THE BREAKING OF 5TH NINJA WAR

Disclaimer- I own this story. Kishimoto adores Sasuke-kun while I don't. Now enjoy!

'There's no victor in war, only less of a loser.'

Chapter 1

Madness clashed with divine light, devouring thousand sacrifices, rivers of blood and tattered souls with itself.

Rain of crimson liquid has left numerous scars for next generation to acknowledge the price that has been paid for freedom.

But it was finally over, now he can live another day in peace.

To the world, he was a savior, a pillar of hope, a mountain of strength that never crumbles.

But even the epitome of goodness can falter as his sacred shell was beginning to crack with every heinous sin he commits. The sea shores were silent, but there was storm raging in horizon, waiting eagerly to dance with nature.

He did his best to maintain his turmoil, never looking back and for the first time in his life, everyone was looking at him with admiration.

But why was he feeling so hollow? His lifetime dream has been achieved. His promise to Sakura was fulfilled. Even his name was being tossed up for the Hokage's seat. He was going to wear the same hat that Sandaime used to. But something wasn't right, he could sense it.

"Lost in thoughts, dickless?" came from his very close friend.

Naruto gave a frustrated sigh, "I don't know Sai. Everything is fine, it should be, but I just don't feel like it."

Sai settles next to his blond teammate, both friends sitting on Hokage monument under the red sky, with moon fighting sun for dominance.

"You are tired, you need some rest. Take a long leave and go on a vacation. I will cover for you" offers Sai to his best friend, as Naruto's eye widened at his words.

So far everyone has used him, no one has ever seen him as 'him' and it was always something else that they took him for.

'His parents used him for sealing of Kyuubi.'

'Sandaime lied on his face.'

'Jirariya has used him to fulfill his prophecy.'

'Tsunade saw him as her brother's replacement.'

Naruto's head was spinning with these thoughts but they wouldn't stop!

'Sakura used him to get Sasuke.'

'Sasuke betrayed him in the most painful way.'

'Kakashi has abandoned him for rookie of the year.'

'The only girl, who has kissed him, was buried in wave without any tombstone.'

'He has killed thousands in the name of a village, that discarded him in past.'

His whole life was spent as someone's serpent, until now. Because the former ROOT trainee sitting next to him could see right through his defenses.

Inside, he was just a tired boy, pleading for nap, but he didn't have this luxury.

Looking over his friend, Naruto replies "I can't Sai. This war has broken the backbone of Konoha. I have to take as many solo missions as I can. The village needs me."

Sai shook his head in disagreement, "you're doing this because you are told to. You don't have to sell your sanity for anything. Go find 'yourself' and take my offer, or better yet, take that lavender-eye with you."

Naruto smiles at his efforts to cheer him, "you are still new to these things, Sai and love doesn't work this way. Hinata is my friend, but apparently I'm just her crush. You don't fall in love with someone without getting to know them personally."

Sai's lips curled up to form an amused smile, "says the guy who has been chasing his pink haired teammate for years."

Naruto gave an affirmative nod, "I was a fool Sai and I've been fooling myself all my life along. Look, with whom I'm discussing my love life" Naruto finished with laugh.

"Go, Naruto. You not only deserve rest, but you also need it the most" said Sai, getting ready to leave.

"I think you are right Sai, but what about you?" asked Naruto, his voice carrying a sense of concern.

"I'm ex-ROOT, a shadow protecting this village. I can never take rest" replied Sai and faded away in shades of black ink.

Bells started ringing in Naruto's head at Sai's remark, 'something isn't right' but he decided to go with Sai's plan.

HOKAGE'S OFFICE-

A knock on his door forced a giggling Kakashi to close his book. Letting out an irritated groan, 6th Hokage spoke "come in!"

Kakashi was surprised to see his blonde student standing in office.

"Hokage-sama, I need some time off my duty" Naruto's voice was calm and collected, it should have alarmed Hokage but it didn't.

Tapping his chin, Kakashi replied "its fine Naruto. You've been working too hard lately. Is there something you want to talk about? I'm all ears."

His question troubled Naruto, he was never the lying one but this time he couldn't comply with honesty, "no Hokage-sama."

