I walked home calmly, trying to absorb all the details of this village, my home, as small cold rain drops started falling down on my cheeks. I would've probably ran home if this was some other time, but now I didn't want to, I'll have enough runs for my life. And this will probably be the biggest one. Running from this place, these people.
It took me a few moments to find my keys, when I finally did, I opened the door and went in dripping wet. I took my coat off along with my bag, threw it on the table and looked around. My place was a mess. I normally wouldn't mind it, I knew I wasn't coming back to this apartment, but I kinda pictured some weird dudes who thinks I'm dead in my apartment, going through this mess to find evidence.
I shrugged at the thought as I picked up the clothes off of the couch, my bed, some on the floor, and put it all in the closet. I washed the dishes and threw out the garbage. I thought about sweeping but... who cares about the dust? My cleaning rule number one: if you can't see it, you don't have to clean it.
I glanced at the time. He should be done by now, shouldn't he?
We have to be outta here by morning tops 'cause they think Kakashi-sensei is dead by now. I wonder what happened in that area? Did Tsunade tell the elders the fake bad news already? Or are they waiting to find a solution for me to die as well? I rolled my eyes when I realized how ridiculous it sounds.
When did things get so complicated?
No idea.
Or maybe it was complicated from the start.
I couldn't think of any way for myself to fake a death. Dying for real is way easier.
I got killed? Then who's gonna be the killer? "Some strange man with black clothes came in Konoha yesterday and killed ___ ___ and left" I thought in my head sarcastically.
Suicide? That might work. That way I don't have to add any more characters, just me, and some other things.
I almost liked the idea if that's possible, and rushed to a drawer to find some paper and pen. It was easy to put myself in "about to kill myself" pose because I was literally gonna be dead to a bunch of people. And let alone it was something I've experience before.
I, ___ ___ want to tell everyone that I'm deeply sorry for my actions.
I crumbled the piece of paper. I didn't want this to be a suicide note, maybe just a goodbye note to a friend who's going to college or something.
Dear Naruto. – I wrote down and looked at the two words as I thought about what to write next.
Thank you for being a wonderful friend. Tell Sakura I'm sorry for everything. And don't forget your promise. I'm sorry for my actions, but remember I will always remain.
I was always one of those people who knows what they're trying to say but can't quite put it into words. But this is good enough, isn't it? Short, simple, keeps the point. I couldn't understand why I felt the need to remind Naruto of our last conversation, he's the last person to forget that kind of thing anyway.
I folded the paper once and looked around, looking for a suitable place to leave it. I was probably making unneeded effort to this note, I tried placing it on 10 different places. But at last I just decided to leave it on the desk where I wrote the note.
"Ring Ring" I heard the telephone ring right beside my desk. I picked up the phone immediately.
- Will be there in 5 seconds. – I heard him say and he hung up. If you're gonna be here in 5 seconds, what's the point of even calling?
1, 2, 3, 4... "Whoosh" – and in an instant, I could see a big black thing in the center of the room.
I almost jumped. Right, this is why. If he hadn't called, I probably would've actually died cause of heart attack.
As expected, he came, but what I didn't expect was that there was one other... a dead one!
- Wha...is that...are we... - He put his index finger on my lips.
- Shhh, relax baby, it's the body. Your act will be suicide.
- How did you know I was thinking that?
- I didn't. When I thought about it, I couldn't think of any other suitable solutions without any risk. So I came here to prepare the scene.
- Well, I wrote the note.
- The suicide note?
- Yeah. It's on the table.
- Can I?
- Of course.
He picked up the paper with one hand while his other was carrying the... thing. I saw him reading it and at first he looked kinda sad but then there was a hint of surprise.
- It's great, you decided to dedicate it to someone, it'll look more logical and sad at the same time, that was smart of you. – he said making his one eyed charming smile.
- Thanks, sensei. – I said truthfully but with a little bit of sarcasm. It just felt like I'm being complemented by my teacher. He rolled his eyes.
