One More Light

Chapter 2

As Naruto jumped from rooftop to rooftop he realised his mistake. He had forgotten that Kakashi was on this mission as well and had used a summon to call his hound to Konoha. Naruto's mistake was forgetting that they instantly followed the smell of blood above all else and within a matter of moments from the time Naruto had sensed their presence till Pakkun was at his side, asking why he smelt of blood. "Just one of the wounds I got from fighting Pain" Naruto said sheepishly. "That was a few days ago, it should have stopped bleeding by now, let me take you to Sakura so she can heal you." Pakkun replied with a hint of suspicion in his voice. "It's fine, really." Naruto chuckled nervously, "since my chakra was completely drained in the fight it's still trying to heal the little things. It's nothing, just a small scratch now that I irritated while running. Nothing to worry about." Naruto's grin took up the entirety of his face and Pakkun conceded. "Well alright, better get back to the mission." Pakkun left, fully intending to inform Kakashi of this discussion, knowing that Naruto'# chakra was fully restored and suspecting something far more worrying.

'Few, that was close.' Naruto thought to himself. 'Why don't you ever just talk to someone? Or do you still think you are the demon?' Kyuubi asked, growing frustrated with the people around Naruto for not noticing his suffering. 'What do you care? You never want to talk to me and you are stuck with me, why would anyone else care either?' Naruto thought back grimly. 'Pesky human...' the Kyuubi thought back quietly. 'That's what I though..." Naruto turned his attention back to the mission, having dodged the Kyuubi's random moment of compassion. The first thing on Naruto's list was to find the remains of the medical herbs from the destroyed storage unit, not too hard for the village hero but increasingly difficult for the ninja who is losing the will to live.

As Naruto approached the wreckage of the storage facility, he noticed a strange chakra that did not belong to the village. He knew it was friendly but his presence put Naruto on edge, not from danger of the body but danger of the soul. "Hello, Naruto..." he heard the sullen voice protrude from the shadows before him. As he slowed to a stop he responded, willing as much enthusiasm into his voice as possible, "Oh, hey Gaara." Naruto willed that cheesy grin to take over his face. "I didn't know you were in the village, what brings you here?" Naruto fiddled with the zipper on his jacket, nervously waiting for Gaara to respond. After a pause, the Kazekage replied, "I came to see how you were doing after everything. I had heard about your masters passing, and then the attack on the village. I know you are strong but I felt a need to see how my friend was." Naruto was rooted to the spot, thankful for the cloud that had began covering the sky, shading the light as he processed Gaara's words.

'He's worried about me? But why?' Naruto wondered. 'Idiot...' Kyuubi thought. Suddenly remembering the man standing in front of him, Naruto staggered for a response, "I'm fine Gaara. It's just been a lot but it's all good, you know?" Without warning, a sand projectile flew at Naruto and he only dodged it due to sage mode. "What the hell, Gaara?" Naruto shouted, real emotion finally entering his voice, his mind. Naruto jumped back and took on a defensive stance. "If you will not tell me the truth, then I will find it for myself, just like the last time we fought. I will pull you out and I will do it your way." Gaara replied. Naruto was stunned. He didn't know whether to collapse and confess the truth or stand his ground and fight his way out... against his friend... against someone who knew this pain... Naruto wasn't sure if he could do that.