Shame
Annoyance
Lame
Insignificance
Boredom
Stagnation
Numb
Just to fulfill an expectation.
-
(Best comeback ever by Brian David Gilbert on YouTube. The laugh of a certain someone that will be in this chapter.)
-
A piercing shriek could be heard across the five great elemental nations:
"6 MONTHS!?!?" Naruto belted.
"Was that a wind jutsu?" Danzō asked as he flattened his hair back down, "Yes, you two have been out of the village seemingly non-stop. You're going on vacation."
"Well what if we don't want to?" Shisui retorted as he crossed his arms. Naruto looked to Shisui, then back to Danzō, then mimicked Shisui.
"You're mistaking what I said," Danzō closed his eyes, "You're going on vacation."
"I didn't mistake it," Naruto blurted, "What if we don't-"
"You're going on vacation."
Shisui threw his arms behind his head, "Yeah right. That's bor-"
Danzō glared at them. Everything around him seemed to turn back, purple swirls twisting through the void space: "Vacation."
Naruto and Shisui bolted upright, "Yes, sir, Hokage-sama!"
They turned on a dime and began to march out. Shisui and Naruto, both experienced in handling Danzō's intimidation, snapped out of their trance, "You really can't keep using that-ttebayo."
"I only utilize it on occasion. I don't have any need for it nowadays," he closed his eyes, "Besides, it's not an actual genjutsu, you two are just babies."
Naruto growled, "So what about Itachi?" Shisui asked, "He's had an equally, if not more, intense workload than us."
Danzō nodded, "He has been given the same leave from missions that you have."
"From missions? What's that mean?" Naruto blurted
"That's complicated, as well as classified. Neither of you would be able to get it anyway."
"Calling us stupid, eh?"
"Precisely," Naruto growled, "Now go... do something or whatever," Naruto and Shisui snickered, "Shisui find a girlfriend."
"OHHH," Naruto pointed repeatedly at every inch of Shisui's face. Shisui just slowly pushed Naruto's finger down, "Yeah, how old are you?" The blonde asked.
"Shut up already. You know how old I am," Shisui grumbled.
"Naruto, you should find anything that isn't your partner."
Naruto tilted his head, "Is that a compliment?"
"He's saying that you're obsessed, you big doofus," Shisui ruffled Naruto's hair, getting only a groan from Naruto in response.
The door behind them swung open, "You two are still in here?" Tsunade asked as she walked by, "Aren't you on mission leave?"
"Not if I have anything to say about it," Naruto exclaimed as he raised his fist.
"Hema, why are you so opposed?" Danzō questioned.
"Well what am I going to do if it's not missions? I can only walk my dog so much," he kicked at the ground.
"Yeah, we're going to be so bored," Shisui threw his arms behind his head, "Besides, we're not even that tired."
"Shisui, your arms are shaking."
Shisui glanced to his right. He noticed that they were, in fact, shaking, "Well... just ignore that-"
"Listen, you two," Danzō opened up a drawer in his desk, "I didn't want to have to do this, but I have no other choice," Naruto and Shisui squinted at the man. Danzō slammed his hand on the desk, causing the two to jump back. Tsunade closed her eyes and smirked. "I'm warning you," Danzō spoke, "If I remove my hand, disastrous implications may follow."
Tsunade peered down at them, Danzō glared through a squint. Naruto and Shisui gulped, looked at each other, then nodded.
"Show is what you got, you old bag."
-
"Ah, hello, welcome back."
Ino, Lee, Choji, and Hinata walked through the gate to the village, returning from their mission.
"Hey Itachi," Ino waved as she walked towards, "What are you doing on entrance duty?
"Well, I thought it would be better to try and better understand the average ninja life. For," he winked, "You know."
"Uhhh, what does that mean?" Choji asked skeptically.
"Itachi, I must remind you that Ino is 16, and you are 24. Any implicit activities between you two are strictly prohibited."
"It's- no it's not that-" Ino tried to explain as she waved her hands about.
"Itachi, if you are ano... with someone 8 years younger than you, I don't think we can be friends."
"I am not in a relationship with Ino."
