The former blonde followed the princess in silence through the mansion, eventually arriving at a small private study that Chris had allowed the Princess to work in.
Stepping inside, Naruto saw not much aside from a fancy mahogony desk and matching chairs, the former laden with several papers ranging from plans against Eggman to tallies of who was and who wasn't found on Earth so far. Rather than taking a seat in any of the chairs though, Sally made her way over to a window on the far side of the room, sitting on the sill as she stared out into the forests surrounding the Thorndyke residence.
Looking out the window, Sally's gaze became distant. As much as Naruto wasn't one for silence, he had the feeling that she was gathering her thoughts. As she had said, Sally knew what it felt like to love and miss her home; Especially the ones from there. She doubtlessly needed to contemplate things she had wished to bury. So he waited.
"I'm...sure you know already thanks to Metal's files...but...the thing is that Robotnik destroyed my home..."
Naruto simply nodded without a word, standing behind the princess with his arms crossed as he let her speak.
"I...I was only eight when it happened, I was playing with my father and Nicole in the courtyard of our castle, it seemed to be one of the best days ever. Then... everything turned into a nightmare, robots swarming in from everywhere, destroying everything in their path and taking everyone they could catch way to be robotisized..." Sally's hands started to tremble, memories of that aweful day flashing through her mind.
She wasn't the only one seeing it though, as Voice pulled up files of the very events she spoke of, several videos and photos popping up and filling his vision with detailed overviews of the entire attack. It left Naruto feeling sick as he watched the events.
"...My father had my nanny sneak me away into the forests to safety while he stayed to fight. I never saw him again after that day...I...never saw a lot of people I knew again..."
"...I'm sorry for your loss." Despite his anger towards the redhead, Naruto's words were genuine.
"Thank you, but I'm the one that should be apologizing," The princess stated, her gaze dropping to the floor in shame as she started to shake. "I was also robotisized once...twice, actually...I know exactly how terrifying it can be, waking and finding yourself in a body that isn't truly your own, forced to bend to another's will. You were going through all of that at once and... I have no excuse, I'm sorry. We shouldn't have done all that to you. But...but we've been fighting Robotnick so long that...that..." she sighed, "...There's no explanation or excuse that justified how we handled things with what we did. Pragmatic and direct don't mean right. True it was to remove what would have kept him from putting you at risk from the inside out, but...I'm sorry..." She turned around and looked at him, his face as Metal Sonic as expressionless and menacing as always. Sally had to remind herself that there was a person trapped behind that face. That this wasn't just a machine. Still, as Metal Sonic was known as Ivo "Eggman" Robotnick's silent killer, the silence was more than a bit intimidating. The chipmunk girl found herself privately admitting that she very much preferred it when Naruto talked while he was in that body.
"...At least you're willing to admit it when you mess up. Going to need a lot more than just words, though." Naruto said at last as he looked at her.
"I know. And believe me, I'm willing to prove it. I just...I understand if you don't, but please...just give me that chance to show you I mean it, Naruto." The female Acorn said.
"A second chance, eh?" Naruto felt like laughing at that, but wasn't sure this body even could do that. He had helped see people get a second chance before. Now he was being asked to do it again.
The redhead nodded.
"Well, far be it from me to give someone a fair chance to want to make things better. Still, we'll see what the future brings." The former human said, "And I get the feeling that you're not one to back down when there's something that you feel needs doing, so might get your opportunity for that to happen."
"Thank you." Sally said as she sighed in relief, "and just so you know, since we're all on the same position here, we'll help you too."
Naruto tilted his head to the side a little at that. "Meaning?" he asked.
The slight gesture of confusion made Sally smile a little. It was something no machine of Ivo's ever did. One of those little things that showed Naruto was in there. It set her at ease. "Konoha...did I say that right?" she said, then asked. "Like you told Amy, you're not from around here. Just...we're all not from around here, either. So, we'll help you get back home, too."
Naruto stiffened at that. "...Eavesdropping?"
Sally shook her head, "Don't insult me. I have been wanting to approach you and apologize for that...surgery incident. And you were pretty open and loose with talking about the place to Cream earlier. Hard not to overhear. Look, Naruto...all I'm saying is you can count on our help with getting back there and to who you care about. Is it so wrong to want to help?"
"Duly noted that you're making that offer, and I appreciate it...but..." his steel-clawed fists clenched, "...It...it's...complicated...and before I can even think on those things, there's other issues I have to settle first. How I even ended up in Metal's body to begin with at the forefront."
Sally nodded. "I completely understand. Just know the offer to help is on the table for when you do figure out everything else you need before it and can finally focus on that issue."
"...Thanks...Sally..." Naruto nodded before he left the room. He really felt he needed to get his thoughts in order before he decided to trust Sally again or not.
Seeing him go, the chipmunk sighed. Well, she had said what she needed to, and thensome by offering aid in helping Naruto return to where he came from. All that she could do now was wait for him to decide. Still, fact that he had called her by name when he thanked her was a hopeful sign.
[Hope that he can forgive us.] Nicole said, voicing Sally's thoughts.
"Me too." the royal said, then pulled out the handheld that contained her dearest friend's consciousness.
Stepping out of Thorndyke Mansion, Naruto looked to the mearby forest before vanishing in a static blur, leaving behind a trail of dust that led into the treeline.
Just why the Thorndykes had enough money to blow on affording an entire forest as part of their backyard, the Uzumaki neither knew nor cared. But as a resident of a place known as 'The Village Hidden in the Leaves', he felt at ease in such settings. It was something that he felt he needed at this point.
Stopping at a giant sequoia, the ninja turned mechanical hedgehog made his way up the tree, climbing manually, his metal fingers easily punctured deep into the wood and he hauled himself up until he reached the topmost branches and sat on one once he found a suitably sturdy one, his head turned so his unblinking gaze was towards the horizon as the sky started to turn dark.
[Inquiry: Do you intend to accept their cessation of hostilities despite the odds of further betrayal?]
'I...I don't know yet, Voice...I just...I need some time away from everyone there at the Thorndyke's place. Have to think about things...I mean, I get their logic and how it comes from having all those experiences with how the doctor impacted their lives, but how was I an active threat without being provoked first? They knew that, and they still did what they did...'
[Acknowledged. Further processing required.]
'Thanks for understanding...'
[Affirmative.]
Inside one of the many labs of Eggman's hideout, several combots lay on the ground; undamaged, but with mini EMPs stuck to their heads that kept them from activating. Similarly the cameras had been disabled, faux lenses placed over them that fed a looped video of an empty lab.
And just for added measure the lights were cut, bathing the room in darkness as a figure loaded up various components into a large duffel bag. Robot parts, tools, raw materials, all were stuffed inside with quick precise motions. All the while the figure watched a screen showing Eggman in his command center.
[-And where the blazes has Metal disappeared to?! He couldn't have been defeated! His power gem would have leveled a thousand square miles if he'd been taken out!] The robotics expert said on the feed.
"How interesting..." mused the intruder before they grinned. A rogue Metal Sonic? This could easily provide an opportunity.
Just had to find the robot...