Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Puppet in Pink
26. Far From Finished
And if death does take me, send the hammered
Mail of my armor to Higlac, return
The inheritance I had from Hrethel, and he
From Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!
-Beowulf
Sasuke cradled his head in his hands, whimpering softly. Green swept his vision in aggressive waves, scrubbing his last fragments of sanity into a cheerful froth. He'd thought the merciless tides would wash away the voices as well; pleaded in plaintive tones for them to release their miserly hold on his soul.
As would be expected, they refused to heed him, clamoring in harsh tones, swarming unchecked into his open mind. Sasuke screamed, searching for the one among the millions that he knew would save him. He knew it would listen, sympathize, help him find a way out of the suffocating crowd. Somehow, it would bring him back.
Because the voice was his voice.
His friend.
The Uchiha felt himself slipping farther, and clawed desperately for the one lifeline that remained. Just over the horizon, just out of reach. He could make it, yes he could.
Kakashi tore his eyes away from the raven-haired figure that convulsed weakly on the hospital bed. "The Chuunin Exam is in three weeks," he reminded the robed figure to his left. "What do you think we should do, Hokage-sama?"
The elderly man gave a pitying glance at the ninja genius flopping pathetically among the twisted white bed-sheets. He'd consulted the crystal about this several times; had stayed up all night gazing into the clouded orb. But he had found nothing, not the slightest clue as to what had happened to the boy in the forest before the Haruno child found him. He gave a heavy sigh.
"The doctors say he's on the way towards some sort of recovery, though they have no idea as to what is wrong," the Hokage said at last. Kakashi looked relieved. "We'll just have to wait until the Exams, and see what he wants to do." Without waiting to see the silver-haired teacher's response, he shuffled down the tiled hall.
The blonde-haired boy couldn't bring himself to look at his rival. He stared at his feet. "I...I hope he gets better soon," he spoke at last, with uncomfortable solemnity.
The pink-haired girl standing next to him gave a fleeting half-smile that vanished before it could be seen.
"So do I, Naruto. So do I."
FINIS.
As the title of this chapter suggests, this story is far from over, but I'm going to continue the next part of it (the Chuunin Exam arc!) in a sequel, which should begin within this week. I'm going to have to scramble for the information on the original Chuunin Exam, seeing as my computer is still unable to download anything, but I repeat: This is not the end of the story!
The chapter after this is where all you reviewers are listed...in other words, you don't really have to read it. Review or email with any ideas you have for the Exams, or what comes after them!
And, lastly, Happy Thanksgiving Day/Columbus Day to all of you in Canada and the U.S.!
Puppet in Pink
27. Credits
Here's to all my reviewers!
(in no particular order)
deity of death1-sama... is drawing a fan-art for this fic...plus I'm in her profile!
Maya Amano-sama.................reviewed almost every chapter (I think)
Ashley-sama
Rosz-chan (Angel-Rosz-san..long and informative reviews; helped in the crucial formation of the new Sakura
xx-Tsumi-chan-xx..................I have to admit...I don't really know how to write romance...I'd need help...
Hyourin Kage-sama................has me in her profile
dobyuk princess-sama
Shiroi Hikari-sama
Fwoggie-sama
Chiisuchine-sama...................was my first reviewer
pocky no miko-sama
dark-anime-junkie-sama
faLLen-dreamz-sama
hikariko-sama
Monkey Shoes-sama
xia xue-sama
Crow-Sensei
HikaruOfArrow-sama
Anfu-sama
GentleWaterSoul-sama
MaroonSorrow-sama
Whisperin9 Shad0s-sama
Blind Kunoichi-sama
Unmoving-sama
Chocobaby-sama
AnimeGirlInuyasha-sama
dreaming star-sama
Solita (Alone-sama
rogue solus-sama
Jewel Song-sama
mariel4000-sama
I-hate-Sasuke-sama
cuito-sama
Search and Seek and Destroy-sama..also helped in the formation of the new Sakura
PyroGirl-sama
Psygirl-sama
JadedSakuya-sama
Chibi Malkavian-sama
Eternal stars-sama
Destiny1029-sama
Millie-chan
Yianne-21-sama
sonydjsnmix-sama
Vagrance-sama
Ayden-sama
meowow423-sama
Alden-san
x Lindsay x-sama
The Sadist-sama
QuasiAngel-sama
Smiter-sama
Mary-sama
The Winged Messenger-sama
Wicked Fantasies-sama
Genma: The Destroyer-sama
Gopu-sama
Al-sama
anonymous
Anonymous
Ayce Shade-sama
Sonoda Aki-sama
Silent Angel-sama
Sakura FAN-sama
Thanks to all of you, even the small number who were 'flamers'—you've helped to make this fanfic what it is today. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is anyone's guess, though. Anyways, you can expect a sequel to begin within the next week, so do not despair!