Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto/Naruto Shippuuden. it is owned by Masashi Kishimoto.
Note: This chapter was remade. This is the final product.
It was cloudy, rainy, and just out right depressing in the village of Konohagakure.
The streets were empty, as people avoided the storm raging the village.
In the Konoha memorial hospital, a blonde haired boy laid in his bed, staring blankly at the wall.
He touched the whisker tattoos on his face, and gripped them in anger. His cobalt eyes then glanced down to his stomach, staring where the seal would be on his gut.
The blonde was a Jinchuuriki, and his name was Uzumaki Naruto.
"..I failed.."
He touched the bandages that wrapped around his forehead, and flinched slightly as he felt pain electrify through him.
Naruto could only sigh, as he stared up at the ceiling. "How... How could I have failed..?"
He gritted his teeth, as his eyes narrowed, remembering the fight with his lost comrade.. The man he could now say, he hated.. Uchiha Sasuke.
How could he not forget the fight that occurred..
4 days ago..
The two stare at each other, as Sasuke pinned the blonde to the cliff side, his sharingan staring hatefully into Naruto's red demonic eyes.
The raven haired boy growled lowly "Naruto.. How could you.."
He punches the blonde hard in the gut, causing air to escape from his lungs.
"Even for a second..."
The Uchiha hit the blonde again, this time, blood went with the air. "Hope to understand what I've gone through? HUH!"
The blonde growls, then kicks the Uchiha off. He rushes at the raven haired boy, and punches him in the face. "It's not like I've never suffered, TEME!"
Sasuke deflects the Jinchuuriki's kick, then back flips, and rushes through hand signs "Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" He launches the large fireball at the blonde, who avoids it with ease.
Naruto then grabs the Uchiha, and drags him along the ground. "True, you did have a family, so you had it rough when you lost them.."
He then spawns over a dozen clones, and chain links them, bashing Sasuke into the cliff side at blinding speeds. "BUT AT LEAST YOU WERE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE FEELING OF BEING LOVED!"
They stopped when they crashed into a large mountain side, and Sasuke growled "KATON: RYUKA NO JUTSU!"
The large fire technique explodes in Naruto's face, melting all the rock around them, and burning the clones to death.
As the fire recedes, Naruto lays there, eyes widened, as he stares at Sasuke "H..Holy.."
The raven haired boy stares bewildered at Naruto, surprised that he survived the technique. "you're too late.. Naruto.. You can't.."
He then kicks the blonde off of the edge, then locks him in place so he begins to fall head first. "YOU CAN'T CHANGE MY MIND! NARUTOOO!"
A large crashing sound could be heard throughout the area, as Naruto hits the ground head first. Sasuke then heard a large crack from the blonde's skull.
The Uchiha jumps off of Naruto, as he falls over, and lands into the water, eyes completely widened, but his pupils were gone.
Everything fades to black for Naruto, as he feels the cold sensation of water rush over him.
'Hmhmhm..'
'Eh...?'
Naruto opens his eyes in shock to see himself in front of the Kyuubi's cage, staring at him menacingly.
'How disappointing...'
The blonde stares at the cage Soullessly, still out of it from the hit.
'I can't believe.. That a weak little brat like you is supposed to be my jail keeper!'
His eyes pierce Naruto's soul, as his sick grin only widens
'If you want more power... Just ask..'
Sasuke was about to turn away, but his eyes widen as Naruto begins to stand up, a red chakra forming around him. However, it was different. It wasn't normal chakra.
The red chakra formed around him.. Like a cloak of some sort. It looked like Naruto was in pain, but the Uchiha wasn't about to let Naruto try anything.
He rushed up to the blonde, trying to get the drop on him, only for Naruto to punch him square in the face, and knocking him back a good twenty feet.
"NNNGH! OH GOD!" He grabbed his face in pain, as he felt his nose was completely broken.
