Authors Note: Apologies for the late update. My internet provider has been giving trouble.

It Wasn't Me, It was the Voice

Chapter 2

Twelve Years later

Naruto – Age 17

Naruto lay on his bed, staring up at the blank white ceiling above him with his hands folded behind his head. He wore the standard issue light grey hospital pants and tee-shirt but nothing else. Absently he kicked his feet, growing mildly annoyed with the lack of freedom to move about. Over the years the guards, nurses and doctors have one time or another faced his wrath and he long ago was deemed a danger to himself and the other patients. He lost his right to almost all means of entertainment and instead was forced into a solitary padded room where he now lives.

"I'm bored."

"Yeah, you and me both."

"Let's have some fun."

"No thanks. You're fun always gets me in trouble."

"We could break out of here, raise a little hell."

At that Naruto snorted and shifted on his bed. "I think you mean more than a little."

"I'm getting really tired of just lying here all day and night boy. It's been months since we did anything."

"Months, exactly. Maybe with time they'll let me go outside or something."

"You're trying to be good for a maybe? How stupid kid, let's do something now."

"No, it's not stupid because I miss the damn sun!" Naruto hissed, knowing that there was a guard not ten feet from his door and if he heard something there goes his chances of anything. "Just shut up."

"You said you were bored I-"

"You're just tr-"

"Hello Naruto. Talking to yourself again?" His door opened to reveal a young man with silver hair pulled back into a pony tail wearing glasses and a white doctor's coat. In his hands he held a tray with food. "Here's your lunch." He walked inside and a guard wheeled in a cart to place the tray on.

Naruto sat up and sent him a half smile. "Hey Kabuto."

"Hi Dipshit. What load of crap are you shoveling today?"

Wisely Naruto didn't answer Kyuubi and instead held out his arm for the usual check-up.

Kabuto smiled and sat down on the chair the guard wheeled in. "Go on and eat. I'm just here for company today." He waved off his patients arm.

Immediately Naruto dug into the mashed potatoes, red beans and chicken soup.

"You eat like a pig."

Kabuto remained quiet for a few minutes before finally saying something. "How are you today? I see you're still hearing voices."

"I'm fine. Good actually, a bit restless…I really want to stretch my legs." Naruto answered around a mouthful of beans before reaching for his cup of apple juice and downing half of it. He learned long ago not to correct Kabuto whenever he made a diagnosis or talked about the one voice. Many times he insisted it was multiple though Naruto told him hundreds of times it was just one. Who happened to be a Demon Fox with Nine Tails.

"Yes, you have been doing fine. Really well actually. Maybe you do deserve a reward." Kabuto held out his hand and immediately a file and clipboard was placed in it, followed by the door closing leaving just Kabuto and Naruto in the room. Idly he flicked open the thick file and skimmed a few pages. "Yes you have been exceptionally good as of late. Perhaps I can arrange for you to go outside for an hour or two. Would you like that?"

Excitedly Naruto nodded his head and hid a grin behind his apple juice.

"Well…looks like you were right boy."

OOO

The next day Kabuto arrived bright and early to find a sleeping Naruto falling half off his bed with the sheet tangled around his legs and the one pillow lying abandoned in the corner. With a sigh he slammed the door shut and watched as his patient jumped awake then promptly fell completely out of bed.

"Fucking hell!" Naruto yelped as he was personally introduced to the flooring and slowly picked himself up to see Kabuto staring down at him, one eyebrow raised in mild amusement.

"Damn that fucking doctor to Hell and back!" Kyuubi roared in Naruto's head. "Who the hell does he think he is waking US LIKE THAT?! I was having a wonderful dream of KILLING PEOPLE! HE SHALL FEEL MY WRATH! GET UP BOY! GET UP!"

In vain Naruto tried to ignore the ranting Fox Demon in his head and rubbed his face with a heavy sigh. Already he was beginning to feel the pain throbbing in his head.

"Good. You're awake. Hurry up shower and get dressed. Breakfast will be waiting when you're finished." Kabuto stated.

Naruto squinted up at him. "What?"

It was then Kabuto smiled beseechingly. "You're going outside today. Hurry up."

OOO

The warm summer sun felt amazing on Naruto's skin. The gentle wind blowing through his hair and face was indescribable. It's been months since he was last outside and it felt like heaven. He threw himself down on the grass, folded his hands behind his back and closed his eyes; just lying there under the sun was worth the months of being good it took to get him there. He inhaled deeply, enjoying the soothing scent of grass and flowers.

