The Last of Naruto chapter 15 Left behind part 1

Authors comments:

Sorry guys and girls, I've been busy with university and Engineering crap that I didn't have time to update, regardless if all I had to do was edit. I sort of had most of this done ages ago. Never the less here is the story. I was hoping to edit this further and make the emotion and meaning deeper, but If I continue with that idea I'll never get this out and postpone it further so it is a little rushed, though it should still do its job well enough.

Thanks for the reviews, they boosted me heaps, as for those curious about the nature of the infection, you'll have to wait and see.

Ages:

Ellie: 14

Riley: 16

Naruto: 15 (physical age)

Left Behind part 1:

The door creaked open slightly stirring Ellie in her sleep. Opting to ignore the intruder she continued resting blissful unaware. An ominous shadow slowly crept over her, closer and closer yet as she continued to indulge herself in the quiet night, suddenly.

"KKKKkkkkk" the sound of an infected and its contact abruptly woke her and quickly reacting in defense she pushed the intruder away knocking whomever to the ground.

Ellie quickly pulled out her orange pocketknife beneath her pillow, sliding the sharp end out in preparation for a finishing attack on the infected.

Still drowsy she looked more closely at the perpetrator taking in her full form as realization suddenly hit her.

"Riley?" she spoke out confused and in a daze backing up slightly while aiming the knife away.

"Haaa…" Riley giggled lightly as she got back up from the ground hand on here hip to nurse the pain.

"What the hell! I thought I was bitten." Ellie spoke more alert scratching her neck in assurance. She looked at Riley again taking in her form. She was clothed in a blue top and a white undershirt, long blue jean pants and a red bag on her back screaming for another adventure.

Still happy of her successful joke Rile replied, "I know… It was kinda awesome."

Riley paused looking at the orange pocketknife Marlene gave to Ellie. "Your not going to kill me are you?" she continued as she looked at the knife still in Ellie's hand.

Ellie folded up the knife before putting it back beneath the pillow.

"I haven't seen you… in I don't even know how long."

"45 days… 46 actually. Want to know what I've been up to?"

Unbelievingly Ellie responded looking at her friend closely. "All this time I thought you were dead."

A tense second passed before Riley reached behind her neck and taking off her necklace and handing it to Ellie.

"Look."

Ellie looked at the necklace closely analysing its rough details.

"No way." Ellie looked at her then back at the necklace again as Riley began pacing around the familiar room.

"Still no roommate? I had to sleep under Liz for three years and you know how bad that girl smelled." Riley spoke looking around taking note of the empty wooden double bunk.

"I'd get Naruto if I could but he doesn't go to school remember. Everyone else is an ass." Ellie replied snarky before looking back down at the firefly pendant in her hand.

She flipped it over distinctly reading what was ingrained on the metal piece. Riley Abel, 000129

"You're a Firefly." Ellie looked back at her as she gave a shoulder nod in agreement before continuing to explore the featured of the room.

A single photo hung on the wall that caught Riley's attention. It was a photo of all three friends huddled together. All three holding on to Naruto by one side as he snapped a photo from a camera recovered from one of his scavenges long ago (take a guess where…)

"You still have it up" she spoke as she removed the photo from the wall.

All of a suddenly Ellie became active moving towards the door opening it and looking outside to inspect the hallway.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm making sure I don't get caught with a firefly in my room."

"Relax. There are no soldiers on the entire floor." Riley responded still in her relaxed tone and posture.

Ellie looked back at Riley tense before handing her back the pendant forcefully

"Here. Congrats."

"Hey…"

There was a few tense seconds as they looked at each other

"Are we cool…"

"Ugh… Are we cool!" Ellie responded sarcastically.

"I disappeared and your mad, and I owe you and Naruto an explanation. Let's get outta here and I'll tell both of you all about it."

"Naruto's in on this?" Ellie responded surprised.

"Yeah met up with him on one of his missions, I'll be meeting up with him after you come along."

"It's almost morning and I have military drills, you know, where we learn to kill fireflies." Ellie responded lightly sarcastic yet again.

Riley threw her a pair of long blue jeans

"Put some pants on and let's go."

