Back to the Leaf

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I felt like I was a dangerous prisoner carried by guards with these two. Naruto decided to stay in the nearest village for the night.
He took a private cabin where we could eat and relax. The food looked delicious but the only thing i needed right now was alcohol. I couldn't even look at their faces, I was shy and I hated myself. I was their "enemy" as Sasuke said earlier.
"Cheer up guys! We defeated the naughty fox lady!" Naruto was trying to make us talk. It was like that awkward family dinner. Sasuke looked at me.
"But the enemy is dead so we can't seem to gather any information. We have no idea why she was after you. Thanks to your little friend here!" I tried to hide my face from his evil eyes. How I wanted to disappear!
"Come on, Sasuke. Leave her alone!"
"Hm..." he took a shot of hot sake.
"I... I'm sorry...for the trouble I've caused." I said.
"Don't be silly!" Naruto smiled at me.
"I want you to know that I had no idea. I've spent all my life in the leaf village, trying to defend it and I'd rather die than harm my people. I don't know what you saw back in the cave, but I'm not one of them!"
Sasuke got up and left without a word. Tears filled my eyes.
Naruto put down his chopsticks and sighed.
"Let's go out for a walk!"

***
The night was calm and i was a little tipsy. We stopped on the bridge. I was staring at the stars reflections in the river. Naruto was standing with me facing the other way.
"Sasuke hates me." I said starting a conversation.
"He's confused. And so am I."
"Naruto, I really had no idea! I swear!"
"I know, I trust you Akari. " he touched my hand. "That must've been your second transformation by the look of your hair. It seems to change through them."
"My hair?" Only then I had noticed the second white stripe. "What happened exactly?"
"Well.." he scratched his head. "You were really strong and glowing and... really beautiful"
"And I was trying to kill you."
"Yeah, kinda." We laughed. "I know exactly how you feel, I've been there. I hated myself for losing control and hurting the ones i cared about but I'm here for you. We can do this together."
"You don't hate me for trying to kill you?"
"Akari, you're the woman who was ready to give her life to save me. I don't hate you, it's quite the opposite." 

***

After Naruto left me in my room I sneaked out to talk with Sasuke. I had to settle this, I had to act for myself. I knocked on his door.
"What do you want?" I heard him standing behind me. I turned.
"I wanted to talk."
"So talk." He said, diving into my soul with his creepy eyes. I cleared my throat.
"I know. I know that you were there when that woman stabbed me to death. You were there and you didn't do a thing to help." His face didn't change. "You wanted her to kill me."
"I don't trust you."
"Doesn't mean you have to murder me !" I raised my voice.
"You're just like her. You tried to kill Naruto and I won't ever let you do that."
"Well, you did try to kill him many times. But I'd never hurt him intentionally."
"What about the other you?!" He looked down on me.
"I will learn to control this power. I promise. But if I try to hurt anyone again, I trust you to take me down immediately. This has to be our secret. So do we have a deal?" He nodded, pushed me away and closed the door in my face. "I should take it as a yes then."

***

Kosuke met us at the gates. He was happy as a puppy but kept it professional.
"Lord hokage!" He nodded his head. Naruto turned to me.
"Okay, you should go home and rest. It was a crazy journey!" I smiled and he hugged me.
"Bye, Naruto!" I turned and left with Kosuke.
"What did you just call him?!"
"It really was a crazy mission. Kosuke, i have to tell you something."

We were at my apartment. I told him everything except my deal with Sasuke.
"Well I kinda knew." He mumbled.
"What?!" I spilled my drink hearing this. He was too calm.
"I wasn't sure, Akari. We were just kids back then. I thought I imagined it or something."
"What happened?!"
"You fell from the tree when we were playing in the woods and you were crying so loud and when I tried to help you just pushed me away and your hair got white. Even your eyes changed.. I don't know what i saw so i just kept my mouth shut."
His words hit me really hard. So the dream i had earlier was just a flashback! I really did hurt Kosuke and I almost killed Naruto too. I hurt the only two persons i had loved the most.
"Oh my god, I can't believe it!" I sat down and covered my face with my palms. "I could've killed you or Naruto. Kosuke, i killed that woman!"
"She stabbed you, Akari ! Don't be an idiot!"
"I ripped her heart out !"
"I would've done the same if i was there ! She fuckin tried to kill you!" Tears started running down my face as he raised his voice. I was scared of myself.
"I'm sorry!" I said. He hugged me really tight.
"It's alright. I'm alive aren't I?!"
"I love you, asshole." I said hugging him even tighter.
"I love you too, idiot. Now stop crying so we can go out and have a drink. We have to cheer you up!" I smiled and wiped my tears.
"Oh you're never getting a girlfriend!" I said as i took my jacket and went towards the door.
"What?! Why?!"
"Cuz you belong to me! I'm can't share you with other girls!"
"I'm friend-breaking up with you! "
"Come here, you idiot!"
"No, stay away from me, creepy woman!"
"I will get you some barbecue!"
"Fine! But I'm still getting a girlfriend!"
He really made me happy. Every single time.
I couldn't imagine having a better friend.

***

"Oh what am I gonna do?!" I said ordering another drink. My head was spinning with thinking too much.
"I might have an idea!" Kosuke got up and waved at someone. Seconds later a couple approached us.
"What's up Kosuke?" She said. I knew I recognized her! That must've been Mayumi, Kakashis girlfriend. Kosuke what are you thinking about?!
"Not much, just having a few drinks with Akari. Join us! "
"Thanks but we have to.." said the purple-haired man with her.
"Yea, that's a great idea!" She sat with us immediately.
"Four is a party! " said kosuke and poured them some sake. "Mayumi, Hikaru, I want you to meet my best friend, Akari!"
"Oh, you're the one that saved Naruto!" She sounded excited.
"Am I famous or something?!" I chuckled.
"People talk, you know ! " she smiled at me. I kinda liked her already. She felt like my kind of person.
"Come on, Mayumi! Do you really have to drink at this hour?!" Said her devilishly handsome friend, which would be Hikaru, I guess.
"Don't be such a grandpa! Now, what are we celebrating?! " she raised her drink.
"Well, it's far from celebration.." I scratched my head awkwardly.
"Guys, we need to tell you something." Kosuke started to explain the reason he called them here.

[Author's note: make sure to read "The Tale of Mayumi." to find out more about Mayumi and Hikaru!
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