The Talk pt 1
Time was ticking slowly. The food was steaming right in front of Naruto who couldn't stop staring at the intruder at the other end of the table. He had a displeased expression on while Ino looked pleasantly eating her food.
"Eat up before your food gets cold" Ino spoke.
"grnm" Naruto mumbles in response.
"What was that?" Ino asked, paused from her eating.
Naruto coughed and breathed in. He puts on his serious face and stares directly at Ino who also looked serious.
"What are you-" Naruto spoke.
"To talk" Ino answered quickly already knowing what he was going to ask.
"About?" Naruto asked.
"To talk" Ino said taking another bite from her food.
"About what!?" Naruto said getting frustrated.
His stomach growls loudly. He looks down at his stomach then to the food that smelled delicious in front of him.
"Eat...then we will talk" Ino said.
Naruto quickly grabbed his spoon and picked up the rice. He started eating, trying to hide how good it was. The moment it entered his stomach, he felt like he was floating in clouds.
"Just so you know...I'm eating your food because there isn't anything else for me to eat" Naruto states quickly eating more.
"Right right" Ino said taking her last bite revealing a small smile.
OOO
After dinner was over, Naruto and Ino sat on either end of the couch. The talk didn't start mainly because, Naruto continued to stay quiet hoping Ino would leave. To his surprise, she wasn't. Plus, it didn't look like she was going leaving. Naruto spotted her bag on the other couch. Just when he thought he was going to lay on his couch, all relaxed and enjoy his anime time. She just had to sit at the other end.
The two were facing each other, with their backs against the arm rest. Their knees were against their chest and their eyes were dead set on each other.
"Why are you still here?" Naruto asked.
"To talk" Ino answered simply.
"Tch..you know I have the right to call the police on you" Naruto states.
"I didn't break any laws….your parents allowed me" Ino said with a slight smirk.
"My parents-...how!..When!?" Naruto said in shock.
"Hmph...didn't notice uh...your losing your touch" Ino states.
"What do you mean?" Naruto said glaring.
"One example...your grades are dropping" Ino replies. "Do you wonder why I haven't interacted with you until now...to give you time, the space you need after what happened with Kabuto-"
"Just leave" Naruto said in a low tone.
"I'm not going to leave until you talk...your parents were fine with it...they remembered me after so long and saw a difference in you after that incident…you helped me with the club-"
"And now its never been so popular even without me-" Naruto states.
"Yes and no….hearing you say that already tells me...your not fine" Ino replies. "Not clever as much as before...even lost that serious front you put on and started acting...well...how can I put it….oh, I remember...like back then"
"Oh ya" Naruto said ticked. "Well you act like...like-"
"The queen of hearts...I started getting use to that title" Ino said smiling. "Still...you better start talking if you want me to leave-"
"...the long waited answer" Naruto said softly. "Why not we talk about that?"
That quickly shut Ino's mouth. She had a shocked expression on her face. Naruto still observes what's happening around him. Something like Neji confessing to Ino wouldn't have slipped his ears and her response to it. Then again, there wasn't one really. Naruto wondered about it seeing how Neji was popular and is the president of his club even smart along with being friends with Ino already. It was bound to happen for them to be an item which begs the question, why Ino didn't confess herself.
Naruto felt something lift up from the couch. It was Ino who grabbed her bagged and quickly walked to his parents room with her hair shadowing her eyes. Naruto could hear the door slam loudly. Naruto lays his leg across from the couch and looks at the ceiling.
"Not clever uh" Naruto said quietly. "That would have been something Yusei would do"
OOO
Naruto wakes up by the sound of pouring water. He realized, he didn't leave his spot on the couch. He notice a blanket over him. He sat up and heard the water stop. He turns his head and saw someone coming out of the bathroom. Hot steam came out first followed by Ino who was wearing just a towel covering her entire body.
Her eyes were close and she had a pleasant smile after enjoying her shower. She opened her eyes and saw Naruto staring back at her. She froze in her spot, feeling her face heat up.
"AAHHHHH!" she screams beginning to throw the things at Naruto that was around her.
