Skeletons in the Closet Chapter Five
Skeletons In the Closet
Chapter Five
By: Lazuli
PG-13
Don't own Naruto. If I did, there would be considerable more Sasuke torture and more Yondaime time. No real warnings. Eh… I thought there'd be more spoilerage in this chapter, but old Neji got away from me. ^_^
The first thing that came to Naruto's mind when he saw Neji was that he was old. It had been a long time since he'd seen Neji, and while he knew the passage of time would affect his comrade-it was still a shock to see him like that. His hair was now the same shade as his eyes and he moved a little slower, but it was clear that it was the same Neji in the older body.
"You haven’t changed, Naruto." Neji murmured as he sat across from Naruto. "There were rumors, speculation-but even I did not expect that you would still be here at this place." He observed Naruto carefully. "Why stay in a place that was belonged to him?" Neji didn't bother to hide his dislike of Sasuke-even though he somewhat forgave the Uchiha for what happened, he never really liked him as a person.
Naruto scowled at that. "I didn't exactly choose this place as my final … whatever." He muttered. "Two factors made it happen-one was the fact that I made a promise to Sasuke before he died-and the second…" He grimaced and shrugged. "It happened to be the place that was far enough away from town that if Kyuubi got out of control when I performed that final jutsu, nobody would be hurt." He paused and gave Neji a weird look. "You're taking this awfully calmly."
Neji smirked. "Seeing you as a ghost only amuses me, Naruto-it doesn't really bother me. It would only figure that you'd end up as a noisy brat for eternity." He calmly folded his hands in front of him, gaze serious once more. "I am not just here because you like hanging around long past your time, Naruto-I am here because of what Aki has told me of this…new Sasuke."
Naruto immediately looked away. "It isn't anything anyone needs to worry about." He said quickly. "I've got it all under control." Hands clenched into fists as he steadily avoided Neji's gaze. Ghost or not, he was certain that Neji could still see in him to tell what he was thinking.
Neji snorted at that. "I'm older than you, Naruto-I have seen more-and from what Aki has reported to me, this is something entirely different from what either of us has experienced. People who have been reborn are not supposed to recall their past." He frowned deeply. "That boy should not be here. We do not need a repeat of what happened to Konoha before if he decides to snap completely." The smirk appeared again. "I am not strong enough anymore and while our current students are strong-"
Naruto interrupted him. "He doesn't have any charka." He said softly. "Nor any shinobi abilities. He doesn't care for that way of life and he doesn't understand it." He looked up again, eyes sad. "I already looked-I already asked. I wanted to make sure as well. This isn't the old Sasuke, Neji. This is someone new-someone who got a second chance at life without the fucked up past to change his direction."
Brows rising, Neji examined Naruto more closely. "What all binds you here, Naruto? Haven't you paid your debt yet?" He looked doubtful. "There should be nothing holding you here-"
"You don't know!" Naruto snapped, 'standing up' and glaring at Neji. "You don't know the promises made, the jutsus performed. There is more in this world than just what your eyes tell you, Neji." He shook his head fiercely. "I don't know why you came here." He said bitterly. "To rub the past in my face again? To tell me of my mistakes? I already go over that everyday."
Neji didn't react during Naruto's tirade-he just gazed at him with that same calm that infuriated Naruto when he first knew him. "I came to see what is making him react in such a way, Naruto. I may not be able to help in regards to fixing the problem, but perhaps I can see more than you."
"You can try." Naruto muttered. "Look-I don't want you acting all weird around him. He… he had a few moments where he was…just a little different, you know?" He stared at the tops of his sandals as he went on. "I don't want him to remember, Neji. It's not fair to him to recall anything from that life. He…"
"He deserves to remember." Neji said harshly. "For all that he did-for all that he put our shinobi through-he does not just get to forget what he did." He ignored the way Naruto was glowering at him. "No one gets a free ticket to another life, Naruto-not without paying a price for their previous sins."
"He was hurt enough!" Naruto shouted. "He paid enough of a price during that life-why should he have to relive in again? Somebody up there obviously thought that he went through enough shit where he doesn't need to have a repeat!" Pointing a finger at Neji, he almost crackled with power. "Don't try and purposely hurt him, Neji. I have absolute power of this estate and I can make sure you never get near him."
"You are still too impulsive, Naruto-you would thank that eighty years might have changed something within that empty head of yours…" He shook his head sadly at the consistency of Naruto's ways. "I am not going to do anything to him-I am just warning you so that you may be prepared to deal with the side effects of Sasuke regaining memories of a long buried past life." He paused momentarily to cough. "I say this as a friend to you, Naruto. It will most likely be painful on both ends."
Naruto sneered. "You mean like Sasuke trying to kill me again? Call me names or betray me?" He asked mockingly. "That's the benefit of being dead, Neji. There isn't much to hurt anymore."
Neji rolled his eyes. "You pretend to not care, Naruto-but even without using my Byakugan, I can still see what makes you tick." His eyes moved over Naruto's ghostly form. "It helps that you were always…transparent when it came to certain people." He was about to say more when Sasuke walked in the door. He could barely contain his shock as he took in his appearance. Since he couldn't voice the reason for his annoyance aloud, he settled for glaring at Naruto and hoping he'd get the hint.
Naruto just gave him a pleasant smile, all traces of sadness, bitterness or anger gone from his face. In short-he had his masks back up. "Neji-I would like you to meet Sensu Sasuke, the current owner of the Uchiha estates." He turned to Sasuke. "This is Hyuuga Neji, grandfather to Aki and my one time comrade."
Sasuke blinked in surprise, and then a warm smile crossed his face. Neji was glad that he lived long enough where he could hide his surprise at Sasuke…even if it wasn't the same Sasuke.. showing a genuine emotion that wasn't superior. "If you're one of Naruto's comrades-" he paused and he took in the hitai-ate that Neji still wore. "You knew him a long time ago." It was the most tactful way he could say that Neji was old. "I'm sure he's happy to see you here."
Neji smiled politely back at him. "Yes…I've known of Naruto since was young, and once he graduated from the academy, we became comrades." His eyes flicked from Sasuke to Naruto. "We worked on several missions together." He didn't mention the last mission they worked on together involved Sasuke-he had a feeling that Naruto would try to kill him for being so direct, and so he would satisfy himself with this little nudges. Plus, the more he interacted with him, the better he could read him.
