A/N: We're on a roll! So, since Beth isn't here currently, I'm going to rant to you all about my recent experience with iTunes. I tried to buy a song, right? Well, when I had purchased it, it downloaded, except it didn't download because of an error. I spent an hour trying to see what the problem was. In the end, I ended have to go to the deluxe version of the same album and buy the same song. It worked ._. iTunes, you need to get your shit straight, because I don't like wasting my money on something that won't end up downloading.
Also, it's new years eve. Happy early new year folks!
Dear...iTunes sucks in general...
Yes, but I've never had an issue with them before.
...I use Spotify...streams music on your computer for free...
I use it too! If I had lots of money, I'd buy as much music as I could to my hearts content. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I didn't have music. Like, no joke. Okay, anyway, don't buy from iTunes for awhile unless you want your moolah to go to a complete waste! ONWARD TO THE DAMNED STORY!
Caramel orbs stared out at the ocean. Hikari wasn't sure what she was doing just sitting there. Everyone had gone back inside hours ago after Sasuke had declared he was going to destroy the Hidden Leaf. She had spoken to him prior to that, telling him that Itachi had come to her in a dream, and about the things he told her. She thought that maybe, just maybe he'd stop and think about it.
Sasuke had glared at her and called her a liar.
She wondered whether he knew that he hurt her feelings when he was like that. She didn't really let on that he did, but she wondered if he ever stopped to think about what his actions and words did to her. She laughed sadly and threw a small pebble into the water.
"There's no point in any of this bullshit anymore..." She muttered, hugging her knees to her chest. "No fucking point..."
"What do you mean, Karasu?"
"I won't let you destroy Konoha, Sasuke."
"I need to, to get my revenge."
Hikari balled her hands into fists. "Revenge, revenge, revenge! THAT'S ALL THAT COMES FROM YOUR MOUTH!"
"Tch."
"It is. You got your fucking revenge on Itachi. How much more damage do you have to do before you're satisfied!?" She whipped around to glare up at him. She couldn't believe this. Sasuke wasn't being rational at all, and he was obviously blinded by hatred now. He didn't seem realize that he was though.
And that was what bothered her the most.
She worried about his little sister, the way she looked at her with such hatred. It was just like Sasuke.
"You got the revenge you sought out for so long. Can't you just stop there...?"
"It's not as simple as that. It never was."
"...Then maybe...I should go away." She whispered. What was the point of staying if all Sasuke cared about was his precious revenge?
"I don't want you to leave..." he murmured softly.
"Why not...? You have your precious revenge to deal with...you love it more than you love me..."
"I don't..." he muttered, not having the full capabilities to really show love.
"If you...If you try to destroy my home..." She looked over at him, "I'll have to fight you."
"Tch. Fine"
"You..." She bit her bottom lip, "You make me really want to punch you in the face sometimes."
"There's nothing stopping you."
Her fist connected to his face in an instant, her eyes full of tears as she hit him. "Please...let's just run away somewhere..."
He rubbed his now red jaw, "I can't."
"Why not...?" She whimpered, touching his cheek gently, "W-We could be happy together..."
"I know. But. I wouldn't be happy at the same time. It would be one sided."
"He scares me...Sasuke..."
"But he is gonna help us..."
"With what...?" She whispered, looking up at him, her eyes afraid.
"To revive my clan."
"I...I don't understand."
"He's of Uchiha blood."
"How does that help with your clan's revival?"
"He's gonna help..." he muttered.
"Help how?" She looked up at him, confused.
"He just will! okay!?"
She cowered back when he grabbed her wrist tightly, "O-Okay!"
"Good."
In Konoha~
"I-I don't need medical attention, Naru-senpai." Hope murmured softly to her escort.
"It never hurts to be safe..." Naruto smiled kindly, holding her close to him.
"But I wasn't in the fight..." she muttered, "Even though I should've been..."
He kissed the top of her head, "Don't think about it right now, okay?"
"I-it's really hard senpai."
"I know..." He ran his fingers through her hair gently.
"M-may I ask you something?"
"Of course." He smiled.
"Are you flirting with me or somethin'?"
Naruto blushed, blinking, "W-Why would you say that?"
she deadpanned. "You can't tell?"
"S-So what if I am?"
"Y-you are!?"
"M-Maybe!"
"G-geez! You've only known me for a little bit!"
"I-I won't do it again, I promise!"
"I-its fine..." she muttered, smiling weakly, "Keeps my mind off of other things..."
Naruto hugged her tightly, burying his face in her hair. "Sorry..."
She clutched his shirt tightly in her tiny pale hands, letting him hold her close. He hummed a soothing tune, carrying her quietly to Konoha hospital to let her be seen by Tsunade and assess the extent of her injuries. Both physical and mental.
The only thing there was between them was silence. In the back of Naruto's mind, he blamed Sasuke for this. If he hadn't have killed Itachi, the youngest Uchiha wouldn't be like this, but she would be happy and cheerful just like she had been only a few days beforehand when he had seen her for the first time.
It made Naruto angry.
"W-what's wrong?"
"H-Huh?"
"You seem upset."
"Oh! No, I was thinking about something, that's all." He smiled sheepishly.
"Angrily, your chakra was flaring."
"I-I don't think you want me to talk about it..."
"I-iie. B-but...if you need to talk..."
"It's about S...you know who.."
"O-oh..."
"I'm mad at him..."
She laughed sadly, "I'm furious, senpai."
"I promise...I'll do what it takes to beat the crap out of him."
"I wanna be the one to do so." she growled dangerously. Naruto nodded in understanding.
"Plus...I want to ask Hikari-chan why she stays with him..."
"They're in love. At least...thats what she tells me..." she muttered, "I don't understand why she could love that. But whatever."
"Sasuke...he doesn't even seem like he's capable of loving..."
"Iie. But ane said she's trying."
"I wonder if he'll ever change..." He sighed.
She shrugged, "Who knows.
He slowly nodded in agreement.
He felt the girl tense up as they approached the hospital, knowing she was unsure about returning to the village and facing the unforgiving wrath of the council members. Despite that, Naruto vowed to keep her safe, even from the elders cruel words. He'd do everything to keep her safe.
"Why do you care so much?"
"No one...deserves to be treated for who and what they are." Naruto mumbled, knowing what it felt like to be judged all too well.
"Why do they hate my clan do much!?" she cried, the agony clear in her voice.
He held her tightly. "I don't know...I don't know..."
"They judge without knowing...without knowing the full extent of their actions." she mumbled, "Like everyone else I know..."
"I'm not like that..."
"N-no! Not you!" she giggled nervously, "Neither is ane! But everyone does, it's human nature. Everyone does judge. I do."
Naruto nodded, smiling faintly.
This girl knew the dangers of the world around her, but she kept going on as if she didn't have a care in the world.
It was that kind of attitude that gave one such a strong will.
she was different than most people in Konoha. That's what Naruto liked about her. She had the will of fire, but wasn't a citizen of konoha. But to Naruto, anyone could have the will of fire, Konoha citizen or not. Even if the elders said differently.
That's what Uzumaki Naruto believed.