"I suppose this does beat that stupid room."

Naruto didn't respond. He needed to prove that he was fine and could handle being outside, that way Kabuto might let him go out more. If he just started chatting away on his first day out that wouldn't exactly score him brownie points.

"Are you just going to lie here the entire time?"

No answer.

"Hey kid, don't ignore me."

No answer.

"Boy! Get up and do something! Have a look around!"

Naruto took a deep breath and slowly released it before opening his eyes to stare up at the clear blue sky above him. It was beautiful with large feathery clouds slowly drifting in the wind. If he listened hard enough he could hear birds chirping somewhere.

"Kid this isn't funny. Answer me."

No answer.

"Fine…do you want me to assume control then?"

"No. Stop it man I'm trying to enjoy this." Naruto whispered without moving his lips; it wasn't a mastered skill yet but it got the job done. Letting Kyuubi take control was the last thing Naruto wanted. The last time that happened he blacked out and woke up strapped down to his bed for a week. Later he found out he knocked out a guard and went screaming through the halls waving the guards stolen underwear as some sort of victory flag. It took three men and two sedation shots to bring him down. It wasn't his finest moment. Kyuubi however, begged to differ.

"Well I'm getting bored. At least take a look around."

To oblige Kyuubi, Naruto climbed up onto his feet and took in his surroundings. He was in the back of the hospital in the field that they owned that had a small garden, a court for playing tennis and other sports. A small pond guarded in case anyone got any ideas, and a path that took the walker all around the field. Kabuto was sitting at a small table under an umbrella reading. He wasn't allowed to leave Naruto alone by himself; even under the watch of some guards.

"Well well…what do we have here?"

It took Naruto all of five seconds to find the object that interested Kyuubi, or rather person. In the distance walking around the small pond was a woman being escorted by one of the other doctors. She was petite with long dark hair tied loosely with a piece of ribbon; she wore simple jeans and a pale lavender peplum shirt.

Naruto swallowed thickly as she walked closer to him up the path.

"Get her…get her! She's beautiful…wouldn't it be nice to mate with her boy? Look at her…that innocent face, her breasts and that tiny waist…"

Naruto tried to ignore Kyuubi but his eyes were drawn to the mysterious woman with the pale eyes and long dark hair. Who was she? All he could do was stare in awe as she walked up the path, past him still talking to the doctor. His stomach twisted itself into knots as he caught her perfume drifting in the wind.

"And those hips! Boy that's child-birthing hips!"

Suddenly Naruto was moving before he realized it and was right behind the young woman.

"Yes…she's right there! Grab her! Grab her right now!"

He reached out his arm and lightly touched her shoulder, his attention completely focused on her and her alone.

"OH! Hello." She turned around and all he could do was stare at her in wonder. She was so beautiful, even more so up close. She smiled kindly at him, something that was new and it made his heart beat faster and his breath quicken. What was this? What's happening to him?

"What are you waiting for boy?! Grab her!"

"Naruto!" Kabuto's arm was on his shoulder before he could blink. "What are you doing?" He pulled him back, away from the woman.

"Ka-Kabuto!" Naruto struggled to get out from his grip.

"What?"

His gaze remained locked on the now baffled woman in front of them still smiling. "Who is she?"

Kabuto looked up and offered her a smile and shrug. "I'm sorry Ma'am, he's..."

"No, no it's alright. My name is Hinata." She smiled at them and waved at Naruto.

"Hinata…what a beautiful name."

"That's a beautiful name." Naruto mindlessly repeated the Kyuubi's complement.

Kabuto's eyebrows shot up in surprise, never before in all his years has he ever heard Naruto complement anyone. Ever. What exactly was he witnessing here? Could this be-no. His patient isschizophrenic, it's impossible. "Naruto let's leave this nice woman alone and finish enjoying your time outside alright?" He gently pulled on his arm. "Naruto." He warned.

"Thank you." Hinata smiled warmly and held out her hand for a handshake. "What's your name?"

"Look at that hand! So delicate…so delectable…"

"Naruto. I'm Naruto." He answered and slowly clasped her hand and held it in a light grip, terrified he might hurt her.

