A Change Would Do Me Good
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any similarities to any other media piece.
Naruto watched as the once spoiled and self-centered princess and her loyal guard paid their respects to their fallen comrades and friends, the very same people the princess had previously deemed as useless or simple cannon fodder. They had built a small shrine to give thanks to Kikunojou and all the others who selflessly gave their life to protect their princess, believing that her well being was worth far more than any other single persons for vitality of their country.
Everyone kept stealing glances at the young blond, eager to figure what was bothering him, some with curiosity and others worry, this was the longest anyone had ever seen Naruto go without some sort of huge outburst or commotion. Naruto was uninterested in the entire situation, or at least he appeared that way; really his mind was going a mile a second, processing everything he had ever done and his life and coming up with one figure, the grand total of his existence. Earlier, sometime after the fierce battles, the princess had pulled both Shizune and Naruto away from the group, wanting to discuss something important.
The scene replayed over and over in his head, never would he have though he would affect someone so much; sure he had helped and effected many people in the past but he doubted he would ever see any of them again, each of them thanked him properly for helping in the way that only someone like him could and continued on with their life a better person. But here was a person who needed, maybe needed was too strong a word, wanted him to continue helping her, and all her people; he offered her something not many had, a truly kind heart, while she offer him something no other person besides Old Man Sandame had offered him since he could remember, a chance at a better life.
"Shizune-san," Haruna spoke softly, attracting curious looks from her two saviors. "Sorry, but I have another favor to ask ok Konoha."
Shizune looked surprised but answered still, sounding a little unsure, not like she could officially grant request, that was the Hokage's job, but she would help in any way she could. "What is it Haruna-sama?"
Haruna took a deep breath before continuing, casting a quick glance over to the orange bound ninja to make sure he was paying attention, he was involved in this after all. "It is my obligation and my personal privilege to uphold my father's last wishes and restore Greenery Country to a time of peace without worry."
The other two were now giving her there complete attention, well, as complete as one could get with that freaky head piece drawing attention like a moth to fire. Really, why did all the higher ups have to wear some weird hat that looked like they bought it at a yard sell; whatever, Naruto sighed, as long as he didn't have to wear anything like such he wouldn't complain.
Mistaking Naruto's sigh for one of boredom she decided to cut to the point. "In order to restore peace to Greenery Country, it needs a Feudal Lord; however, I do not feel that I am completely ready to lead so many. So, I would like to ask Konohato lend me one of their ninja for awhile," she hesitated, searching for words"to help me to not completely run my father's country into the ground."
"Oh." How was that possible, assuming Haruna would put so much trust in a stranger is doubtful. The only people Haruna knew from Konoha that would qualify to give such vital advice would be herself , maybe ShikamaruHaruna knew neither over an introduction. She could also rule out the three Gennin who were assigned this mission; Choji spent barely any time with HarunaHinata spent a little more but she had leadership obligations waiting for her back in KonohaNaruto spent the most time with her so he could also be ruled ou-'No!' Shizune's eyes widened in realization. It couldn't be, anyone but him, she couldn't take him, 'He's too important to me…I mean Konoha.' why would she want him?
"Yes. I want you to lend me Naruto-kun." This surprised the young leaf nin, who had just now began to drag his mind back into focus. "Please, Naruto-kun." She clasps his hands within her own and stared into his sapphire eyes with a pleading look.
"Why me?"Naruto asked, still confused.
"I know with you by my side I can't fail." Such confidence in her words, she spoke as if iot were fact rather than theory. "I don't want to fail my people…again."
Shizune looked on in uncertainty, there was no way Naruto would take her up on her request, right? He had too much left to accomplish back in Konoha, right? He had everything back in Konoha; his friends, his dream, his favorite ramen shop…his curse. She mentally tallied all the good and the bad as best she could, giving each imaginary points as such and found that the good and bad equaled in her mind, but she herself would have probably chosen to accept her offer if she were in his shoes.
Naruto looked over to Shizune for guidance, she was his first in a line of many anyways, not like Jiraya or Tsunade were the king and queen of good advice, Kakashi, maybe but he wasn't here right now and someone his age, yeah rightShizune was the only one he could always ely on…well, almost always, she was biting her nails with a nervous look in her eyes, she would be no help at this time. His first thought was to reject Haruna'soffer, somewhat mean when someone put so much faith into you but he still had things to accomplish back home;"I don't know." He answered unsurely.