~Weeks later~
"No, no, no. I'm not going with you to capture the Eight-Tails. That's fucking suicide."
"Why not?!"
"Hello!? The Eight-Tails! A jinchuriki. That's suicide! You'll get your ass handed to you on a plate, man..." Hikari muttered, her arms crossed over her chest.
"I fought Naruto and I lived."
"That's because that wasn't the full tailed beast state, Sasuke!" She fisted her hair in annoyance. "Ugh, fine. I'll go with you, but only so I can watch you get your butt kicked..."
"Whatever."
"Such naivety." Hikari scoffed, closing her eyes and shaking her head as she walked past him, suddenly stopping while her hand went to her right shoulder. "Gah..."
"'Kari? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's nothing..." She mumbled, lightly rubbing her fingers against the birthmark that resided there. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine."
"And what do you know?"
"Nothing, but your expression shows pain."
"It's just irritation. Nothing more." She mumbled.
"Fine."
And so, they went to the Land of Lightning and fought against Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. Like Hikari had predicted, Sasuke nearly died, Suigetsu overdid it, Jugo had gotten mad, and Karin had nearly lost her mind. Hikari was lucky to have received only a few bruises. She had been so relieved once they had gotten back to the hideout, completely avoiding going near Madara and settling for going to Sasuke's room to change clothes.
"Stupid mission..."
"I'm fine..." he murmured as he stripped himself of his bloody cloak and shirt, sitting down at the foot of the bed.
"Says the one who received a hole in his chest. Oh yeah, you're in tip top shape."
All he did to reply was grunt. She rolled her eyes and shook her head, grabbing her bag of medical supplies and dumping it all out on the bed.
"A hole, Sasuke. Do you understand that had it not been for Jugo and Karin, you'd probably be a spirit right now?"
"Well I'm not dead. Okay?"
"You could be though..." She muttered, dabbing at a cut on his cheek gently.
"But I'm not." he noted stubbornly. She glared at him lightly, putting a bandage on the cut once she disinfected it.
"Stupid stupid stupid..." She whispered, moving to work on his arms. "I swear, one of these days..."
"Whatever."
Every once and awhile, her eyes would flicker up to his face as she tended to his wounds, her fingers gentle against his pale skin as she worked.
"Why?"
"Why what?" She hummed, bandaging up some more cuts.
"Why are you helping me?"
"I love you...that's why." She mumbled, avoiding eye contact with him.
"Why do you love me?"
She wandered away to pull some clothes out to change into. "Because...everyone finds someone that...they can relate to on some levels...you..." She paused, trying to find the right words. "I love you because...I know how it feels to be so alone. That's what draws me near you."
"Why?"
She blushed faintly. "I...I think...you're attractive too..."
He raised a raven brow at the comment, "Attractive?"
She blushed again, harder this time while nodding slowly. "Yeah..."
He chuckled softly, not usually one to laugh, "Silly."
"Shut-up..." She whispered, her face beet red as she started to move to the bathroom, her hair in a messy bun.
"C'mere..."
She stopped and looked back at him, turning around and walking back over to him. "What is it?"
He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down next to him. She let out a sound of surprise and protest, moving to try and sit up. "H-Hey! What are you doing?"
"Don't leave..."
She frowned, looking up at him. "Leave? I was just going to the bathroom. I wasn't leaving..." She blinked, looking up into his eyes.
It was obvious Sasuke was still suffering a bit of trauma from his injuries. She reached a hand up slowly, gently brushing his bangs out of his eyes.
"Hey..." She whispered when he pressed closer, her face heating up at the sudden closeness.
"Closer." he murmured in her ear.
"W-What do you mean...?" She whispered back, letting her hands rest on his shoulders.
"I need you, 'Kari."
"I'm right here, S'uke..." She mumbled, trying to avoid his eyes, her cheeks slightly pink with embarrassment. Her face heated up some more when he grabbed her chin.
"Please."
Hikari closed her eyes, blushing harder when he pressed his lips to the side of her neck, biting down on her bottom lip gently.
"Please, 'Kari." She grabbed his face gently so he could look at her before she leaned up and pressed her lips against his, her lips soft.
"Th-thank you."
She held him close to her, her fingers moving to tangle themselves in his hair while she buried her face in the crook of his neck, her breath warm as she spoke against his cold skin.
"I-I've never done it before, Sasuke..." She mumbled, closing her eyes tightly, afraid he'd laugh at her inexperience in sexual activities.
"Neither have I."
She looked up at him slowly, embarrassed. "I-I'm scared..." She mumbled, shivering as one of his hands splayed itself out on her stomach.
"Don't be. I'm not."
"It'll hurt though..." She murmured, playing with his hair.
"I doubt it my dear, I hope not."
"I heard it does..." She whispered, sitting up as he pulled her shirt off.
"G-gomen." he stuttered, as nervous as she was about the whole situation.
She kissed his neck softly, moving his hands to her back. "I'm not mad at you..."
"G-good."
She smiled softly, resting her forehead against his shoulder as he unclasped the undergarment, mentally laughing at how his hands were slightly shaky.
"D-damned hands."
She giggled softly, reaching forwards and tugging at the purple rope around his waist. "It's okay, Sasuke..." She whispered, her voice soft and gentle.
"N-not."
"And why not?" she hummed, tugging the rope off and throwing it down onto the floor.
"cause..."
"That's not even a reason, Sasuke." She smiled, looking up at him.
"Tch." he swore under his breath, obviously not feeling well still, but well enough for his member to be stone hard.
Hikari raised a brow. "Aww, lil' Sasuke is all proud~" She purred, blinking when he pinned her hands over her head. "H-Hey!"
"I need you dammit!"
She squeaked when he pulled a kunai knife out. "Hey now, I don't know if you have any weird fetishes, but cutting me up better not be one..." She grumbled, squawking when he cut her shorts. "Sasuke!"
"Bein' too slow." he muttered.
"Those were really comfortable!" She whined, shifting her legs awkwardly.
"I'll buy you new ones."
She whimpered as it came down to the last article of clothing she had left, her legs shaking slightly.
"Well?"
"Shh..." he whispered in her ear. She blushed, looking away as he pulled it off quickly, pressing her legs together as much as possible.
"Now don't be shy..."
She blushed more. "S'cold..."
He smirked lightly, pressing his hands on the bed under her. "I can fix that."
She rolled her eyes. "Can you now?" She returned the smirk, looking up at him slowly.
"I think so."
"I don't see it happening anytime soon, considering I'm naked and you still have your pants on." She hummed.
"Then change it."
She smiled and reached up, tugging his pants and boxers down at the same time, her face going beet red as she began to sputter. "Holy-!"
He raised a brow, his smirk audible in his voice, "Something you like?"
She blushed harder if it was even physically possible, "Y-You're huge..."
"Am I now?"
"I-I don't think it'll fit..." She mumbled, her knees tightly pressed together.
He kissed lightly along her jaw, "Let's try and see."
She whimpered softly as he pried her knees apart gently and settled himself between them, closing her eyes and looking away. "Nnh..."
"I'll be gentle~" he hummed in her ear, while nuzzling her neck.
