Shippuden Naruto: Waking Dream
The clock's time was 3:10. The classroom's atmosphere dry. Kakashi-sensei had been giving his boring weekly Friday speech on how to be safe when going out for parties and such on the weekends and to get time in for some training, meditating, and studying. Naruto was off in his dreams as he always did towards the end of the day. "And remember everyone, pop quiz on Monday concerning chakra control." The class heavily sighed, complaints firing at the silver haired jounin. Kakashi smiled and nodded at the end of class bell's ring, permitting the weary classroom of students to exit the large, white walled space. "See you all Monday." He jeered, gathering his papers from his desk. The shrill of the bell had not stirred the blonde, spiky haired boy from his slumber, his dream of a never-ending ramen bowl gripping him tightly.
Kakashi glanced up, sighing at the kitsune as he approached him. He slammed his hand down on the desk, shaking the blonde from his sleep. The boy fell out of his chair, hitting hard on his back. Glaring up, eyes half open, Naruto grumbled. "Hey! What's the idea?" He blinked to fully open his eyes, a sweat drop falling down the side of his tanned face. Kakashi's foot was tapping impatiently. "Why hello there sleepy head. And how many times does this make, just this month, that you've fallen asleep in my class?" Naruto chuckled nervously, counting on his fingers. He reached his conclusion and answered "Umm, heh…I think every afternoon for the past month?" the blonde questioned to his teacher. "That's correct Naruto." He sighed, glaring down at the kit. "If you keep this up, you'll fail the class and be penalized on your already banned shinobi position. Remember Naruto, you have to get to Chunin still and if you fail, you won't have the ability to surpass your current Genin ranking. Tsunade-sama said herself that you pass this, the Chunin Exams are yours to enter. But ONLY if you comply to her terms and complete this course." Naruto gave a heavy sigh, standing to his feet.
It had been two and a half years since he had gotten back from his training with Jiraiya and Tsunade was making sure he was put to work. He gathered up his books, nodding to his teacher in respect, before making his way to the door. Kakashi suddenly posed a question to the kitsune that made him shudder. "Have you seen Sasuke since the last rescue mission you had been assigned to get him back?" Naruto was now frozen, his crystalline eyes dimming as he slowly and quietly started to respond. "No, Kakashi-sensei…I haven't." They both faded into a large silence, awkward in origin, the present looming situation of quiet eating them alive. Naruto suddenly ran out the door, a tear falling as the old guilt of losing Sasuke to their most hated enemy, the horrible sannin Orochimaru, resurfacing.
It was apparent that the last time they had met, Sasuke was still bent on obtaining his power to kill off his brother Itachi and at no matter the price. He was NOT coming back to Konoha unless it was through his dead body. And besides, the only bond that Itachi and Sasuke had even ever had was the bond of Sasuke wanting to slay the older Uchiha. That was all that kept them connected. Naruto was now walking the lonesome, narrow street to his apartment complex. The wind howled over Konoha, sunset slowly coming to its point. His mind was pondering about many things, mostly useless things. He was going to have to make a grocery trip tomorrow, clean the living room, wash his clothes, make dinner, things a parent or maybe even a spouse would help with. But, truthfully, in his mind, he had seen it as he had no parents in the first place and besides, he would never be able to get a spouse.
As he continued his mental rant, he came to the hallway in which his apartment was located. Naruto's eyes were focused on the key to the apartment, the last of his quarrel in his mind quieting. He glanced up slightly, a figure suddenly in his path. The blonde slammed on his brakes, stopping with just enough space for his face to meet the figures own. His eyes widened, a breath escaping him. A voice spoke. "Hey there Dobe, what a surprise to see you in a place like this."
Who is this mysterious figure that has appeared at Naruto's place? Next Chapter, Shippuden Naruto: The Flame's Ashes.