"Haaa…" Ellie let out a sigh of annoyance "I'm so dumb."

"Now c'mon. When have we ever gotten into trouble?"

Time skip, at the Mall.

Naruto waited patiently for Riley and Ellie to show up. He just got to the mall having finished another smuggle run and guessed he could kill off time. There wasn't a significant need for him to sleep much so he wasn't all that tired and he really wanted to meet up with his friends again, even more so after Riley had just reappeared.

It had been a year since they met and things between the three hit off pretty well. He'd been growing overly closer to them, he knew he shouldn't, but there was something about the two that drew him in. Maybe because he was feeling lonely and wanted social interaction with some friends in the least or maybe because he was just drawn to them. They were so much like him when he was their age and he just enjoyed being around them. The sense of adventure, danger and the occasional stupid and dangerous action, just like him.

"You know I got them back."

"Our water guns? Bullshit. You tellin' me Corporal Dickhead gave them back to you?"

"Of course not. I had to sneak into his office. Riley. I had them in my hands."

"But your ass got caught."

"But my ass got caught."

"What did he do to you?"

"Scrubbing duties for two weeks in the bathrooms."

"Oh, Ellie." Riley sounded of in fake sympathy.

"I keep telling you to give up on them. They're never coming back."

"They will be mine again."

Naruto watched them approach down the elevator,

"Yo Naruto." Riley spoke out

"It's been a while Riley, Also it's nice to see you again Ellie, school still treating you like crap."

"Yeah" she spoke out as she gave Naruto a small hug. As of late the relationship between the two hit off pretty well, they talked more frequently as Ellie snuck out, or Naruto snuck into the academy to chill, hang out and occasionally bring something new with him. The water guns were of course given by Naruto and the used it all day in the mall last time against each other and Riley.

Riley slightly peeved from the sight but use to the growing affection between the two was slightly taken off guard as Naruto rushed up to her and gave her a quick friendly hug. You've been taking care of yourself well right. The fireflies aren't giving you too much trouble are they, your not doing anything too reckless right.

"I'm fine Naruto, but thanks" she said a light blush adorning her cheeks.

The group began walking around the small camp in the middle of the mall, inspecting the exterior of the yellow F.E.D.R.A tent while Naruto went to the central tree to pick up his small backpack of supplies. It was beginning to draw suspicion from the fireflies and the military that he was lunging around a big scroll. This made it difficult to blend in when he clearly stood out from the crowd. Quietly he listened into the small conversation between Riley and Ellie.

"I can't believe Winston's gone." Riley spoke up reminiscing of the past times together.

"You heard?" Ellie spoke up; aware Riley had been kept out of the loop due to her involvement with the fireflies.

"Yeah, Naruto mentioned it when we met up in one of his smuggling runs."

"Did he tell you how it happened?" Ellie spoke.

"Yeah, he said he just fell off of his horse, heart attack or something." Riley continued.

"Man…" Ellie sounded off disbelievingly.

"Well how many people get to die of natural causes in this world?"

"None that I know of."

"Exactly."

"So, let's see what he left us"

Riley quickly walked into the F.E.D.R.A tent

"Really?" Ellie spoke up following behind.

Naruto felt it was a bit disrespectful going through his friend's stuff when he had passed on recently, so he had never actually looked inside yet. Although slightly hesitant he was also very curious so he followed both the girls inside.

Taking a quick look around noticed the various jackets, suitcases and a bed with a worn out grey sleeping bag to the right. Promptly he began to look through them inspecting each jacket to see if there was anything useful he could find. He was pretty sure Winston would prefer he put his stuff to use than leaving it to rot or be taken by other scavengers.

As he glanced back he noticed Ellie inspecting a small table at the far end of the tent and Riley behind him going through a plastic container brimming with a variety of items.

"What… Is this Winston?" Ellie sounded off looking closely at a picture she picked up, he assumed it was the same one Winston showed him several months ago, just after he met Riley and Ellie, privately of course. Age spares no one, well, maybe him.

"Hahaha…. Man, guy use to be handsome."

Naruto walked up to Ellie.