"Very well Naruto, you've been granted leave for one month. And if you want, I can send Hinata Hyūga as your mission escort" said Kakashi with his famous eye smile, only for Naruto to let out a frustrated grunt.

"Common, sensei! There's nothing going on between us. I'm leaving before anyone nags me anymore!" explained Naruto, lifting his hand in mock surrender as he turned to leave office.

Kakashi could feel something off about his student, but couldn't place fingers on it. So he did what he could in this moment of tension, he flipped pages of his favorite orange book and started his perverted giggles.

Outside his office, Naruto raced to his apartment, getting ready to leave Konoha with his mind debating about his vacation spot. 'It's been a while since I've seen little Inari, so next stop Wave! Tsunami-san cooks better than me' thought Naruto, packing his outfits and weapons. 'Once a ninja, always a ninja.'

Naruto was about to open his door when a beaming Sakura knocked on his door, 'what does she wants now?'

"Open the door, Naruto! I have some good news for you!" announced Sakura, tapping harder than before.

"Jeez… Sakura-chan, I'm coming. So, what's making my girlfriend yelling like school girls?" asked Naruto jokingly, he was ready for bonk on his head but Sakura's revelation shocked him.

"We… I mean… Sasuke-kun and I are getting engaged next week. You know Sasuke and his mighty Uchiha attitude, so I'm here tell you that, you are our best man!" declared Sakura enthusiastically, Naruto smiled at her.

He should be feeling something, jealousy, happiness but he felt nothing. Nodding at her, Naruto responded "that's great Sakura-san, I'm very happy for you. I'm on my way to see Inari-kun."

"But you can't leave until our engagement party! We all know, you are trouble magnet. The second you step out of gates, you will be on some treasure hunt. I'm not going to let you slip this easily!" chided Sakura, her eyes blazing with fury.

Naruto face morphed in scowl but he decided to handle her with diplomacy, "Sakura-chan, I've mission to do. The village comes first, remember our pledge? I don't have to be here to make you guys happy, go spend some time with your love. You don't want me to peep on you on your wedding night, do you?"

"Stop playing games, Naruto! We've been teammates for 5 years, I know you better than anyone, so don't try to fool me!" snarled Sakura, her digits clenched into fist, 'he's hiding something from me!'

Naruto was getting irritated by her bickering, "I promise that I will be there for you, on your special day. Deal?"

Sakura stared at him, checking for deceit but found none, "Deal. But you have to give me some big gift for my engagement party."

His patience thinning with every thump of heart, "cool, now if my ex-girlfriend will allow me to leave, I have people to save."

But his humor was dry and forced 'is the seal breaking? It can't be'. He gulped at this thought, dying after surviving a war, was not something he dreamed of.

"Naruto, is there something wrong?" asked a quizzical Sakura, she knew her teammate very well and he was not acting as himself.

Naruto gave her an impatient look before shaking his head in negative and forcing a smile, "ma ma, if you will keep worrying about me so much, duck-butt will get jealous and go round on my ass."

Sakura laughs at his comment, as she spoke "alright! But always remember, I'll always be there for you, no matter what."

Naruto disappears in swirl of leaves but Sakura felt air whispering in her ears 'will you, Sakura-chan?', but she let it slide as some kind of mind trick.

Naruto sunshined to Konoha main gates, doing his best to avoid further confrontation, currently he was not in his best mood.

"Hey, Naruto! Is this another badass S-ranked mission that you can't tell us about?" asked an excited Izumo, his partner looking at him with similar expression.

Naruto gave an amused smile, "No Izumo, Kotetsu, I'm going on vacation."

Both guards checked him from head to toe before nodding to each other, "well it's you first time on vacation, enjoy!"

"I will" with that Naruto was gone, hopping on trees like some free animal, without any care of ninja world.

Inhaling fresh air that didn't stink with blood felt good to his lungs, he was about to speed up when cries from bushes halted his jump.

"A crying baby, in the middle of forest? Sai was right! I really need some off. War has definitely got me" he was broken from his inner slumber when the cries from bush grew louder.

Naruto dashed towards sound "Fuck! I need to check this."

There was small child, probably girl from the pink looks of basket she was in. She was crying loud enough to attract nearby's attention.

Her innocent brown orbits met his blue ones as Naruto quickly scooped her up and began making funny faces. Her cries stopped for a minute, only to start again.

