I never thought I would actually finish this! Okay, maybe I did, but it was tough going at one point. One of these days, I'm going to hire ninja to assassinate Writer's Block. Again, this is an idea came from Kyuubi245 over at Narutofan Forums. He wanted to see the girls comfort the guys in their highly depressed states. I've always wanted to write depressed Naruto!

As I say in my author's note, I've deviated from the manga a bit. I thought of the entire thing (mostly) before chapter 384 and also had my own ideas of how the current arc would end. When Kishi blew it all to pieces, I had to decide whether to incorporate current events or not. Giving the headache I got over this writer's block, I decided to let it be.

Now…Ready…Set…Fanfic! XD

Title: Finding the Broken Pieces
Genre: Angst, AU
Timeline: Post Sasuke's Return
Summary: Sasuke's back in Konoha, but Naruto learns of the events that occurred while he was away and his past. Sasuke, meanwhile, ponders his own life and the battle with his brother. When the pieces are broken and left astray, someone must come and put them back together.
Pairings: NaruHina, SasuSaku
Rating: G
Author's Note: This fanfic is AU past Naruto Chapter 384. It's mostly the end result that differs. Basically, I wrote it different from what Kishi wrote (primarily because this fic was imagined before Chapter 384).
Disclaimer: I really wish I was a successful mangaka, however, I'm not, I can't draw period so therefore Naruto doesn't belong to me in the slightest. Naruto belongs solely to Kishimoto.


Success.

That should have been paramount on Naruto's mind. He had finally succeeded in bringing Sasuke back home, but yet something was wrong. Frowning, he looked back as he walked to his restrained rival and best friend. Sasuke's face was downcast, he barely looked anyone in the eye, barely spoke to anyone as they journeyed back to the village.

Naruto did not understand what had happened during his fight with Itachi. Arriving much later, all he saw was Sasuke standing over two bodies, one of them being Itachi. The other, a large man with orange spiky hair named Juugo, looked to be one of the men Naruto saw with Sasuke before he unfortunately got Chidori-ed.

Whatever had happened, it left Sasuke in a much dire state then ever before. It was almost as if he had gone insane. And, of course, Sasuke would not come willing so the two of them were forced to fight…again.

The battle had been intense. Sakura had helped this time. Naruto grinned; the sight of Sasuke's eyes bulging when Sakura broke the ground with her fist had been a sight to behold. He had waited awhile to see that. However, his smile faded as he remembered Orochimaru taking over Sasuke's body. Apparently, the red haired member of Sasuke's team (Karin, Naruto thought her name was) did something to him. She triggered something, injecting some drug from a distance, Naruto was not sure what, but it had to do with the Cursed Seal.

That battle had been the toughest of his life.

However, in the end, he managed to knock Sasuke/Orochimaru down, paralyzing him and Sakura dealt with the Cursed Seal, injecting him with some antidote she came up. Orochimaru disappeared and the Sasuke Naruto and his team were currently saddled with emerged.

Naruto sighed. Fighting was more his thing than dealing with emotions he did not understand. Whatever was wrong with Sasuke currently, he did not know what to do. All he knew was that if Sasuke tried to leave again, he would plant another fist in his rival's face!

Kakashi held up his hand and the group stopped. "All right," he said, turning around and addressing the group. "I've already sent a message ahead to Hokage-sama informing her of our return. We're using the South Gate, that one is usually deserted this time of day, however, we're taking no chances." Kakashi glanced over at Naruto and Hinata. "The two of you will be in front. Sasuke will be behind you wearing a cape over his head, I don't want people spotting him right away. Sakura, you'll be behind him with Sai. Shino and Kiba will be on each side of Sasuke. Yamato and I will be behind Sakura and Sai with our other…guest."

Everyone turned to the white haired Suigetsu, who gave a toothy grin in response. He was the only member of Sasuke's team left. Karin's whereabouts were unknown.

The team got in the positions Kakashi assigned them. Naruto glanced back to his two teammates. Sasuke appeared not even to register what was going around him. Sakura stared at Sasuke's back with sad eyes. He knew; realized what would occur when they got back to Konoha: Sakura would stay be Sasuke's side constantly and, for once, Naruto felt happy about it. Sakura-chan, I can't break Sasuke out of this with my fists, but maybe you can get through to him?

Naruto turned his attention forward, a small smile on his face as he looked forward to Konoha.

--

They arrived at the South Gate around noon. Naruto could not be happier; his stomach was aching for some ramen! He turned to Hinata, grinning at her. She blushed, but also smiled in response. Naruto felt a bit closer to her, for some reason. Maybe it had to do with the fact she helped him come to his senses when that Akatsuki had caused the Kyuubi to take him over? He could not remember a lot, but her face had been the first thing he saw when he woke up.

