The Giver

◎Chapter 5◎The Deciever

Once Naruto's eyes shot open he just stared at his supposed friends. The others no longer needed the feel to call a medic in. Because they all knew what would eventually happen... death. Death was actually dawning on their dear friend, and once again they could not do anything for him. They were just useless fools after all. They watched him grow up in a living hell. They just saw an energetic idiot who always shouts. But they never knew what sadness he has throught that mask. For sure they were blinded for all those years. And no one even bothered to ask.

Yet here Naruto was. Smiling at them even though he was pretty sure that he was hurting. He covered his pain with a mask. A mask that made everyone, including himself, joyful in life. He kept helping other people on his own accord. He loved his fellowmen and saved them against all odds without expecting anything in return.

Naruto just stared emotionless at the group in front of him. His eyes focused and looked lifeless. Then he weakly smiled, a pained smile, a broken smile. Then quickly closed his eyes and bit his lip.

"I really appreciate all of this but...Why did you bring me here?" He asked the group in front of him, then stared at them with cold eyes they wished they would never see from Naruto.

They flinched at what treatment Naruto is giving them. Sakura broke the silence by saying, "What do you mean 'why'? Of course we should be here because......" Then she got silent again. Contemplating on the situation their friend gotten into.

"Because I am to die tommorow. And you would want to hear my last words, am I correct?" He asks them with a stern voice.

"Naruto, It's not what you think..." Sakura says in defense before Naruto cuts in.

"Please do not give me your pitying looks. I do not need them. *pause* I honestly thought you would clearly see what I mean through the letter. But I think I was wrong. And bringing me to the hospital. How pathetic." The blonde shinobi scorned the group, looking away from them then closed his eyes.

"Pathetic! Look Naruto, we may did those things to you, but this is wrong!" Kiba shouted.

"Do you think it is right to contemn the people who is trying to help you! Be reasonable..." But Kiba was cut short.

"Oh so I should be reasonable. Okay. But think how did you treat me before. And now you tell me to be reasonable." Then Kiba bacame silent.

"How can you argue with us like this? Please stop Naruto." Sakura pleaded, but Naruto did not say a thing.

Sasuke can't take more of this. He knew Naruto was hurt, but this is unreasonable. He knew better. He never even did that to them before, not even once. But why now on his death bed? And he just had to say something on this.

"How will it be pathetic Naruto?! You are just utterly confused and suicidal! So what would you gain from suicide? Huh?! If what you say in that letter is true, go ahead and think of it that way! Look Naruto we are sorry! Sorry okay. Just don't leave us okay. Please." Sasuke says on the brink of tears.

Shikamaru on the other hand was silently thinking. "Naruto, what really happened? I know you didn't do suicide." He asks Naruto dead in the eye.

"Why do you need to know? You all hate me right? Why comfort me now?" He said with a grimace. But under the blanket he was doing some hand signs only Shikamaru saw. Then Shikamaru said.

"All of you might want to sit comfortably now." He said to the group. They looked at him like he was joking or something, then Shikamaru pointed at Naruto who was doing a sets of hand signs. Then without another word they followed his orders. As they sat down, they saw a blinding light all over the room, followed by complete darkness.