Summertime in Konoha was always highly anticipated by it's citizens and shinobi alike, a time for renewal and celebration of life. During this time of year the lush tenacity of the sun never failed to hold a blessed prayer which seeped through the moist heat and into the collective heart of the Fire Nation. On this particular day at high noon, powerful white beams shot from the exact center of a brilliantly blue and cloudless sky.
Naruto's translucent locks of yellow hair shone platinum in the unforgiving light, his eyes a pure crystal blue squinting past the violent heatwaves surrounding him. The pavement appeared as a grey frenzied ocean, faces contorted, everything in an ebbing mass of wavy columns. He freely perspired, succumbing to the heat and allowing the cold beads rolling off his wet face, scalp and neck to cool him. He closed his eyes in an attempt at relief and released his hands from behind his head, letting them fall to either side of the arch of the stone bench he sat upon. He listened to the bustle of the Leaf Village, people strolling by mere feet in front of him, the cicadas of course could not be ignored, behind them the faint twitter of hundreds of birds.
'So early...' he sang mournfully in his mind, recalling his stressful morning. The sun's blazing arrival into the sky instantly awoke him, and soon after had rendered his home uninhabitable in it's heat. The lazy eighteen year old not accustomed to waking in the early hours desperately tried to find comfort enough to fall in slumber once more, having felt he was in an oven Naruto had first attempted to remove all his bedding. After lying wide eyed and flat on his back in frustration for what seemed like longer than he cared for, he hastily stripped himself of his sweat soaked pajamas and tried to relax once more. For a fire brand brat not having his way was a rare occurrence, and the concept of compromise was virtually non existent in his mind. Though the stubborn boy soon realized his efforts were futile and released an angered yet submitted cry, deciding in vain exhaustion that there was no rationality in staying in his apartment turned sauna.
Given his sour mood, Naruto could not comprehend all of the laughter surrounding him. The village seemed in high spirits, was everyone else immune to the heat? Then as a gentle and warm breeze crept up, it washed over him, sending an overwhelming sensation to fill every cell in his body and dissipate instantly, he rubbed his ear to settle the chill as it simultaneously occurred to him that; he sat alone. Observing the smiles around him, not one person was unattached. He wondered, had he slept with someone by his side, would he have been able to bare the heat of the morning, of any hardship; easier? The most familiar feeling to Naruto; loneliness. The most significant constant, with no one by his side the morbid thoughts of entropy snuck into his head through his ears like a harsh acid whisper. Remnants of his isolated past never failed to intrude upon him, making his heart pound in distress. And then he longed for the distraction of any voice but his own. In an effort to escape this demon, Naruto withdrew into his mind, strolling through the caverns of Kurama's abode.
"Gosh, it's pretty gloomy in here..." he observed, "but hey! it's not hot at all in here!" His voice reverberated heavily off the high stone ceilings of his jinchuuriki space-time. He decided with nothing better to do he might as well hang out with Kurama, feeling better already.
"Io! Kon-Kon!" Naruto shouted excitedly, running up to find the Kyubbi fast asleep. He ruffled his cheeks in thought, well aware that waking the temperamental beast was probably not the best idea. He sighed, defeated once more, and plopped down on his back into the shallow olive colored water surrounding him, restless and at a loss. He wondered why this eerie notion had spawned from the recesses of his being. He had been so happy these past couple years, what with after finally managing to get Sasuke back, and Sasuke had finally seen Naruto as an equal! The war was over, and sure there were great losses but ultimately there was no room for complaints. The shinobi world was virtually stable, and greatly on his part; a hero. A decorated hero, what is there to be upset about? Naruto tried to slap some life into his cheeks, "snap out of it now..."