Naruto got his head hit multiple times causing him to fall backwards on the couch to the ground. He hears the door slam again. Naruto had spirals for eyes on the floor. Once they cleared, he got up, growling a bit since it wasn't his fault and yet got punished while he had red cheeks. He bends backward feeling uncomfortable from sleeping on the couch. He could hear an amazing crack that just made everything better. He grabbed the blanket and folds it. He turns his head to the window and notice the sun in the sky.
"Guess she won't be going until I talk" he said softly not liking the idea but he might us this to his advantage.
His parents will be coming in the holidays and he needed this place to be spotless. He wished that he could make clones and have them do all the work but having Ino here will work too. He chuckles mischievously. He hears the door open and saw Ino with a pissed off look. She had her arms cross walking over to the kitchen.
"Not my fault" Naruto said putting his hands up mid way.
Ino knew that and couldn't counter him. She blushed and opened the fridge.
"We don't have anything so….your going to have to leave-" Naruto said.
"I bought some things before coming here….your parents warned me of your... addiction with ramen" Ino said smiling with pride, pulling out a jug of milk.
Naruto eye twitched. He frowns and started walking to his room. He needed to get out of his uniform. This is his day off from school, he needed to act like it. He starts stripping off his clothes, throwing it on his bed and his desk that was filled with crumbled paper and empty noodle cups. He grabs his towel and wrapped it around his waist. Before opening his door,he realized Ino was in the kitchen.
"...I wonder if I have the right to throw things at her" he said and shrugging his shoulders, twisting the door knob.
"Hey Naruto-" Ino said holding some eggs in front of his door. "How do you like your eggs-?"
Naruto opened the door right when she asked the question. Ino eyes widen seeing Naruto's bare chest. Her face quickly turned beat red. She was boiling to the point where smoke started leaving through her ears. Even the eggs in her hands started to cook.
"Uhm" Naruto said with red cheeks.
He didn't know what to do. He can't move even to get something to throw at her with. It was her eyes that made him freeze. Those light blue eyes he can't stand. Watching his every move instead of the other way around. She was observing just like he was.
"gruh...aHHH!" Ino screams slamming the eggs into his chest. "y-you!...YOUR GETTING SCRAMBLED!"
She quickly walked away from him. Naruto felt disgusted, feeling the yok slide down his chest. Now he definitely needs a shower. He enters the bathroom and turns on the water.
The day moves on. The two ate breakfast in silence. They didn't even look at each other. After breakfast was done, Naruto decided to work on his chores. His plan on using Ino failed because of this awkward atmosphere. The first thing he started with was the living room. He grabbed a mop and a few cleaning supplies. He wondered how he should start this. Mop the floor first or start cleaning the dust off things.
The answer soon came to him when he heard a spray bottle being used. He turned around and notice Ino wiping the window. Even if he didn't ask, she would have helped him. Naruto grabbed the other bottle and start spraying the coffee table. The two began wiping away the dust from top to bottom without a single word and yet, were able to work together.
Using their eyes. When one is finished before the other, they find the next thing around where the other one is cleaning. It's been an hour and a half of cleaning in the living room. Things were sparkling and smelled fresh. The two stared at their work and smiled but there were still more places to clean. They looked at the tv screen and saw each other's reflection within it. They quickly looked away and walked away.
Their next mission was the kitchen. Might be the difficult one to do since, there are many compartments to clean. The duties were decided by the height of them. Since Naruto was taller than her, he can clean the top cabinets while she does the bottom. Naruto looked displeased and even made Ino giggle a little.
Naruto used the stepping stool and opened the top cabinets. He started moving items and organizing them. Ino started wiping the counter top, getting rid of the stains. It took some time but, they finished. Naruto was drained feeling himself about to pass out but saw Ino walking over to the bathroom. He sighs and follows.
There wasn't much to do in the bathroom. Naruto had to clean the mirror and Ino had to clean the sink and counter. Though, it took a lot longer since, they could see each other clearly in the mirror. They both regret showering in the morning seeing how dirty they were now from the cleaning they've done.
The bathroom was left spotless. Naruto and Ino felt exhausted but there was still one more room. Ino looks into his room noticing how messy it was from the last time she was here. Naruto was resting against the door while Ino stepped into his room.
