Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Everybody's Sunshine ❯ Shikamaru ( Chapter 2 )

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The Clouds Seem Boring

There was a time when I could spend an entire day just watching the clouds go by. Before, I could just lie on a tree or on a roof watching the sky. I can't do that now. Watching the clouds seem boring to me. To tell you the truth, I can't bear to do that anymore. Every time I look up and my eyes are met with the sky… I see you.

I am reminded that I once had a friend with the same colored eyes. I remember that I once knew someone with the same brightness in him as that of the sun. And then I realize just how stupid I had been. I realize that those times I had been with that friend, life seemed a bit… happier. I realize, too, that without him I wouldn't have known that some things aren't impossible to get. Without him, I wouldn't have known the word 'impossible' doesn't exist. Nothing is impossible; it just hasn't been proven possible yet.

I can see now just how important that person was, is, and always will be.

That's right, Naruto. You are important.

I guess I look stupid here, standing near your apartment. I don't know if you considered this your home or not, because I wouldn't have. A place only to live in and a house, when you get back, that is empty. When you return, there is no one to wait for you. Coming home, there is no one to say, "Tadaima," to. There is no one to go back to. No one. And yet, you lived all your life experiencing just that without even complaining.

Not once have I ever heard you say anything about the empty apartment you may have called your home. Not once have I heard you grumble how lonely it must have been to go back to no one. How awfully lonely it must have been to have no one tuck you in or kiss you goodnight. It must have been lonely to live alone in that apartment all your life. It must have been so lonely and yet, I have not once heard you say so.

And as I walk towards that apartment you may have called home, I realize that I have never met anyone as strong as you are. As I reach your door, I realize that you probably had problems a kid shouldn't've suffered. And as I walk in your apartment, I realize… I realize… that you probably, iie… you really needed friends.

And I could've given you that.

A lot of us could've.

But we gave it too late. No… It wasn't late. Heh… We gave it just in time. You would've cared less so long as someone acknowledged you, ne? You would've cared less if we became your friends only a day before you… well… moved on. Heck, I think you'd be happy if we acknowledged you when you were dying.

But that's going TOO far… Way too far…

You know, Naruto, a lot of people miss you already, Hinata, Neji, Chouji, Ino, Sakura, Shino, TenTen, Lee, Kiba, me, we all miss you. Heck, even Sasuke misses you! In fact, he was the most affected!

I guess that rivalry between the two of you helped him forget things he wanted to but couldn't. I guess that weird kind of relationship you had helped him in ways none of the villagers can.

He really, really misses you. I do, too.

Even the villagers do!

At first, they were happy about it. They were even celebrating that! Needless to say, we were all disgusted. Mind you, Sasuke was so pissed he nearly used Katon on them. If it weren't for Kakashi-sensei and Asuma-sensei, he would've been able to fry those villagers. After a while, they realized something was missing. There was a lack of energy in the air. After a while, the town became really quiet. Peaceful, yes, but quiet.

Dead even...

Like a ghost town…

But again, that's going too far.

It was quiet. There were no more screams of, "Ramen!" to be heard. No more, "I'm gonna be the Hokage, you'll see!" to listen to. There were no more pranks to expect. The villagers were starting to miss all that. It was then they realized how you would sometimes turn the mood from boring to lively, from sad to cheerful. It was then they realized just how important to the town you had been. They realized just how much you sacrificed and suffered because of them.

It took them a while, but they too realized how you played an important role in the village, like everyone else. They realized that you, too, also belonged here. Everyday you could see some of the villagers turn to shout at something, perhaps expecting you to be there or hoping that this was all a prank you made and you'd pop out of nowhere. Some of them even smiled sadly when they passed Ichiraku, knowing how everyday you'd always be seen there. Iruka-sensei would always visit your apartment, cleaning it, maintaining it. Kakashi-sensei would be seen standing near the place you'd always train, a hint of sadness in his eye. A lot us expect you to just appear out of nowhere, laughing your head off at us for seriously believing you died. But a year has passed since then and still… you haven't showed up. You still haven't.

Darn you, Naruto… This is all too troublesome. How very, very troublesome…

Sitting here in your bed, I recall the days we've been through together. I recall the times I'd call you names you despised so much. I recall those times you'd go up to me while I was sitting atop a tree or a roof, asking me silently if you could join me. And I'd always just nod my head, feeling a bit happier someone was beside me. I remember the day you asked me to teach you to play Go and you did get it. I was very amazed that time. And I was proud of you. I truly was, even if I didn't show it. I could go on and on, recalling the times I like so much. I could go on forever thinking how great a friend you were… you are to me. Then I remember the times you'd always make my day brighter…

And I smile…

Because even though you're not here with us I know you're in my memory and in my heart.

"And that'll never change… Ever."

DISCLAIMER: Naruto is not mine. I am merely borrowing them for fun.