Some of the context from Chapter 5's recollection of this day as been changed to compensate this chapter. You don't have to go back to reread it.
-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-
7 years ago. Early May, 2005. Oto Village.
-Sasuke-
Sasuke was sitting underneath a cherry blossom tree. He had a giant grin on his face as he rocked back and forth. Today was the day that his parents were supposed to come home from their business trip. He was ecstatic as he hadn't seen them for a month. A sigh escaped his lips and he stared happily up at the cherry blossoms.
Mama and Papa will be home, and we can then go see the koi fish like they promised! Sasuke lightly giggled to himself.
"What are you so happy about?" Sasuke blinked and looked to his right to see his older brother, Itachi with an amused expression on his face.
"Nii-san!" Sasuke quickly got up and hugged Itachi around the waist. Itachi laughed and hugged Sasuke back. "Mama and Papa are coming home today! That's why I'm happy." Sasuke grinned largely up at Itachi.
"That's right, they are." Itachi patted Sasuke's head before picking him up suddenly. Sasuke gave a small yelp before laughing. Itachi twirled him around and fell back onto the grass holding Sasuke close. Sasuke smiled and stared up at the trees. "It's been such a while, and we've had to have Cousin Obito take care of us. It'll be good. He can finally return home!"
"Yeah! I don't want to trouble Obito-niisan anymore." Sasuke sat up and stretched. Itachi sat up as well and placed his arms around Sasuke and his head on top of his as he stared at the cherry blossom trees.
"The trees just started to bloom, haven't they?"
"Mm, yeah. I always like seeing them. It's one of few things I like about Oto." Sasuke sighed and looked up at the tree above them.
"Indeed so…" Itachi closed his eyes and began to relax while Sasuke continued to stare up at the trees. Suddenly petals began to fall down making Sasuke gasp out. He reached for them and held them in his hands.
"Nii-san… Look!" Sasuke held them up for Itachi to see. Itachi blinked at them curiously and looked up.
"That's strange… There was no wind, so why would they fall?"
"There're three of them! I don't really understand, but they're pretty." Sasuke smiled holding them gently in his hands.
Sasuke might have thought it was nothing, but Itachi was unsure. It gave him a bad feeling to see something unusual happen especially with a specific number.
"Itachi-kun, Sasuke-kun!" Their voices were called out and they both looked over to see Obito running toward them. Itachi's bit his lip with a sense of uneasiness come over him. Sasuke waved happily toward Obito and got up. With Sasuke off, Itachi stood up as well and ran to meet Obito halfway. Obito stopped and started panting greatly.
"Cousin Obito, what's wrong?"
"Itachi-kun…" Obito stood up straight after he caught his breath and glanced toward Sasuke before leaning in and down to whisper in Itachi's ear.
Sasuke rocked back and forth on his heels as he waited patiently to know what was going on. Although, his smile began to slowly fade from his face when he saw distress appear on Itachi's face. Itachi shook his head then turned to look at Sasuke. Sasuke didn't like what he saw there.
"Nii-san… What's wrong?" Sasuke walked up to Itachi and grabbed a hold of his sleeve.
"Sasuke… I…" Itachi turned away not wanting to look Sasuke in the eyes. Sasuke began to feel unsettled.
He turned his attention to look up at Obito. "Obito-niisan, what's going on?"
"Sasuke-kun… I don't know where to begin, but it concerns your parents." Obito knelt down and placed a hand on Sasuke's head. "We're going to go see them now, okay?"
"Yay! Finally!" Sasuke spirits rose and all unsettled feelings vanished.
-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-
-Naruto-
Oto Hospital.
Naruto blinked awake and yawned greatly. He rubbed his eyes smacking his lips some. He dazedly stared up to see his mother sleeping as well. Then he looked around to see his father, who was awake, and his grandfather who was currently in bed. Naruto slowly got off his mother and went up to his father.
"Daddy…" Minato looked down at Naruto then picked him up placing him in his lap.
"Ah, I see you're awake." Minato spoke softly so to not wake up his wife. Naruto nodded and yawned again. "If you're still tired, you can go back to sleep."
"No, I'm fine." Naruto turned around and reached out onto the hospital bed where his grandfather was. He saw his grandfather move and grab his tiny hand. "Grandpa, how are you feeling?"
A small laugh was produced before a small fit of coughing. "Naruto-chan, I'll feel better if you give me your smiling face." Naruto smiled greatly and gripped his grandfather's hand. His grandfather smiled softly back.