Sasuke nodded absently, he wasn't really interested in hearing anything about the ninja missions at the moment, It was nice that Naruto got to talk to someone he could relate to, because he had the feeling that sometimes the ghost got frustrated with his lack of interest in what Naruto spent his whole life working on. Plus the creepy blank eyes of the Hyuuga clan were even more unnerving on this seemingly frail old man. He wasn't sure why…
Neji 'saw' bits of Sasuke inside, pieces that were not entirely meshed together. He kept his expression schooled, but the psyche of the young man wasn't normal and as he stepped closer to Naruto, those bits fluctuated and flared-
"Naruto-is the gennin team going to be back later or tomorrow?" Sasuke had a faint, embarrassed flush on his cheeks. "I want to apologize for the other day." He was talking as he moved around the fridge, voice muffled. "I didn't mean to scare Kia like that. I forgot she was just a kid."
"She is a ninja, Sasuke." Naruto shrugged it off. "While I admit that it probably wasn't the best thing to do-since you managed to put a hole through an already unstable floor-she needs to get used to be intimidated." He smirked. "Although I can't believe she was scared by some kid that can't even throw a kunai properly."
Neji watched Sasuke's eyes darken momentarily before a familiar smirk crossed his features. "At least if I tried to catch her, she wouldn't tumble through my arms because I was insubstantial." He mocked. Neji refrained from rolling his eyes. It was like they were both twelve again. And no matter what, they still find ways to insult each other. It doesn't matter that one is a ghost and the other doesn't remember his past. I think they were created to annoy each other. As an insult managed to include his own abilities, he groaned.. And everyone around them. I'm too old for this.
"Children…" He said dryly. He ignored the dirty looks tossed at him from both directions. The 'past' bits of Sasuke were crowding over the current personality. It's a wonder he doesn't have screaming headaches all the time. "Sasuke? Would you like to sit down and share a cup of tea?" He looked over at Naruto. "Since I do hate to drink alone and Naruto here is hardly mature company." He did so enjoy being old at this point. "You seem to be very polite."
Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke. "I've been around longer than him." He muttered rebelliously. "Not all of us have to look like we're falling apart to be 'full of wisdom and maturity', you know." He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. "And you don't even known what he's like" He protested.
Neji gave Naruto a look. "That's why I'd like to get to know him, Naruto." He voice was nothing but pleasant. "At least he doesn't act like he's ten years old-" His tone conveyed his amusement easily.
Sasuke smirked at Naruto and continued where Neji left off "At least people respect age, Naruto-not some loudmouth doing an impression of a window." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I would like to get to know you, Hyuuga-san, but I have a paper that I have to write." He bowed slightly and then smirked again at Naruto. "At least I don't have to warn you what an idiot Naruto can be."
Neji nodded, eyes following Sasuke as he moved towards the back rooms. "I am well acquainted with his personality." He gave a nod towards the boy. "Perhaps we can talk again later and exchange stories about him." He shook his head, giving the impression of great patience. "I commend you for staying here, Sensu-san. You must be very strong to put up with Naruto all the time."
"You're like a couple of girls." Naruto muttered. "Wanting to gossip about some guys." He rolled his eyes and shooed Sasuke towards his room. "Go get that work of yours done." He insisted. "Can't have you blaming me if you fail your stupid classes." He smirked faintly. "And if you need help with your history…." He tilted his head. "I can help, I'm sure."
Sasuke looked surprised at the offer, then nodded curtly. "I'll hold you to that." He paused for a moment, and smirked. "At least you can be knowledgeable about something." With one more faint nod at Neji, he vanished down the hallway. Both Neji and Naruto waited until he was out of earshot before Neji turned to glare at him.
"Why didn't you tell me that he looked like him?" He hissed out. "I'm old, Naruto. Did you want to kill me off with a heart attack?" He smoothed out invisible wrinkles in his shirt. "Now I see more of the problem. Aki never knew what Sasuke looked like-I certainly don't have any pictures… but… " He frowned deeply. "This causes a bit more problems than I originally anticipated."
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Just because of the resemblance?" He scoffed. "People look like other people all the time. It doesn't mean a thing." He gave Neji a disgusted look. "I had a superficial resemblance to the Yondaime, and you didn't see people treating me with anymore respect because of it." Tilting his head to the side, he observed Neji, eyes serious in a way that few people knew he could be capable of. "You saw with those freaky eyes of yours, don't you?" His tone was serious, but it was ruined by the way Naruto wiggled his fingers to indicate the 'creepy' part. So much for Naruto's mature act.
Neji nodded, ignoring the way Naruto was acting. "Yes, Naruto-and it's rather serious. There is basically one part to Sasuke-but bits are splitting apart and forming the basic structure for what you knew Sasuke as." His gaze was direct and his words to the point. "There are two distinct personalities-souls-almost forming within Sasuke. He is going to experience some very negative side effects soon-if he hasn't already." He sighed and knew he had to impart the last piece of information he gathered from observing Sasuke. "It gets worse around you, Naruto-as if the 'other' Sasuke wants to appear because of your presence."
If Naruto wasn't a ghost, he would have blanched at that. Two emotions warred within him-one the desire to have his friend back, and the other to make sure that he never appeared. There were too many things unsaid-too many promises broken and hurts that never quite healed. He was trying to make up for his mistakes through this Sasuke. The past didn't have to come into it… did it? But… if Neji was right, then he would never be able to separate the two, not if he wanted to make up for past mistakes.
"So you're saying that I can never … fix things?" Naruto asked slowly. "Not without risking Sasuke going nuts again?" He sighed. "At least he doesn't have the power to do any damage this time." He muttered.
Neji paused at that. "I cannot be sure that he wouldn't have the power if he regained parts of himself. Memories and power are connected, Naruto. You know that if he displays any soft of … awakening…he will most likely be hunted down again. He took in the look on Naruto's face and continued with a sigh.
"I'm saying it's already been started-that was probably part of the reason why he was drawn here." A slow smirk. "You can say that it was his fate… his destiny to come back here. If he leaves, he may still have flashbacks or moments where he slips into his other persona. You just… hurry the process along." He sighed. "He may be wanting to reach you as much as you want to reach him, Naruto."