Hikari whined, opening her eyes to look at him. "Promise...?"
"Promise."
Yuna quietly sighed as she rubbed her eyes, having been looking over scrolls for a little over two hours.
"Baby...c'mere, you look so tired."
Yuna looked up, her cobalt eyes exhausted, smiling. "I'm fine..."
"You need rest," Liz sighed, "You need to keep your energy up...we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
Yuna ran a hand through her blonde locks and nodded, crawling over to her wife and up onto their bed. "Mm, comfy..."
"I'm glad, this bed cost me a lot of money." Her wife mumbled, running her own hand through her firey auburn locks. "But you wanted it, so I couldn't refuse."
She looked up at her, "You didn't have to buy it, baby..." She mumbled, patting her cheek lightly.
Giggling, she nuzzled the crook of her neck, her hair tickling her wife's jaw, "You just looked so happy! You were so cute!"'
Yuna made a soft sound, "Mm, that feels good..." She mumbled, closing her eyes.
She giggled softly and hugged her closer, "Always horny, eh?"
Yuna peeked one eye open and glared half heartedly. "It's not my fault you're so sexy..."
"Oh really?!"
"Yes!"
She laughed happily and hugged her waist, "Let's get some rest and we can see Hopie first thing in the morning!"
"Hai~!"
Hope stared blankly at the hospital room ceiling, "This is so dull..." she mumbled to herself, "I just wanna go home...but it isn't an option! Cause apparently I'm a damn traitor to this village!" she started to argue with herself after a while of just talking to herself.
"Solitary confinement fucking sucks!" she shouted at the guard posted outside her door.
Genma rolled his eyes, having been listening to her rant for the past hour. "Get over it, kid."
She growled defiantly at the man, "I thought you weren't supposed to talk to me!"
"No one else is around, so I don't really think it matters at the moment." he mused, chewing on the senbon in his mouth.
"I want to see Naruto-Senpai!" she shouted at the door, pulling on her handcuffs that tied her to the bed.
"He'll be here later, so relax."
"it's been a whole day! How long is this damn prison time!?"
"Hope?" Naruto said as he walked in, looking at her cell.
"N-naruto-Senpai!" She squealed and tried reaching for him, wincing when her arms were jerked back sharply from the handcuffs.
Naruto smiled sadly, waiting for Genma to open the door before he ran inside and hugged her.
"Hey..."
"That guard is a meanie..." she mumbled, her mannerisms having receded to be more like a child's. Liz thought it was her subconscious trying to resolve her pain and agony.
Naruto kissed her hair gently. "I'm sorry.."
"He wouldn't let me talk! It wasn't fun!"
He smiled sympathetically and patted the top of her head. "He was just doing his job, sadly..."
"How long do I have to stay here...?"
"I wish I knew..." He mumbled, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "That's up to baa-chan..."
"But you should know~" she hummed, laying back in her bed. Naruto sat next to her, shrugging.
"I guess..." His eyes lit up, "Hey! When pervy-sage comes back, maybe he can help get you out of here!"
"Pervy...sage?"
"Master Jiraiya!" He grinned, smiling sheepishly, "I just call him that because he can be a bit of a perv sometimes..."
"A bit? Someone doesn't get a nickname like that for being a bit."
"Look, he's a good person, okay?"
"Fine~"
The blonde grinned, leaning back against the wall. He closed his eyes and yawned loudly.
"No sleeping~!"
"Sorry~!"
"Naruto."
The blonde looked up to see Kakashi standing outside of the cell, a solemn look on his face.
"He looks sad Senpai."
Naruto frowned, "Sensei? What's going on?"
"Lady Tsunade needs to speak with you immediately..."
"But-"
"Why can't he stay?!"
"I've been asked to bring you with us too." Kakashi said, looking at her while Naruto stood up slowly, confused as to what was going on.
Hope just stayed where she was, sitting up and rubbing her wrists.
After clearing it with the guards that Hope was to come with them, they headed to Tsunade's office, where Sakura, Sai, Yuna and Liz, and Tsunade and Shizune were waiting, along with an old toad and a few other frogs. Naruto blinked, looking around.
"Hey, what's going on?"
Tsunade glanced up at him slowly, her face grim, "..."
Hope just watched, somewhat scared with all the people around her. Naruto moved forward, the old toad looking up at him.
"He is Jiraiya-boy's student?"
"Yes...this is Naruto Uzumaki..." Tsunade confirmed, "The 'Child of Prophecy' you mentioned."
"Jiraiya-boy? 'Boy?'" Naruto frowned angrily while pointing a finger at the old toad, "You're talking as if the Pervy Sage is a kid! Who does this geezer frog think he is?!"
"Watch your mouth!" Tsunade yelled.
"This great man is the one who taught Sage Jutsu to Lord Jiraiya. He is Lord Jiraiya's master." Shizune clarified, Naruto's eyes widening while the old toad laughed.
"Pervy Sage, eh? What a fitting nickname for Jiraiya-boy."
"So, what does this geezer sage want with me?"
Fukasaku hung his head down in sadness. "I'm not sure where to begin. But let's see…I suppose the most important thing is…" the old frogs eyes were closed for a bit longer before he opened them and looked at Naruto. "Jiraiya-boy has died in battle.
"A-at who's hand?" Hope asked softly, feeling a dark foreboding boiling in the pits of her stomach.
Yuna looked over at her, her eyes red and puffy from having been crying earlier, "...The leader of the Akatsuki. Pein."
"Is that why you wanted me here?" she looked at Tsunade with defiant eyes, "'Cause I'm not gonna tell you any damned thing about my family."
Tsunade said nothing, obviously not taking the news well. Yuna spoke up.
"Get rid of that attitude and be respectful. I requested you be brought here because I know how you hate being stuck in that cell..." Yuna mumbled, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.
Hope laughed bitterly, "They're my family. You don't betray your family."
Through all of this, Naruto was silent. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. The man that had taught him everything was dead now. He was gone. He wasn't going to be coming back.
He felt like he had lost his father.
Hope ran after him, ignoring the shouts of the konoha nin. "s-Senpai!"
Naruto felt like he couldn't breathe. His teacher...his father figure was gone.
But Naruto couldn't cry. No tears fell down his face. He stopped when Hope collided into his back, hugging him tightly. "..."
"You look like you needed a hug." she mumbled into the back of his shirt. He stayed put, lightly slumping back into her, but not so much as to knock her down.
Naruto had suffered the pain of loneliness from the time he was old enough to even talk. He had to watch other kids his age walk with their parents and spend time with them, while he was left to be on his own. Of course, despite that their parents scolded them for playing with him, he had befriended Shikamaru, Chouji, and Kiba. And when he was put on Team 7, Sakura, Sasuke, Hikari, and Kakashi became his friends.
Sasuke was the only one who knew the same pain. And with that Naruto had treasured their bond. Even though Sasuke believed that he had severed that particular bond with him, Naruto could still feel it there. That bond was still running inside of him.