Thoughts of his lost comrades surfaced
"Neji..." thoughts of the pain everyone had suffered in this past war. How he wished he could have influenced a more positive outcome. Despite Kakashi-sensei endlessly reminding him that the guilt and blame does not rest solely on his shoulders. He still felt that that was the case. So many had died for his sake, it made him sick. Though he would never tell a soul, he sometimes wished that Obito had been successful in producing his mass genjutsu, especially at times like this. At least then things would be right and sound with his life and not the cluttered guilt ridden shroud that weighed him down seemingly more and more as the days went by. Maybe he'd be with the comfort of a cherished lover now, or surrounded by those he longed for, Ero-Sennin, his parents. Naruto felt tears beginning to form in his eyes, and he whimpered in desperation, letting them fall down his face.
The surface crawled into his attention, without his realizing it.
"Naruto?" Just then a familiar shuffle of steps caught his attention. He looked up, dazed, to see Sakura standing before him, her face held a hint of worry and a soft smile, an expression reserved solely for her relentlessly moody team-mate. His melancholy thoughts disappeared with the misplaced breeze upon seeing her familiar cucumber eyes. a satisfied smirk appeared on his face, to replace his calculating frown, and made a fine addition to the cheerful atmosphere of the early morning. He sat back in his seat comfortably.
"Aah, Sakura, stay just like that." He said coyly aligning himself with the shadow she cast before him and sighing with the relief the cool air her body's shade brought. Just then Naruto wondered why he even had these lingering spurts of loneliness from time to time, but had come to the reassuring truth that he never felt this way for long. In this moment he was truly grateful for Sakura and all of his friends.
"Ch, as if I'd indulge you." She shot back, shifting to the side and crossing her arms in defiance. Naruto produced a hurt, sarcastic smile.
"You don't have to be such a bitch about it." He knew well enough of the frenzy this would cause. And he had to eventually admit to himself that he got a real kick out of teasing Sakura; a sado-masochistic kink in his persona had led him over the years to acquire a taste for Sakura's punches and slaps. Though this was of course, something he kept to himself, and probably always would. He braced himself for a good whaling, but she only spoke, which caused him to flinch regardless, sure that her words would somehow affect him just as soundly as a deck to the face.
"Like I said, I won't indulge you." She said lazily, and with her nose upturned. She began to walk away, knowing that Naruto would follow her. He did not disappoint, and eagerly shot up to be by her side.
"Saaa-sssy datte-bayo" He pried with a mischievous grin. Sakura threw a warning glance his way before reassuring him; "there's no way you're getting to me today, Aho, not when it's this beautiful out!" She looked up to the sky with a sweet smile. Naruto loved how Sakura could be in kill mode one moment, then utterly sensitive and lighthearted the next. He smiled knowingly at her.
"I wish you wouldn't give me that creepy smile all the time." She muttered, her brow furrowed in discomfort.
"I just know you is all Sakura-chan." He said to calm her, placing his hands behind his head as he watched a flock of birds go by. "You're just so predictable," he added, he couldn't help himself.
"Hmmm..." She grunted impatiently, annoyed by his cocky ear to ear grin. She had begun to regret feeling sorry for him looking so lonesome and wished she had passed him by instead.
"If you don't shape up your attitude I won't take you to everyone. They'll ask where you are when I get there and I'll say, forget that asshole." She shrugged to show that it wouldn't phase her whether or not he partook in one of the group's impromptu day antics, which he held so dear.
"I know you wouldn't do that to me, Sakura-chan!" Said Naruto with throaty assurance. He put his arm around her shoulder. She instantly recoiled in disgust and shrieked
"AAH! DON'T TOUCH ME! CHA-NARO!" She revved up a good fist and let him have it, sending him tumbling into the street.
He loved her touch, be it a touch associated with anger (or tenderness should that day ever come) it was fine by him either way. He giggled inwardly, reveling in the sickly sweet pleasure of having briefly held her, the sharp sting of her hand striking his face. Neither Sakura nor Naruto would ever reveal the truth of these disciplined acts of aggression; the truth being: these were obviously love taps. He'd observed her in battle and during training enough to know that she had the capacity to put the hurt on anyone merely to stun her opponents, or to kill. The enthusiasm with which she appeared to express anger always came short when faced with ripping Naruto a new one. There was an undertone of gentleness in her poundings which he had picked up on, and to his great satisfaction. Naruto sat up and rubbed his cheek, blushing. He recuperated before hopping up and practically skipping over to catch up with the pastel pink haired spit-fire he'd come to know so well over the years. Suddenly the heat wasn't so unbearable...