Choji crossed his arms, "Oh yeah?" Itachi nodded, "Then what was the wink for?"
"A wink is usually a sign of affection used between people who are close to each other," Lee stuck up a finger, "Although it is not inherently mischievous, it still strikes me as suspicious."
"Yeah..."
Itachi placed his chin atop his hands, sighed, and shook his head.
"Alright, it's not what you're thinking. I promise it's nothing lewd. Me and Itachi are not in a relationship," the others squinted at Ino as she tried to explain. She sighed and looked at Itachi, "Can I tell them?"
Itachi closed his eyes. He waited for a moment, before giving a slow nod.
"Alright, come close everyone. This is a secret, okay? It stays between us and that's it." The others nodded as they walked towards Ino.
Two sets of loud shouts could be heard from all across the village. They said the same thing:
"HE'S WHAT?!?!"
-
"Are you both hard of hearing? Stop yelling," Danzō re-flattened his hair, "Itachi is succeeding the role of Hokage after us," Tsunade nodded along, "That's why I had these," Danzō lifted his hand, revealing two tickets to the upcoming World Series. The Konoha Krush vs. Kiri Downpour
"Woaaaaah! No way... how'd you get your hands on these," Naruto gasped as his hands crept closer to the tickets.
Danzō inched the tickets towards him and closed his eyes, "That is of no consequence."
"Well, now we think you did something fishy," Tsunade added.
"No," was Danzō's reply.
"No what?"
Danzō just shrugged. He continued, "Look, I was going to take Itachi in celebration for his eventual succession, but if you are willing to take the time off," he looked at them sternly, "And keep quiet about the next Hokage, I'll give you these for free."
"Done," Naruto replied before Shisui could even say anything.
"Woah woah woah," Shisui waved his hands in front of him, "Are those... series tickets?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Like are they tickets for the whole 7 games, or just for one?"
Danzō scoffed, "Well all seven of course! Did you think I was some sort of chump?"
"No, just testing," Shisui swiped the tickets, "Psh, we really robbed you blind, you old bag."
Danzō nodded, "Yes Shisui, you sure did," he leaned back in his chair, "It's like you took the eyes right out of their sockets."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Uhhhhh... yeah... whatever, you weirdo," he and Shisui slowly analyzed the tickets.
Naruto gulped, "It's... in the land of hot springs?"
Tsunade tried to hold back a laugh, but her efforts proved unfruitful, "OH KAMI! You're screwed Naruto!"
Shisui and Danzō squinted at Tsunade, Naruto just rubbed his face in his hands, "What? Huh?" Shisui murmured.
"Nothing don't worry about it!" Naruto shouted as he turned and opened the door, "It's not even like a big deal at all, just move on, okay?!?!"
"Okay," Shisui turned back to face Tsunade, "Explain?"
She waved her hands out in front of her as she shook her head. She was laughing uncontrollably, "No," another fit of laughter. Shisui raised an eyebrow, "Just... just, you'll find out once you get there," she covered her mouth in an attempt to stop laughing, "When you get it, you'll understand why I'm," she broke into hysterical laughter again.
Danzō gave a concerned look to Tsunade. He shook his head and directed his attention back to Shisui, "I believe she has gone crazy," Shisui slowly nodded, "You are dismissed. Enjoy the game tomorrow."
"See ya," Shisui have a lazy salute. He walked towards the door, "And good luck with... that," he pointed to Tsunade with his thumb. Danzō just nodded.
Shisui walked out into the hallway and stretched. He let out a yawn, "I guess I really am tired."
"Hey Shisui!" A voice boomed from his left. He turned to see Ino, Lee, Hinata, and Choji walking towards him. Ino spoke up again, "Were you talking to yourself because you're so lonely? Again?"
Shisui recoiled a little bit, "What? That's oddly specific. Why is everyone bringing that up today?"
Ino shrugged as they walked by, "Just a guess."
"Nweeh, just a guess," Shisui mocked.
"Ano," Hinata poked Shisui on the shoulder, "Is something wrong with Naruto. I saw him stomp out-" Hinata was interrupted by uproarious laughter coming from inside the Hokage's office as the door opened.
