Chapter 7
Shanan made a bigger dinner than usual and took some over to Sasuke's apartment, along with a single white flower and a note that said "I'm here." She went right in, but didn't bother him this time, he was still where she had left him, only now he was covered up. She knew he was still awake, though. She set his food down on the counter and went back home to eat.
Naruto had spent the better part of the day being pretty grumpy. Shanan thought he was being a bit insensitive considering all that Sasuke had just been through, but she also realized he was still too young to fully empathize with someone he didn't really like much. And she knew that he enjoyed the time that they got to spend together and that he wasn't ready to have someone new coming around.
"What if you like him more?" He finally said out loud between mouthfuls of ramen. "I thought it was just gonna be me and you." It was perfectly normal for Naruto to be concerned. Afterall, it had been just the two of them for two years. Which had felt like a really long time to them.
Shanan looked at him and sighed before placing her hand on his, "Oh, Naruto..." she couldn't help but feel a little guilty for making him worry. "We love eachother. You're my best friend, my little brother, but that doesn't mean we can't have someone else be part of our family and love them too! Nobody should be scared and all alone. Even somebody you don't like." She figured that since nobody was there to raise them, they might as well just raise eachother. "Please try and be nice," she pleaded as she squeezed his hand.
Naruto thought for a few minutes as they continued to eat. "Ok, Shanan. I'll be his friend. For you. But I don't have to like it!"
"Thanks," she said with a soft smile.
When they finished their dinner, Shanan pulled out a book to read. They both sat on the bed with their backs against the wall and snuggled up together. This was their nightly routine. She had already bought about half of the books from her list and was adding more to it everytime she stopped at the bookstore. She loved them all and re-read them to Naruto quite often.
Naruto wasn't really a fan of the nonfiction books, but enjoyed a good adventure book, especially if there was fighting involved. But either way, he enjoyed listening to Shanan read to him. Besides, she was better at it, even though he almost always fell asleep.
Afterwards, Shanan woke Naruto up and instructed him to take a bath before bed and then made her way to Sasuke's to check on him.
"I'm coming in." She tapped lightly as she opened the door. He was still laying there quietly. But as Shanan approached the counter, she could see that he had at least eaten. He didn't look up again, though, or say anything. Just stared at the wall next to his bed with his back to Shanan. So she picked up his bowl and said "goodnight" before leaving.
She closed the door and waved out past the buildings across the street. She didn't know why she waved anymore, but it was a habit now and she thought that it must be important to keep doing so.
It was a nice night. Warm with a slight breeze. She set the bowl down and looked out onto the village from the balcony for a while, getting lost in thought.
How could someone be so heartbroken right now?
Why had three kids been left completely alone?
Two of them had never had anyone except for eachother. And now there was a third. He had had a family. He had a whole clan. And then he just... didn't. It was sad... But he had her and Naruto now. Even if he didn't realize it. She decided to check on him first thing in the morning.