AN: (I have come to the conclusion that I and my editor won't be able to make certain day deadlines such as the first of every month. It's not fair to her and her family and it's not fair to myself. You will all still get a new chapter every month….but it won't be on a specific day. I hope you all understand and I will post the new chapter real soon! Also I will be reposting chapters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 being that my awesome editor went back and redid chapters 1-4. I'm also reloading ch5 because I need to edit the (Mind) bubbles I used early in the story. My editor joined "The Old You" team before chapter 5 so it's awesome that she did that for me. So when I upload this chapter you'll also get updates that the old chapters were also reloaded so don't worry about if you missed something, you didn't! Sorry if I blow up your emails but I'm just trying to make the story as best as possible. Thanks again everyone and stay classy! )
Chapter 9 - Aftermath… Recovery
With a fling of Haru's arm, Molly tumbled into the cave-walled cell that was her new home. She flopped to a stop towards the middle of the cell as she heard the large bar door slide to a close loudly behind her with a clang. She turned to look and saw Haru smirking at her.
"Now sit tight and make yourself at home…" Haru said calmly before turning and walking away and out of sight. "You'll be here for quite a while."
Molly looked down at her wrist to see a metal band had been placed upon it. It was quite tight and couldn't be removed by sheer strength. She tried to tap into her mark, but found she was unable to. Molly whimpered, realizing the band was a seal.
Molly rolled into a sitting position in the center of her new home and broke her focus away from her wrist. She studied the room. There were no windows; the only light source was a light bulb that hung down off of a chain just outside of her cell. The corners of the cave walls were completely concealed by shadows. A small sleeping mat with a blanket and pillow were placed directly against the back wall, farthest from the cell door. Molly pulled up her knees and hugged them close to her chest. She buried her face into her lap as she whimpered and cried.
"You okay, kiddo?" A male voice spoke up, making Molly fling her head upwards and look out towards the entrance to her cell.
In the cell across from hers, a young man sat against the far wall of his cell. He smiled sweetly at her as she studied his face briefly. He seemed nice, but his body was covered in bandages.
"She didn't hurt you, did she?" The man spoke up again as Molly continued to look at the young man.
"N… no… I'm okay," Molly said quietly, not taking her eyes off of the man.
The man smiled at this and gave a slight nod of approval. There was a brief moment of silence before Molly decided to speak.
"W… who are you?"
The man blinked a few times quickly before he giggled to himself quietly. He rubbed his nose with his pointer finger, embarrassed.
"HA! Sorry kiddo, guess I should introduce myself… Name's Kuya… Kuya Honra."
Molly stayed silent for a brief moment before smiling and turning her body so she was completely facing towards Kuya.
"Hi Kuya, my name's Molly Matsuni." Molly smiled sweetly as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
Kuya smiled and did a slight bow, or the best bow he could from his leaned sitting position against the wall.
"Nice to meet you, Molly… Now that we are introduced, you want to tell me what a young lady such as yourself did to be dragged into these prison cells?" Kuya asked with a raised brow.
Molly cast her eyes towards the floor sadly before her sight drifted slowly towards her bandaged hand. She played with her bandaged fingers in her left hand as she sighed.
"I don't know why I'm here… " Molly whispered out. Her voice was barely a mumble, just loud enough for Kuya to follow. "These ladies came and took me from my father and my friends. She said I'm a very important piece in some huge plan she's involved with."
Kuya looked at her intently before he turned his gaze to look at her bandaged hand. His brows furrowed and his mind began to churn.
"This little girl couldn't possibly be a…"
"Molly… did those ladies happen to call you something?" Kuya asked.
"Huh? Well they called me a brat…" Molly replied in a saddened tone.
"No, no… I mean like… well… something similar to Maro Hido, or something like that?" Kuya said in a flustered tone as he did his best to remember what those men had called him a week prior.
"Oh, ya! They called me a… umm… Miru Hito?" Molly responded in a questioning tone, not quite sure if she was correct.
Kuya popped back to attention as he snapped loudly, the sound echoing slightly in the cave cells.
"Ya!" he said loudly with a smile. "That's what it was called! Miru Hito!"
Molly furrowed her brow and tilted her head to the side.
"What's a Miru Hito, Kuya-San?"
Kuya took in a long drawn-out breath as he pointed his pointer finger into the air, seemingly about to inform the young girl and answer her question. Yet after a brief moment of silence, Kuya let his hand drop to his side as he exhaled roughly.
"I have absolutely no idea…" Kuya said in exasperation. "But they called me the same thing, so that's obviously why both of us are here."
Molly gave Kuya a curious look, finding the young man's antics somewhat humorous. She smiled slightly and let a slight giggle escape her lips. Kuya smiled back at her, not knowing how he made the girl laugh but not thinking it really mattered. He smiled brightly at the girl before he looked down at her bandaged hand once again. His eyes narrowed. He lifted his left hand to his mouth as he bit down on the pointer finger of the leather glove that was on his hand. Since his right arm was broken and in a sling, he had to pull the glove off of with his teeth. He spat the glove onto the floor at his side and looked at the pentagram mark on his palm for a moment before speaking.
"Molly… do you happen to have a mark like this?" Kuya asked as he lifted and turned his hand so his palm was facing towards her, showing the slightly glowing pentagram star.
Molly looked at the mark and her eyes grew wide with shock. She gazed at the mark with her mouth slightly agape before she blurted out in a high pitched tone.
"YOU HAVE A MARK, TOO?!"
Kuya flinched at the sound and tried to laugh off the new ringing that bombarded his ears.
"I'll take that as a yes, haha!"
Molly blinked a few times before she began to pull of the bandages on her hand quickly and haphazardly. Not long after, she pushed her bare hand forward towards Kuya, showing off the flower mark that adorned her small hand. Kuya frowned slightly as he studied the mark.
'Just as I thought… she's just like me," he thought quietly to himself as he watched Molly pull her hand back to her side and wrap it back up. "So… is this what being a Miru Hito is? Having these marks?'
"I'm sorry you live with such a curse, Molly…" Kuya said softly as a soft glisten made itself apparent in his eyes. "It must not be easy being so little with such a deadly burden… I hope that mark has never harmed someone you have cared for."
Molly turned her head back to Kuya with her brow raised high on her forehead. She blinked a few times, trying to understand what he meant.
"My mark has never hurt anybody, Kuya-San," Molly responded in a confused tone. "I don't even think it could even if I wanted it to."
Kuya also raised his brow to this, grabbing his attention enough for him to lean forward slightly.
"You mean your mark doesn't… kill people?!" Kuya asked in slight awe.
"No… not at all… It usually allows me to read and listen to the minds of those around me, but this thingy on my arm seems to make it so I can't do that," Molly grumbled out.
Kuya gulped a dry breath as he processed Molly's words.
'Her mark is different than mine… hers isn't a curse at all!' Kuya sat quietly for a moment, watching as Molly finished wrapping her hand before he smiled in relief. 'Thank goodness! Knowing that this little girl doesn't have to go through the pain that my mark brings is extremely relieving.'
