Change

Naruto smiled contently, stretching out on the comfy bed he was given by Tsunade. He was glad he had gone to see Iruka, it had really been worthwhile. Surprisingly Iruka didn’t attempt to make him feel guilty about leaving; he simply accepted it, though he was disappointed that Naruto hadn’t left much more than a note.

Azure eyes drifted shut, eyelashes brushing the top of his scarred cheeks.‘Where has the time gone…I’m already twenty…and what have I accomplished so far? As it is, my life still has no worth or meaning. All I have gone is caused the people close to me an undesirable amount of grief and pain.’ He sighed softly, eyes once again opening to stare blankly at the white ceiling.

“This is hopeless, I can’t possibly sleep now.” He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pushed himself up. Sluggishly, he pulled on his clothes and made his way across the room to the oak door, pulling it open and slipping out. Padding down the hallway for only a few seconds he made it to the door next to this own. Not bothering to knock, he opened it slightly and poked his head in.

A rusty haired Kazekage sat on the window sill, staring longingly over Konoha, towards Suna. His glowing orbs turned to look at Naruto, acknowledging his presence, before their gaze made its way back toward where he instinctively knew the desert lay.

Naruto opened the door fully and stepped into the room. “I miss it too.” he voiced softly, walking to the window and letting himself stare in the same direction as Gaara. He inhaled deeply, his heightened sense of smell picking up the ever so faint smell of sand that was carried in the wind.

Gaara turned to look at Naruto with eyes half closed “Strange, how you can only appreciate something fully after you’ve lost it.”

“…You refer to Konoha, I assume. You must understand Gaara, this place was never a home to me, simply a pit stop on my way to a true family.” Naruto whispered.

“Naruto Uzumaki, you still believe you can lie to me? We have known each other for far too long to be lying. I could hear your heart beat faster, the closer we got to Konoha. Your eyes betrayed your concealed joy, anticipation of returning here. Suna was merely a sanctuary, but you know your only salvation will ultimately come from this place. Your home.”

“…Gaara, would you forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive. Should you desire to stay here, then I fully support that. You know that the gates of Suna are always open to you, Naruto, my dear friend. However, I truly believe that this is the place for you, as much as it pains me to say.”

“Thank you Gaara. I promise, I will not abandon you. I just need more time…time to figure it all out. I must make amends with everyone, or I fear I will slowly descend into despair, and eventually death. I have too much to do, I cannot die yet. I will return to Suna, that is a promise. And Naruto Uzumaki never-”

“Goes back on a promise. Because that is my way of the ninja.” Gaara finished for him, a knowing smile on his face.

Naruto smiled, inclining his head gently. “Give me a week. I will take a week to make things right with everyone.”

“Everyone? Including Uchiha?” Gaara questioned, eyebrow raised.

“…I…yes, everyone. Including Uchiha.” Naruto responded, the final words being spoken confidently, and in that moment, he truly believed them.

He stood up, brushing his golden hair out of his eyes with his fingers, and turned to give a radiant smile to his best friend. “I will see you in a week then, Gaara.”

“A week Naruto.” Gaara returned the smile, with much less exuberance, but equal love. ‘Naruto, you have helped me grow, and I’m glad you are allowing yourself to grow as well. Take care, kitsune, I’m sure when we meet again you will be happier.’ Gaara nodded at Naruto, and watched him leave.

Naruto closed the door to Gaara’s room, and then made his way down the hallway, not towards his own room but to the doorway. He had some thinking to do before his reintroduction into Konoha.