"Heh, I'm glad, Grandpa." Naruto looked up at his father who smiled back at him. Minato rubbed Naruto's head before looking down at his father.
"Father, the doctors said you can go home today like you wanted."
"Ah, I'm glad that they fulfilled my request to die at home." The grandfather smiled and leaned back against his pillow.
"You'll go into the garden with me, right Grandpa?" Naruto gave a puppy-eyed face. His grandfather patted his head giving a smile.
Even though Naruto's grandfather was on the verge of dying, it didn't bother him. He had only known his grandfather for 7 and a half years, but each day with him had been filled with joy. His grandfather had taught him many things all that Naruto took to heart.
A stretching noise was heard and Naruto looked over to see his mother waking up. "Oh, did I fall asleep? I'm sorry." Kushina smiled sheepishly making everyone laugh.
"Kushina, come here." The grandfather gestured to Kushina with his hand. Kushina blinked curiously and got up coming over to the bed. She sat down and tilted her head to the side. "My lovely daughter-in-law, how you've grown so beautiful."
Kushina blushed and smiled shyly. "W-what's this all of the sudden, Father?"
"I just wanted to comment upon that since the first day I met you. You've grown from such a tiny tyke."
"Thanks."
"You know, Naruto-chan is much like you: loud, hyperactive, impatient, impulsive, and inattentive." The grandfather laughed and Kushina gave a sour expression.
"Eeeh! I'm not like that anymore!" Kushina humphed and looked away.
"I know, can't I still tease you?" The grandfather laughed again patting Kushina's leg gently. Kushina sighed and hung her head mumbling to herself. Naruto laughed greatly at his mother who glared at him. He smiled big making her sigh again. Minato shook his head and laid it on top of Naruto's.
Eventually, all was quiet and peaceful in their room, but then Naruto strained his ears to hear something. He got off of his father's lap and went over to the door.
"Someone… is crying." Naruto noted looking toward his family.
"You hear it, Naruto-chan? Go comfort it… That child will need it." The grandfather nodded approvingly.
"Why do you say that?" Naruto asked tilting his head.
"His mother and father will be gone from this place soon… Go to him. He needs a friend." Naruto blinked several times then nodded and raced out the door.
"…The Uchihas. I hope Sasuke-chan, and Itachi-kun will be alright…" Minato mumbled softly.
-oO0)
"N-Nii-san… I-I don't understand…" Naruto heard a boy's voice hiccup as he rounded the corner. He had followed the crying, which hadn't been very far away.
"Mother and Father are hurt very badly, Sasuke…" Someone, the boy's brother Naruto assumed, replied softly. Naruto rounded the corner to see Itachi and Sasuke. Itachi was kneeling down in front of Sasuke holding his hands softly. Sasuke was crying greatly and shaking a little. Naruto gave a sad expression then gave a nod to himself at his grandfather's words.
Naruto came toward them and tilted his head to the side. "What's wrong?" He asked.
Itachi turned to him and blinked slowly. "Ah, well…" Naruto could tell he was having a hard time finding the right words.
Naruto turned to Sasuke and touched his shoulder. "Why are you crying?" Sasuke looked up at him breathing a little hard.
"Cause… Mama and Papa… S-something…" Sasuke hiccupped again and began to cry harder. Itachi held Sasuke close and turned to look at Naruto.
"A bad accident occurred and our parents were hurt badly…" Itachi explained softly. "They probably won't…" Itachi stopped unable to finish his words. Naruto nodded his head completely understanding. Itachi looked to Sasuke and stood up. "Sasuke, I'm going to go check on things. Stay here." Sasuke reached out for Itachi, but then Naruto tapped Sasuke's shoulder making him turn toward him. Taking this chance, Itachi ran off to find the doctors.
"My grandpa's leaving too." Naruto gave a light smile.
Sasuke was taking in sharp breaths, but managed to look at Naruto. "H-Huh?" Naruto grabbed Sasuke's hand and led him over to a bench. Then, he sat on it and pulled Sasuke to sit next to him.
"He's going to leave very soon, and I won't get to ever see him again." Naruto stared up at the ceiling.
"D-D-Doesn't that u-u-upset you?" Sasuke asked as he tried to control his breathing. Naruto looked to Sasuke and nodded.
"But you know what? I'm sad, but happy." Naruto smiled again.