"Can I have that?" Naruto asked

"What? The picture. Sure." Ellie handed Naruto the picture

Naruto went through his backpack pulling out a small green photo album and putting the picture inside. Ellie looked at him skeptically.

"I keep an album of my memories, photo's, small trinkets and such."

Naruto put the album back into the bag, planning to seal it away later away from the open; he had yet to tell them what he could do after all.

"It's my way to remember people by, the memories and the happy times I had."

Ellie looked on sympathetically, she understood where he was coming from so she stayed silent. She would never be able to fully grasp the pain and loss he had been through outside the safe zones so she stayed quiet

"Bingo." Riley spoke out in satisfaction distracting Naruto and Ellie from the growing somber mood.

Both Naruto and Ellie looked back at Riley who had pulled out a bottle with brownish liquid.

"Want some?" She spoke questioningly as she looked at Naruto and Ellie, handing the bottle out in offering.

"Sure," Naruto slightly morbid took the bottle quickly identifying it as scotch, unscrewed it and took a quick gulp to help settle him down. He then offered it to Ellie next who took it and inspected it closely.

"Watch out, it isn't beer." Naruto spoke having sampled a few and knowing its strange taste and burning sensation for first timers.

"Please…"

Ellie took a quick mouthful before spitting it out to the side while Naruto and Riley giggled from the act.

' Cough', "Oh my god." 'Cough'

"Here" she handed the bottle back to Riley

"It's disgusting."

"Told ya."

"Cheers, Winston." Riley spoke in respect that a young teenager would give before taking a mouthful, gulping it down then coughing.

"Whoo… That's strong" She slowly screwed the lid and put back it into the container.

"Come on." Riley ran out of the tent, Ellie and Naruto following close behind.

Riley and Ellie approached the bench noticing a cloth and the horse saddle lying atop it.

"What happened to Princess?" Riley spoke out first making the connection

"I assumed after Winston died they took her." Naruto spoke up informing her. He wasn't entirely sure where she was at and really liked the horse, bonding as friends, but there was nothing he could do for her. Especially when she originally belonged to the military and Winston was the primary keeper.

"Poor horse. She's probably out there terrified." Ellie spoke up.

"Man…"

After inspecting it one last time the group continued on down the dark mall, flashlights on. Weeds were growing all over and broken machinery ranging from empty vending machines with broken glass to cracked plasma televisions were randomly settled about.

As usual most of the stores were bordered up with the steel shutters down, likely to prevent infected or otherwise freely walking into the mall. Ellie and Riley still took their time looking around the walls, the mannequins all in provocative postures still advertising the fashion trends before their time.

The group continued on approaching the middle area of the mall blocked off by debris collapsed on top with a car and a variety of vegetation growing around. It was open at the top allowing for water to sip into the mall and along the debris making it far too slippery for Ellie and Riley to climb. That and coupled with the likelihood there were guards above just made it far too risky. This time they would be going from below.

Riley knelt down in front of the only opening

"Naruto, Ellie, help me lift this."

All three were down taking a small part of the steel debris and working to wedge the car further up and make the small opening bigger.

"I hate crawling through here" Ellie commented.

"It always feels like we're going to get crushed."

"It's fine" Naruto responded fairly confident it would be as normal.

"I'll go first." But as he finished his comment the steel support supporting the car moved out of place collapsing the car through the opening and forcing Ellie, Riley and himself to jump back from the impact

"Watch out"

"Oh."

'cough', 'cough'.

"You first right." Riley joked as she inspected the damage

"You know what? How about we find another way?"

"Yeah. Sounds good."

The group looked around for an opening, Naruto use to such actions was the first to find it above a closed door.

"Hey, there an opening" he said as he pointed the flashlight above the store's door showing a broken glass. I'll boost one of you up

Naruto leaned next to the door getting into a horse saddle position ready to boost up either Ellie or Riley over.

"Who want's to go first?"

"I'll go" Riley said running up to Naruto as she jumped on his hands

"Alright. Be careful in there."

"When am I not?"

Naruto gave her a boost and she climbed up and over the window.

"Well?" Ellie shouted out as she and Naruto waited a few tense seconds for a response.

