A\N: so here's the second chapter, umm.. no other comment..
A friend in demand
A.K.A
Choices
"This was all you found?" Tsunade asked disappointed, looking at the black head-protector.
"Aah, but from the smell it's definitely Naruto's" Kiba answered looking down, Akamaru whimpered.
Tsunade turned to Hinata, hoping for some hope, but the white eyed girl just looked down, and shook her head.
Tsunade sighed as she sat back down, "where are you.. Naruto?"
"How about.. Pakpun?" Sayuri suggested in her childish voice.
The blond guest was now dressed in a clean white top and vest, and long black pants and new black sandals, "But Sayuri-Chan…"
"You don't like it? well you've turned down all my suggestions" she said lifting her arms.
"That's because they're all pet names.." the blond said scratching his temple with a slight smile, then he sighed.
"Oh you're right… umm…" she started pacing in thought, "I got it.." she suddenly said snapping her fingers.
The blond braced himself for another pet name, he forced out a pale smile, after all she is his savior, "how 'bout if we call you Kei?"
"Kei?"
"Yeah, it means Lucky, and that's what you are, you're lucky"
The blond thought it over, it wasn't that bad, it had a nice ring to it, Kei.. He nodded with a grin on his face, so she smiled back, "So it's settled, you are Kei-San, Keeeeei-Sa~n" she said the name twice as if she was trying to get used to it herself, "Kei-San" she said contently.
He smiled; he actually likes her childish traits, "Kei-San"
It's been two weeks now since Kei woke up, his fit body and strong muscles were of great help to Sayuri, she could get water much easier than before since he could carry them much easier. He was also a natural climber, and as much as Sayuri would like to brag about being the best climber, she no longer could when Kei would out climb her.
Now she can get the fruit from the very high forest trees thanks to him, he would also go with her to the village from time to time, when it was really necessary, she hated leaving her cabin, her forest, her home. But now that Kei was with her, all the weird looks that people would give her, didn't hurt so much any more, since Kei was there.
Sayuri got really attached to Kei, she could no longer live with out him, and although they were probably the same age, she looked up to him like an older brother, and from time to time she would call him, Ni-San.
The same goes for Kei, he had no one else in the world for him, Sayuri-Chan was the person who cared and watched out for him when he most needed it, where was his real family, where's his friends, are they even looking for him? He no longer cared; he now had a little sister, who loved him. it still pained him that he couldn't remember anything about his past, but when he looked at Sayuri's kind smile it didn't matter anymore, he was a new person with a new life.
*At Sakura's window*
Tap-Tap
"…."
Tap-Tap "Sakura.."
"Kakashi-Sansei?" Sakura mumbled surprised, rolling out of her bed.
She quickly whipped away a tear before opining the window, Kakashi was sitting on the ledge, "Kakashi-Sansei? Nan…." Sakura started then preferred not to ask such an obvious question. He was there to talk to her. -She was about to say 'Nani=what' [what are you doing here?]-
"I'm here to talk to you" he said calmly as if he could hear what she's thinking.
She plopped down onto her bed, "There's nothing to talk about" she murmured gazing at the floor.
"I heard you locked yourself in here, and you're refusing to come out or talk to anyone" Kakashi said keeping a steady stare on her face.
"…."
"Everything is going to be alright.. I'll make sure everything is going to be just like before, trust me"
But how could she, he said the same thing to her before, and soon after that Sasuke left and never came back. How can she believe everything is going to be alright, when nothing is ever alright with her.
Sakura looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "Think about Naruto and how he would feel.." Kakashi said to her.
"Huh?" she looked up at him stunned.
"Think about how much he loved life; do you think he would want you to give up like this?"
Sakura pictured Naruto's forever determent face, and heard his voice ring in her heart "Never!" it said.
But Sakura shook her head, "Naruto is dead!" she yelled at Kakashi.
Nevertheless, Kakashi shook his head. "H-how do you know that?" she mumbled.
Kakashi looked at the sky, "Don't you?"
"Becoming Hokage is my dream.. And I'm not going to die until then" Naruto's voice echoed in her head, and heart.
"You're right" Sakura whispered.
"C'mon" Kakashi said, standing up.
"To where?" she asked surprised standing up as well.
"Hokage-Sama gave us a mission to search for Naruto"
"Kei-San.. Keii-Saan.. where are you?" Sayuri called, searching her home.
"Yeah?" Kei said popping out of nowhere.
"Ah!" Sayuri jumped, "Kei-Sa~n stop doing that, you scared me.. nettebayo" Sayuri grunted. -Just a childish grunt similar to Ya' know I'm not sure if 'ne' could be used before the rest of the word as it's not part of it, but.. *shrug*-
For some reason that last word clicked differently in his subconscious, "Kei-San?" Sayuri muttered when he froze for a second.
"Eh? It's nothing.. What did you need me for?" Kei said with a smile.
"Oh yeah.. I need you to help me with hanging the laundry.. okay that's a lie I want you to help me with the laundry.."
"Kay" Kei shrugged going to pick up the large hamper full of clothes.
