Story: Melancholia, Chapter 22, Part 2/2
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
A/N: As it turns out, I'm actually going off tonight because I need to finish my school assignment first, so I figured I'd go ahead and finish up this chapter.
Also: Thank you all so much for your condolences over my loss. I'm trying my best to get by, it's just so hard sometimes.
Replies to Reviews:
Merlin7Ringoz chapter 21
continua
Don't worry, I am. ^^
GunBlade2021 chapter 21 .
Hi there
...What a trigger indeed, and Tsunade also coming open her experience, but she was a Senju, so it must be on a mission...
Keep up the great writing and stay safe!
I won't go into the details right now, but there is a plausible explanation which will be discussed later. And thank you!
Ringoz chapter 21.
continua
I'm glad you're invested. ^^
TheShamanMaster chapter 21.
Don't worry about the length of this chapter and what not; take as much time as you need for everything else. Besides, I liked this chapter and the Iruka/Tsunade conversation (something you don't see enough of in the canon) Keep doing what you're doing because I'm heavily invested in this story :)
I'm so happy you're enjoying it, and yeah, I had a lot of fun with the Iruka and Tsunade stuff. Naruto has so many worried parental figures in his life so I just can't help myself! Lots of conversations we don't get to see much of in the manga or anime so I'm always craving that content and end up having to write it myself.
Author Of Purpose chapter 21 .
I want to thank you for writing this story, despite how it must hurt to be reminded of your own experiences. Your writing has made confronting my own trauma so much easier. I hope that writing this story has been as helpful to you as it has been to me.
offers hug
I'm really happy this is reaching out to other people with these kinds of issues, I just don't see enough of it written realistically in fanfiction. I always love stuff about mental health issues, because it helps me with my own problems and I absolutely love hearing when it helps others too. Thank you so much. ;w;
RubyKorraReaper chapter 22 part 1.
thanks for the update!
No problem!
Camryn Kissel1 chapter 22 part 1.
It's OK. This was a great Chapter. Sasuke, irkua and Nautro are worried about Saukra. When is Ino going to appear again
I'm super glad you liked it!
And yes, everybody is so worried about each other I'm enjoying this so much. ToT
Ino will come back in soon, I promise!
Phoenixx Rising chapter 22 part 1.
Sigh...That was messed up. He's going to awful if he ever finds out she did that.
I love that Sasuke is so actively caring.
Caring Sasuke is the best Sasuke, he's always so much fun to write! And when he finds out the truth about what's happening with Naruto and Sakura, he'll immediately be out for blood. (Not literally... or is it...?)
GunBlade2021 chapter 22 part 1.
Hi there
Sakura is really on a slippery slope and this is not going go well...
Keep up the great writing and stay safe!
Things will get much better, I promise! It's just gonna be a bit before we get there oof.
And thank you!
...
This isn't much but the next chapter will have more. I could be away for a while, but right now, I really need to look after my mental health because I'm on the verge of doing something really reckless so I know it'll be the best thing for me.
…
After another thirty minutes had passed and some woman came in and collected Naruto's tray, Sakura decided it was probably best she leave so Sasuke could talk to him. In truth, she wanted to stay longer, but she didn't want to be selfish. Besides, she had to meet up with Tsunade in a couple hours anyway, and she knew Sasuke wanted to see Naruto just as much as she had.
"Oh, sorry, Naruto… I'm actually going to be doing some training with Lady Tsunade today, so I should probably go ahead and leave now."
"What? Already?" Naruto pouted, making Sakura feel a little guilty. "Well, alright, just make sure you come back to visit, okay? This place is so boring!"
"Don't worry. I will. I'll try to be back some time this evening." Sakura smiled.
Naruto almost had the temptation to ask to hug her goodbye, but restrained, knowing Sakura probably wouldn't like it. He was shocked however, when she did it anyway even without being prompted, wrapping an arm around him. In truth, she hadn't even really thought about it before doing it.