The raven haired boy glared up at Naruto, who was now completely engulfed by the cloak. He then wiped blood from his nose "Alright, then.. Let's do this.."
The two clash, deflecting each hit thrown. However, what shocks the Uchiha, is when Naruto begins to speed up.
'W-What's going on!'
His sharingan picks up Naruto's attack, and he tries to avoid it, only to get hit anyways.
His eyes widen as the tail behind Naruto begins to thrash around, and fly at the Uchiha.
'T-The cloak.. It's like the thing has a mind of its own!'
He jumps over the tail, then rushes at the blonde, and punches him in the gut, then in the face.
Naruto didn't flinch, he just looked at Sasuke with pure malice.
He then grabbed the raven haired boy, and threw him into the cliff wall, as hard as he could.
"Hmhm.. Well.. It looks as if I don't have a choice.. Huh?"
Naruto's eyes begin to widen at the fact that, not only did Sasuke get up, he was now changing.
The curse mark over took the raven haired boy. His skin was now a dark tanned color, his eyes now black, his hair was twice as long as before, and now purple, and two gigantic hands sprouted out from his back.
Sasuke smirked "Get ready.. NARUTO!" His speed picked up exponentially, as he ran at Naruto, and punched him hard in the face.
The blonde tries to keep up, but was failing quickly.
Sasuke grew claws on his hands, and began tearing Naruto's skin up.
Naruto roared fiercely as he grabbed Sasuke's wrist, and bent it in another direction, breaking it instantly. "AUGH! You little..!"
Naruto then headbutts the Uchiha, and kicks him away.
They were now on opposite sides of the river. Both were completely exhausted, both were almost out of chakra.
Both, only had one trump card left.
Sasuke put his hand down, and began charging chakra into it "Chidori..."
Naruto's fangs grew as his anger grew, he then put his hand out, and, with the Kyuubi's help, formed an orb of chakra in his hand. "Rasengan.."
The two then jumped at each other, both knowing this was the final attack, and all they could do, was scream.
"NARUTOOO!"
"SASUKEEE!"
They both threw their techniques forward, as the attacks made contact.
"RASENGAN!"
"CHIDORI!"
The technique exploded, causing an orb of energy to wrap around them. Sasuke, quickly thinking, punched Naruto hard in the gut, now that his defenses were open.
Naruto's eyes widened as he felt the hit. Then, as he was about to lose consciousness, scratched Sasuke's forehead protector, putting a mark right through the leaf symbol.
That's all Naruto could remember. After that, everything else was either a total blur, or he was unconscious. He gripped his bed sheets, as he bit his lower lip in frustration at the thought of losing, and failing his mission.
The blonde's eyes fully open, as he hears the door open. He looks up to see the last person he was expecting.
"H-Hey.. Naruto."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly, her pink hair reached just to her shoulders, she wore a red combat dress, green shorts, and sported blue shoes, and a blue forehead protector. Her sad emerald eyes stared back into his.
She was the love of his life, Haruno Sakura.
The pinkette walked in, giving him a weak smile. The blonde looked at her in total confusion "W-What're you doing here, Sakura-chan?"
She proceeded to put a flower in a vase on his bedside table, not looking at him. "I came here to see you, of course."
Naruto's guilt for failing the mission grew even more, as he looked down, anguish filling his face.
'I feel like such a bastard.. I couldn't even bring back the guy she loves..'
"S-Sakura-chan.."
She then looked at him, trying as hard as she could to smile. "You're in rough shape, but I'm glad you're-"
"I couldn't keep my promise!"
Sakura stares at Naruto in shock, who was looking down, daring not to show his face to her. "I.. I promised.. That I would bring him back to you... So you would be happy! You would have.. The man you love.."
He then rubbed his eyes as he felt tears build up. "But I couldn't do it! I couldn't do it, because I wasn't strong enough!.. And all I did.. Was disappoint you.."