"W-Why?"
"Because he's happy! And even if he's not going to be around anymore, he's always with me." Naruto grinned.
"I…I don't understand." Sasuke stared confusingly at Naruto. Naruto pointed to his chest.
"My grandpa told me that even if he's not around, he's always going to be right here."
"W-what…?"
"Here, in my heart! No matter where I am, as long as I continue to think about him he'll always be with me." Naruto gave a soft smile and closed his eyes. "I'll continue to remember the happy things about my grandpa, and I'll know that when I think about him it'll make him happy too!"
"How will he be happy…?" Sasuke was finally calming down. Naruto opened his eyes and looked to Sasuke.
"Wherever he's going, he's going to always watch after me! He'll see everything I do, and I'll know he's right there with me even if I can't see him." Sasuke stared at Naruto then slowly looked down at the ground.
"I never… thought of it like that…" Sasuke gently placed his hands over his heart and closed his eyes. "Mama and Papa will always be here?"
"Yup!" Naruto kicked his feet back and forth. He saw a light smile come to Sasuke's face making him happy.
Itachi came back and knelt down in front of Sasuke. "We can see them, Sasuke." Sasuke opened his eyes and nodded softly. Then, he looked to Naruto.
"Can um…"
"Naruto!"
"Naruto-chan come with us…?" Sasuke asked biting his lip. Itachi gave a confused expression at Naruto. Sasuke turned to Naruto and held out his hand. "Will… you come with me?"
"Of course." Naruto took Sasuke's hand. Itachi grabbed Sasuke's other hand and began to lead the two boys through the hallways. Eventually, they came to a door and Sasuke swallowed hard. Naruto gripped Sasuke's hand encouragingly making Sasuke relax a little.
Itachi opened the door and looked over at two beds. There were two people badly hurt in hospital beds. Sasuke gripped Naruto's hand tighter as he ran between the beds looking left and right.
"Mama… Papa…" His eyes began to water. His mother shifted and opened her eyes. She reached down slowly and softly touched Sasuke's head.
"Sasuke …" A small smile crept to his mother's face and Sasuke couldn't help, but climb on the bed with her.
"Mama… are you going to… always be with me?" Sasuke suddenly asked. "Right here?" Sasuke pointed to his heart as he stared at his mother. His mother blinked several times then smiled again.
"That's right, Sasuke. I'll always be right there. Me and your papa…" Sasuke's eyes began to tear up more. He leaned down on top of her and began to cry again. Naruto leaned against the wall feeling greatly sad, but happy that Sasuke could talk with his parents before they left.
-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-
A few days later.
"What's this? You'll take care of the Uchiha children?" Obito asked, astonished. He was standing before Minato and Kushina.
"If you'll let us, of course. I know you have work in Konoha Obito-kun, and that it would be hard to take care of them." Minato replied.
"But under these circumstances I'm sure they'd let me stay awhile…" Obito gripped his arm. "It's not like I'm saying no, it's just I don't want to trouble you when you don't even know us."
Minato gave a smile. "Obito-kun, it's no trouble at all. It'll be much easier for us to take care of them, rather than you. It'll ease your worries. My father knew you since you were a child. I'm sure you remember him, so you know we will take care of them well."
"Ah, I do… I heard he passed away yesterday. I will miss him, but even so…"
"Please, Obito-kun. We want to help Itachi-chan and Sasuke-chan as best as we can." Kushina spoke up.
Obito looked at Minato and Kushina for a long while then slowly smiled. "If you insist then I will hand them over to you. Thank you for this, Minato-sama."
-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-
A few months later, a little after Sasuke's birthday.
"Ah! Naruto, are you okay?" Sasuke asked as he helped a dirtied Naruto to his feet. Naruto rubbed dirt off his face and nodded.
"Just the same kids again…" Naruto sighed then grinned. "I beat them up good!"
Sasuke gave an exasperated sigh, but when he looked into Naruto's eyes, he saw only pain behind that grin. Sasuke bit his lip then took a deep breath.
"Naruto, why does everyone pick on you?" Sasuke finally was able to ask after a month or two of helping Naruto up from fights. Before, he had never really thought about it, but then it happened so often that it began to make Sasuke a little bit concerned.
Naruto's grin slowly disappeared as a sad expression appeared on his face. "Dunno. They always pick on me, call me weak, and sometimes call me a monster. I know one thing though." Naruto looked up toward the sky giving a glare. "They always look at me that way."
