𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐤𝐮 ✘ (𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐳𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢)

𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 | 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐳𝐨𝐤𝐮

Datsuzoku (脱俗): unbounded by convention, free;

┊ ˚➶ ｡˚˚ · • . ° .

Naruto's return to the village was celebrated with a blowout at Ichiraku Ramen. Sakura, as the head organizer, had a list of anticipated guests who she personally gave invitations to that morning.

...And only Hinata and Shikamaru showed up.

"Aw man, what is this?!" Naruto shrieked. "I'm back to the Leaf Village after three years and this is my welcome home reception?! Gee, and here I thought people would be happy to see me!"

"W-we are happy to see you," Hinata said, "Right, Shikamaru? Neji is just... on a sudden mission... And Rock Lee is training with Guy Sensei... and Kiba is taking care of Akamaru's injuries after a mission... And, um... And then there's Ino... Who, um.."

"Ino couldn't care less," Shikamaru answered point-blank. Sakura gave him a firm elbow jab to the gut, and he doubled over.

"Oh, man!" Naruto threw his head back and released a defeated exhale. The countless nights I dreamt about being back home... I guess I was naive to think everyone would put their life on hold for me.

With a clap of his hands, Naruto's demeanor changed to a chipper one. "Well hey, at least you guys came, right? And Sakura, you did a great job putting all this together for me!"

"I suppose, but..." Sakura uneasily stared at the taped rows of colorful balloons decorating the walls of the ramen shop. She rented it out for the evening, past working hours, and painstakingly took to gather all the supplies and gifts with Hinata. The two of them slaved over a hot stove making extra side dishes, but the rice buns shaped like Naruto's face would likely be donated to a food pantry by the end of the night. Four people couldn't eat all of the food they brought.

Sakura's light green eyes skimmed Naruto's cheerful, carefree expression. Geez, how can he convince himself to feel better after such a disappointment like this?

This was supposed to be a surprise so he could reconnect with everyone from his younger days, but it's a sad empty excuse for one. I hope he doesn't feel forgotten.

Guilt-ridden with disappointment on her face, her mind was racing. Some organizer I am...

"But nothing!" Naruto insisted, grabbing his chopsticks and pulling them apart in a swift motion. "Everyone, please, dig in!!"

"Right!" Sakura, Hinata, and (a healing) Shikamaru echoed.

A delivery boy with lights on his bicycle passed by the shut gates of Ichiraku Ramen, and his headlights illuminated floating strips across everyone's eyes. For a moment, they highlighted Naruto's deep blue eyes, and a hidden spectator retreated back inside the Ramen Shop's kitchen like a moving shadow. She clutched the wrinkled invitation to this event to her chest.