Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Shuffle along with any other references made.
Beta reader Phoenix Helix
Chapter one-The start
A/N This idea is based on Haseo55's Return to a normal life challenge. I had gotten his permission to use it. Which I'm thankful for, anyway enjoy.
In a village that still bore scars of a recent attack though recovering; you could see various people moving on with their day. On a mountainside nearby that had five faces craved into it there sat one young man watching the village with uncertainty consuming his blue eyes. He had on a black and orange jumpsuit and seemed to be about five-eight.
The person's name was Namikaze Uzumaki Naruto. He was sitting on top of the stone visage of his father's head.
He signed in frustration at the events. 'It's been four months since the end of the war. So why did everything go back to the way it was before the war. I showed them that I'm no demon, so why the isolation?' Naruto thought in complete confusion.
He did everything right. He saved the world from Tobi's moon eye plan and brought back Sasuke. Sakura seemed to forget about him also.
'No, I should have known that would happen. She never cared about me like that. I was just a way for her to get the precious Uchiha back. Then everyone else became cold to me. This is starting to become tiresome. It's time to go home,' thought the young man.
He started jumping off the mountain to his apartment. It was in ok condition, but there were signs of it being trashed. At first it was left alone, but then came the graffiti, and people trying to break in. He put a stop to that with various seals that he made.
He started studying them after he learned about his heritage and at the wars end. For all kind of different uses they presented. Walking on into his bedroom to sit down on his bed and start rubbing his eyes. Naruto looked at various pictures.
Looking at one picture brought a smile to his face. It had two other young men in brown and white school uniforms. Naruto was wearing the same uniform also. Standing close-by was a little bit taller heterochromia girl and orange-hair girl. Both were wearing the female version of the uniform.
'I wonder how everyone's doing right now. Especially Mayumi, knowing her having trouble with school again,' Naruto snickered at the thought.
Then again he had the same problems at first with the schools work. However with some hard work he was able to get the hang of it and helped the poor girl. In a different picture it was just the two of them. Mayumi had an arm wrapped around a blushing Naruto while smiling at the camera.
'We did seem to have some kind chemistry together. I didn't think about it at the time with everything going on. I was too interested in keeping my promise to Sakura,' thought Naruto remembering his time away from the elemental counties.
Jiraiya had taken him to a civilian high school for a year.
(Flashback)
"Hey Ero-sennin why are you taking me to a school again?" asked a younger Naruto in the Verbena Academy's uniform.
Jiraiya was a 50ish old man in strange outfit. He looked at his apprentice annoyed.
"You need some education if you're going to Hokage. Plus there seem to be nice looking girls here," said the perverted man chuckling lecherously.
Naruto sweat dropped at his teachers antics.
"Why am I not surprised by that? Can't you just teach me that while training me? I need to get Sasuke back, so I don't have time for fun," said Naruto in a tight tone.
Jiraiya glared back at the young one.
"We still will train here but," Jiraiya looked straight into Naruto's eyes. "You need to learn. You can't just expect to be a Hokage with your limited knowledge. After all not everything can be fixed with your fist," said Jiraiya with restrained frustration.
Naruto lowered his head in defeat. Jiraiya smirked in victory, and now looked to see the school building ahead.
"There you are gaki so get going," said Jiraiya pointing to the school.
"All right I'm going, I'm going. Please don't get into trouble Ero-sennin," said Naruto with a sigh.
Jiraiya just smirked. "Please you're talking to the great Jiraiya!"
"More like the great Ero-sennin baka," Naruto muttered softly to himself.
Naruto walked on to the school.
(Later classroom)
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto pleased to meet you," said Naruto in a bored tone.
So far it has been a boring day with nothing to do, but learn.
"Alright then take a seat by Thyme over there," said a young purple-haired woman pointing to a spot.
Naruto took the seat with the bored look.
"Now that's out of the way let's started with today's lesson," said Nadeshiko while getting together the materials.
Unknown to Naruto, the girl next to him was looking at him curiously.
'So that's the transfer student. I smell a scoop,' thought Mayumi while eyeing Naruto with interest.
(Flashback end)
'To think that I would get her attention the most, Mayumi did have one hell of a curiously about me. At the same time it was for the best, I did find some friends there. So it wasn't all bad,' thought Naruto with a smile at the memory.
He even helped with Rin's and Kaede's problem. Before he left they were on better terms, because of his help.
'Those two were a little sad at seeing me go. After all I became that damn clubs of Kaede's worse nightmare. I brought the fear of god with all the pranks I pulled on them,' thought Naruto while snickering at clubs misfortune.
They thought he couldn't do anything to them. He proved them all dead wrong. At the end of his little prank war with the club, the mere sight of him the made them run for cover. Naruto then laughed at the thought of another victim.
'Then there was Nadeshiko-sensei, she thought she could boss around. I guess she should learn not to underestimate an Uzumaki,' thought Naruto having a big grin at getting back at the teacher.
