Remembered Light (Naruto FanFic)

Chapter Twelve

I slept a little that night, exhausted from our emotional breakdown. But it was worth it. I felt lighter, more like myself. I didn't feel the need to fake being so happy. Sakura was a true friend. It was nice to have a night just with her.

I woke early, before the sun had even risen, and left Sakura with a note, explaining that I had gone home to unpack. I sighed. There was going to be a lot of cleaning to do. That house hasn't been walked in for over two years. It was going to be dusty.

I traveled in the dark to my apartment.. These streets, I used to run as a child. That shop, where I bought my twin daggers, even though they were terribly expensive. That rooftop I fell off of, nearly breaking my ankle. Nostalgia thickened the air and greeted me on every corner.

I pick up some groceries for breakfast from one of the few shops open this early. I knew there would be no food in the house for breakfast. And I was hungry.

I walked up the stairs to my door. I stood outside it, breathing in deeply. I had returned to Konoha, my home, but this was the first time I seemed to realize it. I was home. This was my apartment. This was my door. This was my home.

I was surprised to see that there wasn't any dust on the furniture. In fact, it looked pristine: The windows washed, the sheets tucked, the floor polished. How... how was this possible? I didn't understand... it should have been filthy.

That's when I realized. Naruto. God, that boy. He was one of the kindest people I know. He truly cared. You don't come by someone who cares like he does very often. I was overwhelmed by this simple gesture of kindness.

I took a long shower, allowing it to wash my worries away for the short time I relaxed in it. Then I got dressed and began to cook breakfast. I cooked a huge amount, then carefully placed it in a basket and covering it with a cloth.

I ran all the way to the hospital, checking in quickly. I hurry to Naruto's room, sliding open the door. He was still asleep, along with Sai. I walked in quietly, placing the still-warm food right under Naruto's nose. 

I snicker to myself as he rolls over, groaning. "It's just a dream, Naruto," he muttered to himself, "They have no good food in the hospital,"

I can't help but laugh as his stomach growls loudly. He sits up, eyes still closed. "Keira?" He grumbles. "I heard you laugh," He finally opens his eyes, then gasps as he sees the arrangement of food I made for him.

Steamed rice, miso soup, tamagoyaki, broiled fish, and--

"RAMEN!"

He grabs that first, shoveling it into his mouth. I cross my arms. A gourmet breakfast, and he goes for the ramen. Then I shrug it off. He was Naruto. Of course he'd go for the ramen first.

"Thanks Keira!" he grins, helping himself to more food. I make up two more plates of food, one for Sai and on for myself. I walked over to his bed, shaking him slightly to wake him. His eyes snap open and he stares at me with startled eyes, then he relaxes and accepts the food from me.

He furrows his brow for a moment, as though thinking, then smiled. "Arigato, Keira-chan," He smiles fakely. I smile back. At least he was trying. Sakura explained to me last night about Sai and the ROOT, and his attempts to be polite.

I sit down on the stool and eat with them. "Naruto,thank you so much for taking care of my house," I thank.

He looked surprised. "All this for a little dusting just before you came back?" He asked.

I close my eyes, smiling. "But it conveyed so more. It showed that you believed I would come back. It showed that you cared. Just.... thank you for being a good teammate and friend,"