"I.. I don't think I can do this" Sakura suddenly said her breathing quickening.
"It's okay Sakura.. you can do this" Kakashi assured her.
Sakura took a deep breath, maybe if they retrace his steps they can find him, "But.. but what if he's dead? I don't think I can handle seeing him dead" she turned to Kakshi continuing through the trees.
"Don't worry he isn't dead" Kakashi said in a firm voice, "Sakura.. Up ahead there's a village, maybe we can ask around"
Sakura gulped, this maybe their last hope in finding Naruto.
They walked through the semi-crowded streets of the small-secluded village asking everyone they could find.
"Excuse me miss did you see this boy?" Kakashi asked lifting a picture of Naruto that was pulled out of his ninja file.
"Huh? What? Leave me alone I'm too busy to talk now" she pushed past him.
"Oji-San have you seen this person any where?" Sakura asked sticking a picture of Naruto under a man's nose.
"No sorry, can't say I did" he said walking away.
"Sumimasen, -Excuse me- did you by any chance see this boy?"
"Iie" -No-
"Can you please help me? Do you know this boy"
"Sorry"
"Have you seen this boy?"
*Shaking his head no*
"Excuse me.."
"Can you help me?"
"Have you seen this boy?"
"Do you recognize this face?"
"Can…"
"You…"
"Please…"
"Help…"
"Me?"
"Iie"
*Sigh* "Any luck?" Sakura asked Kakashi after a half hour of searching.
"None.. You?"
"Iie"
"…."
"Well we shouldn't just sit around, let's finish searching" Sakura said getting up from where she had just sat.
Kakashi did the same feeling impressed at Sakura's determination. She walked up to some young children who were playing ball, she flashed them a warm smile, "Hi, have you seen this boy any where? He's about this much taller than me"
The kids stared at the picture, then shook their heads. Sakura stood straight, "…. A-arigato" she mumbled disappointed.
"Um" the kids hummed then ran off.
"Sakura" Kakashi started, "There's still the possibility… although I don't want to believe it…" but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
Nevertheless, Sakura understood what he was going at, she didn't want to believe it either, but the more they looked the more it seemed likely to be true…
"Excuse me, momoiro-Chan" -Miss pink- a voice called.
Kakashi and Sakura turned around to see a very old man, slowly walking over leaning on a wooden cane.
"Momoiro-Chan? Nan desu ka?"-what is that- Sakura though to herself in anger.
"Can you show me that photo?" he asked in an OLD voice.
"H-hai" she answered doing as he said.
He put the picture about two centimeters away from his eyes, and narrowed them focusing all his powers to see, "Hai.. hai.. that's him alright" he finally said with a shaky smile, giving the picture back to Sakura.
"Dare?" -Who- Kakashi asked.
"Kei-San"
"Kei-San?" that was from Sakura.
"Hai Kei-San he lives with Sayuri.. I've seen them come to the market a few times, nice kids, very polite.. But it's defiantly the boy from the picture; he lives with Sayuri-Chan… I've"
He was about to repeat the record, when Sakura interrupted excitedly, "Doko?" -where-
"Huh? Oh in the east side of the forest, Sayuri-Chan has a cabin I think about 30 meters from here.." he said
Sakura immediately took off in the direction the old man pointed, not even waiting for him to finish his sentence.
"A-aigatou gozimasu" -Thank you- Kakashi nodded quickly, before taking off after the racing Sakura.
"Sakura, Mate!" -Wait- Kakashi called.
But Sakura didn't slow down, Kakashi caught up to her, "Listen to me Sakura, there's one last thing we didn't talk about"
"What's there to talk about? We're so near Naruto! He's alive" she said her breath quickening.
"Exactly" Kakashi said firmly, causing Sakura to slow down and stop.
"Exactly?" she repeated wide eye.
Kakashi nodded, "That means that this whole time he's been alive, so why didn't he come back to Konoha?" he said.
That put Sakura in a state of confusion, why? Why? Why? She shook her head, "I'm sure he has a good reason" she said determinately, as she started running again.
Kakashi sighed and did the same.
There was a clearing at a distance, Sakura picked up her speed, and jumped out of the trees..
And there he was, hanging some laundry, white sheets swaying in the wind blocking the view every few seconds, but it was him, he was alive, standing in front of her.
"NARUTO!" she yelled in a tear-filled voice, dashing towards him.
He turned to her surprised, she pulled him into a hug, "Naruto it's soo good to see you! I thought you were dead.. We all did.. Wait until they all see you alive.. Hinata will be so happy"
But Naruto didn't say anything, he was staring at her surprised. Finally he spoke, "W-who.. Are you?"
Sakura stepped back, and stared at his face in shock, what's the meaning of this?
"Kei-San.. Where did you put…." A girl called from a distance, then stopped when she Sakura, and Kakashi at a distance. "Ni-San, who's this" she asked grabbing his arm.
"Ni-San?" Sakura yelled, totally confused.
Kakashi stepped towards them, "Excuse me miss, is this your brother?" he asked pointing at the blond.
"Well, sort of.. Not really.. I mean…" she stuttered, tightening her grasp on the blonde's arm.
