(AN: Hope you enjoy and don't be afraid to leave constructive reviews, which means don't be rude. It really does help! I'm trying to make this story the best I possibly can. Also, I'm going to put small bits of modern technology in the Naruto universe, but nothing huge. Just mp3 players and cell phones, but no cars or planes. I also hope you don't hugely cling to proper sentence structure… because you're probably going to hate me, haha! Let me know if I missed a misplaced or misspelled word any where! I am human, after all. Anyways, on with the story!)
Chapter 2: Is that you?!
It's 12 o'clock in the afternoon on a beautiful day in Konoha. The sun is shining, with birds chirping as they fly in the sky. There is a cooling breeze in the air, keeping the day pleasant. Shop keepers and customers are making commotion in the streets with laughter and casual talk. These sounds are heard through the window of Apartment 4A, a very new apartment with the reconstruction of the Hidden Leaf village. This apartment in particular did not smell new, however, as it was filled with trash, ramen cups and soda cans littering the floor.
There is a stereo on a dresser, playing music off of an mp3 connected to two large speakers. Clothes pile out of the drawers in the dresser, showing that the owner does not fold his clothes. The plants in the corners of the four-wall room have long been dead from lack of water. In the left corner next to the window lays a bed, unkempt and tattered. A young man lies in this bed, listening to the commotion outside while waiting for the next song to pop on from his mp3. His hands lay behind his head as he rests on his back, the crumpled sheets of his bed used as a foot rest. He is dressed in a black muscle shirt and tan cargo shorts. His hair is wild, more resembling his father's after keeping it uncut for so long.
The stereo hisses to life as the next song begins to play.
Do you ever feel like breaking down?
Do you ever feel out of place?
Like somehow you just don't belong
And no one understands you….
Naruto's eyes flicker open into half slits as he stares at the roof. His fan twirls slowly above him, keeping him cool. Naruto turns his head while still on his pillow to stare at the midsize stereo.
"Simple Plan, huh?" he grumbles in his half-asleep state.
Naruto rolls up from his laying position to sit on the side of his bed staring out the window at the birds flying high. The song continues to play in the background.
Do you ever wanna run away?
Do you lock yourself in your room?
Naruto gets up off his bed slowly; his joints pop and creek with the movement. He lazily steps through the trash-littered floor to his dresser, almost falling twice from a misplaced can of soda and ramen cup. Naruto picks up his mp3 and clicks the pause button.
With the radio on turned up so loud that no one hears your screami-… (Pause)
"(Sigh)… Not even I want to listen to that right now," Naruto says in a grumbling whisper to himself as he tosses the device back onto the dresser.
He lazily sways to the bathroom in the far right-hand corner of his room, near the hallway door. Naruto pushes the door open and it creeks from the unoiled hinges. He flinches from the noise and shivers.
"God, I hate that freaking sound!" he says more loudly than needed as he walks to the sink and looks at himself in the mirror.
Sighing, Naruto pulls out his toothbrush from a cup next to his sink and runs it under water as he yawns and rubs his eye. He grabs his toothpaste, squeezes it onto the brush and places it into his mouth as he lazily looks at himself in the mirror with half open eyes. He brushes his teeth while his thoughts wander elsewhere.
'It's been 6 months and 2 weeks tomorrow… Since that day,' Naruto thinks, continuing to brush his teeth. '… I wonder what everyone's been up to... Do they miss me at all...?'
Naruto's friends had stopped banging on his door and blowing up his phone after about the second month of his new hermit life style, choosing to let him be for the moment, while hoping he came around soon. He hadn't heard from anyone since then. Back then, he never communicated back, just looked at the texts and missed calls, letting the chime of his phone go unanswered. Listening to the yelling through the door of his friends try to get him to come out… but never saying anything back.
'Maybe it's about time I ran to the store for this week's groceries… I am starting to run low on ramen,' Naruto thinks, swishing the brush in his mouth.
'Maybe I should get some fresh air… maybe take a walk around town. It's been three weeks since I last left my apartment. Even then I was gone for like 15 minutes while I got food from the 24 hour market.' He pulls the brush from his foaming mouth.
(Spit)
"Ya…. A walk doesn't sound too bad!" he says to himself, growing a small smile, one so small you would miss it if you weren't looking for it… but it was there.