Naruto searches her basket for some address but instead, he finds a letter.

To,

Whoever is reading this

I'm Hiromi Kuroshi, mother of the child you are holding now. I don't have much time for explaining. My home has been attacked, these ninjas have killed my family, but I have managed to take my daughter Shizuka away from them.

It was too close! They will be catching up on me any second!

Tell her that her parents have always loved her. As last wish of dying mother, please keep her away from ninjas. She's last from our clan and her powers will make her an easy prey of this greedy Ninja world...

Naruto couldn't make anything of writing after these lines; ink was distorted by liquid, most probably her fresh tears.

Naruto takes out his clothes from bag pack and ties Shizuka carefully on his back, loose enough for her comfort.

"Looks like, we both are stuck with each other, Heh Shizuka-chan?" asked Naruto, jumping on trees but Shizuka's giggles told him to speed up. The little girl was enjoying her ninja piggyback ride.

WAVE-

A knock on the door and it flung open to reveal a smiling Tsunami in her apron. Her face still seamless, as if untouched by time and her black hairs reached her hips.

"Come in Naruto-kun, you have gotten taller than before. Oh wait, you are even taller than me now!" said the older women, standing next to him.

"Umm... Tsunami-san, can I have some milk? Little warm, not too hot... something that 2 month old baby likes" his query brought an amused smile on older women's face.

Putting her hands on hips, Tsunami responded "are trying to make me babysit you? You are a handsome young man. Go find some young lady to play pranks."

But Naruto's only reaction was to turn around as gasp escaped her mouth. Untying little girl, Tsunami hurried to kitchen with Shizuka in arms.

After what felt like eternity to an impatient Naruto, Tsunami returned with little Shizuka. Young girl had different clothes and she was sucking on milk bottle.

Placing Shizuka on sofa with extra care, Tsunami addressed Naruto "So care to tell me, who's the lucky lady?"

Naruto face surfaced deep sorrow, as he replied "I found her in forest. Her mother died saving her". Naruto passed the letter to Tsunami.

After reading letter, she had horrified expression on her face, "oh poor child! What are you going to do, Naruto-kun? If I get correctly what it says, then she is not safe in ninja village and you belong to the biggest one!"

"Well if it's not a problem, can you look after her for this month? It's my time off duty, I was planning to spend my month with Inari, but fate has given me another duty" said Naruto, with hope distinct in his eyes.

Tsunami could only nod at him, 'always caring about others, he hasn't changed at all.'

Both adults were about to say something but sudden arrival of Tazuna and Inari interrupted their conversation.

"Nii-san, is this your baby?" asked an excited Inari, poking Shizuka on her legs as little girl curled up in ball.

Tsunami was about to scold her son but was beaten by Naruto, "as a matter of fact, she is my daughter. Can you give us some time alone, Inari-kun?"

"Hai!" yelled Inari, before running outside to tell his friends about his brother and baby girl.

Tsunami seemed apologetic but Naruto shrugged his shoulders, "its fine Tsunami-san. He's kid too, they are all the same and believe me, I've handled plenty of them." His thoughts lingered to Team Konohamuru.

"Well, I won't ask you anything brat. But you've never failed to surprise me" said Tazuna, shaking his head in disbelief.

At dinner table, Inari couldn't hide his excitement, "ne Naruto nii-san, will you meet my friends tomorrow?"

Naruto smiles at him, as he spoke "I'll Inari-kun", much to delight of younger boy.

"So what are you planning to do brat?" asked Tazuna, his curiosity obvious.

"Well, I was thinking about lending you hand in your work. It's been a while since I've constructed something, life of ninja is surely a destructive one" replied Naruto, hint of sadness on his face couldn't evade eyes of Tsunami.

"Well, let's get started" her announcement was enough for three hungry males to savor dinner within few minutes.

Next day, when Naruto left with Tazuna, he noticed people eying him with devotion, it was similar feeling to that in Konoha but these people were genuinely thankful to him.

"So brat, you will be carrying these bricks to that bridge. So stretch your limbs! It's not your daily ninja work" said Tazuna pointing at large mass of bricks.

But Naruto was never to back off from challenge, "we'll see old man."