"What happened here" Ino whispers seeing how his room will take most of the day to clean.
Her eyes were grabbed towards the pile of clothing on his desk. She didn't understand why there was a pile but thinking back on his grades it makes since. She steps closer to the desk and started moving the clothes out of the way and the empty cups.
"Hey hey!" Naruto spoke running to her. "What are you doing!?"
"Cleaning?" Ino replies. "This mess of yours"
"I can do it" Naruto said slowly moving her aside. "You can...just relax...there is nothing more to do"
"Ive done alot so far...let me help with your room" Ino said grabbing another cup.
"No" Naruto said taking the cup away. "Its my room and I have to clean it"
"Your room was clean the last time I was here...and this desk...was organized!" Ino said raising her voice. "What the hell-...you had notes, a calendar, books….a plan!"
"I still do!" Naruto said raising his voice. "...somewhere….underneath"
"Why dont you just-" Ino said stepping closer to him but couldn't finish her sentence. "I'm going to just take out your garbage...you can handle the rest"
Ino felt frustrated with him. She knows that he has a problem of what happened with Kabuto but he's ignoring it. There are so many signs that even he should have notice. He's keeping it suppress instead of telling someone about it. She wants to help him but he needs to let her. That's why she helped him around the apartment. Hoping that he would open up to her also to get rid of the awkwardness from this morning.
Naruto started stacking the cup of noodles and start throwing his clothes into the basket of dirty laundry. He takes quick glances to Ino, seeing if she does something else than take out the garbage. The last thing he wants is her touching his precious things. His secret stash of money or his collection that should not be made public.
Which was poking out from underneath his bed. He quickly slides it in. He exhales and opens his drawer. His eyes widen a bit after spotting his deck. Before Ino left to throw away his garbage, there was a question he has.
"Why are you doing this?" He asked.
Ino turned around and looked at him. He had his back facing her. She was a little confused on the question.
"To help clean your room?" Ino states.
"That's not what I meant.. just nevermind -"
"When I see a friend in trouble...I can't stand around doing nothing" Ino said leaning against the wall with her arm crossed. "Everyone in the club feels that way...even Sasuke but before I talked to him….it seems like someone already has"
"A friend… which one are you talking about….the childhood friend or me?" Naruto said facing her. "Whatever happened in the past us is different now...we aren't like how we use to be-"
"Thats true...since your not the same goof from when you were little...that's why I didn't recognize you at first...even though you were sitting right next to me...you were just...a total different person" Ino exclaims.
"We were friends back then...but now we both changed from who we were-" Naruto states.
"And became friends again" Ino said smiling. "Even though it didn't start off that well...then again...when we first met as kids..the same thing did happen-"
Naruto felt like he didn't hear her right. When did it even happen. How could Ino say that. What did he even do to make her think that. This could be one of her misunderstandings again. However, the memories of Ino and how they teamed up to help for the first festival reminded him that he also felt that way. Which he doesn't understand seeing how he hated Ino, the queen of hearts and the popular girl in school but that's how it started before.
Flashback
"I'm boreed!" Ino shouts.
"Quiet down...your going to make my ears bleed" Naruto said covering his ears.
The two were hanging around in the woods. The two didn't come together. Naruto was trying to find something to do and decided exploring the woods would be fun. He never suspected to find a short haired girl would be doing the same. Sadly, she isn't the type to go exploring hearing how loud she is.
"I'm not that loud" she said crossing her arms. "You just can't hear properly"
"I can hear well!" Naruto shouts. "anyways... why are you here?"
"I"m bored" Ino said simply.
"...I mean this place!" Naruto states.
"Now who's screaming" Ino said covering her own ears.
"Just forget it!" Naruto said angrily walking away from her.
"W-wait a minute!" Ino said grabbing him from behind.
"Quit grabbing me!" Naruto said.
"Hold on...don't leave me alone" Ino said in a low tone.
"Wah?" Naruto said tilting his head.
"...I don't know the way back.." Ino said slowly.
"Hmhm?" Naruto said a little confused.
"Do I have to spell it out for you" Ino said growling a little. "Stay with me!"