Naruto washes his brush and walks out of the bathroom over to his dresser. He pulls the top drawer open, allowing two shirts to hit the floor. Naruto picks up a gray zip up jacket with a thick hood. Throwing it on over his muscle shirt, Naruto grabs his mp3 and earphones before heading to the front door.
He grabs his shoes and slips them on, clicking the buttons in place to secure them to his feet. Naruto turns to the counter at the front door, grabbing his keys and the medium-sized Frog wallet holding the last of Naruto's savings.
(Sigh) "Almost out of cash, eh bud?" Naruto asks the wallet as he bounces it in his hand, feeling the weight. "Guess I'll need to…" Naruto stops, growing a sad look in his eyes as images of his friends and fellow ninja flash through his eyes. "Start doing missions again."
He throws the wallet into his cargo shorts pocket, then picks his phone up and places it in the opposite pocket with his keys. He steps out the front door and locks it before turning to face the somewhat crowded street with kids and villagers walking and jogging to get to their destinations.
He flicks the hood of his jacket over his head, concealing his eyes, then places his earphones in his ears and turns his music on as he begins to walk in the direction of the market. He places his hands into the pockets of his jacket, keeping his gaze at the ground.
'What all do I need from the market?' Naruto thinks as he weaves in and out of the traffic of people at a casual pace. 'The village looks well… coming along nicely; almost completely rebuilt.'
Naruto rambles in his thoughts, never answering questions he asks himself, only jumping from topic to topic. He continues to ramble in his thoughts, not realizing he had passed the right-hand turn to get to the market some time ago. Coupled with the music and his wondering thoughts, Naruto was in his own little world, walking to wherever his body took him.
Naruto does not realize he has wandered into the large shopping and merchant district of Konoha. Continuing to weave through the growing crowd of people in the street, he leans his head to the side in thought.
'I should tell Baa-Chan to reinstate me into active duty… but… am I ready for that…? Will I ever be? Even if I choose to go see Baa-Chan, that's a conversation I'm not looking forward to.' Naruto sighs and speaks out loud. "All the questions she's going to ask, and the fact that she will probably tell my friends to keep an eye on me at all times just so I don't try something stupid….. Ughh."
'I don't want to face any of them yet, anyways…. I'm not ready…what the hell am I supposed to say to them?' Naruto huffs.
'Thanks for letting your family, friends, and loved ones die to protect me in the war guys! We are still cool though, right!?' Naruto mentally asks himself sarcastically.
'Then there's… Sakura-Chan.' Naruto lowers his head even further as he walks, staring at his feet.
Sakura had been one of the first people to reach out to Naruto after the war, trying to show that she didn't hate him for what happened. Though Naruto would never believe her shouts through the door. Eventually, just like the rest of the Rookie 7 (excluding Naruto and Sasuke) and the rest of team guy… she gave in, hoping he would seek her out in time.
The last contact he'd had with Sakura was a text message after one of her yelling fits at Naruto's front door to let her in. All it said was:
[When you're ready… come see me, Naruto. We need to talk.]
That was four months ago. What did she expect him to say to her…? What could he say? Naruto's mood had just taken a swing for the worst and he was thinking of turning to go home. His thoughts were interrupted, though, as he ran into someone on the side of the street he was walking on.
(THUMP!)
"Oof... Hey, watch it!" a woman said, picking up her dropped bags of clothes.
"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am… I'll be more careful," Naruto said quietly, barely hearing the woman's complaint through his earphones, choosing not to lift his head and see who the woman was.
Naruto starts to walk away, but before he can, the woman grabs his wrist. She flings him around to look at her. Naruto looks up as one of his earphones falls out, enabling him to hear her berating full on.
Naruto's eyes grow wide with fear as he recognizes the young woman.
"Don't you walk away from me! You can't just run into someone like that and ju….." she stops talking dead in her tracks and slightly loosens her death grip on Naruto's wrist.
"Na….Naruto?" the woman asks, her voice growing soft.
"I….Ino," Naruto whispers, taking a step back in shock.
Ino is wearing an orange, form-fitting shirt with a purple flower emblem located over her left breast. She has black plain leggings on, with black casual flip flops. Her hair is tied in her usual pony tail with her right eye being covered by her bangs. At her feet are multiple bags from her recent shopping trip.