Naruto growled. "Then why all the 'ooh, this is bad' shit?" He demanded. "It's going to happen or not going to happen. It's his own will to come here, not any of that fate nonsense of yours. I told you I never believed in that. I defied my own fate, didn't I?" He glared at Neji. "Don't give me that shit that Sasuke is going to fall apart because he was 'destined' to come back here." His voice cracked a little. "Don't you dare tell me that it's fate that I fuck up his life again."
Neji frowned. "You are only going to make it worse by denying the truth, Naruto." He levered himself up. "Think on it. I must be getting back-I still have matters to attend to at home." Naruto followed him to the edges of the estate, eyes speaking volumes for the words he wouldn't say. "If you need my help again, Naruto-you know how to reach me."
"Tch. Like I'd ever ask for you help." Naruto muttered as he let Neji through the barrier. He had given Naruto a lot to think about-almost too much to think about. "We'll see." He finally said. Neji simply nodded, a small smile on his face.
"For all the pain that it may cause, Naruto-I am glad for you that you have Sasuke back here. He was your only real friend, was he not?" He gave a regretful shrug. "None of us really understood you. I am sorry for that."
Naruto waved it off. "I was used to it-and hell-it's been a long time." He muttered. "These things… they don't matter after awhile." He said softly. "But thank you, Neji. It means a lot to hear you say that." His eyes flicked towards the main house. "I just hope that I can divert the more painful memories that Sasuke might have."
Neji didn't comment on that, just simply raised an eyebrow. "Best of luck, Naruto." He vanished into the crowds of Konohagakure, leaving Naruto alone with Sasuke… and all the problems that were rapidly developing because of it.
Not like Sasuke didn't have enough mental problems in his past life. Now this has to occur? Sometimes I wonder who he pissed off to have these types of issues.
~
Sasuke flopped down on his bed, mind going over the weird conversation that Naruto had with that old man before he came up. He knew Naruto sensed him before he came up and stopped talking before Sasuke could hear anything. Or he did something weird-or something. He growled to himself, not liking the secrecy again. It has to do with how I weird I was yesterday. He thought. Naruto was just…and everyone looked at me like I went completely insane. I'm not sure if I hadn't gone insane myself. Threatening some little girl because she insulted Naruto?
He wanted to apologize-he needed to apologize and didn't want to wait until they came back. Giving his homework a look, he decided that this was more important than any class assignment. Plus, I bet I can find something out if I ask the right questions. Decision made, he hurried out of the house, searching for Naruto so he could get into town. That old man seemed friendly enough…He felt like he could trust the answers that he asked from him.
He found Naruto in the empty storage room in the main house, staring out the window. He looked lost in the past and Sasuke hesitated to interrupt him from his thoughts. He was already unsure of how to deal with Naruto at the moment-something felt off-balance and shaky ever since the incident the other day. "Naruto?" His voice barely carried to the ghost, but Naruto turned around immediately, his face cheerful.
"You need help already?" He shook his head in mock disappointment. "Never thought I'd see the day where someone would ask me for help with schoolwork." His eyes were amused. "Of course, I'm pretty good at remembering the life I lived, which is technically history…"
Sasuke shook his head, smiling faintly. "I don't need your help yet, Naruto. I wanted to go into town to find Kia and the rest of the team to apologize properly." Shrugging lightly, he felt the need to explain. "I sometimes… lose it like that." He said softly. "Ever since I was younger, I'd…break like that, but I haven't had one of those spells for a long time. My parents gave me medication when I was younger, but…" His eyes met Naruto's, who looked a little shocked. "Well.. I just want to make amends." He finished quickly.
Naruto nodded quickly, preceding Sasuke out the door. "So it's a childhood problem?" He murmured. "You've…gotten angry before?" He questioned carefully. Sasuke frowned and shook his head at that. There was a lot more to it than just snapping and scaring random people, but it wasn't something he was prepared to give Naruto all the details, or anyone for that matter.
"Not really angry-I…just sort of blank out and find myself doing something I wouldn't normally. Split personality or some weird thing like that." He managed a grin. "So you have a nutcase for a roommate. If this place wasn't weird enough with ghosts, you have someone who becomes someone else for minutes at a time."
Naruto snorted. "You are a weirdo." He muttered as he opened the 'door' to Konoha. "It's your fault that you're living here with a ghost instead of some cushy place in town." Sasuke caught the look of wistfulness on Naruto's face as he gazed upon his old home, a place that he couldn't return to---couldn't even step in for reasons Sasuke didn't know-yet.
"Hey…" He didn't quite look at Naruto. "If you want… I can go around your old haunts or something and … hell, I don't know." He shrugged, not sure what he was offering or how to explain it. "Maybe bring you something back… or…" He knew it wasn't the same, but it was all he could offer Naruto. Eighty years was a long time to be alone. After spending so much time with the ghost, he knew that he craved company-and it wasn't his own choice that he didn't have any.
Naruto's eyes lit up at that and his grin was more heartfelt this time. "Um… see my old apartment….and .. " He paused, thinking about it. "Mm… and…go to Ichiraku if it's still around! They used to serve the best ramen there. You have to try it, Sasuke. Honestly. If there is nothing else you experience in Konoha, the ramen is a must."
Sasuke looked at him in bewilderment. Out of all the things that Naruto wanted him to see in Konoha-he wanted Sasuke to got to a ramen stand? He didn't even like ramen a great deal and was about to ask if Naruto was sure, when his mind went back to an earlier conversation they had.
~
"And my favorite food-" Naruto grinned. "It was ramen! Cup of ramen or the ramen at Ichiraku. Iruka-sensei would take me sometimes and it was such a cool thing!" His eyes lit up. "You'll have to tell the kids at the academy that. Maybe business will go up at Ichiraku because the famed Rokudaime ate there!" He stuck a pose.
"Idiot." Sasuke shook his head. "You can't make someone like something like… ramen… just because you ate it." He smirked. "More likely than not they'll go.. "The Rokudaime liked ramen? We always knew there was something weird about him…" He couldn't help teasing the blond ghost.
Naruto scowled at him and tried to swat at Sasuke, who just laughed and darted away. "You can't get me!" He taunted. A wave of energy swept him off his feet and he looked up to see Naruto smirking at him. "There are other ways to floor an enemy…"
~
Sasuke felt a smile cross his face. "Sure, Naruto-I'll go try some of this Ichiraku ramen for you." Naruto grinned back at him, but the wistful look was back in his eyes as they traveled over the expanse of the town. Sasuke wanted to ask why he couldn't move past the boundary of the estate, wanted to ask why he chose an empty building to be bound to-there were so many questions. But-he couldn't ask them of Naruto. "Maybe I'll even bring back a souvenir for you." He winked.
