Chapter 31- Departure

Shanan's hands trembled slightly as she held the small note, her eyes fixed on Master Jiraiya's handwriting. The message itself was brief, just two words: "Three days." Yet, despite its simplicity, the note's significance was overwhelming. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, threatening to spill over.

The surprise and gratitude she felt at receiving at least some notice warred with the bittersweet knowledge of what those two words implied: Master Jiraiya's return, and with it, the impending departure of Naruto.

Naruto's eyes locked onto the paper in Shanan's hand, his expression softening with understanding. "I can probably guess what it says, huh?" he asked, his voice tinged with sadness.

"Yeah," she said as she nodded slightly, a melancholy smile on her lips, before releasing a gentle sigh. "We have three days."

His gaze dropped, his hands disappearing into his pockets as he stared at the ground. "I'll still stay if you want me to," he told her.

"I know, but…" Shanan's head tilted to the side, her eyes filled with a deep affection as she shook her head at him.

Naruto's face contorted, his eyes welling up with tears. "I mean it, sis," he said, his voice cracking. A sob escaped his lips, and he hastily wiped away the tears, his eyes pleading with Shanan. "Tell me not to go…"

Shanan's own eyes misted, but she fought back the tears. She opened her arms, and Naruto stumbled into them, burying his face in her shoulder. His body shook with sobs as he clung to her, the thought of leaving her behind too much to bear.

The two stood there, wrapped in a tight embrace, as the minutes ticked by. The only sound was Naruto's muffled sobs, his tears soaking into Shanan's clothing as she held him close, offering what little comfort she could.

As his sobs subsided, Shanan gently leaned back, her hands cradling his face as she wiped away the remaining tears. A warm smile spread across her face, and she laughed softly, despite the tears still shining in her own eyes. "Hey… my sweet little baby," she whispered, her voice filled with affection and reassurance.

Naruto looked up at her, his eyes red-rimmed but attentive. Shanan's smile faltered for a moment, but she took a deep breath and continued.

"This is going to be one of the biggest adventures you'll ever go on. It's a big change, and I know that's scary. But change is necessary for growth." Her voice was steady, as she spoke from the heart.

"And yeah, you'll be a bit different than you used to be because of it, but that's not a bad thing. You'll always have the same heart," she emphasized, her hand gently pressing against his chest. "Sure, you'll miss the way things used to be, but that just means that your past was a lovely present that was important to you. And whether or not you realize it now – even though you're afraid – your future will be that too."

Shanan's eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she looked at him. "And one day, when you look back, your life is going to consist of a string of happiness, and challenges, and journeys… just like this one." Her smile returned, softer and more gentle this time.

"It's okay to be scared, Naruto," she whispered. "But I'm always going to be here for you. I'll always be your home when you need me to be."

As Naruto's chin still quivered, he summoned a resigned smile. His eyes were brimming with unshed tears as he sniffled. "Thanks, sis."

Her smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure, her eyes shining with warmth. "Let's make the most of these three days, okay?" she suggested, her voice gentle. "What do you wanna do?"

"Um…" Naruto's gaze drifted off, his mind working overtime as he thought about how to spend their limited time together. After a moment, his face lit up with an idea. "Can we go to the bodega and get the stuff to make ramen?"

"Of course, we can," she said, a soft smile on her face.

"And can you carry me on your back too?" he asked, his voice filled with a childlike sense of hope.

She pinched his cheek affectionately. "Anything for my little baby," she teased.

His face flushed with embarrassment as he gently pushed her hand away, his voice softening. "Little brother…" he corrected.

"Yeah, yeah…" Shanan said pointing to her back. "Get on, let's go!"

Naruto jumped on her back, his smile lingering as he held on tight. Though his heart was still heavy, he was excited to spend his remaining time in the village with his favorite person.

The next few days passed in a warm haze of nostalgia and affection.

Shanan and Naruto spent their days cuddled together, lost in the pages of his favorite books, as she read to him in a soft, soothing voice. The scent of his favorite meals filled the apartment with the comforting aromas of ramen and pork. And Shanan's voice would rise and fall in a gentle melody, singing the songs that Naruto loved, the ones he'd requested over and over when he was little.

They told new and familiar stories to one another and reminisced about old times.

Sasuke's name was spoken in hushed tones, and Shanan's eyes would cloud over with sadness. Though she wanted to let go of the pain, to forget the ache of Sasuke's betrayal, Naruto wouldn't let her. Not while he was still there to remind her. His determination to hold on to the past kept her anchored to the memories they'd shared with him.

