[A/N] Hey guys, I'm back… It's been a long time huh? So since the last update, I've graduated high school, and currently, I've been doing nothing with my life, well nothing important at least. My family and I have gone on a few road trips and I love to read NaruIno fanfics on those trips and it inspired me to write one again, just for old times sake. I do have to apologize for pretty much-abandoning Changes and How it was intended but like many other people, I lost interest in writing. I also felt like I couldn't convey my thoughts into words as effectively as I wanted to. Honestly, I don't think I'll finish those stories because I had such big plans at the time and now they're all gone. I can't find the notes. I have chapter two mostly written for both of them. Let me know if you want me to finish and post them. With that, I hope you enjoy it!
Disclaimer: Rated M for self-harm.
Naruto stood atop the Hokage monument gazing out at the village. While many lanterns were still strung across rooftops lining the main paths with bars and other restaurants, many residents of Konah have long since departed into their subconscious for the night. The soft winds added to the already cool night air and the pale moonlight illuminated the rooftops of many clan compounds and residential areas not affected by the lanterns the busy streets had.
The people stumbling out of bars, laughing and trying not to fall over, and the couples leaving the restaurant taking advantage of the beautiful night were tangled together with some holding and others letting their partners riding on their backs, leaving a bitter-sweet smile on the tall blonde's lips.
While he was glad that he was able to protect the residents of the village allowing them to enjoy a night such as this he couldn't help but feel a little lonely. Sakura is hopelessly in love with Sauske even after everything he's done. While he did like Hinata the love would be more one-sided than he was willing to subjugate her to, not to mention that her clan would never allow her to marry an outsider. Especially one like himself.
'I've been alone my whole life, so why do I feel so alone now…' Naruto couldn't stop the lone tear from rolling down his cheek and down on to the face on the fourth hokage. 'They don't seem to care anyway, as long as they don't have to worry about any threats and can keep living their lives without fear they don't care if I'm happy. But why do I have to suffer. I haven't done anything wrong have I? I didn't ask to be born with no parents or this stupid fox in my belly,' This thought elicted a low growl to interrupt his thoughts temporally though he ignored it, 'Why can't I be happy too?' At this point there were tears cascading down his face further wetting the stone figure below his feet. He began reaching into his pouch, pulling out a kunai. He stared at it watching as the reflection of the lanterns gave it a slightly orange glow, complimented by the soft moonlight. The growls began getting louder in his head but he just kept ignoring it. He pressed it against his finger letting the blood roll down before the small puncture was quickly closed, thanks to the Kyubbi who was beginning to rustle in his cage. Seeing the results he began to explore his body more with the sharp tool that has been the cause of so many deaths before.
"What's one more…" Naruto mumbled with a deep breath before turning the blade and aiming it at his chest. Before he could think anymore and before the Kyubbi broke out of his cage with the trashing he was doing with his tails and claws, Naruto plunged the kunai deep into his heart, falling to the ground.
Kakashi was standing at the memorial stone staring blankly at the names carved neatly into the black rock trying not to fall over, likely due to the multiple bottles of sake thrown about around his feet, when he began to feel something was wrong. Jumping up to the nearest rooftop he began scanning the village. Seeing all nothing but dark windows staring back at him he began running the voice in his head telling him to hurry or he'll be too late again. While leaping from rooftop to rooftop and still seeing nothing he looked up to the heads that keep watch over the village day and night. Trying to figure out why the alarm bells were ringing in his head he looked towards the bust of the fourth. He was so lost in thought he almost missed what was wrong with the statue.
Not sure if he was imagining things in his slightly intoxicated state he made a beeline for the top of the mountain. In his rush he slipped off one of the roofs bringing some shingles along with him. Cursing himself and ignoring the mess he got up and began running again faster than before as the voice telling him to hurry up got louder.
Ino was woken up startled from the noise of tiles breaking. Taking a look out the window she saw the masked jonin on the floor with a mess of tiles around him before he got up and took off running. She caught a glimpse of panic in his exposed eye which had her curious. 'What is he freaking out about?' This had the sleepy blond a little worried. If the famous copy ninja was panicking then something terrible must have happened. With her curiosity piqued she opened the window and began to chase the silver-haired jonin however she was having a hard time keeping up at first but he slipped on a few more shingles before catching himself and taking off again.
This allowed Ino a little time to catch up to him and now running next to Kakashi she asked, "What's going on?"
"I'm not sure but something is telling me that whatever it is it can't be good." He answered back as they took a leap up to the Hokage tower he extended his hand to the platinum blonde, who accepted as they both leaped high into the air onto the top of the Hokage monument.
The sight they were greeted with was horrifying to see. Ino gasped as her hands shot up to cover her mouth. Naruto lay face up in a pool of his own blood and a kunai sticking out of his jacket, his normal tanned skin looking closer to her own. Kakashi quickly sprinted over and scooped up the young blond, not caring about the blood now getting all over his uniform. "INO!" The jonin shouted, snapping her out of the shock of seeing her friend's teammate, the number one hyperactive ninja losing inhuman amounts of blood. "GO GET TSUNADE NOW!" Kakashi finished before taking off in the direction of the hospital . Not needing another word she hopped back down onto the Hokage tower before dropping in front of the door and rushing inside.
Shisune was not present at her desk but Ino didn't care about that right now she kept sprinting up the stairs and right through the door to the Hokage's office, "TSUNADE-SAMA NARUTO IS DYING!" She screamed, causing the pigtailed hokage to spit out the last of her sake. Not caring that she was caught drinking instead of the mountains of paperwork piled all around the desk she stood up and asked,
"Where is he?" Before the two blonds rushed out of the office.