"Tsunade-sama," Choji spoke from inside the office, "Is something wrong with her?"
"Whatever Naruto's pissed about," Shisui pointed to the office, "Has to do with that. I don't really care, so I'm going to go home," he walked off.
"Thanks. See you around!" Hinata waved as Shisui did the same over his shoulder. She couldn't help but worry over Naruto. 'Buuut... if Tsunade is laughing, then it might not be a big deal. She could have just struck a nerve while bantering,' she shrugged as she walked along. She stopped dead in her tracks, 'What if his pants fell down or something? What if he... soiled himself, and Tsunade is laughing at him?'
"Hinata?" Tsunade waved her hand in front of the girl, "Are you awake?"
Hinata shook her head, "Yes, sorry, m'lady," she bowed. Tsunade rolled her eyes at the girl's formality, "M'lady- if I may- do you know what happened to Naruto? He seemed upset."
Tsunade looked up in thought for a while, then snapped, "You know what? I think you can verify something for me about it," she leaned in and whispered something for a while. The other shinobi from Hinata's squad poked their heads out into the hallway. They heard Hinata giggle, and saw her cover her mouth.
"That... definitely fits the bill."
"Really?!" Tsunade's jaw dropped, "You think," she made an explosion gesture with her hands, "a whole wall?!" Hinata shrugged, "A whole concrete wall?!"
"Who knows? I don't think even Jiraiya-san would make that up," she giggled again, "I guess I should be more careful."
"I'm sorry to intrude on this seemingly personal conversation, but I must say, I am very confused to the subject matter of this discussion."
Tsunade gave a wide smile as she walked towards Lee. She planted a hand on his shoulder, "Trust me, for all of our sake," she gestured to Hinata with a head nod, "You don't want to know." Hinata let out another giggle and nodded in agreement.
'Hm,' Ino thought to herself, 'I'll get to the bottom of this. You're going down, kehiban.'
-
Naruto walked towards his house. This was the first time in a while that he felt the stares of the villagers on him. After he had revived the entirety of them using his friendship powers (more or less), they were far slower to jump on the hate bandwagon. The glares he felt were 1.) Only imagined by him, and 2.) Different from the "usual" glares in some way.
It felt like they were laughing at him. Oh the humanity! When he was reminded of his most tragic failure, the shame brought held him against the wall by his neck. However kinky, it was not a feeling Naruto wished to have right now.
"Ohayo!" Naruto jumped at the sudden greeting coming from his left. He looked down and sighed in relief. He didn't care as much about the "glares" now.
"Hey, kehiban," he smiled and stuffed his hands in his pockets, "What's going on?"
"I've been getting a lot of missions recently," she linked her arm and Naruto's, "I have one tomorrow too. What about you?"
"The opposite," he grumbled, "I'm on leave for 6. MONTHS," he held up 6 fingers.
Hinata giggled, "I feel so sorry for you. What are you going to do?"
"Well, me and Shisui are both on break-ttebayo," Hinata nodded, "so we're going to the World Series tomorrow, but after that... pretty much nothing."
She tilted her head, "Baseball?" Naruto nodded, "Well see, that's a lot of fun," Naruto pursed his lips and nodded, "How'd you get the tickets? I'd assume it'd be pretty difficult."
"Yeah, Danzō just gave them to us. It was his end of the deal: we go on vacation, he gives us the tickets."
"Danzō seems pretty adamant on you guys taking a break," she noted as Naruto opened the door. She sat down on the couch, and Naruto followed, resting his head on her thigh.
"Yeah I don't know," Bolt jumped onto the couch and curled up in Naruto's lap, "He said he was 'Worried about our intense workload'," he quoted Danzō in a mocking tone. Naruto shivered as he felt the Hokage's glare from through the walls.
"I think he might be over-exaggerating a bit," Naruto nodded in agreement as he sat up, "I mean, Tsunade-sama doesn't even need bodyguards. You didn't really ever even have missions as far as I remember." Hinata wasn't usually one for riling people up, but she was trying to figure something out about Naruto. She had been for a while.
