

Irelia clenched her fists, her eyes blazing. "So you did it. You killed our people, burned our homes—all because you were told to? Do you think that makes it any better? Do you think that makes it excusable?"

Riven's gaze faltered for a moment, the pain evident in her eyes. "No," she said, her voice softer. "It doesn't excuse it. I know that. I know what I did, and I live with it every day. But what you have to understand, Irelia, is that in Noxus, disobedience means death. I did what I had to do to survive. And now…" She looked away, her expression tightening. "Now I've abandoned Noxus. If they ever find me, they will execute me. As far as they know, I'm dead. And if they find out I'm alive, living among the people I once fought against, my death is guaranteed."

There was silence between them, the weight of Riven's words settling heavily in the air. Irelia's eyes narrowed, her anger still simmering, but there was something else now—something that wasn't quite sympathy, but wasn't pure hatred either.

"If the Brotherhood finds out about you," Irelia said, her voice low, "or if the Resistance discovers that I allowed a Noxian to live, you won't be safe here either. You must realize that."

Riven nodded, her gaze meeting Irelia's. "I do. But I'd rather take my chances here, with Ionia, than go back to Noxus. At least here, I have a chance to be something more than just a weapon. At least here, I can try to make amends." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly, a hint of challenge in her gaze. "If you want to kill me, Irelia, I won't stop you. But I'd rather die knowing I tried to change, than live as the person I used to be."

Irelia stared at Riven, her heart pounding, her emotions a tangled mess of anger, confusion, and something she didn't want to admit was understanding. She wanted to hate Riven, wanted to see her as nothing more than the enemy—but there was something in Riven's eyes, in the way she spoke, that made it impossible.

Riven wasn't just a soldier blindly following orders. She was a person—someone who had been caught in the web of Noxian ambition, someone who had suffered, just as Irelia had. And now, she was trying to change. She was trying to find something more, just as Irelia was.

Slowly, Irelia let out a breath, her fists unclenching. She didn't know if she could ever forgive Riven, but maybe, just maybe, she could try to understand. And for now, that was enough.

"Don't think this means I trust you," Irelia said, her voice low, her eyes still fierce. "I don't. But… I won't kill you. Not today."

Riven nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face. "That's all I can ask for."

The tension between them was still there, but it was different now—less of a threat, more of an unsteady truce. Irelia turned away, her gaze shifting to the distant fields, the sun rising higher in the sky. She still felt the weight of everything that had happened, the anger that hadn't fully left her, but maybe now, she could begin to let go of some of it.

"I'll let you get back to work," Irelia said finally, her voice in a more softer tone now. "I'm sure Jiro wouldn't want you slacking off."

Riven gave her a small nod, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you."

As Riven turned back to the tools, Irelia stood there for a moment longer, watching her. The anger hadn't vanished, but for the first time, there was a flicker of something else—a sense that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way forward.

Naruto had finished another round of his intense training session, his chest rising and falling heavily with each breath. Sweat dripped from his forehead, his knuckles bruised and aching from the relentless blows he had exchanged with his clones. He sat down in the field, leaning back on his hands as he let out a slow, shaky breath. The physical exertion had taken the edge off his anger, and though he still felt a gnawing sadness, there was a calmness now that hadn't been there before.

"You feel a little better now?" Kurama's voice echoed in his mind, the deep rumble of the fox's words tinged with concern.

"A little," Naruto replied, his eyes focused on the sky, the clouds drifting lazily above. He still felt the weight of his regret, the ache of hurting Irelia, but the frustration had dulled somewhat, replaced by a sense of determination to make things right. "I just… wish I knew what to say to her. I need her to know how much I care."

"Give it time, kid," Kurama said, his voice surprisingly gentle. "I'm sure she knows."

Naruto closed his eyes, letting Kurama's words sink in. He took a deep breath, trying to center himself. He was about to respond when suddenly, his senses went on high alert.

A sharp whistling sound pierced the air—an arrow, flying at an incredible speed, aimed directly at his head. Without a second thought, Naruto jerked his head to the side, the arrow slicing through the air just inches from his ear and embedding itself into the ground behind him with a dull thud.

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his body tensing. He leapt to his feet, instantly gathering the energy he needed to enter Sage Mode. He felt the nature chakra flow into him, heightening his senses in a flash.

His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area, and there, in the distance—a cloaked figure moving swiftly, trying to escape through the cover of the dense foliage beyond the field. Naruto's eyes locked onto the figure, and without a moment's hesitation, he took off in pursuit.

"That arrow could've taken your head off, Naruto," Kurama snarled, anger simmering beneath his words. "Someone's here to cause trouble. Don't let them get away."

"No chance," Naruto replied, his voice filled with determination as he sprinted after the figure, his feet pounding against the ground. One thought raced through his mind, the only possible explanation: The Brotherhood.

The figure darted between the trees, their cloak billowing behind them, and Naruto pushed himself harder, leaping over fallen branches, dodging trunks, moving with the agility of someone who had done this countless times before. He wasn't going to let them escape—he needed answers.