"Please take me Sakura-chan! You don't really want me to be all alone do you?" Naruto cooed with a proud smirk, daring Sakura to meet his gaze wit his. She took the challenge and glared back.
"Behave yourself son, and I will." She turned away, maliciously, knowing full well how she had just slewn the hero of Konoha. His jaw had fallen to the ground in response, he gathered himself before replying,
"Hai...O-Kan..." He leaned in as close as he dared, then quickly pulled back after Sakura promptly gave him a mean stink eye.
"Heh heh heh" chuckled Naruto.
"You win that round Uzumaki." Challenged Sakura heartily, with a taken grimace. She enjoyed the games just as much as he did, though that was one thing she would always keep to herself.
Sakura had led Naruto passed the village and into the woods. After Naruto had asked several times where they were headed, down to the last straw Sakura snapped, "damn you, it's a surprise okay? We're almost to the cliff face."
Unpleased by this response, Naruto chirped; "Ano-sa, ano-sa, Sakura-chan, I'm starting to think you're luring me into the woods to have your way with me." The veins in Sakura's forehead clenched in response. Naruto's voice became guttural "Maybe you're taking me to a secluded spot, where you can-"
"AS IF! SHIZUKANI, NARUTO!" Sakura made a fist and growled. "You're begging to get punched at this point you pervert!"
'Yes I am...' Naruto thought to himself with a foul grin, picturing Sakura with a whip gripped tightly in rubber gloved hands.
"You're a sick kid Naruto." Piped up Kurama, Naruto's inner self chuckled in response. "I gotta get my kicks somehow." He defended, "Fair enough, try to keep your thoughts to yourself, you creep." Kurama said, agitated, yawning and nestling back into a lazy ball.
'I miss the cute little innocent Naruto, Naruto the man is turning out to be a real pervert.' Kurama noted to himself before drifting back to sleep without much effort at all.
"Come on Sakura-chan, you don't have to keep up this phony routine. It's me here, your old pal Naruto, you can tell me what you want and I'll give it to you." He could hardly contain the eagerness in his voice. He reached for her shoulder, and the next thing he knew she had thrown him hurtling down the cliff they were scaling, falling head first into the river below. He held a grin of ecstasy the entire way down, and upon landing face first into the water he became disoriented by the cool rush of the water blanketing his skin, then seeping through his thick clothing.
'this feels good', serenity encompassed him as he let his body sink, eye's closed in relaxation. Then an instant disruption stole his lips in an embrace, he opened his eyes to see Sasuke's black as night pair staring straight back with fury. They shot away from each other in unison, swimming frantically and grasping for the surface. The two highly skilled shinobi reached the surface quickly and at the same time, standing atop the ruffled river, giving one another mutual death glares.
"KS-0! NARUTO! I swore to myself last time that this situation would never arise again!" Growled Sasuke, his sharingan armed.
"HAH!" Exclaimed Naruto, throwing his head back, his bangs flying from his forehead, "Just what were you doing down there datte-bayo?!" He pointed an accusing finger at Sasuke, his other hand on his hip in defiance.
"Hu-sai! I'm going to kick your ass!" Sasuke warned, clenching his fist.
"More like KISS IT! Stay away from my mouth!" Naruto shot back, obnoxiously pointing to his lips with both index fingers in a fit of animated vigor.
Sasuke transported at lightning speed over to a shocked Naruto, who whose arms took a boomerang shape as he attempted to run. He then suddenly became engulfed in a roaring yellow fire, his eyes a blood crimson; Kurama had decided to intervene. He took Sasuke's outstretched hand, which was armed with chidori and ready to strike.
