Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, I wish I did but I don't.
Muddy Roads
Chapter 1
A pair of heavy boots padded along the muddy road as a man wearing baggy, mud stained pants, a loose, long jacket and plain black t-shirt moved purposely through the light drizzle that fell upon the crowded streets. The only aspect of the outfit that could be considered strange was the headband, hanging around his neck, that should show to which village his loyalties where, but the symbol it bore was hidden by a piece of white cloth, decorated with a simple spiral, that was stuck over it.
Spotting among the crowd what he had been searching for, he quickly moved to the phone booth, closing himself within. Looking at the phone he hesitated. Moving a hand through his damp, messy, blond hair he sighed and checked his watch before reaching into one of his deep pockets from which he drew out a handful of coins. Depositing some of them in the machine he picked up the receiver punching in a series of well-rehearsed numbers he waited for it to begin to ring.
Sakura Haruno knelt in the flowerbed of her small garden. It was mid afternoon, looking up at the sunny, cloudless sky she sighed before retuning to her task and pulling free another weed. Lately, she thought to herself, life in Konoha had seemed too slow. She had fewer missions outside of the village and having moved into a house of her own just recently, had a lot more time to herself. Tsunade had meant for the lessening of her responsibilities to be a gift and she had at first thought of it as such, but after the first week of her relaxed schedule she had found differently. More time to herself meant more time to think, to reminisce, to regret mistakes, both past and present.
She sighed looking up expectantly it should be soon. Getting to her feet she brushed her hands against her skirt and began to walk inside. Just then the phone rang. She stopped staring at it through the window, as if unsure it had been real. It rung again and she ran inside through the small kitchen to where the phone sat on a small table. She reached for it but hesitated, turning to check the clock before grabbing the receiver and bring it to her ear, 12 o'clock it should be him.
She didn't speak and wasn't surprised to hear nothing but the sound of faint breathing on the other end. This was how it always was, they would both stay silent for a few minute before one of them got the courage to speak. This time it was him.
" Hey Sakura-chan" he said with a sigh.
She moved to put her back against the wall, sliding down it.
"Hey Naruto" she sounded tired and she knew it; so, it seemed, did he.
"You sound tired, are you feeling ok?" she could hear the genuine concern in his voice. She should tell him she was fine, she thought, it would be selfish and pointless to say anything else. All it would do, she knew, was make him feel bad. She sighed loudly he didn't deserve that.
"I'm fine Naruto"
"You sure Sakura-chan?"
"…."
"Sakura-chan?"
" Of course I'm fine Naruto what could possibly be wrong?" she regretted saying it instantly. She hadn't meant for it to sound so cruel and from his lack of answer she knew he was hurt.
"Sorry Naruto, that came out wrong I'm just kinda tired I've been working out in the garden and you know it's…. tiring" yeah, nice going Sakura that sounded real convincing she thought to herself you're a ninja for god sake! What ninja gets tired doing garden work?! She sighed yet again.
"That would be your new garden, right?" he said ignoring her bad excuse.
"You've moved into your new house right?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Both of them where glad for the excuse of small talk and carried on with it for some time, it made them feel like they where having some kind of impute on the others life. Like they knew something about each other's lives. Though it was true Naruto knew a bit about what Sakura was doing she knew nothing of him.
"So, how are things on your end?" she asked trying to sound casual as she fished for information.
He chuckled a little seeing straight through her attempts. But the laugh was hollow and just sounded sad.
"It's raining." He said in very matter of fact way. "Pretty damn miserable really."
" It's beautiful here. Not a cloud in the sky"
"Hmm"
"You should go somewhere with better weather."
"Subtlety was never you strong suit Sakura-chan"
He heard her sigh on the other end. He knew what was coming; he'd been waiting for it since he called.
"… Four years Naruto. I don't even know where you are."
"…Sorry"
"If I asked… would you tell me where you are?"
"…."
"Naruto… where-"
"No" he interrupted suddenly "I told you the first time I called that I'm not coming back, I can't – not 'til I find-"
"BUT YOU WON'T!!" she yelled finally venting anger which had been pent up far to long.
"HE'S NOT COMING BACK! NOT EVER! DON'T YOU GET IT NARUTO? SASUKE IS GONE!!"
The words seemed to hang in the air the use of his name silencing both of them.
"…I promised."
"Well I'm letting you off! I just want you home Naruto…please"
"Sorry Sakura-chan, I can't… not without him."
"Then don't call me again!" he could hear the hurt in her voice and knew she was fighting not to burst out crying. After a long silence he final spoke, his voice forcibly cheerful.
"It's old lady Tsunade's birthday tomorrow right? Wish her happy birthday for me…I'll call you in October…. Bye"
"…Yeah bye" he heard her slam the phone down and sighed, she had probably broken it. But this was how it was he called her once every two months it seemed like every call was the same. It started with silence and ended with yelling.