"Hinata." The red haired doctor behind her finally spoke; it was a woman which mildly surprised Naruto given anyone he met before was usually male. Not that he met many people; it was usually the guards on rotation and the occasional attendant. "We should go, this…he is…"

Kabuto immediately knew what she was hinting at and scowled. "Tayuya." He warned.

Completely oblivious to the silent exchange of words going on above her head Hinata continued to smile at Naruto, intrigued by his wide honest blue eyes and obvious embarrassment. She was willing to bet he'd never spoken to a girl before judging by his stiff movements, darting eyes and shy smile. "So I take it you are a patient here?" She asked and slipped her hand out from his light grip.

He nodded slowly.

"Say something boy!"

"I'm volunteering here for summer." She looked around and tilted her head back to feel the sun on her face. "To get extra credit you know? But it's good to get field experience."

"Huh?"

"…When I said say something I meant in English, idiot."

"Oh I want to become a nurse and well…experience you can never go wrong with." She smiled at him again.

"Naruto." Kabuto returned to pulling on his arm. "Let's leave Hinata and Doctor Tayuya and let them get back to work." He glared at Tayuya over Naruto's head. "Plus you want to enjoy your time outside don't you? Why don't you and I play tennis? You haven't tried that yet ha-"

Just then Hinata interrupted. "Am I interrupting your time outside? I'm sorry, I didn't know." She frowned. "Again, I'm so sorry."

"It's alright." Naruto smiled bashfully. "I…I don't mind."

"Don't stutter boy! You aren't a princess! WE don't act…act so damn timid!"

Ignoring Kyuubi, Naruto cleared his throat and scuffed his shoe. "Would you like to play tennis with me?"

It was then Tayuya finally placed a hand on Hinata's shoulder and gently squeezed. "I'm sorry that's not how things work here. Let's go Hinata, you need to look over and get to know the patients."

"Isn't he a patient? Doesn't he count?" Hinata insisted, slightly annoyed with the obvious hostility going on. Naruto may be unaware of it but she sure wasn't. "I don't see why I can't spend a little time with him." She sent Naruto another smile. "I can't play tennis today but I'd love to join you for awhile and keep you company."

OOO

Two minutes and many hisses, glares and unspoken threats later Naruto and Hinata sat on a blanket spread out on the grass under the sun with Kabuto watching them much to Tayuya's annoyance. She had been invited to join them but she declined and rushed off, grumbling about filing a complaint against Kabuto, to which he chuckled at. He was slightly worried about his patient talking and being around someone who was not prepped to his specific needs but his curiosity outweighed any worry so he just sat back and watched them from a distance.

"How old are you?" Hinata asked, more than a little intrigued by Naruto.

That stumped him for a few seconds before he remember his age. "Seventeen."

"Oh wow, so am I. How long have you been here?" She asked as she slipped her flats off of her feet and set them on the grass beside her.

Naruto shrugged and watched her from the corner of his eye. "I don't know…forever I guess."

"Since you were five boy. Five. It's not that hard to remember. So what are you planning on doing to her? Luring her in are you? Is this another one of your plots that takes time? Why not strangle her now hm? Doesn't that sound nice?"

Pale eyes opened wide at his answer. "Forever? Do you mean you were born here?"

"No…just feels like it. I was put here when I was a kid." Absently he plucked a blade of grass and twirled it between his fingers. Unconsciously his fingers deftly twisted it into a knot. He blinked, baffled by it and flicked the blade of grass away.

"Oh…I'm so sorry to hear that." She genuinely sounded sorry and reached out a hand to squeeze his shoulder. "Do you have any family that come to visit?"

Naruto glanced at the warm hand on his shoulder and his face heated up. "Y-yeah. My grandfather and some of his friends come sometimes."

"Again with the blushing? What are you a princess trapped in a goddamn tower?"

"That's good."

"Yeah."

"So…do you go to school?"

He shook his head 'no.'

"Oh…do you have a tutor here?"

By now Naruto was at a completely lost, he had no idea what she was talking about but he just liked to hear her talk. It was nice hearing her soothing, gentle voice for once. Usually it was either a man's, or someone yelling at him for no real reason.

"You should probably say some funny and witty boy. Otherwise she'll think you're fucked in the head…oh wait! You are!" Kyuubi laughed, his voice booming and echoing in Naruto's head giving him a mild headache.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I can't go to school or…what you said." He tried to converse with her but it was difficult trying to think with Kyuubi snickering in the background and trying not to look and sound as weird as he actually was.

