Meeting Again (2)

Coming back after a short dinner, everyone went to sleep. Since Naruto kept insisting again, Naruto went to sleep on the floor.

...

...

Shou peeked from his bed to see Naruto had already closed his eyes, laying to the side.

'Are you asleep?'.

...

"No...". Naruto turned around and replied. He still felt a little nervous.

'If, you want to, you can share things with me. It seems to be weighing on you. About Sasuke...'.

Naruto went silent for seconds.

"Won't I bother you...?".

'No. Of course not. You are my friend. I want to listen and hear you out'.

Naruto felt his heart feeling fuzzy hearing the warm words.

"You are really nice Shou-chan".

'Am I? Haha...'. Shou just scratched his cheeks. He's worried about the plot really. And he comes to care for Naruto as a friend as well. He is genuinely asking for both concerns.

...

...

"Sasuke and I had a little fight... It's a really long story. Sasuke he, he is really popular back in the village-dattebayo. He always act arrogant as if he's better and act all cool. Hmph. He looks down on me and Sakura too! But well... And then he saved me, even willing to die for me and Sakura. He also said he wanted to fight me. And we fought. I was happy that he can see me as a strong person, acknowledging my effort. I didn't expect him to stood in front of me to block Haku's attacks... And then there's also that time when Gaara become this half sand monster thing...".

Naruto was telling on Sasuke and his experiences quite randomly. He's saying things impromptu after all since Naruto never had talked deeply with anyone. But Shou can arrange everything into the timeline. Naruto really appreciates and is fond of Sasuke. Apart from Shou and Sakura, Sasuke is also someone he considered a good friend despite their rivalry.

"But... His brother and this fish guy come to kidnap me. And then his brother did something to him. And after that there's this people trying to kidnap him. But then Sasuke left to see that creepy snake guy. That's why I was travelling with Ero-sennin now so his brother can't kidnap me. It's also to be strong enough to get him back... I have 2 years or so left to save him...".

Shou climbed down the bed since it's a little difficult to hear him when he's on the bed while Naruto is on the floor.

"Move to the side a little".

Naruto is a little shy but complied. He's also secretly happy, but secretly troubled as well.

Shou laid down next to him, turned his head around wanting to hear more.

"And...?".

'Oh... And you know when I first met Ero-sennin he is peeking on woman's bath! But then he jumps so high I thought he's so cool...'. Somehow Naruto went off the rail since he's too nervous.

'He's so petty-dattebayo! He pushed me down a cliff just for me to meet Big Fox and use his chakra. I almost died! And before that he said he wanted to treat me to ramen and then he just left me'.

Shou just listen to his rambling. It's quite amusing to hear. But after half an hour probably, Naruto finally returned to the right track.

'Oh right... Sasuke's brother and this fish guy come to kidnap me. But then, I don't know what he did to Sasuke... He was in bed for days. And since then, he's far away from us. He ask to fight me but Kakashi-sensei stopped us. And then there's these people from the Sound Village. Theres... so much things... I don't know what he's thinking, wanting revenge and to go so far and leave everyone and the village. Kakashi-sensei already told him it's no good but he won't listen'.

"Hmm... Naruto-kun. I think, Sasuke is lonely...".

'Hm? But... Me and Sakura, Kakashi-sensei is there. But he just...'.

"No... I mean... He lost his family, Naruto-kun. And that's not why he's lonely. But, because, no one supports his revenge, he's all alone on that part".

'But... revenge is...'.

"I know... Many wouldn't agree. But, he lost his whole family, those who are dear to him was gone because of someone. And yet, no one wants to support him on his cause".

'He don't have to leave still...'.

...

'He went to go to this creepy snake guy, or woman, I don't know but this dude is just so creepy. He bite him once and then there's black mark things, he said it gives him power. And then he went to fin him for more. But everyone knows that snake guy is evil. Why he's so stubborn? Can't he see everyone cares for him?'.

"Sasuke left to find creepy snake guy to get power right? He wants power for revenge. To avenge those who are dear to him that was gone. He's hurt Naruto, and he wants to stop hurting. And the only way is, to avenge those people he lost. Naruto-kun, maybe you wouldn't understand why he had to go that far.".

'I don't know... He told me I can never understand him too. Because I have always been alone'.

"It's, true...". Shou had to agree with Sasuke on this one.

