Chapter 34: Somewhere I Belong
Chapter Summary: Naruto readjusts to life in the Village.
Words: 1,768
Published: 11/1/23
Naruto's Hospital Bed, Noon
Naruto stated, "I'm not apologizing for what I did, Sakura. It freed my body, and I'm closer to making it all my own."
Sakura sneered at him. "We literally just discussed how worried I get about you doing something like this. I don't want you to apologize for getting rid of Fuuka, I want you to apologize for running off without warning."
Naruto pouted. "Well... I did feel sorta guilty about it, but I was just so caught up in finally freeing myself, I just figured..."
"You figured...?"
"That it wouldn't really matter... I'm sorry, I was being shortsighted..."
Sakura sighed. "You're forgiven... Next time you wanna do something so egregious, just let me know. I really want us to work as us, not as you and me against each other."
Naruto frantically nodded. "Yeah, yeah, of course. From now on, we're a unit."
Sakura smiled. "If you weren't wrapped up like a mummy right now, I'd totally sock you."
A voice from the window bellowed, "Hey, hey, hey!"
Naruto and Sakura looked to the figure crouching at the windowsill.
Naruto bemoaned, "You've got all the subtlety of a tornado, Pervy Sage. What do you want?"
Jiraiya quietly climbed into the room. "I want you. Specifically, I want to train you firsthand in the ninja arts."
The blonde rolled his eyes. "No offense, Pervy Sage, but you and I go together like oil and water. I'd rather be trained by a giant rat."
The man insisted, "Come on, our issues can be water under the bridge. I was your father's sensei, you know, and he turned out to be the village's favorite hokage by a longshot...!"
Naruto replied, his voice laced with contempt, "He also turned out to be the one that died youngest... I don't wanna be your protégé. I'm not gonna learn anything, and you'll just ditch me like you did last time."
"Come on, Naruto, you're older now. I can take you on my spy missions; you'll learn a lot about how my network operates. You'd be a fool to not take this opportunity!"
Naruto met Sakura's warm gaze and looked back at Jiraiya with scorn. "Then I'm a fool. Look, I really don't want anything to do with you. Spending time with you is gonna fry my brain. Just leave, please."
Jiraiya wistfully sighed. "You sure about this, Kid? It's a golden opportunity for you to become a real shinobi."
Naruto mellowed out and replied, "Yeah, I'm sure... The Village is my home, and I can become a real shinobi well enough here."
After a short moment of silence, Jiraiya remarked, "I didn't think you'd reject my offer; you're as unpredictable as ever, Naruto. Hey... Remember what we always used to say?"
Naruto smiled. He and Jiraiya simultaneously said, "The only thing for sure, is that nothing's for sure."
A smile remained on Jiraiya's face as he walked toward the door. As his last statement before leaving, he told the boy, "You've got guts, Naruto. You better not forget that."
After Jiraiya left, Sakura turned to Naruto, and held his hand in her own. "Are you okay?"
Naruto blushed. "I appreciate you askin', Sakura. I'm fine."
Sakura gently squeezed his hand. "I'm sure you made the right choice, Naruto."
In the tranquil stillness of the moment, Sakura sat beside Naruto, her fingers lightly tracing the whisker marks on his cheeks. Her touch was gentle, and Naruto closed his eyes, allowing himself to savor the simple comfort in her presence.
There were no words spoken between them, no need for explanations or reassurances. Sakura's actions conveyed a silent understanding, a bond forged through their shared experiences and friendship. Naruto's heart swelled with gratitude, and he offered her a soft, appreciative smile.
Sakura's fingers continued to trace the familiar contours of Naruto's whisker marks, and as she did, she felt him relax, leaning into her touch. Naruto's expression transformed into one of unguarded contentment, and he couldn't help but gush with appreciation as a blissful grin spread across his face.
Sakura's emerald eyes sparkled with warmth as she continued to soothe him. They basked in the simple pleasure of the moment, their unspoken connection growing even stronger, reaffirming the depth of their friendship and trust.
As the clock struck the next hour, they found solace in each other's company, knowing that sometimes, the deepest connections are those that don't require words.
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Three Days Later, Naruto's Apartment
In spite of how much time had passed, Naruto was still the only one of the patients who had woken up properly, and was now ready for release.
He had requested that he not be visited on his last day, wanting to look presentable for his friends the next time he saw them. As such, he returned home to take a shower first of all.