"But if…I don't understand why you can't go to school." Hinata frowned and began to fiddle with her fingers. "Have you hurt anyone?" She whispered.

Naruto shook his head 'no.'

"That's a lie boy and you know it. Remember the time you attacked that guard? He was asking for it but that does classify as hurting someone."

"Well then you should be able to go to school." She nodded. "Have you ever asked?"

Again, he shook his head. It never crossed his mind to ask about school. For as long as he can remember he's always been in this place with doctors and guards and medication. Maybe once in a while his grandfather, Jiraiya might come by with a present or Iruka or Kakashi might drop by to check up on him but this was his life. All he knew was these walls, these clothes and these people who poked and prodded at him, provoked him, fought and sedated him. "What's school?"

At that Hinata gasped and stared back at him in pure unaltered shock. What is school? How could someone not know what school is? But then he started to color and stared back down at his bare feet and she realized how rude she was being and schooled her face back into a small smile.

"School is a place of learning. You read, write, and learn about the world and literature, history, science and math." She smiled comfortingly. "Though being seventeen most of that is over and done with and usually junior or senior year you're trying to figure out what to do with your life. Like college or working full time. Moving to another state or staying at home. That sort of thing."

Naruto's face remained completely blank. He had no idea what she was saying but he smiled at her voice. It was soft and gentle; like a soothing balm for his mind. When he listened to her Kyuubi actually shut up and only muttered occasional smart ass comments instead of his usual nonstop monologue of criticisms and horrible ideas of destruction. Hinata was like the paradise he didn't know he was missing, when she talked nothing else mattered to him or Kyuubi. It was a miracle.

OOO

"School?" Kabuto repeated dubiously. "You want to go to school?"

Kabuto stood inside Naruto's room in the late evening, they had come in sometime after lunch and he left Naruto to shower and change while he went off to file some paperwork and check on his few other patients. For a young genius doctor his life was somewhat easy; he got to choose whichever patients he wanted to care for and call whatever price he wanted. Needless to say he was no stranger to the value of a dollar. He had hoped Naruto would rest while he was away and came back with dinner. What he found was a mildly confused but excited blonde teenage boy just waiting till he arrived.

"He wants an explanation idiot."

"Yeah, Hinata was telling me all sorts of things and…and I want to go. Can't I just try it?"

Kabuto eyed his patient, taking in the hopeful yet determined teenager staring back at him. Why not? Sure it'll take some work and money but Jiraiya was rich and in control of Naruto's finances. As long as he okayed it he didn't see why Naruto couldn't try it. Ever since being under his care Naruto hadn't murdered or even attempted to murder anyone else therefore the courts had no right to intervene on the decision. So why not? Plus, by his calculations Naruto would be in the last year anyway so if things went wrong-well hopefully nothing will go wrong.

"I have to talk to your Guardian." Was all he said by way of permission.

OOO

Kabuto sighed and dialed the now memorized number and waited for him to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jiraiya."

"Oh, Kabuto. Hello, is everything alright?" Kabuto sighed at the obvious dread in his voice. Apparently Jiraiya still hadn't forgotten about the call he had received about Naruto making that guard go commando.

"Yes. Naruto is fine but…"

"But what?"

"He wants' to go to school. He's adamant about it."

"School?"

"Yes."

"Like…actual school or getting a tutor to teach him?"

"No, actual school. He wants' to attend a real high school."

"Where the hell did he get an idea like that?"

It was then Kabuto heaved a heavy sigh, knowing this was his entirely fault. If he hadn't let his patent go outside, if he had checked to make sure no one was in the courtyard maybe none of this would have happened. But then again maybe it was for the best. Naruto was growing up and exhibiting good signs, maybe it was time for a change. "He met a girl."

"Kabuto this isn't funny."

"This isn't a joke. He really met a girl and she told him, I guess about school and now he wants to go."

On the other end of the line Jiraiya scoffed. "Well obviously he can't!"

"I don't know about that." Kabuto stated ominously.

"Excuse me?"

"He's been perfectly fine these last couple months." He shuffled some papers around on his desk. "Almost a year actually and apart from occasionally talking back to the voices in his head he's fine. He hasn't attacked anyone, hasn't acted out recently, he's been…normal. The medication has been stable for the last…" He trailed off and shuffled some more papers around before finding the one he was looking for and quickly scanned it. "For the last eight months. I don't see if he wants to try, really wants to try, I don't see why he can't."