Sasuke tilted his head to the side, confused. "That way?"
"Like I'm something disgusting… it's full of hate. Even the adults do it." Naruto threw his fists together then grabbed Sasuke's shoulder smiling. "But that's okay; I have you now, right?"
"Yeah! I promise to always be your friend." Sasuke smiled back placing his arm around Naruto's shoulder. "Now let's go play at the river! I want to show you the koi…"
-oO0)
September.
Sakura let go of Sasuke and Naruto and wiped away the tears from her eyes. Sasuke and Naruto smiled shyly at her.
"You're welcome, Sakura-chan!" Sasuke said grabbing her hand. Naruto nodded his head in agreement as well. "What do you want to play on?"
"I… Um…T-The swings and slides." Sakura answered shyly.
"Okay!" Naruto raced ahead of the two to get to the swings first. "I'll push you on the swing Sakura-chan!"
"Eeeeh? You'll do no such thing, Naruto!" Sasuke gave a pouty face as he pulled Sakura to a swing and immediately made her sit getting behind her. "I'll do it!"
"No fair! I said it first!"
"I got here first!" Sasuke stuck his tongue out then looked to Sakura. "Hold on tightly!" Sakura nodded with a smile on her face, all fear and sadness now gone. Sasuke pulled the swing back and then let go. Sakura's swing went up into the air. As it fell back down Sasuke gave a push to get her back up. Naruto came up next to Sasuke waiting next to him. They gave each other friendly glares and when the swing came back down both of them gave Sakura a push. She laughed loudly as she went high into the air.
Again, they gave a push, but now Sakura was very high. At the highest point she let go and went flying giving a small scream. Sasuke and Naruto's eyes widened as they moved to run in hopes to catch her. They weren't going to make it.
"Sasuke, Naruto, where are…?" Suddenly, Itachi came around the corner. He had heard the yelp and raced over, but he didn't expect what happened next.
Sakura came flying down and landed right on top of Itachi. Itachi fell backwards and blinked several times as he stared up at the sky with hints of pink flashing in and out.
"Nii-san!" Sasuke and Naruto came into Itachi's view with sheepish smiles. "Sakura-chan, are you alright?"
"I…can I do that again?" Sakura laughed then realized she was on someone and got off quickly bowing. "I'm sorry!" Itachi slowly sat up and rubbed the back of his head with a smile.
"It's quite alright…" Itachi looked back and forth at Sasuke and Naruto before looking at Sakura. "Who's this young girl?"
"This is Sakura-chan!" Naruto answered happily. Sakura gave a shy smile and blush. Itachi smiled at her.
"She's our new friend, Nii-san!"
"Oh? A girlfriend?" Itachi grinned at Sasuke. Sasuke made a face as he blushed punching Itachi in the arm Itachi laughed then stood up. "I'm joking, but I'm glad you made a new friend." Itachi lightly rubbed Sakura's head. "Hello there, Sakura-chan. I'm Itachi, Sasuke's older brother."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Itachi-kun!" Sakura smiled brightly.
-oO0)
Itachi gave Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura stern looks as they came up to him, drenched. He sighed and shook his head. "How am I supposed to explain this to your mother, Sakura-chan?"
"Erm…" Sakura hesitated and looked to Sasuke and Naruto. They looked back at her and all three of them stared for a moment. Then, they turned to Itachi and shrugged. Itachi placed a hand over his face.
"What were you guys doing?" Itachi asked as he led the three children into the sun.
"We wanted to catch a koi for Sakura-chan!" Sasuke answered as he sat down and shook his head.
"You're going to catch a cold if you do that! It's autumn after all." Itachi sighed again and grabbed a bag he had left on the side. "Here." He tossed the bag to Sasuke.
Sasuke frowned and pulled out three boxes each a separate color: Blue, orange, and pink. "What's this, Itachi?"
"You'll see!" Itachi laid down on the grass closing his eyes. Sakura and Naruto clambered onto Sasuke's shoulders to look as he opened up the blue one. All three of their eyes widen when they saw the picture that Itachi had took a few days ago. Excited, Naruto and Sakura grabbed their respective colors and opened the box to find their pictures in frames colored as the boxes.
"Itachi… Thanks for doing this." Sasuke said smiling towards his brother. Itachi rose up a hand as a "you're welcome." Sasuke rolled his eyes and fell back against the grass with Naruto and Sakura doing the same. Sasuke grabbed Sakura's right hand while he grabbed Naruto's left hand at the same time.