She just had to make him mad at her, with that rude attitude. Mayumi did make him restrain himself, since she was a friend of hers. A lonely look appeared on his face about the day he left.
(Flashback- the train station)
The two visiting ninjas had everything packed and were ready to leave. Standing close-by were Rin, Itsuki, Mayumi, and Kaede. Each of them was wearing street clothes to see them off.
"So you leaving for your home?" asked a brown haired young man, wearing a simple t-shirt and shorts.
"Yes it's time for me to go. I need to keep my promise," replied Naruto with sadness at leaving.
A blond teenager with glasses and wearing a pair of brown pants, and a white shirt.
"To that Sakura girl?" asked Itsuki with a sly tone.
Naruto nodded while Mayumi started to look jealous. Naruto don't catch the look, but Jiraiya caught it.
'It seems that this girl has in for the gaki. She not much on the top department, but then again hime was like that. So she might have promise later down the road,' thought Jiraiya having a big grin.
Rin sighed. "To bad, I wish you could stay. After all the KKK will most likely is coming after me again."
Everyone chucked at the statement.
"Well that's what they get for trying to declare war with me. Your one of my friends so anything goes," said Naruto with a confident tone.
An orange haired girl wearing a white sundress handed a basket to Naruto.
"Here you go Naruto-kun. I baked you snacks for the trip," said Kaede with a smile.
"I'll enjoy them Kaede. You take care of Rin, he needs it," said the blond ninja jokingly.
Kaede blushed at the jab while Rin had flat look. Mayumi seemed to be fiddling about something. Itsuki slapped the girl on the back. Mayumi glared at her friend.
"Came on Mayumi, let it already. You might not see him again so quit stalling," said Itsuki with a teasing tone.
Naruto became confused at the scene. Mayumi signed and then walked up to Naruto.
Mayumi kissed Naruto on the cheek. "That's for good luck," said Mayumi while blushing up a storm.
Naruto could only blush at the intimate contact.
"Let's get a move on gaki, or would you rather stay here longer. After all you might want to have some fun with Mayumi here," said Jiraiya with teasing tone.
"Don't you start Ero-sennin! We're just friends!" cried out Naruto while waving his arms.
Everyone just laughed at blonds antics, expect for Mayumi who could only blush. The two got on their train. Now leaving Mayumi only looked lost at the twos departure.
'I'm going to miss him. He was a bit strange, but nice. He was my first crush or along the lines of that. That Sakura girl better take care of him or I'll find a way to kick her butt!' thought the heterochromia girl with a clenched fist.
She couldn't understand it herself, but there was something about the blond. He called her very cute. She hasn't had many comments like those from the opposite sex. Naruto seemed to really care about her.
'It seems that Naruto is a charmer in his own way. I'm sorry that he is leaving. He had potential, but maybe it would be best for him to be Mayumi. Mayumi really did fall for the guy. They would have been a nice couple,' thought Itsuki seeing the look on Mayumi's face.
He cared for his friend deeply. Mayumi at times was lonely. They seemed to have some kind of attraction to each other. Mayumi noticed it at first. Naruto was a different story. It seemed that he was struggling with his own feelings.
They could guess what waited in store for the blond ninja. Currently in the train, Naruto just sat down in silence. He felt troubled at Mayumi's show of affection. Never before did he receive anything like that from a girl.
"You thinking about that kiss gaki?" asked Jiraiya looking somber.
"Yes...it's just I don't know what to do Ero-sennin. I still have feelings for Sakura-chan, but then there's something I feel for Mayumi. I don't know anymore!" said a very confused Naruto.
Jiraiya put a hand on the blonds shoulder. Naruto looked at his sensei lost at what to do.
"Looks like Mayumi really became more than a friend to you," said Jiraiya with a knowing tone.
"I guess so, but at the same time. What about Sakura-chan? I almost feel like I'm betraying her. I don't know," said Naruto covering his face with both hands.
"Why not return."
"Huh?"
"After you're done with Sasuke, you can come back. Things might change in Konoha or with Sakura. There's a good chance for you to be with Mayumi," said Jiraiya with somber-like tone to a confused Naruto.
"I guess so. Why do say that Ero-sennin, I thought you would be saying stay with Sakura-chan," asked Naruto to a sighing Jiraiya.
"I don't want to follow in my footsteps."
"You mean like with you and Baa-chan."
Jiraiya nodded. "Right, I could have someone else a long time ago. But I had chosen not to for the sake of pursing hime. That had totally blown up in my face. At least consider it Naruto," said a worn out Jiraiya.
"I will Jiraiya-sensei," replied a thoughtful Naruto.
"Now you realize my wisdom!"
Naruto shook a fist at the older man. "I've haven't Ero-sennin!"
(Flashback end)
Naruto started to feel a spark of determination.
"I think it's time to follow Ero-sennin's advice. I kept my promise to Sakura and for what! To be thrown away like a used tissue! I think not!" said Naruto with a tone filled with anger.
