Disclaimer: C0nsTanTine doesn't own Naruto. He is however, the King of Halloween Town.
This isn't how Naruto planned to spend his first day back in the village.
Well, then again, it was the first time he spent his day this way.
Actually, he did spend most of his days in the ramen stand. Just not with a bottle of sake. And drunk.
But he guessed it was rather fitting for the current events. Sasuke came back to Konoha; all due to a certain blonde-haired "dobe" and his now trademark Rasengan. Sasuke was still his old self, a bit bruised at the current moment, but still as silent. Just. . .a bit more apologetic. Especially to Naruto. Naruto guessed some things could change in time. Some things could.
Sakura however, didn't.
She ran to the gate as soon as the word came that Naruto was back with Sasuke. Naruto's arm was supporting Sasuke as the two walked into the village; Sasuke's usually emotionless face carried a slight smile. The two of them finally were able to speak to each other without a sense of hate.
"I had no idea how much I'd miss Konoha."
"Figures a bastard like you would realize that this late."
"Just shut up and get me home dobe. And. . .thanks."
Naruto smiled brightly; finally feeling like his life was changing.
Until he saw her. She had tears in her eyes, looking at the two of them. Sakura walked up to her teammates and hugged them tightly. She whispered, almost silently to Naruto.
"Thank you. Thank you for keeping your promise."
Naruto knew that with the end of that promise, so would Sakura's care of him.
Then she wrapped her arms solely around Sasuke, telling him how much she missed him.
And loved him.
Naruto sighed heavily and drank the rest of his sake, his head whirling like a merry go round, full of sadness, hate and hope.
Sadness because Sakura still wanted Sasuke, regardless of what Naruto had to go through to get him back.
Hate because he knew this was how it would be. And there was no way he could stop it.
Hope that he could just get one more bottle of sake.
Hope that he could drink her angelic face and pink hair out of his mind.
Hope that he could get over her.
He managed to snatch one last bottle from Ayame, the waitress had known him his whole life.
She figured he needed it.
Just for tonight.
Naruto thanked her loudly, stumbling out of the stand and into the streets, watching the streetlights like big, blurry fireflies, spinning in a dance. The sounds of the village were louder then usual, like the volume of his life was stuck on max. He laughed at the thoughts speeding in his head as he opened the front door, fumbling the lock with a bit of trouble. Naruto fell inside his house, closing the door with his foot, the sounds and lights vanished as it shut. He turned so he could stare out his window; the stars were fading as he picked up his sake.
He hoped as he drank the last drops of sake that he'd forget today.
Just for tonight.
Hey guy and gals, glad to be back and writing again. Between college, getting Wrath of the Lich King and Left 4 Dead, I've been practicing my guitar and trying to come up with some songs for my band. –sigh-
The work of the C0n-man is never done -.-'
Anyways, I'm gonna try to write more. I'd appreciate anyone who'd like to help me out or review the story. Much love.
"Do you belong to a song? Does it drag you along by the tongue at the top of your lungs?
Are you drunk? Have you been drinking?
When you belong to a song, salty eyes, you belong." – The Matches, Salty Eyes
-c0n