And Hikari. Bless her soul. Hikari had suffered through so much pain of losing people that she loved so dearly. He had seen the agony of it when they had been at the funeral for the Third Hokage. It was the first time he had seen her cry. And it hurt him too, even though he wasn't related to old man Hiruzen.
"Naruto-senpai...y-you should sit...you're shaking."
He silently moved over to a nearby bench and sat down, his bangs hiding his azure orbs. She watched him do so, feeling guilty that her own father figure was the one who killed his. "I-I should go..." she mumbled softly, "I've caused enough pain being here..."
His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist gently. "...Stay..." He whispered, not wanting to be left alone.
For as long as Naruto could remember, it had been him that had comforted everyone. Like Sakura when Sasuke left and he had failed to bring him back like he had promised her. Or Hikari when Asuma died. He had been the one that told her she had permission to cry if she wanted to.
But Naruto. Naruto had never been the one to have reason to be comforted.
They sat there in silence for a while. Naruto eventually got up and went and bought a popsicle for himself and Hope before he sat back down. He took one lick of his before he gave up on bothering with it and just settled on holding it.
"I'm sorry..."
Naruto shook his head silently, not angry with her. His eyes seemed dead, that light that was normally in them gone. He could almost hear Hikari's voice in his head, chiding him at his sudden change in mood. She would wave her finger at him and shake her head while saying, 'Tsk Tsk! This is very Un-Naruto like! Shame shame!' He normally would have laughed, but under the current circumstances, he couldn't even smile, let alone laugh. Hell, he couldn't even cry.
But Hope wasn't Hikari, she barely even really knew Naruto. And try as hard as she could, she couldn't comfort anyone.
His orange popsicle dripped, beginning to melt slowly. The street light came on slowly, but Naruto stayed put with Hope instead of getting up and just going home to wallow in self pity and sadness.
Hope tried talking to him like he did when her brother died, but he just stayed silent. "I-I wish he didn't kill him..." she muttered, unclear who she was talking about.
More drops began to hit the ground, but these were not from the popsicle.
Naruto was crying.
"D-don't cry Senpai..." she murmured, repeating some of the soothing words he said to her days before. Naruto was silent, the tears continuing to fall down his face while he leaned into her hand as she rubbed his back. "g-gomen..."
His gaze was fixated on the ground, not even hearing the footsteps approaching.
"Naruto..."
He looked over upon hearing his name, seeing Iruka walking towards himself and Hope. Immediately, he began to rub at his eyes furiously with the back of his arm while Iruka took a seat on his other side.
"I heard about Lord Jiraiya."
Silence.
Finally, Naruto spoke softly, "I wanted him to keep watching over me. I wanted him to see me become the Hokage. But I only ended up showing Pervy Sage the worst, most un-cool side of me. I was..."
"Lord Jiraiya only had praise for you. He was always boasting about you, saying you were like his own grandchild. He had faith that you were the one who would inherit his will. And he truly believed that you would one day become a great Hokage." Iruka smiled at him, "Lord Jiraiya will always watch over you. Even this very minute, he's watching you from somewhere. He wouldn't be happy seeing you sad like this. So..." He stood up slowly, staring up at the night sky, "Be your usual self, the one he praised so much." He moved over and knelt down in front of Naruto, "Don't stay depressed forever. For Lord Jiraiya himself, one of the Legendary Sannin," Iruka took Naruto's popsicle and gently ripped it so it would separate into a single one each, holding one out to Naruto, "acknowledged you as his promising student!"
Slowly, Naruto gave a slight smile, taking the popsicle from him.
"Thanks...Iruka-Sensei."
Hope smiled softly and watched the two interact, reminding her of her relationship between her and her brother. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, trying not to let the tears that were threatening to come falling out. Iruka reached over, resting his hand on the top of her head gently.
"P-please don't..." she murmured softly, trying to look like she was staying strong for Naruto, but failing horribly.
"Your brother was a good person. And like Naruto's master, he wouldn't be happy seeing you sad like this either."
She glared weakly at the nin, "Y-you didn't know my brother...y-your village called him a traitor. H-he loved your damn village..."
Iruka's eyes softened, "I know...Naruto told me about Itachi. And what you thought of him."
She looked down, fisting her hands opened and closed. "M-my family...h-hurt your family..."she mumbled as Naruto grabbed her hand gently and squeezed it. "I-I can't forgive myself for letting my family hurt yours..."
"I don't blame you."
"I blame myself."
"Please don't..."
"I don't like to see others hurting! I hate it! And you're hurting and it's all because of my family!"
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him, hugging her tightly.
"I can't handle it.." she murmured, "C-cause I can feel their agony...I-it hurts..."
"I know..." Naruto murmured, "I know..."
She laughed sadly and wiped her eyes, "I-I'm so dumb...I-I should be the one comforting you..."
"You're hurting too though..." He whispered, burying his face in her hair.
She didn't respond to the comment, fisting his shirt weakly. "N-not as much as you now..."
He simply held her, both of them taking comfort from holding eachother.
"Wh-why do I feel so safe around you..?" she asked softly, "Y-you're one of the few...Th-that I feel so safe around..."
Naruto hummed, kissing the top of her head. "I dunno..."
"I-I don't understand..."
He smiled and shrugged, closing his eyes and resting his chin on the top of her head.
He saw no reason to question it if they both were comfortable.
"Th-thank you.."
"You're welcome."
Hikari slowly opened her eyes, her vision blurry. She blinked a couple of times and yawned. She felt so content, and really warm, as if someone were holding her close. And someone was holding her, that person was none other than Uchiha Sasuke. She blinked again, slowly looking over her shoulder and at Sasuke's face. When he was asleep...
He looked so at peace.
She sighed softly and slowly made the move to get up and out of bed. She was sore.
He grabbed her waist and pulled her closer. "Mm...no..."
She blushed faintly and glanced up at him, "Mm, but it's morning..." She mumbled, unconsciously scooting closer to him.
"Stay~" he hummed in her ear, nipping it softly.
She moaned softly and squirmed a bit, "Don't tell me you're still horny, Sasuke..."
"Nah~"
She looked up at him and stared at his face, reaching her hand up and brushing his bangs out of his eyes. "Your hair is all messy..."
He raised a brow, and watched her mess with his hair. "Is it now?"
She nodded softly, "Mhm...really messy."
"Why don't cha fix it?"
She smiled and gently pressed down on the raven spikes that stuck up every which way, her slender fingers massaging his scalp. "I am..." She murmured, her fingers gently tracing down his jaw line to the dark mark that resided on his collar bone that she had made.
"Good," he hummed softly, rubbing her waist and hips with his thumbs. She looked up at him and watched his face.
"You look happy..." She whispered.
"I am," he whispered in her ear.
She closed her eyes and hugged him tightly. "How come?"
"'Cause I have you."
She smiled faintly, "I'm not that special..."
"You are to me..." She pecked his cheek in response.
"And you're very precious to me..." She looked up to meet his eyes.
"And let's keep it that way."
She played with his fingers, "Um..."
"Are...you leaving?"
She looked up at him, "I don't plan to right now...it's just...Madara..."
"He's not bad 'Kari..."
"He scares me, Sasuke..." She mumbled.
