Author's Note

My dear readers,

The following chapter contains discussion of suicide. If such material is distressing or triggering to you, I apologize, and encourage you to resume with next week's chapter if you must.

Thank you,
- Rii

Chapter 130 - Good Grief

With everything that happened immediately after the tournament, it wasn't terribly surprising that chuunin promotion announcements were somewhat delayed. They were always done once all the foreign guests had gone home, and things had long since calmed down by then, but all the paperwork and discussion kept the happy and the not-so-happy news from being properly distributed.

And of course, Naruto insisted on doing it himself.

Go'on, though he had performed admirably, was not promoted. But he wasn't terribly bothered, and he got hugs from his mother (and Kotoji, since they were at Yamato's house at the time), and a handshake and a wish of good luck for next time from Naruto.

Shikake was not promoted, either. But she wasn't told the news personally: Shikamaru greeted Naruto at the door and said that, since she was grounded, he'd tell her himself. Naruto asked if she was okay, and Shikamaru shrugged.

"She's sulking," he replied.

Shikake was sulking, and she continued to sulk, rarely leaving her room. But this was more over the fact that she hadn't been allowed to say goodbye to her uncles and Morizuru than her failure.

(She knew that Gaara and Kankuro wouldn't have been disappointed in her performance. Morizuru even knew she didn't care about being a chuunin in the first place.)

Naruto got both of these out of the way before allowing himself the good news. It would be way more fun that way.

He entered the Yamanaka compound with a bright smile and very little hesitation. "Hey there, guys! How's it goin'?"

Inoichi had restructured his house slightly to account for his grandchildren and daughter staying more permanently. The living room was cleared out more, to make room for futons in the evening, so everyone was sitting on the floor.

"We're doin' pretty great, Uncle Naruto!" Karai answered.

"Yeah, yeah? How's the work on your new house going?" he asked.

"It's really great! Hashiki-san got the foundation set up just the other day, an' they're gonna put in windows an' stuff real soon!" Karai reported.

"Oh, sweet! I hope that goes quickly," Naruto said. "Andou-kun's helping to organize the charities for people who lost stuff during the attack and we're definitely keeping you all in consideration, y'know."

"Thank you very much," Ino said, quietly.

"So, I'm sure you all are wondering why I'm here. It's not just to check on you, y'know." He smiled so hard that his eyes closed.

"Yeah, what is it?" Inou said.

Naruto looked over his shoulder at the hallway that led to Inoichi's foyer, and motioned for someone to come in.

(Of course he brought a friend for this part.)

Moegi the interrogator entered, two green flak jackets folded over her left arm, and she stood behind him with a coolly pleased expression.

"As your Hokage I am honored to report that both Inou and Karai were chosen for promotion to chuunin this year," he said, with as much formality as he could muster.

Karai rocketed into a standing position. "Are you serious?!"

"Yeah, I'm serious, you guys both made it!" Naruto replied.

"Mom, did you hear that?!" Karai almost looked like she was shaking her head as she shifted her attention from her mother to her brother. "Hajime?!"

"I heard him, Karai," Hajime said. It was obvious he hadn't been sleeping well, but his smile was overflowing with love.

Inou looked incredibly confused. "I made it?"

"Dude, of course you did. It was, like, the easiest decision we had to make this year! 100% yes all around the Council, y'know!" Naruto said.

"But I… how is that…?" A smile was trying to work its way out of his face, but his disbelief was too strong for the time being.

"We took into consideration much more than your performance in the exams proper—which, I will have you know, was far above standard," Moegi said. "Your actions immediately before and after—in assisting with the interrogation of Orochimaru's clone, in your assistance with the recent events—those were what really made the decision easy for us. The same goes for you, Uchiha Karai."

"Oh my goodness…!" Karai said. Inou said nothing, still a bit overwhelmed.

"So you mean… I was promoted because of all the stuff I did with the interrogations and stuff…?" he finally managed.

"After everything you've done, it would be a crime not to," Moegi said. "To keep one of the most gifted mind-jutsu users living today from advancing in his career is unthinkable."

Inou's face bloomed from the compliment, and he began looking around the room much like Karai had.

(The warmest smile for him, by far, was from Nadeshiko, sitting in the corner, apart from everyone else. Her hair had been cut short by her mother into a severe bob that ended near her chin, and it finally looked clean and cared-for.)

"Heh, Moegi-san, you wanna tell Inou-kun the rest of the good news?" Naruto said, rocking in place a little from the anticipation.

"Ah, of course." She cleared her throat, subtly, covering her mouth with her fist. "Uchiha Inou, in addition to your chuunin promotion, we have a position for you on the police force effective immediately."

