Good Goodbye

Disclaimers I don't own neither Naruto, RWBY, or LINKIN PARK I'm just a fan showing his appreciation to the things that get him by through everyday life.

Also I think it's no secret that I choose today to publish this chapter, so to all my fellow soldiers, or casual fans who went and picked up a copy of LINKIN PARK's album or downloading it today I hope you guys are listening to the album whole as you read the conclusion to this fic.

Upon serving his sentence, Naruto was greeted by Temari and Kankuro who voulunteered to pick up Naruto from the station to and to take him back home.

Naruto had catched up with Gaara, and was glad to know he'd be out within another 2 months, but has otherwise caught up and said his goodbyes to him.

Upon getting to his dad's place he saw that a majority of his things were left outside with a door on the note that read 'left your things outside before you came back, on vacation, don't bother to expect me to let you back in- dad'.

"Fuck you too" Naruto said as he was mad to never get to tell Minato off for the last time, before turning back to tell Temari and Kankuro what had happened.

"Everything alright" asked Kankuro, "That son of a bitch of my father decided to go to Tahiti or god knows where, and kicked me out without saying so to my face" Naruto said with a look that said not surprised.

"Sorry to hear that" Kankuro said as both gave a pained look before looking at each other, "You got a place to stay or go" asked Temari as both were willing to allow Naruto refuge until he was ready to get back on his feet again.

Naruto thought of it for a minute, before he went back and grabbed a duffle bag, and filled it with a few bits of clothes and any photo memorabilia he didn't want to lose.

He approached the Subaku siblings vehicle, and smiled, "There is one place you guys can take me" Naruto said as he knew this wasn't the end.

Later

Naruto had knew the best place to find either Yang or Ruby was at Denny's and given how he was going to be gone for a long time, he might as well give best wishes and a final goodbye before his departure.

"Welcome to Denny's how may I help you" asked a dirty blonde haired girl as she greeted Naruto, "Yes, is Yang around" asked Naruto, "She's actually sitting in the back on her break over there".

Naruto saw Yang and thanked the young waitress before heading towards Yang who was just drinking coffee and texting on her phone.

"How's it going these days" called Naruto as Yang looked up and saw the blonde before running up and hug him, "Hey you, when did you get out" asked Yang with wide eye smile.

"Today actually" answered Naruto as he hugged the blonde back, before pulling away and asking the important question.

"So where's Ruby" asked Naruto, "She actually just texted me saying that she's on her way here in the next 30 minutes" answered Yang, "Is it alright if I wait for her" "Yeah it's fine".

As Naruto waited he began to contemplate over what he should say and how should he deliver his farewell goodbye.

Time would pass with Naruto stuck in his thoughts, and after thinking about it, he knew that thinking about it was a bad idea, and opted just tell Ruby and Yang that he's leaving then and when the present comes.

Speaking of Ruby, the sweet gothic red head saw Naruto, and dashed her way and hugged tackled him out his seat.

"Oof, good to see you to Ruby" smiled Naruto, "It's been so long" Ruby said with a cat like smile as they continued to stay like that until an old man passed by and saw the commotion and gave Naruto a weird look.

"Hey Ruby, I'm happy and all, but think you can get off so I can get up" Naruto said nervously, "Come on Ruby, let's give Naruto some space to breath and you two can catch up over lunch" Yang said as she brought a tray of chocolate chip pancakes with a side of sunny side eggs and bacon with coffee on the side for Ruby, and waffles with scrambled eggs and sausage links with orange juice for Naruto.

Ruby had happily obliged as she sat down with her personal favorite breakfast being served to her as Naruto got up and proceeded to join Ruby.

"Don't worry Naruto, this is one is on me today" Yang said as she began to get back to work, "Thanks" Naruto said as he took a sip of his OJ, "So what you been up to Ruby, how you feeling".

"I'm doing great considering how I graduated last week, and now that I'm an adult so I don't need to be supervised by Qrow or anyone for that matter" Ruby said happily, "That's great to hear, though I gotta know how you guys been doing with rent" asked Naruto.

"To be honest, the money Yang would give our Uncle is what covered to let us rent out at our place, so it's as if nothing has happened, well almost" Ruby said, "Really, how so" asked Naruto.

"Well I didn't think you know, but my sister and Blake are more than just good friends" Ruby said as Naruto began to smile with his mouth wide open, "Oh my god, what" said the blonde.

"Yeah so Blake moved in with us, and has helped to ease the stress for the lot of us" Ruby said, "Well that's good to hear, and I hope Yang knows that I'm happy for her and Blake" Naruto said, "Happy for me about what" asked Yang as she came to refill drinks.

