Awaken
Her Hero
XXXXXXXXXX
"You've been rejected... now you can't find what you've left behind..."- Nobody's Home: Avril Lavigne.
XXXXXXXXXX
It was hot.
Okay so hot was a complete understatement.
It was blisteringly, incredibly, 'really-thin-people-get-crispy-around-the-edges' hot.
Konoha shimmered like a tempting mirage, an oasis in a desert of tall trees. The gates lay wide open, luring any unsuspecting breeze into the ailing village.
Naruto Uzumaki smirked lazily, his jacket slung over his shoulder, his black sandals dragging in the arid sand. "Home sweet home," for a second the arrogant twist to his lips softened into a genuine smile before snapping quickly back.
Jiraiya threw a look over his shoulder at the 19 year old, eyeing the slightly nostalgic look in his apprentice's blue eyes. He paused, allowing the dawdling youth to catch up to him before reaching up to squeeze his shoulder. Their eyes met and a silent moment of understanding passed, not as teacher and student but as father and son. The moment passed and Jiraiya allowed a perverted grin to grace his face, his eyes misting over, "I can't wait to see the girls."
Naruto snorted in amusement, "I don't think Tsunade-baa-chan will appreciate having her breasts referred to as such ne, ero-sennin?" He thought back to a night not long back when Jiraiya had woken up screaming from a nightmare. Naruto had attempted to comfort the distraught man as he had broken down screaming "They popped! I was rolling my sweet girls in my hands, squeezing the delicious juicy flesh when," Jiraiya paused and choked on his words, "They popped Naruto, it's all a lie, I can't go on! How can I continue living?" The blonde had merely sighed and knocked him out with a well placed poke to a pressure point. Sometimes he wondered who the adult around here was.
They walked easily through the gates, Tsunade's guards were not present and Naruto imagined they must be running some inane errand for the fiery Godaime. His smirk widened as he pictured the two men fanning the Hokage with large palm leaves. Tsunade-baa-chan did not like the heat one bit.
"Are you going to report to Tsunade-baa-chan now?"
Jiraiya nodded, he plunged his hand into his pocket and withdrew a tattered scroll, "This is something she must see right away."
Naruto nodded grimly, allowing seriousness to sweep over his features. "Mm, okay got you sensei; I just got to do some quick things."
Jiraiya smothered the smile of pride he felt blooming on his lips and steeled his glance, "The Godaime is not a patient woman," he warned. It had been so long since Naruto had slipped and called him sensei but whenever he did, Jiraiya felt pride and fatherly affection flare inside him.
He ruffled the blonds' messy hair and laughed softly at the scowl on his face. "Go find your friends."
The blonde grinned cheekily and turned in the opposite direction, continuing his unhurried walk through Konoha.
Jiraiya shook his head and headed towards the Hokage's building, his gaze dropping to the scroll he twirled idly through his fingers. Tsunade was so not going to like this.
XXXXXXXXXX
"He tried to kiss you," Sakura made a vague sound of disgust in her throat as she stared at her friend, wrinkling her nose.
"God, you know Genma will hit on anything with boobs and an ass," Ino took a sip of her strong alcoholic beverage and rolled her eyes.
The two sat comfortably in a small bar on the street across from Ichiraku. The two best friends visited this place often, talking about everything and giggling like eleven year olds while chugging large amounts of anything with an above fifty proof.
Ino snorted in a way reminiscent of her 'Pig' nickname as an evil smirk crossed her face, "But I socked him in the face before I could smell the weed and raunchy sex on his breath and just last week I heard Tenten got fed up with his roving hands and shoved a kunai right up his perverted little- Oh my god." Ino stopped midsentence and choked on her drink.
Sakura stifled a laugh and followed her friend's gaze to across the street where a man stood in front of the Ichiraku, a black jacket slung over his shoulder. She licked her lips as her eyes followed the defined curve of his muscular shoulder to the biceps that rippled gorgeously under taut, silky skin. The black wife beater he wore to beat the heat clung tightly to his back muscles, slick with sweat. Her eyes caressed his taut ass and she allowed a smirk of appreciation to touch her lips. Ino's eyes were glazed and a thin line of drool was leaking from the corner of her lips. Sakura snorted and turned back to the male she was watching as he slowly turned to face them. That bright blond hair, the bottomless sky-blue eyes that just had to be...
"Naruto!"
Her drink fell from trembling fingers as she leapt to her feet, racing to reach him.
"Sakura-chan," he laughed as he caught her, his hands encircling her waist and he lifted her into the air and twirled her easily. She laughed as the bell skirt of her white summer dress caught the wind and billowed about her slim, pale legs.
"Naruto," she repeated as he set her down, tracing the three thin lines caressing his cheeks. His face had matured incredibly; he was beautiful, resembling the Yondaime more so than ever. She brushed the soft blond hair out of his soulful blue eyes. She pressed a kiss to his cheek and he allowed that cheesy, gorgeous smile he reserved only for her to replace his arrogant smirk.
