Standard disclaimer applies. Unbeta-ed
Chapter 3- Tale of the left ones
Naruto drove to the local grocery shop after dropping Sae at school the next morning. Sasuke had asked him to buy some food for them if he wanted to camp at their place for another night.
With that high-and-mighty smirk of him of course. 'Che'!' Naruto snickered. 'Some old habits won't change huh?'
When he stepped into the shop, Naruto realized that the shop had gone bigger. Even though it was still early in the morning, there were some people who had started their routine early.
There were whispers and giggling, which Naruto tried to ignore. At first he was confused with all the commotion. Then he remembered, he's one of quite well known actor and model. Oh yeah, he kind of forgot since meeting Sasuke yesterday.
It was so easy to fall back into the old routine, even though it had been 10 years.
After getting all the stuff he needed, he proceeded to the counter to pay. Pulling out the money Sasuke had given him, Naruto paid. As he waited for the change, Naruto looked at the girl carefully… funny… she seemed familiar-
"Ack!!" It was undignified, the way he shrieked; almost like a little girl, with pointer finger pointed at the girl, somewhat accusingly.
The said girl looked at him in confuse. What the hell had she done now?
"Y-You're… You are Moegi-chan!!" Naruto shrieked again, accusingly again.
"Uhh… Yeah…? Do I know…" Eyes widen in realization. "Holy shit! Naruto-niichan!" There was a silence of shock initially, but then it was broken when Moegi ran from behind the counter to tackle Naruto and hugged him.
"Wow!" Naruto whistled. "You've grown into a pretty woman, Moegi-chan!" Naruto grinned brightly.
Moegi blushed. "What are you doing here? You come home for a visit?"
Naruto laughed, a bit flushed. "Yeah… Kind of. I have some work in Bridgetown, so I decided to drop by… You know, to see what's going on…"
"Well, it's still the same old town…" Her eyes lit up when she remembered something. "I saw you on t.v. a few times! You're really famous now, huh??"
Naruto flushed, rubbing the top of his head nervously. "Not much…" he said.
"Don't be all flustered up, niichan! I know you are! Everyone was talking about you when they saw that add you were on when your first movie came out! I borrowed the video and man, it was good! You were great, niichan!"
Naruto laughed good-naturedly.
"So, where's that two rascals who were always with you?" Naruto asked.
"Konohamaru and Udon? Oh, they've got offer to study in Adelaide. They've been gone for quite some time, but always come back in summer. You just missed them; they left 2 weeks ago. Konohamaru would be thrilled to see you again, niichan!"
Naruto smiled. "That's good. You are a smart girl too, Moegi-chan, didn't you apply to study in the uni?"
Moegi's face darkened a bit. "I… I wanted to. But who's gonna look after my parents? My father's health is not that good, especially nowadays. Udon got a scholarship to study and he got an offer from UWA in Perth, but Konohamaru didn't get through, so they both tried other places. Eventually Konohamaru got an offer from Adelaide, and Udon applied there."
"Oh…" Naruto said. It was once Sasuke's dream to further his studies too back then. He wondered if Sasuke did proceed with his dream or what had actually happened after he left.
Realizing that he didn't actually get anything from the raven last night, he made a mental note to ask Sasuke before he departed for Bridgetown tomorrow.
"Sarutobi-jiji died a while back, and so Konohamaru didn't want to stay here," Moegi continued when Naruto didn't give any more comment. Naruto's eyes widen at this.
"J-Jiji died?" he whispered brokenly. That old man, who had taken care of him the day he was forced to leave the orphanage, had died and Naruto didn't even know about it. Naruto's head bowed, blond fringe covering his eyes.
"Is… Is it at the old cemetery, Moegi-chan?" he asked brokenly.
Moegi nodded, "Hai…"
After a few second, Naruto took a big breath and spoke, "Well, thanks for telling me, Moegi-chan…" He then hugged the girl and whispered with affection, "It's good to see you again. I'll be back to meet Konohamaru one day."
"Un!"
Naruto drove back to Sasuke's place and put the food away.
"Sasuke…" he called when he saw the other man 'reading' one of his books. Sasuke turned to his direction and raised a black eyebrow.
