Hi again. I'm not really sure as yet where this will lead, but bear with me, okay? Might include eventual SasuNaru... No idea. Basically this is me exploring the non-AU world, where Naruto is not some poor guy who has to chase after bastard Sasuke. This is strong Naruto; he will show the world.
Heh heh.
Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto.
Edit: Due to the ridiculously small summary character limit, I just want to add some stuff here. Genres will include Angst, Suspense, Romance and Drama. There will be slight SasuNaru Yaoi at the beginning. Not sure if there will be in the long run though.
This was nothing compared to the Uchiha's own hatred. This darkness emanating from his blonde friend – hopefully that term was still valid – was an all-consuming kind, the kind that spread and slid under your skin, thick and silky and almost tangible.
"Goodbye, Sasuke. It was nice knowing you!" The blonde's voice wasn't empty, not like Sasuke's had been when he'd left his team behind for Orochimaru. Instead, it was filled with emotion. The only problem being, it was the wrong kind of emotion.
His voice was erratic, if that was even possible; as if it would have exploded from the Kyuubi vessel had it not been released at that moment. His voice was a mixture of excitement, regret, pleasure, and a tinge of haughtiness. Not the kind of childish haughtiness he had possessed when younger, but the kind that was justified, the kind that Sasuke himself had hoped to achieve, and still continued to hope. It was also the kind that was realised only one way: with the blood of a powerful man on his hands.
That man being one of the three legendary Sannin: Orochimaru.
OOO
It hadn't been evident at first. The blonde did missions, enthusiastic as usual, 80% of the time claiming how good he was and how he'd beat the Uchiha's ass in no time and bring him back to his senses, back to Konoha.
But slowly, surely, his many smiles became faker and faker. They never decreased in numbers, oh no, their consistency went so far as to even scare her. However, they'd never quite reach his eyes. She'd brushed it off, thinking he was undergoing a rough patch and when the time was right would reveal whatever brilliant plan he'd cooked up. To 'save' Sasuke, no doubt.
But it had never happened. Three weeks after noticing the blonde's fake smiles, he'd given them all a letter and a giant hug, telling them not to open it until midnight. The Rookie 9, Sand nins – who were on a short vacation during this time of peace and decided to spend it in Konoha –, and even Tsunade and Jiraiya had suspected nothing. It sounded like exactly the kind of spontaneous, out-of-the-blue thing Naruto would do.
That night, as the clock struck twelve, Kakashi, Iruka, Tsunade, Jiraiya, even the old ramen-stall owner and the Rookie 9 gang opened their letters.
Gasps throughout Konoha were heard.
She remembered her own letter as if it were specially ingrained in her mind by some kind of jutsu. Of course, she kept it in a locked box along with all her other Sasuke treasures. This one wasn't from Sasuke, however. No, it was from her other teammate.
Hi Sakura!
No '–chan', she noticed absentmindedly.
I know how it's been hard for you, with Sasuke gone and all. And I'm really thankful for the extra attention that you've showered on me, for that.
She'd been heartbroken when Sasuke had left her; Naruto had been her pillar of support throughout the ordeal and she felt it was her duty to return the favour in kind, and the only way she knew how.
By caring.
But the time has come. I can't stand it anymore; first the villagers, and now Sasuke? I'd considered him a rival, a comrade, a friend... But never mind about that, I didn't write this to rant about Sasuke.
The important thing is, so many people have abandoned me; if not, abusing me. Of course, you, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, and the others have treated me wonderfully. But, I'm just starting to realise, is this enough? Is having a few friends, friends who might one day die at the hands of my former friend... Having a friend betray me is enough; I don't think I'd be able to endure the pain if my friends died at the hand of said former friend. Not if I could do something about it.
I mean, why spend my life protecting a village who hates me, protecting friends who either betray me or don't need my protection... Ero-sennin has been teaching me some pretty cool moves, but they aren't enough. Not if I want to beat Sasuke.