"Well... yeah it wasn't really bodyguarding the old lady, I guess."
Bingo. This was Hinata's in: "Well, what did you do?"
"Oh, just mission stuff."
"Like what?"
"Uhh," he rubbed the back of his neck, "Hold on a second," he disappeared. Hinata threw her head back and groaned.
"So close," she got up and walked to the kitchen, "I'll figure you out one day, Uzumaki."
"Okay," Hinata jumped. She turned and saw Naruto back in the house, "Come sit down, I'm allowed to tell you."
Hinata inwardly jumped for joy as she walked over to the couch.
-
"Yeah, I kinda guessed that."
"What?!" Naruto had just told her about his anbu status, considered, like the identities of other anbu, an A-class village secret, "Really?"
Hinata shrugged, "Well, it was kind of just an assumption. I saw a fox mask a while back; I thought it looked pretty cool!" She added with a smile.
"Hm. Was I really that bad at hiding it?"
Hinata thought for a moment, "I'm pretty sure you hid it well enough. I just spent more time with you than anybody else," she paused. Yeah, and spied on him in the shower more than anybody else, "I think."
"Oh well," Naruto stood up, "You're seriously not mad at me for keeping it a secret?"
Hinata shook her head, "That wasn't your decision to keep it a secret. It's just how the world works," she yawned and laid herself flat in the couch, "I'm exhausted. I'll be napping for now."
"Can I ask you something before you go to sleep?" Hinata lifted her head and tilted it at Naruto.
"Ano... what's the matter?"
"Just something that's been bugging me for a while," Hinata nodded slowly, "How did you feel when you first found out I had this?" He gestured to his stomach.
"Hmmmmm. I don't really know what your talking about, your shirt's in the way," she replied coyly. Naruto rolled his eyes and lifted the bottom of his shirt to cover his face.
"I mean the kyuubi." There was a long silence as Naruto felt hands moving along his stomach, "Hinata," he said dryly.
"HuHHhhhH?" She coughed and shook herself awake, "I was kinda worried at first."
"Hm?"
"Well... ano... I didn't really know how it was inside you, soooo... I was worried that it was hurting you or something," she pulled Naruto's shirt back down, "But then you told me that you and him were friends... And well- well that just made me super happy," she smiled. Naruto returned the smile, "I remember Kiba was veeery jealous of you at that moment."
"Really? Do you know why?"
"Because you had a giant animal spirit inside of you. I remember Kiba saying 'I wish I had a 10-tailed dog with me wherever I went'," she let out a laugh, "But, ano... I think we were all a bit jealous in some way," Naruto tilted his head, "Well, you were just so strong compared to us. Kinda made us feel obsolete... but knowing how strong you were kinda made me suspicious of you. I kinda... Ano... figured something was up with you then."
"Like that I was anbu or something?"
"Something along those lines."
"Crap, I didn't realize that could have happened. That probably screwed with you guys."
"To be honest, I think it was good motivation."
Naruto chuckled a little, "Really?"
"Yeah. Like we wanted to be as strong as you, so we worked harder. Especially me."
"And you are very strong," Naruto bopped her nose, "But I didn't make you strong."
"I know, I know, blah blah," she said with fake annoyance. She turned in her stomach and placed her chin on Naruto's thigh. She poked at his area, "Ya know... Tsunade told me a story today~" she said in a singsong voice, "and it reminded me of something."
Naruto began to panic, "What story? Reminded you of what? I didn't do it! Why are you biting your lip?" She pounced on him, "ACK!"
-
"Do you know what the 'concrete helicopter' is?" Shisui had migrated over to the entrance checkpoint, and sat next to Itachi.
"What are you talking about?"
Shisui stamped a reader's passport, "I don't know... Tsunade mentioned it a while ago. I think it has something to do with Naruto," another traveler walked by, "Have a good trip!" Shisui redirected his attention to Itachi, "He got suuuuper embarrassed. I was real confused, and Tsunade couldn't stop laughing to explain what was going on."
Itachi pursed his lips and shrugged, "Could mean anything. He's not exactly the... calmest individual," Itachi directed just attention forward and stamped a card, giving a smile, "Have a nice trip."