"We'll… be friends again, just like you said, right?" Sakura asked as she glanced over at Sasuke and Naruto.
"That's right!" Naruto shouted with enthusiasm.
"Hey, hey… that's pretty loud." Sasuke shook his head then looked at Sakura. "That's right. When we get older, we'll find you for sure! There's not much we can do being twelve, but when a few years pass we can do a lot more."
Sakura nodded a smiled closing her eyes. Sasuke and Naruto followed her closing their eyes. All three of them fell asleep under the warmth of the autumn sun.
Soon, evening came and Sasuke woke up. He looked to his left and right to see that Naruto and Sakura were still asleep. He glanced around to see if he could spot Itachi, and noticed him with Sakura's mother. Nodding, Sasuke gently woke up Sakura.
Sakura groaned and blinked awake. "Sasuke-kun…?"
"Your mother's here, Sakura-chan." Sasuke responded. He watched her sit up, stretch, and then sit there staring as if she was still half asleep. He couldn't help but smile at her expression.
"I… hope I get to see you again soon…" Sakura finally turned to Sasuke with a tear flowing down her face.
"You will. I promised, remember?" Sasuke lightly touched Sakura's face making her blush and nod.
Sasuke stared at her before blushing very hard, and then without thinking about it he leaned forward and gave Sakura a soft kiss on the lips. Sakura's eyes widened greatly before she slowly closed them. Sasuke stayed there for a few more seconds before reluctantly moving away. They stared into each other's eyes and began to inch forward again until a groan to their right stopped them.
They turned around quickly to see Naruto sitting up and rubbing his eyes. In an instant, they were apart from each other looking away. Naruto turned to them and stared blankly.
"Something wrong?" He asked with a large yawn. Sasuke shook his head and remained silent. There was still a blush on his cheek. Sakura stood up and shoved her hair behind her ears.
"M-My mother is here, Naruto…" Sakura answered as she turned to walk where Itachi and her mother was. Naruto's eyes widen and he quickly got up.
"O-Oh right… you leave today…. Sakura-chan!" Naruto ran up to Sakura and hugged her. She gladly returned it. "I'll miss you."
"Be safe, Naruto." Sakura smiled and took a step back away. Then she looked behind Naruto to see Sasuke coming up. She went up to him blushing again, but hugged him without reluctance. "You be safe as well, Sasuke-kun."
"Yeah, you too, Sakura." Sasuke dropped the -chan from Sakura's name after thinking about what he had just done. Sakura blinked at Sasuke then smiled, turned and ran off towards her mother.
Naruto and Sasuke watched as Sakura got into her mother's car. The engine started up then began to drive away. They both waved to the car until it was out of sight.
"She's gone…" Naruto said sadly.
"We'll see her again, though. We promised." Sasuke patted Naruto's back. For sure… I didn't get another kiss after all. Sasuke gave a small laugh rolling his eyes at himself. We won't forget about you, Sakura.
-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-
-Sasuke-
2010, Winter.
Sasuke stared at his homework blankly. He hadn't stared it yet because he was waiting for Naruto to show up, but so far he hadn't. He noticed Itachi glancing over at him from the corner of his eye. Sighing, he rocked back and forth in his chair.
"If you're worried about him, go find him, Sasuke." Itachi offered. Sasuke frowned and shook his head. "If you don't at least call him then, he'll never show up."
"I guess you're right." Sasuke sighed and pulled out his cell phone staring at it as he searched for Naruto's number. He pressed call and waited. The cell phone began to ring and ring, but no answer. Sasuke frowned and hung up glaring at his face. "Idiot!"
"Sasuke, don't get upset." Itachi came up to Sasuke and patted his back. Sasuke turned to Itachi and stared then he slammed his face into the table and groaned. "Go over to his house then."
"He better have a good excuse to why he's late…" Sasuke mumbled as he began to pack his homework into his book bag. He sung the bag over his shoulder, grabbed his jacket, and went out of the house. Sasuke placed his hands into his as chill wind blew around him. He shivered and shook his head giving a sigh. "He's late sometimes, but never this late…" I hope he didn't get into any fights…
Eventually, Sasuke reached Naruto's house and knocked on the door. He shivered as he waited for an answer. He frowned when no one answered and was about to knock again when the door opened with Minato standing there.