"See anything?"

"Riley?"

After a few more seconds of waiting the door unlocked with Ellie and Naruto rushed in. Immediately they were greeted to the sight of a run down shop, fairly damaged, but still full of merchandise. Spooky town was clearly the name of the shop identified by the various orange labels strewn about and from the looks of the immediate Frankenstein monster, ghosts and gargoyles it was a Halloween based store, at least before the infection.

"Blaahhhrrr!"

"Whoa!"

"Crap!" both Ellie and Naruto shouted out in fright and right on instinct Naruto had pulled out two knives in hand ready for a fight.

It only took a second for both Naruto and Ellie to realize it was Riley in Halloween mask, a freaky, ghost white clown with a smile too big for any face.

"Hahaha." Riley laughed out at their reactions.

"You dick. That's two times today." Ellie responded peeved at being scared and giving Riley a friendly, peeved push, after all encountering infected was pretty common in the present

Naruto took a second to register the prank and lightly smiled to himself. "Good one Riley. You got us good." He responded putting away his knives.

"Ha…." Riley let out a drawn laugh.

"How the hell did we never find this place?" She looked around in amazement

"C'mon. I've got the perfect mask one of you try it on."

"Riley." Ellie let out in a 'are you serious' tone.

Regardless Naruto and Ellie walked up to the shelf with the mask as Riley pulled it out and handed it to the two. Looking at it closely it was a wolf mask with large teeth and a mouth in a permanent snarl.

"Here one of you try it on. It's a Dawn of the Wolf mask, you know that movie that came out before the infection hit."

Naruto and Ellie looked at each other before Ellie taking the initiative went ahead and grabbed the mask from Riley.

"Put it on."

"This feels so stupid." Ellie commented slightly embarrassed, but still finding it fun

"Hahaha…." Naruto laughed a bit.

"You look so pretty in that."

"Shut up." Ellie let out in greater volume, more embarrassed about putting the mask on.

"Aww… Don't feel bad. Here, I'll go look for one for me to wear. It seems pretty fun." Naruto responded hopeful as he ran off down another isle to look for a fun mask.

As he inspected the aisle he looked around at all the decorations, figurines, pumpkin baskets, costumes, boxes, hats and more. He even looked carefully at the orange signs, the prices, the specials and the 50% off ones. It really reminded him of Konoha, the good times and the bad.

Kyubi Festival Age 8 Konoha, Elemental Nations:

It was the 10th of October again, the day of the famed Kyubi festival and also Naruto's birthday. In the past he had always stayed indoors due to the threat of mobs and lynching but not today. Today he was going outside to see the entirety of the celebration and he had an ingenious way to avoid being recognized.

Last year after scavenging through the trashcans and dumpsters post festival he stumbled across several fox masks and clothes he could use. Seeing as all the children were wearing fox masks to hide themselves he though he could too. Grabbing the dark orange mask and tattered clothes he brought them home for later use.

Now today was the day and all his waiting would pay off. Having dyed his hair he quickly put the fox mask on along with a clean yukata he found all in order to blend in. Opening the window he silently snuck out being extra careful as to not alert anyone lest he be caught and the plan foiled.

Slowly he crept out of the alleyway behind his apartment towards the main street to see them lined with stacks upon stacks of vendors and shops selling a variety of different goods, many of which not seen during regular trading hours. There were masks, poster and even the occasional cake shaped into the Kyubi, some menacing, others in a cute chibi posture. The streets were also lined with special orange lanterns having replaced the regular lighting from the street lamps giving off a celebration glow and most people he saw walked around wearing a special Yukata just for the occasion.

Naruto excitedly ran around with his small frog wallet of money he called gamma-chan eager to spend what he could. Normally the price of goods sold to him was significantly higher than the normal street price or not sold to him at all, as such this was also an opportunity for him to get all he wanted fairly under his guise.

Naruto rushed around admiring the view and the decorations, unfocused on what lay in ahead when suddenly *Crash * he bumped into someone knocking both of them over.