Molly smiled at her handiwork of tying and bandaging her hand again. She looked back up to Kuya, who seemed to have a smile on his face, but his eyes showed hidden pain within them. Molly frowned.
"Is that what yours does?" she asked quietly.
"H… huh?" Kuya grunted out, looking up from the dirt floor in front of him.
"You were surprised my mark didn't kill… Is… is that because that's the power of your mark?" Molly asked with slight hesitation.
Kuya was at a loss for words. His mouth just opened and closed slowly for a few seconds. He eventually closed his mouth a smiled slightly.
"You're smart for a kid your age," Kuya said jokingly, earning a "humph" from Molly.
Kuya smiled wide at this, but his features quickly turned reserved as he began to speak again with a saddened tone.
"But… yes… My mark kills."
Molly noticed the mood swing Kuya had just taken and felt sadness for the man. She had a feeling as to why he was so saddened by his mark's power.
"You… you accidently killed someone you loved… didn't you?" Molly asked in hesitation as she placed her hand over her heart.
Kuya's eyes were now concealed by the shadows of the cave and his head was cast down towards the floor in front of him. He didn't move nor did he respond; he just sat quietly, breathing in and out slowly.
Molly looked away from Kuya to look at her own hand again. She didn't know Kuya very well and she didn't know very much, but even at her age… she knew how much it hurt to lose a loved one.
"I'm sorry, Kuya-San… I shouldn't have-"
"Don't be," Kuya interrupted as he lifted his head to revel puffy eyes that locked with Molly's. "You have nothing to be sorry for."
Molly was about to respond when the small light bulb hanging from the chain between their two cells went out. The two rooms were immediately cast into complete darkness. Molly flinched at the sudden blackness as she looked all around her for a light source, but to no avail.
"Ah! Looks like its lights out time, Kiddo," Kuya spoke up through the dark. "They want us to go to sleep. Why don't you grab yourself some shut-eye, and we will talk more in the morning? Okay, Molly?"
Molly whimpered at this as she quickly turned and crawled her way over to her sleeping mat. After patting around for a few seconds she was able to locate the large rectangular object. She grabbed her tattered blanket and quickly wrapped herself in it to protect herself from the dark.
"Now don't be scared, Molly… I'll see you in the morning, okay?" Kuya spoke out once again, this time earning a soft "Okay" from the girl.
Kuya smiled slightly and made his way over to his own bed. He settled himself in and made himself comfortable. There were a few minutes of silence before Molly's voice rang out again softly.
"Kuya-San?"
Kuya's eyes slightly opened, but it made no difference as it was still pitch black in the cell.
"Yes, Molly?"
"Do… do you think I will ever see my daddy again?" Molly asked in a tone that made it obvious that she was trying to keep herself from crying.
Kuya's body drooped at this as he tried to find the correct way to answer her question. After a moment he smiled slightly.
"Without a doubt, Molly! I'm sure right now as we speak he's out looking for you, and it won't be long before he's here and takes you home!" Kuya spoke in the cheeriest voice he could possibly muster.
There was a moment of silence before Molly decided to respond.
"No… Dad's in no shape to come and rescue me… he's just not a fighter. But I know who will come for me!"
Kuya had to raise his brow at this and he let a slight pout grace his face.
"Oh? And who would that be?"
Molly smiled to herself as she pulled her blanket closer to her chest.
"My best friend, Naruto-Sama!" she said excitedly. "He promised he would come rescue me right before those ladies took me."
Kuya smiled at this and let a slight laugh echo the room. He couldn't help but feel happy that the young girl seemed to hold so much hope in her voice for this Naruto fella.
"Well, then… I'm sure Naruto-Sama will be here soon to rescue us both! Haha!"
Molly smiled and let her eyes shut softly as her body was beginning to long for rest.
"Good night, Kuya-San," Molly whispered as she began to drift off.
"Good night, Molly… Sleep tight."
Kuya rolled to his side and not long after, his soft snoring echoed in the air. Molly laid on her back with her face towards the ceiling. She breathed easily and let a slight smile grace her face.
'I know you'll rescue me, Naruto-Sama…I just know it!'
With that thought helping Molly to relax herself, she quickly drifted off to sleep.
-Konoha Hospital-
Naruto's eyes slowly lifted open with a grunt before he slammed them close as the bright ambient lights above stung his pupils. He groaned some more as he opened his eyes slower this time. He blinked a few times before his eyes became accustomed to the intense light in the room. He realized he was on his back staring directly upwards at a plain white ceiling. He groaned as he turned his head to the right to further take in his surroundings.
'W… where?'
He noticed the open window located directly next to his bed on the right side. There was a nice warm breeze lofting through that moved his hair slightly. He could see based on the architecture of the buildings outside that he was back home in Konoha. He looked down from the window to see that there was a small table under the window that was holding a vase full of flowers of all colors and sizes. He blinked a few times at this before he turned his head towards the other side of the bed and room. He noticed the unnerving white walls and white… well… everything that was in the room.
'I must be in the hospital…'
He noticed that besides his bed and the stand under the window, there wasn't really much else in the room. There were a few metal stands holding IVs and fluid packs, but nothing other than that. There was a small wooden chair that was sitting just next to the left side of his bed, showing that at some point, unannounced to him, he had had a visitor. He blinked slowly as he studied the room before he came back to the ceiling above to which he had woken up to just a few minutes ago.
'How long has it been? What happened?'
Naruto continued to look up towards the ceiling, feeling a little fuzzy. The drugs in his system were obviously beginning to wear off, leaving him light headed and groggy. He continued to stare upwards towards the ceiling, not realizing that his room door had just been slid open. His visitors walked forward towards his bed smoothly before stopping directly next to the left side of Naruto's bed. The visitors' eyes widened slightly at seeing Naruto was awake but quickly calmed themselves.
"Good to see you're awake," the man's voice said smoothly and in a laid back tone.
Naruto flinched slightly at the voice and he slowly moved his eyes to the side while his head remained still. He gazed upon the man before him who had just spoke up. He stared at him briefly before he was able to recognize who this man was.
"Kakashi-Sensei…," Naruto mumbled out as the sides of his mouth pulled upwards.
Kakashi pulled out the wooden chair and sat down with his legs crossed. He settled himself and then turned back to Naruto with his signature eye smile. Naruto then noticed the pink blur that moved just outside of his peripheral vision next to Kakashi. Naruto turned his head further to the side just enough that he was able to see Sakura in her hospital uniform replacing his fluid bags and checking on his vitals. She noticed his eyes upon her and she looked out of the corner of her eyes and sent him a smile.
"Good to see you're up Naruto," Sakura said sweetly before she finished her procedures and turned her attention fully to her blonde friend.
Naruto smiled back at her before he looked back to Kakashi. Naruto swallowed a dry breath as he tried to find the strength to speak. The drugs were wearing off, but he was still slightly loopy.