'NONONONONONONONO NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!' Naruto mentally screams at himself. 'WHY?! I SAID I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ANYONE AND EVEN IF I DID….WHY?! OH HOLY HELL WHY!? WAS IT INO!? SHE LOST HER FATHER AND HER LOVE, SASUKE, BECAUSE OF ME!'
'Oh god, she probably hates me! I have to get out of here!' Naruto thinks.
He starts to panic and tries to back away; forgetting Ino still has a firm grip on his wrist.
"NARUTO, IT IS YOU!" Ino shouts, growing a huge grin across her face. "You're finally out of your damn apartment!? It's so good to see you!" Ino drags Naruto into a huge bear hug, surprising Naruto with how much force was behind it.
"Wait, what?" Naruto asks out loud, still in the vice grip hug from Ino.
Ino lets go of Naruto, allowing him to back away and stare at her wide-eyed and confused.
"You… don't hate me?" Naruto whispers, barely even audible to Ino.
Ino's smile turns into a small pout of concern as she raises her eye brow in confusion at Naruto.
"Wh….why would you think I hate you?" Ino asks as her eyes grow wide in understanding. "Wait… is this why you've been locked up in your house?... Because you think we all ha-," Ino was cut off by Naruto.
"Never mind… Just forget it." Naruto throws his hands in his pockets and begins to walk away, seeing an opening to leave.
Once again, though, he is grabbed by Ino and flipped around to look at her as she speaks.
"Where the hell do you think you're going!?" Ino growls, getting frustrated with his constant attempts to leave. "I see you for the first time in forever, and you think you can just leave!?"
'Yes that's exactly what I expect to do,' Naruto thinks.
"N…No, Ino, I'm sorry; I was just going to the super…" Naruto starts to say as he looks around and finally realizes he is in the clothing shop district, located 2 miles away from the produce stores. "… Market."
'(Sigh)… Great,' Naruto thinks in an "I'm such a freaking idiot" tone of voice.
"Uh-huh… sure… Listen, Naruto, if you're going to lie just to get away from me, at least make it believable!" Ino says feeling offended.
Naruto waves his hands in front of his chest in a wishy-washy motion.
"Nonono I really was going to the store to get food!" Naruto explains, turning to look at the shops around him. "I guess I got lost in my own thoughts again."
Ino rolls her eyes at Naruto, crossing her arms over her chest as he explains himself.
"Whatever… Idiot… And why the hell are you wearing a damn jacket, anyway?! It's hot as hell out today!" Ino shouts as she grabs the top of Naruto's hood and flings it off from over his head. Ino pauses as she finally gets a good look at Naruto in the daylight.
His eyes were not the bright blue sapphires they usually were. They were dull, an almost matte color, with lack of reflection. They showed deep pain and sadness… something she was not used to seeing in him. Under his eyes were dark circles, showing just how little sleep he had gotten over the last couple months. His face was pale and dry from being inside for so long. His golden hair was even more messy than usual, if that was even possible. Its golden sun color was dull… more of a bronze than it ever should look, almost like it was dirty…but it wasn't. His posture was slouched and he showed none of the pride the Naruto she knew always had. He looked… beaten. She hardly recognized this person before her.
'Oh… Naruto… you look horrible,' Ino thought in a deeply saddened tone, her eyes softening into a caring and concerned look. 'I have an idea!'
"Well… that was rude… but whatever! I'm sure you're very busy so I'll leave you to your shop-" Naruto was interrupted.
"Hey, Naruto, are you hungry!?" Ino asks, giving a bright smile that was scarily similar to Naruto's Foxy one; although, that smile was extremely rare to see from Naruto… maybe even completely extinct.
'Oh no!' Naruto thinks, realizing where she's going with this. 'Abort mission, Uzumaki, ABORT MISSION!' Naruto yells internally, not wanting to have any more social interaction than what has already occurred.
"Sorry Ino, I'm not; I just ate earlier!" Naruto says, squinting his eyes shut while growing a sad fake smile, hoping his bluff worked.
(GRUMBLE) (GRUMBLE)
Naruto quickly looks down at his stomach in disgust.
'I fucking hate you, stomach!' Naruto thinks bitterly while his eyes narrow in anger.
