Mute (Short Story)

Despairingly Mute (Chapter 9)

(This work is a short story. It has a Neji x Naru pairing. If you like it; read it, if you don't; then don't. It's up to you.)

Realizing that they had only made his life more hellish, they decidedly apologized. Bowing at 90° by bending their bodies, they spoke solemnly. "Naruto, we know that this won't make up for all of the years of shit and hell we put you through, but we would still like to say it. We're truly, very sorry for all that we have done to you. Both past and present. You don't have to forgive us, but we would still like to let you know how extremely sorry we are and how guilty we feel." With that, they straightened up and turn on their heels to leave.

Pulling on Neji's shirt, I get his attention. Pushing myself away from him a bit, I start to sign a bit quickly yet at a pace that he can still understand what I'm trying to convey to him. {Neji, please tell them to stay so that I can tell them what I want to say. Can you also be the translator for them, just in case none of them know or understand sign language}?

After I signed to him and he read it, he nodded his head. Kissing my forehead gently, he called their names, getting their attention. "Shikamaru, Kiba, Sai, Sasuke and you as well Gaara, stay. Naru here, has something he would like to convey to all of you." They glanced at Neji and then at me, silently asking for confirmation. I nod my head at them, showing that yes, I do have something that I'd like to convey to them.

I motion for them to come in front of me and sit down. Once they're sitting down, I grab Neji so that he can continue talking. Nodding once again, he continues from where he left off. "So do any of you know or even understand sign language?"

"No, we don't know sign language." They answer together while looking down to the ground and feeling ashamed. Shikamaru, then looks up and says something that surprises everybody else minus Naru and me. He may be lazy, but don't forget the guy has an impressively high IQ.

"However, I only understand the basic hand signs." He states seriously, for once not looking or sounding lazy. For a second, everything and everyone is silent until our earlier words sink in and register in their brains.

Then, as if shockwave went off in their heads, they look up at us shocked, "wait Shikamaru and Neji, does this mean you know sign language?"

"No, I don't know sign language. I only know the basic hand signs." Shikamaru answers their outburst, once again reverting to his lazy self.

"Yes, I do. One, Naru's my friend and two, because he couldn't and still can't talk, I had to learn how to communicate with him without the use of words. Enough about that, let's move on. Since none of you know sign language and Shikamaru only understands the basic hand signs, I will be your translator throughout this conversation. Any questions?" They shake their heads and look into my Naru's slightly dark yet still brilliant blue eyes. Seeing that I have their attention, I begin.

🤐-End of Chapter 9 on Despairingly Mute-🤐
Until next time.
Ja'ne.