"You know, it's weird seeing you smile at anything besides Sasuke or oba-san."
Itachi squinted and tilted his head, "I smile a decent amount."
"Psh, yeah right," Shisui placed his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair, "I've seen you smile maybe five times this week."
"Well, the week has just begun."
"It's Wednesday."
"Exactly: the week is still plenty young," Itachi pulled a shogi board from underneath the desk, "To pass the time?"
Shisui side-eyed Itachi, "Alright... don't throw a fit if you lose."
"I would never," he set the board down, "And You won't have to worry about me throwing a fit either."
"Grr. I oughta shove a silver knight up your nose for you attitude."
"A silver knight does not exist."
"Yeah... whatever... Dr. Mr. shogi guy. I bet you've never seen my strategy before. Get ready!"
"Sure," Itachi pat Shisui on his shoulder, "You're last 'strategy' was to keep all your pawns and make a 'minefield' around your king."
"Damn. You remembered. There goes the element of surprise," he scratched his head.
"It was poor."
"No."
"It's illegal. You can only move pawns one forward unless you promote them."
"They start promoted when you play street rules," Shisui moved a pawn backwards.
"Street shogi?" A voice interrupted from their right. Itachi moved a pawn backwards as well, "What the hell are you talking about?"
"You wouldn't get it, Shikamaru," Shisui moved another pawn back and held his hand up towards Shikamaru, "This is only for those who have been enlightened."
"Whatever," Shikamaru watched as Itachi moved another pawn back, "How are either of you going to win?"
"There's no winning in 'street shogi'."
"Stop putting air quotes around it! Your making it sound unofficial."
"Check."
"Whaaaat?"
"Check," Itachi pointed to the board.
"I heard you, I heard you," Shisui crossed his arms, "Cheater."
"No I am not."
"Whatever," Shisui angrily brushed the board off the table and crossed his arms.
"Don't be a bad sport. Little babies can't play shogi."
"Hn. So why are you playing it," Shisui chided.
"Here, Itachi," Shikamaru slapped the countertop, "Let's have a round. We'll see if you still got it."
"Be careful," Itachi motioned to Shisui with his thumb, "I beat him in 6 moves."
"Yeah, cuz I didn't get my MINEFIELD up."
"Maybe next time," Itachi set the board up, "Shisui you can take some notes."
"Yeah like I would even-"
Shisui was interrupted by a shrill screech, "Hellllooooo?! Where is my errand boy?! You," he snapped at Itachi, "I need my escort! Now!"
Shikamaru recognized the voice. It hadn't changed in 10 or so years, "That would be me," Shikamaru raised his hand, "I'll be back to finish this, Uchiha. You might want to try to strategize in the meantime."
"Itachi," Shisui whispered. He put his hands out in front of him, "Minefield," Itachi nodded slowly.
"Ah, I'm glad you can respond to commands," Jeremy stood up straight, "Now, I need to have someone arrested," The three shinobi looked at him in shock, "Don't just gawk, help me squire!"
"Alright, alright, just settle down a bit," Shikamaru mumbled.
That was a grave error.
As Shikamaru led Jeremy through the village, the visitor to the leaf filled the entire atmosphere with complaints and snarky comments about the Nara's laziness. 'Why does it always have to be me?!'
"Anyway, the person I need apprehended, and preferably sentenced to life in prison, is one," he looked up in thought, "Hotana Hooga."
"Whatnow? Who? I don't think that person exists."
"I believe she is a local prostitute. The last time I was here, she assaulted me for no reason. Oh, I believe that rat Garb-uto had some relationship with her."
"Could you mean... Hinata? But, Prostitute? Assaulted? Are you," he paused, "High or something?"
"Is this how you treat all guests?"
Shikamaru rubbed his forehead. This was turning out to be the biggest drag, "No, sorry," Shikamaru looked back up, "Did she have like, weird, white eyes?" Jeremy nodded, "Did she have," Shikamaru cupped his hands a few inches in front of his chest. Jeremy nodded vigorously, "And I'm guessing you won't follow me unless it's to 'apprehend' her?" Jeremy nodded. Shikamaru sighed, "What a drag."