Ino quickly turned red feeling embarrassed but so no reaction from Naruto who started picking his nose. The embarrassment soon turned into anger. She might be better off alone than with him.
"Just forget it-!" Ino said until she heard cards being shuffled.
Naruto had his orange cards out and started shuffling them. Ino couldn't stop staring at the cards flying from one hand to the other, flipping in the air.
"You said you were bored right...so why not we play a game?" Naruto asked grinning.
Flashback ended
"...Do you remember our first game?" Naruto asked with a small smile.
"Our first game?" Ino asked raising an eyebrow not sure if she remembers.
Flashback
"A card game...well its better than doing nothing" Ino said shrugging her shoulders.
"I promise...you will learn to love cards after this" Naruto said grinning.
"So what's the game?" Ino asked.
"Its-"
Flashback ended
A blizzard of cards started heading toward Ino whose eyes were widen in shock. The colour of orange started swirling around her. Spinning and gliding until landing on the floor. Then it hit her, their first game. "Pick up 52" she thought and saw that signature grin through the cards.
Flashback
"You...you are you stupid!" Ino yells in anger after Naruto randomly hit her with his cards.
"Hahahaha!" Naruto said laughing wildly.
Ino felt her blood boil inside her at the idiot blond boy in front of her.
Flashback ended
"Idiot" Ino said shaking her head and started picking the cards up.
She really hates this game. There was no point to it except picking all the cards up. Literally, the name of the game. Though, she was surprised to see Naruto helping her. She looks up at him while he was facing down.
"After this...lets have that talk" Naruto said quietly.
Ino couldn't help but smile from that. She nod and continue picking his cards up.
OOO
Naruto sat on the couch with a blanket on. He just finished his shower after a long day's work. Ino was in the shower now for a second time today. They both agreed to have the talk after they were cleaned and rested.
Naruto could feel his hands sweat. He had his phone in his hand while his tv was on. The power of technology was amazing. He could Miracast anything to his tv. Besides watching shows on air, he has an app that lets him see every anime in existence. Basically, he can watch his shows on demand. There was one that he was too afraid to watch but he had to now.
"Alright finally done" Ino states taking her seat on the other side of the couch.
Naruto quickly turns to her while covering his entire body with the blanket. Ino blushed seeing how cute he was right now. "He's like one of those cats" she thought smiling but this wasn't the time for that. She shakes her head and breathes out slowly.
"So where do you want to start?" Ino asked.
"The day when we all reunited...or more like the start of that day" Naruto said breathing in. "I wasn't feeling myself and when I heard what was happening with Sasuke and Kabuto...that feeling grew into something dark"
"Ok...and what was it?" Ino asked.
"Well my favourite character...death" Naruto said with a frown.
"...from the rogue hero?" Ino said in not a serious tone.
"The moment I saw him die...I felt a little piece of myself shatter" Naruto states sniffling.
"But you know...he isn't-" Ino said.
"Oi oi...I've started the series right when I moved here...after I lost against Kabuto...ever since then...Yusei and his story became very important to me...so losing him after so long...really affected me" Naruto said with his eyes shadowed.
"Hmm..and you didn't think he was going to come back alive….he is the main character afterall" Ino said.
"Well...after losing the second time...I didn't want to continue the anime...I was afraid and just reminds me of how bad I turned out when facing Kabuto...but" Naruto said clicking on his phone. "Then you had to show up"
An image appeared on the screen along with writing. "A New Life, A New Beginning" Ino thought reading the words. It was the title of the episode of the Rogue hero.
"Wait are we going to watch this!?...I didn't come here for-" Ino said until seeing Naruto bury himself in his blanket.
"It will make it easier to explain...since, it relates to Yusei's problem he has been facing...unable to escape from the past...even remembering the past will cause old feelings to come out….that's why everytime I look at cards...I could feel myself reliving the day I lost...my friends and even...myself-"
The tides of war continue to rain on in the city. The amount of destruction would take months to rebuild. The news about Yusei's battle against Zane echoed through the city. The ones who were fighting against the enemy couldn't help but feel depressed. There will to fight was slipping but the monsters continue to breath their fire and keep pounding away. Yusei's team tried to move forward but from the start, their attacks hardly made a time continues to move and nothing changed from when Yusei was alive.