"Sarutobi-jiji…" Naruto started and Sasuke understood.
"He died 4 years ago of stroke. You can go and visit his grave if you want."
"Was that when Konohamaru decided to further his studies?"
Sasuke looked like he was thinking of an answer before he answered Naruto. "He had always wanted to go to uni. When Sarutobi-jiji died, Konohamaru came and saw me about study options. When he didn't get UWA's offer like Udon did, nor the scholarship, I think he contacted his uncle, Asuma in Adelaide to ask if he could help him to loan some money.
"Konohamaru does come back every summer with Udon, and from what he told me, he took part-time studies to work part-time and to pay his uncle back and support his living. Udon's doing his PhD because he got another uni's grant. Unlike Konohamaru, Udon was a full time student."
Naruto was speechless. He didn't know Konohamaru had it in him to work that extra hard. He then grinned widely. But that kid had a high spirit. He might not be as intelligent as Udon, but he sure wass a fighter.
"I…"
"Go and visit jiji's grave, Naruto. He'd be mad if you didn't see him while you're here."
"Uh… will you be okay?"
Sasuke smirked. "I'll survive. I have all this while, haven't I, dobe?"
"Hmph!" Naruto pouted. "Your ego has never changed, has it, Teme? Even if it has, it does only have grown bigger!"
"Whatever, idiot!"
"Teme!" Naruto sighed then when Sasuke didn't back off. "Fine! I'll see you later then. I'll go and pick Sae up from school too if you don't mind."
"Hn…"
000
He didn't know how many hours had passed, or that how many bucket of tears he cried, sitting next to the grave under a shady tree. It wasn't only the guilt to Sarutobi-jiji that he cried for but also all the pent-up frustration and guilt for Sasuke, Konohamaru and this town in general.
He had missed so much on what had been going on. And as much as he hated selfish people, he hated himself more for being that exactly selfish person.
He should have just tried more and harder to come home in the past. Obviously he didn't try hard enough. The eyes that matched the blue sky looked at the green hill around him. Maybe this place hadn't change much at all.
Maybe he was the one who had changed a lot.
The moment that he stepped into the city, he knew that much was going to change, but he was in denial for so long.
And now he was ready to embrace the fact.
He had come home, and he didn't want to run anymore.
000
When his stomach rumbled, he couldn't ignore the fact that he was hungry anymore. So he drove back into the town and located the local diner to have some sandwich and iced coffee. The heat of end of summer didn't seem to cease a bit. Maybe they'd have late autumn again?
When his stomach was full, he drove to the complex of a few small buildings at the centre of the town. Since Greenbushes only has population of roughly less than 1000 people, Primary, Middle and High School were situated in one complex. Out of that 1000 people, most of them are miner workers and elderly, so it was no point to have a lot of school complexes.
Kindergarten building on the other hand, was one block across and opposite the school complex where more houses were situated.
Naruto parked his 4WD and took a walk around the school before heading to the Primary School division. He looked at the hand-drawn pictures on the corridor wall and smiled at the adorable pictures and paintings.
At times he would chuckle remembering his own childhood spent in the Primary School.
One picture caught his gaze. His eyes widen and mouth gapped at the very familiar painting. No. Way!
It was a painting where both he and Sasuke drew. Sasuke had always had the talent of drawing picturesque scenery and Naruto had always had the passion of painting everything so brightly and lively. Hence, Iruka-sensei had paired the students and made them both work together. The result was stunning- for 8 years old students anyway.
After all, Iruka had got to find a way for Sasuke to come out of his shell after his father died in the mining accident. Iruka was quite sure that Sasuke had meant the picture to be the hills during a bleak, grey rainy day. But Naruto kept on insisting Sasuke to add some more animals and he convinced the raven-haired boy to let him colour the picture instead of Sasuke himself.
The dark-eyes little boy hated the picture at first. It was too sunny so quickly after his father's death, but he was okay with it after a while.
Naruto closed his opened mouth and squinted at the painting, searching for his chicken-scribble signature somewhere. When he spotted it, he saw that Sasuke's neat handwriting of his name was next to his… barely readable name.
Naruto laughed loudly at that. Man… he himself could barely read it!