The pinkette was certainly surprised, to say the least, at hearing Naruto's guilt covered words. She then sighed in response "You didn't disappoint me."
His eyes widened at this, as he looked at her. "W-What?"
Sakura looked away, toward the cloudy sky, staring off into space. "You did everything you could, to try to bring Sasuke-kun back."
She then gives him a sad, yet genuine smile "If anything.. I should be saying sorry... No one should go through what you did."
Naruto's eyebrows creased upwards "Sakura-chan..."
The blonde looked down, smiling sadly, as he closes his eyes for a moment.
'Right... No time to feel guilty.. I'm doing this for her.. After all..'
He then gave her his fox-like grin "Don't worry, I'll bring him back for sure! I'll get stronger, then I'll make that Teme come back! It's a promise of a lifetime, after all!"
Sakura laughed slightly, as she turned to the door way "Baka.. Thanks.." With that, she walked out, leaving the blonde alone.
"Well, that was interesting to hear."
The blonde blinked, then looked back over to see Shikamaru walking in, and leaning against the wall. "Shikamaru?"
The black-haired boy rubbed the back of his neck "Who else?"
Naruto chuckled slightly at this, before his expression sharpened slightly. "How are the others..?"
Shikamaru was expecting to hear this, as he walked to the window, staring out at the rain. "Well, Neji just got out of surgery... They said he'll be alright. Chouji will be fine, too.. He's now eating, to regain his strength."
Naruto's expression began to soften slightly, as Shikamaru continued "Kiba's sleeping, he's suffering from chakra exhaustion, but he's recovering." He then pointed to himself. "As for myself, I'll be out of this sling in a couple of weeks."
Naruto sighed slightly in relief "I'm glad.." He then gritted his teeth slightly, as he grabbed his blanket "I'm.. I'm sorry you guys had to go through that.."
The pony tail wearing boy put his good arm, under his bad arm, giving it some support. "Don't worry about it, man. While it was troublesome.. Sasuke is our comrade, so we at least had to try."
Shikamaru's tired looking eyes shift toward him "Now.. What I want to know is.. Why did you go through so much trouble?"
Naruto looked at him in surprise "Eh?"
Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head in slight annoyance "I understand wanting to go after Sasuke, because he was a comrade.. But, you were even more impatient than usual, you were overly serious.. You weren't acting like yourself at all."
The blonde's eyes widen as he looks to the side, only to hear Shikamaru speaking again "..Is it about Sakura, and what she said to you before we left?"
Naruto didn't answer, he just nodded slowly, causing Shikamaru to sigh ".. I'm gonna be completely honest with you, Naruto.. Why are you going through so much trouble for her?"
The black-haired boy turns fully to the blonde "For years, she's treated you terribly, never giving a second thought about you when something bad happens.." He then rubs the back of his head again "While it's technically none of my business.. In my opinion, after being treated like that.. Then being begged by that same person..? I wouldn't be able to accept.."
Naruto gave a half-hearted smile, as he looked down, a shadow hanging over his eyes. "..You know what.. I dunno.."
He then looks to the side, biting his lower lip. "I guess... I just want to make her happy... Even if it means I'm left behind.."
Shikamaru's eyes open fully as he looks at the blonde jinchuuriki "Naruto.."
The blonde then gives his friend a smile "I'm fine though.. Really.. I've already come to terms with the fact that she loves that Teme.."
Shikamaru sighs, as he gives the blonde a fist bump "Well then... Good luck, with this whole troublesome situation, Naruto." With a wave, the black-haired boy walks out of the room.
Naruto stared at the doorway, before clutching the blanket, as his bottom lip quivered.
'It still fucking hurts, though..'
He then laid back in the bed, closing his eyes, hoping that sleep would help him get away from this whole mess.
"Oi, Gaki, wake up."
Naruto's eyes slowly open as he looks over to his window, and his eyes widen slightly to see an old man with long white hair, a metal forehead protector, red robes with green pants, and red marks on his face.
