Forgotten

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Naruto (Shippuden). This is a story inspired by the original made up for entertainment purposes only. - Krystal

Chapter 62: Reminiscing

As she entered back into Konohagakure with Shikamaru, she quickly headed over to Tsunade's tent to greet her mentor. She rushed inside without announcing herself first, only to find Tsunade stuffing her face with food, trying to make up for all the time she hadn't eaten. Even though she was occupied by food, as soon as she saw Yuki at the entrance of her tent, Tsunade stood up and embraced Yuki into her arms. The last thing Tsunade remembered being entering her coma state was seeing Yuki betting stabbed by Pain. Although she heard that everybody was resurrected after the village's destruction, she couldn't help but to see that scene over and over again. Seeing Yuki well made those images disappear from Tsunade's mind. She could now rest assured that Yuki was truly safe and sound.

"I was honestly so scared, Yuki. Honestly, unless you know the Mitotic Regeneration technique, you really shouldn't put yourself in such dangerous situation." She told Yuki.

"I wasn't taught that technique, unfortunately, nor do I have the finesse to master it. I guess I will just have to rely on your amazing medical ninjutsu to make it out alive." Yuki replied as they both grabbed a sit at the table filled with food. "How's the recovery going?"

"Eh, you know me. I just need to eat really. Sakura and Shizune have been by my side since I've awaken from my coma. I think they believe I could re-enter that state if they don't keep an eye one me. I kinda wish I was though... This war sounds like a pain."

"Tsunade-sama, about that, I was going to give you a quick rundown of everything that have been discussed up to date during the Kages' meeting." Yuki said, now, with a serious tone. "I was going to wait until you fully felt better, but..."

"It's happening too soon for us to delay anything else. Just talk while I'm eating. I'm listening." She replied as she picked her chopsticks.

Yuki went over the details of what had happened at the Kages' summit from what was said to what had happened to Danzo and Sasuke. Furthermore, she shared the fact that the other Kages felt like Naruto should be hidden away along with Bee as they were the missing puzzle pieces to Madara's plan. She also went over the plan that Shikaku had devised for the Alliance including all the different divisions and who was to be leading each of those divisions. As she finished, Tsunade sighed and put her chopsticks down. She grabbed her jacket and wrapped it around her shoulder and walked towards the exit of the tent. She had rested long enough. It was time for her to step back into the role of the Hokage. She had to shoulder once again the burden of being the Hokage.

"Yuki, if you can, don't let responsibilities bind you. Be as free as you possibly can, because that's the world I am fighting for you to live in."

"Tsunade-sama..." Yuki began as she wasn't too sure how to respond to that.

Tsunade walked towards where everyone was gathering to discuss the war. She readied herself to go meet with the other Kages as well. She didn't want Yuki to tag along despite knowing that Yuki already knew a lot about this war. She wanted Yuki to enjoy whatever was left of her freedom as a child before she had to bear the burden of the war along with everybody else. She wished they didn't have to rely on such young people to fight for them. Tsunade believed that this war was caused the mistakes of older generations and that the younger ones now had to share the burden with her generation. She felt guilty for such a thing to have happened even though it really wasn't her fault. Yuki didn't argue. She wanted Tsunade to be at ease as much as possible. She decided to simply agree with whatever Tsunade had decided. She stayed in the village, helping the others prepare for the war that was approaching at great speed.

Their Hokage had now returned from the last meeting before the big day. She didn't look too please with the decisions that were made at the meeting. She called Yuki into her office along with some other trusted people, those being Kakashi, Shizune, Sakura, Yamato, Shikamaru and Iruka. They were the people she believed she could talk to the best about the current situation.

"They want us to hide Naruto and Bee." She told them. "I know it doesn't come as a surprise, but I really thought I could convince them otherwise."

"Knowing Naruto, he will definitely not sit still." Kakashi said as the others nodded in agreement.

"We are in an alliance after all. We can't make any decisions based on what we believe is right and wrong, nor can we let Naruto do as he pleases." Tsunade said as she sighed. "We are going to have to trick Naruto somehow."

"Just give him some sort of mission that requires him to be wherever he needs to be." Shikamaru said.

"Naruto told me just the other day that he was given a prophecy by the Great Lord Elder that he would be meeting an octopus who would guide him." Yuki said. "We could also just tell him that he is meeting Bee-sama who is that octopus."

"That should work, right?" Tsunade asked.

Sakura smiled and nodded:

"Naruto is easy to fool when it comes to these things."

