Dial It In

3. Shell Shock

There's a point in the day

It's inevitable, unavoidable, and

unpredictable.

I'll go from a pleasant breeze to

A raging, destructive wildfire,

Even a seething thunder storm.

It's a flood.

But sometimes what you see, the nothing

The chilling, disturbing void of human,

When I'm somehow not there.

The lack of reaction is simply

Unreal.

What you cannot detect

Beneath these many unsolved questions,

Is the battlefield.

My emotions are at war. Fighting for

Dominance.

Leaving my mind

Distraught

And myself in a state of

Shell shock.

~XXX~

There's a very annoying noise. Where is it coming from? It's unusual. It's been a while since I've heard it.

Shut up.

I know that noise. That means..

"Come on, Bubba, it's time to get up." Iruka stands at the edge of the couch and pokes the lump huddled under the blanket.

He opens his eyes.

Nope. Nope.

He closes his eyes. That was a bad idea. Headache. Very much a headache. How much did he drink last night? He remembered someone gave him a bottle of vodka. Then he drank some. Now he's on the couch. Not that this is the first time, but damn his fucking head and the fucking light and-

"Come on, you have to get ready. It's still early but I'm sure you'll-" Iruka was cut off as Naruto flung off the blanket and made a mad dash for the bathroom. ".. Need time to get over last night."

Iruka made waffles and bacon while Naruto got ready. He also made peach tea, something Naruto had grown a liking for while he was gone. He also got a large glass of water for his sure case of dehydration.

In the bathroom, after several rounds of discovering exactly what vodka tasted like on the way back up, Naruto commenced Operation: Prepare For Semester 2. He showered, brushed his teeth, combed his hair to the softness he loved, and covered the scars on his cheeks with his special concealer.

Continuing to his room, he found his uniform on his dresser. It was ironed and folded neatly. No doubt Dei had fussed over it until it looked pristine. He laughed quietly as he got dressed and put his tie around his neck, securing it at the collar.

"NARUTO! WE HAVE 15 MINUTES, BREAKFAST IS READY!" His father yelled from downstairs.

Quickly, he grabbed his book bag from the floor and his shoes, slipping them on as he ran down the hall. He fell into he wall next to the kitchen just as he slipped into his second shoe, startling Iruka.

"Hah, hey, Dad. I'm ready."

"Like hell you are. Sit. Eat. I made waffles and tea."

"OH MY GOD IS THAT BACON?"

Naruto slid into a chair and wolfed down his food, none too gracefully.

"You're going to get syrup on yourself. I know you're practiced in the art of speed eating breakfast, but please, be careful." Iruka laughed, rolling his eyes.