"I understand, but he's helping us." he murmured in her ear, nuzzling her neck softly.
"How is he helping us in general?" She asked, gesturing to herself and him.
"He's helping. I can feel it, 'Kari."
She looked at him, "But...with what?"
"My training, how to use my sharingan properly..."
"How does that benefit me?" She mumbled.
"So I can keep you safe."
She held his hands tightly, looking back up at him. "Last night...what does it mean to you?"
"Everything," he whispered softly, "I know...I love you..."
She smiled softly at his words, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "I love you too..." She whispered, hugging him tight. "I feel like we forgot something..."
"Did we? I don't believe we did..." he mused softly, letting her do what she wanted.
She suddenly froze. "Condoms." She instantly looked up at him. "We forgot to use a condom."
"S-Shit..."
"Oh god..." She whimpered, tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry..."
She cupped his face. "No, don't be...w-we don't know for sure..."
"O-of course..."
"Are...you mad?" She muttered, looking away.
"No..it was my fault..."
"I-I don't want him to know if I am..." She whispered.
"I won't tell."
She hugged his neck. "I'm not mad..."
"We just have to wait and see..." he muttered, petting her hair, but missing after closing his eyes tightly for a moment.
"Sasuke? What's wrong?"
"N-nothing...it's nothing..."
"You look like you're in pain..."
"I'm fine...I'm fine.."
She sighed and cupped his face. "Baby..."
"I'm fine...okay?" he muttered.
She sighed and nodded, moving to get up. He watched, not pulling her back to lay back down. She looked at herself in the mirror, reaching her hand up to touch the marks on her neck."You left a mark..."
"You left more on me," he hummed softly, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. She rolled her eyes, the sheet wrapped around her naked form.
"You like it~" she smiled, watching him.
"Do I now?"
She nodded, looking at him over her shoulder. "Yep."
"You think I'm always horny, eh?" he mused with a smirk.
"No!" She huffed, rolling her eyes.
"I'm not going back to that wretched cell!"
"We're not taking you back, we're taking you home with us." Yuna hummed.
Hope looked up in shock, not expecting this sort of kindness from the medic after her outburst in Tsunades office. Since Naruto left to Mount Myoboku, she expected to be put back in the cell and constantly under observation.
"We talked about it with Tsunade-sama, and she says as long as we're in charge, you can stay."
"O-okay.."
Yuna smiled softly and spun around. Hope just sat there and watched, not having any motivation to do anything. Yuna wrapped her arms around her gently.
"We finished setting your room up this morning~"
"I-I have a room?!" she shrieked, not expecting the medic to do anything special for her.
"Hai~!"
"Y-you haven't talked to me...since I came to Liz's cabin when I ran away..."
"I'm sorry..." She murmured.
"Did...I upset you that much...?" she whispered softly.
"No, of course not!"
"You seemed really mad.."
"I wasn't mad, dear..."
"I can't disclose the information...what little I know..."
"I know. And no one is asking you to do so." Yuna explained, opening the door to her house.
"Yes...the guard told me I had to..."
"Genma? He was just saying what he had to. He's not really part of guard duty very often..." She mused, tapping her chin.
"No, there was another..."
"Oh...well...I don't know! But you're safe in our home~!" She smiled softly.
"I-I..."
"Hm?"
"Nothing..."
"Okay..." She hummed, "Liz! We're home~!"
"In the kitchen!"
Yuna smiled and lead the way to the kitchen. "Hello~!"
Liz giggled softly at her wife and was currently cooking dinner for the two other girls.
"What are you makin'~?" Yuna sing songed, skipping over and hugging her waist.
"Some pasta, nothing too special."
"Mm, smells yummy~!" She giggled, burying her face in the taller woman's back. She turned around and rested her hands on her shoulders, pressing her forehead to the blonde's.
"Go get changed dear, dirt covered clothes don't suit your beautiful physique."
She leaned close to her, closing her eyes, "Mm, you know how to make a woman smile..." She hummed, smiling softly.
"Do I now?"
She nodded, kissing her nose. "So...when do you wanna try that jutsu out?" She smiled more.
"Whenever you want!" she smiled, running her fingers through her lover's blonde locks, not noticing when Hope stepped out of the house to sit outside.
"Tonight maybe~?" She smiled brightly, leaning into the touch.
"Sure~" she pressed her lips to the feathery soft locks, before looking around the house. She now noticed the missing presence of the young teen, "Where's Hopie?"
Yuna squeaked. "Eep! Hope!?" She quickly ran outside to see if the teen was out there. And to her surprise she was, Hope was sitting on the deck watching the sun set over the Hokage Mansion. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and her chin was resting on her knees which were pulled up to her chest. "Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah yeah...I'm fine..." Hope hummed softly, keeping her eyes focused on the sunset, and rubbing them every so often as if they were irritating her. Yuna noticed and frowned.
"Are your eyes bothering you?"
"A-a bit..."
"Mind letting me take a look?"
"Sure..."
Yuna took her face in her hands gently, studying the teens eyes carefully. "Hm..."
Trying as hard as she could not to blink and rub her eyes every few minutes, Hope let out a small whimper of pain as she was refusing any comfort for her onyx orbs. Yuna frowned.
"I can't see anything wrong with them...but take it easy and rest them."
"Th-they started hurting when Yoru brought me to your camp..."
"Hm...I'll do a thorough examination first thing tomorrow."
"H-hai..." the raven stuttered, rubbing her eyes furiously trying to get the pain to recede.
Yuna hugged her, "Lizzie is making some pasta. I think it's ready about now. You hungry?"
"A-a little bit..."
"Then let's eat, ne?" She smiled and stood up, helping the girl up as well.
"Is it a side effect of my sharingan...?" she asked softly, "I've barely used it..."
"It could be a possibility, but I won't know till I've done a better examination."
"Of course," she smiled weakly, obviously seeming distracted. Yuna hummed and lead her back inside to the kitchen.
"When will Naruto-Senpai come back?"
"Fukasaku-sama said that they were going to try and do the impossible and be gone for just a few days."
Hope giggled softly at the comment, "Is he really that stubborn?"
"Sadly~" Yuna giggled, sitting down next to her wife.
"Who are we talking about?" Liz asked with a confused expression on her features, "We talking about someone I know?"
"Naruto~"
She laughed whole heartedly, "Of course! Stubbornest kid I know."
Yuna laughed softly and helped Hope's plate before helping her own. "And a strong boy."
"Hai..."
Yuna smiled and watched her.
~several days later~
It had been several days since Naruto and Fukasaku left for Mount Myoboku, and Hope continually had a dark feeling stirring around. She didn't tell anyone, but honestly, she really didn't trust anyone around her, she was scared and alone in a foreign place. "N-nii-sama..." she whimpered when she'd have her continuous nightmares, "I-I need help nii-sama..."
Yoru, who had been staying with the raven haired girl like his human companion had asked him to do, had left a few days earlier to go meet with Hikari.
Currently, Yuna was watching Liz, her cobalt eyes curious.
"I'm tracking Yoru to see where he's going...he might be going to find Hikari-chan."
