A/N:
Hey guys! So I decided to make this chapter for sole entertainment, I needed a break from the main story anyway.

So before reading this, please take note that the following events in this chapter aren't related to the main plot. Enjoy reading!

P. S.: I was supposed to post this on October but I'm too preoccupied with school stuff 😭

ʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔ

Hiruda couldn't handle the pain any longer, the sensation is way too unbearable.

Yet, she finds no reason in commanding her legs to stop.

She panted heavily as her lungs screamed for air, adrenaline pumping through her veins. She rounded to another corner, only to be greeted by the evidence of brutal slaughter once more.

Or should she say, cannibalism?

Hiruda shook her head vigorously, trying to erase the unpleasant image from her mind. She broke out in cold sweat, eyes widened with fear as she searched through her surroundings frantically, the rotten smell of dead bodies infiltrating through her nostrils. She wanted to believe everything was just a dream, but the presence of her five senses made her think otherwise.

The series of low guttural groans and hisses behind her was enough to make her heart drop. Too preoccupied with dreadful thoughts, she quickly made a beeline towards the staircase near the teachers' faculty room. Hiruda gasped as she stumbled on a dead body ahead, tripping over in the process. She paled when she glanced behind her.

Behold, the sight of the living dead.

Pasty-faced and colorless skin stained with blood, their horrifying features can surely haunt you in your sleep, unless you're brave enough to succumb to the unconscious that is. They had a sloppy gait as they approached, eyes wide with hunger. Their jaws were dislocated, showing their torn tongues and blood stained teeth.

Zombies.

Hiruda lets out a blood-curdling scream as the zombies scrambled towards her hurriedly, violent hisses escaping from their lips. She tried to get up, but her trembling form made her weak and helpless. She felt hot tears streaming down her cheeks, her quick beating heart wanting to burst out of her chest. Will she die so soon already?

"S-Someone..." She tried to call for help, but for some reason, her voice had died out.

Never did she thought this is how her life will end.

Is there anything more cruel than such a brutal death?

With her legs unable to move, Hiruda dragged her body across the floor helplessly, hyperventilating. Just as she brace for the worst, she heard a sharp whooshing noise, followed by a harsh impact. Drops of blood stained her school uniform, but that didn't stop her from looking up.

His bright, golden, spiky hair was so noticeable that she realized immediately who it is.

"N-Naruto...?" Hiruda uttered, in a state of disbelief and surprise.

The boy grunted as he swung the gray baseball bat with incredible force, knocking out one of the zombies. Hiruda shrieked as more of the ravenous monsters charged at her. She felt a tug on her arm.

"Hop on!" Naruto exclaimed. He crouched down, his back facing her.

Hiruda was puzzled. "But, wha--"

"We don't have much time!" He interjected.

It only occurred to her that he was aware of her current condition. Hiruda mentally thanked his thoughtfulness.

Promptly, she placed her arms around his neck as Naruto hoists her up by the back of her legs before dashing ahead. Hiruda lets out a small squeak at his abrupt movement, her arms tightening around his neck instinctively.

"Don't let go!" He warned as he climbed up the staircase leading to the third floor.

Hiruda's eyes widened as the crowd of zombies chasing after them grew larger. "There's more of them!"

"Don't worry! We'll make it to safety, believe it!" Naruto uttered with steadfast confidence.

He releases a loud battle cry as he went over the last stair before jerking his head towards the three students standing by the wall.

"Now, Ino-Shika-Cho!" Naruto said.

Hiruda recognized them; Ino, a dirty blonde-haired girl with turquoise eyes, Shikamaru, his dark hair tied into a high ponytail with matching onyx eyes, and Choji, a brunette with a chubby appearance. They were in the same class as hers.

The trio nodded, throwing a bunch of chairs down the staircase to stop the zombies. Hiruda flinched at the continuous banging noises, nonetheless, she was grateful for their help.

🎃🎃🎃

"You bastard!" Naruto charged at the raven-haired boy, grabbing him by the collar. "What did you say?!"

The boy had an impassive look on his face, his pale skin a resemblance of a porcelain doll. Hiruda wondered if he likes putting gel on his hair as it stuck out in different directions.

"Maybe you didn't hear me the first time, dobe." He replied in a monotone voice. "You think we're supposed to give you a warm welcome because of your so-called heroic antics? Well guess what, you just brought another nuisance in this room."

Hiruda's heart sunk when the boy pointed a finger at her accusingly.

Naruto gritted his teeth. "Don't you dare call her a nuisance because she's not, Sasuke! Rather, she's our classmate!"

Sasuke glared at him. "Call her whatever you want, but right now, she's a potential enemy. It's most likely that she's already infected. At any moment, she can turn into a zombie."

The other students in the room back away from Hiruda immediately, eyes widened with fear. The girl wanted to protest her innocence, yet she knew that the apocalyptic incident gave them trust issues.

"Stop giving me that crap!" The blonde shoved him against the blackboard. "You really need to stop being so pessimistic for once!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "It's called being cautious, dumbass. Don't forget that I saved you from Sasame who turned into a zombie right after you let her into our hideout. And to think that you'd repeat your mistake twice," He sighed, rubbing his temples. "You really are an idiot."

For a moment, Hiruda saw guilt flash through Naruto's features, which he concealed it instantly. It seemed that he's the type to hold onto his pride.

He slammed his fist against the blackboard, his shoulders trembling with rage. "Say that again and you'll be sorry!"

Unable to listen to their argument any further, Hiruda spoke up before she could stop herself. "I will leave."

Silence enveloped the room, the clock ticking loudly in the midst of the stillness. Hiruda grew uneasy being the center of attention. Naruto's scowl twisted into a look of concern, while Sasuke stared at her in mild surprise.

"Hiruda... You're not gonna..." Naruto trailed off. He tried to take a step towards her, but he halted at her warning glance.

She released a long exhale. "If I leave, then that ends the argument, right?"

Naruto opened his mouth to protest, only to get interrupted as a screeching noise occured from sliding door. The sound captured the attention of some zombies wandering aimlessly at the end of the hallway. Hiruda paled as she braced for the worst. They hissed violently, charging towards her with hunger in their bloodlust eyes that had the young girl weak on her knees.

Tears blurred her vision as she stepped outside the room shakily, her hands clasped together for comfort. When a bloody arm lunged at her, Hiruda knew that a brutal death would be the outcome. Suddenly, a sudden force made her stagger back as the door slammed shut before her eyes.

Sasuke was leaning against the doorframe, panting softly. Hiruda assumed she was hallucinating at the relieved look in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" She jolted upon hearing a voice above her. When she looked up, ocean blue eyes greeted her. Hiruda blushed at their close proximity as she turned away.

She grew aware of his arms around her waist, its warmth somehow comforting.

"Why...?" Naruto's expression softened.

"I'm tired of watching my friends die before my eyes and I won't allow it to happen again."

Hiruda blinks in surprise. "He sees me as a friend?"

She decided to shrug it off for now.

"That sounds a lot like you, Naruto."

Hiruda had always known of his kind nature under his loud and boisterous character. There were times she'd wonder about his capability to draw people in. Perhaps it's his sincere and straightforward proclamations that gives them the reason to trust him.

ʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔʕ•ﻌ•ʔ

A/N:
I know it's pretty short, but I couldn't really find the time to write lengthy chapters as of the moment :( Hopefully, December comes by quickly so I can have my Christmas vacation.

Anyways, Belated Happy Halloween to y'all!

Word Count: 1,437