"Promise you'll think about it."
He agreed, Haruna accepted, a maybe over a no is always better in the long run. Shizune had been avoiding him ever sense, he could tell even if no one else could; of course it's not like they were on real close terms sense a certain Incident but that wasn't important right now. Right now he needed advice and could find only one person to go to.
"Hey, lazy ass." Said person was sleeping or resting, he was sure which, nobody could, in a patch of grass. He had chosen a opportune moment to sneak away from the group and participate in one of his favorite activities, doing nothing. He received no answer but he was sure the lazy Chunin knew he was there. "Hey!" Shikamaru rolled over but gave no signs of compliance. Guess he was on his own.
He sat down next to the lazy good for nothing, he wouldn't be any help in deciding what he should do but a little company went a long way, especially when making such big life decisions, this could affect many people. But going on things so ambiguous as faith, want, and need were to complicated for the young blond, he would use the best system for deciding what to do he had ever been introduced to.
"Sorry Sakura-chan, I couldn't bring him back to you." Naruto was on the verge of tears.
"It's ok Naruto, next time, we'll bring him back, together!" Naruto smiled as the girl embraced him for the first time but his sullied mood returned when he remembered why she was embracing him. "It's a promise."
'He's gone and she still flocks over him. I was hoping she would change and she has, but the reasons for her change aren't good ones; all she see's is him when she is training, his smile at her strength, his smirk at her loyalty, his passion for her…passion?' "ha," he yelled out loud, startling the sleepind Chunin beside him. 'The only passion he has is for his own dark ambition.' One vote for leaving.
"Naruto…how about after you finish…I take you out for ramen..my treat." Iruka smiled as the blond resumedhis punishment with renewed vigor.
'The first person to accept me as me, the only person who would never betray me no matter what's at stake, I would stay for him.' One vote for staying.
Kakashi stood on-
Wait wait wait…did I just have a gay moment? 'No.' couldn't be. 'Must just be my imagination.' I hope.
Kakashi stood onNaruto's window seal, one hand holding that which should never be touched and the other holding out a bowl of vegetables." You'll never get any bigger if you don't eat right." He smiled behind his mask, dropped the bowl on the table and took the blonds homemade ramen before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
'Kakashi, I never know what he is really thinking. He worse than a girl that way but I guess he would care if I left, not like he bounded with Sakura at all; I'm practically the only person he would intentionally seek out, he barely talks to the other Jounins or the Hokage save for missions. ' Two votes for staying.
Shizune and Ino both kissed Naruto on the cheek after he had given them their favorite flowers, how he knew of the preferred flowers neither knew, but received a giggle from Shizune and a punch from Ino when he also gave them a free ramen for a day pass.
'No explanation needed, that's a staying vote.' Three votes for staying. "Just three?" He yelled, fully waking his prone associate. Four votes for staying?
Shikamaru gave the blond a once over, noting the concentrated look on his turned into an angered one then back again before turning into one of satisfaction. He sighed a troublesome before rolling back over into dream and cloud land.
'So, nine votes it is.' Idiot. 'Whatever.'
Ten-ten had tied him to a training post to have a human target to trow-
'Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, that wasn't a good memory.' Two votes leaving. "Weapon throwing bitch."
Waking up next to Shizune 'We were really plastered that night, it was only my second time drinking. She still can't look me in the eyes, probably thinks she's a pedophile of something.'
'Best night I ever had but nothing will ever come of it. Maybe it's best to let sleeping dogs lie, but maybe thing would have turned out differently if I was a little older…maybe…maybe…maybe I shouldn't dwell on what if's so much.' Put that one in the maybe pile.
Shikamaru using his shadow bind to force Naruto to grope Ino, so she spends the day chasing Naruto instead of bothering him.
'Ino, I don't know; one minute where getting along fine, talking and laughing then when someone else comes along she tells me to get lost…then there's him,' he looked darkly on his friend's lazy teammate.
