naruto · team 7 · shippuden · alternate universe · sasuke never left · konoha · ninja · found family · action · ensemble
Sunlight pierces the thick forest canopy in scattered, golden shafts, painting the mossy earth below with shifting, dappled light. The air hangs heavy with the scent of wet bark and decaying leaves. Team 7 moves in a loose line along the narrow trail, their footsteps a soft crunch on the forest floor. Naruto walks with his hands locked behind his head, a sulky expression plastered on his face. Sakura keeps a few paces behind, her gaze lost somewhere in the trees. Sasuke strides ahead with a tense, purposeful silence, while Kakashi lingers at the rear, watching his students with a mix of fondness and deep exhaustion. Naruto lets out another loud groan. "Ugh, this mission is so boring I could die!" Sakura murmurs, almost to herself, "I hate to say it, but... yeah." Sasuke doesn't bother loo…