The blonde felt Sayuri's fear in her grip, "I'm sorry do you two want something?" he asked.
Kakashi gave a meaningful look to Sakura, Naruto obviously has no idea who they are.. "Naruto…" Kakashi began.
"And who's this Naruto you keep talking about?" the blond burst.
Kakahsi sighed once more, glimpsing over at Sakura, it was just as he feared. He lifted the picture up in the blonde's face, "This.. Is Naruto" he said.
The blond stared at the picture shocked. "I-isn't that.. You, Kei-San?" Sayuri said hesitantly peeking at the picture.
The blond turned to the other two, "What's the meaning of this?" he asked suspiciously, knotting his brows.
"This is you.. Uzumaki Naruto, a genin from the village of Konoha" Kakashi explained.
"You were lost during a mission about a month ago, everyone in the village was looking for you, but finally.. Finally we found you" Sakura butted in.
Naruto turned and looked at Sayuri; she looked up at him with fear, wrapping her arms tighter around his arm.
The blond turned back to the two ninjas confused, "Our point is Naruto.. We want you to come back to Konoha with us" Kakashi said in answer to Naruto's confused stares.
"Yes, everyone will be thrilled to see you again Naruto," Sakura said excited, "I can't wait to see the shock on their faces, to see that you're still alive and…."
"NO!" Sayuri suddenly yelled, "I won't let you take Kei-San away from me!" she added standing in front of the blond, and spreading her hands.
The blond gave the girl a sympathetic look, as did Sakura and Kakashi. "Look, this is too much information for me all at once, but I.. I just don't remember anything of it" the blond said stepping in front of Sayuri.
"Kakashi-Sensei?" Sakura turned around.
"Hmm.. he must've lost his memory when he fell off the cliff" Kakashi said thinking.
Sakura's eyes widened with horror. "I.. I fell off a cliff" the blond stuttered, seeming to be shocked.
"L-lost his memory?" Sakura repeated.
Sayuri remained silent, she already knew that. "W-well.. You.. You belong back at Konoha.. Naruto.." Sakura tried.
The blond looked over his shoulder at Sayuri, she had tears in her eyes, "Kei-San?" she whispered.
He turned to the two ninja's, "I'm sorry but this is now my home, and by the way.. it's Kei not Naruto" and with that said, he took Sayuri by the hand and turned towards the cabin.
"Na- ah Kei-San…" the masked ninja called.
Kei peeked over his shoulder, "Our offer still goes we'll give you a day to think about it, and if you still want to stay, we'll leave you alone.." Kakashi said, not letting any of his emotions to seep into his words.
Kei listened to him until he was done then turned back to the house, "Kakashi-Sensei!" Sakura protested.
"Let's go Sakura" Kakashi glared.
"H-hai" she whispered obediently.
And with that they were off. Kei peered over his shoulder one more time, checking if the two ninja's had left.. then sighed as he walked into the cabin with a very content Sayuri.
….
"Kakashi-Sensei.! Why'd…" Sakura protested from her hiding place in the bushes.
"Trust me Sakura, he'll come back"
The blond sat on the roof that night, quietly watching the gossiping star, in the serenity of the night. It was a crescent moon, and only a few small clouds crossed in the road of the night, relying on the gentle streams of moon light to shine on their path, and the light breeze to guide their way.
He would always come sit up here when he felt the need for privacy, which was on rare occasions when he really needed to do some thinking, because he really hated the feeling of being alone, and he didn't really understand that fear. However tonight he was indeed in need to think deeply, for he had a lot to think about. He sighed.
"Kei-San?" he heard a voice whisper softly.
"Ah Sayuri-Chan" he said back, with a faint smile.
Sayuri hesitated; Kei rarely ever addresses her with (Chan) unless he is feeling somewhat uncomfortable. She scarcely climbed onto the roof; she sat next to him and joined him in gazing at the stars.
"They're very beautiful" she said with a slight smile.
Kei only nodded in respond, accompanied with a pale smile. Sayuri sighed.
"…."
"…."
"Kei-San.." Sayuri started in a sad voice, hugging her knees, "I uh.. I understand that you…."
"It's alright Sayuri-Chan really.." Kei said with a sad smile, "You don't have to worry, I'm staying as long as you need me" he added then looked away.
Sayuri looked at his face with sad eyes; she sighed and rested her chin on her arms. "You really want to know.. don't you?" Sayuri started, gazing ahead. She knew that not knowing was torturing him.
"You can go.." she said.
"Wh-.. Sayuri-Chan you don't…."
"Uh uh" she refused, "You need to go with those ninjas, find out who you are.. Who am I to stop you" she smiled lightly, "you figure out things.. Okay?" she winked.
"Sayuri…" Kei whispered gratefully.
She tilted her head and smiled, then gasped when Kei pulled her into a tight hug, "Thank you" he said closing his eyes.
AN: I'm sorry this story is moving so slowly, it's bugging the hell outta' me, but I can't really do much to change that.. Please leave a review, I really want to know what you think of the story, or else why am I posting it?