A/N: Life seems to be shoving this story aside (I love writing this story and will finish it, I promise!). That, and I went back and forth on whether to edit out some stuff I had written or post it in its entirety. I wrote down what Naruto would have filled out in his restraining order, and the wording for the fields and the conditions of Sasuke's being restrained, as to how it would be done in King County in the state of Washington in the USA. I went off of one I filled out in 2006, and things might have changed in restraining orders since then. Eventually, I decided not to include it in this chapter because I fear copyright issues no matter how many times I say I don't own anything or all that, and because the message can be the same without including the full, seven-page text of the order. I did, however, include his thoughts and observations as he filled out the order. If any of you feel that it would really strengthen the story to see the order or simply have a curiosity, I will figure out a way to include it; it's just a lot of text. As is this author's note!

Also, Naruto flips between second-person, future tense and first-person present tense, and first-person past tense and second-person past tense. It's a lot of changing and jarring, it's intentional and it's perfect for this chapter.

The restraining order is a thick document. At the very top of the first page, 'Law Enforcement Information' is written in all capital letters and underlined. Two numbers, a hyphen and five numbers are stamped across the top. The case number is listed: two numbers, a letter, a dot and four numbers. The first page is a lot of information I already told Ino and Soledad, only now a court document wants to know. The second page—he doesn't have mental health problems and he doesn't use drugs or alcohol. But he's violent.

More numbers. Again, two numbers, a hyphen and five numbers, the same on the first page. I squirm in my chair. There's nothing relevant to the situation on the third page. Since when do I talk fancy (think fancy?) when I'm nervous? Sasuke's books did something good for me. I'm so scared.

When you need a restraining order, and the police will determine this after you give your statement, they will give you a small card like a business card, but it has your case number on it. Your case number is two numbers and a letter, then a dot in the middle—not a period, a dot that's higher than that, and then four more numbers. The police will tell you to go to the courthouse, and they will write down the address. You will call a friend who has a car. He will take you there. You will wonder again if the tattoo on his forehead is a gang tattoo, and breathe a sigh of relief when nobody in the courthouse notices the two of you. The court entrance…lobby…thing will be crowded. A police officer is marrying his bride—he's in his uniform, she's in a white dress—and someone will be taking big, flashy photos.

You and your friend will be directed by someone you assume to be a security guard near a metal detector. The security guard will ask you to please place all of your belongings in a pink plastic tub on a table near the detector. You both do, and walk through. Your friend finds a chair while you nervously walk up to some kind of court clerk. There is a laminated sign next to you, stapled to the mini-wall that is on the table the court clerk is at (that hardly makes sense).

Restraining Orders $100

Anti-harassment Orders $63

You turn away, not reading the rest of the sign. Were the clothes you wore today even appropriate? Today is just the filing.

The court clerk is a pretty woman. She's Korean-American. She smiles at me. This is a normal day for most people. "I need to file a restraining order against my boyfriend." My voice sounds unfamiliar to me. She pulls out a stapled packet of papers and binds them to a clipboard. She tells me what to write and where. I thank her and sit with Gaara. He hands me a check when I finish the forms, and I hand it all to the clerk. I can't even pay to protect myself!

I stay with Gaara. A week later, we go back to the courthouse, both of us dressed nicely. A homophobic judge recuses himself from my case and another one gives me more paper, more instructions, another court date and another court. Superior Court because of some drama. The court date is a week from now. I give two copies—emergency copies, and I was given a lot—to Gaara. He took two from the stack and gave them to my parents. I carry one. I give one to my work. There were ten. They were all handed out. Everyone keeps one with them and upon seeing Sasuke, calls the police…after showing him the restraining order. They will when it happens, I mean.

The respondent (Sasuke) probably has fled the state by now. The respondent has committed crimes against me, my happiness, my liberty, and my life. Plus my faith in humanity.

This is so much to read, and I am reading it all word for word. The judge signed something on the fourth page and the date is on it. The text is swimming in front of me. I need to read all of this, though. Wow, I will have this memorized. This is repetitive. How many times do they need to print the case name and number? …Once a page, now that I think about it.

The seventh page has some court definitions. And then my statement, which goes on for maybe half of what all the court paperwork does. And my signature, certification under penalty of perjury that I'm telling the truth.

I want this to be over.