"Naruto…" Ino says sweetly, causing Naruto to look up from his belly. "What did I just say about lying to me?" Her left eye twitches with concealed anger.
"Uhhhhhhhhh… my bad," Naruto says, growing scared from the small killing intent radiating from the blonde female.
Ino grabs Naruto by the front of his jacket with one hand while the other hand grabs her bags as she begins to pull Naruto towards the exit of the shopping district.
"Now you HAVE to come eat lunch with me for being such an ass!" Ino says, not bothering to look back at the man dragging behind her.
"But… But Ino!" Naruto tries to argue, digging his heels into the ground to stop their pace but to no avail.
"No… she got you there, kid… You are an ass." Kurama says while snickering to himself
'Shut up, Kurama!' Naruto thinks very quickly, twitching in annoyance.
"But what, Uzumaki?" Ino asks in an icy cold tone, throwing a glare over her shoulder that would have full grown men shaking in their boots.
"Nothing!" Naruto squeaks out in a high pitched voice, putting his hands up in defense while shivering in fear.
"Good Boy! Now come along and STOP DRAGGING YOUR HEELS!" Ino yells, returning to looking ahead to where they were traveling.
'(Whimper)…'
Naruto groans. "There's no getting out of this, is there?" he asks himself in a comedic crying tone. He gives up on resisting and allows Ino to pull him through the Village.
'Why do you hate me, god?' Naruto asks himself while looking up at the sky.
"Because you killed her, remember?" Kurama asks, full on laughing at this point.
'For…The … LOVE OF GOD, SHUT UP KURAMA!" Naruto shouts, full on flailing mentally in anger.
Kurama and the other eight demons try their best to muffle their laughter.
"No Comment," says Kurama. He and the rest of the demons burst into laughter.
'I hate all of you…' Naruto whispers, looking down in defeat.
(10 Minutes Later, 2:04 PM, Konoha East Side)
"This… this is…" Naruto stutters, staring with wide eyes at the restaurant Ino had picked for them to eat at.
"Ichiraku Ramen! Your favorite, or so I've heard." Ino stands beside the shocked Naruto. She leans forward so her face is in his peripheral vision. Naruto turns to look at Ino with wide yet still dull eyes.
It had been close to a year since Naruto had last ate at his favorite restaurant. The last time being just before he left on the B.S. mission before the War to keep him "safe" or whatever. After his return, he just couldn't find it in him to go out to eat and talk to people. Alone was more of his style lately.
"Well, come on, Scatter Brain, let's get some food! I haven't eaten all day!" Ino begins marching towards the stand, but stops when Naruto doesn't follow. "It's my treeeaaat," Ino states over her shoulder in a cute tone, rolling the last word for emphasis.
"O….Ok…" Naruto says, slowly following her into the stand.
Ino flips the flaps at the front of the stand aside, allowing her and Naruto to enter. She places her bags next to one of the stools and sits down. She pats the stool next to her, giving Naruto a small smile. Naruto sits on the stool and places his elbows on the counter, leaning forward as he looks at the new menu. They were the only ones in the restaurant and it was nice, Naruto felt, not having to deal with unwanted interactions. Naruto then notices a new flavor on the menu that takes him by surprise.
"Blazing Angel Ramen?" Naruto asks out loud in a tired-sounding tone.
Ayame, the shop keeper's daughter, turns from her work to answer.
"It's our new special rame-" Ayame stops, recognizing the face. "NARUTO-SAN!"
Naruto mentally sighs, growing tired of having to fake being in the mental state to talk to his friends.
"Hi….Ayame," Naruto whispers tiredly, throwing on a fake smile for her and Ino's sakes.
Ayame notices how terrible Naruto looks, but chooses not to mention it, seeing how sad Naruto seems. Seeing past his terrible excuse of a smile, Ayame puts on a sad smile herself. Seeing the ever bright Naruto look so…. down… was... unnatural.
"It's been way too long, Naruto… I'm sorry Father is not here. He would have loved to see you after so long."
Naruto wouldn't admit it, but he was grateful the old man was gone for the day. The less people he had to interact with on this trip he was dragged on, the better his chances of making it out of this without his half-assed mask he put on cracking, causing him to breaking down in front of them.