"Yamato, you are in charge of escorting Naruto to the location where we have agreed on to keep him at. Form whatever team you think is best for the mission." Tsunade then commanded. "Yuki, place a seal on Naruto just in case he finds out and decides to escape. That way, you can go teleport yourself wherever he is and stop him. The rest, let everybody know of the plan without Naruto finding out anything."

"Yes!" They all answered in unison.

As they left the Hokage's tent, Yuki headed straight to where she knew she would find Naruto, the Ichiraku Ramen stand. They had set up and temporary one while waiting for their store to be rebuilt. Naruto had been eating there the last few days as he loved their ramen the best. She did indeed find him there, slurping in his noodles. She placed her hand on his back, ensuring that the seal was placed properly. He turned around with his face stuffed towards her, finally noticing her presence. He didn't doubt a thing. He swallowed whatever was in his mouth and smiled at her:

"Are you hungry too?"

"You still owe me a ramen, ya know?"

"What do you mean?"

"Was it the day you became a genin? We had ramen together..."

"And I promised that once I started working as a shinobi I would treat you, right?" He asked her. "I always remember my promises."

"Ha, I think you actually forgot it for a second there."

He smiled, guilty of such forgetfulness. He then asked her to order and that it would be his treat today. Yuki smiled and accepted gratefully. As they waited for the ramen to come out, the smell made Naruto want another bowl and, so, he did order a second bowl. They were now both waiting for their meal to be ready.

"I figured out who the octopus was." Yuki told him as she took a sip of her water. "If I'm not mistaken, it's Kumogakure's jinchuuriki. His name is Bee."

"Bee is an octopus?" Naruto asked as his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Not exactly. He's a human, but his tailed-beast is the Hachibi and possesses eight tails like an octopus."

"I see." Naruto said as their bowls of ramen arrived. "How am I going to meet him then?"

"I've already talked to Tsunade. They've arranged for you to meet him on this island where he is resting right now. I think it will be good for you to talk to him and ask him to teach you how to control the tailed-beast chakra." She replied as she took a sip of the rich broth.

"But the war is about to happen..." He started.

"The reason why we picked that island is because of a mission as well. I don't know the details, but you'll be heading out there with Yamato. He'll let you know of the mission once he's gather a team for it." She said without hesitation.

"I see. Awesome!" Naruto said as he started eating his ramen. "I can't wait to meet this octopus!"

As he slurped his noodles in endlessly, Yuki looked at him, thinking about how naive Naruto was. He didn't doubt the mission or the situation for even a second. He simply accepted it without question. Yuki couldn't help but smile at his innocence. She found it incredible that despite all that had happened, he remained so unaffected by the lies and betrayals. He was simple. It was his charm. He didn't over complicate things. If they did get complicated, he would just deal with them then. If the present was simple, he let it be. If the future was complicated, he would tackle the problem then only. Yuki truly admired that about Naruto.

As she was down to her last bite, Naruto paid for their meal and they both stood up and walked away from the stand, full and satisfied. It was already night time. The moon shone brightly on the village. Yuki couldn't help but wonder if she would be able to see the sky in a such a way again. Their future was so uncertain. As she began feeling like she was falling into her old ways of overthinking, she grabbed onto the necklace that Neji gave her as a promise for a better future together. She had to stop thinking that it might not happen. She wanted to choose to believe in it despite the chances of it not ever happening. She had to. It made her feel alive.

"Eh? Is that what I think it is?" Naruto asked with a smirk on his face.

"What?"

"I heard that Neji gave you something as an engagement gift..." He said mischievously.

She quickly put the necklace inside her shirt and looked away as she sensed her cheeks turning red.

"So it is!" Naruto said excitingly. "I'm so happy for the two of you."

"We are not engaged..." Yuki denied. "It's just a gift..."

"To remind you that you belong with each other." He said, chuckling.

Yuki glared at him, annoyed that he too was teasing her about Neji.

"But seriously, though. I'm really happy for the both of you. I think he needed someone like you in his life, as you need someone like him in your life as well." Naruto then said in a serious tone. "I know what it is like to be lonely as well. I know how nice it is to feel like you belong somewhere."

"Well look at you sounding so wise." Yuki said as they began walking home.

"Is that how I sound like? I'm just happy neither of you will be lonely from now on." Naruto said as the biggest smile drew itself on his face.

"Thanks." Yuki replied, also smiling.

