[ SORA ] - On Hiatus

[ Life is a joke ]

Life is practically a joke. Well, for me that is.

Kakashi just warned me to try and stay out of trouble and it wasn't even that long since then but I already found myself to a very troublesome situation. Why can't just life leave me alone in peace for a second? I think I pretty much deserve a break at least.

"I- I think they're gone." Stuttering, Naruto muttered. I sighed in return.

"Um..."

"Yeah?"

He began fidgeting, eyes looking at every other direction and when he seemed to have calmed down. He looked at me directly in the eyes and asked, "Why did you save me?"

Seeing him in utter confusion, and... Fear. I felt a pang in my heart as I start to look away. I didn't want to get involved with him. I didn't want to save him. It never crossed my mind to be a part of his life nor have a simple conversation with him. He was just the danger for me. I couldn't afford to risk my life again.

"I don't actually know." I said avoiding his gaze. "I just did."

I wonder what does my gaze looks like... is it the same with the villagers?

"I see." He looked down. My chest tightened by the sight as my eyes widened in guilt. I don't like this feeling. But does it really matter?

He then smiled brightly at me as if nothing happened and said, "Thank you for saving me! My name is Naruto Uzumaki! What's your name?"

Baffled, I unintentionally stared at his grin for a second, still very surprised that he really does have a heart of steel and a very likable personality. He was the very opposite of me. He really doesn't deserve to be treated like a monster, he doesn't deserve my presence.

This trouble all started because of that silly game. Should have refused from the very start. Why couldn't you just refuse a single game Sora? Just why?

I grinned, "It's Sora. Nice to meet you Naruto."

"Just Sora?"

"Just Sora."

He looked deep in thought for a second.He then eventually got back to his usual bright self and flashed a smile.

"Since you saved me, wanna hang out for a bit?"

"I..."

"You know it's totally fine if you refused! We're cool!"

That's what he said, but I could certainly see the disappointment in his face.

"I'm sorry."

I'm sorry for being like this. I'm sorry for being a coward.

"It's cool! Maybe next time Dattebayo!" He flashed another smile and gave me a thumbs up.

I chuckled. So that was his signature 'Believe it'. I wasn't prepared for that. Still chuckling, I also gave him a thumbs up and a grin like Gai.

"Believe it!" With the waves of youth and the sun at my back. I felt so cool for once. This is so dumb and it felt good feeling dumb. What is happening to me? Is this the Naruto talk no jutsu people were talking about?

"That was cool Sora!"

"I know I'm cool!"

That was how I felt the need to change. Is it really okay for me to keep running away from danger? Is it really okay to stay in constant fear of losing my life again? Is it really okay to stay the Sora that I am now? I felt like dirt. I felt guilty. I felt bad about myself. This is never okay.