"Ouch." The person below him moaned out in pain

"Ah… Sorry"

Getting up Naruto offered his hand out to help her up. Looking closer he noticed the person he knocked over was a girl around his age, pink hair, green eyes and a light blue yukata with cherry petals patterned sewn about.

"Cha, What was that for!" the girl practically shouted out.

"Sorry I didn't see you." Naruto spoke still offering his hand out to resolve the situation and avoid any attention. Taking the offer the girl lifted herself up, dusted herself before looking back at the boy who knocked her over.

*sigh * "Just watch where your going next time."

"I will. I'm sorry."

Sighing in exasperation the girl continued to speak. "Look I know this place can be a maze so how about you stick with me. I've been here a while already helping my parents set up shop so I know the good places."

"Why do you want to stick with me?" Naruto asked questioningly. It was sort of rare people would help him let alone spend time with him.

"Duh, festivals are supposed to be celebrated with someone else. I don't really have any friends around and you look like you could use some company so why not?"

Naruto looked skeptical, unsure what he should do. He also didn't really have any friends and the villagers didn't like him and the idea of someone of good will caught with him didn't settle right in his conscience. Still the idea of a friend was just so enticing.

"Okay." Naruto spoke out slowly and full of hesitation.

"Really? That's great! I don't have anyone else that would come with me, their busy doing their own thing with their family. Okay, follow me." The pink haired girl said before walking off, authority in her voice.

Suddenly before Naruto could follow her, she turned back around, a happy, cheerful expression on her face making Naruto's heart skip a beat as he flushed in awe of the beauty as he looked on. Time seemingly pausing for that moment.

"Oh. By the way, my name's Sakura, what's yours?" After a few seconds of registering what Sakara said Naruto quickly lied.

"R…Roxas…" (Damn I love this name)

Sakura eyed him warily. "Why are you still wearing that mask? Take it off so I can see you."

Naruto scared of being found out quickly lied in response. "I… ah… got really injured and have a fresh scar on my face. It's really embarrassing"

"Oh… I'm sorry. Hope it heals okay. I know scars are never good."

Smiling again Sakura turned back around to lead her new companion, her Yukata dancing in the wind as she did.

"Okay Roxas, Follow me."

Several hours later:

Naruto had a great night and he owed it all to Sakura. They tried out the kunai store winning some stuffed toys for Sakura and good kunai for him as well as trying different festival based foods including cotton candy and taffy apples, still they would never compare to Ramen he enjoyed.

There was also a circus in town allowing the both of them to watch the acrobats fly around doing various summer saults, twists and turns in the air while an assortment of animals roamed the stage doing tricks to entertain the crowd. His personal favorite was the clowns. They seemed to make everyone laugh and be happy from their assortment of tricks to various pranks on one another. They always seemed to capture everyone's attention, his included and he wondered to himself if he could do the same, make everyone happy and gain the acknowledgment of everyone.

The various shows around the tents had kept them occupied for several hours as they ate through several bags of popcorn and cotton candy and as the festival was reaching the end, Sakura and Naruto just kept talking about their best parts. Naruto liked to talk about the clowns while Sakura liked the pretty female that just seemed to enthrall the male audience in the beauty tent. Naruto got bored of that rather quickly; he could never worry over such luxuries when he had the bare minimums to work with.

Now both Sakura and Naruto were on a staircase heading towards the top of the Hokage monument, other people also waiting patiently by the railing for the grand finale, the fireworks.

Naruto had seen the fireworks before from the window of his apartment room so he knew what to expect, but that was when he was alone. Now he had someone to accompany him and even though she didn't truly know who he was behind the mask, just the fact she was there with him still made him happy.

Suddenly as midnight hit there was dead silence throughout the village. All the lights and lanterns having been dimmed purposely, then suddenly

"BANG"

The first fireworks exploded in the night sky sending an array of smaller colours outward followed by another and another as they danced and exploded above while illuminating the village below in the rainbow of colours.

Naruto looked on amazed at the view. He had never seen the fireworks up close like this and from such a view, it stunned him with its beauty. As the fireworks continued in the background Naruto directed his focus back at Sakura, the light reflecting off her skin beautifully.

"Sakura."

"Yes."

