Naruto: Raging whirlpool

In the relentless gloom of Naruto's cell, the days and nights melded into an endless, indistinguishable stretch of time. The monotony was broken only when, at irregular intervals, a piece of stale bread and a water container were tossed through the bars. The bread, hard and devoid of flavor, barely passed for sustenance, but Naruto had endured worse. The water container, scuffed and weathered, held water that was often lukewarm and metallic.

He leaned against the cold, damp wall, staring blankly at the ceiling. His heart felt like it was being ripped apart. 'Hinata... she's gone... She died protecting me, and I couldn't do a damn thing to stop it.' The memory of her sacrifice gnawed at him, a constant reminder of his own helplessness. He hated himself for being too weak to save her. The guilt weighed heavier than his own body.

Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her face... warm, kind, and full of love... only to watch it turn to ash before him. 'I couldn't save her... I, let her die!.'

Alone in the suffocating silence, Naruto's frustration boiled over. He shot to his feet and began pacing the small cell, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Without warning, he slammed his fist against the stone wall. "WHY HER?!" he roared, the words echoing down the dungeon corridors. Pain shot through his knuckles as they split open on impact, blood dripping onto the floor. The seals etched into the walls pulsed faintly, indifferent to his rage. He slumped back down, cradling his injured hand, tears streaming down his face. The physical pain was nothing compared to what he felt inside. "Dammit... I'm so useless."

Desperately trying to hold himself together, Naruto forced himself into a meditative trance, just like the old man had taught him. He closed his eyes, taking slow, deep breaths. "Clear your mind, Naruto," the old Hokage's voice echoed in his thoughts. "Focus on your breathing and let go of your worries."

Naruto took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, there was a gradual release of tension with each breath. "It's almost like you're still here, old man." The meditation demanded his focus, but with every deliberate exhale, a faint sense of calm trickled in, keeping him from losing himself. 'I can't let that fox take over again,' he vowed silently.

His voice trembled as he spoke. "It hasn't been long since you died, old man, and now another's left me..." Tears welled up in his eyes, threatening to spill over. "Tell me... why is it that the people I care about always end up dead?"

Time passed... days, maybe weeks, he couldn't tell. The routine of meager meals and patrolling guards continued. Naruto wasn't planning to leave until he got what he came for, the guards were unnecessary. Their mocking stares and whispered insults only grated on his nerves, but he ignored them.

What he needed was something he knew that snake wouldn't hand over easily. "I've seen it once, but how the hell did he pull it off...?" his voice trailed off, the question lingering in the cool, musty air of the dungeon.

Footsteps echoed down the dungeon hall, growing louder with each step. Shadows danced against the cold stone walls, hinting at a presence yet unseen. As the figure approached, their outline became more distinct, a silhouette against the dim light. A hand rested on the cold iron bars. For a moment, the seals shimmered faintly before the door creaked open with a haunting resonance. Tayuya slipped inside, carrying a bowl of steaming stew and a cup of milk, the warmth of the meal a stark contrast to the bleak surroundings.

Naruto's stomach rumbled loudly, resonating through the silence of his cell. He couldn't help but think, 'Finally, I thought I was gonna die,' as he eagerly eyed the bowl of steaming stew.

"So, you finally decided to show up," he said, forcing a smirk. "It's been a while, y'know."

Tayuya rolled her eyes. "I'm a busy person. I can't just stick around here and babysit you." She paused, a smirk playing on her lips. "Ha, ya'know?"

*Bleh* She stuck her tongue out and pulled down her lower eyelid with her finger, mocking his funny verbal tick, before handing him the hot meal she had gone through considerable effort to sneak in for him. Navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the dungeon, Tayuya had to dodge several patrols, slip through a guarded kitchen door, and nearly got caught twice, her heart pounding with each narrow escape.

"You eat like a damn pig! Slow down, will ya... You better be grateful, clod," she said, shifting her gaze outside the cell to keep an eye out for any approaching guards, her senses heightened and ready to spring into action at the slightest noise.

She sighed, "You're helpless," she added, folding her arms and leaning against the cold stone wall, her eyes twinkling with a hint of pride as she watched Naruto hungrily dive into the meal.