"Naruto? Uzumaki Naruto?" A familiar voice called from his left.
Naruto turned and grinned brightly, imitating a fox's smile much like when he was younger. "Yo! Iruka-sensei!" he waved.
"Maa! I can't believe it! It's really you!" Iruka walked in face pace towards him, as Naruto jogged to hug his former teacher.
"It's me alright! How have you been, sensei?" Naruto couldn't stop smiling. Iruka was one of the people he learned to love. He was like a father Naruto never had since he was part of the people who looked after children in the orphanage.
"Good! Good! I hope you are too! Maa… I thought the town people were just gossipping around when they said the guy in the t.v came yesterday. It was you, wasn't it?"
Naruto scratched the back of his neck and laughed nervously. "Yeah… it was me. I stayed at Sasuke's place last night; and perhaps tonight too."
Iruka chuckled, "And I thought I heard it wrongly when I overhead Sae said your name in the class this morning."
"Well… I sort of ran into him yesterday when I arrived. And I dropped him here this morning and then ran some errands for Sasuke." Iruka nodded.
"Don't you have any class, sensei?"
Iruka shook his head. "I'm free now till the school's over. By the way, stop calling me sensei, Naruto. I'm no longer your teacher anymore."
Naruto laughed good naturedly. "I can't help it sensei. You were and are still I reckon, my favourite teacher after all. It's an honour to still call you sensei, sensei."
"Honour, huh? You were one of the biggest trouble makers back then. And worse, you coached Konohamaru into Naruto Jr! I've had rough years when you guys were around, do you know that?" Iruka tried to sound serious, but Naruto still laughed at that.
"Well…. Yeah… I heard Konohamaru's doing well, huh?"
Iruka smiled gently. "Yeah… and I heard, so are you. A well known actor and model, huh?"
Naruto's tanned cheek hinted pink. "Well, I had good teacher and mentor- you know Jiraiya-sama, ne?"
Iruka's eyes widen, "The multi-talented writer-slashed-photographer-slashed-owner of world's renowned modelling and acting agencies??"
Naruto nodded, eyes twinkled. "The one and only!"
"Get out of here!"
"I'm serious, sensei!"
"You are one lucky- very lucky young man, then!"
Naruto chuckled. "I think so too. But hey, I work hard too! So some of the credits go to me!"
Iruka smiled gently again. "You have always worked hard, Naruto. You set good example for the younger generation here. Do you want to go and sit while we have a chat?"
"I'd love too, Iruka-sensei. But I have to tell Sae that I'm picking him up to go home too."
"I'd let Sae know. Just give me a moment and I'll see you at the entrance, yeah?"
"Okay."
They then decided to have a light drinks at the local bar. Sae would spend some time with his friends to do homeworks and play soccer while waiting for Naruto.
"I see some changes around here…" Naruto commented.
"Yeah…" the brunette teacher filled him in on general issues of the town for the past 10 years and Naruto listened in interest.
"Wow..." Naruto whistled.
"So, Kiba's still around too, huh?" Iruka nodded. "His farm is just a bit out if here in between here and Bridgetown."
"I'll drop by and say hi then on my way back to Bridgetown."
"So, have you finally got a chance for a break and visit us here?" The doe-eyed man suddenly changed the topic.
The ex-student flinched. "I'm sorry, Naruto. I didn't have any intention to be sarcastic, but I know being an actor and model at the same time consume a lot of your time." Iruka said apologetically.
Naruto shook his head. "It's quite alright, sensei. Actually, we're shooting some last scenes in Bridgetown the day after tomorrow. And then, probably I'll take a month's off to come back here- you know, catching up on things."
Iruka nodded.
"Oh, speaking of that, would it be alright if you escort some of the kids to the film set there on Friday?" Naruto told Iruka about the promise he made to Sae and the teacher was delighted, especially when he could have the chance to meet the famous actress Hyuuga Hinata and the young (well, maybe not so young anymore) prodigy director for Naruto's film.
"It's settled then."
Both men were contented with drinking their coffee and tea after that.
"Ano… sensei…" Naruto started as he looked outside. "I noticed that you didn't mention about Sasuke at all when you updated me on this town just now. Can I ask you some questions about him?"