"I'm sorry too, Ayame… Maybe next time," he replies in a soft voice, keeping his fake smile in place and trying to keep the sadness from his voice.
Ayame glances to Ino and they share a brief moment of understanding that they needed to tiptoe around Naruto emotionally. Turning back to Naruto, Ayame smiles brightly.
"Well, to answer your question Naruto-San, the Blazing Angel ramen is a tribute ramen to… well… you!" Ayame says, poking him in the chest from over the counter. "It's our way of saying thank you for all that you've done."
"But… why call it Blazing Angel?" Naruto asks, raising an eyebrow while still keeping his slumped posture on the counter.
"It's your nickname!" Ino chooses to jump in and answer.
Ino turns to her purse, rumbling through it and mumbling about how messy it was. Finding what she was looking for with a joyous "Aha!" she pulls it out and shoves it into Naruto's face.
"See!" Ino exclaims. Naruto grabs the object from Ino.
"The new Ninja Bingo Book?" asks Naruto, confused at how this was going to help answer his question.
Ino rolls her eyes at how dense he could be.
"Open it, stupid! I believe it was page 204," Ino says, pointing to the book.
Naruto opens the book slowly and flips through the new glossy pages until he reaches page 204. What Naruto sees catches him by surprise. His mug shot was on the left-hand corner of the page. He reads the title out loud.
"Uzumaki Naruto… A.K.A…. Blazing Angel of Konoha…" Naruto looks up from the book to stare blankly at Ino, blinking in confusion. But instead of asking what was on his mind, he returns to reading the info page. "Name earned from the golden chakra cloak of light surrounding him, giving off a warm life force and good feelings… Rumor says this ninja can also fly and has been touched by pure light."
Naruto skims through the rest of the information provided in the book.
"Height 5'11… Weight 175 pounds… Eyes blue… hair blond…" Naruto looks up from the book, stopping his reading mid-page with an open mouth and a glazed look of wonder in his eyes. "They… put me in the Bingo Book… and they think I'm an angel!?" Naruto asks in disbelief at his new chosen nickname.
"No, they don't think you're an angel, stupid… they just think you look like one. And if I do say so, myself… it fits well with that golden glowing chakra thing you do," Ino says happily.
"And we loved the name so much we put it on the menu!" Ayame says, giving a thumbs up towards Naruto.
Naruto closes the book and looks at the cover with curious eyes.
"That's … cool… I guess." Naruto hands the book back to Ino and looks up towards Ayame. "I'll have a regular miso ramen, though," Naruto says, returning to his quite tone of voice.
Ayame and Ino share another glance of understanding ('He really is not his usual self') before Ino also orders.
"I'll have the same, please," Ino says, trying to stay upbeat after how Naruto blew off his recognition from the ninja community.
Ayame nods and turns to begin cooking their meals, humming a soft tune as she works.
Ino turns to place the book back into her bag. She returns her attention to Naruto, who is staring at the counter top, obviously lost in thought. She grows a small grin and grabs his attention with a slight giggle.
"You know Naruto, you should be excited! Being put into the Bingo Book and given a nickname is a huge honor… It means that the ninja world has recognized you for your power and abilities of a ninja." Ino studies Naruto's face, hoping the new information would bring some happiness to his features.
"Who cares, Ino?" Naruto says bitterly, still staring at the counter top. "None of that shit matters anymore."
Ino looks at him in shock, not believing what was coming from his mouth.
"What do you mean, 'who cares!?' You freaking care!" Ino grows quieter. "D…don't you care...? You love being recognized by people…. to show you're a great ninja."
Choosing not answer her question, Naruto narrows his eyes at her, turning his vision away from the counter top.
"Why are you even doing this, Ino?!" Naruto asks a bit bitterly. "Why drag me to go eat with you when you know damn well I didn't want to come?!"
Ino turns her attention away from Naruto and stares at the counter top with soft eyes, thinking of how to answer. Finally, she answers, smiling while looking at her hands.
"Well… I guess in a way… to thank you." She turns to look at him with a big smile. "You helped save so many lives in the war, and you're always so kind. I thought a thank you was in order," Ino states, not realizing she had just pulled a hair trigger in Naruto's mind.
Naruto looks at her with wide eyes that slowly narrow at her as his anger builds within him.
"Thank me, you say…" Naruto utters in a hostile whisper.