"Sasuke-kun? Is Naruto with you?" Minato asked before Sasuke could.
"Eh? I was about to ask you where Naruto was…" Sasuke bit his lip beginning to get worried.
"He left earlier today saying he was going to your house, but when he didn't call about getting there I began to worry." Minato crossed his arms with a very worried expression. Sasuke gripped his bag and turned to run. "Ah, Sasuke-kun!"
Where is he? Sasuke's worry began to chance to panic. Even if he went to buy food on the way to my house he wouldn't be this late. Something's wrong! Sasuke raced down the small pathways that led around the trees. He slowly came to a stop when he noticed great disturbance in the ground. What's this? It looks like there were a lot of people… Sasuke stopped his thought in mid-sentence as he spotted something familiar on the ground.
Naruto's headband.
Sasuke knelt down and picked it up. He gripped it tightly and pulled out his cell phone dialing a number. Pick up, pick up, pick up! C'mon, pick up, Itachi!
"…Sasuke? Did you find Naru…?"
"Itachi! I think Naruto's in a fight! Get down to the Broken Pathway! Call Minato, too." Sasuke hung up his phone as he raced down the old, beaten pathway. As he traveled down it further he heard a loud ruckus up ahead. No… He turned around the corner of a broken fence and stopped dead in his tracks.
There, standing amongst many hurt boys on the ground, was Naruto. His hands were bloody as well parts of his body were his clothes were torn. He was breathing hard and staring at the ground. Sasuke couldn't read his face as Naruto's back was to him. A few other boys were still up, but they looked terribly scared.
Sasuke took a step towards them biting his lip. What is this? I know Naruto gets into fights a lot, but they're never this violent… Sasuke began to creep closer and closer until he was fifteen feet away from Naruto. Just as Sasuke opened his mouth to say Naruto's names, the remaining boys that were standing raced to Naruto to beat him up.
The first boy missed, but the second one was able to hit Naruto in the face. Naruto stumbled backwards toward Sasuke, but was able to right himself up. Naruto ran towards the boy that hit him and kicked him hard in the stomach. Then he turned toward the other boy and punched him hard in the face. The other boys didn't dare move after that. They weren't willing like the first two.
Sasuke had enough though. He raced forward and grabbed Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto!" Naruto turned on Sasuke and went to punch him. Sasuke's eyes widened as he grabbed Naruto's punch before it hit his face. Naruto brought up his other fist, but Sasuke grabbed it before he could do anything. "Naruto, what's wrong…" Sasuke stopped as he stared into Naruto's eyes.
For whatever reason, Naruto's normal blue eyes were red. Sasuke stared in disbelief on how Naruto's eyes could even turn red at all. Naruto grit his teeth as he pushed on Sasuke's hands trying to attack. Sasuke pushed Naruto back then kicked him to the ground.
Quickly, before Naruto could recover, Sasuke jumped onto Naruto and pinned his arms down. "Naruto! Calm down for a moment and listen to me!" Naruto struggled greatly not showing any signs of calming down. "Naruto! It's me, Sasuke! You're best friend, please…" At those words, Naruto stopped.
He stared up at Sasuke with his red eyes blazing brightly, but the fight in his eyes had died. Sasuke sighed relief when Naruto gave a blank expression before suddenly passing out. Sasuke blinked a few times before getting off Naruto and lifting up his head. Naruto…
Soon, Minato, Itachi, and the Oto police came into the area. Minato rushed over to Sasuke and Naruto asking what happened. Sasuke shook his head not knowing at all. He could only guess that Naruto had been attacked and pulled off, but he had fought back.
Itachi helped Sasuke to his feet and Minato picked up Naruto. The police let them going knowing Naruto needed medical attention. Getting into Minato's car, they rushed off to the hospital.
-oO0-o)
A few hours later, Oto Hospital.
"Minato…" Sasuke asked as Minato came to sit by him.
"What is it, Sasuke-kun?" Minato handed Sasuke a bottled water looking towards him. Sasuke held the bottle tightly in his hands.
He had had time to figure out what to ask Minato when he learned Naruto was going to be fine. He wasn't sure if Minato had the answers, but he had to ask.
"I saw… something strange happen to Naruto." Sasuke began.
"Strange?"
"His… eyes they weren't blue anymore when I looked at them…" Sasuke turned to look at Minato. "They were red and had a… vicious look to them. I was seriously scared that something had taken over Naruto… Do you know what it could have been?"