"I thought you two had a good talk yesterday since you said you're staying at his place?"
"Well… I mainly talked about what's going on with me… I didn't get the chance to ask about him though."
"I see…"
"It was like he's changed but not, you know what I mean?"
"He's a father now, Naruto. There bound to be differences."
"Yeah…" Naruto sipped his tea. "About that… if Sae is 7 this year, that means he got married like, when he was 17? I didn't know Sasuke would be one to settle down so early…" Or get married at all, considering what we had before I left… What did they have, anyway?
Iruka's jaw suddenly clenched at that, Naruto noticed from the corner of his eyes. "It's… something that I have no liberty to tell you, Naruto. You should ask Sasuke directly about that."
"Yeah, I know. But I'm not sure how much information he's willing to disclose with me. You know how secretive Sasuke can be at times," Naruto rolled his eyes.
Iruka sighed. "All I can say is that… things changed after you left. You know Sasuke's not that friendly or close for that matter with other people, but he did come and see me at times back then; mainly to ask if you sent any news. But he stopped after a couple of years."
Naruto had pain showed in his eyes, Iruka realized. "Yeah… about that… it wasn't as easy as I thought. I told him last night that I was really busy that I hardly had any time. Though it was truth, it wasn't a complete truth…"
"How so?"
"I know I probably have one of the greatest supporter and mentor of all time, but things are not that easy, especially when there are so many young people who are inspired to be celebrities too.
My journey didn't go as smooth in the beginning. There were a lot of falls and lessons learned. It was a harsh industry, sensei…"
"So at first, you didn't write to us because you were afraid we would ridicule you?"
Naruto blushed with embarrassment. Iruka-sensei could really read him. "Sasuke didn't completely agree with my plan to go to the city initially but I kept on pushing and persisted till he finally gave in. I don't want him to say 'I told you so'"
Iruka nodded. "I can understand that. But it certainly didn't help when we receive no news about you at all, Naruto. I think… I think Sasuke was hurt in that sense. Why didn't you come clean to him?"
"I… I'm afraid he'd be mad at me for not listening to him. He… sort of changed his mind at the last minute before I left," Naruto admitted.
"You're afraid? But you're the successful one now, Naruto."
Naruto made a strangled noise in his throat. "I know! But last night, we had some minor argument and if I tell him now, he will not believe me!"
"Argument? Like that's anything new," Iruka sensei snickered.
Naruto chuckled, but it was laced with distress. "You said the same thing… that I didn't send any news… I didn't send any news to you because I really have no idea what to write… I gathered up some courage to call you but I don't know where to start. After all, I sort of ran away from you and jiji… But I did write to Sasuke! I did! And I sent some cheques, which the bank stated that the cheques were banked in!
But he denied all of that! And I'm confused!"
Iruka could see the distress in Naruto. He was speechless. It was like he was back dealing with the 15-year-old boy instead of a 25 year old man.
"I'm not sure what to say, Naruto… But one thing I can confirm; he didn't receive any letter from you, or else he wouldn't be looking for me."
Naruto looked down, into his tea; voice trembled that Iruka thought he would burst into tears.
"There are so many things I wanted to ask him. Like, how come he lives off town, or why did he get married… or how and when did he go blind and… and what has happened to his dreams and goals…"
Iruka sighed. "I really wish I could tell you everything, Naruto. But some of those things, I myself don't have the answers. Even with me, he did have some restraint. Best is to ask him…
Only, I could briefly tell you roughly what has happened in the past 10 years with him. Maybe not all, but I hope it could give you general idea about this older Sasuke."
That caught Naruto's interest.
"First of all, you have to remember that Itachi was the one who supported Sasuke when their father and then later their mother died." Naruto completely forgotten that Itachi was in the picture of this town too. Maybe mainly because he didn't like the elder Uchiha so much.
Naruto shuddered. Itachi was creepy.
"Well… he sort of come and go a lot more after you left. Nobody knew where he actually went. But the biggest disappearance was when Sasuke finished high school.
That was when he got married too." Naruto's heart clenched painfully.