"Oi, you two brats are disturbing my nap! This is all that 'Pink Haired' brat's fault! She pushed him off the cliff, don't blame each other for you're kisses natural affinity to meet from time to time! IT'S KISMET!"
*KISMET: an eastern term for fate/destiny **PUN INTENDED** ;]
Their frenzy was met with a violent splash, and the two were lunged into the air by the backlash of water. They landed on either side of the river, flat on their backs and completely stunned. In the center of the lake stood Rock Lee, his arms flexed pillars which held two passionately clenched fists near his face.
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke-kun! Allow me to join in your manly staring contest, I will be the victor!"
Suddenly taken aback by Lee's words, Sasuke's voice cracked with embarrassment, "NANI?! Staring contest?" Kurama, still in control of Naruto's form produced an accusing glare, "You're eyes were locked like a newly-wed couple reciting their vows."
"AAH!" Screeched Naruto, taking back his body, the flames disappearing into thin air, he stood and turned to face Sakura, who had just joined the scene with a curious look on her face.
"SHE punched me and I fell off the top of the cliff! It was complete coincidence that I landed where I did." Naruto confirmed with a nod. "So what's your excuse? Ne? Sasuke?"
Sasuke withdrew his sharingan and pouted, "hmph, I was just practicing chakra control below water, it maximizes concentration."
"OOH!" Exclaimed Lee, "I shall try this!" He leaped into the air and dove into the river, vanishing below.
Suddenly not in the mood for training, Sasuke scoffed and sat by the shore in his brooding, he placed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes, lying down, his brow furrowed in frustration. Sakura watched him intently, 'Sasuke-kun...he's practically naked!' She thought with glee, and observed his exposed body for the first time, his dripping wet pale skin, every sinew, every bulging muscle, his arms, think and lean. His abs incredibly defined, they became perfectly outlined when he inhaled, and retreated into his tummy when he exhaled, only to show full frontal once more in slow repetition, a thin trail of black hair lead from his belly button and became hidden beneath his swim trunks, which rode just below the V of his hips. She became entranced by his stomach movement and swollen pink nipples, there were beauty marks strewn across his torso like stars in the night sky. 'Beautiful...' she thought to herself, bewitched. her cheeks flushed, and her face became hot, her inner thighs began to throb at the mere sight of Sasuke. She suddenly became furious that Naruto had been lucky enough to steal a kiss from Sasuke, and apparently this had happened on more than a few occasions. 'Damn that Naruto,' she cursed him in her mind, looking his way, and finding that he was watching her, an unenthused scowl upon his face.
"Why don't you take a picture?" He said flatly, clearly jealous of the affect Sasuke had on her. Sakura turned away from Naruto, choosing not to acknowledge his comment, and decided that instead of hitting him she'd to stick it to him by merrily frolicking over to Sasuke.
"Sa-suke-Koooon!" She cried as femininely as possible. Naruto watched, torn, as what he felt was his alone fell through his fingers. 'I can't make her want me.' He reminded himself for what felt like the millionth time. There was no way to force love upon anyone, he knew that. His heart throbbed at the sight of Sakura's sweet smile as she sat and talked with Sasuke, and Sasuke's unfettered expression. Though he hated to admit, he felt great relief in the reassurance that Sasuke would never love Sakura, nor anybody it seemed. Naruto decided it was best to look away, and his eyes met with a pair of creamy opalescence synonymous with the Hyugga clan. Hinata...