"When you lost someone you love, it's really painful Naruto. But when you don't have anyone to begin with, you can't understand that pain".

Jiraiya was listening secretly using a toad summon. As for his intention, originally it's for inspiration on a special edition of Icha Icha Paradise but his intention changed hearing them talk more and more.

"And Naruto, you can't blame Sasuke much for leaving for revenge. His brother, he casted a genjutsu on him didn't he. I have read the BINGO book, Itachi Uchiha wasn't it. When you told me he passed out for days, I am sure Itachi used a genjutsu on him. I think he lets him see his family killed again. Itachi reminded him of that pain. I heard a genjutsu that lasts for seconds in real life may lasted hours or days in one's mind. Sasuke had to see his family killed over and over again for hours and days. Can you blame him, Naruto?".

'I... I didn't know...'. Although Naruto can't know how it felt, but he knows it must have been painful.

Jiraiya was quite surprised at the amount of genius Shou had. Kakashi had reported the effect of Tsukiyomi, the genjutsu Itachi had in which he felt like he was impaled for days meanwhile in reality on seconds passed. But Naruto shouldn't know this info. To think Shou accurately derived it from Naruto's short stories, it can only be said to be genius.

"And you say the snake guy bite him and give him black mark things?".

'Mm'.

"Why did he do that?".

'He wants his body... I think? And confuse Sasuke with it...'.

Shou went quiet for 3 seconds.

"I think that black mark thing also corrodes his mind, so the creepy snake guy can make him comply and obey him. And perhaps makes him more obsessed with power too. That's why he went to him despite how unreasonable it is".

Naruto felt like now it makes sense why Sasuke changed all of a sudden. He can't say anything now that Sasuke actions make sense given the circumstances.

"Naruto-kun... Did Sasuke give you that scar?"

'Mm... When he left, I chased after him. We fight back then. And at that time I understand him a little, and I see he did see me as a friend'.

'And yet, Sasuke, he throws our bond away...'.

Naruto felt really hurt in his heart thinking about it.

'But, he is still my friend. I promised I will bring him, no matter what. I will bring him back, for sure'. Just wait for me, Sasuke... Naruto said in his heart.

"Naruto, can I see your scar? It looks bad...".

Naruto is a little flustered.

'Umm... Okay...'.

He pulled his shirt up a little, revealing the huge scar on his chest. He felt really nervous about this. Jiraiya is taking notes furiously on a scene for his next edition of Icha Icha Paradise.

Shou use Light release to make some soft light.

"That looks bad... And that's... Right in your heart...".

'Mm...'. Naruto felt his heart beats a little too fast now.

"Can you turn around?".

Naruto turned, showing the scar is also on his back. Basically it pieced right through his heart.

"Sasuke he... He stabs you through your heart?". He don't want to believe Sasuke did something like this. He don't remember Sasuke ever manage to do this.

Naruto turned to face Shou again.

'Yeah... Thankfully big fox helped me. Kakashi-sensei manage to get me to grandma- Tsunade and she fixed me up. They said I almost died and they replaced my heart'

"...". That definitely didn't happen in the original. What's going on...?

Shou touched the huge scar a little, startling Naruto. Or rather Shou is gently poking it.

Badump. Badump. Badump.

"Does it hurt?". Shou had a sad look on his face. It's just that, things changed a little, and Naruto is hurt a lot because of it... Is it my fault?

'N-no... Shou-chan-'. Naruto held Shou's hand, pushing it away a little. He's afraid Shou would notice his crazy beating heart.

Shou scratched his cheek. Naruto is a shy person wasn't he.

Shou look at the hands holding his. He can feel its quite rough. Naruto must have trained hard.

"Your hand is quite rough".

'Ah... Sorry...'. Naruto quickly let go.

"You must have trained hard".

'Your hand too feels a little rough... And warm...'.

"Hmm. You are right". Shou rubs his palms together.

Shou noticed his right palm is rougher. Perhaps due to Rasengan training, or that he primarily uses his right hand.

"Naruto-kun let me see your hand".

'Ah-?'. Naruto right hand was snatched without him able to react.

Naruto's right palm is rougher too. He is right handed then, and use Rasengan with this hand.

"Your right hand is rougher. Like mine". Shou touch his palm with his thumb.

Shou-chan, you are making things really difficult for me!!! Blood rushed from his heart to his lower body, making Naruto squirmed a little.