'Danger!' Shikamaru woke with a start. 'My end is near.' Shikamaru looked around for any signs of danger that could have escaped his enhanced senses, but no matter how much he looked all he could see was the all to happy face of the usually energetic ninja. 'Why was he being so…so…un-Naruto-ish today?' maybe he was sick…or dying…maybe both…either way Naruto was annoying and he would rather not have him around. It sucked that both his teammates practically adored the little annoyance and dragged him wherever they went. "Annoyances." He turned over back into the land no troublesome people placed in his virtual reality.
'I don't know where she lies but I definitely know I'm not on either of his list. I'd rather have him hate me then ignore me.' It was a fact, not a statement. One for leaving.
Tsunade slipped the necklace around his neck and kissed him on the forehead after he had defended her against Kabuto with the Rasengan. The last thing he saw was a sword coming out of Tsunade's back before blacking out
'Tsunade-obaachan. First she happy to have me around then she tries to get rid of me any chance she gets. I'm not that annoying…am i?' No, no, no…mustn't feel sorry for other people for putting up with me. 'Dam old Hag, I'll never understand her.'
"Naruto, I know you already received something from Tsunade but this is from me. It a special thing to share your students first taste of sake with them." He poured Naruto some sake from his canteen.
"AAAh, it burns" Jiriya could only chuckle at his students antics. "Were you trying to kill me Sensei?!"
"Sen…sei?" he just stared at Naruto for a long time. He smiled at the blond, who was currently chugging down half his bottle of sake. "Hey, that's mine." He chased him for over an hour but never even got to taste the sake he had saved for his student. He picked the unconsciousNaruto up and carried him back to their hotel for a well deserved rest. Another maybe.
Unreliable, perverse, adept writer, even if for the wrong reasons, and a seasoned ninja. 'Jiraya. Some say he's the strongest ninja know today, they say I'm should be respectful and honored that one such as him is willing to sacrifice his time to teach a little street urchin like me. Ha! I've made more progress in a day then in the year he has had me under his tutelage; the only thing he has shown me that has any worth is that infernal attack of the forth which I still can't perform with help.My greatest weapon and it useless without the use of both my hands…its almost laughable.' Great…I'm laughing at myself now…am I that pathetic. Maybe.
Seven year old ShikamaruKibaChoji, and Naruto all jumped out the window, running from the furious Iruka. The all wound up at the park and played until one by one, their parents came to pick them up, leaving Naruto alone.
Let sleeping dogs lie, nothing will ever come of it. Was I just fooling myself? Were they really my friends? Did they feel the same way of me that I wanted them too? Or were they like the rest, just using me till I held no more use? 'People change.' I can't expect people to stay the same and I shouldn't want to. That what makes us alive…our unpredictability, but that doesn't make it hurt any less to lose a friend. Three votes for leaving.
Sakura, Kakashi, and Sasuke leaving him tied to the training post after they had passed their Gennin exam.
'I had to wait for Iruka to get off of work to untie me.' nine votes for leaving. 'What, I almost starved to hunger for crying out loud!'
Kiba almost pushing him off the Hokage Mountain after he suckAkamaru on him
I'd like to let some dogs lie. He thought menacingly.
Neiji closing his tenketsu's after he admitted he thought Neiji was a girl.
'I had to wait outside the Hyuga manor for seven hours until some little Hyuga girl came out to open them back up for me.' No other Hyuga would even listen to his request/plea as he didn't know how to get them back open back then.
Jiraya actually pushing him off the Hokage Mountain.Even if it did help him summon the demonic charka of the fox…once,falling into a bottomless ravine wasn't exactly his idea of fun.
'Not like the bastard fox is useful…only gives it up if it knows it's going to die. HOW I WOULD LOVE TO SHOVE A FLAMING RASENGAN UP ITS FURRY…anyway' he calmed, taking a few deep breathes. 'flaming Rasengan huh.' Can you say potential? He stored that thought for another time.
Tsunade punching him through walls repeatedly.
'I'd like to knock her block off for once.'
Sakura berating him for something that wasn't his fault.
'I wonder how short her hair could get before she cries.' Dark? 'Maybe I'm thinking a little too darkly today…not like they don't have it coming.'
Jiraya repeatedly leaving him to do research on his het book.