He looked at his hands a shoved the few remaining coins back into his pockets. Leaving the safety of the phone booth he returned to the busy streets and was soon lost among the crowd.
Uzumaki Naruto walked through the mist-covered streets. Head tilted down he watched the mist swirl around his feet smiling as it continued to escape from beneath his feet each time he went to place one down.
He had decided to leave the city as early in the morning as possible, which had ended up being a little past 2 am, partly to make it easier to skip out on the room service bill and partly because he felt guilty about his fight with Sakura and thought a change of scenery might make him feel better.
She had said his name. He had been calling her on the 1st of every second month for four years and not once had ether of them said his name.
By afternoon he had left the dreary city behind; the tall buildings gave way and were replaced by vast fields and small farms. He wandered along the quiet roads with no real destination or purpose. He had been contemplating heading back south down through the Earth country, from there he thought it might be possible to move undetected through the Wind country. Once free of its borders he would be able to go anywhere. To him the whole southern region was unexplored something completely new and different. The only flaw in this plan of his was Gaara. His long time friend was Kazekage of the Sand village and if he knew him at all, he knew nothing and no one would move through his lands undetected. He had a feeling that Gaara wasn't pleased with him and it would cause nothing but trouble if he had to face him.
A town came into sight just as the sun began to set. There were a lot more trees around here and try though he might he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched from just beyond the shadows they cast. It wouldn't be the first time he was followed years ago anbu squads from both sand and leaf villages where sent to retrieve him, Sakura had tried before too, but every time no matter who it was he had managed to escape them and disappear.
Why they would have come again now, having stopped such pursuits years ago, he had no idea but he thought to himself with confidence of many past experiences no matter who it is I'll get away. He looked up at the sky smiling to himself. To think that he, who had started as one of the worst ninja's in Konoha, who had spent his time running around in a bright orange jump suit determined to be seen and respected by all had now become and expert at being invisible.
If someone was following him they were doing so quietly. Though he was a little unnerved he decided not to let it bother him. The town he had come to was quite large, though still nothing in comparison to the city he had just left behind, it was known for the great deal of trade that when on within.
He navigated his way through the busy streets looking for a place to stay. Walking along, he spotted an inn across the road and was just about to head for it when a group of children, comprised of two boys and a girl, rushed out. He hesitated for a moment and was about to proceed anyway when a woman joined them. FUCK! He mentally screamed as he backed up looking for a hiding place. Oh damn it! Bad, bad this is very bad!! He let out a small yelp of joy when spotted an alley just a small distance behind him. Not bothering to check if he'd been seen he hurried to turn the corner and flattened his back against the wall.
Damn it. He continued to mentally curse his misfortune. Please say that wasn't who I thought it was. Unsure but curious he peered back around the corner. There could be no doubt, that blue hair those pale misty eyes, Hinata Hyuga.
"What the hell is she doing here" he murmured to him self as he watched the group. Slowly he realised the children must be her pupils. Hinata's become a jonin. He sighed and turned to head down the alleyway. I guess by now all of those guys have. He couldn't help but feel envious as he thought about what it would be like to lead his own ninja squad.
He was stirred from his thoughts as he heard footsteps behind him. Peering over his shoulder he sighed, he was defiantly being followed. He speed up turning another corner. He was not in the mood to fight off some would be mugger, though it seemed he may have no choice, he though as he found himself facing a dead end. He groaned turning to face the large man.
"Look I'm sure your really tough and all but I'm a trained ninja and I'm really not in the mood for this so why don't you just turn around and walk away." He said calmly.
"Ninja ye" he replied a grotesque grin spreading as he began to laugh. "Oh how scary for me."
"Fuck" Naruto murmured as he backed up against the wall watching as the man began to transform. He skin turned darker and large spikes began to grow from his arms and back. One of the demons left over from that bastard Orochimaru's days as a mad scientist, it would seem. "Just great."
As the demon lunged at him he threw his hands together quickly forming the necessary hand sign. Two shadow clones appeared before his blocking the others attack. They threw him back and rushed forward to launch an attack of their own. The first kicked the demon in the stomach he left exposed, the second punching him right in the face as he bent clutching his stomach. He gave a roar of anger and rushed forward again. He threw a punch at the shadow clones and, to slow to react, the both exploded into a puff of smoke.
The demon roared again as three kunai came flying through the smoke hitting him right it the chest. He stumbled back. Pulling loose the kunai he threw the back. Naruto easily dodged to the sided before running forward to attack. As he threw various kicks and punches the demon began to fall. His attempts to defend where all to easy to get around and the punches he threw easy to dodge. Naruto threw a final punch to the face jumping back as his enemy fell.
"Ha that'll teach you to underestimate me!" he taunted as the demon looked up from the ground, grinning. Grinning?
Something solid collided hard with the back of Naruto's head and, losing consciousness he fell to the ground with a thud. Naruto groaned as he slowly came to.