Iruka continued, "That girl actually came a year after you left. His father was a miner here. When Sasuke got married, they sort of cut the family ties with her." Naruto's eyes widen.
"Didn't they care for their grandson?!"
"These are the things that you just have to let Sasuke tell you, Naruto. Even I don't have the complete detail. Anyway, they left later on, so Sasuke was forced to work to support his family.
"As for the reason why they moved out to the outskirts… in a way it had to do with their financial liability. The old Uchiha residence was bigger if you remembered, and they have farm too, but with a family to maintain, it was hard to put food on the table and at the same time to pay for the other expenses.
Selling it was the only option Sasuke had. And then Shisui- the girl Sasuke married died in labour. I guess it was a hard time for Sasuke, not even 20 and had to care for a baby alone"
If there was one thing that Naruto really wanted to know, it was why had Sasuke married the girl- whom he barely know (not that Naruto was sure of that information), at such a young age. Sasuke whom he knew back then was very ambitious and wouldn't let anything be in the way of his goals.
Unless… unless… Naruto shook his head to deny it. It can't be… Can it? Can Sasuke be so reckless to get a girl pregnant?
After all, if Sasuke and Iruka's claim is true, the young raven must be heartbroken when Naruto cut off any form of contact with them.
So basically, Naruto was partly to blame.
Wasn't it?
"But retrospectively, it was a good decision, considering Sasuke can no longer see now. If it had been a bigger house and property, there's no way Sasuke could pay for it, seeing at he can't really actively work now.
Anyway, Itachi did come back at some point, around the time when Sae was born. But I think the two had some arguments every time Itachi came back. So in the end, Itachi left. And he never came back till now."
Naruto was speechless. Everything seemed to divert from what they planned back then. Even his success wasn't in their plan.
And certainly not Sae- not that he blamed or hated that child.
"His blindness… when did it start? And what about his job? I mean, he couldn't possibly work now, could he?"
Iruka shook his head. "I'm not sure the detail about his eyes but I heard it's some sort of genetics or something… As for his job…" Iruka smiled at this, "Even as blind as he is now, I sometime find myself impressed with that genius, you know?"
Naruto was puzzled and his face showed it.
"Academic, sports and arts were not only Sasuke's talent when he was younger if you can remember, weren't they?"
Naruto nodded. Iruka let Naruto remember and realized it himself. And he did, if widen blue eyes showed any indication.
"Piano!" Naruto burst out.
Iruka nodded. "He comes to this school once a week to teach piano lesson, or perform occasionally here in this bar. Once in a while, he performs in Bridgetown. He teaches there too, once a week, but that has to be on the weekends, when I'm free to drive him. It wasn't much I assumed but it was enough to support Sae and himself."
Naruto had always admired that particular talent of Sasuke. Looked like it could be put to use now.
Naruto laughed. "How did he teach his student when he can't see?"
Iruka smiled mischievously. "Till when will you be here?"
"Hmm… maybe a week or two, depending on how fast we can finish it up. Why?"
"Then come to the Community Hall in Bridgetown on Sunday. Sasuke's teaching there at 9 in the morning… And next Saturday too if you are still here because he's performing for one of the local girl's wedding. But that will be at the Church though."
Naruto grinned, rivalling the sun. "Perfect!"
They parted when it was almost 6. By that time, Sae had already waited patiently in the 4WD. Naruto cursed when he looked at the time. Sasuke was going to kill him!
He was right; Sasuke was angry with him for bringing Sae back so late.
"I know he's not your son, Naruto. But yesterday I thought I had the impression that you are a responsible man now." Sasuke said in an icy voice.
Naruto flinched at that. Trust Sasuke to wait till Sae was out of hearing range before lashing out on him.
"I know and I said I'm sorry already. I met Iruka-sensei and we had a long talk. I haven't seen him in ages, you know?"
"And whose fault is that?" Sasuke said before he could stop himself. He cursed inwardly as he felt anger seeped into the blond. Trust Naruto to jumble up his senses and emotions. He had never had this problem last 10 years.
