The next morning dawned hazy over the camp. As the survivors gathered, everyone was still processing what had happened with the red aura—the terrifying, powerful figure that had appeared when they staged an attack on Octavia. They didn't know who or what it was, but they knew one thing for sure: they needed better defenses. Bellamy and Clarke spent the morning rounding up everyone to discuss strategies, trying to ensure that the camp would be prepared should that "red thing" return.
Octavia, however, wasn't focused on their conversation. Her thoughts were somewhere else entirely, turning over a painful realization in her mind: Naruto hadn't come for her. When the red creature had attacked, she had been left vulnerable and alone. And as much as she tried to shake it off, the thought lingered, heavy and suffocating. Had Naruto truly abandoned her?
Clarke, noticing the distant look in Octavia's eyes, moved closer. "You're quiet today," she observed, her tone soft but searching.
Octavia hesitated, then finally admitted, "Naruto… he didn't come for me, Clarke. I thought… I thought he would, but he didn't. Maybe he doesn't care about me anymore."
Clarke tilted her head thoughtfully, considering Octavia's words. "But you know he has always shown up when you've been in danger before, right?"
Octavia nodded, trying to hide the small flicker of hope in her eyes. "Yeah… but that was before." She trailed off, biting her lip as memories of her moments with Naruto drifted through her mind, clouded now by confusion and the lingering memory of her kiss with Lincoln. A part of her wondered if that kiss had changed things between them—if that was why he hadn't come.
Clarke seemed to sense Octavia's hesitation. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a gentle whisper. "Listen, Octavia, I have an idea. If Naruto always shows up when you're in danger, maybe that's our way to find out if he still cares. If we stage another attack on you… maybe he'll come."
Octavia's eyes widened, uncertainty flickering in them. "But he didn't come the last time, Clarke. What makes you think he would now?"
Clarke met her gaze steadily. "If he doesn't come, then maybe… maybe he's moved on. But if he does, you'll have your answer. At least you'll know."
After a pause, Octavia took a deep breath, nodding. "Alright… let's do it." Her voice was small, hesitant. Clarke gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder before stepping away to fill Bellamy in on the plan.
--
Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Naruto lay asleep in a small clearing. He hadn't returned to camp; he hadn't wanted to. He awoke slowly, blinking against the light that filtered through the trees. His arm still glowed faintly, Octavia's name etched into his skin with a dull blue light. It was less painful than before, but the ache remained. He turned his gaze up, watching as the branches above swayed slightly in the morning breeze, feeling strangely calm and detached from everything.
His mind drifted back to the sight that had haunted him for days: Octavia and Lincoln, locked in a kiss. He didn't even know the man's name, but the betrayal felt the same. His fists clenched, his hand throbbing as the Nine-Tails' voice echoed in his mind.
"She was never yours," the Nine-Tails taunted, its voice low and mocking. "You were just a convenience to her."
Naruto took a steadying breath, fighting down the storm of emotions inside him. "Then why… why does my hand still ache for her?" he whispered, staring at the faint glow on his skin.
But there was no answer, only silence. Ignoring the tugging ache, Naruto rose to his feet and walked deeper into the woods, determined to leave his past—and Octavia—behind him.
--
At camp, Bellamy, Clarke, and a small group gathered around Octavia, carefully setting up their plan. They positioned themselves strategically, waiting for her signal. Octavia's heart beat heavily in her chest, and she almost called it off. But then she thought of Naruto's absence, his silence, and forced herself to go through with it.
When everything was ready, she took a deep breath and started to scream. "Help! Somebody, please!" Her voice cracked, desperation laced in every word.
The camp fell silent as her voice echoed through the trees. Everyone waited, tense, straining their ears for any sign of movement. For a long moment, there was nothing. The forest remained still, the silence heavy. Then, suddenly, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
Naruto stood there, silent and imposing, his gaze scanning the scene with an intensity that sent a chill down everyone's spine. His red eyes flickered in the dim light, casting an eerie glow, and he looked at each person one by one, assessing them without a word.
The entire camp held its breath as he moved closer, his presence radiating a cold energy. Octavia felt her heart skip a beat, relief flooding through her, though she quickly masked it with a look of confusion. Just as she was about to say something, Bellamy moved behind Naruto and brought down a hard blow to his head.
Naruto stumbled, disoriented, before he fell to the ground, unconscious. The camp gathered around him, staring down at him as he lay there, his face peaceful and expressionless, a stark contrast to the red glow that had surrounded him moments before.
Clarke knelt beside Octavia, offering her a small, reassuring smile. "See? He still cares," she whispered.
Octavia nodded, her gaze fixed on Naruto's face. She didn't know what to say, emotions swirling inside her. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, her voice a soft murmur. "Where have you been, Naruto?"