"You got him to take the medication straight with no problems for eight consecutive months?" Jiraiya asked sounding impressed. He knew that Naruto scorned medication with a hate that rivaled an alcoholics love of an open bar, it was nearly impossible for him to take any pills since he was adamant that he didn't have a problem. Well a problem aside from hearing one voice in his head that belonged to a demon trapped inside his body.

Kabuto sighed. "Well…yes and no. He doesn't know he's been on medication since the…last incident."

"So how does he take it if…are you lying Kabuto? What has he done this time?" His voice dropped to just above a whisper. "Listen if this is about more hush-money we had a deal. You said you'd do this for-"

"This has nothing to do with that!" Kabuto quickly cut him off. The money was lucrative and easy and he wasn't about to endanger it at all, however he also had a bit of a soft spot for Naruto. Despite all the rumors and shadows surrounding the young patent he really did have a good heart. Aside from the fact that when he lost control it almost always ended weirdly, oddly, and bloody with someone ready to file a lawsuit. "He doesn't know he's taking medication. I crush it into his food and drink. Of course he does experience mild side-effects and they are beginning to show but it's nothing really."

"What are the side effects?"

"Slight memory loss. Though I imagine in his particular case it would be an improvement."

"Alright going with this for a moment." Jiraiya paused to take a deep breath then slowly exhale. "How exactly do you propose this is done? He can't just go enroll in some school. And what about…what about what only you and I know? Who-how can this even be done? Kabuto have you really thought this through? What if it happens again?"

"Well that's true he will need an escort and someone to keep an eye on him. I recommend sending a guard or two with him who unfortunately will need to know the entire situation. And he will need regular visits to me. But with a few adjustments, a strict schedule and some careful planning I don't see why Naruto can't try to go to school."

Jiraiya didn't say anything.

"He's young, only seventeen years old and I think he's beginning to realize how much he's missing being in here all his life." Kabuto continued on. "Since he's been under my care for all the years and he has been exceptional for so long there really isn't a valid reason why now, ten years since the…incident, that we can't test to see if there is some improvement."

"Twelve years. That's not his entire life."

Kabuto rolled his eyes and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Majority. The majority of his life." He corrected.

"…If you think it's safe for him and everyone around him fine. As long as the police don't nose around I'm okay with it. Set up the paperwork I'll pick him up."

"Great."

"When?"

"I can have everything ready for tomorrow."

"Alright." Jiraiya sighed wearily. "This isn't what I expected Kabuto."

At that Kabuto suppressed the grin spreading across his face. "I know. But what's the worst that can happen? He realizes he hates school and wants to come back?"

"It might happen again Kabuto. And I can't pay off another investigation."

OOO

No one told Naruto anything about what Kabuto and Jiraiya was doing. In fact he didn't see anyone again the remainder of the day and hardly ate anything. He was worried and anxious that Kabuto would say no and instead hire a tutor-whatever that was-and he would never see Hinata again, even though she said she was going to be working here. He was locked in a private cell in the far end of the hospital; somehow he doubted they would let her just pop in for a chat.

That night he tossed and turned, much to the Kyuubi's amusement.

"As much as I want to get out into the real world and have some fun I don't see why you're so worried."

"I want out. I didn't know this place 'school' existed."

At that Kyuubi snorted. "What? You think everyone lives like you do? How stupid are you kid? Wow…you really do need schooling…"

"Shut up you aren't helping."

"Did you want me to help? Well why didn't you say anything?" Kyuubi derided. "You aren't stupid just…not intelligent. And you're handsome so that makes up for it! Though those scars on your face aren't-they're rugged boy! Rugged. You know girls really like scars…I think…" And so Kyuubi went on until Naruto fell into a fitful sleep.

OOO

The next morning a somber looking guard stood outside one of the side entrance doors to the hospital smoking a cigarette. He was in full gear with messy black hair and a beard; he was tall but right now he was slumped over leaning against the building for support. "I can't believe I've been reduced to babysitting." He mumbled dejectedly.

Across from him stood his partner Kurenai, also leaning against the building with one leg crossed over the other a cigarette hanging out of her mouth. "Me either."

It was from Asuma, her longtime partner and friend she picked up the bad habit of smoking from. There were times she thought to quit but that thought always passed just as quickly as it came. "I don't know if it'll be easier or more of a pain."