"Damn you look good, I was almost drooling from the back view," she allowed a teasing smile to touch her lips.
"Look who's talking Sakura, aren't we looking smexy," he took a moment to really examine her. She had grown as much, if not more so than him. Her childish features and touch of baby fat had melted away from her face leaving high, determined cheekbones, full pink lips and luminous green eyes that retained a touch of sadness he knew he could never erase. Her long pink hair resembled Tsunade's style, two low pigtails in the front while the rest of her hair flowed freely in the back. She looked good in her civilian clothes, like a doll not a merciless shinobi in the crisp and cool summer dress she wore so gracefully, sweeping elegantly over the tops of her knees.
"Sorry brother," she tipped her head back in the challenging manner he had missed so much, "I don't play the incest game."
"Right back at you sis," he allowed his twisted smirk to form once again, "Just try not to jump my bones."
"Cocky are we."
"More like self-assured."
"You have an ego the size of Kakashi-sensei's porn collection."
"It goes well with the size of my-"
"Naruto!"
"Just kidding," he laughed and rubbed a hand through his messy hair. "But you know you want me."
"Oh baby oh baby, take me now," she deadpanned.
He smothered another laugh, "Where are Kakashi-sensei and Sai?"
"Kaka-sensei is in Mist investigating Akatsuki and Sai's in Suna," Sakura snorted with suppressed amusement, "He's become temporary ambassador representing Konoha."
"Leave it to Sai to start a war with our closest ally," Naruto suppressed a laugh.
XXXXXXXXXX
Ino slowly closed her mouth and wiped away the accumulated drool. Oh god she had just been having a very graphic sexual fantasy in which Naruto had thrown her against the wall of a dark alley and ravaged her senseless. 'Oh my god, I'm having sexual fantasies about Naruto, I really need to get laid,' She thought. 'Mm but a delicious, gorgeous, totally tasty version of that annoying kid you used to want to throw into a deep bottomless well,' her mind replied and she silently agreed.
Naruto's eyes flicked onto Ino and you could almost hear the evil laughter echoing in his head.
"Ino you look so different, God, the changes three years can bring eh?" A predatory smirk quirked on Naruto's lips as he moved closer to the blonde. His eyes flicked over her body and his smirk widened. "They're bigger," he stated with the utmost seriousness, his eyes lingering on her chest. Sakura's eyes widened and her jaw fell open and Ino's eyes became impossibly wide with shock. "Your muscles," he clarified softly, "Are bigger. You've been training Ino," he purred her name with his deep alto and he allowed one gloved hand to skim over her exposed shoulder.
Chouji took that moment to run up to the three shinobi. He smiled hugely and clapped Naruto's back with a huge hand. "Naruto, you're finally back."
"Yeah Chouji, nice to see you too," Naruto allowed his suggestive grip on Ino to become just a friendly touch but he blessed her with a sly wink and leered when she licked her suddenly dry lips. Chouji of course, noticed nothing.
"The Godaime sent me; she wants you to meet her in her office, Sakura."
"Hai, thank you Chouji-kun."
"I'll come with you; Tsunade-baa-chan needs to see me anyways."
Once the goodbyes had been said and Sakura and Naruto had walked a good distance away from Ino and Chouji, Sakura exploded into laughter, clutching her sides.
Naruto paused and blinked at her, cocking his head reminiscent of his twelve year old self. "Ne, Sakura-chan, what's so funny?"
Sakura wiped the tears spilling out of her eyes and managed to calm her explosive laughter into soft giggles. "I've never seen Ino look so surprised. Genma didn't do half of what you just attempted there honey, and she punched three of his teeth out."
He smirked, "its fun to mess around with her, and she's cute."
"As cute as Hinata?"
Naruto choked on his own spit, hacking and gagging as he bent double, bracing his hands on his knees.
Sakura whistled cheerfully and pretended not to notice the palest pink blush on Naruto's cheeks.
They fell into a comfortable silence walking close to each other, Naruto's arm slung casually around Sakura's shoulders.
"Ne, Naruto?"
He turned to his rosette haired teammate and found her green eyes to be filled with so much sadness he physically winced. "Hai Princess?" he smiled at her, that genuine smile he reserved for her and called her his favourite nickname.
"I'm glad you're home."
And then suddenly, she was sobbing, in the middle of the street, falling into his waiting arms as they both dropped to their knees and he was overwhelmed by the pain he felt for the girl he held in his arms. Sasuke had left her, he had also left her... twice and she had never once tried to stop him. She had smiled that hauntingly broken smile and put on a brave face for him. Because she wanted him to be happy. All she had ever wanted was the happiness of the ones she loved.
The sixteen year old slung his heavy bag onto his back, he grimaced at the weight and wondered belated if he should not have packed so many ramen packages. He smiled his huge corny grin, No such thing as too much ramen, the blonde thought as he walked out through the huge gates of Konoha.
"Naruto!"
"Sakura-chan?"
