Dial It In

2. Fragile

"I went out to find her, to see what was taking so long, thought maybe something had gone wrong or there was a problem with a guest. She usually prefers to mix the drinks," Shino continued.

Sai nodded, "While he was there, Lee started the war on the your antiques, then you guys came home,"

"And I know the rest from there," Neji concluded, processing. "So somewhere between the bar, and the food table she saw him."

There was a stillness in the room. 

Very unsettled by this notion, Ino asks what everyone wants to know: 

"But where the fuck did he go?"

"And he just shows up like nothing happened," Sai adds.

Considering this, Neji taps his chin for a moment, "Well, what happened before he left?"

"Hmmmm," Ino muses, "It was just a normal day. He was goofy, I mean he got into that one fight with Sasuke but nothing unusual. He was back in class next period. He went to a party that night like nothing was wrong. Then, the next morning, he didn't show up for class. The teachers didn't call his name, so he wasn't absent. He was just... gone."

Appearing deep in concentration, Neji stares at the floor, earning a curious glance from the Uchiha.

Honestly, he didn't know why they were so worked up about it. They'd never really been friends with him. Keeping to their separate friend groupings. Actually, they argued more than anything. Often about nothing in particular. It's like they knew how to piss each other off. 

Really, they knew he was back in town, but that didn't mean he was coming back to school. Maybe he'd started homeschooling or something. No. That's not right. That wouldn't explain why his dad left while he was gone.

Still, why is it-

Behind Neji there was a flash of red going toward the exiting doorway. It was in this moment, that he was sure he saw trashed Naruto being helped out by short red head and a tall blonde.

So, he is back.

~XXX~

Iruka was asleep when the door slammed against the door stop. A comforting sound that had grown on him over the past few years.

Not that it wasn't totally alarming and didn't scare the shit out of him. It did. But it brought good news. His son was home. A glance at his alarm clock said it was almost 3 AM. He had to wonder when his son had managed to leave. A question that would have to be asked later.

He walks out into the living area, finding the rescue squad having already dispersed, leaving Naruto on the couch. He lay there, with his arm over his eyes to block out the over head light, and absolutely reeked of alcohol. He was barely speaking coherent sentences.

Sitting on the coffee table in front of the couch, Iruka shakes his sons shoulder.

"MMmhhMMm.."

"Naruto, where have you been?" He says softly.

"Tomorrow.. I don't wanna GO.. they are... so many fights.." He sits up and looks at Iruka, or more past him, "the black.. it's not..  it'll come back.. I can't have it come back, Dad."

Iruka lays hands on both sides of his shoulders to steady him.

"It's gonna be okay, Bubba. This has been our goal for over two months and we're gonna reach it. You're not doing this alone."

"The eyes.. everyone's eyes.. they look and they start shit and it brings the black..." He start to shake his head until he loses his balance and falls over again. Iruka rights him back up and ruffles his hair, as Naruto continues saying, "I just got good, Dad. I don't wanna get bad again."

Iruka sighs, not that his son notices. 

"Then you need to stop drinking, Bubba. It's only the first day and you're sneaking out. What were you doing?"

Naruto falls on the couch and laughs, "Don't worry, the party was after. But I won, Dad. Aren't you proud?"

Iruka stares at him for a minute. He knows exactly what that means.

I won, Dad.

He put his head in his hands and tangles his fingers in his hair.

"He was fucking racing. That's why he waited until I was asleep." 

~XXX~

Iruka held his cell phone in his hands, he's been debating on calling or not calling for about 10 minutes.

In the end, it was yes.

He probably wont pick up anyways. He has school in the morning, too, and it's well after 3 AM. I'll just leave a message.

It rings.

1..2..3..

Iruka sighed. 

4.

"Hello?"

"Uh.. Hey,"

"I-Iruka,"

"Yeah, It's me." He said, with little energy.

"If you're calling at this hour, its bad. What's wrong?"

"It cannot wait until Friday. I need you to bring him in during school in the morning. I called because I don't have an off class and I wanted you to know before lunch."

"Abolutely. And if he saw you talking in the morning, he'd guard. Right. Is it something I should know from him?"

Iruka pulls the phone away from his face as he tries to stifle the sounds of him crying.

"Y-yeah. It's really not my place to say."

"But he is your son. It effects you, too. It's clearly stressing you out and it's not good for you. You need to talk about it. Maybe not to me, but to someone. You're doing no good pushing it down. You should be the first one to know that."

"After he tells you about last night, then call me. We'll talk about it."

"Deal. Try to get some sleep, love. You should, at the very least, try to not exhaust yourself. You have school in the morning."

"I know. Thank you. For everything."

"Anytime."