-
There was a knock at Naruto's door. The two inhabitants' eyes shot open. Hinata leaned forward, "We're you expecting guests?" She whispered.
Naruto shook his head, "I like when you lean forward on top of me," he poked at her boob.
She glanced back, "Yeah I can tell."
The knock came harder this time, and it didn't stop, "Hinata Hogre, please come out, you are under arrest."
Naruto and Hinata looked at each other, panic stretched across Naruto's face, "Do you think it's because... is it god?" They could hear muffled mumbling about breaking the door down. A loud thump could be heard, followed by, "Oh dear!"
Hinata flicked his forehead, "You're precious," she rolled off of him, and re-dressed, "You should put some clothes on as well."
Naruto beamed, "You're so smart-ttebayo!"
She giggled, "Whatever you say, dear." She walked to the door, and slowly opened it, "Oh, hello Shikamaru!" He gave a lazy wave, "Oh and Jeremy! Perfect!" She opened the door completely, and pleaded her arm on the doorframe, "I was just looking for someone to practice my sleeper holds on!" Hinata flexed her outstretched arm. Jeremy went pale.
There were three things that made him go pale: Hinata's threat, her activation of the byakugan and her tough guy act, and an almost completely naked Naruto.
"Uhh, Naruto," Shikamaru looked away and shielded his eyes.
Hinata snapped around and slapped her forehead. She slammed the door, "PUT CLOTHES ON!"
"I did I did, see! I have a hat, Dattebayo!"
"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT."
Naruto mumbled something unintelligible to the two standing outside.
"Heh, how about this uh... the weather," Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck as he looked around frantically. 'I really wish I could have finished that shogi game. This is all turning out so troublesome.'
"Actually... I think I would like to go to my hotel now."
"Yeah me too," Shikamaru stuffed his hands in his pockets and slumped forward. He followed closely behind Jeremy, "Didn't want to see that today. What a drag."
"You're telling me. I oughta teach that NarBUTTo a lesson."
Shikamaru let out a chuckle, "Trust me, I certainly will."
"Awww what you're leaving already?!" They heard Hinata shout behind them. Jeremy picked up the pace, and Shikamaru matched him, "Aw man, I didn't even get to punch you or anything!" The two continued to walk.
-
After they could no longer hear Hinata shouting, Shikamaru spoke up, "What did you do to get her so angry? I've never seen her act like that."
"Well maybe you just don't know her enough," Jeremy sighed, "Oh who am I kidding? I probably did something to upset her," he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
Shikamaru was stunned by the sudden growth from his classmate, "Whaddaya mean 'probably'?"
"I don't know... just everything I do seems to mesh together nowadays."
"Huh..." was all Shikamaru could muster. 'This sure is turning out to be troublesome. Maybe troublesome isn't the word. It's weird. Very weird.'
"Who cares anyway? It's not like I can change now," Jeremy mumbled as he stomped forward.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing... never mind."
"Well now what's the matter?" Most times, Shikamaru wouldn't have pried anymore. He had never seen Jeremy be anything besides a tremendous douche, so he was intrigued by the sudden humility.
"Nooooooooo... you wouldn't get it."
"Come on," Shikamaru threw his hands behind his head, "I don't normally ask anybody anything about themselves. You should be honoured."
Jeremy snorted, "And you should be honoured that you're even being graced by my presence."
Shikamaru cracked a smile. He let out out a relieved sigh, "I was worried there for a second. I thought someone had taken over your body."
"Hmph, like anybody could overcome my tremendous strength," he spit in the direction of Shikamaru, "Don't talk down to me, peasant."
Shikamaru sighed, "I thought you had changed. Kinda lame how you're still a bully."
"Right, because I threatened to put her in a chokehold."
"You know I'm technically a clan heir?"
"Pah, a lousy one, even if that's true."
"Damn right."
-
The rest of the trip was rather uneventful. Neither party spoke much over the 10 minute walk. Jeremy saw the scowls and dirty looks from the people in the crowd. Somehow, those looks used to give him a sense of joy.
