Ugh. I guess I just can't write anything long...
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters in any way!
We are back-to-back, fighting off a group of fifteen troublesome robbers. Sand rotates around Naruto and I gently, deflecting each of the enemies' weak attacks. I stand calmly, feet apart, arms crossed, eyes slightly narrowed. I could hear Naruto yelling things like "Eat this!" and "Take that!"
Suddenly, I feel the heat of his body leave mine. "Naruto?" I say, my face creasing with a frown. He is a lot more prone to attacks than me, and he tends to rush into things without thinking. "Are you alright?" I don't turn around, though. It would be a good time for an enemy to attack. Of course, I have Sand Armor, but it has failed me before.
"Yeah! I'm fine!" he replies in a moment, and I return to my calm state. I am taking a little break from Kazekage (Temari and Kankuro had insisted) and am staying in the Leaf Village for a while to visit my old friend. He demanded going on a mission with me, for some reason. We got an easy mission, much to Naruto's dismay, but he agreed to come along and scare away some bandits.
I continue to demolish the enemies, and before long, they are all unconscious or have escaped. Turns out they're nothing special. I turn around, expecting to see Naruto covered in dirt and laughing about how easy that is, but he's not there. "Naruto!" I cry out. "Naruto, where are you?"
Desperate to find my friend, I spend the next hour or so searching, not caring about what would happen if the enemies woke up. There doesn't seem to be even a trace of him, so I walk around the area quickly, not wanting to miss any clues or keep Naruto waiting. There's something wrong, and I know it.
Finally, I stumble across Naruto, but I almost wish I hadn't.
He's lying on the ground, covered in dirt and dried blood, holding a bloodstained Kunai knife. The most disturbing thing is the bleeding gash on the side of his head. Immediately, I check for a pulse. It's there, but weak. I hurriedly scoop him up in my arms, my heart pounding, and run all the way back to the Leaf Village.
I'm sitting outside a hospital room. Lady Tsunade is in there, healing Naruto, and my mind is racing with possibilities, each more ridiculous than the last. And it's my fault, really. I should have made him stay next to me, not just let him fight by himself. I could have easily killed all the enemies at once, but the assignment is to maim and not kill, if possible. I sigh and hope for the best.
After a moment, Tsunade comes out of the room. "Is Naruto okay?" I demand loudly.
She sighs. "Well…"
"Is he okay?" I repeat loudly, narrowing my eyes.
"He's not dead-"
"Good!" I exclaim, momentarily relieved.
"But," she snaps, "his memories have been purposefully removed. I don't think there's anything even I can do for him."
"What?" I splutter, my voice rising again. "Well… can I see him?"
"You'll have to wait while we get him into a room."
I scowl, pouting like a child, and cross my arms.
Tsunade walks back into the room she had come from. A few minutes later, she and a couple medics came out with Naruto on a stretcher. The blonde's head is wrapped in bandages and he is sleeping peacefully. I walk with them into a hospital room and sit down next to my friend.
"He'll be waking up in a little while. Do you want to be alone?"
"Yeah," I reply, not even glancing at her. I hear the door slide shut.
I take Naruto's hand in mine and whisper, "I'm so sorry."
Review please!