There were many scenes cutting from one group of people to the next, showing their emotions and condition. Ino could see the hope in everyone leave. It was only an anime but the feeling, the soundtrack really hits her. There was on character who yelled in anger and started attacking the beast.
"Uh...so it continues on" Naruto states.
"So how is Yusei related to you?" Ino asked.
"Well its not like I can show you!?...your going to have to watch the whole series" Naruto states.
"...your crazy...just seeing this episode just tells me….there is alot to watch!" Ino yells.
"Hmm...maybe watching an asmv" Naruto said tapping his chin.
"...what-?" Ino said until getting distracted.
The scene completely change to a room. There was a girl with blond hair that shadowed her eyes. She was sitting at a bedside of Yusei who was covered in a white sheet. She had her hand grabbing hold of his. Her head was tilted down. There was a balcony north from them, opened, letting in the orange sunlight. The room had two beds and two night tables. On one of them was a dark box with a golden pattern with a tag on addressed to Kira.
"Who is she?" Ino asked slowly.
"Kira...the other main character and..Yusei's-" Naruto said with his eyes widening. "No...it can't be"
"Can't be what?" Ino asked confused.
The scene soon completely went black.
"...This shouldn't be a surprise...the moment I accepted the darkness was the moment when my life started counting down...it was bad enough when I risk my own body during fights as well as obtaining power not suitable for my body...I was destroying myself from within..I couldn't stop...I needed power...I needed to be stronger…"
Yusei can be seen laying in a pool of water. It was dark all around him with nowhere to go. His eyes were pitch black.
"I stop fearing death...and accepted the fact when my time was up...it was up...so I thought at first"
The scene changes once again to a flashback. The sky was colourful causing the building to glow like gold. Kira was standing on the balcony staring out into the distance. Yusei came down and landed on the balcony.
"He sure has guts to challenge you...but the good thing is...we will be fighting together with everyone" Kira said smiling. "8 against 1...he won't stand a chance"
"No you won't...everyone grew a lot" Yusei said with a small smile. "But so did he...grew stronger and became more mad"
"Promise you won't do anything overboard like you always do" Kira said turning to face him with a worried expression. "It's hard to keep a brave face when I see you get push to the edge of death"
"Who are they talking about?" Ino asked.
"An old enemy that was the darkest part of Yusei...you can say he is what drove Yusei to his death" Naruto states.
"Really?...did he die...what happened how did he...oh oh...are the two going to-" Ino said in an exciting tone.
"Shhhhh!...be quiet" Naruto said.
"what...I'm just interested" Ino said pouting.
"Just watch...you will understand in this flashback...I think"
"Sorry….that I worry...and everything that has happened until now" Yusei said with a warm smile. "So much as happened….I got my memories back...met so many friends...found a place we belong...a home...a family...its all because of you..Kira"
"Why are you saying all this?" Kira asked raising an eyebrow.
"Because I've decided...to make a promise with you...and you know...I always keep my promises" Yusei said bending down. "This promise will keep me from dying…keep me from losing you...I Yusei promise you Kira...after all this is done...after defeating the darkness for good...I will drop everything...my power, my hate...and spend the rest of my life...with you"
Yusei got on his knee and revealed a ring that was glowing in Kira's eye. Tears started sliding down her eyes. Yusei smiled and slid the ring into her finger while getting off his knee.
"Yusei!" Kira said pulling him in for a passionate kiss.
Both Ino and Naruto were blushing from the sight but couldn't move their eyes away.
"Idiot...making such a promise.." Kira said chuckling while hiding in his neck. "I'm going to remind you everyday"
"I know...I know" Yusei said slowly with his hair shadowing his eyes. "...But just remember...I will keep my promise...and sorry"
"Sorry for-?" Kira said until getting knocked out by Yusei who hit the back of her neck.
"The helll! What did he!" Ino shouts getting off the couch.
"...calm-" Naruto said until seeing Ino looking pissed.
"IS THIS THE GUY YOU LOOK UP TOO!"