Naruto closed the distance, his senses allowing him to anticipate the figure's every movement. He could feel the intent—the desperation to get away, the fear, and the panic. The pursuit continued, and Naruto could feel he was closing in—just a few more moments, and he'd have them.

Suddenly, the cloaked figure changed direction, slipping into a narrow passage between two thick clusters of trees. Naruto followed, his eyes focused, every muscle in his body ready to react. But then, his heightened senses picked up something else—several more energy signatures surrounding him, closing in fast.

It was a trap.

Naruto skidded to a halt, his eyes darting around as he counted at least a dozen cloaked figures emerging from the shadows, each one positioned with precision. Crossbows were raised, bolts glinting in the faint light filtering through the forest canopy. The air was thick with tension, the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves the only noise that broke the silence.

Naruto stood in the center, his heart pounding, but instead of fear, a slow smile spread across his face. His eyes narrowed, his fists clenching, and he felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing through the clearing, his gaze sweeping over the group that surrounded him.

"Well," Naruto said, his voice carrying a dangerous edge, "you all have the worst timing. I've been having a really bad day, and I think you're all going to have to make up for it."

The cloaked figures didn't respond, their crossbows remaining trained on him, their expressions hidden beneath their hoods. Naruto could feel the tension radiating from them, the subtle shift of their stances as they prepared to attack.

"Careful, Naruto," Kurama warned, his voice resonating in Naruto's mind. "They've got numbers and they're well-positioned. Don't underestimate them."

"I'm not," Naruto replied, the smile still on his face, but his eyes had hardened. He had been through enough battles to know that these attackers were well-trained, prepared for an ambush. But Naruto was no stranger to being outnumbered—and he wasn't about to let these guys think they had the upper hand.

With a burst of movement, Naruto lunged towards the nearest cloaked figure, his body moving like a blur. The man barely had time to react before Naruto was upon him, knocking the crossbow from his hands with a swift, powerful strike. The figure stumbled back, but before they could recover, Naruto grabbed them by the cloak and tossed them into two others who were advancing from behind, sending all three sprawling to the ground.

Another figure fired their crossbow, but Naruto sensed the attack, twisting his body just in time for the bolt to miss him by inches. He spun around, forming a quick hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Two clones appeared at his side, immediately moving to engage the enemies from either flank. Naruto and his clones moved in tandem, their fists striking out with precision and power, each blow landing with a force that sent the cloaked figures reeling.

Naruto ducked as another crossbow bolt flew towards him, his senses guiding him through the chaos. He swept his leg out, knocking one of the attackers off their feet before slamming his fist into the ground, sending a shockwave that rippled through the earth, destabilizing those closest to him.

The cloaked figures weren't rookies, but Naruto was faster, stronger—each movement fueled by the frustration and anger that had been simmering within him since his fight with Irelia. This was his chance to release it, to channel it into something that made sense. And as he fought, he could feel the tension easing, replaced by a sharp focus that allowed him to predict every movement, every attack.

One of the attackers managed to get close, swinging a short sword towards Naruto's side. Naruto caught the blade with his bare hand, the steel stopping inches from his skin as his Sage Mode-enhanced strength held it in place. He looked up at the cloaked figure, his eyes fierce, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You picked the wrong guy to mess with," Naruto said, his voice low and dangerous.

With a swift movement, he disarmed the attacker, sending the sword clattering to the ground before delivering a powerful punch that sent the figure flying back, crashing into a tree.

The remaining attackers began to hesitate, the confidence they had held at the beginning of the ambush starting to wane. They exchanged glances, their stances faltering as they realized that they had underestimated their target. Naruto stood in the center of the clearing, his eyes glowing with the power of Sage Mode, his stance unwavering.

"They're losing their nerve," Kurama noted, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "They weren't expecting this much of a fight."

"Good," Naruto replied, his gaze shifting to each of the remaining attackers. "Maybe they'll think twice before coming after us again."

He took a step forward, his presence radiating power, and the attackers began to retreat, their movements hurried as they backed away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest. Naruto watched them go, his senses still sharp, ready for any sudden movement. But they didn't return. The forest grew quiet once more, the tension slowly dissipating as the threat vanished.

Naruto let out a long breath, the adrenaline beginning to ebb. He released the Sage Mode, his eyes returning to their normal blue as he stood there, the clearing now empty save for a few scattered weapons and signs of the struggle. He looked down at his hands, the knuckles still bruised, and felt a sense of calm wash over him.

"You handled that well, kid," Kurama said, his voice filled with approval. "But don't let your guard down. If the Brotherhood is this close, it means they're not done yet."

Naruto nodded, his expression serious. "I know. They wanted to send a message—and I'm sending one back. They won't get rid of me that easily."

Leaving behind a couple shadow clones, Naruto turned and began making his way back towards the farm. He needed to warn Jiro and Riven, and more importantly, he needed to find Irelia. This wasn't over, and he wasn't about to let anyone threaten the people he cared about.

A/N: The Brotherhood is always lurking. I feel real good after this chapter, I wanted to have Irelia show signs of Naruto influence on her. Thanks for reading!