"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu"

Hundred clones of Naruto puffed in smoke, covering the whole bridge. The civilian workers were watching their hero in amazement as the clones began to carry bricks.

"Its done, old man!" said Naruto, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead.

"Ah... I see. So how about breaking these stones? And please don't use your destructive jutsus, these rocks are attached with our mines" replied Tazuna, showing large rocks.

At the end of day, a huffing Naruto could be seen sitting on stones, "old man... this ... is heave... stuff..."

Tazuna broke down in laughter, "is Naruto Uzumaki giving up?"

Naruto stood up on his still sore legs and walked off to greet Inari while mumbling 'old drunk.'

At home, Naruto found Tsunami playing with Shizuka, older women looked really happy. It was heartening to see such scene after years of battle.

"Oh, Naruto-kun! Dad really did a number on you. You are all sweaty! Put your clothes in bathroom, I'll wash'em for you!" exclaimed Tsunami, concerned about her young guest.

Living alone for all his life did have disadvantage on him as he immediately started taking his shirt off.

Tsunami blushed heavily at the sight of his muscular abs, her mind was starting its game but she shook her head heavily, shaking improper thoughts, "Not here Naruto-kun!"

Naruto turned deep shades of red as he started apologizing instantly and dashed to enter bathroom to avoid further embarrassment.

The dinner was awfully silent until Tazuna decided to break it, "what's up brat? You are all red. I thought you can handle anything."

His taunt brought Naruto nervousness to disappear as he glared at Tazuna, "I will break every stone tomorrow, you old man!"

Tsunami smiled at his energetic nature while Inari was making different plans to follow Naruto. They were enjoying his visit, but he wasn't feeling the same way.

Naruto played with Shizuka, the little girl would only morph her tiny mouth in 'o' whenever he tried to teach her his name. After tiry session with baby girl, Naruto decided to sleep.

"You look tired, Naruto-kun. Shizuka will sleep with me, I don't think you can handle her now" spoke Tsunami, lifting his worries.

Naruto nodded at her, "You are very kind, Tsunami-san."

Everyone slept in peace. At least they were trying to, but blond guy couldn't shake off his thoughts that started haunting him after the war. Those images of dead bodies, scattered corpses and his blood stained hands, it began with night dreams, but lately it was happening too frequently. Wiping his sweaty face, Naruto decided to crash his night on terrace.

Lying under black sky, with stars twinkling randomly, he began to search for his mother in them and suddenly a star shined brighter than others.

"Is this power you wanted to give me, kaa-san? You really wanted me to use this? Did you ever thought about what'd happen if don't want to keep fighting?" he kept firing question after question but the star never replied.

"You don't have to fight, if you don't want to" replied a familiar voice from behind.

Naruto literally snapped his head to see Tsunami staring at him with concern, he shrugged his shoulders in uncaring manner, "it's impossible for me to leave, Tsunami-san. They will never unchain me. It's ironic, how my own parents chained me with life of killer and now, I can't my escape fate."

His reply took Tsunami by surprise. He was not the same boy she used to know, he was calm, mature and thoughtful…he was a man. The loudmouth and brash boy who'd lash out at every insult, has grown into fine and handsome man. Putting aside her thoughts, Tsunami asked "what do you mean by that, Naruto-kun? I'm sure, your parents have loved you."

Naruto nods his head at her, as he replied "I'm Jinchuuriki, Tsunami-san. I've demon sealed inside my body. There are eight others like me, my fate was sealed by my father and I'm supposed to be a ninja. Surely my parents loved me, there's no doubt about it. But it doesn't helps, when they are not here to show it. I've lived all my alone and the only person that was kind to me, lied on my face till his last breath."

His revelation shocked Tsunami, he was so bright on surface, but inside he was aching with pain.

Sitting next to him, she rubbed his shoulders softly as he continued "a Jinchuuriki is human sacrifice, my kaa-san told me there was nothing else she could do. But hell! She could have run away with me, away from all this chaos but she agreed with my father. I'm tired Tsunami-san, too tired to even think straight. Bloody war, endless missions, too much blood. I've forgiven everyone but not myself."