Naruto rolled his eyes and used his energy to shove Sasuke off the property. "I can't keep this open forever." He growled, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Go get stuff done there." Sasuke snorted and waved his comments off, before he turned down a side street. Naruto set up the barrier again, and then slumped to the ground. He wondered at the wisdom of sending Sasuke off into Konoha, when Neji's warnings still rang in his head-but… You can't stop a snowball from gaining speeds as it rolls down a hill. I guess this is much of the same thing.
The only thing now would to see what type of damage the snowball would inflict once it hit the bottom.
~
Sasuke found himself blindly wandering around the town, listening to the cheerful conversations going around him, barely taking note of the ninja walking around the streets, their presence already normal and calming to him.
This was the type of town he dreamt about when he was younger-the crazy structures and all. The way people moved together-the way it just was. And he wasn't a part of it. He lived on the fringes, he observed, but was never truly part of it. That's how Naruto must've felt! He thought in sudden realization. He mentioned that…that he could be a part of it, but not a part of it…
He didn't know where Naruto's old apartment was, so he just let the crowd push him along, looks directed toward his way, the more bewildered ones coming from the older people. The old guy-Neji-didn't look at me like that. He huffed silent. What's with people here?
He eventually came across a small stand-a few customers sitting at the stools and lanterns hanging on the sides. The awning in front had "Ichiraku" spelling out on the cloth, and Sasuke smirked lightly as he saw it. So this is Naruto's famous ramen stand.
He really didn't like ramen-but he did tell Naruto he'd try this place for him. Although it wouldn’t be the same. He thought to himself as he took a seat on one of the empty stools, looking up at the menu. His eyes widened at one of the choices. The Rokudaime? He snickered slightly. Wouldn't Naruto love to know that a miso ramen dish was named after him? I guess he's not so forgotten here…
The man behind the counter smile at Sasuke and where his gaze went. "Our family has kept this place for generations." He pointed to the menu. "The Rokudaime came here all the time as a kid and that was his favorite meal. You should try it." He winked.
Sasuke blinked and then gave a slow nod. He tried to imagine Naruto as a kid, sitting on this counter-loud and obnoxious-It was somehow very easy to picture it, and suddenly the meal seemed very appropriate. He was just about to take a bite when a voice stopped him. "You!" It cried out. "What are you doing in our town?" Sasuke gave a mental groan. That high-pitched, whiney voice…
"Kia…" He turned around with a faint smile on his face, trying to hide the grimace. He wanted to apologize for what he did, but looking at the prissy way she held herself, the sneer on her lips and the anger in her eyes, it was easy to forget what he wanted to apologize for.
He reined in his temper and tried to display the good manners he was raised with. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday." He got out. "I was not myself and I put your and your teammates in danger. Let me make it up to you." The words didn't sound as stiff as he feared, there was an actual note of sincerity in his voice.
She gave him a suspicious look, eyes flicking over to her silent teammates. Aki watched him the most intensely, and Sasuke was uncomfortably reminded of the earlier encounter with his grandfather Neji. He gestured to the empty stools next to him. "I'll buy you dinner." He kept that same polite smile on his face. Mika grinned and jumped onto one of the stools.
"Man, you have a deal!" He grinned. He seemed largely unaffected by his ordeal the other day, even if he got the brunt of it by the fall. "I don't know about Kia or Aki-but I wouldn't mind a bowl of ramen." He gave the owner a cheerful grin. "One seafood ramen!
He ordered.
Kia gave a delicate sniff and sat on the other side of Mika as Aki took a seat as well. A few bowls of ramen later, Sasuke felt considerably more comfortable as the group chattered around him. They were talking about their first 'training session' with Shiba.
"And Kia was the one that got tied to the log!" Mika snickered. "Everyone pegged me for getting tied there-" He laughed against, nearly choking on the remaining broth in the bowl. "She was so pissed at being tied to the log while we ate lunch next to her."
Kia flipped her hair over her shoulders. "At least Aki was a gentleman and offered me his food first." She smirked at him. "You were only copying him." Her nose wrinkled. "Not that I would have wanted your food, anyways-but…"
"It got us to pass Shiba-sensei's test, didn't it?" Mika pouted and looked over at Aki. "We're a team now…" He gave a small laugh at Sasuke's almost far away expression. "Ha! Looks like your zoning out with all our ninja talk." He jumped off the stool. "Thank for the meal and no hard feelings, okay?"
Sasuke nodded. He rather liked this Mika. He was cheerful and reminded him rather forcibly of Naruto in a lot of ways. Kia and Aki gave their thanks as well, more subdued than Mika's but still sincere.
Sasuke thumped his head on the table once all of them were gone and paid the unexpected bill. He was getting one of his headaches again, and he didn't know if it was the close proximity of so many people, dealing with the gennin team, or eating ramen-but a walk would hopefully clear his head.
~
He found himself on the edge of a clearing, a marble block gracing one part of it, and three stumps gracing another part. In the distance he could hear the sound of birds settling down for the night in the nearby forest. It was calm and peaceful here, and he felt the headache he'd be sporting dissipating as he walked along the edge of a swiftly-flowing river.
He walked slowly around the area, a small smile on his face. This must be the place that Mika talked about-a training area. He let his hands ghost over the wood, and he wondered how many people over the years went through the same test-he wondered who started it, who saw the wisdom in what it meant to really be a team.
He moved next to the marble stone, noticing the stick of incense and the names carved into the smooth black marble. His eyes moved over the names, a few standing out. 'Uchiha Obito…' He wondered if he had been one of the ones killed in the massacre. A few other names stood out, but then he saw Naruto's. "Uzumaki Naruto.'
"That's it! I just made up my mind! That's where I want my name to go! I'm not going to throw my life away! I'm going to be a hero!"
Sasuke blinked the echo of the words away. "You got your wish, Naruto." He said softly. "I'm sure you didn't throw your life away-and your name still got carved here." His let his hands rest on the name.
He was about to get up and walk away when voice stopped him. "Sa… Sasuke-kun?"