"That you and Blake are an item" Ruby said with a cheeky smile, "Damn straight we are" Yang said proudly, "So how long have you guys been dating" asked Naruto.

"It was about 4 months after I began working here that I notice that Blake had her eyes set on me, so when day I confronted her, and she told me she liked me and then we hit it off from there" explained Yang.

"Well tell Blake I said best wishes, and that I think you two honestly make a cute couple" Naruto said, "I'll tell her that" Yang said as she left to continue work.

"So how was prison" asked Ruby though she said it more calmly, "Not good, not bad, like its jail, not prison so I didn't have to worry about dropping the soap or getting shanked" chuckled Naruto.

"Otherwise I got to catch up with Gaara" Naruto said, "And how is Gaara" asked Ruby, "He's alright, he's gonna be out in about 2 more months for good behavior, but otherwise has to get use to being part of society again, but given who his brother and sister are, he's got a pretty great advantage than most felonies get when they're free" smiled Naruto.

"That's great to hear" smiled Ruby back as she was half way done with her pancakes as Naruto barely got to eat one triangle of the waffle.

"What about you, how are you feeling since… well ya know" Naruto said as he remembered how beat up Ruby was when he saw her the first time at the hospital.

"I'm fine, don't worry the doctors said I was lucky to only come out with no internal bleeding or a concussion" Ruby said with a warm demeanor on her face as she knew that Naruto not once got to see her in person since that night.

"Good" Naruto said with a warm smile, before Yang had brought forth a Dutch apple pie a la mode to Naruto and Ruby, "This is on the house, from our very chef" smiled Yang as she continued to work.

"Looks like someone's got on Blake's good side" teased Ruby as she went and took a spoon of ice cream, "Hey leave some ice cream for the pie now" Naruto said as he took a bit of both pie and ice cream.

"So what's new for you" asked Naruto as he continued to eat, "Well I'm currently job hunting, and I'm currently on hold at a café I hang out at during my breaks at the community center" Ruby said as she was just about done with her meal.

"The community center, to think it's almost been a year since I first met you" Naruto said as he began to reminisce over how he was a bit of a self centered jerk and went as far as cut his cheeks as he unconsciously touched his face.

"You came a long way Naruto" Ruby said as this got Naruto to look at her eye to eye, "And I'm proud of you and I'm sure if Sasuke were to see you, he'd be very proud".

"Thanks Ruby" Naruto said as he just finished his food, "So what's your next plan" asked Ruby, "Well my dad kicked me out, and he didn't say or do it to my face, but ya know what it's not a biggie considering I plan to leave" stated Naruto.

"Leave, what do you mean" asked Ruby as she knew what Naruto meant by leaving, "I can't stay here in Agora anymore, to many memories, to many things holding me back" explained Naruto as he had a glum look on his face.

"Where do you plan to go" asked Ruby as she was sadden over this revelation, "I think I plan to go back up north, maybe not San Francisco or the Silicon Valley, but maybe places like Sunnyvale or cities that aren't quite part of big cities" explained Naruto.

"I know this is sudden, but I ain't got no job, no home, no place to go so I got no choice but to hit the road, pack it up and disappear" Naruto said as Ruby suddenly grip his hands and began to let the water works talk.

"But you got a reason to be here, and are always welcome back to see me and Yang" Ruby said as tears began to run down her face as Naruto was feeling pretty shitty about ditching Ruby right after seeing her.

"Please just stay and think it over at our place" insisted Ruby, "Ruby I don't think that be fair for Yang or Blake" Naruto said as he could still see the child lingering in Ruby even though she's now a legal adult.

Ruby had sat there silent for a while before wiping her tears and giving Naruto a determined look, "Then let me come a long with you" Ruby said.

"What?!" exclaimed Naruto, "Ruby no, I mean seriously what would your sister say, I mean even you have plans to reach academic heights and live a better life for yourself" Naruto said trying to reason with the red head.

"School is not issue, I can go study anywhere, and work anywhere" stated Ruby, "But what about your family, I'm sure Yang's not gonna say" "Go on and tag along with him" Yang said as she cut Naruto off.

"Yang, how much have you heard" asked Naruto worriedly, "Long enough to ask you to please take Ruby along. I know it's asking for a lot, but truthfully I haven't been there where it matters for her to sit down and consider me as family, and to not go along with you, so please don't take Ruby for my sake, but for the sake that you both need each other" Yang said.

Naruto was cornered, he was ready to cut ties and say goodbye, and start all over with by himself, but now he was asked to bring along Ruby.

