Naruto marched into the shop like he was headed off to war and the only weapon he had was the folded paper clutched in his hand. I eyed it warily, wondering what form of persuasion it would take and resigned to the fact that Naruto wouldn't be giving up any time soon.
"Kiko! Kaka-sensei let slip that you don't want to be near me anymore because you're scared people might hurt you for it." He took a deep breath and I fought not to avoid his gaze.
Naruto seemed to steel himself, fists clenching at his sides, a fierce look of determination passing over his wobbly lips. "I just want to let you know that I understand, okay? I don't want you to get hurt either! So-! So I came here to say goodbye."
I sucked in a startled breath and suddenly the crumpled paper card was shoved under my nose.
"And to give you another thank you card because you lost the other one and because even though it was only for a little while I still want to thank you for being my frie- for putting up with me. And one day I hope you'll put up with me again! I'm going now but it won't be forever because I'll get stronger, strong enough to protect you so that you won't have to be afraid anymore! Believe it!"
He stood firm before me, card held steady between us. His eyes were wet yet filled with strength. They willed me to believe in him.
Time stilled.
Before I knew what I was doing I'd wrapped him up in a hug. "Don't go." I whispered. "I'm sorry. Don't go."
He was stiff in my arms at first, and then, very slightly, he began to tremble.
"Naruto?" I asked.
His shaking got worse and his hands clutched the back of my dress as if holding on for dear life.
"I- I've never had a hug before," he said, and suddenly it all made sense. For someone as touch starved as him, this must be a very overwhelming experience. I swallowed, wondering if I should perhaps step back, give him space, but Naruto wasn't relinquishing his grip. So for lack of anything better to do, I held him tighter and began to sing.
You are my sunshine,
My only sunshine,
My voice cracked at first, unused to this kind of activity but as Naruto's shivers evened out, so did my tone.
You make my happy,
When skies are grey,
Naruto's pressed his face to my shoulder, wetness seeping into my shirt.
So now you know dear,
How much I love you,
Naruto gasps out a sob.
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
Omake:
My lips twitched and I brought a shaking hand to my mouth. When faced with the photographic evidence of Kotetsu's glittery demise I was hard-pressed not to laugh. My eyes twinkled and Naruto sent me a beaming smile. Then I flipped to the next photo and I was lost. Barking out a cackle that had Naruto jumping out of his seat in alarm I was forced to double over from the hilarity. Hagane's expression in that last one was just too much.
"K-Kiko?" Naruto stammered, "Are you alright?"
I looked up with a grin on my face and tears in my eyes and Naruto's look of concern quickly morphed into one of wonder and then brimming pride. What's that about? It's not like he's never seen a smi- oh. It's because he's never seen me smile. I flushed slightly in self-conscious embarrassment and pull him into a hug so he'd stop staring at my face. I try to hug him more now, though none of them have been as long and awkward as the first. And there definitely hasn't been a repeat of the singing. I can tell he enjoys them from the way he always looks like a pleased puppy whenever one happens. I don't exactly mind them either.