Chapter Five
By: Lazuli
PG-13
Don't own Naruto. If I did, there would be considerable more Sasuke torture and more Yondaime time. No real warnings. Eh… I thought there'd be more spoilerage in this chapter, but old Neji got away from me. ^_^
The first thing that came to Naruto's mind when he saw Neji was that he was old. It had been a long time since he'd seen Neji, and while he knew the passage of time would affect his comrade-it was still a shock to see him like that. His hair was now the same shade as his eyes and he moved a little slower, but it was clear that it was the same Neji in the older body.
"You haven’t changed, Naruto." Neji murmured as he sat across from Naruto. "There were rumors, speculation-but even I did not expect that you would still be here at this place." He observed Naruto carefully. "Why stay in a place that was belonged to him?" Neji didn't bother to hide his dislike of Sasuke-even though he somewhat forgave the Uchiha for what happened, he never really liked him as a person.
Naruto scowled at that. "I didn't exactly choose this place as my final … whatever." He muttered. "Two factors made it happen-one was the fact that I made a promise to Sasuke before he died-and the second…" He grimaced and shrugged. "It happened to be the place that was far enough away from town that if Kyuubi got out of control when I performed that final jutsu, nobody would be hurt." He paused and gave Neji a weird look. "You're taking this awfully calmly."
Neji smirked. "Seeing you as a ghost only amuses me, Naruto-it doesn't really bother me. It would only figure that you'd end up as a noisy brat for eternity." He calmly folded his hands in front of him, gaze serious once more. "I am not just here because you like hanging around long past your time, Naruto-I am here because of what Aki has told me of this…new Sasuke."
Naruto immediately looked away. "It isn't anything anyone needs to worry about." He said quickly. "I've got it all under control." Hands clenched into fists as he steadily avoided Neji's gaze. Ghost or not, he was certain that Neji could still see in him to tell what he was thinking.
Neji snorted at that. "I'm older than you, Naruto-I have seen more-and from what Aki has reported to me, this is something entirely different from what either of us has experienced. People who have been reborn are not supposed to recall their past." He frowned deeply. "That boy should not be here. We do not need a repeat of what happened to Konoha before if he decides to snap completely." The smirk appeared again. "I am not strong enough anymore and while our current students are strong-"
Naruto interrupted him. "He doesn't have any charka." He said softly. "Nor any shinobi abilities. He doesn't care for that way of life and he doesn't understand it." He looked up again, eyes sad. "I already looked-I already asked. I wanted to make sure as well. This isn't the old Sasuke, Neji. This is someone new-someone who got a second chance at life without the fucked up past to change his direction."
Brows rising, Neji examined Naruto more closely. "What all binds you here, Naruto? Haven't you paid your debt yet?" He looked doubtful. "There should be nothing holding you here-"
"You don't know!" Naruto snapped, 'standing up' and glaring at Neji. "You don't know the promises made, the jutsus performed. There is more in this world than just what your eyes tell you, Neji." He shook his head fiercely. "I don't know why you came here." He said bitterly. "To rub the past in my face again? To tell me of my mistakes? I already go over that everyday."
Neji didn't react during Naruto's tirade-he just gazed at him with that same calm that infuriated Naruto when he first knew him. "I came to see what is making him react in such a way, Naruto. I may not be able to help in regards to fixing the problem, but perhaps I can see more than you."
"You can try." Naruto muttered. "Look-I don't want you acting all weird around him. He… he had a few moments where he was…just a little different, you know?" He stared at the tops of his sandals as he went on. "I don't want him to remember, Neji. It's not fair to him to recall anything from that life. He…"
"He deserves to remember." Neji said harshly. "For all that he did-for all that he put our shinobi through-he does not just get to forget what he did." He ignored the way Naruto was glowering at him. "No one gets a free ticket to another life, Naruto-not without paying a price for their previous sins."
"He was hurt enough!" Naruto shouted. "He paid enough of a price during that life-why should he have to relive in again? Somebody up there obviously thought that he went through enough shit where he doesn't need to have a repeat!" Pointing a finger at Neji, he almost crackled with power. "Don't try and purposely hurt him, Neji. I have absolute power of this estate and I can make sure you never get near him."
"You are still too impulsive, Naruto-you would thank that eighty years might have changed something within that empty head of yours…" He shook his head sadly at the consistency of Naruto's ways. "I am not going to do anything to him-I am just warning you so that you may be prepared to deal with the side effects of Sasuke regaining memories of a long buried past life." He paused momentarily to cough. "I say this as a friend to you, Naruto. It will most likely be painful on both ends."
Naruto sneered. "You mean like Sasuke trying to kill me again? Call me names or betray me?" He asked mockingly. "That's the benefit of being dead, Neji. There isn't much to hurt anymore."
Neji rolled his eyes. "You pretend to not care, Naruto-but even without using my Byakugan, I can still see what makes you tick." His eyes moved over Naruto's ghostly form. "It helps that you were always…transparent when it came to certain people." He was about to say more when Sasuke walked in the door. He could barely contain his shock as he took in his appearance. Since he couldn't voice the reason for his annoyance aloud, he settled for glaring at Naruto and hoping he'd get the hint.
Naruto just gave him a pleasant smile, all traces of sadness, bitterness or anger gone from his face. In short-he had his masks back up. "Neji-I would like you to meet Sensu Sasuke, the current owner of the Uchiha estates." He turned to Sasuke. "This is Hyuuga Neji, grandfather to Aki and my one time comrade."
Sasuke blinked in surprise, and then a warm smile crossed his face. Neji was glad that he lived long enough where he could hide his surprise at Sasuke…even if it wasn't the same Sasuke.. showing a genuine emotion that wasn't superior. "If you're one of Naruto's comrades-" he paused and he took in the hitai-ate that Neji still wore. "You knew him a long time ago." It was the most tactful way he could say that Neji was old. "I'm sure he's happy to see you here."
Neji smiled politely back at him. "Yes…I've known of Naruto since was young, and once he graduated from the academy, we became comrades." His eyes flicked from Sasuke to Naruto. "We worked on several missions together." He didn't mention the last mission they worked on together involved Sasuke-he had a feeling that Naruto would try to kill him for being so direct, and so he would satisfy himself with this little nudges. Plus, the more he interacted with him, the better he could read him.
