Legacy of A Flower: Naruto (remake)

Chapter Nineteen: Promise

I sit at the dinner table with everyone, excluding Naruto and Sasuke. They're still out training, hell bent on mastering this technique. Those two never know when to stop, it isn't in their blood.

"Now they're both late." Sakura expresses her concern, " I expect this from Naruto, but not from Sasuke."

We turn to the door as it opens, an unsual sight displayed to us. Sasuke walks in, Naruto's arm around his shoulder as he supports his weight.

"You look like something the cat dragged in." Tazuna remarks.

"We both made it." Naruto announces, "We climbed all the way to the top."

"Good." Kakashi nods with pride, "Now starting tomorrow the both of you will be bodyguards for Tazuna."

"All right!" Naruto exclaims, throwing his arms up. This action, however, pushes both him and Sasuke to the floor.

"Ugh, you are such a loser!" Sasuke jeers and we all laugh at the two rivals.

"But why?" Inari demands, tears streaming down his eyes and to the wooden table. He slams his tiny hands against it, standing up, "All of this stupid training is just a waste of time! Gato's got a whole army and they'll destroy you! These cool things you all say, they don't mean anything! No matter what you do, the strong always win and the weak always lose!"

My eyes widen at his testimony. How many times have I heard that over and over throughout the course of my life? It's like this song that repeats itself, trying to permanently carve its way into my mind.

"Just speak for yourself. It won't be like that for me, you got that?" Naruto seethes.

"Just shut up!" Inari yells, "Just looking at you makes me sick! You don't know anything about what we're going through! Always laughing and playing around! You don't know what it is to suffer and be treated like dirt!"

Wow, he can't be anymore close to wrong if he tried. Naruto's been the punching bag of the village for years. All he does is breathe and everyone hates him like he's some kind of monster. No parents, no family, just him.

"Look at you, whining and complaining like some kind of victm!" Naruto yells back, "You can whimper all day for all I care! You're nothing, but a coward!"

"Naruto, you went too far!" Sakura scolds the blonde boy. The blonde simply grunts and ignores her, walking out of the dining room.

I look to Inari who is sitting next to me, he's full on sobbing. He's angry and hurt, he's just a kid. He reminds me of her. Of Clem. I couldn't stand the sight of her hurting.

A sigh escapes my lips and I place my hand on his shoulder. The boy peeks at me from undernearth his hands, "What do you want?! You're gonna yell at me too?!"

"Lily, maybe you should leave him alone." Sakura intervenes, but I also ignore her.

"Hey, don't cry." I say gently, yet sternly. "I know you're hurting, but you're not hurting alone. You can always come home to your mom's warm hugs and your idiot granddad. Winning doesn't make you strong, being brave does. It's alright to be angry, but remember you have something that a lot of people don't have."

"How would you know?!" He stares at me through vicious eyes.

"Because, I live alone." I answer, 'vague as ever', as Sasuke describes it.

"Then, why are you so happy?!" He shouts.

I look over to my team and back to the heartbroken boy. "Because I have a Kakashi Sensei, an Uchiha, a Blondie, and even a Sakura. Honestly, I truly do have everything. I'm quite spoiled, really. If I don't fight for myself, I might as well fight for them. They've given me every reason to not give up."

With the atmosphere growing less tense, I get up, my team staring at me through curious eyes. "Welp, Imma head out." I pat Inari's head, "Goodnight, little sailor."

********

"You mind if I take a seat?" I ask, approaching Naruto who's sitting at the edge of the dock.

"Oh, it's just you, Lily." The Blond acknowledges as I sit down next to him. "I heard some of what you said back there."

"I don't like seeing little kids cry." Is my simple reply, looking up at the stars.

"I wish you'd stop acting." He grumbles, taking me aback, "I know it's not my buisiness, but you hold more pain than you care to admit. I remember... That time I found you in the training grounds. It was the first and last time I've seen you like that."

For a moment, I realize Naruto's the only other person I've shown that side too. The side that's vulnerable, tired, deprived. "You never told me..."

"It was one year since my mom's death." I state and once again I find myself opening up to him. To this clumsy creature who holds the purest of thoughts. Something about him, he just makes it easy...

He stares at me and back to the sea, "I've always wondered, why do you defend me so much? Eversince we met, you did nothing but stick up for me."

"I know how it feels." I reply being careful of my words, "I know how it feels to be isolated from others. To be despised. I couldn't and still can't stand to see people mistreat you."

"Everytime I see you, Lily, it's like you have everything. As if you never suffered one bit." His voice is filled with pain, pain for me. "Why?"

I think for a few seconds, hesitating, "It's my fault. Everything leading up to being in the Leaf, it was my fault. Naruto, I caused things. The least I can do is be happy and grateful."

"You don't actually believe that do you?" He questions in disbelief, "I don't care what you did or didn't do, I refuse to believe you that any of it is your fault. So, get that idea out of your head."

I remain quiet, allowing his words to play through my brain. I wish I could tell everything, but I'm afrid that once he knows he'll take those words back.

"Hey, you're one of my bestfriends." Naruto continues, "You're precious to and I'll be your friend until the day I die. I promise."

"I promise too, Blondie. You have my word, I got your back." I smile warmly, placing my hand on his shoulder. "Now get to sleep, you look like death."

This is more of an addition to the last chapter. My intentions is to make the the next chapter the las of the Land of Waves.

Thanks for reading!

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