"Probably..." Yuna mused, walking over to her.
"Hai...he's been comforting Hope the past few days at night...I think she's having sharingan nightmares, Yunie."
"Hai..." She murmured, laying her head in the auburn haired woman's lap.
"That could be the problem she's been having with her eyes then...her body is overusing them."
"And she doesn't even know it."
"That's the worst part about it..." Liz sighed sadly, a motherly person at heart, and thus wanting to keep the teen safe from any harm.
"She's so innocent too..."
"Yes, she hasn't been exposed to what the others around here have...she's lucky to be trained in the way her brother did."
"Mhm..." Yuna sighed, playing with her hair.
"So, Uzumaki should be returning soon?"
"I hope so..." She mumbled, looking up at her.
"Why do you say that, baby?" she asked, petting the blond's soft locks.
She nuzzled into her hand, "Naruto might be able to lift Hope's spirits some..." She kissed her palm.
"Of course he will, he's such an energetic and charismatic boy. He lifts everyone's spirits."
Yuna smiled softly and watched her face intently.
"Yuna, what in the world are you doing?" LIz asked, getting paranoid with her wife's staring. The blonde giggled and kissed her softly.
"This~"
"Silly~"
Yuna laughed happily and buried her face in Liz's chest. "Soft~"
"What the!?" Liz squeaked, "My boobs are not pillows!"
"But they're so soft~!"
"No~!"
She whined, "You tell me mine are!"
"When do I say that!"
"When we has the sex!" She giggled.
"But I'm horny when I say that!"
"You're so cute when you're horny though~"
She blushed hard, looking at her wife, "B-baby..."
Yuna tilted her head cutely, "Hm~?"
Liz rolled her eyes and gasped as she felt a tremor rock the house, "Wh-what the?!"
Yuna's eyes widened as Hiroshi came barrelling in, his green orbs wide. "Hiroshi! What's happened?!"
"The Akatsuki! They're attacking the village!"
"Sh-shit..." Liz swore under her breath. "Hiroshi. Get Hope to the Hokage Mansion, ASAP!"
"Hai!"
Not too far from the village, Yoru was racing back to Konoha, Hikari on his back. They skidded to a stop on a hill that overlooked the village, Hikari's eyes widening.
"Oh god..."
Hope cried in protest as she was jerked from her bed and pulled to her feet, "Wh-what the hell!?"
"We have to get to the Hokage Mansion!"
"Why!?"
"We're under attack!"
"By who!?"
"Akatsuki."
Hope's eyes widened at the name, "O-oh my god..."
"We have to hurry!"
"Y-yes sir!"
Quickly, he led the way to Hokage Mansion, only stopping when loud roars overhead caught his attention.
"O-oh my god...Get down!"
Hiroshi shielded her body with his own as they hit the ground, the man looking back up in surprise.
"That's-!"
"GO!"
The blue dragon roared as she led the other four dragons, attacking the pterodactyl summon.
"P-papa...n-no..."
Hikari watched her dragons fight the monsters that were attacking the village, cursing softly. "Dammit!"
Hope scrambled to her feet, helping Hiroshi up as well. "G-get everyone out!"
"But I was told to take you to Hokage Mansion!"
"Both of you! Get to safety!" Hikari shouted.
"I-I can try to stop him!" the Uchiha shouted as she ran in the opposite direction as she needed to go.
"Hope! Come back, Hope!"
"Sorry Ane! No can do!"
Hikari made the move to run after her, stopping when she felt a familiar chakra signature nearby. "Little brother!" Immediately, she took off to find Konohamaru.
"Damn it Nagato..." Hope swore under her breath, running to find her father figure, gasping when she collided into one of his other bodies.
"Where is Naruto Uzumaki?"
"P-papa! It's me! Hope!"
He frowned and picked her up. "Get away from here as fast as you can."
"No."
"Why not?"
"I made a promise, to keep Naruto's family safe."
He scoffed, pushing her away gently before he disappeared. Hope looking at the empty area dully.
"Love you too..."
"Hope..." Konan murmured, hugging her tightly, "Nagato and I have been so worried..."
"A-am I why he's attacking Konoha...?"
She shook her head, "He's here for the Nine-tails jinchuriki."
"I won't let you get him."
"I know."
"Even if I have to fight you."
"I'm not here to hurt anyone...Nagato made me come."
"Wh-why?"
"I don't know..."
"..."
"He will stop at nothing till he captures Naruto, Hope."
"I'm gonna try my hardest...not to let him get captured. He's my best friend!" she stated, determination in her onyx orbs.
"...Itachi would be proud."
Hope's expression faltered, "Wh-why would you say that...?"
She smiled softly, "Itachi loved this village very much. That's why...his will to protect it has been passed down to you."
"Th-this village betrayed him though! H-how could he love something that did that vile act to him...?"
"It was his home though. And that's why, despite the betrayal, he still loved it.
Hope nodded solemnly, "I miss him so much..."
"I miss him too..."
"It hurts.."
"I know..."
Hope hugged her quickly before running off into the forest, hoping to find Nagato.
Hikari wasn't quite sure what had been going on when she was suddenly surrounded by two of her dragons. All she could remember was a giant shockwave and large cloud of debris flying towards her and Yoru. When she had opened her eyes, she felt her heart stop.
"It's...gone..."
"G-gah!"
She ignored whoever had grunted, her eyes wide. Katsuyu, who had been ordered to protect and heal all the villagers, resided on her back.
"It's all gone..." Hikari whispered, finding it hard to even breathe.
Hope had tripped and fell from the tremors that shook the forest around the village, getting herself carelessly caught in a trap.
Yoru, who had somehow found her, whined as he tried to help her.
"I-I'm fine Yoru...g-go to ane. K-kay? I can take care of myself."
'But I want to help you...'
"I-I'm fine Yoru!"
He whined and nodded, dashing back to find Hikari, who was currently sobbing from the shock of everything being completely gone. And at the same time, Hope was silently crying that she couldn't stop the attack from occurring.
Yuna grunted as she crawled out from under some rubble, "Geez, what a-" she stopped mid sentence, her cobalt eyes widening slightly as she took in the scene, "mess..."
"Naruto has returned!" Katsuyu said softly, crawling up onto the blonde's shoulder.
"Oh thank god.." Liz murmured softly, trying to pry her leg out from under a beam. Yuna moved over to her, trying to help. "Th-thanks..."
"Hika is back...I felt her chakra signature..." Yuna mumbled, using tree roots to push the beam up so she could move Liz's leg out from under it, wincing when she saw her wife's leg severely crushed. "Let's try and fix this up. Katsuyu, I need your assistance."
"Of course!"
"Hope! Where's Hope, Katsuyu!?"
"Outside the village in the forest. She got caught in some sort of trap."
Yuna frowned, looking out to where Naruto was, Chief Toad fighting alongside him and two other large toads. Her eyes widened when she saw Hinata Hyuga racing down to the pit.
"Hinata! Hinata, come back!"
"Oh no..."