"It was mine! Are you satisfied now, Sasuke!" Naruto's tone was a pitch higher. Sasuke shot him a glare, despite his lack of eyesight, to lower his voice. Naruto did, but there was hurt in his words, "I know you're angry with me, Sasuke. Even if you said you don't hate me, I could feel it when you're mad at me, like right now. I know it's my fault and if I have the chance to turn back time, I would. But I don't.
At least let me make it right this time." Naruto pleaded.
It took a lot in the Uchiha to not to lash out at Naruto again. Finally calming himself down, he nodded and mumbled, "Fine…"
"Dinner's ready, so if you'd like to clean up and change, we can eat afterwards." Sasuke said. "I've put new clothes for you on Sae's bed."
"I… Iruka-sensei invited me over for dinner at his place."
"He did?" An elegant black brow rose. "But I've prepared dinner." Sasuke said. He clearly wanted Naruto to have dinner with them.
"Tell you what. Why don't Iruka join us for dinner tonight? You'll go and pick Iruka at his house while I prepare some dessert. Dinner tonight is enough to feed us four since I prepared extra- with that tummy of yours, it could feed a bull for a week!" There was hint of smugness in it that Naruto gave a protest 'Hey!'
"Take Sae with you, he knows where Iruka lives. He'll be excited to hear your tales. You were always good with kids anyway." Naruto almost gawked at the compliment.
"Are you complimenting me, Uchiha Sasuke?" he asked teasingly as Sae came out after his shower.
"Hn. You wish, Uzumaki," Sasuke smirked.
Naruto stuck out his tongue and Sae suddenly burst in laughter at the display of childishness.
"Did he stick out his tongue and made funny faces, Sae?" Sasuke asked, amused.
Sae's eyes widen. How did he know? The little boy wondered as he answered yes to his father.
"Hn. Some things will never change, ain't it, Uzumaki?" Sasuke chuckled as Naruto whined in defeat.
"Do you have a phone to tell Iruka that we're on the way?" Naruto asked when he picked up the car keys.
"No."
"What?! Still with that no phone nonsense?"
"I don't find the practicality of it in this house, Naruto."
"And the same excuse goes for t.v., huh?" Naruto winked at Sae. The little boy thought it wasn't really a clever comment considering his father's lack of ability to see.
But he was clearly wrong when he saw his father smirked arrogantly at the blond, "I clearly don't find the black box to be brain stimulator like some other people in this house, idiot."
Naruto growled at that comment.
Sae was confused.
He was very confused.
What have Naruto done to his father! Was he an alien who had messed with his father's brain? Or worse, did the alien switch places with his father?!
No. Way! This. Was. Not. Happening!
He wanted his father back!! Eyes almost filled with tears, Sae let his wild imagination fly higher and higher.
Oblivious to the internal commotion in Sae's mind, Naruto spoke in defence, "Well, what if some emergency happens, and other people need to contact you immediately? Like… like… like if Sae's hurt and they need to tell you? Huh? Huh?" Naruto had a smug look on his face. Yes, people, finally the ball's in his court!
Hah! Take that, Sasuke!
Sasuke's smirked ceased. There was seriousness hinted with tease in his voice, but his face was impassive, like usual, "The town's only 10 minutes walking from here; 3 if you run really fast and seconds if you drive really fast. As for Sae, he's a very responsible young man. He wouldn't endanger himself unnecessarily."
Unlike you, dobe! Naruto read between the lines.
He had really wanted to retort at that but he also knew they could bicker like this all night long. Naruto sighed.
"Fine… I'll let you win this time, Sasuke. But next time I'm gonna kick your ass! C'mon, Sae! We're picking up Iruka-sensei!" Naruto turned to leave, expecting Sae to follow him.
"Please mind your language in front of my son, Naruto!" Sasuke said, clipped.
"Yeah! Yeah! I'm sorry!" Naruto waved his hand carelessly, not even bothering to look back to Sasuke.
And Sae?
Well, Sae was relieved his father was back! He brushed the tears in his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt, feeling silly and yelled "Hai!!", running following Naruto.
When they left, Sasuke 'looked' at the direction where the 4WD took off.
'I don't hate you, Naruto. I could never hate you and have never been. Didn't you listen to me yesterday?'