"Thank you."

Flashback end. Back to the present time.

Naruto sighed. He was alone back then, barred from celebrating in festivals and with no friends whatsoever and even with his attempts to approach Sakura things never turned out well eventually leading to their complicated relationship. Still he owed her and if it wasn't for her action he may have easily turned out like Garra did. Now it was just another memory, a lost hope of how things could have been.

As Naruto approached a shelf he took note of a goblin mask, green with a long nose, pointy ears and pure white eyes. He couldn't help but reminisce about such times in Konoha and the festivals. He supposed there was one thing good about going through all of this. He now had another chance to do some of the things he missed and this time around with true friends.

Naruto reached out taking the mask from the shelf and looked at it one last time before putting it on.

With Riley and Ellie.

"This is stupid." Ellie spoke out still embarrassed.

"Yeah… Badass. Now Roar."

"Ahhh… Do I have to?"

Ellie then spoke out in a softer whisper "Naruto's over there."

"Aww… Don't feel embarrassed about that, besides from what I can see he likes confident girls. Now Roar!"

Ellie let out a tired sigh.

"Roar."

"Ellie, Really? Fucking roar."

"ROOOOAAAARRRR!" Ellie roared out more forcefully, hands in the air.

"hahaha… There she is! Now let's see what else this place has."

"Not bad." Naruto spoke behind Ellie who swerved around in fright, her expression unnoticeable behind the mask.

"So… What do you girls think? Pretty nice huh."

"Yeah… totally fits your personality. The mean green killing machine…" Riley commented.

"I would have preferred an orange one."

"Really? What kind of scary monster is orange? A fox." She giggled at the idea.

"Haaa…" Naruto let out, lost in the irony.

Ellie stayed quiet through the interaction, still embarrassed over the situation.

"Now let's see what else this place has." Riley continued as her shoulder flashlight shone onto Naruto's mask before walking off, Naruto doing the same taking the time to look around as Ellie followed right behind.

"Man, look at all this stuff." Riley commented taking a quick look at some costumes and masks on the wall.

Naruto on the other side focused much more closely on the costumes. As far as he could see the most predominant costumes available were the Uncharted 2 and Jak costumes. Maybe they were good when civilization flourished, now however they were nothing but junk.

"People bought this stuff? I don't get it." He heard Ellie comment as he glanced at her looking at a jar full of white skulls, Riley looking over her shoulder to take a look as well.

Getting a funny idea Naruto quickly picked up the Frankenstein mask he knew of from reading books back in the sewer community and entered the display coffin quietly. He waited a few seconds before popping back out as they both turned towards him

"Mwah-ah-ah-ah-ahhh-ahhh-ahhh," He let out in a low drawl walking out zombie style as Ellie and Riley looked on. He couldn't tell behind their mask but he though the neutral expression on the mask made the whole act look hilariously wrong.

"Wow… That was stupid." Ellie half-heartedly let out with a small giggle.

"Yeah." Riley added on in the same position.

"Yes, but funny stupid right?"

"Ah, No. Com'on let's check over here" Riley said quickly before walking off, trying to change the subject and cover up the embarrassing memory.

Dumbfounded Naruto commented, "The whole thing seemed so much better in my head."

"Meh… You win some you loose some." Ellie responded laughing lightly in her speech also following behind as they went to investigate the other end of the wall behind the display coffin.

"Tch. What a letdown" Naruto mumbled to himself before following.

Riley, Ellie and Naruto looked up at the wall noticing more masks hung up, but too high to reach by normal means.

"Those masks are even cooler" Riley commented out as she shone the flashlight on to them to get better detail.

She suddenly looked left and noticed the Dracula costumes on display and quickly went and equipped the mask as Ellie and Naruto watched on.

The mask itself bore white skin and vampire teeth, but most disturbingly was the entire lower jaw covered in dark red symbolic of blood. Naruto couldn't help but think that those who designed them were geniuses.

"I am… Count…Dracula…" Riley dramatically sounded out.

"Actually… Countess…"

Riley again dramatically repeated. "I am… Countess Dracula…"

"Yeah…" Ellie and Naruto let out a satisfied laugh as Riley laughed with them.

