It was something quite peculiar. It ripped you apart beyond repair, until you can't be recognized. It left you blind, all of your senses weak; it left you alone to suffer. Despite all that, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever experienced.
I smiled more, wider. Even laughed.
The days were longer, the sun was brighter.
I melted slowly, and mended, something I didn't know how to do so myself.
Then it all shattered like glass, broken.
But they say time can fix wounds, eventually, quietly, and unknowingly.
And I'm here to prove that theory, to the largest extent.
October 1, 1991.
Walking leisurely across the bridge, I heard a scream. Whipping my head around, I saw a group of teenagers laughing and running off in the opposite direction, disappearing in the trees. Moments later, I heard it again. I couldn't make out what he was saying, but I knew where it was coming from.
It was coming from the water below me. Bending over the edge of the bridge, I saw a blur of orange and splashing water, and I panicked—drowning? Without a further thought I plummeted into the water, and felt an extremely cold sensation strike through me like an electrical surge. Resurfacing, I squinted through the dark for the drowning victim, but didn't see anything, except a disappearing arm, slowly sinking into the water…
Diving my head back into the icy lake I swam as fast as I possibly could in that direction. Yanking up the boy's arm almost violently, his limp body resurfaced, and I was surprised at how light it was.
How old was this boy?
Lugging him back to shore, I placed him in the grass gingerly. He didn't move. I didn't hesitate when I slammed my lips on his; this was a life or death situation.
If I wasn't so caught in the moment, I would've noticed how soft they were. Or how those little butterflies fluttered in my stomach, or how my ears were completely muted just that moment. But then I heard a gagging noise. I popped my body back, rubbing the boys back slowly, as he choked up more water. Instantly relieved, I took note of our current states. Both dripping wet, and chilled to the bone; and it was already freezing outside; winter was coming soon.
We needed to get warm, fast. Scooping the boy up in my arms, who didn't protest but merely shivered violently, I ran to my car in the parking lot of Misty Park. My feet made echoing thudding noises as I dashed across the pavement, and I fumbled for my keys. Dumping the boy in the front passenger's seat, I backed out of the premises and drove quickly home. In minutes, were in front of my house, and I got out of my black car.
The first thing I was expecting was for him to start screaming wildly for attempted kidnap, but when I looked over at his expression I was surprised to see him adorably confused. His eyebrows furrowed, his naturally pouty lips half-open—
"H-Hey! What are you doing?"
"Just shut up and get in the house. You could get hypothermia, dobe."
Still complaining loudly, he went into my house, albeit nervously, and I led him to my bedroom where he sat perched quietly on my bed. Shifting through my drawers, I threw a t-shirt and old shorts at him, but he looked at me questioningly, blinking.
Was he this slow? I sighed, but wasn't irritated as I usually should have been. After all, I am an impatient person, and didn't particularly enjoy explaining obvious things to strangers.
"Change, bathroom. Over there." I pointed towards the corner of my room towards the white door, which was open and hanging out. Turning to the direction of my finger, he nodded hastily, shaking drops of water all over the floor, and rushed into where I indicated and shut the door loudly.
"Che…better get changed to." I said, hugging my icy shoulders.
Peeling off my long sleeved shirt and black jeans, I grabbed a shirt from my dresser across from my bed and put on, instantly sighing from the returned body warmth. I tossed my wet clothes in the dryer in the laundry room across the hall. In minutes I was fully dressed in comfy attire, and wondered why the dobe wasn't out yet.
Whatever…I'll go make some coffee, I need some warming up.
Trudging downstairs I thought for a moment. This boy, who I met not twenty minutes ago, is willingly staying in my house? Changing in my clothes? And worse, I live alone. I mean, it's not like I kidnapped him, but shouldn't he at least question that I'm trustworthy? Either he's never been taught about strangers, or he really did put his faith into me. For some reason I felt guilt pool in my stomach, but I shook it off. Wasn't my problem.
As soon as he was done, I'll just drop him off home. I'm just doing a favor. Although, I'd never see him again…I walked distractedly into the kitchen, frowning.
Ten minutes later, I went back upstairs again with two coffee mugs in hand, one hot chocolate, but I almost dropped them when I was greeted by the sight awaiting me in my bedroom.
That's when it hit me; I fully took in his appearance. Sitting innocently on my bed wearing my oversized shirt and extremely short shorts, his bright blonde hair damp, staring at me with those adorable azure eyes. Sun-kissed skin wet, his face covered in a soft pink blush, he pouted with that insanely cute everlasting pout of his. I'm sorry. This was just too much to handle.
Avoiding all eye-contact, I set the coffee on the bed side table slightly shaking. There was an awkward silence, but he broke it easily, with a question that caught me slightly off guard.