Tsunami could feel his pain even if it wasn't hers, but how could a civilian know the horrors of war and ninja life? Nodding at herself, she said "you are strong person Naruto-kun, a very strong person. But even the biggest rock needs a smaller stone to prevent itself from falling, you just have to find your stone."

Naruto was surprised to hear these words of wisdom from a lady who's never been to war, yet suffered in bloodshed.

"You are the only one after my friend Sai to even talk to me, about this. But you are better company than him, at least I don't have to hear dickless anymore" Naruto finished with small laugh, talking with Tsunami has cleared some mist off his brain.

"Oh! I completely disagree with your friend" teased Tsunami, quite contrary to her gentle nature.

Naruto was startled at this, he stared at her dumbly as gentle breeze passed through them, blowing Tsunami's hairs in the act.

He could smell her perfume, its aroma intoxicating his senses. He gulped nervously and averted his eyes from her.

Tsunami suddenly turns her to see the reason behind his abrupt silence; only to find her face close to him, too close.

Their lips moistened at the anticipation of bliss. Tsunami had her eyes closed and her mind numb from any stimuli, Naruto was in similar state.

Their faces drew closer and closer, but before rosy petals could taste each other's ecstasy, Naruto's eye shot opened and he jumped, as if possessed by spring.

"I'm sorry Tsunami-san! I don't know what I was thinking" apologized Naruto before sprinting to his room, leaving a startled Tsunami, whose lips were still quivering.

Next day, Naruto left with Tazuna. He was enjoying his work in Wave. It was refreshing and good change from his regularly killing job. He's grown accustomed to Shizuka. She was similar to him in many ways, but he had no plans to make her future similar to his.

Finishing his job, Naruto left to spend some time with Shizuka. Little girl was playing with dolls as Tsunami was trying to talk with her, if chewing could be considered as playing.

"Isn't she too little to talk?" Tsunami turned to see a confused looking Naruto, who was staring at her.

"She's is your daughter, Naruto-kun. Must be smart one" responded Tsunami, only for Naruto to give her disbelieving look.

"Me and smart? Have you been drinking sake, Tsunami-san?" he joked.

"Just a little, life of single mother is not what you see in those dumb movies. Well, you will know it very soon" her reply wasn't something he expected.

"Well, next time you start your party, invite me too. Mind if take my daughter? She needs some piggyback ride!" said Naruto, scooping Shizuka in his arms.

"I don't mind, are you sure you can do this Naruto-kun?" asked Tsunami softly, her mind knitting various images of ill Shizuka and frantic Naruto.

"What? I can drink gallons of sake!" replied Naruto, sending a wink at older women.

Tsunami sighs at his stupid attempt to avoid her question, "whatever you decide to do, I will always have your back."

Naruto nods his head in yes, 'it's better than a depressed Naruto' thought Tsunami.

Naruto left with Shizuka, hopping on roofs, letting fresh air in lungs. Shizuka seemed happy from the sound of her giggling. She'd often say "o", only for Naruto to jump higher than normal, much to her delight.

It has been 17 days and Naruto was his losing grip over calendar, he occasionally did sake party with Tsunami. He was never a drinker to begin with, but it helped in diluting mental scars of battle. Today he was bringing special beverage, which was a gift from certain local merchant.

"Tsunami-san, where's is old man?" he asked, Tazuna would always join him for drinks.

"Dad is gone to nearby village, some business proposal. Will return in three days" replied Tsunami, closing the door behind him.

"Where's Shizuka-chan? Is she alright?" he asked, not seeing Shizuka playing nearby.

"Don't worry Mr. Dad! She's with Inari. He has taken her to get some new clothes and don't worry, my best friend Yumi is accompanying him. We are friends Naruto-kun, stop calling me Tsunami-san, Tsunami will do just fine" her reply got Naruto to raise his eyebrows.

"Oh, Tsunami-chan! It has nice ring to it. Well, we have to wait for old man to open this!" said Naruto, placing bottle on table.

"What? Is great Naruto, hero of Wave can't handle some wine?" asked Tsunami playfully.

"You asked for it, women!" yelled Naruto, opening the bottle.

"This is strong...!" responded Tsunami, Naruto could only nod at her.

"Do you have a girlfriend in Konoha, Ruto-kun?" her abrupt question shocked Naruto, but he decided to come clean.