Yuna watched with wide eyes as Hinata fought Pein, while Naruto was pinned down by something...a metal pipe stabbed through both hands? She gasped loudly when Hinata was thrown into the air and as she hit the ground harshly, tears forming in her eyes when Pein pierced the same type of pipe like weapon through her.
"Dear god..."
"Yuna! Get down!" Liz shouted as she felt Naruto's chakra spike dangerously.
Yuna did as she said, shielding her wife's body with her own.
Hikari's eyes were wide with shock, tears falling down her face as she watched Naruto lose his control over the Kyuubi. "N...N-Naruto..."'
"Oh god..."
"Oh Naruto..." Yuna mumbled, her eyes sad. She looked up when she heard someone approaching. "Hikari..."
She fell onto her knees in front of them, crying silently.
"H-Hikari."
"It's all gone..." She whispered, "Everything is gone...years of hard work by Hokage...it's gone..."
"W-we can rebuild it..."
Katsuyu, who was perched on Hikari's shoulder, looked at her suddenly. "Hikari...are you...?"
She didn't know what she was talking about for a moment, but she nodded dumbly when she realized what the question was about. "Hai..." She said nothing as the slug climbed down from her shoulder and onto her stomach.
"K-katsuyu?"
"Hm?"
"Wh-what's Hope's condition currently?"
"She's fine. Not any serious injuries from what I can see."
"Hikari. Is there something you want to tell us?" Yuna frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. Her frown deepened when she didn't get a response.
"Hikari?"
"I'm pregnant." She murmured, her eyes dull.
"O-oh Hikari...who's the father...?"
"...Uchiha Sasuke."
"I see..Does he know?"
She bit her bottom lip and shook her head. "I-I haven't told him yet..."
Liz, sitting on a pile of rubble as Katsuyu worked on her leg, reached out to hug the teen. "I understand..." Hikari buried her face in the woman's shoulder as she hummed softly to comfort the young woman, "Shh...we'll help you..."
"I-I'm so scared..." She whimpered, wrapping her arms around herself.
"Shh...we'll help you dear..."
Yuna reached a hand over, petting the brunette's hair soothingly. "Hikari..."
"S-Sasuke is too consumed in his hatred..."
"Maybe...this child will help him, Hikari..." Liz mused.
"I-I can't even help him..."
"Hikari...I'm serious, right Yuna?"
"It's possible..." Yuna whispered, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Y-You don't understand...Sasuke...Sasuke is going to destroy Konoha..."
"We won't let him." Liz said with a small smile playing on her lips.
"Sasuke is an arrogant little brat." Yuna giggled.
Hikari nodded weakly, sniffling.
Liz watched Naruto fight, her eyes sad. "The seal is wearing off.."
"Oh no..."
"Minato...Kushina...Help your son..." Liz silently prayed.
Yuna clasped her hands together and closed her eyes.
"Naruto...you have to stop...NARUTO!" Hikari screamed.
Liz could only sit and watch the battle play out.
~Hours later~
Naruto wandered through the forest, seeking out Nagato when he came across Hope. "Hope!"
Hope looked up weakly, having fallen asleep due to heavy sedatives placed in the trap. He ran over to her, kneeling down next to her. "Are you okay?'
"H-Hai..."
He picked her up gently, holding her close to his chest.
"I-I'll be fine...G-go..." she stuttered, shaking like a leaf.
"A-Are you sure?"
She nodded weakly, her pale hands cupping his face, "I-I can't go see him..." He leaned into her touch, frowning when he noticed how cold her hands were.
"Your hands are like ice..."
"I-its just the sedatives..." she mumbled softly.
"Oh..."
"J-just go...K-kay?"
"I'll be right back. I promise..." He kissed the top of her head before setting her down against a nearby tree. Watching as she drifted off into the induced sleep, her raven locks falling into her eyes as she slumped over. He sighed before he ran off. "She's not okay..." he muttered to himself.
But there was nothing he could do at the moment. He had to stop Pein. Then he would come back and take care of Hope.
And so, Naruto encountered Nagato. He learned that he had been a student of Jiraiya's some years before. They talked about many things, and Naruto told Nagato about his ninja way and what he would do for the ninja world to stop the hate. In the end, Nagato put his faith in Naruto, and sacrificed himself to bring all the people that had been killed in the attacks back to life.
Konan had thanked him, telling him that she believed he would become the bridge of peace, before she made a bouquet of roses from paper. With that, she left with the bodies of her two most precious friends, Nagato, the kind hearted man who only wished to bring peace to the world, and Yahiko, the one who had given them both such hope for a better world when they were children.
Naruto walked back into the forest to retrieve Hope, exhausted.
She was still asleep when he returned, but paler than she was when he had seen her only hours beforehand. He carefully scooped her up in his arms, struggling to keep her in a tight hold. He walked back towards the village, nearly collapsing when someone caught him.
Kakashi smiled underneath his mask.
Liz clapped softly for the nin.
Naruto looked up weakly, blinking as he heard cheering.
"Welcome back!"
"We knew you could do it!"
"Thank you, Naruto!"
His eyes were wide as saucers as everyone cheered for him, every villager standing there before him.
"Naruto!" Hikari cried happily, smiling tearfully.
"You're alright," Liz mumbled.
"Well done, Naruto." Yuna smiled softly, watching some children run over to the blonde ninja and bombard him with questions.
"They've all been waiting here for you." Kakashi explained, smiling softly.
Liz frowned when she saw Hope's condition, "Yuna.."
"I know." She hummed, taking the girl from Naruto's arms carefully and setting her down away from the crowd.
"Three cheers for Naruto!" Hikari cried happily.
"Let's throw him!" Konohamaru suggested, giggling happily as their friends lifted Naruto up.
"Oi!" Naruto shouted in protest.
"Hip-Hip! Hooray!" Hikari cheered, throwing her hands up into the air.
Liz followed Yuna the entire way to an empty area, "Is...she gonna be okay?"
Yuna was silent as she checked over Hope's vitals, "Hm..."
"B-babe?"
"She'll be fine, baby." She smiled softly, "She's just heavily sedated."
"Babe...that can still suppress her breathing...we need her on a respirator..."
"I know." Yuna murmured, picking Hope up quickly.
"Naruto looks busy..."
Yuna smiled lightly, "No one has ever acknowledged Naruto this much, nor praised him for anything. He's a hero now...let him have his moment?" She whispered, her eyes soft as she watched everyone throwing Naruto up into the air.
"I wasn't going to disturb him...I'll make sure he knows we took Hope."
"Alright."
Hikari sighed softly as she walked with her brother, blinking when she saw what was left of their house. "Well...at least it's still standing to some degree, ne?"
"Mhm!"
She smiled, patting the top his head, "Ne...What you did to save Ebisu-sensei...that was very brave of you, Konohamaru."
He smiled brightly at her, "Thank you, ane!"
She returned the smile, ruffling his hair. "Mom and dad would be proud..." She hummed, pushing the door to their house open. "Hm..looks like the roof will have to be replaced.."
"That's better than replacing the house!"
"Hai~!" She giggled.
"Ane?"
"Hm?" She looked over at him, her eyes bright.
"Are you really having a baby, ane?"
"W-Who told you that?"