"L… long time… no see, Sensei," Naruto mumbled out in a groggy tone.
Kakashi eye-smiled and nodded.
"Yes, it has been quite a while. I was out on an assignment when you apparently started to rejoin the world outside of your home, and when I finally got back and heard you were out. You were already on your latest mission," Kakashi informed.
Naruto blinked slowly and after a brief moment nodded and smiled before Sakura spoke up.
"How are you feeling, Naruto? Does your head hurt at all or are you in pain at all… anywhere else?"
Naruto blinked a few times as he thought about the question. He needed triple the time he usually would to answer the question with the drugs in his system.
"Well my head feels funny a little bit…" Naruto mumbled out.
Sakura put a hand over her mouth stifling a giggle at how out of it Naruto was acting. She smiled sweetly.
"That's just the pain killers…" she informed. "They'll wear off in about an hour."
Naruto nodded slightly before he grunted uncomfortably. He winced slightly as he shifted his body awkwardly. Sakura noticed this and prepared herself for what she knew was coming. Kakashi also moved so that he was leaning forward in his chair, his elbows on his knees.
"Although, Sakura-Oneesan… my right arm is just killing me! It won't stop throbbing," Naruto grunted out.
Sakura stared at Naruto with a blank face, not knowing how to go about the uncomfortable topic. While she struggled for words, Kakashi jumped in to rescue her.
"Naruto… do you know why you are here? Do you remember what happened?" Kakashi asked in a stern yet caring tone.
Naruto looked at Kakashi with a questioning look as his eyes darted from him to Sakura and back. He tried to remember as best he could, but it was like there was a wall preventing him from grasping the knowledge and memories.
"Well… no, actually. I can't seem to remember. W… why? Did something happen?"
Sakura fidgeted in her standing position and Kakashi stayed in his same leaned forward position as he studied Naruto's face. He was about to speak when Naruto winced and shifted his body again.
Kakashi sighed and downcast his eyes to the floor.
"Naruto… your arm's gone," Kakashi said bluntly as he looked back up and made eye contact with his blonde student. "You lost it about a week ago."
Naruto stared into Kakashi's eyes with an unchanging expression. He held his gaze as if he hadn't even registered what Kakashi had just said.
"Huh...?"Naruto whispered out dryly.
Naruto slowly moved his head from his left towards his right side while his head never lifted from his pillow. He looked down at the right side of his body as best he could from his resting position. The blanket over him was pulled up just under his chin and covered his body with its thick cloth. Yet Naruto could still see that where his arm would have lain… the blanket didn't rise and show its form underneath.
Naruto eyes were wide and blank at this point. With one great sudden motion Naruto sat upright on the bed making the blanket over him fall onto his lap. Sakura and Kakashi flinched slightly at Naruto's sudden movement as they continued to watch his blank face. With the blanket that was previously concealing Naruto's condition now off, he could see that in fact… his arm was gone.
What was left of his arm had been bandaged up in a thick cloth that ran downward to just above where his elbow used to be. The end of his now stubbed limb was rounded and covered in bandages and gauze. The color of the materials that should have been white were a dark maroon color, showing that they had been successful in stopping the blood that seeped from the stitched and still-healing wound underneath. Naruto stared at it with zero expression nor emotion evident on his face.
Sakura and Kakashi watched him closely with sour expressions waiting for him to register the new information. Sakura made a move to walk over to her comrade before Naruto finally spoke up, making her stop before she even started.
"Why does it still hurt, then?" Naruto asked calmly.
Sakura raised her brow and glanced down to Kakashi, who looked back up at her. She turned back to Naruto, who was now looking right at her with a completely calm demeanor.
"If my arm is gone… why can I still feel it hurting?" Naruto asked again.
Sakura recomposed herself and shook off her shock at Naruto's apparently complete acceptance of his new handicap.
"It… It's called ghost pains," Sakura informed him with a reserved tone in her voice. "Your brain still thinks you have an arm and your pain receptors are severed. It will continue to throb like that for a couple more days, but then you should adjust."
Naruto nodded as he looked back down at his arm with the still blank look on his face. Sakura noted how not even Naruto's eyes were giving away his feelings… which was quite rare for Naruto. After an awkward silence among the trio, Kakashi spoke up.
"Do you remember now? The mission… the fight… the girl?"
Naruto kept his eyes on his arm, but he nodded slowly, indicating that his memories were returning. He then turned to look over Sakura as he could vaguely remember she had been pretty banged up when he last saw her in the crater.
"Is your arm okay, Sakura-Oneesan?"
Sakura blinked a few times before she smiled and blushed in embarrassment, rubbing the back of her head childishly.
"Oh, ya! Haha I'm fine Naruto! I was able to summon Katsuyu after you passed out and she help you and I get healed up before we dragged you home!" Sakura informed.
Naruto smiled in relief before his face turned sour and his eyes cold and dark.
"The women we fought… they took her," Naruto said softly. "They took Molly…"
Kakashi eyes softened, as well as did Sakura's. Naruto's mood finally fell slightly and darkened in sadness. Sakura walked forward and put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"It's okay" Sakura said sweetly. "Don't be to down on yourself."
Naruto flung his head upwards and glared into Sakura eyes. His sad mood turned into complete confidence. Sakura flinched once again in shock as Naruto spoke in an unwavering tone.
"I'm not sad Sakura… I'm pissed! The fact that my arm is gone means nothing! When I am able, I will climb my ass out of this bed and I will go after those people. I will hunt them down and crush them! Even with my arm gone, I'll still destroy them! Even if I have to bite them to death! I'll still save Molly! And I will still be Hokage someday! I may I have lost and I may have failed my mission, but mark my words, Sakura-Oneesan! Those bitches made a very… very grave mistake!"
Sakura stared into Naruto eyes with awe. For the first time in a long time… she saw a small fraction of the unwavering confidence Naruto used to hold himself with. She stuttered as she tried to articulate what to say.
"W… w… what mistake was that?"
Naruto eyes focused and darkened as he turned and looked out to the morning sunlight that shown through into the small room. His hand clenched at the blanket, his knuckles popping with the force. There was an unnerving calmness to the room before Naruto answered in a completely confident and vengeful tone.
"They left me alive… and they pissed me off!"
Sakura and Kakashi looked at the back of Naruto's head in awe before both of them slowly relaxed and smiled. They turned to look at each other and, without saying a word, they knew what the other was thinking.
'Maybe the old Naruto is in there after all.'
Naruto quickly turned to face his friends once again with a wide grin plastered on his face. Sakura and Kakashi smiled back.
"By the way, Naruto… Tsunade-Shishou and I were thinking of a way we could make an artificial arm for you that would seem like you never lost it at all! So don't be getting to comfortable, you cripple. I'm sure we will come up with something soon, and you'll be good as new!" Sakura said happily, feeding off Naruto's emotions.
Naruto face lit up with that news.
"Really!? You guys could make me a new arm?! That's so awesome, Sakura-Oneesan!" Naruto said excitedly. "Thank you!"