Shou let go and laid down, closing his eyes. He don't have anything to ask anymore, and Naruto too don't have anything to tell anymore hour talking so much.

Naruto too laid down himself and closed his eyes, seeing Shou seemingly sleepy already. He had to calm himself down and breath in and out multiple times though.

After half a minute, he feels like wanting to know about Shou too.

'Shou-chan, what was Zabuza like?'.

"Hmm? Are you curious?". Shou turned his head and opened his eyes.

"Mm. I want to hear about you too...". Naruto twiddled his fingers, quite embarrassed asking about this.

'Haha. Oh well. Zabuza-san is, he's tough on the outside but he did care for me and Haku. When he trained us he's really harsh you know. He...'.

Shou starts to talk about his own story.

***

"I am sleepy...". Shou yawned a little. It's already so late. He didn't even realise so much time passed while they are chatting.

'Me too...'. Naruto said so. It felt really nice to talk with Shou-chan.

"Good night...". Shou turned around and raised the blanket belonged to Naruto to cover his body.

Eh? Shou-chan... You are sleeping next to me!

Naruto felt like squirming again.

Half an hour passed while Naruto tried hard to sleep. He turned his head over and sees Shou had already fell asleep, his face facing the ceiling.

Shou-chan is still cute, even while sleeping.

His heart is racing a little fast again. He glanced at the face barely illuminated by the moon light from the window. The fuzzy, burning feeling he had in his chest is making him frustrated.

Shou-chan, why do I feel like this when I am with you?

Naruto snapped himself back to reality and slapped his own face a little.

Control yourself, Naruto!

...

Shou-chan, don't you feel embarrassed and shy at all?!(⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠) I am a guy you know?

If Shou heard the question, he would reply with "But, I am a guy, you know?(⁠*?⁠～?⁠*⁠)", basically repeating his question to himself.

Naruto complained in his heart. The tent on his lower half has been up for so long he can't hold it anymore.

***

"Haaa...". Shou stretched out here and there while letting out a nice breath out, feeling well rested.

Oh. He forgot to climb back to his bed and slept on the floor with Naruto instead.

He looked to the side, seeing it empty.

Has he woken up? Seeing the light entering the room and the warmth, he guessed its already afternoon. They slept very late last night, chatting about things. It's nice to have such a good friend.

Shou sat up and saw Naruto is in fact on the bed now.

Oh, maybe Naruto felt a little uncomfortable sleeping on the floor and went up there at some point.

"Good morning Watatsumi-san".

Hmph.

Watatsumi snorted as usual. Shou went to pull open the curtains to let more light in. It's really already afternoon.

Shou look over at Naruto who's still sleeping deeply. He must be tired from chatting all night. Let's make breakfast then. Maybe Jiraiya-sama had already bought or prepare them?

Shou took three steps to the exit but stumbled on a scrumpled tissue on the floor.

He picked it up and throw it into the basket in the corner. He noticed there's so many of it inside. Did Naruto had a runny nose last night?

Maybe sleeping too late cause a cold...

Shou went out to see Jiraiya is in the living room.

'Good morning Shou-kun. You two wake up so late. What did you two do huh?'. Jiraiya made some lewd face.

"Jiraiya-sama, we chatted a little and stayed up quite late. Haha. Naruto is still sleeping, I don't want to disturb him". Shou didn't notice what Jiraiya meant, since truly they didn't do anything other than chatting.

'Ho. You are so kind to him. I feel glad he had a friend like you. I would leave him to your care if I am gone someday. Hahaha'.

"Ahaha... Jiraiya-sama, don't say it like that...".

Shou scratched his cheek. When Jiraiya said it like that, he got reminded of the future. He felt, guilty, in a sense that if he let the plot goes as it should, Jiraiya would be dead. Naruto would be... Devastated...

His heart hurt a little over the future. Naruto is his friend and, should he really let it go the way it went? The idea that he would willingly let a friend gets hurt feels wrong in his heart. But to change things...

Wait.

Shou slap himself in his mind. I am strong now. And, he realised he can't let Naruto get hurt because he cares. He didn't expect to come to a point where he cares for his feelings since he was fictional before. But now he's truly someone he considered a close friend, and he just, can't afford to hurt him.

Maybe...