"You did. A few minutes ago."
"O-Oh...um, yeah...I, uh, am..." She smiled sheepishly.
"Will we have to move?"
"Move? Why would we have to move? Our house is huge."
He shook his head, smiling, "Nevermind!"
She smiled and ruffled his hair lightly. "Ne...I have to leave again soon I think..."
"why!? You just got back!" he protested, wanting his sister to stay.
"I won't be gone for very long...I just need to speak with the baby's dad..." She explained, looking up at a picture of their parents that was on the wall.
"But..."
"I promise...besides, I don't think the elders are very happy with me." She laughed softly, scratching the back of her head.
"You gotta come back! Okay!?"
"I will! I give you my word, ya little pest~!"
"Good!"
~Meanwhile~
"Ah, you're doing much better~" Yuna smiled, looking over Hope.
"My head hurts like hell..." she groaned, wincing when she tried to reach up and rub her head, only to be stopped by handcuffs, "These damn things again!?"
Yuna smiled apologetically and looked at Liz for help.
"Yuna~" Hope whined, "Take them off~"
She pulled the key out and uncuffed her quickly.
Hope giggled and stretched and yawned, "Ah~ Such a nice nap~"
Yuna giggled softly, nodding. "Mhm."
"Where's Naru?" she asked innocently.
"Right here." He hummed, holding some flowers in his hands.
Hope blushed softly when she saw the flowers, "Fl-flowers?"
He grinned and nodded. "Mhm~"
"You didn't have to~"
"I wanted to!"
Hope blushed even more, "Nyah!"
He handed the flowers to her, blushing just as hard as she was.
Liz giggled softly and left the tent with Yuna to give the two some space.
"Ah, young love~"
"Let's give them space Yunie." Liz said, smiling softly. Yuna smiled and nodded, holding Liz's hand as they walked away from the tent.
"I heard you did great, Senpai." Hope murmured softly, admiring the flowers she just received.
Naruto smile sheepishly, "I just...did what I had to do."
"Still...you saved the village..."
"Yeah..."
Hope bit her lip softly, "This is...uh...really awkward, ne?"
"A-A bit."
"So...um..."
"How are you feeling?"
She giggled weakly, rubbing at her eyes, "M'fine."
He sat down next to her, "That's good..." She watched as he did so, still rubbing at her irritated eyes. She knew he didn't know about her weakening eyesight, but she didn't want him to know. He hugged her close, burying his face in the crook of his neck.
"H-huh?"
"I'm...so happy you're okay..."
"Why wouldn't I be~?"
He shrugged, holding her close. "Have you talked to Hikari-chan?"
"No...I've just woken up..."
"She's pregnant."
"I-is she?"
He hummed, "Mhm!"
Hope shrugged softly, "As my mother says, we make our own choices."
"Sasuke doesn't know yet."
"I-its his baby?" He nodded in confirmation. He knew Hope hated Sasuke, he could tell by the tone of her voice and her expression. It wouldn't surprise him if she was disgusted. "If Hikari-ane is it's mother...then...hopefully he or she isn't a murderous bastard." she muttered.
He nodded slowly. "Yeah..."
She sighed softly and rubbed at her eyes again.
"You should rest, okay?"
"I'm fine...I've been asleep for hours..."
"Oh..."
"Are you okay..? I heard you almost passed out..."
"I just kind of overdid it..." He smiled, laying back, letting her rest her head on his chest.
"That's good" she hummed softly, her eyelids drooping a bit.
He nodded, his eyes closed. "Mhm..."
"Wait...it's not good you overdid it.."
But Naruto was already sound asleep, breathing softly; and shortly after, Hope fell asleep too in his arms.
There was some solace at last for the two teens.
~Days later, elsewhere~
Hikari winced as Sasuke grabbed her roughly and shoved her into the wall. "Ow.."
"What the hell were you thinking!? Going into a battlefield while pregnant!?"
"...I was protecting my home."
"You could've gotten yourself killed..."
"Everyone died...but Nagato brought them back." She murmured, wincing as he tightened his grip on her.
"That's even worse!"
"I'm not dead!"
"You could be!"
"But I'm not!" She shouted.
He groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Just don't be reckless again like that..."
"I tell you I'm pregnant and you flip shit..." she grumbled, not sure whether to cry or hit someone.
He groaned, "I want you safe..."
"I know that, and I'm fine..." She murmured, looking down at her feet, "I thought you'd at least show some sort of happiness of learning I'm carrying your child."
"I am happy!"
She looked up at him, "You sound mad..."
"I'm not..." She gently grabbed his hands and moved them to rest on her flat stomach.
"This is your child..."
Sasuke smiled softly, "I know.."
She bit her bottom lip gently, "I...I don't want to have the baby here..." She whispered.
"Then don't..."
"I want you to be there with me..." She looked up at him, her eyes hopeful.
"I can't be in Konoha."
"I don't plan on having it in Konoha...The elders already spoke of their...distaste of the baby..."
"Then where do you plan on staying, 'Kari?"
"The mountains..." She said softly, looking up at the ceiling. "The elders don't approve of the child and said I'm a disgrace to my clan, and I don't want Madara finding out..."
Sasuke nodded softly, "I can't go with you, but I'll visit as often as possible."
"O-Oh..." She looked down, feeling her eyes starting to well up with tears.
"So Madara doesn't find out."
"I-I want you there with me..." She whimpered, "I'm scared..."
"I'll try my hardest."
She let out a choked sob and slowly slid down to the floor.
"'Kari..." he mumbled, trying to comfort her.
"I-I just want you to stop it with t-the revenge a-and just stay with me..." She sobbed out brokenly, trying to stop the tears.
"I'm not staying for the revenge right now...right now I'm more concerned about you..."
"S-Sasuke..." She whimpered.
"Yes?"
"A-Are you still going to burn Konoha to the ground...?"
"...Yes."
"...How do you want your child to grow up?"
"Not surrounded by the vileness of the elders."
"I mean...what do you want them grow up thinking of you? In simpler terms, how do you want them to identify you?"
"As their father."
"As the father who is a man of kindness and peace? Or a man who is consumed with darkness and hate...?"
"Either."
She gaped, "How...How can you be like that?!"
"You have to be."
"I don't understand..."
He shook his head, "You'll see in time."
Hikari sighed, not aware that a certain masked man was eavesdropping in on them. "This child...is the future."
"Hai."
"...I'm scared...that he or she will grow up knowing the dark side of you..."
"They won't."
"You don't know that..."
"Because, I'll try not to."
"...Sasuke?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Not being a coward and running away from the fact you have a kid on the way..."
"Why would I run away?"
"I don't know...so we don't hold you back from your goals..."
"I wouldn't run off."
"Do you swear?"
"I swear."
She smiled, hugging her knees to her chest. "Good...we're both counting on you, okay?"
"Hai."
A/N: *dead* We really need to stop writing such long chapters...it makes my brain hurt...so, we started back to school today. My day sucked because it was never ending, plus my schedule stayed the same. How unfortunate for me. I don't know how Beth's day was. She never said anything, but then again I think I complain more than she does~ But alas, review please~?