"The police force?!" Inou almost lost his balance. "Are you serious?!"

"Of course I'm serious, there's no reason I'd be joking," Moegi replied. "The Torture and Interrogation unit could use people like you, certainly, but I have a feeling you'll be able to contribute to several departments with your skills."

"Oh, wow, well…" Inou began running his fingers through his bangs.

"Should you agree to join, you'll be the first Uchiha on the force in over thirty years," Moegi added, pointedly. "Which is quite significant, all things considered."

Inou stopped with his fussing, his hair pushed out of his eyes, the confusion returning to his face.

"Of course, Moegi-san isn't offering you this job just 'cos of your family, y'know!" Naruto said, waving his hands. "Heck, if that was the case, then Hajime-kun would be a police officer instead of a Seal Team guy. And… and, yeah."

"Your skill set is far more suited for this department," Moegi said, almost like punctuation.

Inou let his bangs fall back in his face. "That's still… pretty significant, though."

"Young man, the position we're offering you is usually only given to those with ten years prior experience in the Torture and Interrogation unit," Moegi said. "It is very significant."

"Well, Inou, what do you say…?" his mother said, with a gentle nudge.

Inou swallowed, and then bowed with his forehead to the floor. "I graciously accept your offer, ma'am."

Moegi's smile warmed. "Then I expect for you to report in for duty first thing tomorrow morning at 8 AM, at the police station. Your first mission has already been decided: you'll be assisting your fellow Yamanaka officers in learning mind-reading techniques."

"Ah…! I see…" He nodded. "Of course, I'll do my best…"

"Perhaps you'll see fit to teach them that jutsu you used in the exams?" Moegi continued. "Everyone that witnessed it was amazed by what you seemed to do. A technique of your own invention, or a lost Yamanaka art, is it?"

"The jutsu I used in the exams…?" Inou was surprised that he needed to think about it. "Oh! Oh, that one… Um, I invented it myself, ma'am."

"Of course," Moegi replied, sincerely. "Just further proof that you're more than qualified for your position."

"Moegi-san, if you keep throwin' out compliments like this, I think Inou-kun's gonna explode, y'know," Naruto said, laughing.

Moegi chuckled slightly. "Fair enough. Now, don't forget to wear your uniform tomorrow." She tossed one of the vests at Inou, where it landed in his lap, and the other at Karai, who caught it and held it tightly to her chest.

"O-Of course not…!" Inou replied.

"Thanks for comin' by, Moegi-san," Naruto said, waving a hand. "I know you've been busy."

"Please. I had to come," she replied. She nodded at them all. "I'll see you tomorrow, Inou-kun."

"Okay…!" Inou replied.

Naruto must have been waiting for her to leave, because as soon as she was gone, he had lost all composure and was quivering with excitement.

"So are you guys gonna have a party for this or what, y'know?!" he said. "This is huge news!"

"Oh, well, I suppose we could…!" Ino said, covering her mouth in delighted surprise. "My, this just has been a bit unexpected, so…"

"Can we, Mom? Can we?" Karai had already put on her new vest, and was twirling around, getting used to the weight of it.

"Of course, Karai," Ino replied. Karai cheered in reply.

"And super congratulations for you, Inou-kun," Naruto continued. "Like, I'm really glad you're finally getting a little recognition, y'know."

"…thanks, Uncle Naruto…" Inou said, softly, though smiling, and clinging to his vest tightly, as if, if he let it go, it would disappear.

"So we gonna party or what?" Naruto said.

"Allow me a little time to plan, Naruto, please!" Ino said, laughing.

"Okay, okay! I'm sorry, I'm just so happy for you guys!" he said, and laughed himself. "When you gonna tell Sasuke the news?"

The lightness of the room seemed to lessen significantly.

(Naruto more than noticed.)

"…we'll tell him once everyone's calmed down," Ino said, in place of everyone else. "I'm sure he wouldn't want to be disturbed with too much excitement…"

"Ah… I gotcha. Heh, you know Sasuke, he can only take so much shouting, y'know…" Naruto scratched at his neck. "Well, whenever you guys decide to celebrate, be sure to invite me, okay?"

"Of course, Uncle Naruto!" Karai said, managing a chip of sunshine in her voice. "There's no way we'd forget to invite you."

"Sweet." He smiled with his eyes closed. "Well, you know where I am. And good luck at work tomorrow, Inou-kun!"

"Thanks…" Inou said.

Naruto waved at them all, before leaving their house, and then the compound.

"…Inou, do you want to go to the hospital with me to tell your father the good news?" Ino said, in the quiet that followed.

Inou was staring at the floor.