Naruto stood before the bathroom mirror, anticipation building within him as he slowly unraveled the bandages that covered much of his body. With every layer of cloth he removed, he revealed more of the transformation that had taken place. The sensation of unwrapping his own body felt surreal, like shedding an old, heavy skin.
As the last bandage fell to the floor, Naruto's breath caught in his throat. He gazed at himself, taking in the full extent of the changes. His once orange-tanned skin had indeed returned to its familiar, sun-kissed hue. His fingers lightly brushed over his arms, tracing the journey of the bandages. He marveled at how different, yet familiar, his skin felt beneath his touch.
But it was when he looked into his own eyes that the true realization washed over him. The deep, nearly grayish irises that had haunted him for so long had been replaced with the vibrant, piercing blue of his original eyes. He stared at himself, almost unable to believe the transformation that had taken place.
A mixture of relief and elation surged through him. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and he could finally see his true self in the mirror. Naruto couldn't help but smile, a restored sense of identity and purpose filling his heart. This transformation was not just physical; it was a reminder of the strength within him and his ability to overcome even the darkest of challenges.
After all this time, I'm really me again...
He continued removing the bandages before entering the shower.
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Restaurant, Middle of Village
In the bustling urban center carved out by the torn border between the Uchiha District and the rest of the village after the massacre, business thrived.
One such business was a flashy, modern diner named Kushieda's Diner. From the outside, it was clear that this was an upper-class eatery, with its sleek, rounded corners divulging in sharper shapes for the birdlike symbol on top.
Naruto, dressed in the fanciest clothes he had - a dress shirt accommodated by a loud orange jacket, dress pants, and clean boots - approached the restaurant, having been invited by Ino as a celebration of his release from the hospital.
He walked up to the door handle and pushed, only to be met with resistance. Stepping back, he noticed a sign on the door that read 'PULL'.
The boy sighed, and pulled the door open.
It was a haven of flowing lines, pastel hues, and organic motifs. Its mosaic tables, wrought-iron chairs, and arched bar created an inviting space where culinary and visual delights entwined in a manner that mired comfort and class.
He looked around for those he was set to meet - Sakura, Tenten, Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino herself. When he spotted them, a sense of relief washed over him as they had also dressed themselves up for the outing, assuring him that he hadn't been trying too hard to look fancy.
Sakura's eyes met him first, and she waved him over, prompting him to warmly smile and approach the table. He greeted everyone, and was handed a menu of items to choose from.
Ganotchy sounds good.
He pointed it out to the waitress, who collected everyone's orders and left for the kitchen.
Choji chortled, "Ganotchy? It's gnocchi, you idiot, and I thought I was uncultured.". He had a bellowing, gravelly laugh, which irritated Naruto more and more as the seconds passed, especially as low chuckles spread around the table.
Naruto, feeling slighted, retorted, "At least I only ordered one serving. On that note, keep your distance from my food when it gets here; your fat schnoz alone might suck it all up like a vacuum cleaner."
Although Naruto had intended to poke at Choji's insecurities in retaliation, the plump boy only ended up laughing harder and harder. However, it seemed to irritate Naruto less than before. The pout on Naruto's face, though he resisted, slowly turned upward, as he joined the low laughs rising among his table again.
When the food arrived, Naruto took note of the shape that it was in, familiar and unfamiliar at once.
He remarked, "It's like dumplings, coated in thick noodles? That's... Revolutionary!"
Ino giggled and told him, "It's a classic traditional meal, Naruto. You've really been living in a bubble.", prompting small laughs among the table again.
The boy blushed.
As if reading his mind, Sakura patted his shoulder and assured, "We're not making fun of you, Naruto. At least, we're not trying to hurt your feelings. It's just banter."
Naruto realized that his classlessness was no longer a source of concern. He understood that his peers saw him for the person he had become, not the circumstances of his upbringing. Their bonds of friendship were forged in the fires of their unifying experiences and unwavering trust.
As the evening continued, Naruto felt himself easing into the situation. He no longer worried about being out of place or feeling like an outsider. He was surrounded by friends who accepted him for who he was, quirks and all. In their presence, he could be himself without reservation, and the warmth of their camaraderie reaffirmed that true friendship transcended social status or background.
Naruto's journey from an orphaned outcast to a hero of the village had brought him to this moment. He was, without a doubt, right where he belonged.