"I'll see you later, alright...?" She said in a sheepish voice, bringing a blush to not only Naruto's face, but also her own.
"Oh, r-right…" Naruto's voice cracked, surprised by the gesture. Her warmth felt nice. As she pulled away, he secretly wished it would last longer, and yet that familiar self-loathing set in, telling him he didn't deserve it. To avoid making her worry about him, however, he quickly quipped in a remark. "I can't believe you're really going to be training with Tsunade Obaa-chan, though. She may be old, but that woman can sure pack one hell of a punch! Just be careful, ya know?"
As Sakura started to leave, Iruka decided to speak up. He wouldn't feel right if he didn't at least try to confront her on the matter.
"Hold on a second, Sakura. Do you mind if I speak with you for a minute outside the room?" He asked, throwing away his now empty plate.
Sakura nervously looked over at him, before following him out the door. "Oh, sure."
"I'm going to be right out in the hallway, Naruto. Don't do anything reckless while I'm out there, okay?" Iruka said, sparing a glance behind him at his other former student.
"You don't need to worry about me, sensei. It's not like you're leaving me for a whole week or anything." Naruto shrugged it off.
"Right." Iruka sighed, before looking back at Sakura and giving her a small smile. "Come on."
"What is it you wanted to talk about, Sensei?" Sakura asked once they were out in the hallway.
Iruka struggled to find his words, but once again told himself it couldn't be put off. "Those injuries… They're not really from an accident, are they…?"
"What are you… saying? I told you I fell." Sakura immediately sounded uncertain, unable to keep eye contact. Immediately, Iruka's suspicions were confirmed.
"Sakura… If somebody hurt you, we can talk about it. You know you can trust me, right...?" Iruka kneeled down in front of her, slightly favoring Kakashi.
"I…" Sakura briefly hesitated as if considering his words, but immediately after looked away, clearly ashamed. "No, I shouldn't… I really need to go."
At hearing that, Iruka knew it would only make matters worse if he tried to force her to stay and talk. He would have to tell Kakashi or Tsunade if he happened to see them. But Sakura did say she was going to be training with Tsunade later, so maybe she would confront the girl as well. Tsunade was the best medical ninja out there, and probably had more knowledge on most of this than he did, so this was no doubt a good thing for her. A part of him still wanted to question about her not eating, but that too was probably best left up to Tsunade, who would easily recognize the symptoms of an eating disorder if that's what was going on with her.
"Alright, but try to be safe, okay?" He said placing a hand on her shoulder, feeling a pang of hurt when she flinched. "And good luck with your training with Hokage-sama. You were one of my brightest and most headstrong students, so I know you'll do well. I believe in you."
"Right… Thanks, Iruka-sensei." Sakura bowed, feeling a boost of confidence at hearing his praise, before she ran off towards the lobby.
Iruka sighed once again, but got up and stepped back into the room where Naruto was. He was glad the boy didn't try something sneaky like jumping out the window, but somehow that didn't make it any easier when he looked up to see him angrily marking his arm with red lines with the marker he'd given him.
"Naruto…" His tongue suddenly felt heavy as he cautiously approached him.
"Oh!" Naruto jumped at bit at seeing his former teacher's figure in the corner of his eye. His eyes seemed glazed over for a moment, but then he looked away feeling guilty for worrying him again. He quickly hid his arm. "I... um… Sorry, sensei…"
"No, don't apologize. You haven't done anything wrong. I'm just glad you used the marker instead of your nails like the last time." Iruka said, sitting back at his bedside. "So do you want to talk about it...?"
He could already guess the answer judging from the past few times this had happened, but decided to ask anyway.
Naruto simply shook his head. As expected.
Iruka wished more than anything that he could offer more help for Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke too.
They clearly all needed support, but if they wouldn't open up, there was only so much he and the others could do for them.
…
A/N: Naruto has semi-started to use his coping mechanisms though which is good. NEXT CHAPTER WILL GET MORE INTO SASUKE AGAIN
