CHAPTER 22: brotinn refur grætur einn, en ekki að eilífu.
Fireworks were bursting as Naruto lay in a bed of roses. The rain fell on him, but he was happy. Incredibly happy, even as the sky fell around him. The moon flashed itself from behind the clouds, showing its bright red hugh. Rings formed on its surface as meter thick vines sprung up from the ground. A million mummies hung from the vines with one mummies wrappings undone enough to make out a face. Naruto focused on the figure, unable to fully distinguish who's figure he was looking at. He leaned in closer, noticing a noose around the mummy's neck. Still, closer he leaned. He noticed blond hair, when suddenly the ground began to shake. Naruto's eyes shot open and he woke up.
He hadn't seen Ino in several days, both scared of seeing each other after that night. The night they changed their relationship forever. The night that he would never forget. After having a massive flashback, which wasn't all unpleasant, Naruto removed the covers from on top of him.
He got out of bed and began to start his day. It was an early morning; the kind you want to go back to bed, but it's too late to truly fall back asleep. Drowsily, Naruto met the day with an unusually calm demeanor. He walked down the village streets with a sort of serenity he would have never displayed earlier. This was short lived, as he was soon called to the Hokage's office. The man who delivered the message seemed shaken, almost as if this meeting would be an unpleasant one, a signal Naruto didn't bother to pick up.
Naruto arrived at the Hokage's office through the green double door, only to see more than he expected in the office. Tsunade, Sakura, and Shizune all occupied the office, but a strange toad in a cloak also took up space. "So, this one is Jiraiya Boy's student. Is it?" the toad spoke in Naruto's direction. "Are you calling Pervy Sage 'Jiraiya boy'?" asked an offended Naruto. The toad was amused, "Pervy sage, huh, that name fits Jiraiya boy well." "Who are you anyway?" demanded the Uzumaki. Tsunade, hardly surprised by Naruto, though she couldn't show it, responded, "Be respectful Naruto. Fukasaku is one of the two great sages of Mount Myoboku. He trained Jiraiya." "Ok, so why is Gramp Sage here anyway?" asked an impatient Naruto. "I'm afraid Jiraiya boy has died in battle," answered Fukasaku. "What are you talking about?" begged Naruto. "Even though he had his throat crushed by Pain and he knew the end was near, Jiraiya boy left a message before collapsing," Fukasaku answered, "This is his message." Fukusaku then removed his cloak from his back, showing many numbers down his back, burned into his skin. Fukasaku continued, "He did this to prevent pain from catching on. That is everything I know about Jiraiya Boy's efforts." Naruto's eyes darted around the room, looking for something to remove the pain. In his desperation, he said something he would come to regret. "You let him go. Is that right Granny?" asked a pain riddled Naruto. "That is right," answered Tsunade stoically. "Why would you ever let him do something so risky? You knew pervy sage better than anyone granny. How could you send him somewhere so dangerous alone?" questioned Naruto, tears forming on his face. "I know that this is very sudden, so i understand…" tried Tsunade, but she was interrupted by her protective student. "Stop it Naruto. You of all people have to know how Lady Tsunade feels about this," Sakura tried. "If pervy sage had been the 5th Hokage, he'd never let granny Tsunade take a risk like that. Never" Naruto said as he left the office and headed home to forget his sorrows. A drunk can drown her sorrows in alcohol, which she did, but Naruto is no drunk. His one vice was closed for the remainder of the day. "Damn Ichiraku."
Ino woke up that same morning in a strange mood. Feeling on top of the world she headed down the stairs of her house toward a familiar Ramen stand. At said stand, she ran into Sakura. "He's going to be devastated, poor guy," she overheard from the stand. "Is there anything I can do?" Ino heard from Teuchi as she entered through the curtain. "No it's alright. I just hope he takes it ok, Lady Tsunade took it rough. Thank you for the food." Said Sakura as she got up and left the stand. "Poor Naruto," said Teuchi. "What happened to Naruto?" asked Ino, finally speaking up.
"I guess you heard all that, huh?"
"Yeah. So what happened to Naruto?"
"Nothing happened to Naruto, it was Jiraiya, he died in battle and Naruto isn't going to take it well. He loved that man."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"I was thinking about giving him ramen, but I don't think that will cut it."
"How about we invite him somewhere with all his friends and try to take his mind off things. Sort of like a funeral, but a little less formal."
"That might work, but he might not accept the invitation."
"That part is easy, we just have to coax him out of the shell he will put himself in. I sure hope he will be ok."
Naruto didn't coax out of his shell, "I'm sorry Ino, but I want to be alone right now." "Ok, if that's what you want. I'll be there if you need me," politely replied the kunoichi. She left, "That's the first time we've talked in nearly a week and it was so negative. I hope that this doesn't last. I really don't like when Naruto is this sad."
Across the village, two days later, Inner Sakura was growing restless. 'We can't let Ino help him, that's our job.' 'Let her help him, anything to get him out of this funk. I've never seen him like this. It doesn't matter who helps him, as long as they help.' replied Sakura to her inner self. 'Yes it does matter, and it's going to be us,' demanded Inner, beginning to take control. 'Alright, I'll try. But, only because I can't stand to see him this low.'After her internal discussion, Sakura decided that if she could help Naruto she would.
Sakura walked down the village streets toward Naruto's apartment. She knew that if she went in too vibrantly Naruto would push her away. She needed to be calm when she knocked on the door. Knock knock knock, the door creaked open and a set of eyes revealed themselves. "Hey Naruto, please come out the door. It's not healthy to stay inside for so long." "Please go away Sakura, I'm trying to sleep." replied a sad shinobi. "No," answered Sakura, "Come outside, it's not healthy." "Alright," said Naruto. He slowly finished opening his door and stepped out into the world. He was a sorry sight, crusted tears down his face and clothing unchanged from the fateful reveal.
"Common Naruto, we are going somewhere."
"Alright."
The pair walked through the village, barely a word said as they headed through the streets.
"Let me go back home Sakura, I'm tired."
"No, You need to see the sun and try to wake up a bit. Naruto, you've been in your apartment for the last two days, you haven't even left for food."
"Yeah…"
"Here we are, Ichiraku ramen."
"..."
The pair ate in silence, while Teuichi was happy his best customer was finally back. "I've sure missed you Naruto!" exclaimed a happy Teuichi, "Food's on the house." "Really?" asked a delirious Naruto. "Of course, we've all missed you!" "He's right Naruto," said Sakura, "We have all missed you. Right now you are sad and you have a right, but we've all been missing our favorite shinobi. He's missed you, the village has missed you, and I've missed you. Ino has really missed you though, you should pay her a visit. After, go to the Hokage's office, she needs your help with something."
"Ok. Now, let's eat!" answered a now more energetic Naruto.