Naruto had thought hard, and considering how he couldn't become new again without Ruby, he just decided to give in, "Sigh, alright Ruby you can come with me" Naruto said as Ruby came out the other side of the booth and hugged him with tears of joy running down her face.

"I hope you know it's not gonna be an easy journey, there's bound to be struggle on the way" warned Naruto as a last effort to get Ruby to reconsider, "I'm not exactly from a well off family, and beside the only way out of here is to go on and move forward" Ruby said.

This kid, thought Naruto as he thought it over that maybe it won't be so bad as he had thought to have some company around, especially when someone was in the same boat as him with the want to start all over.

"So when did you plan to leave" asked Ruby, "Tonight" answered Naruto, "Why don't you guys hold it off till tomorrow, give's Ruby some time to pack, and for you guys to properly plan as to how you're gonna get up north" Yang said.

"Alright fair enough" Naruto said as this also gave Naruto to do some unfinished business before saying goodbye.

Later

Naruto had texted Temari for Shikamaru's number, and called him and the guys up to gather up for one more game and to give his goodbyes.

The place was at the same basketball court where they had their reunion for the first in years as Kiba, Choji, and Shikamaru arrived together in shorts and wife beaters with one of them carrying a ball at hand.

"Hey Naruto, the guys told me you got out today, how ya been" asked Choji, "Pretty good, just wanted to play one more game with you guys before I say goodbye" Naruto said.

"Goodbye?" repeated Kiba as he and Choji were confused, but Shikamaru knew the reason for coming out here, and the meaning behind Naruto's words.

"I'm leaving Agora tomorrow, and I wanted to at least spend my last day playing ball with my friends" smiled Naruto as the trio were left awestruck.

Sure it was sad to hear Naruto was leaving after getting out of jail, but seeing how Naruto was sincere in gathering them all together, they couldn't help but all smile.

"Alright then, what the hell are we waiting for" Kiba said with his game face on, "Let's make this a memorable night guys" Choji said equally determined, "Shit, make a guy regret smoking for these past few years" Shikamaru said sarcastically.

Nightfall

When the moon began to peak over, the four adult men had played to the point that they were on the brink of collapsing on the court that night.

"Huff, I think I speak for everyone that we're done for tonight" Shikamaru said as he was sweating up a storm and lighting himself a cig as means to catch his breath.

"Ya know it's a lot more healthier to drink like a Gatorade than to smoke a fag when working out, or when finish playing a physical activity" explained Choji, "Come on man, I already got Temari on my case about trying to quit" Shikamaru said.

"Hey, I'd like to see us both live old and retire as old guys, and that won't happen if you keep smoking that stuff" Choji said as the interaction he had with Shikamaru kinda reminded him with Sasuke.

I know where ya coming big guy, smiled Naruto before Kiba slumped a shoulder over him, "Come on Choji, don't act like a saint when you were guilty of rolling a blunt with us during prom" laughed Kiba.

"I only did it out of peer pressure, besides you guys don't have to live with the embarrassment of being called the fat guy who pigged out on the buffet table at prom" Choji said with a blush of embarrassment.

"Personally the type of weed like that shouldn't make you crave munchies like that" Kiba said defensively, "Speaking of food, who's hungry" asked Naruto, "I could eat" answered Shikamaru.

"After a game like this, damn straight" cheered Kiba, "Well come on guys, let's head to my folks restaurant and we can feast, on the house of course" Choji said.

"If we're gonna feast, we should have more people" Kiba said, "Alright I'll give Temari and her brother call and see if they're willing to eat with us" Shikamaru said, "Then I'll call Sakura" Naruto said, "Already dialing Ino, and Shino if they want to join us" Kiba said.

"Hold on, you mean the Ino who was the assistant captain of the cheer squad next to Sakura, and had a reputation to be bitchy" asked Naruto, "She's not that bitchy now, especially since I know how to mellow her out" Kiba said.

"Wait a minute, don't tell me you two are dating" asked Naruto, "Well to be honest, I'm trying to find a good way to propose to her" Kiba said with a sly smile.

"Kiba you sly dog you" Naruto said as he playfully punched his shoulder, "Hey why don't you invite Ruby over" Shikamaru, "Who's Ruby" asked Kiba, "She was my therapist, now best friend who helped me get back to normal".

"Say Naruto, before I make a call, do you want me to call Hinata" asked Shikamaru as he remembered how the relationship between the ex-couple was like, and given how she was nearly present at the trial.

"No, not tonight, not this time" Naruto said as he finally said goodbye when he was taken to jail, "Alright, need a lift to get there" asked Shikamaru, "I'll meet you guys there".