Naruto quickly hides himself deep within his blanket.
"Keep watching" he said through his blanket.
"Hope he dies" Ino mumbles sitting back on the couch.
Yusei lays Kira on the bed and turned to a black box. He opens it then looks at his hand.
"Insurance...just in case I were to die...this should jolt me back to life" Yusei said piercing his chest with his hand. "Gruh"
Light started shining out of it. Yusei groans put continues to pull. A ball of energy came out of him slowly materializing into a ruby. He placed it in the box and closes it.
"Half of my power...letting go of it was the only way to keep my promise...hopefully she is able to figure it out" Yusei said putting the tag on it. "An early gift….just proves how much you mean to me...now its time...to face him...alone..this isn't your fight...its mine"
The scene quickly turns black once again with the music becoming silent. Chains could be heard rattling. Yusei was laying in the dark pool of water with chains wrapped around every limb. There was an image above him of the evil half of himself who was staring down at him grinning evilly with darkness all around him.
"Guess splitting half my power did handicap me….damn"
His voices echoes through the empty space. The chains started tightening him.
"No matter how strong I become...these chains keep holding me...linking me to my past...to my memories that I can't forget...it haunts me…I want it to end..I want everything to end-"
"Yusei!...Yusei!...Yusei!"
Flash of memory started appearing within the darkness. Yusei eyes widen a bit.
"Those voices….are-"
The memories of his friends started pulling him toward the surface while the chains keep pulling him back.
"My friends….uh, didn't even notice that I had any….but after going through so much with them...you start to realize...there something more"
"YUSEI!"
"My promise...I can't…"
Yusei starts standing up but at the same time, more chains started wrapping itself around him.
"I've accepted death….but there is still more I need to do...so much more...like...fulfilling my promise…."
An image appears in front of Yusei involving his friends smiling and enjoying themselves.
"The memories of my past...I will replace them by making more memories...YOUR HEAR!"
The chains soon shatter and a yellow light circles around him. Fire and darkness started swirling around him. Two shadows appears within entity's. They had their mouths open about to eat Yusei.
Yusei quickly stands from the ground with power surging out of him in intensity. He started getting covered in a crimson cloak causing his clothes to change. He started to wear a robe with no sleeves. There was more that was changing. The front part of his hair turned red.
"I'm not done yet….There is still something I have to do"
"Aweee" Ino said wiping a tear from her eye.
"You hated him before" Naruto mutters remembering seeing such an amazing moment.
"But I didn't know...how much he was suffering-" Ino said slowly realizing what she was saying.
The scene returns to the fight with Zane. The two were fighting in the sky releasing their power. Each blow Zane threw caused Yusei to slam into the very earth.
"This is fun...but I am disappointed...this is your limit" Zane said smirking. "Among the five...you should at least be at a level that would make me sweat"
Zane quickly smashed his fist into Yusei who spit out blood and slammed into a boulder.
"gruh...I have to admit...your strong" Yusei said breathing heavily. "But I don't plan on dying here...If I know everyone in that city is fighting with their lives...and plus I made a promise!"
Yusei covered his arm in crimson and slammed it right in Zane pushing him back.
"I don't plan on dying" Yusei said with a glare.
"And I don't plan on breaking my record" Zane said smirking. "I always eliminate my targets"
The screen went black again.
"...well sadly for you...I'm not alone...I have someone right beside me...that I trust...with my life"
The scene returns to the room Kira and Yusei were in. There was a close up of the open black box. Kira slammed the ruby into Yusei's chest. A crimson pulse came from within him, electrifying him and giving him a beat. Yusei rapidly sits up exhaling. He soon feels a hard slap in his back.
"OUCHHH!" he yells until getting hugged by Kira who was tearing up in his chest.
"Idiot….idiot...idiot...idiot!"
"..Woah...now thats some other level of being clever" Naruto states. "Escaping death"
"Hmmm" Ino said leaning back staring at the scene in front of her.
Naruto soon yawns feeling his eyes closing in on him. The work he did around the house was taking a toll on him and it was getting to the good part. Naruto's vision started becoming blurry. He starts falling to one side entering a deep sleep.