- Ok, now let's get this over with, shall we? – he said as he used the transformation jutsu to make the thing a dead version of myself.
He started looking for something in his pocket.
- How about you?
- Me?
- Are you...
- Dead? Yes, Tsunade-sama told the elders, everyone will know by tomorrow.
- So does that mean we have to be outta here by tomorrow?
- Well – he looked at his watch – we should be gone by 4 am tops, so that gives us... - he looked at me and the hesitation in my eyes.
- Hey, ___, it's still not too late to change your mind, I'll just put the corpse back, and you could...
- No! – I said quickly. – it's just that I'm worried about your job, your career, you were one of the best teachers in Konoha and now...
- And now I'm the happiest guy on earth. – he said smiling. - this is, and always will be the rightest decision I've ever made. Running away with you. No matter what the risk is. – he said touching my cheek.
it felt like all of the complicated parts and difficulties were actually pretty simple, easy even. Running away with him. That was all I was doing, the all I ever wanted to do from the start. A place where we can be together as us. I suddenly felt so stupid for being nervous and scared.
- Though you are running away from home, so I understand...
I chuckled. – No, I'm not running away from home, I'm running to home. Because they say home is where your heart is. And mine will always be...
- Wherever you are. – he finished looking in my eyes.
- Exactly.
He chuckled grabbing his hair. – I'm so stupid. I can't believe I'm just getting what you were trying to tell me all this time.
- Now you do.
- How is it that I deserve you?
- Nah, I'm the lucky one here. Now let's start moving.
He grabbed what seemed to be medicine, and took out all of the squares inside it.
- So I'ma die cause of sleeping pills?
- Yep. It's easier. Is there any small item that you must bring? – he said as he finally put the corpse on the bed, putting the empty medicine box in its hand.
I thought for a moment. I didn't own anything extraordinary or expensive, so.
- No.
- Really? I want you to bring something, a small thing, something to remember by.
- Uhhh...
He knew what I was saying and decided to look for himself. After about 5 seconds he came back with a simple silver necklace with black lace. He put his hands around my neck to put it on, and his breath was sending shivers down my spine. I felt my heart racing and my cheeks getting redder. I'm never getting used to this man, am i?
He chuckled. – Your heart is pounding. I wonder why.
- Like you don't know.
- ___?
- Yeah?
- I don't know when we'll have a proper moment, a proper place again. it could take us a long time to settle, maybe we won't even settle, we might have to go from places to places...So.
He said as he bent down on one knee. Wait, wait wait, is it really happening what I think is happening?
My mind was in tons of places, swirling around. I was stunned by his sudden actions.
- I swear I will protect you and love you for the rest of my life. I will be by your side when we're old and gray. I will be with you from now on, for forever if you'll have me. I swear on my life I will do everything to make you happy. ___ ___, will you marry me?
Hearing his speech, I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. Those four words... it's almost ridiculous how much it holds behind it.
- Y-Yes. Of course! Are you crazy? – I yelled as I fell down to hug him as hard as I can. I grabbed his hair and sniffed his scent as my tears were wetting his shirt, trying to realize that this creature is now truly, completely... mine. This was one of those moments where I just wished the time would froze. Forever this way.
He hugged me back. – O-ok, let me put the ring on, baby.
"R-right, the ring" I thought as I pulled back, standing up. He put the ring on, on the ring finger of my left hand.
- Now you're officially future Mrs. Hatake. – he said grinning.
- I guess I am. – I said looking at the beautiful shaped ring, it was hard for me to actually believe that I'm gonna be Mrs. Hatake. It just sounded... unreal. I was 17 years old and I'm getting married? Like what kind of crazy world is that?
Love, that is.
- Ready?
- Always have been.
A/N I'll end it there. Love you guys for keep reading, and sticking out with me and the story.
And that someone who said, you are reading this story from the 3rd update? I mean wow! That's months ago! Your readership means the world to me, I can't even describe how much I'm grateful for that.
As usual, comment and vote. It will motivate me to write the next chapter. See you soon enough.