Crazy Daze

XIII

Nine weeks later, I still sat alone within the halls of the psycho ward. I had a tendency to sit and stare now, and Juugo was almost constantly hugging me, trying to make me feel better. He tried so hard for me, but I still couldn’t crack a smile. It wasn’t for lack of trying, really. I just didn’t want to smile. Hell, I really didn’t want to do anything. I was moping and I was damn proud of it. People were worried. No shit. I was once the kid you couldn’t get to sit down and now I was the kid you couldn’t get to move. I really didn’t know what I was doing.

- Moping because Sasuke forgot about you. – Kyuubi said. – I mean he didn’t even notice your leaving from court. -

Don’t rub it in.

- I’m just stating facts. -

Well, stop.

Kyuubi grumbled but he did shut up. I knew he was unhappy with me. Honestly, I was unhappy with myself. With love comes sacrifice and I had loved Sasuke enough to sacrifice any chance of being with him. Wasn’t the saying ‘if you love it, let it go’?

- It also says that if it doesn’t come back to hunt it down and shoot it. -

Kyuubi, shut up!

- What? I was just finishing the thought. -

I don’t care! Shut up!

- All right already! –

Kyuubi growled at me and left me alone. I shivered and refused to give him the pleasure of seeing me cry. He’d enjoy it too much and he’d tease me about it forever. So I sat alone in my chair and stared out the window to the gardens. Kyuubi’s reflection showed his back, arms crossed and stiff in anger. He had good reason to be pissed with me, and honestly, I was kinda pissed with myself. I shouldn’t be moping like a dejected schoolgirl. I was a boy and I didn’t need anyone before, so I didn’t need Sasuke now. I would be just fine. Yeah, I –do– believe in friggin’ faeries.

Who am I kidding, though? Without that damned Uchiha I couldn’t be truly happy.

- You’re the only one who can make you happy. -

I know that, but…

- But nothing. He’s not coming back. It was fun while it lasted. –

Go away.

- Fine. -

I bowed my head a moment after I felt the emptiness in my skull and closed my eyes. Wish and you will receive indeed. With Kyuubi fully gone, I was truly alone. But I kept telling myself I didn’t need anyone, that I was fine by myself. Faeries.

“Naruto-kun?” Tsunade called. “There’s someone here to see you.”

“I don’t want to,” I mumbled, keeping my gaze on the window. Someone approached and touched my shoulder. Apparently, my unwillingness to turn around was a free invitation to come up to me. I debated on snarling like an animal. I could get solitary and meds doing that. I was temped to, so very tempted, and I opened my eyes to stare at the reflection in the window.

I saw Kyuubi’s grinning face. Then I saw Sasuke.

I got to my feet and whirled on Sasuke, grabbing tight to him. I think I was crying, but I didn’t care, because Sasuke was here.

“Missed you, Naruto.” Sasuke whispered in my ear.

“Missed you, too.”

Sasuke smiled as he drew back, allowing me to see hi fully. Jeans and sneakers and a dark sweatshirt, everything that screamed ‘outside!’ Just a visit then.

“Hey, Naruto, are you ready to go home?”

I blinked. “What are you talking about?”

- He’s getting us out of here. –

…What?

Sasuke smiled a little bit. “Itachi and Kisame cut through a lot of red tape so we could get you out. We kind of adopted you.”

“So I get to…”

“Uh-huh.”

I latched onto Sasuke, laughing madly. I was free and I was going to get to live with Sasuke. I’d get to be normal.

- Well, as normal as we can be. –

Doesn’t matter. We’re free.

“Naruto?”

“God, I love you!”

Sasuke let out a relieved sigh and we hugged each other tighter. Then he was pulling me along and I had to go through so many good-byes. All the friends we’d made, I hugged and laughed with each one. It was like I was living their dreams for them, and I promised Juugo we’d be back to visit. Once I’d changed from the grey uniform into the clothes Sasuke brought me, I walked with him to the door, through them, and out into the crisp air. I saw Itachi and Kisame leaning against their car, waiting for us. Sasuke was halfway down the steps before he realized I’d stopped, and he turned to look back at me, questioning. I looked back at those doors and grinned, waving to all those who were watching before I ran down to Sasuke, taking his hand and pulling him along down to the car.

I was free.

I was going home.


-Owari-