She smiled, and jumped on top of his back, settling her legs around his waist and throwing her arms around his neck. His hands immediately grasped her thighs to keep her steady.
"Piggyback Naruto," she said simply. He complied easily to her request, supporting her slight weight easily and slowly walking down the road.
"So you're leaving," she whispered mostly to herself and he heard her unsaid words, 'just like Sasuke-kun.'
"Just for a little while Princess and then I'll bring back your Prince just like I promised, even if it kills me."
Suddenly he felt a kunai against his jugular, Sakura's eyes narrowed as she pressed the blade tighter against his neck. He wondered when Sakura had gotten so fast, for now she stood facing him.
"Saku-"
"Shut up," she hissed, cutting him off, her eyes flashing green fire.
"But wh-"
"I said, shut up," she said through clenched teeth. "Naruto, you complete and total idiot, you mean the world to me and if you ever say anything like that again... I'll splatter your guts all over the floor. Do I make myself clear? SHANNARO, I AM NOT OVEREACTING NARUTO! She screamed her final words as she read the look on his face.
Naruto had gulped and nodded, relaxing as she withdrew her kunai and tossed it in the air, catching it skilfully in its holder.
They continued to walk in a strained silence, unlike the usual comfortable ones they always shared. Naruto stopped at a bend in the road, "This is where I'm supposed to meet Ero-sennin."
She nodded and raised her hands to hold his head and pull it down so she could press a kiss to his forehead. "Be careful and don't get yourself killed," she said in a surprisingly unwavering voice.
He nodded, "Same to you." He frowned as he looked at her with piercing blue eyes, more serious then the happy-go-lucky Naruto could ever be thought of being.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Just deciding what part of your huge forehead to bless with my lips," he smirked.
"Naruto!"
"Joking, joking," he said softly, pressing his own kiss to her head. "I love you, sis."
She sighed contentedly, "Love you too."
And then he was gone.
It was only hours later in the safety of the woods and that Sakura let herself cry.
Sakura loved the feeling of having Naruto's arms around her so protectively, and for the first time in a long time, she let herself relax. She had watched with sad eyes as Tenten, Ino and Hinata had traveled everywhere with their male teammates, watching as they grew closer and closer. Was that the kind of relationship she, Naruto and Sasuke would have had if Sasuke had never left? No, instinctively she knew the answer. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had always walked the thin line of love, hate and insanity. Friendship had never been a part of the equation. Sakura had gone from the disliking Naruto in her own immaturity and weakness to suddenly waking up one day to realize that she could not live without him. He was the closest family she and she knew he felt the exact same way about her, his childish love had transferred to brotherly love long ago.
In Sasuke's case she teetered between hate and insanity with just a little bit of love she couldn't seem to kill.
In Naruto's arms, it was all okay, because he was safe, he was home and she had forgotten the insane craving of nicotine that had been bugging her all day. She waited until her sobs had ebbed away and then she allowed herself to rest on his shoulder, breathe in his scent and revel in the first peace she had felt in a while. She had been strong and emotionless for so long that it felt amazing to just let go.
He had left to get stronger, after failing to retrieve Sasuke on that fateful day in Orochimaru's layer. In his arms, she could feel the raw power inside him, the strength behind those arms and the amazing control.
Three years.
He had been gone for three years for a second time.
And she'd be damned if she even let him attempt a third.
"Princess," Naruto breathed softly into her hair, "Why so many tears? What will your subjects think?"
"I'm overdue," the rosette-haired woman murmured, "I haven't really cried since the day you left." She smiled wryly, "Besides, it's a throwback to old, cry-baby useless Sakura; you won't see much of her anymore. I killed her Naruto, and she's gone for good."
Naruto cast the younger woman a look mixed with such love, worry, frustration and fierce protectiveness that she could not help but to give him one final squeeze before she got to her feet, pulling him with her.
"Tsunade-shishou is going to murder us, heal us and murder us again if we're any later," she smiled. "Lead the way, Mr. Hot Shot, unless you've forgotten the way," she laced her voice with teasing and light sarcasm.
He took the time to wipe the tear streaks tenderly from her eyes before allowing that arrogant smirk to curve once more onto his lips. "Don't worry Princess, I have a pornographic memory."
She tilted her head confused, "You mean photographic memory?"
His smirk got wider, "That too."
Her genuine laugh mingled with his as they once more resumed their walk to the Hokage's office, arms wrapped tightly around each other.
XXXXXXXXXX
Tempest: So what do you guys think? This fic will explore a lot of the moral issues in the Ninja world while dealing with the stigmata of Power. It will involve a lot of Team Seven friendship along with the bonds Sakura had formed with some of the others while Naruto was gone. Sasuke is gonna show up soon enough when Orochi-pedophile-maru decides to pop in (pretty soon).
And oh I need your help guys, I'm on the fence between a Hinata/Naruto pairing or a Ino/Naruto pairing. Whoever gets the most votes wins, cause I just can't seem to decide.
Remember to review my dears.
It inspires me.
YOU guys inspire me.