"Inou…?"

"I don't want to tell him," Inou said.

"What…? But you've worked so hard for this," Ino said.

"Do you honestly think he'll care, at this point?" Inou replied.

"Of course your father will care, Inou…" Ino said, but her words were soft with uncertainty. "He'll be incredibly proud of you."

Inou scoffed. "Sure. When has he ever been proud of me…"

His mother almost gasped from the hurt she heard. "Inou…"

Inou continued to stare at the floor.

"Mom, it's okay, he doesn't have to tell Dad himself…" Hajime said. "You can tell him instead."

"Yeah. You tell him. He won't believe me anyways," Inou added.

"…Inou, are you sure?" Ino said.

"I'm not gonna talk to him, Mom," Inou replied. "And you can't make me," he added, in a half-hearted mumble.

"…um, if it's okay with you, Mom, if Inou's not going then I'll stay here too," Karai said. She'd long since sat back down. "B'sides, Mom, Dad needs his quiet, right? It'll be easier on him if you're the one that tells him."

Ino sighed, her eyes lowered. "I suppose you're right. He won't want much commotion…"

"I'll keep an eye on everyone if you're heading out now," Inoichi said. "You shouldn't wait."

"Mm, you're right." Ino stood, and went to get her purse. "Do you all want me to get anything at the grocery store for dinner while I'm gone? Your father included or not, we're still going to have a party." She tried to smile.

"…s'okay, Mom, we don't have to celebrate tonight," Inou said.

"Take your time, Mom. We got a lot of time!" Karai added.

Ino sighed again. "All right, all right. I'll be back soon."

She put on her shoes and tried not to feel nervous as she began walking to the hospital.

But when she made it to Sasuke's room, he was gone. The bed was being set with new linens by a custodian.

"…excuse me, but where is the patient that's in this room?" Ino asked her.

"Hm?"

"Uchiha Sasuke, this is supposed to be his room," Ino continued. "I'm his wife, and…"

"Ah, well, I dunno where he is, but this room opened up this morning," the custodian replied. "Y'should go ask a nurse if you wanna know where your husband is."

Ino ran out of the room with a word of thanks tossed at the custodian, who returned to her work with a shrug.

The nearest nurse had to ask Ino to slow down, when she found her. But once Ino got her point across, she was able to retrieve the records for the wing from that day.

"Ah, yes, Uchiha Sasuke, he checked himself out this morning," she reported, flipping through papers. "Did he not go home?"

Ino, trying to keep her breathing slow and even, shook her head.

"I'm sure you'll find him soon enough, he didn't leave very long ago," the nurse replied. "He might have just taken a while to get home; it says he's still recovering from a leg fracture, here."

Somehow Ino doubted this was the case. And instead of going home, she went to the Hokage Manor, to find Naruto.

"Ino? Hey, what's wrong?" he said, when she came into his office, still trying to catch her breath.

"It's Sasuke…" she gasped. "I can't find him, he checked himself out of the hospital and I can't find him…"

Naruto stepped away from his desk and put a hand on her shoulder. "He checked out?"

She nodded. "I can't find him…"

"Ino, it's okay. I'll find him." He took her hands in his, and closed his eyes, and he spread the whole of Konoha out in his mind, looking for the black star of Sasuke's chakra.

He was surprisingly near.

"Huh…? I think he's… here in the Manor, y'know…?" Naruto opened his eyes. "Ino, come with me. We'll find him."

And they found him.

He was walking, hands in his pockets, down a hallway near the administrative wing of the Manor. He had a noticeable limp, and was going very slowly.

"Sasuke…!" Ino called out to him as she ran to him, but stopped short before she could touch him.

Almost as slowly as he seemed to walk, Sasuke turned around.

He did not look angry, or happy, or even sad to see them.

He just looked empty.

"Ah. Ino."

"What are you doing here…? Why did you leave the hospital?" Ino said.

"I had to take care of some things," Sasuke replied.

"Things…?"

"Setting some things right. I was going to go home and tell you, but I suppose it's better that I met you here."

"What's going on, Sasuke?" Naruto had caught up with them, and stood beside Ino.

(What he felt was at once as concerning and confusing as the complete lack of expression on Sasuke's face.)

(Sasuke felt… satisfied, was it? Or was it sad? Or was it both?)

(It was something he had honestly never felt from out of Sasuke, and it worried him.)

"I just finished some paperwork," Sasuke replied. "I had it declared that, if he's willing, Hajime will take over for me immediately as the head of the Uchiha clan."

"Sasuke…!" Ino said.

"All he needs to do is sign the papers. He'll be able to decide what he wants to do with his… kid now," Sasuke continued, stumbling over his words as if half-asleep.