Sasuke nodded absently, he wasn't really interested in hearing anything about the ninja missions at the moment, It was nice that Naruto got to talk to someone he could relate to, because he had the feeling that sometimes the ghost got frustrated with his lack of interest in what Naruto spent his whole life working on. Plus the creepy blank eyes of the Hyuuga clan were even more unnerving on this seemingly frail old man. He wasn't sure why…
Neji 'saw' bits of Sasuke inside, pieces that were not entirely meshed together. He kept his expression schooled, but the psyche of the young man wasn't normal and as he stepped closer to Naruto, those bits fluctuated and flared-
"Naruto-is the gennin team going to be back later or tomorrow?" Sasuke had a faint, embarrassed flush on his cheeks. "I want to apologize for the other day." He was talking as he moved around the fridge, voice muffled. "I didn't mean to scare Kia like that. I forgot she was just a kid."
"She is a ninja, Sasuke." Naruto shrugged it off. "While I admit that it probably wasn't the best thing to do-since you managed to put a hole through an already unstable floor-she needs to get used to be intimidated." He smirked. "Although I can't believe she was scared by some kid that can't even throw a kunai properly."
Neji watched Sasuke's eyes darken momentarily before a familiar smirk crossed his features. "At least if I tried to catch her, she wouldn't tumble through my arms because I was insubstantial." He mocked. Neji refrained from rolling his eyes. It was like they were both twelve again. And no matter what, they still find ways to insult each other. It doesn't matter that one is a ghost and the other doesn't remember his past. I think they were created to annoy each other. As an insult managed to include his own abilities, he groaned.. And everyone around them. I'm too old for this.
"Children…" He said dryly. He ignored the dirty looks tossed at him from both directions. The 'past' bits of Sasuke were crowding over the current personality. It's a wonder he doesn't have screaming headaches all the time. "Sasuke? Would you like to sit down and share a cup of tea?" He looked over at Naruto. "Since I do hate to drink alone and Naruto here is hardly mature company." He did so enjoy being old at this point. "You seem to be very polite."
Naruto stuck his tongue out at Sasuke. "I've been around longer than him." He muttered rebelliously. "Not all of us have to look like we're falling apart to be 'full of wisdom and maturity', you know." He frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. "And you don't even known what he's like" He protested.
Neji gave Naruto a look. "That's why I'd like to get to know him, Naruto." He voice was nothing but pleasant. "At least he doesn't act like he's ten years old-" His tone conveyed his amusement easily.
Sasuke smirked at Naruto and continued where Neji left off "At least people respect age, Naruto-not some loudmouth doing an impression of a window." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I would like to get to know you, Hyuuga-san, but I have a paper that I have to write." He bowed slightly and then smirked again at Naruto. "At least I don't have to warn you what an idiot Naruto can be."
Neji nodded, eyes following Sasuke as he moved towards the back rooms. "I am well acquainted with his personality." He gave a nod towards the boy. "Perhaps we can talk again later and exchange stories about him." He shook his head, giving the impression of great patience. "I commend you for staying here, Sensu-san. You must be very strong to put up with Naruto all the time."
"You're like a couple of girls." Naruto muttered. "Wanting to gossip about some guys." He rolled his eyes and shooed Sasuke towards his room. "Go get that work of yours done." He insisted. "Can't have you blaming me if you fail your stupid classes." He smirked faintly. "And if you need help with your history…." He tilted his head. "I can help, I'm sure."
Sasuke looked surprised at the offer, then nodded curtly. "I'll hold you to that." He paused for a moment, and smirked. "At least you can be knowledgeable about something." With one more faint nod at Neji, he vanished down the hallway. Both Neji and Naruto waited until he was out of earshot before Neji turned to glare at him.
"Why didn't you tell me that he looked like him?" He hissed out. "I'm old, Naruto. Did you want to kill me off with a heart attack?" He smoothed out invisible wrinkles in his shirt. "Now I see more of the problem. Aki never knew what Sasuke looked like-I certainly don't have any pictures… but… " He frowned deeply. "This causes a bit more problems than I originally anticipated."
Naruto blinked in surprise. "Just because of the resemblance?" He scoffed. "People look like other people all the time. It doesn't mean a thing." He gave Neji a disgusted look. "I had a superficial resemblance to the Yondaime, and you didn't see people treating me with anymore respect because of it." Tilting his head to the side, he observed Neji, eyes serious in a way that few people knew he could be capable of. "You saw with those freaky eyes of yours, don't you?" His tone was serious, but it was ruined by the way Naruto wiggled his fingers to indicate the 'creepy' part. So much for Naruto's mature act.
Neji nodded, ignoring the way Naruto was acting. "Yes, Naruto-and it's rather serious. There is basically one part to Sasuke-but bits are splitting apart and forming the basic structure for what you knew Sasuke as." His gaze was direct and his words to the point. "There are two distinct personalities-souls-almost forming within Sasuke. He is going to experience some very negative side effects soon-if he hasn't already." He sighed and knew he had to impart the last piece of information he gathered from observing Sasuke. "It gets worse around you, Naruto-as if the 'other' Sasuke wants to appear because of your presence."
If Naruto wasn't a ghost, he would have blanched at that. Two emotions warred within him-one the desire to have his friend back, and the other to make sure that he never appeared. There were too many things unsaid-too many promises broken and hurts that never quite healed. He was trying to make up for his mistakes through this Sasuke. The past didn't have to come into it… did it? But… if Neji was right, then he would never be able to separate the two, not if he wanted to make up for past mistakes.
"So you're saying that I can never … fix things?" Naruto asked slowly. "Not without risking Sasuke going nuts again?" He sighed. "At least he doesn't have the power to do any damage this time." He muttered.
Neji paused at that. "I cannot be sure that he wouldn't have the power if he regained parts of himself. Memories and power are connected, Naruto. You know that if he displays any soft of … awakening…he will most likely be hunted down again. He took in the look on Naruto's face and continued with a sigh.
"I'm saying it's already been started-that was probably part of the reason why he was drawn here." A slow smirk. "You can say that it was his fate… his destiny to come back here. If he leaves, he may still have flashbacks or moments where he slips into his other persona. You just… hurry the process along." He sighed. "He may be wanting to reach you as much as you want to reach him, Naruto."
