Innøcent Sørrøw

Chapter 27: Welcome Back

~~Recap~~

As they walked in the school, they, well Naruto, got stares. Whispers were heard from rumors of what had happened and it made Naruto uneasy. He sighed and clung to Sasuke for protection. Sasuke had a small smirk at the corner of his lips and wrapped his arm around his shoulder as they walked. "You're fine.. no one knows what happened.." He said in a slight whisper

~~Present~~

Sasuke wasn't sure as to why people were whispering about Naruto. As far as he knew, no one should've known about the incident at all. 

Sasuke walked his beloved to the cafeteria so he could meet up with Shikamaru and Kiba. Turns out, Shika and Kiba weren't there at all... not in the cafeteria anyway. The raven ran his fingers through his hair in frustration and groaned inwardly. "I could've sworn I said to meet us in the cafeteria..ughh" 

The bright eyed blonde looked at his raven and sighed softly. "Maybe they've already gone to class.. You know Kiba doesn't have the patience to wait for anyone unless we're on our own time." 

Sasuke nodded in agreement. They decided to head for their first period class, which just so happened to be Kakashi. It didn't take long at all for them to reach the class. They walked up a few flights of stairs, then down a long hallway, and lastly the classroom was to their left. Naruto opened the door and entered, everyone who'd been in the classroom stopped what they'd been doing and stared daggers at the two entering the room. 

Naruto glanced around the room, frozen in his footsteps, unsure of what to do. Everything was silent until Kiba jumped out of his chair in excitement and ran up to the blonde and suffocated him with one huge hug. Even Shikamaru got out of his seat and walked up to his friends with a lazy smile. 

"Naruto! You're finally back! Everyone was worried about you, ya know?" Kiba commented

Naruto laughed softly scratching his head full of blonde locks "Who is everyone?"

"Everyone.. Kakashi, Iruka, Tsunade, Jariah, even Sakura, Ino, Temari, Neji, and HInata."

Naruto pulled away from him at the mention of Neji. Why would Neji to all people be worried about him. Neji was one of the reasons he got hurt. Why Neji of all people? Why? The look he gave Kiba was that of suspicious displeasure. His expression went from excited and happy to serious and disappointed. He was happy people worried about him but the people who bullied him worried about him too... what was going on now? Did the world end when he was comatose? Wasn't Neji supposed to be in jail for participation in rape?

~~Flashback of Neji's Release~~

"Alright Shirley Temple.. You're being released.." the officer spoke as he opened the cell Neji had been captivated in. 

Neji tilted his head in confusion. Why was he getting released early? He didn't have as much time as Sai did but he was still supposed to be captivated a bit longer than 6 months.

Neji went through a few rooms to get his clothing and belongings, eventually, he made it to the front where he would be released. After going through the process, he wasn't expecting anyone to be there waiting on him. In reality, no one was waiting for him, he was released because he made a deal with the judge: jail for 6 months, then a year of counseling and probation.

~~End of Flashback~~

Neji was in school this very day. Surprisingly, he was a "changed person." Not meaning he changed for the good or the bad. But his attitude and every aspect about him changed. Neji wasn't a different person but he was better.