Chapter 5 Yanagi ni Kazae

The bar had a reminiscent feel to it. Or, at least, that was what Naruto thought when they walked in. But maybe it was the fact that Sasuke was alive. Whatever it was, it didn't matter.

The two got a table at the back and, after ordering some drinks, just looked around for a little while. The bar was fairly empty, just the bartender, a few waiters, three big guys at the bar, and a duo shooting pool accompanied the two shinobi.

The waiter returned with the drinks, and the two sat in more silence. After about five minutes, Naruto had to speak up.

"So are you going to start the conversation, or should I."

"You just did."

"Dammit. I was sure you would talk first."

"Nice try."

"So are you going to tell me what happened, or do I have to beat it out of you?"

"There's nothing to tell," the raven-haired man sighed," it just happened. I was alone in the forest, and just kept wandering." Then there was more silence. "What about you?" Naruto stared at the ground.

"I ran over to Hinata, but she was gone. They killed her before I could even say bye. Then I just blanked out. When I woke up, I was standing in a crater made by my own chakra. There was no one around, no one had survived. I managed to find Hinata's body and bury her, but after that, I destroyed what was left of the city in rage. Then I ran. I've been hunting their Anbu ever since." Naruto looked up at his former rival, asking the question with his eyes. Sasuke just shook his head. Sakura hadn't survived. Naruto nearly crashed then. He was so nauseous that he nearly fell out of his chair. He staggered out of the bar to get some air, and ended up in a tree outside.

The moon was a huge crescent shape in the night sky, and the scent of night calmed the blonde down some. This was where he belonged now. Unseen in the night. Sasuke went up to the room he had rented and fell asleep almost instantly.

Naruto sat alone, thinking of all that he had been through. He never brought out the memories of his friends when he could help it. But tonight, he let his mind run free. The chunin exam was what he remembered the most, with all the other people from far-away villages. Rock Lee, Gaara, Tenten, Neji, Hinata… Here he stopped. They had been going out for a week that day. She had been so happy when he finally asked her out, happy to the point of tears. They shared the best times of Naruto's life together, there in Konohagakure village. But then they came. They tore away all that he loved and cherished, all that he had worked his life for. Now he was lost again. Yanagi ni kazae. A will before the wind.

It was at this very moment that a song reached the boy's ears. A lone traveler walked the road, with nothing but a pack on his shoulders. He whistled a low and mournful tune that told of many hard years. His head was covered in a hat much like those of the mist village wore, way back when the boy had been a bodyguard for old man Tazuna. Watching the man go by, Naruto truly woke from the dream that had been going on since he talked to Sasuke. It seemed like so long ago, now. But still, the boy had to trudge on. Now for both of them.

Naruto followed the man into the bar silently and walked up to his room. He took a quick shower and was about to climb into bed when the door opened.

"I was told that I could find a shinobi here," said a smooth voice.

"What about it? I have nothing that would be of service to anyone. Now leave." Still the door did not close, and Naruto was about to yell when he looked up. And was greeted by a single eye.