Minato stared at Sasuke for a few moments before turning to look out the window. He placed his hands together as he looked to be deep in thought. Sasuke swallowed as he watched Minato in silence. Moments passed and Sasuke was starting to get worried until Minato finally turned towards him.
"It happened when he was 6 years of age… I came home from work and Kushina rushed to me to tell me that Naruto had gone missing. I wasn't too surprised, as Naruto liked to explore, but Kushina looked frightened as she explained he had been gone all day. He didn't even come back for food.
"I went after him immediately. He liked to play out in the woods behind the house, which were quite dangerous at night. It wasn't night yet, but the longer he stayed out there, the more likely he could get hurt." Minato sighed and leaned forward staring at his hands. "It took almost an hour, but I finally found him…." Sasuke could see the next part hurt Minato.
"Was… he alright?" Sasuke dared to ask.
Minato shook his head. "He was hurt, and what was worse a strange fox I had never seen in my life before was standing before him. That had…" Minato stopped and shook his head. "I thought the fox had bitten him, so I became very worried it was rabid, but I could see that it wasn't. The fox was young… And yet, it didn't run away. It almost looked like it was trying to protect him when I approached. I grabbed Naruto from it and began to run back so I could get him to the hospital.
"What I didn't know until later was that fox had followed me back. As the hospital treated Naruto I saw that fox outside the window staring at me. I went after it. As I went outside it approached me and stared up at me. I reached down to touch it, but then a doctor called for me making me lose focus. When I turned back it was gone." Minato leaned back and sighed greatly.
"What color was it?" Sasuke asked biting his lip. "Itachi's told me about a lot of strange animals before. Maybe I can clear it up."
"Orange… bright orange." Sasuke blinked and frowned. That's Naruto's favorite color… "And it had…red eyes."
"Orange with red eyes…I've never heard of such a fox… Nothing even close." Sasuke frowned as Minato looked toward Naruto's room then back to Sasuke.
"You said Naruto had red eyes, right?" Minato asked.
"I did…"
"And this fox had red eyes itself…"
Sasuke swallowed. "What are you getting at…?"
"I don't believe in mythical things, Sasuke, but after Naruto woke up he had violent fits when someone got him very angry. His eyes would turn red and he would lash out. What if this encounter with this fox did something to him? He was bitten after all." Minato stared up at the ceiling.
Sasuke stared down at his hands. What…? A mythical fox bit Naruto and turned him? N-No way! That's just… Sasuke gripped his hands and looked up quickly to see Naruto come up to them. Blue cheery eyed, bandaged, and limping, but there was a sheepish smile on his face.
Sasuke got up and raced over.
"Ehehe, Sasuke, sorry to worry you." Naruto gave a laugh. Sasuke gripped his hands before hugging Naruto. Naruto blinked in surprised and stared at Sasuke. "S-Sasuke?"
"You idiot!" Sasuke pulled back and punched the top of Naruto's head. Naruto gave a small yelp and rubbed his head. "Why didn't you tell me this sort of thing happened?"
"I…" Naruto looked at Sasuke for a second before turning away. "I was worried."
"Idiot, idiot! I'm your best friend." Sasuke leaned his head on Naruto's shoulder. "Naruto… I promise… I make this promise to last for the rest of our lives. I promise to always be your best friend, to never abandon you, and to never let you get seriously hurt every again." Sasuke looked at Naruto seriously. He could see Naruto was stunned by this as tears began to flow down his cheeks.
"Sasuke…" Naruto placed a hand over his face as he began to cry more. "I'm sorry."
-oO0-o)0(o-0Oo-
Present day, 2012. Konoha's main park.
-Naruto-
Naruto stared up into the sky as he laid back on the grass with a photograph in his hands. A tear was rolling down his cheek. The memory gave him happiness, but at the same time a great sadness ached through him.
"…I make this promise to last for the rest of our lives."
"Sasuke… you promised, yet it's my fault you broke your promise." Naruto gripped his head tightly and gritted his teeth. "Did I just lose my best friend because of my mistakes? Someone, anyone… please what is the answer?"
Naruto.
Naruto opened his eyes wide at a voice. He slowly sat up and turned around blinking several times.
There, standing behind him, was a small orange fox with strange red eyes and four tails swishing back and forth.
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I hope you liked this chapter. Tell me how I did!