"Ah... you see... there was Sakura, but now she and Sasuke are getting married" he replied, placing his saucer on desk.

"Oh poor girl, she shouldn't have let you go. Well my gain!" her slurred voice was clearly showing effect of sake.

"Tsunami, I think it's enough sake for now. I'm stopping here and so are you!" said Naruto, picking up the bottle.

"It's been a while since I've felt so alive, and you are going to take this away from me?" asked Tsunami, anger written on her face.

Naruto sighs, 'drink must have gotten her all high.'

Pushing her pressure points, Naruto knocked her out and carried her to bedroom. He couldn't help but watch the sleeping beauty before shaking his head vigorously and leaving for his own room, 'yeah! Like I'm all fine! What the hell am I thinking?'

Next evening when Naruto returned, he was surprised to see Tsunami placing beautifully decorated dishes on table.

"Is there someone coming, Tsunami? I would excuse myself then" said Naruto in teasing manner.

But older women only smiled at him, as she spoke "whatever I said yesterday, I'm sorry about that. Your drink was too much to handle for old lady like me, so here's my sorry for you."

Naruto was inwardly salivating at dishes served on table, "you are not old Tsunami, and you are hot and one helluva woman. If old women can cook this good, I'm going to marry one!"

Naruto was savoring ramen like it was last food on earth, much to amusement of Tsunami, "if you are proposing me, then you need to work on your manners first."

But Naruto could only nodded at her with his mouth full of noodles.

It was night, when his dreams came haunting again, his hands were bloody; he was standing above carter of dead bodies.

His comrades stood on opposite side, their hateful eyes throwing daggers at him.

Someone gripped his arms and he threw up, "our meeting is inevitable, brother!"

"Go away" Naruto sways his hands haphazardly, trying to erase these voices.

"Its fine, Naruto-kun! It was dream, just a dream, a bad dream" soothed Tsunami, rubbing his back as sign of reassurance.

His eyes widened at her response, he never intended to let anyone see his venerabi like this, "was I too loud, Tsunami-san?"

"No, I just couldn't sleep after feeding little Shizuka. So I decided to check up on you. You seem to have some trouble with sleep."

Naruto could only offer a slow nod, his visions stopped have stop haunting for a while only to come back more forcefully. They were surreal, so much that he couldn't distinguish between dream and reality for a while.

"Want to talk about it? It helps" offered Tsunami but Naruto shakes his head in disagreement.

His face still sweaty, breathing heavily he spoke, "I want to... but I'm not ready, not yet."

Tsunami massages his shoulders affectionately before implying her worries, "I want to help you. Just don't push yourself away from me."

Naruto thought about her advice but he didn't want anyone to report him to health intuition. Ever since he entered wave, this was his first nightmare.

'They will go away' he thought, closing his eyes.

It became a habit, whenever he had nightmares, Tsunami would rush to calm him down. Her touches sent fire to his spine, acting like magical relief, but he never made any comment about this.

They were becoming close friends, Inari was delighted with his visitation too and Tazuna's construction work bloomed in one month.

But most importantly, Shizuka has started to throw away light things almost everywhere and was one hell of a girl to stay still. She would roll on her cradle with elegance that would make a ninja blush. Naruto bonded with little girl as if she was his own, fatherhood was still new aspect to his orphan life but he was giving his best. He was trying to get her to talk, but so far no success other than 'mo' and 'po'. When he tried to teach her his name, she'd just giggle on his face as if he was some clown.

Everything was going fine for him. He was recovering from nightmares with help of Tsunami, she was always supportive towards him.

And for the first time, Naruto felt homely, like other families that he's seen in Konoha. It was his lifetime dream to have such kind of peace and he was finally living a piece of it, until someone knocked on the door.

"Naruto Uzumaki, step out!"

AUTHORS'S NOTE- This is my second story and I'm still new at this. So help me wherever you can with your reviews and pointers. I need beta/proofread, if it's not too much to ask for.

For pairing, express yourself (if possible, with reasoning).

It will be helpful, if you suggest some COOL names for jutsu. Just names, I can describe them in my own words.

There will be violence in future. Naruto will be smart, badass and sometimes aggressive.

A writer's only reward is your words, so keep'em coming. Won't bluff much, next chapter is coming soon. Take care.