'Not like I expected much from him anyway. I don't need him…I don't need anyone…I never did…I can gain recognition on my own without help from anyone if I have to.'
Sasuke shoving his Chidori through his chest not once, not twice, but three times.'Well I did stand in his way of his goal; no, he tried to kill me, but I was willing to kill him too.
'Hn.' It always ends with that, no matter how many times I go over the life I've lived this moment seems to define dominate me. Why is that this moment over all others has so much control over the way I live and see my life? I wonder what people would think if they ever found out what he did to me back at End Vally or whatever it was called.' Doesn't matter, nothing matters, not voting, not my precious people, not everyone who detest me, not my dreams or…'
His dream. The reason he endured all the taunts and insults thrown his way over the years. It was the reason he was able to suffer through near complete isolation for the first seven years of his life, only getting monthly visits from the busy Hokage. Ever since the old geezer told him about what it was to be the leader of a village he knew what he wanted to be the Hokage, he could almost taste it.
Sunny day, cool weather and he was drooling over a stack of papers he had neglected to read. It didn't matter, his pink haired secretary would soon be in to wake him and scold him for sleeping on the job.
The scene flashes to later in the day, where his personal special Jounin report in a successful mission. The curvy blond would ask about his activities at home while the giant among men would kindly lift the intruding gossip center by her Jounin vest and invite him and his family over for dinner later that night.
Once again the scene changes to a beautiful house…beautiful kentan littering up the walk way as a small child, female, dark hair, orange blouse over black shorts and a smile that could cross the sky runs up to the tired blond, giggling happily as he tosses her into the air. He holds her close, placing a kiss on her forehead, causing her to erupt with more laughter at the affection she had been waiting for the entire day.
A cough signaled him to the presence of another…of course he didn't need to turn around to know who it was. He shifted the little bundle of joy, who was currently trying to hold in her excitement and failing miserably, to his left arm as the other moved under his right to bask in the warmth he emitted. He pulled his dark haired other close, letting the sweet scent of jasmine, his personal favorite, enthrall his senses. 'She must have just gotten out of the bath.' She turned to him, deep cerulean locks with dark chocolate as the two of them move closer; they're millimeters apart as a withheld giggle breaks free from his right, he breaks the trance, she smiles, he chooses to ignore the laughter as it holds no truth of stopping anything soon, again he turns to capture he trance, their lips are so close he could feel the heat from her slow breathes, his eyes close… it's over.
"No!" as fast as the scenes came they're gone, "Tsk." 'Just when it was getting to the best part.'leaving him with the pain of loss and the odd smell of Jasmine in the air. But in truth, what did he have to lose, that possibility? It hadn't happened and it probably never would…he was just asking for trouble to expect so much; people would talk she had told him. It would never work she had told him. The age difference was too great, you would never accomplish your dream, it was a mistake. All the things she said, they…they…'what am I doing to myself?'
Even when something is important…don't I deserve to be selfish sometimes…I can't always give and give and repeat the same thing day after day, year after year and expect something different to happen, 'am I insane? ' No. I change would do me good.
Some would be sad…some would calibrate…but he didn't care about either of those. All he cared about was that for one moment in his life he had made a selfish decision and did what he wanted rather that what he thought other would want of him. His destiny…his story…it was all going to be in his hands from now on…and nobody was going to take it away from him again.
Back with Everyone Else
"Haruna-hime." Naruto called, completely forgoing any greeting or explanation on where he had been for the last half of the day. The sun was going down and everyone was packing the remaining supplies but none were too busy to listen to the conversation of the princess once she shouted for joy…hugging everyone's favorite hyperactive ninja.
Once everyone had gathered they were told the full story.
"Why?!" Choji wined. "Was it something I said? Was it something I did?"
"No!" Naruto yelled in frustration, hopping on one foot while trying to get the much stronger Choji to let go of his other leg.
"It's Ino isn't it? We can kick her out of our group, I never liked her anyway." Choji pleaded in desperation.
"Choji!" he countered.
"Please don't leave me alone with her…it'll be the death of me."
Naruto rolled his eyes, talk about over reactions. "Ino's not that bad, you'll be fine."
"I'm doomed!!"