He turns so his whole body is facing Ino as he finally erupts, causing her to freeze in shock.
"HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY THANK ME FOR WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE?! THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PROTECT ME FROM THAT MAN! HOW CAN YOU SIT HERE WITH A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AND EVEN STAND TO BE AROUND ME?! YOU LOST YOUR FATHER AND SASUKE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PROTECT ME BECAUSE IM A JINCHUURIKI! HOW DO YOU NOT HATE ME FOR THAT?!"
Tears begin to stream down Naruto's face as he smashes his eyes shut, balling his fists.
"THE FACT THAT MY FRIENDS HAD TO RISK AND GIVE THEIR LIVES OUT THERE BECAUSE I WAS TOO WEAK TO HELP THEM MAKES ME SICK! I SHOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER! I SHOULD HAVE STOPPED THAT MAN SOONER! NOW I SEE HOW MY LOVED ONES HAVE BEEN HURT AND LOST PARTS OF THEIR LIVES BECAUSE OF ME! I CANT SLEEP AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF IT! I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EVEN FIGHT BACK AGAINST THESE FEELINGS! THE WORST PART IS I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I EVER DO GO BACK OUT IN THE FIELD AS A NINJA… IF I COULD TAKE IT! I HATE MYSELF FOR LETTING ALL THOSE PEOPLE DIE! AND YOU SHOULD TO—
(SMACK!)
Naruto's face turns sideways as the tears on his face are flung to the floor, a red hand print on his right cheek. Ino's hand was outstretched as she looks at the floor, shadows keeping Naruto from seeing her eyes. She trembled with what seemed like rage… yet spoke very softly.
"How dare you…" Ino looks up to show tears threatening to fall.
"How dare you try and put all of this on yourself, Uzumaki! …Yes… My father died… but it wasn't just to protect you! He died protecting everyone he ever cared about! He died protecting his way of ninja…. he died protecting me… and my mother… our clan… And most importantly… the village. Everyone we lost out there was protecting you… yes… but not because you are a jinchuuriki! They died by your side on the battlefield because you are a comrade… a friend… a loved one… NOT A TOOL THAT NEEDS SAFE KEEPING! They all died protecting what they cared for and held most dear… So don't try and hold all of their deaths on your shoulders like a unmovable god!"
Ino finally lets the tears fall as she continues.
"And Sasuke was no different, Naruto! Sasuke had lost everything he had ever loved and cared for in his life… everything except his best friend… you… Naruto. Sasuke gave his life for you that day not because you are a jinchuuriki… But because I honestly think you were the only thing left he gave a damn about. He wasn't going to let his best friend die just like everyone else he cared for had. My Father and Sasuke died believing in you to make this world a better place like you have said so many times you would do… but what do you think they would say now, Naruto… seeing you cry and limp around like a wounded dog?! What do you think they would say, hearing you think of not being a ninja anymore…? Do you think they would be proud of you? They died, Naruto… they are gone… But the way you're acting and thinking lately… is turning their deaths into a complete waste… As of what I see in front of me right now… they didn't die for a hero who was going to change the world… they died for a coward, too afraid to pick himself up."
Naruto recoils in shock, not knowing how to counter or what to do.
Ino turns towards her purse and pulls out a small picture, sliding it across the counter to lie in front of Naruto. It was a picture of the rookie 9 with team Guy back when they were 13, all standing and posing in the Konoha Park enjoying a picnic together. Naruto stares at the picture as Ino places a soft hand on his shoulder and says the last of her speech.
"Don't be a coward anymore, Naruto… We all had to find a way to pick up the pieces after losing the ones we love… but none of us did it alone."
Ino softly smiles, pointing towards the picture.
"Let us all help you, Naruto… Let us bring back the light in your heart and the fire in your soul we all miss so much. Because we do miss you, Naruto… every last one of us mentions you at least once when we see each other… We want you back, Naruto… Konoha needs its stupidly loud but amazingly bright sun once again. Let us all help you pick up the pieces… so that one day, you will carry those we lost in honor… not pity… There are tons of cowards out in the world, Naruto…. But don't let one of them be you."
With that, Ino picks up the picture and places it back into her purse, wiping the tears from her eyes and putting on a genuine smile.
(Cough!)
