Guys, it has come to my attention that many of you have put Overcast on your 'story alert' in anticipation for the long overdue sequel (laughs nervously). Bear in mind that the sequel will be posted as a separate fic; this one is over, so put me on 'author alert' instead. And since this site forbids posting chapters consisting of author's notes only, here's a little something for my patient, patient readers.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale. Savor the nicotine.
Exhale. Feel the smoke billowing out your mouth.
Inhale. Suck it in and feel it feed your anger.
Exhale. Let the anger stream out of you in the form of the smoke. Relax.
Inhale. A tear leaked out.
Exhale. A sob escaped.
Inhale. Don't you start crying, dammit.
Exhale. Really, this is unbecoming of a ninja.
He didn't have to slap her, really. It was unnecessary. He knew that Sakura had already received hell for her actions. Her fucking mistake.
Slapping her wasn't going to bring Naruto back. But damn, it felt good. Nobody stopped him when he did.
Shikamaru threw the cigarette down and bit down on his knuckle to keep from sobbing out. It wouldn't do to wake his family up and get caught crying and smoking. He didn't know what was worse.
The roof was still wet from the deluge that halted the celebrations, and effectively soaked his bottom. He didn't care. The sky was still overcast, and still slightly drizzling. At least there were clouds.
Where had Naruto gone off to? It was anyone's guess. Even he couldn't make an educated guess. Nobody really knew Naruto. That guy just keeps on surprising people.
The ninja sighed. Things are going to be different around here, now that the life of the village left. In a way, being the Fourth's legacy, he IS the village's soul. The remaining remnant of their savior (who was a savior as well himself). He was only half-surprised when Hokage-sama told them about the Fox that afternoon. There was waterworks from the girls, of course. The guys tried their best to remain 'macho' and hold their tears in. He just got real quiet and left when the Hokage dismissed them. Of course, they just nodded when they were sworn to secrecy. Nobody was in much of a mood to argue, with the head of the ninja village, no less. After that, he came straight home. This was the way he coped with things. Isolation. And self-destruction. Not everything his teacher taught him was for the better.
Lee threw himself into training. Sakura cried her eyes out. Kiba decimated a few square miles of the forest. And so on and so forth. Shikamaru felt a sense of admiration for the Hokage. If they were feeling shitty, then how the hell must she feel? And she can't just take a break and sulk inside her closet. That takes strength. Just like Naruto.
Shikamaru sighed again. God, this is not helping. The ones who do care about that runaway will experience serious regression in their job performances. For the sake of this damned village, it would be for the best that they all get over this incident as quickly as possible. That, and for their psychological health as well. God knows ninjas are already screwed up in the head to begin with. Look at Gai.
Shikamaru took out a hip flask from his pocket and took a deep drink. The vodka burned down his throat. He'd prefer rum, but he's still trying to keep under his mom's radar until he gets his own place in another year or two. He downed the rest of the liquor in one go and went inside his bedroom through the window, after taking one last look outside.
"Be safe, Naruto."
I seriously hope my writing style's improved over the years. Don't expect the sequel to come out so soon. Just…watch ye and pray. But yes, I am working on it…among other things. College is not easy, people. Until next time. Thank you all for your patience and lack of death threats (or maybe you just don't give a crap).