000
Dinner was fun, Naruto decided. Sae, Iruka-sensei and heck, even Sasuke seemed to be enjoying his tales on his journey before he became popular. There were a lot of laughter (and teasing remarks from Sasuke) and by the end of dinner, they all had a healthy flush- saved for the stoic Uchiha who could control his expression.
By 9 o'clock, Iruka helped the Uchihas and Naruto to clean up the table and wash the dishes. Announcing he had finished his homework in the afternoon, Sasuke let him followed Naruto sending Iruka back home.
"You should sleep early tonight, Sasuke," Naruto said before he went out; although he itched very much to ask Sasuke so many questions he had in mind. "You look tired," he added.
It was true. Even if he did have questions after questions he wanted the Uchiha to answer, Sasuke did look tired.
He planned to come back to Greenbushes anyway, so the questions can wait. He would have plenty of time in the future- to interrogate the Uchiha,
And to get to know each other again. He smiled at his little plan.
When he saw Sasuke looked like he was hesitating, Naruto assured him, "I still have to study my script too… Plus, I'll make sure everything's locked and the lights switched off. Believe me!"
It took Sasuke a minute to agree, but in the end he gave in to fatigue that had been lulling him to sleep since dessert time.
"Just tell Sae I'm going to bed first."
"Roger that!"
The two weeks in Bridgetown went too fast in Naruto's mind. He had returned to Bridgetown the next day after dropping Sae at school. When Naruto dropped by Kiba's place, he was tackled by the big Akamaru who recognized his scent in an instant. He didn't stay long at the Inuzuka's farm, but he promised to come back in near future to catch up with the dog-lover.
Shooting went as smooth as it could get. There were some minor glitches which sent Kakashi, the director barking off in anger a few times. There was a day or two when Hinata was badly caught in random flu virus too, but after that shooting went on like normal.
True to his words, Iruka showed up on both weekends with Sasuke. Naruto still couldn't believe it at how smooth Sasuke could teach piano lesson without even looking at the books.
Apparently he used the same books he himself had practice in the past. Naruto had almost forgotten that the genius had photographic memory that allowed him to remember which pieces in which book. Most of the pieces practiced had been played by Sasuke before so he really had no trouble with it.
It turned out that there was another qualified piano teacher who came to the town twice a month to teach the students theory. She was also the one responsible to take these children for Grade exam. Sasuke would sit in the classes, absorbing the lessons by hearing only.
If there were pieces that Sasuke hadn't played before, the students usually got the other teacher to play for Sasuke to hear it and then they would practice with Sasuke when the teacher was not there.
It worked quite well, the collaboration between Sasuke and the other piano teacher.
The reason for needing that teacher was because Sasuke himself hasn't got the certified qualification to teach. As good as he was, Sasuke was actually self-taught- through the books he borrowed in the library and the second-hand piano in the school back in Greenbushes.
Naruto's eyes sadden at this.
He remembered how much Sasuke loved to learn piano more, but it was quite an expensive lesson, and they didn't have much money to continue after Sasuke's 5th Grade Exam. As much as Sasuke succeeded in sitting for the 6th Exam with the money he saved over a couple of years, circumstances changed when his mother was sick and died.
After that, he taught himself.
-Flashback-
"I'd love to pursue my studies in music one day. But I also want to study business…" young Sasuke said one day after he played a piece with Naruto's companion.
"Hmmm…" the 10-years old Naruto nodded, fingers tapping his chin thinking hardly. "Can't you study both? I heard you can study a lot of things in university…"
Long ivory fingers pushed the white keys softly. "Maybe…" a small smile tugged on his lips. "But you'll go with me, ne Naruto? We'll go and study together when we grow up!"
"You betcha, Saske!"
-End flashback-
You never got that chance, huh Sasuke? He looked at Sasuke's performing at the wedding in silent sadness for his former best-friend.
TBC
Next: 2nd Arc: Tale of the Past, Tale of the Two Boys. Now that all the intro has been done, Arc 2 is a flashback on how their friendship formed- beware of uber cuteness and sweetness of adorable little boys! (okay, so not the whole arc is all cuteness and fluffyness... -sweatdrops-)
Reviews? Comments? I'll love you for that XD XD