Sakura smiled and raised her finger so it pointed into the air right in front of Naruto's face.
"However… Shishou and I won't even consider putting forth our time for you unless you make me a deal," Sakura said in a stern tone.
Naruto's shoulders slouched slightly as his mood dropped.
"And what's that, Sakura-Oneesan?"
"You are not allowed to leave the village until your new arm is done. I know how boneheaded you are, and you'll run off and get yourself killed in your current state. So no missions or training until you're back to one hundred percent with your new arm… okay?" Sakura said calmly.
Naruto slouched even further with what he had just been told and let forth a long, exaggerated sigh as he flung his head back towards the direction of the window.
"Fiiine… I'll wait for you to fix me up… But how long will it take anyways?!" Naruto asked in a childish tone as he jutted his lower lip upward.
"If we start tomorrow and focus on it thoroughly… I'd guess about… two weeks at the earliest," Sakura informed dryly.
"TWO WEEKS AT THE EARLIEST! ARE YOU HIGH?!" Naruto hollered loudly. "WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO FOR TWO WEEKS!?"
Naruto's voice reverberated off the walls off the small room and even made some birds in the distance take flight to get away from the eardrum-bursting sound. Sakura and Kakashi let their hands drop from her ears and gave Naruto death glares.
"Goddammit Naruto, shut up!" Sakura snapped back. "If I hear anymore bitching, you can remain a cripple for the rest of your life, for all I care!"
Naruto sighed harshly once again a looked down towards his lap as he grumbled curses under his breath.
"Fine!"
Sakura rolled her eyes and turned to make her way to the door. She slid the large wooden slab open as she stepped forward into the hall. She looked back over her shoulder with a smirk on her face.
"Got to run boys. I've still got to finish my shift. I'll be back later to check on you Naruto, and I'll see you later Kakashi-Sensei!" Sakura said sweetly as the door to the hall slid shut and she strolled to her next patient.
Kakashi looked from the door where Sakura had just made her departure to the still-grumbling Naruto who was once again looking out the window. Kakashi smiled under his mask as he watched his former pupil. So grown up… yet so childish.
"Naruto… I have something I need to talk to you about," Kakashi said in his usual laid back tone.
Naruto slowly turned his head towards his silver-hair friend with a sour gloom on his face. He grunted in frustration.
"What… you going to tell me even more bad news besides that I'm now a cripple and I failed my mission and let down a little girl who looked up at me?" Naruto asked in a sarcastic and sour tone.
Kakashi tried his best to keep himself from laughing at how quick Naruto could turn from extremely confident to completely down in the dumps and sarcastic. He readjusted himself in his chair so he was now leaning more forward as his eyes showed his now serious expression. Naruto felt the mood swing and also gained some serious to his mood and posture.
"No, Naruto… But I need you to listen to what I have to say, okay?"
Naruto nodded and moved his position slightly so he was facing more towards Kakashi, who had closed his eyes. With a deep and long breath, Kakashi reopened his eyes and began his talk.
"As you know, Tsunade is set to retire in the next couple of weeks and appoint me as the new 6th Hokage," Kakashi began, earning a nod and smile from Naruto.
"Yes… and congratulations by the way, Sensei! Take good care of the village until I step in and relieve you, haha!" Naruto said in a more cheerful tone as he gave a bright smile to his old sensei.
"Thank you, Naruto… but… your dream of Hokage is why I am here right now," Kakashi said calmly. "I have an important request that I feel you might want to take me up on."
Naruto focused on Kakashi as he gained even further interest in what he was about to say.
"Go on…" Naruto said as he gestured with his hand.
"Well… Plainly put, Naruto… I would like for you to be my right hand man…. my advisor."
'Or in his case as of right now… my left hand man,' Kakashi thought with a snicker.
Naruto recoiled slightly with eyes wide as he looked at his former Sensei who had regained a completely serious demeanor to him after his chuckle at who knows what. Naruto recovered from his shock with a slight shake of his head. He looked back to Kakashi with a highly raised brow.
"W… what?! Why me, Sensei?" Naruto asked in complete bafflement.
"Well, I know it is your dream to be Hokage, and you're pretty much next in line after me. As a matter of fact, I believe you should be Hokage over me but you aren't the required age of 25 yet. That being said, this would be a great opportunity for you to learn and know the job inside and out before I retire and you take my place," Kakashi said happily.
Naruto listened with a wide open mouth, not able to even believe that he was considered for the title of Hokage and basically was already chosen to be the seventh once he was the right age. Naruto gulped a dry breath as he asked the first thing that came to his mind at the moment.
"Why?"
Kakashi stifled a laugh with a clenched hand over his mouth.
"Well you're the hero of the village and the War for one, and secondly… you may play stupid quite well, but you're one of the most intelligent people I know. You'd be a great fit in the roll… So what do you think… do you accept my offer?"
Naruto looked away from Kakashi to the other side of his bed so he could look out at the beautiful morning sun. He felt his body slouch and his mood quickly diminish into the depression he had felt for much too long.
"But… with everything that's happened… and this mission I just failed… I don't know if I'm ready or able to-"
"I know that you are not in a great place in your life right now Naruto, but do not let that get in the way of your future," Kakashi pleaded, trying to get through to his depression-stricken former student. "Don't let past mistakes keep you from making decisions that can not only brighten your future… but others' as well. I know you can do this, Naruto… I know you want to do this."
Naruto didn't look away from the window and didn't respond quickly. He focused more on the warm breeze that touched his returning sun-kissed face and moved his golden hair. The feeling of his home village always brought warmth to him and help him find peace.
"May I have time to think about it, Kakashi-Sensei?" Naruto finally responded as he look back towards his visitor.
Kakashi looked at Naruto for a brief second before nodding in recognition of the request.
"Absolutely… take all the time you need, Naruto. I know things are difficult for you right now, so I understand."
Naruto smiled in a way that expressed his thanks for Kakashi's understanding of his feelings at the moment. Kakashi smiled back before he made a move and stood up from his precarious sitting position in the small wooden chair.
"Gotta run, Kakashi-Sensei?"
"Ya, got some things to do around town, but hey why don't you get out of here, as well. The outdoors would do you some good!' Kakashi said with a smile under his mask.
Naruto looked at his old friend with a confused look as he glanced to the window behind him and back to Kakashi.
"Huh? Just leave?" Naruto asked in apprehension. "But Sakura-Oneesan would kil-"
"When she finds out, I'll take the blame. With your healing abilities, you are perfectly fine to go out and get some exercise. I'm also sure over the last couple months you've been inside much more than needed," Kakashi said happily.
Naruto gained a huge smile on his face while he started to tug out all of the needles and tubes that were connect to him. He was practically bouncing with excitement.
"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei, you're awesome! I'll go get some ramen and then I'll go to a movie or something, since I can't train or Sakura will definitely kill me!"
