(A/N: This is a two-shot. It is dedicated to someone, you will find out at the bottom.)
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Naruto smiled weakly while half dragging, half carrying the surviving Uchiha. He had just rescued Sasuke from Orochimaru and said snake is dead, by Naruto's Fuuton: RasenShuriken to the head.
He couldn't wait to get back to the village, and hear all those cheers for him. Finally, he will gain the acknowledgement he craved! He single-handedly rescued Sasuke from Orochimaru's grasp, and killed Konoha's most hated nin.
They don't have any reason to be mad at him!
Naruto winced, he jarred another wound. Orochimaru had used that stupid sealing technique on him before the fight ended, so his wounds were not healing as fast as they should be. His hands shook slightly, shit, he needed his pills.
Ever since Naruto could remember, he has been taking anti-depressants, and sleeping pills. The anti-depressant was for his deep depression that he hides so well, and the sleeping pills were for peaceful nights without the nightmares. He doesn't think that he has had one night where he didn't have nightmares when he forgot to take his pills.
The nightmares were horrific when he did have them, and they were always the same thing. A monster, that looked eerily like himself, slowly and painfully killing all those he held dear, along with a burning Konoha just behind him.
He told himself, time and time again, that he would never let the monster that attacked Konoha all those years ago loose on his precious Konohagakure.
He panted harshly at the extra weight, but kept going, his promise to Sakura driving him on. The Uchiha still hasn't woken up from when he was knocked out by Naruto several hours ago.
He let out a small grin when he saw the gate before him. Just a little further.
He could see Sakura standing near the gate, a worried expression on her face. Just as she spotted him, it began to pour, the rain making the ground harder to walk on.
Sakura came running up to him, a worried expression on her face, and took the Uchiha from his back. She didn't say anything to him as she ran a diagnostic on Sasuke, so focused, she didn't notice the shaking of her teammate, or the swaying he was doing.
Her green hands returned to their normal color as she let the chakra go, and stayed there. Naruto was worried, so he asked, "Sakura-chan? What's wro-"
She suddenly whirled on him with a furious expression on her face, "You hurt Sasuke-kun! I told you I wanted him brought back, but I didn't want him to the point where he is ready for a body bag! How could you, you… you monster!" She smacked him, hard, on his right cheek. Her nails, which were manicured while Naruto was rescuing Sasuke, left four lines on his red cheek, and blood leaked out of them. "Just go and die, you monster!"
Something inside Naruto broke, and if you looked at his eyes properly, you would notice the deadness they seem to give off, like he was no longer there. He gave a sad smile, knowing what she said was true. He was a monster. His dreams were proof of that, I mean, what kind of human would have those kinds of dreams? He must not be human.
He is the demon everyone claims him to be.
"Well, I'll just leave him to you then. Can you tell Baachan I'll see her tomorrow for the report?"
"Just go, you monster, and leave me and Sasuke-kun alone before you do anything worse." Sakura replied curtly, laced with venom. Naruto nodded, and bowed his head so his hair covered his eyes. He walked away without another word.
Once he entered the gate, he saw the rest of the rookie twelve running towards him. He put his mask on full power, so no one would see the pain he was in, mentally, and physically. They stopped in front of him.
Unsurprisingly, Ino was the first to ask, "Where's Sasuke-kun?"
Naruto pointed his thumb over his shoulder, "Over there, Sakura's healing him."
Ino's eyes flared, "You hurt my precious Sasuke-kun? How dare you, you monster!" She smacked him too, and ran to see if she could do anything.
Naruto watched her go, his dead eyes returning. He hid his sorrow with his mask carefully before returning to the others in front of him, "Hey guys!" He said in a loud voice. "What's with the warm welcome?"
"Hey, what happened to your cheek?" Kiba asked.
"Oh, Sakura slapped me too for bringing Sasuke back nearly dead. It's not like I didn't have any choice in the matter." Naruto replied in his boasting voice. His smile faltered when no one smiled.
"Hn, mendekuso. I'm going to see if Ino'll be okay." Shikamaru yawned before walking off.
"I am going to see the youthful and beautiful Sakura-chan!" Lee announced and ran off.
"I'm also going to see if Ino'll be okay." Chouji muttered, and walked off with a wave.
"Are y-you okay, N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked quietly.
"Huh? Oh, I'm fine, Hinata-chan, don't worry about me. Nothing could keep me down!" Naruto pumped his arm in the air. Hinata nodded and said, "I'm g-going to s-see if Sakura-san needs a-any help in healing Sasuke-san."
"Okay, I'll be fine, don't worry… about… me." Naruto trailed off, watching Hinata run off without looking back, and without letting him finish. He sighed.
He felt a pat on his back and turned to see Neji smiling softly at him, "Welcome home, Uzumaki."
"Thanks Neji, Shino, it's great to be back!" Naruto replied, now watching Kiba run after Hinata. "Neji, can you do me a favor?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Can you tell Baachan that I'll get her the report in the morning, I'm so tired right now."
"Sure, you go on ahead to your house and get some sleep. See you tomorrow."
"Yeah, bye Neji, bye Shino. I'll… talk to you tomorrow."
Both of them noticed the small hesitation in using those words, but thought nothing of it.
Naruto, using the rooftops, and his top speed, arrived at his apartment in record time. He locked the door thoroughly, and retrieved a pen and paper. He wrote a quick note to Tsunade, one for his report and one to all those he held dear, and set them on the table, along with the Shodaime's necklace.
He smiled softly as he winced again from his wounds. He peeled off his jacket and threw it aside, going to the cupboard for his pills. He took several anti-depressants, and all of the sleeping pills he had, which was two bottles. He kept his sad smile on as he entered his bedroom and laid on the bed. He took off his hitai-ate and held it to his chest, remembering when he had gotten it.