"Y…your food is ready," Ayame says eyes wide after hearing the conversation. She places the two bowls in front of Ino and Naruto and steps back with caution. She turns and goes back to cleaning the kitchen.
"Yum!" Ino declares, grabbing her chopsticks and digging into her meal, doing a completely 180 degree turn in her mood. Naruto did not move, however; lost in thought, he barely even noticed the bowl in front of him.
'A… coward…. I have been a coward, haven't I?' he asks himself. 'Hiding in my room for six months, too afraid to even see the people who wanted to help me…' Naruto glances to Ino, then Ayame.
'I have done little … to even try and keep my promises to you, Sasuke… hiding behind walls that I've put up. Outcasting myself from the rest of the world… almost throwing all the work I've put in as a ninja away… just to keep the pain bottled up inside… Maybe she's right.' Naruto looks at Ino out of the corner of his eye.
'It's about time I start picking up the pieces of my life! I will no longer be a victim!' Naruto thinks while growing an apologetic smile on his face. 'I'm sorry, Sasuke… From here on out, I'll carry that promise I made to you right next to my heart and soul. I will not be a coward who lets the sacrifices my friends make go to waste!'
Naruto rockets up from his stool, making Ino jump a little bit. Naruto spins on his heels to leave the small stand, but stops just inside the flaps of the restaurant as Ino's voice catches his attention.
"Where are you going all of a sudden?" Ino asks smiling slightly and having a feeling she already knew the answer.
Naruto keeps his attention forward, his head held high. A resemblance to the posture of confidence he usually held himself with before the war.
"It may not be immediate, Ino… but you're right in saying that the time to get my life back on track starts now… I will not be a quitter… and I will most definitely not be a coward who lets his friends' deaths go in vain. I may be a fraction of the person I once was…. But the rebuilding… starts now."
Ino smiles wide and crosses her arms over her chest and folds a leg over the other in a relaxed sitting position.
"You didn't answer my question, idiot… Where are you going?" Ino says, tilting her head to the side in a playful manner.
"Ha-ha…" Naruto gives a soft laugh as he turns to look over his shoulder.
Naruto's eyes hold a confidence that seems misplaced in his still dull eyes. Ino, however, felt at home, so to speak, seeing the look on his face once again.
"I'm going to the Hokage's office… It's about time I got reinstated!" Naruto says with a small smile. "Oh… and thank you… Ino"
With a grand gesture, he turns his attention once again to the opening of the restaurant, flinging his arm up to smack the flaps away confidently and with a step forward into the crowded street…. he was off.
Ino continues to stare at the opening for a couple of seconds with a smile before spinning on her stool to finish her meal.
Ayame steps forward and leans on the opposite side of the counter in front of Ino.
"You know…. he might just come back to us after all," Ayame says, looking at the entrance with a wide smile.
"Oh, he'll find a way to get back to normal eventually," Ino says before taking a bite of her ramen and swallowing. "All he needed was a little push."
Ayame nods, turning her attention from the entrance to Ino.
"You know…. You're awfully nice to help the guy get back on his feet." Ayame grows a mischievous smile. "Do you happen to… like Naruto?" She leans forward to get closer to Ino.
"WH… WHAT?!" Ino shouts, recoiling in shock. "NO! WE ARE JUST FRIENDS!" Ino shouts, a slight pink blush to her cheeks.
Ayame squints her eyes in a knowing look and chuckles under her breath.
"Whatever you say, Ino-San," Ayame says in a teasing tone.
"No, really! I just have the resources and abilities to help out an old friend!" Ino cries with a growing blush. "As a matter of fact… I have another idea to help his progress along even further!" Ino says, grabbing the phone from her bag and sliding her thumb over the screen to unlock it.
"Oh!?... And what is that?" Ayame asks curiously, leaning over the counter even further to see what was on the screen.
"He-he-he! Oh, Ayame… just another friend of Naruto's who needs to get her ass in gear." Ino slides through her contacts. Landing on the one she had in mind, Ino grows a wide grin. "This will definitely help Naruto!" she says as she begins to type a text to the contact.
Ayame sees the name on the upper part of the text message and grows a wide grin as well, finally understanding what she meant.
[Contact Name]
(: ~ BFF Sakura H. (Billboard Brow) ~ :)
END CHAPTER 2