"Yes, well, just be sure to compose yourself. We don't need to you getting yourself hurt or something like Sakura said, but why don't you go check on the Yamanaka girl while you're out? She fought with you on your last mission didn't she?" Kakashi said in a knowing tone. "I'm sure she would appreciate a visit."
Naruto was already on his feet and making his way to the window before Kakashi's words made him stop in his tracks. Naruto slowly turned back to look at Kakashi with a blank face before he erupted comically.
"AHHHHH I totally forgot about Ino! Is she okay?! What about the others?" Naruto yelled as he grabbed and pulled his hair in frustration at his own stupidity.
Kakashi sweat-dropped as he watched the young man in front of him do a half freak out.
"She's fine, Naruto. She had some chakra burns and some lacerations and punctures on her leg, but besides that, she's perfectly fine. She's actually been by a couple times in the last week, leaving you flowers. You know, the ones over on the small table under the window."
Naruto calmed down at hearing Ino was okay and turned to look at the flowers Kakashi was pointing at. They were the ones he had seen earlier, but he now noticed how extravagant they were. It must have cost quite a pretty penny to give such a beautiful arrangement to him. Kakashi spoke up again as Naruto studied the beautiful flowers.
"As for Shikamaru, Sai, and Choji, they are perfectly okay and the wounds they sustained have been treated already. No need to worry at all."
Naruto turned back to Kakashi and sent him a soft smile of relief.
"Thank goodness… I'm glad I'm the worst off out of everyone," Naruto said softly as he glanced to his crippled arm.
Kakashi nodded and put his hands in his pockets as he walked over to the door and pulled it open before replacing his hand in his pants. He turned and look back to Naruto who was once again looking at the flowers on the stand with a content face.
"Oh, Naruto… Before you head out and visit Yamanaka-San, I have one last thing to say," Kakashi said with an eye smile and a sweet tone.
Naruto looked back to his former sensei with a raised brow.
"Eh?" Naruto grunted.
"Your bare ass is hanging out the back of your robe… Stop by your house and change," Kakashi said in a sweet but blank tone before he slid the door close behind him and made his way down the hall.
Naruto stared at the door where Kakashi formally stood and blushed a deep crimson red as he look over his shoulder to indeed see his bottom sticking out of the folds of his hospital robe.
"AHHHHHHH!"
-Market Districts - 1 Hour Later-
'Stupid Kakashi, embarrassing me like that!' Naruto grumbled to himself as he made his way through the crowded streets of the marketing side of Konoha.
He had stopped by his new apartment and threw on some cargo shorts and a long sleeved, plain black shirt. The right sleeve of the shirt was rolled up to where his arm was bandaged and was safety pinned in place to keep it from falling. He had on some casual black converses he had laying around, with a pair of black ankle socks underneath. He made his way slowly to the Yamanaka flower shop, deciding to walk instead of bound his way over the rooftops. He approached the front glass door to the shop when a sign caught his eye.
'"Sorry, we're closed?"' Naruto read with a questioning tone. 'Are Ino and Ezra out? Where could they be?!'
Naruto didn't have to question the sign long as the sound of muffled music caught his ear. He could tell that it was coming from inside the shop and decided to at least try the door. He reached forward and grasped the handle. With a slight pull, he found that it was open. He walked inside and found that the lights were indeed on inside, and the loud music was coming from a radio that had been placed on the main counter next to the register. He noted the pop song "Black Widow" by Iggy Azalea was the song playing, and he actually enjoyed this song. He scanned the room, noticing he was the only one around. He didn't even bother to try and announce his presence, knowing no one would be able to hear him over the radio.
'Hmmm… Maybe they're in the back or something?' Naruto thought with a raised brow.
He made his way through the store and past the counter into the back room of the medium sized store. He didn't have to look far because Ino's bleached-blonde locks caught his sight in the far back, where she appeared to be working on an arrangement. He noted the bandages that were wrapped around her leg. She was facing just slightly away from him so she had not noticed his entrance. He stepped forward into the room and made his way over to her before he noticed something that made him stop and smile.
'She's singing along to the song?'
Ino was bobbing and moving her head side to side and every time she moved her head to look to the side of her to pick a new flower he could see her lips mouthing the lyrics.
I'm gonna l-l-l-love you until it hurts
Just to get you I'm doing whatever works
You've never met nobody
That'll do you how I do ya
That will bring you to your knees
Praise Jesus hallelujah
I'm-a make you beg for it, plead for it
Till you feel like you breathe for it
Till you do any and everything for it
Naruto smiled at Ino's antics and didn't want to interrupt her own little personal rock concert she was having, but nevertheless, he needed to get her attention. He decided to backpedal slightly back to the counter where the radio was currently blaring music. With a quick flick of the power button the radio buzzed to a halt and Ino for a brief moment was left mumbling the lyrics to herself.
"You know, you can damage your hearing from listing to music that loudly," Naruto said in a teasing tone.
Ino realized the music had stopped and jumped slightly at the voice behind her. She turned herself on the spinning stool she sat on and look across the small room to where Naruto stood in the doorway. She immediately felt a pull of happiness in her gut at seeing her friend was up.
"NARU-!" Ino began to shout excitedly before she caught sight of the rolled up sleeve of where Naruto's arm used to be, causing her voice to drop. "-to-Kun…"
Naruto noticed the rise and drop in her mood and had a feeling of why that was. He stepped further into the room and leaned himself on a workshop table right next to the one Ino currently sat in front of. He looked at her and the melancholy look she had and sigh.
"Since it's the most obvious thing to talk about… Yes, I lost my arm," Naruto said calmly as he made eye contact with Ino.
Ino looked away from Naruto's arm and went back to working on the flower arrangement in front of her. It was a way to help comfort herself with the sudden sadness that Naruto's condition brought into her.
"I Know… Chouji and Shikamaru had to help carry you home after the mission, so we saw your condition," Ino informed in a soft tone as she placed and arranged a flower into the vase.
She looked away from the vase for a moment to look over to the man she couldn't help but idolize. She noticed there was the usual sadness that was present in his face and demeanor that he held for the last seven months. She noted the slight confidence he held himself with, which was different, but it was hardly the usual heroic demeanor she was used to from Naruto. She eventually made her way to look Naruto in the eyes once again where she felt her mood drop even more.
"I'm so sorry, Naruto… I have no idea what to say or do for you… but I'm so sorry," Ino mumbled out as she felt a lump begin to rise in her throat.
Ino went back to working on her flowers, obviously trying to find a way to take her mind off of the depressing topic they were on. Naruto looked to the floor by his feet and thought of what to say.
"Don't be sorry, Ino… My arm isn't that big of a deal," Naruto almost whispered as Ino continued to distract herself with her work. "Actually… I should be apologizing to you. After all, I let you and the rest of the team down when I let those women take Molly and injure you like they did."
Ino quickly stopped her task and turned her head to lock eyes with Naruto. Her eyes held a fiery passion that took Naruto off guard. He hadn't expected her to react quite like this to what he said.