"What's your name?" I was about to tell him it wasn't any of his business anyway, but then I thought twice. There's no harm in just telling him my name… and when those blue eyes look at you so curiously how could I not? I'll admit… I'm curious too.
"Uchiha Sasuke. What's yours?" Why did I care anyway?
His immediately face lit up in an enthusiastic smile, he answered, "Uzumaki Na-ru-to! Remember that name, because I'll be famous one day!" And with a finishing touch he closed his eyes and flashed me a brilliant grin. Somebody please just kill me.
Raising an eyebrow, I inquired him, Naruto, further.
"Oh I will. Tell me Naruto, where do you live? Do you want to call your parents? I'd expect they'd be worried…" I said, sipping my coffee quietly. I expected another enthusiastic answer, but frowned when I didn't get one. I noticed with concern when his grin faltered slightly.
He didn't answer right away. "I, um, live around the city. And nah, my parents aren't in town right now so they wouldn't be home. I don't need to call," he definitely didn't sound so happy about it. Missed his parents, I guess. But why was he out so late alone?
I sat down, legs crossed on the opposite side of the bed leaning against the back bed frame. I had an idea, but it was crazy, he'd definitely say no. He just met me; but I found myself speaking without my own consent.
"Well, it's already past midnight, and I'm pretty tired. You can stay here tonight if you'd like," Half of me was mentally pleading him to say yes. Instead of an immediate answer he just looked confused again. Then his eyes lit up like a child on Christmas day; I smiled into my coffee.
"Really? Are you okay with that? I could just take a bus back home—"
"Yes. Stay." I wasn't asking anymore; I was practically demanding now. He blushed a little, adverting his eyes down. I smirked in victory.
"Okay…and is that for me?" Naruto pointed to the other mug, and I nodded. I leaned over and gave it to him, who eagerly took it and thanked me shyly.
"What is it?"
I rose a delicate eyebrow. "Hot chocolate?"
"Oh, I've never heard of it, never had it before, but thanks Sasu-kun!"
Stop right there. There were two things that bothered me at the moment. Naruto had never heard hot chocolate, and number two; did he just call me Sasu-kun? Normally I'd punch the sense out of anyone who even dared to call me that…but I found the sides of my lips twitching upwards.
Uzumaki Naruto, what are you doing to me?
"No problem… but…those guys. They pushed you into the lake?" Naruto nodded slowly. "Why?"
"I don't know. One minute I was walking outside and the next my money was gone and I was underwater…I don't know how to swim. I'm sorry. You didn't have to save me, I didn't mean to cause you trouble—"
"No, really. It's alright, in fact I quite like the company." Those teenagers…should be grateful they ran away so quickly.
His face got redder, I noticed smugly, and I smirked wider. "How old are you?" Another innocent question. I answered anyway.
"Nineteen. And yourself?"
"Seventeen."
I nearly spluttered on my coffee. Seventeen? Was he joking? No way he was that old, oh my—
"I'd think you'd be younger…" I watched almost entranced as he sipped his hot chocolate. By the expression on his face, he liked it. When was Naruto not smiling anyways?
Then he yawned, stretching his body adorably. My shirt rode up a slightly and I caught sight of his stomach, it was smooth like the rest of his skin, it'd be velvety to the touch, and soft—
I coughed a little, and then stared determinedly at the wall. I felt those familiar butterflies in my stomach when I felt his eyes piercing me from the corner of the bed.
In a matter of time, the lights were switched off, the empty mugs lay forgotten on the bed side table, and we were both underneath my blankets cuddled comfortably. His back was turned from me, but I saw how the strips of moonlight coming through the window made his golden hair sparkle. Naruto said one thing to me, before his consciousness slipped away.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun."
I couldn't help but smile.
/./
I am completely at loss at the moment. I don't know what to say.
Number one, I already know how this story is going to end. The plot popped up in my mind while listening to song; Under the Milky Way by Kill Hannah. So don't expect me to one of those betraying updaters who have no idea where their story is going.
Number two, I am determined to finish this story, the first one I've ever been completely serious about. So, despite the comments, reviews, flames etc I get, I will finish this without hesitation. This is mostly for me.
Number three, reviews fuel me. They inspire me. Even if you hated it, I'd feel at least a bit happy that you took the time to check out my story. A nice review every now and then gives me little butterflies, and makes me squeal and dance. So I'm not going to be one of those rude people who say "No reviews, no chapters," because I feel that's just evil.
I'm not begging, your visit still counts as a hit, or even a favorite or alert is highly appreciated. You have no idea. So I do thank you for reading, I thank you very, very much.
Disclaimer. I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters. If I did, Sasuke would screw Naru-chan every episode.
/./S..