Payback Peppered

[*starfruits*]

The raven-haired youth bonked his hand atop Naruto?s head idly, eyes closed and seemingly irritated by the snide remark, ?You?re just as objective, Naruto-kun?? Words were difficult, after all? action, as the proverb was, spoke louder than words, ?Sa, we?re here!?

He paused outside the apartment, and smiled, flushing as he bestowed a quick, enfolding hug and squeeze to the slightly shorter genin, rearing back to bow his head, ?Goodnight, Naruto-kun!?

[Hrtofdrkns]

Naruto blinked, the slowly returned the hug. Even though he hated getting spanked, it felt good knowing that all was forgiven. "Okay, night."

[*starfruits*]

With that, and one farewell wave, Rock Lee paced in the opposite direction, blinking back tears of fatigue, diminishing into Konoha?s innards seeking his own shanty apartment, the sun lowering and shouldering its orange to pink brow into the bosom of night.

Much like Naruto had stated, he found no more unwelcome surprises in his wave on his way home. It would be easy to fall asleep once he finally got himself to a pillow, a doorframe, a sofa or a floor that was his.

He found that it was.