A comfortable silence fell between them, punctuated only by the sound of Naruto hungrily devouring the meal. The clinking of the spoon against the bowl and his occasional slurps as he savored the hearty, aromatic mixture echoed through the cold, stone-walled cell. Tayuya watched him with a mix of impatience and curiosity, her eyes darting to the corridor outside to keep a lookout for any approaching guards.

Finally, Naruto lifted the bowl to his lips and drank the remaining broth straight from it. He sighed with satisfaction, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Not bad, but ramen's still the best. Thanks, Tayuya," he said, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude.

Tayuya scoffed, folding her arms. "Don't get all mushy on me, idiot," she muttered, her cheeks slightly tinged with pink as she shifted her face away, trying to hide her expression.

A brief quiet settled between them for a moment, before Naruto broke it. "I... need to talk to Orochimaru," he said, his face laden with quiet determination.

She let out an exasperated sigh, her patience wearing thin. "You've been saying that a lot lately.... Why exactly do you want to see him so bad?" Her voice resonated through the confined space, adding to the already thick tension.

Naruto's eyes hardened, a flicker of unwavering resolve sparking within them. "I have my reasons," he replied evenly, his tone unyielding.

Tayuya scrutinized him, her piercing gaze attempting to unravel his motives. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words and guarded secrets. Finally, she nodded, her expression a blend of resignation and curiosity. "It's not up to me, but I'll see what I can do," she said, lowering the intense sharpness of her tone.

"Th-Thanks, I'll make it up to you," Naruto said, his voice filled with relief. Since he got here, Tayuya had stuck her neck out for him more than just once. He owed her more than he wanted to admit, as he wasn't used to relying on others to look after him. 'How am I ever going to pay her back?' he wondered, the weight of his debt pressing down on him like an unshakable burden.

"So... I've been meaning to ask," Naruto said, glancing at the stone walls. "Ever since we got here I only ever got a bad impression of the Sound ninja. That attack on our way in, the way those guards look at me... It's like they're all paranoid, ready to cut down anyone who looks at them the wrong way. What's up with that?"

Tayuya snorted, her bitterness palpable. "Welcome to the Sound Village," she said. "Everyone here is only in it for themselves. The strong decide what's right and wrong, and if you're weak, you're nothing. If you slip up, you're dead. The only thing keeping them in check is their fear of drawing Lord Orochimaru's attention"

Naruto frowned. Her words were harsh, but the truth in them was undeniable. 'So this is the kind of village Orochimaru made...' "Sounds like a pain in the ass," he muttered.

Tayuya laughed dryly, the coldness in her voice echoing off the stone walls. "You think? This place is a hellhole. No one trusts anyone and for good reason, one day you could be friends and in the next you're fighting to the death."

Naruto observed her for a moment, his curiosity getting the better of him. "So... what about you? You're not like them are you?" he asked, an innocent question that unknowingly cut deep.

Tayuya's eyes flashed with anger, her fiery red hair flowed wildly as it framed her face, her defenses rising like never before. "Don't you ever put me on the same level as those scumbags!" she snapped, her voice sharp and full of venom.

Naruto raised his hands in surrender, taken aback by her sudden fury. "Sorry, just forget it," he said quickly, trying to defuse the tension.

Tayuya's jaw clenched, and she took a step back, her eyes burning with a mixture of hurt and anger. "You think you know me? You think you understand what it's like to survive in this hellhole?" she spat, her voice trembling with emotion.

Naruto shook his head, realizing he had crossed a line. "No, I don't. I just... I didn't mean it like that..," he said softly, his voice full of regret.

Tayuya's anger didn't dissipate entirely, but she took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Yeah... whatever. I'm heading out," she muttered, turning on her heel and walking towards the cell door.

As she turned to leave, Naruto felt a pang of urgency. "Hey, see you tomorrow?"

She hesitated, her expression softening just a fraction before muttering, "....see you tomorrow." And with that, she locked the cell and walked away.

Naruto sighed in relief, the weight of their interaction pressing heavily on him. 'That was close. Gotta watch what I say around her.'