"…Sasuke, he already decided that he's going to take responsibility…" Ino said, quietly. "He's adopting it."

Sasuke smiled, bitterly, staring at the floor. "Ah… of course he is. Well, perhaps this will help anyways…"

"That's pretty great of you, Sasuke," Naruto said, smiling a little. "I'm sure it'll help him, y'know."

But Ino stepped forward, a hand stretched out hesitantly. "Sasuke—are you all right…?"

"I'm fine," he replied.

Certainly, the swelling on his face had lessened significantly, the bruises fading, but his eyes looked half-dead.

"Are—are you sure?" Ino said.

"I was healthy enough to be discharged. And now I'm taking care of some things before I go home. That's all. I'm sorry I worried you."

Ino had to pause.

(Because she couldn't remember if Sasuke had ever apologized to her for anything before.)

"Oh, so you're headin' home after this?" Naruto said.

"Yes. I'm going to take a walk, and then I'm going home," Sasuke replied.

"Sounds good, man," Naruto said. "We were worried about you, y'know."

"I'm sorry," Sasuke said again, as tonelessly as everything else.

And he turned around, without another word, and began leaving.

"Sasuke—hold on."

He looked over his shoulder at Ino's voice.

"When you come back…" Ino fought with her words. "Inou and Karai were both just promoted to chuunin, and it'd really mean a lot to them if you… congratulated them."

Sasuke's eyes lowered.

"That's good," he said. "I don't think they want my congratulations though."

"Come on, Sasuke," Naruto said. "Of course they do. Why would you think otherwise, y'know?"

Sasuke turned around to leave again. "You're right. I should congratulate them."

He began walking.

"Sasuke-"

He didn't turn around at Ino's voice this time, though he still stopped.

"…just try not to take too long, okay?" she said.

"I won't," Sasuke replied.

"We're staying at my father's house, so…"

But he didn't say anything more. He continued down the hall, rounded the corner, and was gone.

"…Naruto, is he okay?" Ino said, not long after.

"I... I don't know," Naruto replied. "I mean, he looks—he looks bad, y'know, but I don't think I've ever seen him so calm…"

Ino's eyes followed the invisible line of Sasuke's path further down the hallway.

Naruto put his hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay, Ino. He's just comin' away from some hard times. You want me to go home an' wait for him with you?"

She shook her head. "No, no, I'm… fine. Thank you for offering, though…"

He patted her on the back a few times. "Call me any time you need me, Ino. I'm here for all of you, not just for Sasuke, y'know."

Ino managed to smile a little, thanked him again, and went home, and she began waiting.

In truth, Naruto was right.

Sasuke had never felt so calm.

His time in the hospital had given him a lot of time to think. He had put together a plan, and he was almost finished with it.

First, he was going to get out of the hospital, as soon as they would let him. He would do it quietly, and without anyone noticing.

(Ino had noticed, apparently. But that wasn't a problem.)

Second, he was going to set some things right. He was going to allow for Hajime to take control of his own life, and his own problems, and to look after the family. He had no doubt that the boy would make the right decisions.

(They would be better decisions than Sasuke had made, at any rate.)

And finally, he would go home. And he would stay out of everyone's lives for good.

(Because, he had long since realized, people suffered by merely being near him.)

He took his time walking through the Old Compound, once he had reached it.

The unrecognizability of it all ached in his heart, but at the same time, he figured it was just another omen, a sign from the world that everything was moving on without him, that his own past didn't need him any more.

At least the lake had survived. And he found it, and sat at the end of the dock for a long time.

It was a beautiful day.

The air was cool, and there was a light breeze rustling through the new trees that surrounded the lake and everything else. The sky was blue, and clear, and the sunlight fell on the calm waters of the lake, making it sparkle like a thousand different mirrors.

A good day to make peace, Sasuke decided.

He hadn't left any sort of messages behind. He hadn't seen the reason. There was nothing to say.

Eventually, someone would find him. And they'd figure out why he did what he did.

It was obvious enough to him, anyways, and it would probably be obvious to them too.

Nobody wanted him in their lives any more.

And he caused nothing but pain by merely existing.

It would be the first truly good thing he would ever do for anyone.

And also the last.

He entered the lake slowly, as if disturbing the surface any further would just add to his long list of sins.

(The thought of punishment in the next world—and surely there was one, because of what had happened with Itachi—only occurred to him in echoes and afterthoughts.)

(Whatever happened to him—pain, suffering, nothingness—he was certain he more than deserved.)

And once he could no longer see the bottom of the lake, he went under, and did not let himself come up.