Naruto had been utterly ashamed of his responsibility for Neji's death, and though Hinata was always kind to him, he couldn't help but think she must have some sort of resentment toward him on account of her beloved fellow clansman, he knew it was merely her nature to be kind to everyone. He averted his eyes from hers in humiliation and turned to sit beneath the shade of a nearby om-bu tree to collect his thoughts. He sat against the enormous tree and removed his soaked jacket and mesh training shirt, kicked off his sandals and rolled up his pants. It was definitely nice to be with his friends. He watched them with a hint of sadness in his smile, no doubt Neji would be here now were he still alive. Ten-Ten and Ino sat and spoke with carefree smiles. Kiba and Akamaru played heartily in the water. Shikamaru and Choji sat together beneath an umbrella deeply immersed in a game of shogi. Naruto brought his knees to his chest and buried his head between them. Even with his friends here, in the thrall of frivolity, enjoying their lives, he heard a voice tell him that he didn't deserve to join them. It wasn't his voice either, he found it slightly odd but paid no attention to that detail, he was more interested in listening to the voice than wonder of its origin.
"What can you possibly rejoice in? You're nectar is tainted with blood...bloood...bloooood..."
His heart clenched, the voice was absolutely right, he was tainted. Corrupt, impure. He gritted his teeth and gasped, fighting the tears coming through his tightly closed eyes.
"Your vain tears are meaningless, they do not awake the dead."
"I'm sorry!" Naruto pleaded with the voice, it was now all he could hear, he was consumed by it. All those shinobi, even civilians; casualties of the war begun in his sake. As was the burden of a jinchuuriki. "I tried, I tried so hard to do what is right! I made no waver on my word!"
"COWARD!" The voice roared. Naruto had begun to shake violently, his eyes open wide, overcome by the battle in his mind.
"So render me a coward! But please, don't condemn me, I didn't want anyone to suffer!"
Naruto found himself in a new space-time, blackness surrounding him. He was being consumed by it, thick and hot like tar, it seared his flesh and ate it. He screamed in horror and pain, tears filled his eyes, his face consumed with sorrow. The tar had hold of his arms and legs and was feeding up his shoulders and back.
"YES! Succumb! Almost!" Cried the voice eagerly "Overcome your ego!"
"Naruto!" He heard Sasuke's voice and felt a hand on his shoulder, his eyes fluttered open. His vision was blurred, and his head felt as if needles were raining through it. He choked in pain and gripped his head.
"Naruto-kun..." he heard Hinata whimper, 'no! I don't want her to see me like this, she must think of me as a coward! Blubbering in vain!' He tried to turn away from his friends surrounding him and preceded to bare the excruciating pain in his head. His body, writhing in pain shuffled over to a puddle of mud, his pants, caked in mud became heavy and slipped down his hips. Sasuke intervened and ran into the puddle of mud as everyone watched, concerned. He cradled Naruto in his arms to keep him still. Naruto clenched every muscle in his body and struggled in Sasuke's arms. Sasuke became frantic, he had never seen Naruto like this. Naruto was the only bond he had ever managed to obtain, the sudden thought of his best friend's life in danger sent a wave of fear through him. All he had ever seen of his yellow haired friend was a strength that blazed like a fire, a resilience that he had never seen in anyone else. In their recent missions together he and Naruto were unstoppable forces, their teamwork unmatched! Kakashi-Sensei had dubbed them The Leaf's Guardian Angels. Naruto had restored his belief in a village, in the shinobi way. He realized in this moment, Naruto was more than his best friend, he was a brother. He was someone Sasuke couldn't imagine being without!
"NARUTO!" Sasuke shook him violently, not sure what to do. Sakura ran up to help, but in Sasuke's panic he slapped her hands away, "don't touch him!" Sasuke choked, his voice quivering. Naruto groped in the air and Sasuke took his head in his hands "Shhh, Naruto-kun" his tenderness shocked him, but he was being true to feelings he didn't realize he had.
Naruto's vision had begun to stabilize, he could feel an overwhelming warmth wrap around him and a glowing white hand appeared clear as day, he reached for it and it pulled him from this petrifying pain he couldn't begin to explain to himself. The pain recoiled and sucked its way from his entire body, receding into a needle sharp compression right between his eyes. He clenched his teeth at the piercing feeling between his eyes, which soon subsided, though Naruto had a feeling that it could come back at any time. Before fading into an exhausted slumber, he saw Sasuke's face hovering over his, tears in his eyes.