But even as she cried for Sasuke, she knew that her tears were also for herself. With Naruto's departure, she knew that she would finally be free to let go of Sasuke. The thought was bittersweet, a mix of relief and sorrow that tangled in her chest like a knot.

The last day had finally arrived, and Shanan woke up to the sound of her front door opening. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, sitting up in bed as Naruto bustled in, his arms and hands laden with plates of food. One plate even teetered precariously on top of his head, threatening to topple over at any moment.

She scrambled out of bed, hastily relieving him of some of the dishes to help him carry them to the table.

As she set the plates down, her eyes widened in surprise. "What is all this?" she asked, her gaze falling on the plates she had carried. "You made wakame salad?"

Naruto grinned, his eyes sparkling with pride. "Yep!" he said, setting down two more plates.

Her gaze fell upon the familiar dish. "And you made katsu curry?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah… I've seen you make it so much, ya know?" he muttered, his voice tinged with shyness.

Shanan's smile grew even wider, her eyes shining with tears.

As he carefully removed the platter of pickled vegetables from the top of his head, she couldn't help but laugh at the sight. He set the platter down gently, then smoothed his hair with his other hand, looking adorably rumpled.

"Oh, yeah!" he said as he darted over to the counter, retrieving the rice cooker and setting it down beside the other dishes. "I made this here since I knew the smell wouldn't wake you up," he explained, "but man, I was worried you'd wake up with how much I had to come in and out. The stove over there hasn't been used in so long, I didn't have a lot to cook with, so I kept having to run back over here…" He trailed off, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

"It looks really good, Naruto," she said. "I was gonna make you something—"

"I know, sis," he interrupted, his face lighting up with a warm smile. "You always do. But… I wanted to do something for you finally."

Shanan's eyes welled up with tears, but she fought them back, nodding once in acceptance.

"Sit down, alright?" he said. "I'll get the tea."

She complied, sitting quietly as Naruto served her, arranging the plates and utensils with a careful attention to detail.

When he finally sat down across from her, they put their hands together and said, "Thank you for the food," their voices harmonizing.

As they began to eat, Shanan's eyes lit up with delight. "Naruto, this is amazing! I can't believe you made this…" She savored each bite, her expression radiant with pleasure.

Naruto beamed with pride, happy to see her enjoying the meal.

Shanan's enthusiasm turned to excitement as she began to tell him about the different cuisines he might encounter on his travels. "You know, Naruto, you're gonna get to try so many amazing foods on your journey," she said. "In the Land of Wind, they have this famous roasted duck dish that's made with a special herb that only grows in Sunagakure. And in the Land of Water, they have this fried rice made with three kinds of crab. I've been meaning to look for a cookbook with food from different lands…"

"I didn't even think about trying new foods," he admitted. "I guess I figured everyone ate the same stuff as us."

"Not at all!" she said, smiling. "Ooh, and then there's the Land of Earth, where they have so many different types of root vegetables. They're known for their stews and have several signature dishes."

As they continued to eat and chat, Shanan continued to share her knowledge with him of the different lands and their unique culinary traditions that she'd read about.

After their meal, Naruto insisted that Shanan take a shower while he cleaned up. She didn't fight him at all and when she emerged from the bathroom, he was already settled on the bed with her favorite book open in his lap. He looked up and grinned at her. "Thought it was time I returned the favor and read to you for once."

She beamed at his continued thoughtfulness, settling in next to him, and he began reading.

As he turned the pages, his expression grew more and more perplexed. Finally, after a few chapters, he trailed off and looked up at her. "How is this anyone's favorite? It's so… slow," he said.

"Well, kinda…" she said, chuckling. "But it's the characters that drive this story. Not every book has to be about action or have some overarching nemesis. This one is about their emotional connections, their growth, and how they overcome obstacles that normal, everyday people might face."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, unconvinced.

"And this one is done in such a nuanced way that it pulls you in," she continued. "You have to keep reading to find out what happens to the characters. It's hard to put down. I also really love the non-linear storytelling and the symbolism the author uses." Her love for the book was evident as she explained it, her enthusiasm growing. "It's actually surprising how subtle it is at times – a lot of it you don't even notice unless you read through it again. And then, what originally seemed like an innocuous statement or narrative, becomes this whole other layer and you're like, 'Oh… I should've seen that one part coming.' And the more you read it, the more layers you notice. And though the story doesn't change, it feels like there's something new every time."