And so, by the time you are reading this, I'd have left. Left the village, for good. I'm not coming back, Sakura. Don't get me wrong; I'm not going to betray you guys or Konoha, I'm just going to find my place in this world. Travel around, pick up new jutsus... When the time comes, I'll come back, of course, to protect you guys and Konoha. You're still my friends, and Konoha's still my home village. Nothing will ever change that, be assured.
Don't bother looking for me. I've taken certain precautionary measures, thought out everything these past few weeks. I know you noticed; I saw the glances you sent my way. But not once, not once did you ask me if anything was wrong. But it's okay, I'm used to it.
Reading that sentence, Sakura felt horrible.
So this here's goodbye, Sakura. For now. Don't worry, I'll be okay. I can handle myself in this harsh, cruel world. Been doing it my whole life.
Sakura's heart clenched.
And now I have to write the others their letters (don't want them all fighting for a piece of my awesomeness!), so I'll end this here.
See you in a few years, Sakura.
Naruto.
P.S. Sakura, I hope you and the gang go to Teuchi's often. Now that I'm gone, old man's business can't be too good *grins*
Her vision started to blur, and to her horror she noticed she was staining the fragile paper with her tears. NO! I can't let Naruto's last gift to me get dirty! She began rubbing furiously at her eyes, getting rid of the tears there. Next, she used a drying jutsu and got the paper back to normal, even if it looked even more fragile than ever.
Fragile, like the relationship between him, Sasuke and I.
Tears streaked down her cheeks, and she realised ashamedly that she'd started crying again. No, ninjas don't cry! She was a proud, strong kunoichi! She wasn't about to break down!
But it had been too hard for her. Even Inner Sakura has slunk away to the confines of her mind, the usually feisty spirit subdued and sporting a few tear stains of her own. Defeated, Sakura crept into bed, not even bothering to brush her teeth, and cried herself to sleep for the 2nd time in two years.
OOO
Having read the letter, Tsunade was boiling with rage. Not at Naruto exactly, though she was mad at him too, but more of his idiocy. How in the world did he expect her not to go searching for him? She treated him like family! She'd lost her loved ones, and she wasn't about to let him go too. She was adamant about that fact.
She was certain, once the blonde had been found and some sense knocked into his head, that he'd stay. But, much as she didn't like it, a sense of doubt crept into her mind. It was Naruto's lifelong dream to be Hokage, but by running away, he'd given up that dream. Forever.
Uzumaki Naruto just might be serious about this escapade of his. And, knowing him, he was not going to give up on what he'd started. However, much as Tsunade appreciated his determination, she couldn't help but hope that it failed him in this.
Her conflicting emotions scared her. Tsunade had never felt so vulnerable since Orochimaru's offer before she became the Hokage.
After reading the letter, she had sent 10 ANBU out to search for Naruto. A little unnecessary, maybe, but the Hokage had emotional attachment to this boy, and he'd improved greatly these past two years with regards to Sasuke's departure. He'd also been reported to have spent days alone in his house on end, not leaving even for ramen. If he'd been working on some new jutsus, which was highly likely, then she figured she'd need all the ANBU she could get.
Picking up her phone, she planned to dial for all of the important people in the blonde's life, requesting an immediate, urgent meeting. She needn't have bothered, right as she was about to press the first button four simultaneous knocks resounded on her door. Wait no, one came from the window.
Kakashi.
And standing in the recently opened doorway (whose door seemed to be lying broken and splintered on the ground): Iruka, Jiraiya and Gaara. The latter shinobi floated in gracefully on a pile of sand, before resting directly in front of the Hokage, face emotionless. The Kazekage-to-be had always had a soft spot for Naruto. Just as she was about to smile and greet her late-night visitors warmly, Gaara's cold voice spoke.
"Explain. Now."
She slumped back in her chair, looking down. It was going to be a long night.
So... How? Review please. What do you think should happen? What do you want to happen?