Naruto growled. "Then why all the 'ooh, this is bad' shit?" He demanded. "It's going to happen or not going to happen. It's his own will to come here, not any of that fate nonsense of yours. I told you I never believed in that. I defied my own fate, didn't I?" He glared at Neji. "Don't give me that shit that Sasuke is going to fall apart because he was 'destined' to come back here." His voice cracked a little. "Don't you dare tell me that it's fate that I fuck up his life again."
Neji frowned. "You are only going to make it worse by denying the truth, Naruto." He levered himself up. "Think on it. I must be getting back-I still have matters to attend to at home." Naruto followed him to the edges of the estate, eyes speaking volumes for the words he wouldn't say. "If you need my help again, Naruto-you know how to reach me."
"Tch. Like I'd ever ask for you help." Naruto muttered as he let Neji through the barrier. He had given Naruto a lot to think about-almost too much to think about. "We'll see." He finally said. Neji simply nodded, a small smile on his face.
"For all the pain that it may cause, Naruto-I am glad for you that you have Sasuke back here. He was your only real friend, was he not?" He gave a regretful shrug. "None of us really understood you. I am sorry for that."
Naruto waved it off. "I was used to it-and hell-it's been a long time." He muttered. "These things… they don't matter after awhile." He said softly. "But thank you, Neji. It means a lot to hear you say that." His eyes flicked towards the main house. "I just hope that I can divert the more painful memories that Sasuke might have."
Neji didn't comment on that, just simply raised an eyebrow. "Best of luck, Naruto." He vanished into the crowds of Konohagakure, leaving Naruto alone with Sasuke… and all the problems that were rapidly developing because of it.
Not like Sasuke didn't have enough mental problems in his past life. Now this has to occur? Sometimes I wonder who he pissed off to have these types of issues.
~
Sasuke flopped down on his bed, mind going over the weird conversation that Naruto had with that old man before he came up. He knew Naruto sensed him before he came up and stopped talking before Sasuke could hear anything. Or he did something weird-or something. He growled to himself, not liking the secrecy again. It has to do with how I weird I was yesterday. He thought. Naruto was just…and everyone looked at me like I went completely insane. I'm not sure if I hadn't gone insane myself. Threatening some little girl because she insulted Naruto?
He wanted to apologize-he needed to apologize and didn't want to wait until they came back. Giving his homework a look, he decided that this was more important than any class assignment. Plus, I bet I can find something out if I ask the right questions. Decision made, he hurried out of the house, searching for Naruto so he could get into town. That old man seemed friendly enough…He felt like he could trust the answers that he asked from him.
He found Naruto in the empty storage room in the main house, staring out the window. He looked lost in the past and Sasuke hesitated to interrupt him from his thoughts. He was already unsure of how to deal with Naruto at the moment-something felt off-balance and shaky ever since the incident the other day. "Naruto?" His voice barely carried to the ghost, but Naruto turned around immediately, his face cheerful.
"You need help already?" He shook his head in mock disappointment. "Never thought I'd see the day where someone would ask me for help with schoolwork." His eyes were amused. "Of course, I'm pretty good at remembering the life I lived, which is technically history…"
Sasuke shook his head, smiling faintly. "I don't need your help yet, Naruto. I wanted to go into town to find Kia and the rest of the team to apologize properly." Shrugging lightly, he felt the need to explain. "I sometimes… lose it like that." He said softly. "Ever since I was younger, I'd…break like that, but I haven't had one of those spells for a long time. My parents gave me medication when I was younger, but…" His eyes met Naruto's, who looked a little shocked. "Well.. I just want to make amends." He finished quickly.
Naruto nodded quickly, preceding Sasuke out the door. "So it's a childhood problem?" He murmured. "You've…gotten angry before?" He questioned carefully. Sasuke frowned and shook his head at that. There was a lot more to it than just snapping and scaring random people, but it wasn't something he was prepared to give Naruto all the details, or anyone for that matter.
"Not really angry-I…just sort of blank out and find myself doing something I wouldn't normally. Split personality or some weird thing like that." He managed a grin. "So you have a nutcase for a roommate. If this place wasn't weird enough with ghosts, you have someone who becomes someone else for minutes at a time."
Naruto snorted. "You are a weirdo." He muttered as he opened the 'door' to Konoha. "It's your fault that you're living here with a ghost instead of some cushy place in town." Sasuke caught the look of wistfulness on Naruto's face as he gazed upon his old home, a place that he couldn't return to---couldn't even step in for reasons Sasuke didn't know-yet.
"Hey…" He didn't quite look at Naruto. "If you want… I can go around your old haunts or something and … hell, I don't know." He shrugged, not sure what he was offering or how to explain it. "Maybe bring you something back… or…" He knew it wasn't the same, but it was all he could offer Naruto. Eighty years was a long time to be alone. After spending so much time with the ghost, he knew that he craved company-and it wasn't his own choice that he didn't have any.
Naruto's eyes lit up at that and his grin was more heartfelt this time. "Um… see my old apartment….and .. " He paused, thinking about it. "Mm… and…go to Ichiraku if it's still around! They used to serve the best ramen there. You have to try it, Sasuke. Honestly. If there is nothing else you experience in Konoha, the ramen is a must."
Sasuke looked at him in bewilderment. Out of all the things that Naruto wanted him to see in Konoha-he wanted Sasuke to got to a ramen stand? He didn't even like ramen a great deal and was about to ask if Naruto was sure, when his mind went back to an earlier conversation they had.
~
"And my favorite food-" Naruto grinned. "It was ramen! Cup of ramen or the ramen at Ichiraku. Iruka-sensei would take me sometimes and it was such a cool thing!" His eyes lit up. "You'll have to tell the kids at the academy that. Maybe business will go up at Ichiraku because the famed Rokudaime ate there!" He stuck a pose.
"Idiot." Sasuke shook his head. "You can't make someone like something like… ramen… just because you ate it." He smirked. "More likely than not they'll go.. "The Rokudaime liked ramen? We always knew there was something weird about him…" He couldn't help teasing the blond ghost.
Naruto scowled at him and tried to swat at Sasuke, who just laughed and darted away. "You can't get me!" He taunted. A wave of energy swept him off his feet and he looked up to see Naruto smirking at him. "There are other ways to floor an enemy…"
~
Sasuke felt a smile cross his face. "Sure, Naruto-I'll go try some of this Ichiraku ramen for you." Naruto grinned back at him, but the wistful look was back in his eyes as they traveled over the expanse of the town. Sasuke wanted to ask why he couldn't move past the boundary of the estate, wanted to ask why he chose an empty building to be bound to-there were so many questions. But-he couldn't ask them of Naruto. "Maybe I'll even bring back a souvenir for you." He winked.