Once the guys left, Naruto stood there in the middle of the now empty court and was left alone to his thoughts.

Can't believe I'm turning this goodbye into a damn party, thought Naruto as he wanted to leave as silently with minimum contact and feeling with nothing holding him back.

But then again, given how influential he was throughout his life, I guess going out in a bang was definitely more of his style, and since it was with friends who cared and bothered to stay by him today, Let's rage the night away, he thought as he headed towards the restaurant.

As Naruto made his way towards the restaurant, he had texted both Sakura and Ruby if they were interested in joining them.

Both responded yes, with Ruby inviting Yang over, and this got Naruto motivated to hurry at the restaurant.

When Naruto got there, he saw that the parking lot was nearly full, and the restaurant itself was given a very vibrant atmosphere as he made his way inside the restaurant.

Upon entering he saw that Choji along with Shikamaru, Ino, Temari, Kankuro, and some guy he never met was waiting for him at the table.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the man of the hour Naruto Uzumaki" called Choji as the party members clapped and cheered for his name, "Sweet" was all Naruto said as he grabbed himself a pint of beer, and chugged the sucker down.

"Naruto oh my god long time no see" Ino said as she embraced him in a hug, "Hey Ino, haven't seen you since graduation day" Naruto said, "Yeah, same could be said about you".

"By the what you been up to" asked Naruto, "Well, if you didn't know by now aside from dating Kiba, I've actually been modeling for Vogue for a bit" Ino said with pride.

"Damn, great for you. I hope Kiba is really grateful to have asked you out, speaking off where is he" asked Naruto, "He said he had to pick up Akamaru from the apartment" answered Ino.

As they were conversating, Naruto notice a dude sitting behind them wearing patrolman style sunglasses, and donned short spiky brown hair as he was eating medium spicy wings, and a side of curly fries,

"Hey, who's that guy over there" asked Naruto, "Oh, that's Kiba's partner from work, his name is Shino" Ino said before she leaned in closer to his ear, "Yeah, he has that 'when I was a kid, I collected bugs' type of vibe" "Ditto".

"So, you must be Naruto Uzumaki. Pleasure to meet you" Shino said in a monotone voice as he offered his hand to the recent released menace.

"Oh, uh thanks, and you are" trailed off Naruto as means to be nice, "My name is Shino Aburame, I'm Kiba's partner at work. He talks an awful lot about you" Shino said with a hint of jealousy, but given his voice, you could hardly tell the difference.

"Oh really, I didn't know" Naruto said as Shino said nothing as he went back, and continued to finish his plate of food, "Hey Naruto, long time no see" said Choji's father.

"Hey Mister Akamichi, it's good to see" said Naruto, "Good to see you too son. Say you still like a double cheddar and bacon burgers served medium rare" asked the patriarch to the Akamichi family.

"Damn right I do" Naruto said proudly, "Well wait no further" Mr. Akamichi said as he revealed a tray of the perfect double bacon and cheddar burger, served medium rare, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and his favorite condiment, mustard.

"Enjoy" Mr. Akamichi said as he left to maintain the family restaurant, as he left Naruto to mingle with his friends, and enjoy his food.

"Naruto" called Sakura as she sat right next to the blonde, "Hey Sakura, perfect timing" smiled Naruto.

"So what's going on, why the celebration" asked Sakura, "Well, tonight's my last night here, and somehow it turned into this" smiled Naruto, "Oh really, I didn't know".

Naruto notice how down Sakura was, and seeing her pained look got his heart tugging, before he wrapped an arm around the pinkette.

"Hey, just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I won't be in touch of you guys" assured Naruto as he got the pinkette to perk up, "Now enough being mopey, let's enjoy the night" Naruto said as he took a chunk out of his burger.

While everyone began to chat, drink and eat, Naruto had began to look back at his life once more, and instead of thinking of past regrets, and what his life could be, he learned to accept that in the midst of the chaos, he had more friends than he wanted to open up to.

He also accepted that he can't go back and make any changes, and he wouldn't want to, well except for being in jail, because in the long wrong he found he was looking for.

Tonight was officially the night that Naruto could say goodbye to his demons, and the darkness, and could be happy under the starlight like he was meant to be.

"Naruto" called Ruby as she ran from behind and hugged the blonde, "Hey Ruby, hey Yang" Naruto said as he turned to greet the elder blonde, "Hope we ain't late for the party" said Yang.

"Naw, it just started. Everyone I'd like you all to meet Ruby, and Yang" Naruto said as he greeted the sisters who's lives mean a lot o him now.