"What the hell are you talking about, Uzumaki?" Ino asked in a stern tone laced with anger.
Naruto recoiled, realizing his misplaced words, but before he could correct himself, Ino was off.
"You know that I failed as well, don't you?! You're not the only one who fucked up and let Molly down. I also let someone I care about get extremely injured… and that's…" Ino said loudly before dying off towards the end of her rant. "…Heartbreaking."
'She cares?' Naruto thought.
"Ino… I'm sorry. I know you're upset about the failed mission as well, and I'm touched you're so beat up about my arm, but please don't worry about it. As soon as Sakura fixes me up I'm heading out and I'm going to get Molly back!" Naruto said confidently.
Ino let her anger fade as she let a slight smile grace her features.
"Well, then… I'm going to! Well get her back together and will put those bitches in the dirt!" Ino said enthusiastically, shooting a thumbs up to Naruto.
Naruto sweat-dropped as he laughed slightly to himself. Ino also began to giggle for a second before she stopped and noticed the bright emotions Naruto was emitting.
"You know, Naruto… I think you're making progress."
Naruto stopped laughing and just looked at Ino with a raised brow. He knew what she meant by that, but he really didn't want to talk about his "feelings" at the moment. He was going to respond when his stomach began to growl loudly, making both of them look down at his stomach. Naruto blushed at his embarrassing bodily sounds.
"You haven't eaten today, have you, Naruto?" Ino asked sweetly with a mocking look on her face.
Naruto rubbed his stomach as the red tinge on his cheeks faded.
"No… I was going to go eat, but I thought I'd stop by and check on you first."
Ino blushed darkly at that and turned her face away to hide from the oblivious man in front of her.
"Y… you were worried about me?" Ino asked sweetly still turned away from Naruto.
"Well, yeah! You are my friend, and I wanted to make sure you weren't hurt. Also, Kakashi-Sensei reminded me earlier about you in the hospital, so I figured why not stop by!" Naruto said, once again completely oblivious to Ino's feelings.
A ton of bricks fell on Ino's flutter fest as she realized Naruto wasn't doing this on his own accord, but had been put up to it by his Sensei.
'Asshole…' Ino thought bitterly.
She slowly turned back to look at Naruto with a disappointed and slightly ticked off look as she tried to keep her eye from twitching.
"Gee… thanks," Ino mumbled out sarcastically.
Naruto smiled, thinking Ino was being genuine, causing her to get a little more upset at seeing his stupidity at her comment. She was about to get up and punch the dumbass, but was interrupted when his stomach once again erupted in grumbles, saving Naruto.
"Eh heh… Sorry, looks like I'm hungrier than I thought!" Naruto said shyly as he rubbed the back of his head.
Ino rolled her eyes and spun her stool so she was facing her work again. She returned to her tasks as Naruto just stood there and watched for a few minutes, idolizing her craftsmanship. He noted how carefully and expertly Ino handled every flower as she cut and placed it into the beautiful see-through vase. Every flower had its pot and every flower meshed beautifully with the other. Naruto could help but gaze at the arrangement.
"Aren't you going to go get something to eat, Uzumaki?" Ino grunted out as she continued to cut and trim the flowers, trying to look past the previous frustration she had with him.
Naruto continued to watch her work for a few more moments before registering that she had said something to him.
"Oh! Well ya, but… Ino, how did you learn to arrange flowers like that? If I tried to make a flower arrangement, it would end up spontaneously combusting or something, with my luck!" Naruto said humorously as he emphasized the flames with his arm.
Ino smiled at his joke as she continued to work.
"My father taught me, actually. We used to spend hours just sitting her and making flower arrangements for orders we had. He taught me everything about them and how to handle them, right here in this room. He actually used to sit right there… in that stool."
Naruto looked down to see the stool placed besides Ino's in front of the small table. He felt a knot grow in his stomach. He looked back to Ino to see her eyes had gotten a glossiness to them, indicating her held back tears.
"I…Ino, I'm sorry… I didn't mean to –"
"No… it's okay… talking about him brings him closer you know? Helps keep him home," Ino said softly, just able to keep her emotions under control.
Naruto looked upon her with soft eyes as he indeed know what she meant. Images of his mother and father shot through his mind, as well as Jiraiya. He could feel his own eyes begin to water, but was able to keep it in check. He looked away and found a blank space on the wall suddenly fascinating as he tried to compose himself.
"Dammit Ino, why is it that every time we talk it always seem to get emotional in some way, haha?" Naruto asked jokingly as he laughed.
Ino smiled at this as she gave a wink to Naruto out of the corner of her eye, which Naruto saw.
"I just have that effect on people, I guess, haha," Ino teased.
Naruto smiled at that and noticed that Ino was putting the finishing touches on the arrangement she had been working on. There was a large red bow wrapped around the mid-section of the vase with a card placed underneath. The vase was filled with orange and yellow flowers that gave off a fall season feel to the arrangement. He liked it.
"You done with that one?" Naruto asked.
Ino nodded as she hummed to herself in satisfaction before turning to look at Naruto.
"You like it?" Ino asked in a hopeful tone.
Naruto nodded enthusiastically as he looked at the flowers. He was practically falling onto the table because he was leaning so far forward to get a better smell of the beautiful plants. He took and big breath and straitened himself up as he sighed, quite satisfied with the smell.
Ino smiled at his actions.
"Good, because it was originally supposed to be for you!" Ino said happily as she pushed her finger into Naruto's side jokingly.
Naruto was shocked to hear that and looked between the flowers and Ino with shock.
"For me? Why?" Naruto asked blankly as he pointed to himself.
"What do you mean, 'why?'?" Ino asked cheekily. "I was figuring you were going to be in the hospital, so I thought I'd make you a new arrangement!"
'That's right! Kakashi-Sensei said she had been bringing flowers while I was out of it!'
"You didn't have to do that, Ino. I mean, thank you so much, but those flowers must cost a fortune! You don't have to spend your time and money on someone like me!" Naruto pleaded in his best way to keep the girl from getting angry.
"Oh shut it, Uzumaki! I wanted to do it, so I did! Now don't you make a deal of it and just take the damn flowers!" Ino said aggressively as she lifted and pushed the new flower arrangement into his chest.
Naruto wrapped his arm around the vase and did his best to keep it from falling. He rolled his eyes and put the flowers down on the table next to him so he could at least talk to Ino without them blocking his vision.
"Well, thank you, Ino," Naruto said happily with a smile. "I'll definitely take them home with me. Also, thank you for the flowers you sent to the hospital; that was very sweet of you."
Ino huffed and sat down on her stool once again as she pulled a new vase onto the table. She glanced at a paper that was pinned to the wall in front of her for a moment to see what the customer had ordered in their arrangement.
Naruto saw her beginning to work again and an idea popped into his head.
"Hey, Ino?"
"Hmm?" Ino grunted while cutting tulips.
"Why don't you come to lunch with me? My treat?" Naruto said happily as he jutted a thumb into his chest.