Then he looked at two pictures that made him scowl. The first one was of his team before Sasuke's defection. The other one had him and everyone else after the war.
"They abandoned me! After all I did for this stupid village! My father's plan did work, but now it beginning to piss me off! Wanting to be the Hokage, having to save the village from Tobi, I think it's time for me to make my own choices!" said Naruto getting even madder.
He understood that Tobi needed to be stopped, but what about after it. It seemed everyone else had to tell him what to do with his life. Not anymore.
"It's time for me to start making my own path," Naruto looked determined. "I going back to Verbena and finish my schooling. It would be rough starting a new life there, but then again. Where would be the fun in that," said Naruto making a fist.
Naruto looked at the picture of him and Mayumi. "I don't know if we can have relationship Mayumi. However thanks to you, I came to understand Kurama better."
The odd thing about Verbena was that there were gods, and demons living peacefully there. Even Mayumi was half-demon, that didn't stop him from liking her. Mayumi at times was spirited, but was kind in her own way toward him.
Naruto looked softly at the picture. "We find out when I get there. You did treat me better than Sakura every did. However before I leave there are things that need taking care of first."
Naruto stood up and started walking to the door. He needed to meet a certain Hyuga heiress.
(A Training field)
There was young woman sitting down. She had long purplish hair, wearing a baggie jacket, and simple pair of black pants.
'That's good enough for now. I wonder how Naruto-kun is doing. He seems so down lately,' she signed in understanding. 'Well the reason is because everyone is shunning him again. He did so much for the village. Then Sakura's actions lately, she's only been focusing on Sasuke,' thought the pale eyed girl with sadness.
Hinata was lost at the change happening all-round. Her object of affection was suffering, and she couldn't do anything about it.
"There you are Hinata," said a voice behind her.
Hinata snapped to fighting stance on instinct to face the person.
"N-Naruto-kun!" cried out Hinata in shock at seeing the nervous young man.
"Sorry about that Hinata. I was looking for you," replied Naruto while rubbing the back of his head.
Hinata relaxed at seeing it was Naruto.
"You were looking for me Naruto?" asked Hinata begin to blush at the statement.
Naruto nodded and looked serious. "We need to talk about your confession during Pein's attack."
"A-A-About my c-confession?" asked Hinata nervous.
Naruto nodded. Hinata had butterflies in her stomach at Naruto's reply and look. She hoped he would return her feelings, but at the same time there was doubt.
"I'm sorry Hinata!" cried out Naruto while bowing at the girl.
"N-Naruto-kun!" said Hinata clearly shock at the blonde's antics.
"I can't return your feelings in that way," said Naruto with sadness apparent.
Hinata started to cry at the statement. It as she feared.
"I'm in love with someone else. I didn't mean to string you along. It just with everything happening, I couldn't find the right time to sort out my own feelings. So I'm really sorry!" Naruto explained with sincerely.
Hinata felt her heartbreak from what Naruto said. However at the same time she could understand his honestly.
"Naruto-kun, please stand up," said Hinata trying to find the strength to talk.
Naruto did what the girl asked him. He looked at the girl with sadness.
"I-I don't know what to say Naruto-kun, but can you please tell me. Who might this person be? Is she someone from the village?" asked Hinata wanting to know if it was someone she knows.
"She is someone that I meet on my training journey with Ero-sennin. I'm sorry, but that's all I'm going to tell you Hinata," replied Naruto.
Hinata was taken aback by the statement.
"Why not Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata confused.
"I'm leaving the village in order to be with her. I don't want anyone to know where I'm going. That's if they care!" said Naruto with some anger.
Hinata was torn. On hand Naruto was running away from the village, but at the same time. It was understandable; they didn't seem to care about him.
"I-I won't stop you Naruto-kun," Hinata said finally finding the resolve to talk.
Naruto nodded in respect. "Thank you Hinata, I'm still sorry that it had to happen like this. Hinata please take care," said Naruto with sincerely.
"I will Naruto-kun and you to," Hinata said with tears running down her cheeks at losing the chance to be with the blond.
"I don't worry. I will so sayonara Hinata."
After that was said Naruto jumped out of site. Hinata fell on the ground totally spent.
"I hope…you do find happiness Naruto-kun. I hope you do," muttered Hinata to herself still crying at her loss.
'I'm sorry Hinata, but it's for the best. You don't deserve being lied to. This is my choice, so there is no turning back now!' Naruto thought while having some tears of his own.
(Hours later-outside Konoha)
Running away from the village Naruto carried a backpack. It was filled with all of his things sealed in scrolls.
'Well that went better than expected. All that's left to get onto a boat that will take me there,' thought Naruto while planning his next move.
Everything that needs to be done was done.
'I wonder if they come looking for me? Maybe or maybe not, ether way it's no longer my concern. After all I did leave a parting gift,' thought the ninja still running to his destination.
It was time to start forging a new chapter of his life, only this time didn't involve someone else's plan in it.
To be continued.
A/N Feel free to leave a comment or review. Sayonara.