As the South Gate opened, Naruto pushed aside whatever it was. He was home, Sasuke was back and that was all that mattered, right?

However, Naruto caught sight of Tsunade's glum face as she stood inside the walls of Konoha, waiting for them, and felt perplexed. What could possibly go wrong now?

--

Hinata was surprised to see the Fifth Hokage greet them. She knew someone would have to be there for them, since Sasuke was basically considered a missing-nin, but she did not expect Tsunade herself to be here.

She glanced back at Sasuke to find he was still looking down to the ground, not paying anyone any attention.

Kakashi walked forward. "Hokage-sama, I'm surprised to see you here."

Tsunade closed her eyes and looked downward. Hinata felt a sense of foreboding. Something really bad was about to happen. She could feel it. "I wanted you to hear this now," said Tsunade. "Before we went on to the debriefing."

"Tsunade-shishou?" questioned Sakura in a small voice.

"There's no easy way of telling you this, Naruto, but Jiraiya…" Tsunade clinched her fists tightly. "He's dead."

The reaction was immediate. Kiba's jaw dropped and Akamaru whined and nudged his master's hand with his nose. Shino jumped slightly (not enough to be noticed by others, but to Hinata, it was a sign that he was deeply shocked by the news). Sai's eyes widened while Sakura covered her mouth with her hands in disbelief. Suigetsu, their other prisoner, glanced at each of his captors and took in their responses. Kakashi gasped, but only Sasuke stood emotionless, still staring at the ground as he had been doing since the start of the journey home.

Hinata blinked; stunned that one of the Legendary Sannin would be dead. She instantly turned to Naruto, remembering that he had been taught by Jiraiya for over two years. Naruto simply stared at Tsunade, his mouth slack and his eyes wide. His arms shook slightly, but he remained standing. She could almost feel the shock rolling off him in waves. And what worried her was the fact that he was not saying anything. Nothing at all.

"Hokage-sama?" called out Yamato-taishou from the back. "Jiraiya-sama is dead? How is this possible?"

"He died fighting against the Akatsuki leader. I'll share the details after the debriefing from your mission." Tsunade looked up, tears streaked down her face. "Naruto…I know this must be hard, but – " Before she could finish, Naruto looked away. Hinata could not see his face, but she did not really have to in order to tell how hard Naruto was taking this. Then, without warning, without any word, Naruto jumped up to one of the surrounding rooftops and bolted.

Everyone watched him go. Kakashi had a sad expression on his face as he followed Naruto's disappearing form. Tsunade shook her, using her hand to wipe the tears from her face. "I thought that would happen. This is why I decided to tell him now, rather than after the debriefing." Her face contorted, her hands turned to fists as she fought back tears. "I just couldn't…couldn't just pretend everything was fine during the debriefing and then say, 'oh and Jiraiya was killed during your mission.' It just wouldn't be fair to him."

Abruptly, she turned away as Sakura raced over to her. Tsunade took a deep breath and then spoke again, her voice calmer now, resembling more a leader, through one that had a great heartbreaking weight on her shoulders, "Naruto's part in the mission, Kakashi, was he alone at any time?"

The copy ninja shook his head, his one eye closed as he stared at the wall opposite of him. "There was a point where he fought Sasuke, but that was at least five minutes. The rest of us caught up and witnessed the rest of it. He explained to us what happened while he was alone."

Tsunade nodded. "All right. I'll just have him report on that gap when he's feeling up to it. The rest of you, hospital and then my office."

As the others began to move forward, somewhat disheartened over the news, Hinata looked in the direction Naruto went in. She was worried about him. She had seen him depressed. And the Naruto she saw appeared beyond depressed.

"Hinata," muttered Kiba, poking her softly in the shoulder as he passed her. "We gotta go."

Yes, she had to go, but not to the debriefing. She felt like she had to be with Naruto, make sure he was okay. She could not leave him alone. "Hokage-sama!" Tsunade stopped and turned. Hinata bowed respectfully. "Hokake-sama, may I go and see to Naruto-kun?"

Tsunade looked her over before turning to Kakashi and Sakura. Both nodded their heads. "Very well, but I will expect a report from you afterwards." She sighed and turned away. "Naruto does need someone right now."

Hinata felt her heart lighten, but felt a desperate need to leave right then. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Thank you, Hokage-sama." Not wasting a second, she jumped to the rooftop, activated her Byakugan and began searching for Naruto.


Angst! My favorite type of writing! It's so much fun to mentally torment characters, break them into tiny pieces and then put them back together for a happy ending! XD I haven't done my worst yet in writing Naruto or anyone else. Anyway...so Naruto finally has the news and is not taking it well. Let's hope Hinata can offer some help for our little blond foxy friend! And Sasuke isn't doing too well, it seems. Wonder what's up with him?

More later! Thanks for reading! - NessaMoon