I do not own Naruto nor its characters! I don't make any money off of this!
"speaking"
'thinking'
Chapter 10:
Four figures moved through the night. They grabbed four horses and headed out. One was reluctant on letting the others find what they were looking for. He was afraid that this was breaking his promise. He had to obey them and his heart was telling him that this was ok. The two belonged together. But doing this was going to let out a big secret.
They rode through the night then the day. It was the next night that they made it to their destination. The oldest of the group jumped down to tie his horse to a tree. The others did the same. The four stood, ready to face the one behind that door. The oldest female in the group went up to the door and knocked. Stepping back, they waited. Soon, the door opened.
"Can I help you?" a woman asked. She couldn't see the faces of either of the four before her, but she knew that they had come here to change life as she knew it once more.
"Suki?" a voice called. "Who's at the door?" The owner of the voice came up behind her. Eyes widened as the four took in the one behind Suki. He was shorted than Suki, but had more of a curve to his body. It was hard to tell that thus was indeed a man standing in the door way. Long red hair curled around his face. He wore an apron with stars on it. Under the apron was a black tank-top and black capris. He was barefoot.
Two of the four knew who this man was. The other two didn't. Two hoods fell way as the two smiled at the boy. "Hello, Naruto," a woman said. "May we come in?"
Naruto gasped. He looked at the woman and then the man. He hadn't expected to see them. Looking behind them, he saw two more people. He wanted to know who they were. "S-sure. Come in." He stepped back, Suki following him. The four figures stepped in the house, with Suki closing the door behind them. Naruto led his guests into the loving room. Suki went into the kitchen to get them something to drink. Once the tea was handed out, Naruto sighed. Suki sat down next to him. "Iruka, Yori. To what do I owe you the pleasure?"
"We've come to ask you something," Yori said. "But first, I believe it is safe here?" She looked at Suki.
"Whatever you need to say to me can be said to Suki," Naruto said. "She is my partner after all."
Yori frowned at this. Then she sighed. With a nod, the other two removed their hoods. Naruto gasped as Raiyuki and Itachi were revealed. He instantly looked at Iruka who was nervous. He glared at the brunet. Yori felt bad for Iruka since she knew the reason Naruto was made was really her fault, not his. "I knew you were alive, and I knew that Iruka knew where you were."
"Why did you come here?" Naruto asked.
"We want you to come back," Yori said.
"I can't," Naruto said. "You need to move on and forget about me." He leaned back in his seat.
Yori knew this wasn't going as planned. She needed to clear the air. May be going completely off course would help. "Your hair, what happened to it?"
"The kids did it," Naruto said. "It isn't permanent, thankfully."
"It makes you look like a girl," Yori said. Naruto glared. "Just stating facts."
"I'm not a girl," Naruto said. "You and Iruka should know that."
"We do," Yori said. "And we'd like others to know."
"I'm not going back," Naruto said. Then he realized something. "How did you know I was alive? Only Iruka should have known."
"I saw you," Yori said. "After the funeral." Naruto cursed. "But only the two of us know." Naruto glanced at Raiyuki and Itachi. "They don't know who you are." At this, Naruto raised an eyebrow. How could they not know who he was? "I know you had your reasons, but please, come back with us."
"To be punished?" Naruto asked. "If I come back, I'll be put to death."
"We wouldn't let that happen," Iruka said. "And neither would Prince Sasuke."
Naruto flinched. "He'd hate me the most." He then looked at all of his guests. "How can anyone love someone who has lied to them from the beginning? Not only am I male, but I am not a member of the royal family. I'm an orphaned man who now helps run an orphanage. Her and I are too different."
"But even then it wasn't her that Sasuke fell for," Yori said. "It was you." Naruto, Raiyuki, and Itachi gasped. Raiyuki and Itachi had caught on to Naruto's identity. Naruto on the other hand was surprised to learn that Sasuke loved him. But still...
"I can't," Naruto said. "I'm sorry, but I still can't go back."
"Sasuke it going to marry Haruka and Sakura," Itachi said. All eyes turned to him. "But he doesn't love them. Will you not save him from a life of misery?"
"That's..." Naruto began.
"Only you can bring him happiness," Raiyuki said.
Naruto stilled. His feelings hadn't changed and if he could share those feelings, he'd be beyond happy. But could he do it? Could he go back, face possible execution, and win over Sasuke's heart as himself? Sasuke was worth all that. But leaving the orphanage wasn't a good idea. Suki had enough trouble running it on her own for five months. Could she run it alone for the rest of her life? No. The kids needed Naruto. He smiled sadly. "I..."
"It's fine," Suki said. "You deserve to find happiness, Naruto. We will miss you, but your place isn't here, not any longer. You should go to him."
"Suki," Naruto said.
Suki smiled. "I can run this place on my own. I've done it before, I can do it again."
"You won't be alone," a voice said. Everyone turned to see Konohamaru, Udo, and Moegi on the stairs. "We'll be here."
"Konohamaru," Naruto said.
"Besides," Konohamaru said. "We're nearly adults. We can take over for Suki and let her rest."
Suki laughed. "It seems you've been out-voted Naruto."
Naruto sighed then grinned. "Alright. I'll come with you." He stood up.
"Good," Suki said. "Here." She handed him a backpack. Naruto raised an eyebrow. Suki shrugged. "I knew that you'd need it."
Naruto shook his head. "Sometimes you scare me." Suki only smiled. He turned to Itachi, Iruka, Raiyuki, and Yori. "I guess I'm ready."
"Let's go, Naruto," Yori said holding out a hand. Naruto took it. Suki, Konohamaru, Udon, Moegi watched as Naruto got on a horse behind Itachi.
"Bye guys," Naruto said. "I'll visit!" He waved and then they were off.
Suki kept up her smile until Naruto was gone. Then, tears rolled down her face. Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi helped her back into the living room and gave her a cup of tea. They knew what she was feeling. When she calmed down she thanked them then looked up at the ceiling. "Be happy Naruto. Even if your place isn't with me, I'll wish you happiness." She took another sip of her tea, thanking god for letting her meet her first love.
This chapter was really hard to write. I'm not completely happy with it. I may rewrite it. So, I'd like to ask your honest opinion on it.