His head seemed to be throbbing far to loudly to be healthy. Realising he was laying on the ground he moved to get up but froze when he saw the demon he had been fighting now lay in front of him once again just a man, covered in blood, dead. Letting out a small gasp he quickly sat up and turned to check behind himself. There was the man who must have hit him, in a worse state than the other. He stared for a moment before turning back to the other one.
"What the hell?" It was then he noticed a man sitting on a crate not far from him.
"Finally awake I see" he said calmly turning to face him. Naruto was surprised to see he was wearing a mask, it was similar to that of the leaf village's anbu, but unlike the curved red or black lines they bore this once was decorated with straight dark blue ones. Looking over it he realised what the mask depicted.
"A fox how very clever of you." He said sarcastically glaring at the man. He was almost certain that under the mask the man was smirking at him.
None of the man's skin showed. He wore a shirt with a hood and high collar, across his chest was a leather strap which allowed a small blade to hang from his back. Besides this he had on long gloves, trousers, which were cut off short and a pair of standard edition ninja sandals. Whatever was not covered by the fabric was bandaged, his legs, the gap between his shirt and gloves even his toes. With blank stare of his mask the whole look seem slightly surreal, since for all Naruto knew the mans skin could be green.
"I have to admit I'm disappointed, I expected more from you Naruto."
"Do I look like I care what you think?!?" he snarled "Who are you and what the hell do you want!"
"Not even a thank you? I saved your life you know." he replied coolly. Naruto found himself quickly tiring of this and getting angrier by the second.
"From a situation you probably set up!" he yelled.
"Why would you think that?"
"You're the one that was following me, right?"
"…Yes"
"SO YOU SET THIS UP!!"
"Amazing though your logic is…no" he stood and walked forward; carefully stepping over the body he offered his hand. "I was just lucky enough to be following you at the right time so that I could help."
Naruto glared at the hand offered to him.
"Go to hell teme" he growled.
For a moment the masked figure froze completely, simply staring at him, before slowly returning his hand to his side. After a small "hmpf" Naruto moved to stand up. Putting his hands on the ground to push himself up, he suddenly gave a yelp of pain and clutched at his left shoulder. Falling straight back down. He began swearing loudly before looking back up at the masked stranger.
"Well help me up then!" he yelled. The stranger paused for a moment before once again offering his hand. This time Naruto seized it instantly and was pulled to his feet. He stepped back savaging the stranger with mistrust.
"Those beasts didn't touch your shoulder." Said the stranger.
"Your point?" Naruto growled, hand returning to his shoulder to grip it firmly.
"Doesn't matter I guess." He replied deciding not to pursue the matter.
"So you still haven't told me, who the hell are you?" said Naruto growled though sounding calmer now.
"Well that's painfully obvious."
"Eh?"
"I'm some guy in a mask."
The calm was gone.
"I MEANT YOU NAME TEME! WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR NAME!" He yelled scowling and clenching his fists.
"I'm not going to tell you that."
"What! Why the hell not!"
"Because I don't want you to know who I am, idiot, hence the mask." He crossed his arms and tilted his head to the side. Again Naruto was sure he was smirking at him.
"You have a real way with people, you know that!" Naruto growled at him.
"I'm touched" he replied sarcastically.
Naruto stared at the stranger. There was something familiar and almost comforting in the way they where interacting. The continued back and forth way they threw insults at each other and try though he might Naruto couldn't deny how familiar his voice seemed.
"Your staring dobe." He said his voice betraying no emotion what so ever.
He suddenly feeling quite ill he turned away. For a moment, just a moment something sparked deep within him, something he though he had long ago rid himself of, but as soon as he felt it he forced it back down. Sighing he closed his eyes before turning back to him, his face now straight and just as emotionless as the strangers mask.
"So what the hell is it that you want?" The masked stranger paused for a moment apparently he had noticed the sudden change and as far as Naruto could tell was surprised by it. Deciding he didn't want to draw out, what had quickly become an awkward conversation, Naruto quickly filled the silence.
"I asked what you want!" he yelled. Once again Naruto didn't get an answer, as once again the masked stranger simply looked him over.
"GAHH!! Whatever! If you won't talk I'm outta here!" He walked passed him, the stranger watching him as he went. As he reached the end of the ally, once again faced with the busy street, he turned back and looked at the masked figure now leaning against the wall.
"I'm going to follow you." He said in a flat almost bored voice. Adjusting his gloves calmly.
It took a moment for Naruto's brain to digest what had been said. His mouth now hanging open he stared at him. Finally he found his voice again.
"HUH?!?"
"Heh don't gawk dobe." With that he calmly turned and walked away. "Ja ne." he said with a wave and he was gone.
So yep thats the first chapter of my first fic.I've written this over my two week school holidays but I have exams shortly after I go back so I apologize in advance if it's a while before I write another chapter. So anyway love it, hate it or are completly indifferent please review. Thanks