Naruto rolled his eyes and used his energy to shove Sasuke off the property. "I can't keep this open forever." He growled, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Go get stuff done there." Sasuke snorted and waved his comments off, before he turned down a side street. Naruto set up the barrier again, and then slumped to the ground. He wondered at the wisdom of sending Sasuke off into Konoha, when Neji's warnings still rang in his head-but… You can't stop a snowball from gaining speeds as it rolls down a hill. I guess this is much of the same thing.
The only thing now would to see what type of damage the snowball would inflict once it hit the bottom.
~
Sasuke found himself blindly wandering around the town, listening to the cheerful conversations going around him, barely taking note of the ninja walking around the streets, their presence already normal and calming to him.
This was the type of town he dreamt about when he was younger-the crazy structures and all. The way people moved together-the way it just was. And he wasn't a part of it. He lived on the fringes, he observed, but was never truly part of it. That's how Naruto must've felt! He thought in sudden realization. He mentioned that…that he could be a part of it, but not a part of it…
He didn't know where Naruto's old apartment was, so he just let the crowd push him along, looks directed toward his way, the more bewildered ones coming from the older people. The old guy-Neji-didn't look at me like that. He huffed silent. What's with people here?
He eventually came across a small stand-a few customers sitting at the stools and lanterns hanging on the sides. The awning in front had "Ichiraku" spelling out on the cloth, and Sasuke smirked lightly as he saw it. So this is Naruto's famous ramen stand.
He really didn't like ramen-but he did tell Naruto he'd try this place for him. Although it wouldn’t be the same. He thought to himself as he took a seat on one of the empty stools, looking up at the menu. His eyes widened at one of the choices. The Rokudaime? He snickered slightly. Wouldn't Naruto love to know that a miso ramen dish was named after him? I guess he's not so forgotten here…
The man behind the counter smile at Sasuke and where his gaze went. "Our family has kept this place for generations." He pointed to the menu. "The Rokudaime came here all the time as a kid and that was his favorite meal. You should try it." He winked.
Sasuke blinked and then gave a slow nod. He tried to imagine Naruto as a kid, sitting on this counter-loud and obnoxious-It was somehow very easy to picture it, and suddenly the meal seemed very appropriate. He was just about to take a bite when a voice stopped him. "You!" It cried out. "What are you doing in our town?" Sasuke gave a mental groan. That high-pitched, whiney voice…
"Kia…" He turned around with a faint smile on his face, trying to hide the grimace. He wanted to apologize for what he did, but looking at the prissy way she held herself, the sneer on her lips and the anger in her eyes, it was easy to forget what he wanted to apologize for.
He reined in his temper and tried to display the good manners he was raised with. "I wanted to apologize for yesterday." He got out. "I was not myself and I put your and your teammates in danger. Let me make it up to you." The words didn't sound as stiff as he feared, there was an actual note of sincerity in his voice.
She gave him a suspicious look, eyes flicking over to her silent teammates. Aki watched him the most intensely, and Sasuke was uncomfortably reminded of the earlier encounter with his grandfather Neji. He gestured to the empty stools next to him. "I'll buy you dinner." He kept that same polite smile on his face. Mika grinned and jumped onto one of the stools.
"Man, you have a deal!" He grinned. He seemed largely unaffected by his ordeal the other day, even if he got the brunt of it by the fall. "I don't know about Kia or Aki-but I wouldn't mind a bowl of ramen." He gave the owner a cheerful grin. "One seafood ramen!
He ordered.
Kia gave a delicate sniff and sat on the other side of Mika as Aki took a seat as well. A few bowls of ramen later, Sasuke felt considerably more comfortable as the group chattered around him. They were talking about their first 'training session' with Shiba.
"And Kia was the one that got tied to the log!" Mika snickered. "Everyone pegged me for getting tied there-" He laughed against, nearly choking on the remaining broth in the bowl. "She was so pissed at being tied to the log while we ate lunch next to her."
Kia flipped her hair over her shoulders. "At least Aki was a gentleman and offered me his food first." She smirked at him. "You were only copying him." Her nose wrinkled. "Not that I would have wanted your food, anyways-but…"
"It got us to pass Shiba-sensei's test, didn't it?" Mika pouted and looked over at Aki. "We're a team now…" He gave a small laugh at Sasuke's almost far away expression. "Ha! Looks like your zoning out with all our ninja talk." He jumped off the stool. "Thank for the meal and no hard feelings, okay?"
Sasuke nodded. He rather liked this Mika. He was cheerful and reminded him rather forcibly of Naruto in a lot of ways. Kia and Aki gave their thanks as well, more subdued than Mika's but still sincere.
Sasuke thumped his head on the table once all of them were gone and paid the unexpected bill. He was getting one of his headaches again, and he didn't know if it was the close proximity of so many people, dealing with the gennin team, or eating ramen-but a walk would hopefully clear his head.
~
He found himself on the edge of a clearing, a marble block gracing one part of it, and three stumps gracing another part. In the distance he could hear the sound of birds settling down for the night in the nearby forest. It was calm and peaceful here, and he felt the headache he'd be sporting dissipating as he walked along the edge of a swiftly-flowing river.
He walked slowly around the area, a small smile on his face. This must be the place that Mika talked about-a training area. He let his hands ghost over the wood, and he wondered how many people over the years went through the same test-he wondered who started it, who saw the wisdom in what it meant to really be a team.
He moved next to the marble stone, noticing the stick of incense and the names carved into the smooth black marble. His eyes moved over the names, a few standing out. 'Uchiha Obito…' He wondered if he had been one of the ones killed in the massacre. A few other names stood out, but then he saw Naruto's. "Uzumaki Naruto.'
"That's it! I just made up my mind! That's where I want my name to go! I'm not going to throw my life away! I'm going to be a hero!"
Sasuke blinked the echo of the words away. "You got your wish, Naruto." He said softly. "I'm sure you didn't throw your life away-and your name still got carved here." His let his hands rest on the name.
He was about to get up and walk away when voice stopped him. "Sa… Sasuke-kun?"