"Here's a fact you guys may not know, I wouldn't honestly be here if it wasn't for Ruby, who if she didn't went out and risked her own being to bring me out from the darkness within me, I'd probably be in either prison, or worse. So give a round of applause to Ruby alright" Naruto said as everyone did as he had ordered.

As Ruby, and Yang began to settle in to mingle, Naruto got a text from Kiba to step outside, as he had something for him in the back.

"Yo Kiba you out here" called Naruto, "Naruto good you came out. Anyways I got you something" Kiba said as he handed Naruto a gold plated lighter.

"A lighter" Naruto said a little perplexed, "Not any lighter, it's the lighter we used when we blazed for the first time behind the 7-11. I know it maybe some dinky old lighter, but this lighter has a lot of memorabilia to me, and well I want you to have" Kiba said with a light blush.

"Thanks Kiba, I'll hold it very dear" Naruto said as he brought Kiba in for a bro hug, "Now let's cut the sappy crap, and party the night away" Kiba said as they both went back inside the restaurant.

The next day

It was about 8 a.m. when Naruto woke up, he had moderated himself to not drink so much the night before as he began to get off the couch, and get dressed.

Already packed and ready, Naruto went out of his way to check on Ruby as knocked on the door to her room, before letting himself in.

Naruto saw that Ruby was just about ready as she finished packing herself a back pack, and a duffle bag with either clothes or other personal mementos.

"Ready to hit the road" asked Naruto, "Yup, just packed up so we can disappear" Ruby said with a playful smile and got Naruto to chuckle, "Alright then, let's go and say goodbye to Yang".

Both made their way out the room, then outside the house where they saw Yang mounted on a yellow motorcycle.

"Yang, is that what I think it is" Ruby said, "Yup, my old motorcycle. Had to go to that abandon auto shop where I left it last time, in all honesty I was surprise it was in still in one piece or even there" Yang said as she tossed a red helmet to Ruby, and Naruto some warped goggles.

"Yang I can't take this" Naruto said, "Just take it, I don't plan to ride that thing any time soon now, and I take it you guys are going to need a vehicle to get to places when you get there, so take something in style" insisted Yang.

Before anymore words can be said, Ruby had went and hugged Yang for the last time, "I'm gonna miss you sis" Ruby said as a tear escaped her face, "I'm gonna miss you too kid" Yang said with an equal teary smile.

It hurt Naruto knowing that he was a man originally who had no place to go, and obviously didn't felt he belong here in the city he known for a long time, and was forced to bring along a girl who still had family for her.

Sure it was a consensual group decision in the end, but it didn't felt right to an extent for Naruto.

"Ok Naruto, I need you to keep my sister alive and out of harm's way" Yang said, "For you Yang, you can count on me, believe it" Naruto said as both gave each other a goodbye hug.

Once they bid their fair wells, Naruto mounted on the bike first, with Ruby mounting behind him as she was the one carrying all of their stuff.

"Hold on tight now, and keep that helmet on" Naruto said as wrapped the goggles around his face, "Ready" Ruby said.

And with that Naruto and Ruby finally road off, not looking back as they said good goodbye to Agora Hills, and all of L.A., and a good riddance to all of their troubles that had held them both down and back for achieving their greatness.

Given how it was a long road to the City, none of them had any desires to stop, less it's for gas, or to wear off the fatigue of constantly driving, as they drove past the many shores and beaches along the west coast.

They also took the time to think about the well being and hope of their friends, and wished them all well as it helped them past the long hours on the road as the sun began to set.

As they continued on the road, they notice a tour bus was up ahead of them, and curiosity got the best of them as Naruto drove up close to see which band it was.

To Naruto's surprise it was none other than LINKIN PARK, and seemed like they were ready to start touring again.

"Think if we follow them long enough, maybe they'll let us in to see a free show" shouted Ruby, "Wouldn't hurt to try, in fact I heard they had an album drop last year, and it was pretty great from what I heard from fans" Naruto said as he was locked in pursuit to see a band, and make it the starting point of their new lives.

The End

Well here you go guys, the conclusion we've all been waiting for, I hope you guys like the little nod to the band towards the end right there.

I won't deliver the usual message of being aware of suicide like always since I think I said it enough times now, I just want to let you guys know that I wouldn't have turn this into a full fic if it wasn't for you guys, and I hope this helps in some way or another.

And to boot it off, this is actually the first fic I've ever finished completing, and frankly I'm glad I made this fic to be the one I finished.

Once more I want to say thank you for your support and those who will continue this in the near future, aside from that I got some other work to write now.

This has been your Humble Narrator, a Soldier for life.