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The song used in this is 'Akatsuki no Kuruma' by Fiction Junction YUUKA.
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Naruto's eyes opened slightly, as he looked up at the familiar ceiling of his apartment. The smell of miso wafted over his nose, and the familiar sunlight came through the open window. He sat up, feeling himself rejuvenated. I feel so excited! Almost like how I was before all of this started! He looked up at his ceiling, and stripped himself of his blankets. I'm half glad I didn't leave. At least I get a proper meal and a roof every day. Even less room for our training. It will have to do. Good, I'm not leaving this place. At least you're loyal. Yeah, I'm really loyal to our village! Our? Yes, our village. Well, well. I've been promoted from damn fox to 'our' village's fox. Don't push your luck.
He'd walked outside, dressed in nothing but a sweatshirt and his boxers. He opened a cupboard above his stove, pulling out the first instant ramen cup he'd touched. It was a miso ramen cup. Grinning, he started boiling hot water. Miso, miso ramen! My favorite! It's unhealthy. You sound like Sasuke and Sakura. You're being a fool. That stuff makes you fat. Excuse me! I work out, besides, it tastes good. Tch… you really are his son. Who? No one. No one at all.
Shaded by the trees, calling to the wind, I'm lying face-down crying
I saw a version of myself I didn't recognize
On this guitar I'm playing a melody of someone who passed away
A star falls on grief of someone who'll never be seen again
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Naruto began walking down the narrow path leading to Team 7's training spot. The trees were calm; the sky wasn't a bright shade of blue, but a solemn dark blue. The birds weren't chirping, but they were still there. Naruto knew he was nearby, and so he used a small dispel jutsu he learned, that could hide his chakra. He stood behind a tree, listening to the conversation between Kakashi and the only other person there, Sasuke.
"So, Sakura hasn't been here since… what?"
"Since she saw my dolphin-chan and I. I think she also spent time with Ino and Shikamaru."
"…. Hn."
"I do wonder where our Number one hyperactive knuckleheaded ninja is."
"… Me… too."
Naruto's eyes widened at Sasuke's last input into the conversation. "… Me… too." Naruto closed his eyes, thinking the words were meant for Sakura. He must wonder where she is. He's… supposed to like her, after all. He sighed lightly, before reaching to his hitai-ate, which was tied around his arm. I'm going to have to change… no longer can I be a weak little boy. I'm the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki, Kakashi-sensei needs to understand I'm not a disturbance. He looked down at his outfit, shaking his head. I can't get rid of these… they're like my ninja way. Orange… it's the color that suits me.
Please don't go, no matter how much you scream
All it will do is quietly stir these orange petals
Saved on my soft brow,
I send the memories on my palm far away
An eternal farewell as I keep strumming
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Sasuke turned sharply when the trees nearby. He found himself faced with Naruto. Instantly, something hot crept up his back. He's staying… he really meant it. He almost smiled, but only inwardly. Naruto stayed… for me. The happiness was so strong, he'd never felt this happy. From the moment he stopped himself from chasing Orochimaru, he'd never felt as proud. This is something Itachi could never do. He could never make Naruto bend his will. I did. He closed his eyes, a smirk forming on his face.
Naruto blinked, as he noticed Sasuke smirking. He's cried for me, he's bled for me, and he's even wasted time for me. If anyone… I can trust him with my biggest secret. I don't care if Kakashi-sensei or even the hokage are against me telling anyone. I'll still tell Sasuke… because I can trust him. More than Sakura-chan…
It finally occurred to him. After years of admiring Sakura, and thinking he was hopelessly in love with her. The truth is… I don't. I don't love her, nor do I even want to love her. She's… just a friend. I didn't even realize when my love for her disappeared… its even worse that I don't mind all that much. I'm only her friend… Sasuke is her lover. I'm… the extra weight in Team 7, the one meant to be left out. A small sigh escaped his lips. The extra weight…
"Ahem… Naruto, Sasuke? If you're done with the sulking, I was about to offer to take us out to eat at that new restaurant. I believe the Akimichi family just opened it."
Naruto blinked slightly, wondering why Kakashi, of all people, had offered to treat them to dinner. "Sure, Kakashi-sensei", Naruto spoke, giving the Jounin a quick smile. He's got more going on than that. He's about to apologize for something or another. "Well, let's get going", Kakashi smiled, walking towards the village. Sasuke hadn't removed his eyes from his Sensei's back.
"Something's up… Sasuke."
The heart of a child clinging to a gentle hand
The blazing wheels cast it off and continue on
On this guitar I'm playing the grief of someone who passed on
The strings in my heart being plucked on violently
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Kakashi had ordered them all barbeque, something Naruto didn't like. As always, Naruto preferred ramen, or miso for the matter. He didn't like the burger he'd been told to try. Sasuke found Naruto's glares and growls, directed to an inanimate burger, amusing. Kakashi seemed to be staring at his burger, doing nothing but staring for a few moments. "Sasuke, Naruto", he asked?
The two looked at their sensei, which shook his head. "I'm… inviting Iruka Umino as a semi-sensei for you both, he's been promoted to Jounin", Kakashi said, "Sakura would agree… but you two have been acting unusual lately and". "Yeah! Iruka-sensei is the best sensei in the world", Naruto said, grinning brightly, "I can't wait for him to be part of our team"! Sasuke raised an eyebrow at the very familiar Naruto-like behavior, though inwardly, he was smiling almost has brightly.
He's smiling like himself again… I wish time would just freeze. I'd be more then happy to stare at his smile all day long. Kakashi then stood up, his only revealed eye closing. "Now, I'll be gone on a small training mission for a week, Iruka will teach you three… or two", Kakashi spoke, "Be good, he's still uneasy with small groups". "Don't worry, Kakashi-sensei! I'll make Iruka-sensei real comfortable near everyone", Naruto said, still grinning. Right now… you're making us more comfortable near you Naruto. You'll never know how much dolphin-chan has missed you… how much we all missed you. Kakashi shook the thought, and turned to leave.
Once he was out of sight, Naruto sighed loudly.
Branded into my memories, on the ever-turning earth
There is something sprouting in remembrance
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Sasuke watched as Naruto finally finished off his burger. I never knew he hated hamburgers that much. Naruto then placed his share of money on the table, and stood up. Should I offer to take him home? It would be nice to see him for a while… maybe then home won't look so lonely. Sasuke stood up too, and offered a hand to Naruto. "I'm going the same way… I'll take you home", he said, plainly. "No… I'm… I'm gonna see Sakura-chan in the hospital. Whatever happened has her in a small coma", Naruto said. He still loves her… why? She's always insulting him, ignoring him, and pointedly hating him. Why… not me?
"Sasuke… I… we also have to talk."
His obsidian eyes landed on Naruto's blue ones. "After we visit Sakura… can we talk", he asked? Sasuke nodded, though in his mind, he was feeling a bit more depressed then before. He still loves her. How will I get him out of her grasp? How can I show him… that I can't exist without him? What do I have to do? I… I feel so proud when he sees me, I feel like I'm flying off the ground when he's doing something for me. How do I show him he's the reason I'm still here? It's so difficult to do this… it would be easier fighting off fifteen versions of Gaara.
Sending off dawn's carriage
These orange petals are stirring somewhere even now
The peaceful daybreak I once saw
Until it is placed in my hands once more,
Please don't let the light go out
The wheels are turning