Iruka would understand, he knew it.
He was not sure if everyone else would understand. But, once they knew of the burden he carried, they would not care. They would be glad he was dead.
His thoughts briefly wandered onto the seal on his stomach, over the previous. Now, he was glad that Orochimaru used that sealing technique on him. Now he doesn't have to worry about the stupid fox pumping the effects of the sleeping pills out of his system so he wouldn't die.
He closed his eyes and appeared in his mind. He went straight towards the cage of the Kyuubi, now re-enforced. The Kyuubi was looking at him in slight surprise.
"What are you doing here, you ningen?"
"I just wanted to say goodbye, Kyuubi."
"What do you mean, flesh-bag? You aren't going anywhere!"
"I beg to differ. I just wanted you to know, I don't blame you for how the villagers treated me. I forgive you, and thank you for being there for all my life."
"What are you going on about? Why are you fading?!?"
Naruto gave a sad smile and walked into the cage, hugging Kyuubi's massive paw. This shocked Kyuubi so much, he didn't snap out of his stupor until Naruto was back out of the cage.
"Bye Kyuubi." Naruto disappeared from his mind.
He opened his eyes, to see that they were blurry and his mind was fuzzy. Good, they were starting to take effect. He smiled a true smile. He wasn't going to be in pain any longer.
The next morning, Sasuke was up and about, and currently being questioned by Tsunade. But he wouldn't answer any of her questions.
"Uchiha, if you know what's good fo-"
"Where's the dobe?" Sasuke cut her off.
This was answered by a confused expression, "He should have been here hours ago. I'm going to check on him." She stood.
Sasuke stood up as well, "I'm going too."
She nodded and jumped out the window in the direction of Naruto's apartment, Sasuke following close behind.
When they got there, they couldn't open the door, so Tsunade punched it, reducing it to splinters.
"Naruto?" Tsunade called, walking in after Sasuke.
"I'll go check his room." Sasuke muttered, and went to his room.
"Yosh. Hey, what's this?" She picked up the piece of paper from the table, along with the necklace, and read the note.
Sasuke entered Naruto's room, to see Naruto still sleeping. He relaxed a bit, and took a stop towards him. He suddenly froze. Something was wrong. He activated his Sharingan and looked around, seeing nothing out of place. His eyes then landed on Naruto's chest. It wasn't… moving. Why wasn't it moving?!
"Naruto!" Sasuke yelled, running up to his prone body, and checked his pulse. Right when he put his fingers on his neck, he recoiled in shock. Naruto was cold… too cold.
Naruto was dead.
Sasuke backed up until he hit the wall and stared at Naruto's dead body. Tsunade heard the yell after she finished the note and ran towards the room with tears streaming down her cheeks.
"No! Naruto!" Tsunade hugged the once so warm body close to her, as if her heat would bring him back. She broke down.
Sasuke felt out of place, so he walked out of the room. He went to the kitchen and picked up a piece of paper, and started to read. It was just a report.
He picked up the other paper on the table and began to read that one too. He gasped in shock at what it said.
To whomever is reading this.
If you are some random villager, just rip this piece of paper up. Otherwise, keep reading.
Tsunade-baabaa, I will miss you. I wanted to say that I've always thought of you as a surrogate mother, and always called you Baachan as a stress reliever. I love you.
Jiraiya, Ero-sennin, I will miss you too, and I always looked up to you as a dirty grandfather, a dirty, yet somewhat wise grandfather who was there for me. I love you.
Shikamaru, I am honored to call you my friend. Keep your friends close, and protect them with all your might. Never let go.
Neji, I thought of you as a brother. Never let fate rule your life, and choose your own destiny. I love you.
Hinata, I thought of you as a sister. Don't let those old hags rule your life, make me proud! And please, fulfill my promise to Neji, for I don't think I can.
Chouji, you were always my eating partner. I am honored to have eaten with, and known you in life. Make your clan proud!
Kiba, you were always calling me down, always loud, always brash. This is why I thought of you as a brother. Please take care of Akamaru, and hold him close. I love the both of you.
Gaara, you were just like me, knowing the pain of loneliness, not knowing the feeling of love. Please, continue to live strong and protect your people with all your might! I also thought of you as my brother, I love you.
Ino, I began to think of you as the sister I could go to, to talk of my problems. But now, I don't think I can anymore. I'm sorry, please forgive me.
Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon, get stronger and make me proud! You were always the younger siblings I thought I was never going to have. I love all three of you.
Shino, you were the creepy older brother that was always there for me. I love you.
Tenten, we never really talked much, but I'm sure we would have been good friends. Be the best you can be!
Lee, go for it! If you try hard enough, anything is possible! Keep your youthful spirit and fire within lit to its brightest!
Sakura, you need to let go of Sasuke. You will never find happiness if you continue to pursue him like you do. Lee is more than willing to make you happy, give him a chance. Oh yeah, I forgive you.
Kakashi-sensei, I thought of you as a laid back uncle. I love you.
Iruka-sensei, I thought of you as a father, you were always there for me. I love you with all my heart, and pass on some of my love to the future generation of ninja.
Sasuke, you were always my rival, the person who cared enough to give me a little acknowledgement that I craved so much, even if it was put downs. I thank you, and I think of you as a brother, a very close brother. I love you the most.
Anyone else I have forgotten, I apologize. I thank you for being my friend.
Keep your inner fire strong!
Naruto
(A/N: This is dedicated to my Auntie Shelley, who passes away October 3rd, in her sleep. May she rest in peace. Please review.)