Naruto offered a sincere pat on the back before escaping from the rather embarrassing scene. "Jeeze." 'Good thing Ino wasn't here to hear that or she might have beaten him to within an inch of his life.' He chuckled at the thought as he walked up to the Hyuga heiress, giving off a little wave. "Hey Hina-Ooof." Before he even knew what was going on he was wrapped in a bear trap of a hug, it might be her last so might as well enjoy it, ensnaring one of his arms and cutting off his air supply. "Yeah…I'll miss you too." He squeaked in an air deprived voice.
She released him and he took in a huge breath. Her face turned a bright orange hue as she watched him breath in and out; the scene was all too cute in her opinion. Even if he wouldn't be around, he would still be an inspiration to her resolution, she would work harder to complete her own goals now that he wasn't around to cheer her on and when she sees him again…she'll happily kick his ass to show him how much she has grown thanks to his encouragement. But for now…she would run away before he regains his breath to say anything to her.
"Well…that was better than the scene with Choji." 'Although he didn't try to kill me with affection.' Whatever, looks like the lazy ass finally woke up.
"…" 'Troublsome.'
"…" 'I'm not that annoying.'
"…" 'Ypu're just a tag along.'
"…" 'I'm just a tag along?'
"…" 'Why does Choji like him so much?'
"…" 'Why does Choji like him so much?'
"…" 'He's my best friend."
"…" 'He's my eating partner."
"…" 'Whatever.'
"…" 'Whatever.'
"…" 'I still hate you.'
"…" 'He doesn't like me.'
"Annoyance." 'Till next time.'
"Ass." 'Till next time.'
The two walked in opposite directions, completely unaware of the conversation they just help in secret. A hand was place on his shoulders, just like his day dream, but unlike his day dream she wouldn't let him embrace her and this time…it would continue past the sun set.
"Naruto-kun." He noted her voice sounded small and frail, completely opposite from her usually strong proud demeanor. She placed a hand to his shoulder to halt his advances.
"Shizune-san." She winced at the added suffix; she wasn't use to being addressed so formally and even less likely by him. If he was actually using respect when he didn't have to then she really must have hurt him.
"I just wanted to say…" His eyebrow rose, she stopped mid sentence. She wanted to ask him to stay, no, she wanted to demand for him to stay, asking left to much probability.
"Good luck…right?" He finished for her, although he was sure that's not what she wanted to say.
"Yeah….I'm sorry." She moved to face him. Her eyes spoke serenity as her voice portrayed hurt.
"No…I'm sorry…I shouldn't have ask for more." He apologized; he actually apologized for something out of his control. Why does he have to be so dense as to not know that this isn't his fault? It only added to the reasons why she liked him.
"No…it was only right that you want more."
He snorted, crossing his arms. 'Why does she do this to me, sending mixed signals? What does she want? I don't understand why.'
"But it wouldn't have worked out." She looked nervous, the way she kept looking around, trying not to focus on the person standing before her.
"You keep saying that but you still haven't given me a valid reason." He took a step away from her, letting her arm fall freely, almost as if it that single act stole all is hope for living. 'There have been greater age gaps.'
"You're too young to know what true love is." 'You'll have a chance to find the right person for you.'
"I just want you to be…"
"Happy, I know." Doesn't everyone? Typical. "Look Shizune, I understand," Somewhat. "so if you don't mind, I have some people waiting for me." He smirked, payback was never really his thing but he's done a lot of things today that he normally wouldn't have done. "I'll let you handle Obaa-san." He began to walk away, eager to start anew on his fresh life.
"Naruto…wait!"
He jumped into the trees, jumping from branch to branch in search of his new companions; he didn't need to be continually reminded of what he was leaving behind. It wasn't that he thought he could escape her, because if she wanted she could catch him in an instance, she was a Jounin after all, but he knew that she wouldn't follow. This was his selfish decision and he didn't need any should of, could of, would of's influencing his decisions.
"Come on!" He shouted with mock happiness to the patient royal and he trusty guard. "We're wasting daylight!"
The two watched as he speed through the trees, not even bothering to look back to check if they were following. "Come Haruna-sama," Yurinojou grabbed the princess's hand to pull her along. "we better catch him before he completely leaves us behind."