As they reached the fork that lead them in different direction, they wished each other goodnight. Yuki wondered around the village for a bit, thinking about Naruto's words. She wouldn't be lonely again, he said. I guess he could feel my loneliness all this time. She thought to herself. She always believed she hid it well from people, but she was surprised to hear that someone as aloof as Naruto knew of her loneliness. He had a lot more empathy than she thought he possessed. As much as she was happy to think that she would no longer be lonely with Neji by her side, the thought of potentially being alone some day scared her. She, now, knew the joy of having someone by her side and in her heart. If he ever was gone, she would be hurt even more so than before. She shook her head at that thought, trying to get rid of such negative thoughts.

"Just finished talking to Naruto?" A familiar voice asked her.

She was about to turn around, but, before she could, she was given the most comforting back hug. She placed her hands on his and simply stood there for a bit without saying anything. They didn't have to do much whenever they were together to feel good. They hadn't been able to spend that much time with each other as they grew busier and busier each day with the war preparations.

"I haven't seen your face for a few days now." He said as he spun her around to look at her.

"It's been crazy around here, hasn't it?" She asked him as they were now walking hand in hand around the village.

"Our clan has been meeting every single day, trying to convince Hinata's father to not join the battlefront. He refuses to listen. I've told him that Hanabi is still young and that she couldn't afford to lose her father. He refused to listen."

"He would never accept to let his family members risk their lives while he sat at home safely. Especially when both you and Hinata are going to be fighting in this war."

"I understand his point of view, but..."

"It isn't like it used to be. You know that. This isn't about protecting the main branch of the family anymore. This is about protecting the future of this world. To him, you and Hinata are the future."

"You are right. Things are really different now. I can't even remember the time when I resented the main family."

"It's good that you forgot those bad emotions and memories."

"I'm glad I did. Everything I do now is because I want to do them. It isn't out of duty or anything. I protect our clan because I want to preserve our roots, not because I was cursed into doing it."

"Like you ever tried to actually protect the main family before that." Yuki said mockingly.

"What?"

"Did you forget our first Chunin exam when you tried to kill Hinata?"

"I... Those were dark times for me." He said as his tone was filled with guilt.

Yuki laughed before hugging him to make him feel better.

"I remember really hating you at that moment."

"Really?"

"I was so angry that someone I thought of as friend could be so cold and ruthless towards his own family. I, honestly, wanted nothing to do with you at that very moment."

Neji chuckled. He was relieved that those times were behind them now. They could now laugh when talking about those events. Resentments were no longer present. They were now immature actions they could poke fun at. He never actually gave it much thought, but Yuki, indeed, had many reasons to dislike the old Neji. He didn't care about the people around him if he didn't feel like they were on the same level as he was. He dragged his hatred for one person onto another. He never tried to take his own destiny into his own hands. He was so glad he changed for the better.

"What are you two lovebirds doing up so late at night?" A nonchalant voice asked them.

"I could ask you the same thing." Yuki murmured inaudibly while moving her lips in such way that anybody could tell what she was saying.

Shikamaru and Temari were walking towards them. Shikamaru glared at Yuki while shaking his head at her. Temari was often in the village with Shikamaru discussing about their own division and how to organize it in the best possible way to ensure everyone's safety and victory. Temari smiled at Yuki noticing that she seemed really happy despite everything that was happening around them. Since Yuki's stay in Sunagakure a few years back, Temari has always seen Yuki as a younger sister to care for despite their similar age. It was her motherly side that made her that way. Although she always wished Yuki and Gaara would end up together, she was happy to see Yuki finding someone with whom she could share her life with.

"He's sending me off to Sunagakure." Temari explained.

"Of course he has to!" Yuki said cheerfully pushing Shikamaru closer towards Temari.

He tried resisting her push, but he lost balance and took a few steps towards Temari who chose to ignore the whole thing. She was blushing though. Yuki could tell despite it being night time. She always liked Shikamaru. There was something about his nonchalant ways that attracted her. She was always impressed with how smart he was as well. Somebody with that kind of brain rarely came around. She, herself, was a bright kunoichi whose intelligence surpassed most. It was only natural for her to be attracted to Shikamaru's intelligence.

"I'm off then. I'll see you all soon." Temari said as she turned her back to them and started walking out of Konohagakure.

"Already? But the night is still so young." Yuki said teasingly.

Temari just silently waved goodbye as she kept walking. Yuki watched her disappear into the darkness of the night as she wondered if they would be able to talk to each other again in such manner any time soon. Every time she started reassuring herself that all would end well, she would face a situation that made her long for the peaceful days and fear that those days would no longer be existent. Yuki had never wanted to live more than these last few days. She wanted her life more than ever before. She needed it. However, life was now more fragile than ever.

End of Chapter 62

Thank you for reading this chapter!

Hope you are enjoying everything so far!

xox

Krystal