Ino stopped her work and looked over at Naruto in slight shock. She blinked a few times, thinking about the question.
"Why?" she eventually asked, still slightly ticked at how rude he had been with her earlier.
"Well, because I think it would be nice, you know?! Also, when you treated me to ramen a couple weeks ago, I wasn't very good company and I left rather quickly… So I thought I'd make it up to you!"
Ino raised her brow and pouted her lip as she thought about the proposition for a second. She looked back to the list of orders that was on the wall and she sighed in exasperation.
"I would love to, Naruto…" Ino said in a sad tone. "(Sigh)"
'Honestly… I really would!'
"But I'm really behind on the shop orders and I'll fall really behind if I don't get all of these done today… so I'm afraid I'm a no go for lunch," Ino said with a disappointed pout.
"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that, Ino," Naruto said softly as he looked over at the large list on the wall.
"You know, I could help you bust some of these out, if you want!" Naruto then said excitedly with a gleam in his eye.
Ino pondered that idea for a moment, thinking how sweet it was of him to offer.
'I could use an extra hand…' Ino thought before her face turned blue, realizing Naruto only had one hand.
"A… are you okay?" Naruto asked with a raised brow, noticing the pale look that spread over her face suddenly.
With a quick shake of her head, Ino brushed the slip up she just thought of from her mind. She turned to Naruto and giggled embarrassingly before she was able to calm herself.
"Ya, I'm fine, sorry, and don't worry about it. No, I got, it Naruto-Kun, you need to eat, so I won't hold you up. And besides," she said with a shake of her head, "you don't know how to do arrangements, so it would be easier for me just to focus on doing them."
Naruto pouted and let his shoulders drop for a brief second before he found a new argument for his side of the conversation.
"But I'm a super-fast learner! You could just give me some pointers, and I'll surly help you get this done quicker!" Naruto said pleadingly with big puppy dog eyes.
Ino rolled her eyes and turned her head to the side with crossed arms. She wouldn't admit it… but it was a super cute look on him. She looked out of the corner of her eye to see that Naruto was still putting on the begging puppy show and she could feel her will to fight it fading. Eventually, Ino sighed loudly.
"How about I cut you a deal, Naruto?" Ino said calmly with lazy, half-open eyes.
Naruto dropped his glossy-eyed look and raised his brow at her question. He leaned himself against the table once again and motioned with his hand for her to continue.
"Go on," Naruto said questioningly.
"I won't let you help me today… but since you want to make it up to me… I do have a busy day with running the shop tomorrow, and I have to run to the academy later in the day and do a favor for Iruka-Sensei. So if you leave me to my work so I can finish… you can help me out tomorrow, and we'll be even on the lunch you owe me," Ino said with a smile and wink.
Naruto thought about the proposition as he placed his hand on his chin and scratched it dramatically.
"Hmmm..." Naruto groaned as he stared at Ino with a calculating gaze.
'Well… I haven't seen Iruka-Sensei in a while….'
"Alright Ino, you got yourself a deal!" Naruto said excitedly. "I'll be back here to pester you tomorrow at… uh?"
"The shop opens at nine," Ino said with a smile.
"To pester you at nine!" Naruto said loudly with a finger pointed in the air.
Ino giggled and waved him off with her hand for him to leave.
"Well then get out of here, dummy, so I can work, or the deal's off!" Ino said jokingly with a sly smile.
Naruto nodded at this and turned to make his way out the door with a wave over his shoulder.
"See you tomorrow, Ino!"
"See ya, Naruto-Kun"
Naruto turned the corner past the door way back into the front area of the shop. He walked past the cashier's desk and, without breaking stride, he turned back on the radio, this time with the volume lowered. He continued forward and out the front entrance into the busy streets of the village, heading off to his favorite restaurant.
Ino smiled to herself and turned on her stool back to the vase and flowers that were in front of her. With a quick hand to bat her bangs out of her face, she began to work, but her mind was other places.
'Hm… That guy always finds a way to surprise me,' she thought to herself in a sweet tone.
Ino turned her head to the side so she could pick up another flower when an object on the edge of her table caught her attention.
'That idiot forgot his flowers! Ugh… I guess he'll just have to take them home tomorrow.'
Ino looked at the flowers meant for Naruto while a large smile slowly spread across her face. A slight tint graced her cheeks as she sighed with emotion.
'I really wanted to help you get back to where you were before the war Naruto, but the funny thing is… The more we spend time with each other… the more I learn about you, and you about me... I can't help but ask myself… Am I helping you, Naruto-Kun? Or in the end… is it the other way around?'
She continued to stare blankly at the orange and yellow flowers in front of her as she recalled the conversation she had with Sakura a few days ago.
-Flashback 3 days prior, Konoha Hospital-
The door to Naruto's room slid open, allowing Sakura to step in and check in on her favorite blond. As she closed the door behind her, though, she found herself looking at the back of another blonde she knew quite well sitting in the wooden chair next to Naruto's bed.
"I see you're here again, Ino," Sakura said sweetly, making Ino turn and look back at her approaching form.
Sakura walked up next to Ino and gave her a sweet smile, which Ino happily returned.
"Ya… I brought him some flowers and I thought I'd just take a break and give him some company," Ino responded before she turned back to look at the still-sleeping Naruto in front of her.
Sakura walked over to the monitors next to the bed and began to jot down some notes on her clipboard. There was silence in the room while Sakura did this, with the only sound being the tapping of the pencil. After a minute or so, Sakura walked over to Naruto and placed her hand on his forehead to make sure he wasn't burning up.
"All of his vitals check out…" Sakura said calmly. "He should be waking up in the next couple days."
Ino smiled slightly at this, but kept quiet as she continued to look at Naruto, watching the slow but steady rise and fall of his chest under the blankets. Sakura noticed the far off look in her friend's eye and frowned slightly.
"You okay?" Sakura asked softly while putting the notes and clipboard for Naruto in the slot at the end of his bed.
Ino didn't look away from Naruto, but her frown deepened.
"It's my fault, you know…" Ino mumbled out as she played with her hands in her lap.
"Huh…? What is?" Sakura asked with a confused look.
Ino closed her eyes and tilted her head towards the floor. She stayed silent for a few moments as Sakura stared at her with concerned eyes. Eventually, Ino spoke again.
"He needed me to cover for him while the poison was flushed from his body, thanks to one of his tailed beasts. All he needed was for me to buy time for him… and in the end… I wasn't able to do that… A task that was so freaking simple, a Genin could do it. I ended up getting hurt, and he had to fight once again, even though the poison left him in no shape to do so. In the end, he had to fight the battle himself… which caused his mark to go haywire, and for his arm… to…"
Sakura looked at her friend and tried to find the right words to say, but Ino started mumbling sadly once again.
"He's now crippled… we lost Molly… and failed the mission… all because I couldn't buy him five fucking minutes," Ino said bitterly as a single tear ran down her face.