The group continued exploring around the shop looking at the various items and marketing posted all over.

"True Horror Tales: accounts of real monsters and spirits."

"Pfff. I wonder what the authors of that would say to todays infected." Naruto spoke thinking of the irony of monsters when infected were everywhere.

"Yeah, hard to believe people obsessed over this stuff back then."

The group continued walking around till Ellie came across a Skeleseer skull.

"Ask Skeleseer a question and shake for your fortune" She spoke as she read the sign while looking at the lone skull on the slightly dirty pillow.

Naruto watched on and waited as she shook the skull.

"Okay. Are we gonna die today?"

She looked back at Naruto. "Nothing. What a jip!" she commented before putting the skull back down

"I think you're supposed to turn it over, though I think a different question would have been nice."

Ellie picked up the skull again flipping it over

"What? You believe in that superstitious stuff."

"Depends. It just seems ominous to ask if you're going to die today".

'That and I'm not one not to simply ignore superstition altogether, I did fight the Ten tails after all.'

"Well, we'll just have to see the answer won't we." She said as she looked back as the skull.

"Seems dreadfully unlikely. Ah, Whew! That's a relief."

Bored and not wanting to test fate Naruto walked off looking for something new. In the background he heard Ellie still using the skull.

"Am I ever going to play a video game?"

"Your chances are dismal."

"Fuck you skull."

Naruto walked down the last isle-taking note of another mask. Triple Phoenix, 20% off he read before reaching out and wanting to try it on. Guess his old childhood tendencies still had a strong effect on him, especially since he was after all a child again.

After putting it on he looked at Riley beside him taking note of her new mask.

"What do you think?"

Riley had on her a light blue cuddly bear mask, small eyes and a small mouth, nothing scary at all just adorable.

"Adorable" he replied

"Why thank you kind pigeon." She bowed in a friendly mock.

After another minute of exploring and light banter the group exited through another front entrance of the store and back into the other side of the mall.

From the light coming from the ceiling it was clearly daybreak and Naruto watched in amazement of the vegetation growing out of the mall. It was a beautiful sight and it was small things like this that just seemed to distract him from reality.

As he was distracted Riley and Ellie had run ahead along the walkway, Riley picking up a brick with Ellie following close behind. Naruto caught up in time to hear the explanation of the new game.

"Sorry Naruto, there's not enough cars, you're going to have to sit this one out. Besides, we know you would win."

"Yeah, yeah… you two have your fun. I'll be by the wall doing, me stuff." He let out.

"Ah don't feel bad. I'll make it up to you later." Riley continued not wanting him to feel down with her being the cause.

Naruto walked towards the wall watching the two converse over the rules.

"Red one's yours, I'll be blue. We throw bricks. Whoever breaks all the windows to their car first wins."

"Are you kidding me? I'm like the brick master."

"Alright. Loser has to… answer a question. No sarcasm."

"Huh… What is this truth or truth? Alright fool you on."

But before they began Riley whispered something into Ellie's ear, keeping it low so Naruto wouldn't hear. Not really caring or not in the mood to eavesdrop he sat down next to the wall as he pulled his small green album out. Carefully flipping the pages and looked through the various photo's and memories.

There wasn't much, most consisting from his time in the sewer community, but it was all he had to remember them by. There were some photo's he had left behind that he wanted to add, but he never had the stomach to go back there. His main regret however was not having any from his time in the elemental nations. His life and experience only committed to memory.

He looked through the album as Ellie and Riley continuously threw bricks at the cars, cursing as they missed or flamboyantly shouting out if they hit.

As they finished the winner was decided

"Yes! Brick. Fucking. Master!" Ellie shouted out pulling off her wolf mask and smashing it down on the ground in triumph.

"My car had tougher windows." Riley replied also taking off her mask.

"Yeah, whatever, loser. Alright question time."

"Wait but first." Riley spoke looking at Naruto finally realizing they were both done, put away his album and got back up.

"Naruto first."

"Wait? What?" he asked out confused.

"Naruto you lost, you got zero windows. So you have to answer our questions truthfully."