You wouldn't have known by seeing him, but Jeremy had grown since his... encounter with Hinata. It was the first time anybody had really ever stood up to him. He was humbled and humiliated in public, and he had a new attitude in response.
He had respect for the Hyūga girl.
In a ninja world where respectable people were as abundant as blades of grass, Jeremy had never really experienced respect. He pondered over his newfound feelings and their meaning, and they caused him to ponder his life in general.
He sat on the bed in his hotel room. This was really all he did. He would sit in his room on his bed, staring at something in his room. He didn't feel the need to go out and do anything. If he did go out, he would have to be his pompous self. Even Shikamaru was uncomfortable when Jeremy was acting "strange".
People had an expectation of who he was, and he felt an obligation to fulfill that expectation. The more he thought about who "he" was, the more he thought about what his actions had done. He had definitely annoyed people, that much was true. He couldn't find anyone in life that he had actually hurt. At least on the surface.
In fact, the only person he had come close to hurting, was the person who was now threatening to put him in a sleeper hold. In the academy, Jeremy practically tortured the shy girl. He uncomfortably unearthed a few long forgotten memories. He cringed as he remembered spitting on her, calling her all sorts of names, and her face after he did so.
Her face would droop, her eyes would water, and her lips would quiver. He could remember ever little detail, and it made him sick to think that he had done that.
It disgusted him even more to remember that he took great pleasure in that.
Hinata was the only person who would cry. That's why he specifically remembered enjoying bullying her. The reason he hated Naruto, he believed, was because he would always be around Hinata after a couple of incidents. It was hard to make fun of Hinata, and Jeremy would stalk around in the bushes, waiting for Naruto to leave.
Maybe he was wrong. Maybe- no, definitely- he had definitely hurt Hinata.
He gagged.
Jeremy stormed to the bathroom, and, unable to make it to a proper vomit receptacle, Coated the walls with pink. He hadn't been eating much recently, so he was surprised to see the magnitude of the mess.
He sat on his hands and knees for a moment. He looked up and saw the brand new mural covering the walls and part of the floor. He got up, and walked over to the phone to call room service.
His hand hovered over the phone for a moment, before he turned and walked back toward the bathroom.
'I better not call anyone else in here. I'll just find a way to make them feel horrible,' the image of child Hinata's face twist in horror, before shifting to a look of sorrowful acceptance. He now remember what she would say to him after his taunting. It made him feel depressed.
She would say, "I... I know."
Jeremy couldn't imagine the amount of psychological harm he had caused her. If Naruto hadn't been there, she probably wouldn't be here either. That was bleak. Very bleak.
Jeremy had a life in his hands, and he didn't even know it at the time. Jeremy considered himself a human being even after attempting to play with that life in his hands. That thought made him even more upset.
Pitiful. He was pitiful, his actions were pitiful, and his behaviour was downright criminal.
He got down on hands and knees and began to wipe the floor. Tears began to fall, and his vision became blurry.
'I am no human,' he thought to himself, "I am no human. I AM NO HUMAN!" He slammed his fists into the ground. He slid his head down in between them, and began to sob.
What had become of his life? What made him become so cruel?
To answer the first one, a mess. His life had become a mess. He would never find an answer to the second one. You can't find the solution to a problem that has no answer.
That was a fact Jeremy would struggle with for a long time.
He knew he was horrible in the past, but he didn't know how to make up for it. A simple apology wouldn't do. Could he even make up for it at this point? For someone so weak, Jeremy sure caused a lot of pain.
'Let's just... take things one at a time,' he got back up and continued to wipe up the mess, 'First we'll clean this up, second, we'll sleep nicely, third, we'll go to this baseball game,' he paused, 'The hokage is very knowledgeable, very wise. Maybe he'll say something really smart.'
Oh how Jeremy was wrong.
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A/N
Ohayo! Sorry this took so long. As I'm starting to write longer chapters, it's getting harder to write them consistently. I'll try to get another one up by this Sunday, but I don't know if it'll happen. We shall see
Anyway~
Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Even though I didn't really like it at first, I feel that it came together in the end. Hope you all have a good day/night (or else!)
See ya,
Jerry