Sakura listened with a stern look as she thought about her friend's words. She finally walked over and sat herself on the very edge of Naruto's bed in front of Ino, trying to not disturb him. She looked across at Ino, whose eyes were still closed and downcast away from her.
Sakura took a deep breath before speaking softly. "You're wrong, you know… about everything you just said."
Ino turned her head upwards and opened her wet, glossy eyes and looked at Sakura questioningly.
"You didn't fail… we all failed. We weren't able to figure out Molly was the target and Hiro wasn't. Also, Naruto's arm and the explosion were a complete freak accident that had nothing to do with you. So please, don't feel that was your fault, Ino. I know Naruto will say you did a great job, and he would have zero complaints on your performance. So stop beating yourself up… Please…"
Ino stared at Sakura for a moment before she wiped the tears away from her eyes with her arm aggressively. She turned away from Sakura and back to Naruto, who was quietly snoring. She smiled.
"Thank you, Sakura…" Ino said softly and sniffled at her now runny nose.
"Hey… and if you're so concerned that your performance during the mission wasn't where you wanted it to be… why don't you do what Naruto would do?" Sakura asked slyly.
Ino turned back to Sakura with a raised brow.
"What would that be?" Ino asked, genuinely curious as to what Sakura meant.
Sakura leaned forward so she was only a few inches from Ino's face and whispered.
"Train… and never give up."
Ino blinked a few times at her advice and slowly looked back to Naruto. She watched him sleep for a moment before she nodded with confidence.
"Then that's what I'll do… I won't let any more of my friends get hurt… I promise myself this… On Naruto's right arm, I promise."
Sakura smiled at the fire in Ino's eyes and couldn't help but feel energized by Ino's words. She looked between Naruto and the still staring Ino and felt that this would be a good time as any to ask the question tapping on the back of her mind.
"Ino… can I ask you a question?"
Ino looked back to her friend and quickly gave her a dirty look.
"If it's that stupid ass question about my ex, then I have no intention of-"
"No, not that," Sakura interrupted. "I was actually going to ask… when, why, and freaking how did you develop a fondness for Naruto, of all people?"
Ino recoiled at the question as her face lit up in many shades of red and pink.
"W… w… well I… I," Ino stuttered as her face became redder and redder. "W… why do you want to know?"
"I'm just curious on how all of this came about. You used to find the guy annoying, and nowadays, you can't be in the same room as him without blushing. It's like you're the new Hinata, or something," Sakura said with a tease.
Ino looked away from Sakura and back to Naruto and kept her eyes on him. She could feel the redness in her cheeks begin to fade as she composed herself. She took in a deep breath as she thought about the question properly. Pulling her bangs behind her ear, Ino smiled sweetly and began her reason.
"I guess… it didn't just happen out of the blue one day, but more of… an accumulation of things that have happened over the years," Ino said sweetly.
Sakura scrunched her face and gestured for her to continue.
"Like what, exactly? And when did you finally figure out you did like him?" Sakura asked curiously with her arms crossed.
Ino pondered the question with a pouted lip and a scrunched brow. She watched the rise and fall of Naruto's chest and eventually came to her answer.
"Well, over the years, he has always just been such an idiot and annoyance, but at the same time, he brings such light and happiness to the people he interacts with. I ended up being no different and quickly found my mood being heightened with just Naruto's presence. I found that he was a good friend, and I would find myself getting excited when I saw him. Then, after the war… he just disappeared from the world. He locked himself in his apartment and refused to come out for anyone."
Sakura nodded, understanding of all of her reasoning so far.
"Everyone was… not quite right, while Naruto was away. All anyone seemed to talk about was if he was okay and if we should just barge in and pull him outside. Everyone wanted him back, and that's when I started to see how much Naruto affected everyone. He made all of us happy and helped us feel safe, no matter what the problem or danger was. I started to question what he meant to me after he locked himself away."
Sakura nodded once again and gestured for Ino to continue.
"At first I couldn't find an answer. I missed him and wanted him back, but as a friend at the time. Then Sai and I began to date, and my thoughts were pulled from Naruto for the time being. I had everything I thought I wanted with Sai, but in the end after it all crashed and burned four months later… I felt lost. I would constantly recall the dream I had when I was captured by the great tree in the war. It was supposed to reflect a world the person most desired, but… at the time my dream was nothing more than a love triangle between myself, Sai, and Sasuke."
Sakura gave an expression to show she was surprised to hear of her dream. She thought over it for a moment, and then Ino began once more.
"I liked the dream after I woke up and the fight was over. Yet as time passed and our relationship ended... I realized the dream was nothing more than my childhood fantasies that I always wanted to live, but later realized that was never what I wanted, nor need to begin with. So after my self-bashing at being such a fool to fall for Sai and chase after Sasuke, who had no interest… I found my thoughts once again on Naruto. I thought about how he would have been able to cheer me up, and how he would have known how to make it all better. I wanted him to come help... to come rescue me and give me the advice I was searching for. Then that's when it hit me… it became clear as day, like a spotlight had been put on my feelings. I didn't want a dark, brooding, bad boy like I thought I did. I wanted a kind-hearted, bright, sympathetic guy… I wanted… someone like Naruto."
Sakura smiled at seeing her best friend light up when talking about her spiritual little brother. She felt happy Ino had found this out for herself.
"Not long after, Naruto emerged from his home, and I ran into him while I was shopping. I was so excited to see him, I had no idea how to express it. Yet Naruto… wasn't the bright ray of light I always remembered him. I wanted to help… I wanted to save him from his darkness. Just like he was helping me from mine… even if he didn't even know he was. So I vowed to myself that I would bring him back to his old self… I would help him. So, I guess, you can say that brings us to today. I'm just a woman who's trying to help the man she has a crush on… Does that answer your question well enough, Billboard Brow?"
Sakura smile her widest yet and gave a slight nod and wink to her friend.
"Yes… yes it does!" Sakura said happily. "But, I must be going now and finish up my shift before Shishou kills me for running behind."
Ino recoiled at this and stood up from her seated position.
"W… what?! That's it?! You don't have anything to say to that?! I just poured my heart out to you, and you're just gonna leave?!" Ino hollered, a little too loudly, as her fists balled at her side.
Sakura smiled and made her way over to the door and pulled it open. She stepped out into the hall and turned with a large smile spread across her face.
"I'm glad you two have each other; in any way, you guys seem to fit. Also, wherever your feelings take you with that idiot… just be sure to do me a favor, Ino," Sakura said sweetly.
"And what's that?" Ino asked aggressively, still ticked that Sakura was just up and leaving.
As Sakura slid the door closed, she leaned in and whispered her request.
"Take care of each other… because if you two do get together… you have my blessing." The door slid closed after her words.
-End Flashback-
"Hmm," Ino grunted to herself.
She smiled to herself softly at the memory and began to work on her current flower arrangement as Sakura's words fluttered in her head. As Ino placed the finishing touches on the flowers, she took a deep breath and finished her thought.
'Sakura… Thank you.'
End Chapter 9