Naruto's expression softened, and he nodded thoughtfully. "Hmm… I guess that does sound kinda interesting," he said, his eyes drifting back to the book.

"Take it with you and finish it," she said. "When you get back, we can discuss it. If you want to, anyway… It's also okay if you don't like it."

"Really?" he asked. "You'll let me take your favorite book?"

She nodded. "Yeah… this way, you can't just disappear on me, because you'll have to return my book."

"Sis…" His brow furrowed, his expression turning serious. "I wouldn't ever disappear on you," he told her.

Shanan's smile faltered for a moment. "I know," she said. "I was only joking…"

Naruto's gaze held hers, his eyes searching hers. Then, slowly, he closed the book, his expression resolute. "I promise I won't only not disappear on you, but when I come back, I'm gonna start looking for Sasuke. And when I find him, I'll bring him back for you."

"Naruto… I—"

"Stop it, sis! Please…" he said, cutting her off, his eyes pleading. "I know you want to, but please… don't just forget about him. Even if that's what's easiest. You have to remember. Coz he's gonna come back." His eyes welled up with tears, and he whispered, a hint of self-deprecation in his tone. "I shouldn't even be crying about this…" He cleared his throat, trying to compose himself, but tears continued to fall.

He took a deep breath and continued, his voice shaking. "And if he comes back and you don't even love him anymore, he'd never be the same Sasuke we knew. He'd be broken, and sad, and… and to be honest, I don't know what he would do, but I think he might actually try to burn the world to the ground."

Shanan stared at the ground, the truth in Naruto's words finding their mark.

His eyes locked onto her face, his gaze intense. "And not because you aren't allowed to move on or love someone else instead. But… because he never could. He would love you forever. And I just don't want the two of you to waste your lives not being together…"

Naruto wiped his tears, a determined look on his face. "You both deserve to be happy, and I know you think it's all complicated now, but it isn't. It's simple! You love each other. So just wait for him," he continued. "Tell him how pissed you are, and that he's never allowed to beat me within an inch of my life again." He chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Slap him in the face if you have to. But then tell him you love him, and live happily ever after with him."

Shanan took a deep breath, trying to compose herself as she met his gaze. "I guess I need to think about it more," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, you do." He nodded, his expression understanding. "I know it'll be hard with both of us away, but everything else will still be the same. You'll be okay, sis. You'll see," he assured her.

"Yeah…" she said, a small lump forming in her throat.

Naruto wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. He wanted to remind her again that he'd stay, but he knew she wouldn't actually let him, so he closed his eyes and savored one of the last hugs he'd have for awhile from the first person who had ever given him one.

"Will you help me pack my things?" he finally asked, his voice a little rough.

Shanan nodded as her emotions finally overflowed, and tears began to fall relentlessly. She squeezed him tightly, doing her best to slow time and hold on to the moment – and her little boy – for just a little longer.

Finally, the time had come for Naruto to embark on his journey. Jiraiya had returned, and Naruto was ready to go. Shanan helped him pack, making sure he had mementos like photos of her, Sasuke, and their friends. She also packed his favorite ramen cups and, with a motherly touch, ensured he had extra underwear – a gesture Naruto accepted without protest.

Saying goodbye was agonizing, knowing it was a genuine farewell. A part of Shanan wished Naruto would've just vanished like Sasuke, but deep down, she knew that wasn't what she truly desired.

She accompanied him to the village edge, where his sensei awaited.

Naruto enveloped her in a warm embrace. "Don't worry, sis. I'll return stronger than ever. No lame Akatsuki will get me. I promise."

For once, she was speechless as tears flowed freely down her face and onto his shoulder.

"I'll come back home, okay?" he continued, his voice filled with conviction. "And then, like I said, I'll find Sasuke and bring him home too." He continued to hold her close, absorbing her sobs. "I know you love me, sis, and I know you'll always be here for me – even if you can't say it right now…" he whispered. "And… I love you too."

Her tears continued to flow, but she managed a gentle smile. She leaned back and kissed his forehead before giving his nose a gentle poke. She gazed at him and noticed they now stood at the same height – a bittersweet reminder of how much he'd grown up and how much taller he'd be when he returned.

After they shared a final, tearful glance, the gathering crowd began to bid Naruto farewell.

With one last wave and his signature thumbs-up, he turned away and followed Jiraiya through the village gate.

His next chapter just over the horizon.