He could save Jiraiya without changing anything. His body is 'lost in the ocean', and if there's no body, it means it can also be unknown whether he's alive or not if he saved him secretly.

This is the optimal way. And he just needs to hide Jiraiya for awhile to let Naruto 'grow up' when he fight against Pain. Naruto may have to face pain for a moment, but it won't be permanent...

Shou nods to himself and keep it in his heart. It's difficult since it's an elaborate scheme, but he needs to do this.

But... If, he can't save him secretly... He...

Shou took a deep breath in.

He already has power to stand side by side with Naruto and Sasuke. If, if Naruto becomes weaker due to fucking up the plot, Shou promised to take responsibility and patch it up with himself.

Jiraiya had heard the conversations between them last night and felt glad Naruto had a really good friend, besides taking notes on different scenes he could add for the next edition of Icha Icha Paradise. Naruto lacks close friends most and had been a lonely person. Not to mention he had lost a friend before, referring to Sasuke.

'I bought steamed buns for breakfast. Or for lunch as well. Hahaha'.

Shou smiled a little hearing his lame joke.

***

It's already 3pm, Naruto sleeps so well huh...

Just as Shou was thinking that, Naruto finally come out of the bedroom.

Wiping his eye, he glanced at Shou before turning his eyes to the side.

'Morning Naruto'. Shou teased a little, since it's already evening.

"Morning Shou-chan". Naruto stroke the back of his head. He knows it's already evening from the sun light.

'Oi. You are slacking off, look at how late it is now! You should have been training hard yesterday and even today!'. Jiraiya jokingly scold him.

"Eh? But Ero-sennin! Shou-chan is here... I want a day off too!".

'Hmph. A Shinobi never had a day off Naruto. Look at Shou-kun over there, he trained his chakra control even while making dessert, unlike you. Tch tch tch'. Jiraiya shook his head.

"Ero-sennin! You talk so big! You only peep on woman bath each day!".

Shou laughed a little, now that's the usual Naruto. It seems he did get quiet a little when he's with him, maybe Naruto really needs a friend around.

***

"Naruto-kun...emm, if you want to talk about anything, you can send me a letter through Fukurobu".

Naruto lost words hearing such a thing. He felt his heart filled with a different kind of warmth, and fuzzy again as well.

'Mm! I will Shou-chan!'. Naruto feels really happy. He didn't think they could talk to each other if they are far away. But now they could.

Now Shou can receive information from and about Naruto without the letter being intercepted by Kiri or Konoha. He felt a little at ease now he could find out how the plot is going.

As for saving Jiraiya... He will need to ask Naruto to tell him once he returned to Konoha after his years training. That's the nearest flag he could remember nearing Jiraiya's death, and he would need to ask Jiraiya to tell him if he ever went to Amegakure to investigate Akatsuki at that time to prepare. I will try to save him Naruto. Without changing the plot if I could.

The plot has tilted a little already... But at least it's not that big - only Sasuke tried to kill him. Thankfully everything is going as usual after. It should still be fine since it's only a little different. Shou nods to himself at this conjecture.

"Thank you for the hospitality Jiraiya-sama. Goodbye everyone".

'Haha. Naruto you should really learn how to respect others like Shou-kun there. You never called me sensei, how about calling me sensei now?'.

"Ha!? You will always be Ero-sennin! Shou-chan doesn't know your true self!".

They bickered a little as Shou left.

I am going to take a walk. Hmph.

"Sure".

Ryushou comes out again. They travelled through the Land of Iron and Land of Fire. But this time Ryushou likes to stop by different stalls and swallow a lot of food as they journeyed through the land.

Watatsumi-san, I am running out of money!

"Hmph. You can always work later". He replied casually while swallowing a stick of Dango whole. Shou had made the order for the custom paper tags and buckle and it turns out to be more expensive than he thought.

(⁠+⁠_⁠+⁠)Ok.

Shou gave up. He suppose he will have to try to take A or B missions later, even S rank if it's available.

Right when they crossed are crossing the bridge, 2 people with black robe with red clouds patterns seemingly had already expected their arrival.

Obito... And Deidara again.

Maybe he could capture Deidara and get money... But then the plot...

Shou is definitely considering this but has to think about consequences.

They had a stare off competition for few seconds, warry of each other.

The dragon is already ticked off seeing the masked man that had tried to control him. It's clear Ryushou wanted to beat and kill him.

...