"Kakashi is taking him to the hospital." The smaller woman replied.
Kakashi was sweating as he busted through the doors of the hospital, eyes darting back and forth for the familiar pink hair of his other student. The other nurses all looked up when the masked jonin entered the building in his panicked state. He went up to the closest nurse, "I need you to stop the bleeding!" He yelled frantically, his grip getting tighter around his mentor's son. The color was beginning to fade from his lips and his skin started to resemble Sai's complexion.
At the same moment Tsunade and Ino ran through the doors in a similar fashion to Kakashi. Immediately spotting him as everyone was surrounding him in a circle. The busty Hokage shoved her way through the people with Ino in tow. Tsunade looks at the nurse currently trying to stop the blood still oozing out of her surrogate grandson. "Take me to a room now." She shot out sternly before placing her hands above Naruto's wound analyzing the damage. Noticing how his heart was pierced her eyes widened, threatening to pop out of her head.
The nurse began rushing down the hallways with the four shinobi following only one step behind.
Naruto opened his only to be met with the blinding light of the sun's rays reflecting off of the blank wight walls, before swiftly closing them tightly. He could feel the weight on his leg, not sure what it could be, he tried opening his eyes again, slowly this time, before looking to his left. He saw long platinum hair cascading down his leg hiding the face and arms of the owner.
"What happened, Naruto?" He heard the deep voice of his sensei ask, as he looked towards the window he winced from the sunlight now assaulting his retinas.
"-on't know," he tried to answer but his voice was more horse than normal. Clearing his throat he said, "I don't know." His eyes drifted down towards his feet. Upon seeing the hair he looked back over to the girl he assumed was sleeping before he continued, "I just saw everyone happy and laughing and I thought why can't I be happy, why do I have to be alone…" he sniffled trying to prevent the tears from coming back. "I'm sorry." Guilt heavy in his words.
The one-eyed teacher looked at his student, but Naruto couldn't look him in the eye. He just kept staring at the sleeping form of Ino. 'Why are you here? How did you find me?' The blonde's thoughts got interrupted when Kakashi said, "Naruto you're not alone. You have me, Sakura, Tsunade, and Jiraiya. Even right now Ino has been here every day. She's been right next to you sleeping in that chair. I'm pretty sure the only reason she's eaten anything is because the nurses brought her food after realizing she wasn't planning on leaving. You're not alone Naruto. You have friends all over the world, like Gaara and I'm sure you made more friends across each great nation while you were away for three years."
Naruto couldn't stop the tears from falling no matter how much he tried to wipe them away. He felt so guilty and began regretting his actions, knowing that if he died he would've let all of his friends down.
His sniffing and movements caused Ino's pale eyes to begin to flutter. Seeing her lift her head up Kakashi thought it best if he left them alone and allowed Ino a chance to speak before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Lifting her arms above her head in a stretch she gave a small moan before looking into the deep ocean of blue, giving her blonde friend a small smile, happy that he was finally awake. She then noticed that he was awake and had more tears rolling in between the whisker marks she threw her arms around her causing Naruto to wince, realizing her mistake she went to get off of him but before she could unwrap her arms from his neck she felt her own back being squeezed. She felt her exposed shoulder getting wet but she didn't care, she put her hand on the back of his head and started running her hands through his soft locks, "Well good morning." She gave a small chuckle which was returned through sobs.
"Good morning Ino-chan…" he sniffled, "Thank you."
"For what?" She asked, not understanding what she did to warrant thanks.
"For being here… staying here for however long I was asleep." He continued
She chuckled again, "You don't have to thank me, that's what friends are for."
Naruto pulled back the tears dry and looked into the pale blue eyes that complimented her hair perfectly. She stared back with the softness of a parent seeing their child for the first time. He shook his head slowly, "No Ino-chan I do. It means more to me than you know." He looked back into her eyes and they both began to blush lightly at the close proximity of their faces.
Ino averted her eyes first before saying, "Please don't do anything like that again. I was so..." she paused searching for the words, "So scared you wouldn't wake up and- and- and the- there was s-so much bl-blood…" Unable to stop the sudden rush of tears it was Naruto's turn to engulf her into his larger frame and she fell into his arms as he rubbed her back. The weight of regret building with each tear that stained his jacket, and the guilt increasing with each shudder coming from the purple-loving kunoichi.
"I won't. I promise, and I never break my promises." He whispered before planting a small kiss on the top of her head.
Before he could reach her head, she looked back up suddenly, "Goo-" Her words were cut off from the contact of his dry, cut lips on her pair of soft and delicate lips. They both pulled back quickly, faces brighter than the walls of the Hokage tower, eyes refusing to meet the others.
"S-sorry!" Naruto stammered. Ino kept looking down but couldn't help but licking her lips feeling the tingle left from their brief kiss. 'M-my first kiss! And it was with Naruto?! Well, actually it could be worse." With little more than an internal shrug, she looked back up at Naruto ignoring his stuttered apologies before leaning closer and once again planting her lips onto his. Naruto tried to back up but Ino wrapped her hands around the back of his neck again. Seeing no escape, Naruto brought his face to meet hers before they both melted into the kiss.
Jiraiya had a gut feeling he was missing out on very important notes for his next book 'Naruto are you with a girl right now?! Behind my back no less!'
[A/N] I really do hope you all enjoyed this took a lot longer than I planned. It was supposed to be a one-shot but it's now 5 in the morning and I'm getting tired so if you guys want another chapter please review with any criticism or compliments. Ja Ne!