"Yeah but I wasn't even playing. You told me to sit out."

"You followed through so you forfeited. Ellie's in agreement."

"That's right."

'sigh.' "There's no arguing with you both of you is there."

"No" they both replied simultaneously.

"Okay… Ask away."

"Is there someone you like? As in another girl you like, like." Ellie spoke up firm and brimming with confidence spurred on by Riley.

Naruto seeing where this was going decided to play around a little. He had already enough experience to understand relationships with the opposite gender, essentially living two lives and all, so it was noticeable both were growing rather attached to him. He didn't want to make the same mistake of not noticing like he did with Hinata.

Naruto didn't mind as much now having recovered and moved on from the Elemental nations and the sewer community. He needed to thank Riley for that giving him the extra push. Who knew the responsibility and care of one person would change him so much.

Deciding to answer directly but also in a way that won't strain their relationship

"Well I do have some girls that I'm interested in, both are around my age, very pretty, snarky at times but I like them none the less. And you know what."

Naruto leaned in closer to both of them, a necks breath from their ears while taking note of their flushed expression.

"They're both standing right here." He softly spoke directly in their ear between Riley and Ellie sending shivers up and down their spines while deepening their blushes.

Suddenly Naruto pulled back giggling lightly as he looked at their shy expressions.

"You know those expressions look good on both of you. You girls should show it more often." Naruto spoke out still giddy at their expressions.

It took a few seconds for Riley and Ellie to register his words.

"You knew!" Ellie practically shouted out in embarrassment and having been played.

"Duh… I may be dense, but I'm not that dense. I deal with people all the time, experience and all that." Naruto paused for the words to sink in.

"But you know what. I meant every last bit about what I said."

Ellie and Riley blushed lightly again before Riley spoke up in resolve.

"So what now. Where do we stand?"

"Same as we always have. As best buddies. We are young and all, its best not to rush things and enjoy what we can. Both of you mean a lot to me and I don't want this tearing us apart."

Riley and Ellie nodded in understanding. As it stood now they were all close friends. Sure Riley had a falling out with everyone else having joined up with the fireflies and loosing contact with Ellie and Naruto, but it didn't mean they were no longer friends. True friendships stick after all.

"Right. Your turn Riley." Naruto spoke again moving the topic away from himself.

*Sigh * "a deals a deal."

"Okay, straight to the point. Why did you leave without telling us?"

Naruto's attention peaked at this question. He always wanted to know why but when he asked Riley dodged the question. Maybe Ellie can get it out of her.

"I… I was in a weird space. No one else knew. I wasn't sure it was a good time to tell any of you and, you know. Just acted". She spoke, her voice showing signs of regret, far different from her normal upbeat attitude.

"But we weren't just anyone." Naruto spoke up hoping to push her, though not to forceful since it seemed like something she needed to come to grips with first.

"No. It's just…" Riley sighed looking downtrodden hoping to avoid the question all together.

"You gotta see this thing and we're almost there. Come on" she spoke as she began walking away further along the balcony and towards the next-door, Ellie and Naruto looking on.

*Sigh * "You didn't answer my question." Ellie whispered out, Naruto the only one able to hear her.

"It's okay. Give her time and when she's ready she'll talk, even I have some secrets I still keep. " Naruto whispered to her in an attempt to comfort her discouragement. Before following on, Ellie walking close behind in contemplation.

Riley opened another door along the path, the door screaking out after years of neglect and miss use. All three turned on their flashlights as they lightly jogged along the dark corridor, garbage and magazines littered about.

"What are we even doing here? This place is creeping me out" Ellie spoke carefully analysing her surroundings and the occasional cockroach running about.

The group quickly walked down the stairs as Riley spoke up in response.

"So you know we thought they only powered certain areas of the city?"

"Yeah?"

"Right then… follow me."

Chapter End.

Authors note:

I decided to cut it short here and add it to the next chapter or I'll never get this one out. I had most of it already complete after all and I just couldn't be stuffed editing it being busy and all.

Constructive criticism is appreciate it, no flames and an occasional your doing great here and there does heaps for those who write including me. So without a further ado.

Read and Review