"My bet's on pain." Asuma snorted.

"Asuma give me another?" She held out her hand in a fairly demanding way.

"Where's your pack? Didn't you buy one last night?" He scowled but fished in his pockets for his pack of cigarettes and tossed it across to her.

"Finished it this morning." Kurenai mumbled as she stuck another cigarette between her lips and lit up, inhaling deeply. "Hopefully I have time to finish this before we have to go."

Asuma groaned loudly and glanced at his watch. "What time do we move the kid?"

"I don't know…what did they say? Ten?"

"Sounds about right…" He peered down at his watch. "Got five minutes. Suck in that smoke and weaken your lungs Kurenai." He took a long drag out of his cigarette and grinned. "I don't think his dear old Grandpa will like us smoking around his kid."

At that she chuckled and pushed off against the wall. "You never know."

OOO

Hayate, a young guard with dark circles around his eyes strolled down the hallway with his partner Anko and young intern who had just started work about a week prior. He had that 'young-and-naïve' quality about him and still got overexcited about every little thing. Including checking on each patient every two hours.

"I heard that boy, Naruto? When he killed his parents a demon got sealed inside of him because he was so evil." He gossiped excitedly. "We're going to check on him right? Make sure he isn't-"

"Naruto isn't evil Lee." Hayate sighed, tired of dealing with the young guard. He'd been enduring his questions for two whole days and he was already exhausted by his incessant questions and way off conclusions. "He's Schizophrenic. There's a difference."

"That's not what I heard."

"Why are you listening to idle gossip? Your job is to protect them and the doctors from themselves not listen to lunchtime chitchat."

"But isn't there something weird about him?" Lee continued on happily trailing after the two older, annoyed guards. "I saw him once. I also heard that he's so calm and cool but talks to himself a lot like he's-"

"He is mentally ill Lee." Hayate cut him off. "How many times do I have to say it?"

Lee continued on, oblivious to the discomfort he was causing. "I also heard there was a magic box they found in his room and his grandfather found the truth and that's why he locked him here and he's been looking for a way to extract the demon in him."

Anko scoffed. "Listen to yourself talking about magic and crap. As far as I can see the boy killed his parents and should be locked away." She glared down at the young intern over her shoulder. "Stop gossiping about the patients and do the job."

Hayate nodded sagely and continued down the hall behind Anko; they were just outside Naruto's room now. Anko knocked on the door and listened for his usual response of 'Hey, how's it going?'

But it never came.

She tried again. "Naruto! You sleeping? Wake up!"

No response.

"Naruto!" She banged on the door with her baton then peered through the window. "Fuck! That little brats missing!" She cursed and flicked on the lights inside the cell from the outside panel. She stood directly in front of the cell door, scoping out the inside by tilting her head each and every possible way but saw nothing except an empty bed.

"What? Who?" Lee tried to peer into the room as well but got jostled aside by Hayate already pulling out his phone as he leaned around Anko to see inside.

"Naruto!" Anko hissed and stepped aside to let her partner see for himself without any trouble.

"Uzumaki?"

At that she rolled her eyes dramatically and resisted the urge to punch the intern in his face. "No! The other Naruto! The nice one with the black hair! Of course Uzumaki you fucking idiot!"

Lee's face paled as realization hit. "Shit! What do we do?"

"Will you two kindly stop using that hole in your face? I'm on the phone." Hayate scowled at the two of them and waited patiently for someone to pick up and hopefully get some answers; a few rings later someone picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hello Jiraiya, its Hayate. I don't want to alarm you but it is required under your specific orders that if I notice anything suspicious to phone you immediately."

"Yes, I know Hayate." He sounded tired and in desperate need of some strong coffee.

"Naruto is missing."

"Don't worry." Jiraiya sighed into the phone. "Naruto's safe, here with me actually."

"He is?" At that Hayate's eyebrows shot up into his hairline and waved off Anko who had her fingers posed on the emergency button located a few steps down from the room.

"Yes I took him out today."

"Oh…"

"Yeah."

"For like…an overnight visit?" Hayate fished.

"No…listen didn't someone tell you?"

"Tell me what?" He tried to ignore Anko glaring at him as though all the world problems were his fault. It was quite difficult, especially with Lee pacing in the background and muttering something about youth.

"Naruto's been released."

OOO

All constructive and unconstructive criticism welcome.