Lock the door; you'll be safe tonight
Chapter 1
Only after you left
Naruto's earliest memories were of pain, torment, and suffering without any reasons or regrets. His mind was restless and foggy with reminiscing those hurtful times. But they were all over now … right? Wrong. After Sasuke left to join Orochimaru and his gang, Naruto fell apart. His attempt to keep Sasuke in Konnnaha WAS only an attempt. Naruto thought, if I cant keep one ninja in the village, who Naruto know was truly Benin one the inside, how could he keep several or more bad ninja, the Akastuke, out of Konnaha and protect the village. So Naruto became what the adult villagers who tormented him as a child wanted him to be, a monster.
"Kakashi, how long has it been?" Asked the 6th Hokage.
"I don't know, maybe-"
"1 year, 2 months and 7 days…" Sakura spoke out of nowhere, interrupting Kakashi's guess.
"Has anyone seen him?" Tsunade asked nervously for if nobody did, then this plan might take a turn for the worst. Naruto had licked himself in his apartment the day he arrived from the hospital after his and Sasuke's fight. He had not left to get food or any supplies that would last him for the 1 year, 2 months, and 1 week period.
"I-" Sakura choked out, "-the last time I saw him was the day after he locked himself in."
"Yes, and you were the last to see him correct?" Tsunade asked.
"Umm, yeah I believe so." Sakura added.
There was a sudden knock on the door that made Sakura suck in a cool quick breath. An assistant ninja of Tsunade's walked in, wet. Sakura was puzzled because only his vest and shirt were wet. That was until Hinata walked in right behind him, with red puffy eyes. She'd been crying.
"Hinata Huyga is here to speak to you." The ninja said, then walked out in a quick haste pulling at his wet shirt to try and dry it off.
"Hello Hinata. You informed me earlier that you had some information on Naruto. Please, share the topic is open to everyone in the room."
Hinata stood in her regular position, fingers tapping each other, but this time it looked like she was more determined to break that pose to get what needed to be said, said. She broke it with a step forward and pulled a dirty crumbled up piece of paper out of her pocket.
"Ummm-hmm.. this.. um-this was on Naruto-kun's door, the day he was released from the hospital. I was waiting for him by his apartment when I noticed it. I read it. and it was from Sasuke." Hinata finished, then sniffled. Kakashi closed his eyes until they were only slits, staring Hinata down to determine if she spoke the truth.
"So is that it?" Tsunade said then pointed to the dingy piece of paper.
"Oh-yes, Lady Tsunade, yes!" Hinata said stumbling forward and then handing it to her.
Tsunade opened the letter being careful not to rip it anymore than it had already been.
Naruto,
I'm sorry. It was either you or killing the person who stole my life from me, and caused so much damage to this village. It's my fault for screwing this up so bad that I have to kill my best friend. I'm sorry.
Sasuke Uchiha