It was his second mentor, Jiraiya.
Naruto fully sat up, his eyes completely widened "W-What're YOU doing here, Ero-sennin!"
Jiraiya chuckled at the boys shock, then raised a finger "You said you wanted to be trained, right?"
The blonde blinked at this, then nodded "Yeah, why?"
The toad sage then folded his arms, giving Naruto a toothy smirk "Well then, pack your bags! 'Cause you're getting your wish!"
Naruto's jaw dropped at this."E-EH? Seriously? AWESOME!"
Jiraiya laughed at the boy's reaction "I thought you might like that. Well, you'll have plenty of time, cause we'll be gone for 2 years."
That's where Naruto's joy ended, at a screeching halt, as he looked at Jiraiya in surprise "T.. That long?.."
The white-haired man looked at him "Yeah, that a problem?"
The blonde looked to the side, uneasiness settling in him. "W-Well.. I want to get Sasuke back as soon as possible.. Can I really afford two years..?"
Jiraiya sighs at this, as he walks over, and puts a hand on Naruto's shoulder, as he gets down to eye level "Look, Naruto.. I'm going to be real with you, here.. The Akatsuki is after you.."
Naruto raised a brow to this "Akatsuki?.."
The older man nodded "Hai.. They are a group of rogue ninja.. Who are after what is inside of you.. The Kyuubi.."
Jiraiya then stood up, and walked over to the window "True, we would be training.. But it would also serve as a way to keep the Akatsuki away from the village."
Naruto looked down, grimacing "This damned fox is causing trouble for me, again..."
The white-haired man took notice of this, then smiled "Think about it this way, you'll be able to get stronger when we're gone, and your chances of being able to bring back Sasuke will go up!"
Naruto's eyes lit up at this, before smiling "Oh yeah? Well then.. I'll do it!"
Jiraiya then opens the window "Alright, be ready to pack your things, we leave in two days." With that, he jumps out, and disappears into the night.
The blonde laid back, and stared up at the ceiling, he could feel himself healing up, he figured it would only be another day until he would be able to leave.
He then raised his hand up, and stared at it, and absent smile placed on his features.
'I'll get stronger, Sakura-chan... I'll bring Sasuke back to you... So you can finally be happy..'
With that, he slowly fell asleep, swearing that he heard the fox laughing in spite of him.
Naruto slowly walked out the door of his house, those two days went by in a snap for the blonde.
He was able to quickly pack his things no problem, and clean his house spotless. He then locked the door, there wasn't any sort of expression on his face, he was.. emotionless.
'..Is it right to not tell anyone that I'm leaving?...'
The blonde then shook his head, shrugging slightly.
'Ah well, I'm sure they all want a break from my wild antics, anyways..'
Naruto slowly walked down the stairs of his apartment building, and found Jiraiya waiting for him at the bottom.
The old man looked up at him with a smirk "Ready?"
Naruto nodded in confirmation "Hai."
They walk down the streets, and as they did so, Naruto turned his head to the Hokage monument, and smirked at the Yondaime's head.
'I will surpass you.. Just wait and see..'
He then continued forward, with an eager smile on his face.
Jiraiya however, had a pretty good idea what was going on in the boy's head.
'He probably wants a break from this place.. After living the kind of life he did, it would make sense..'
The two walk out of the village, looking forward to the adventure that awaits them.
A few weeks had pass since then, Sakura was walking through the streets of Konoha, making a bee-line for the Hokage tower.
Why would she want to go there? Well, she needed to know something. More specifically, where the hell Naruto went.
She put her finger to her chin, as the thought kept circling in her mind.
'Just where the hell did that baka go? I checked his house a few days back, I checked the training field, hell I checked Ichiraku, but he's nowhere!'
'Ya know, it's just awesome that you only NOW care about where the hell Naruto went.'
The pinkette raised a brow at the sudden sarcasm her inner self was spouting.
'Huh, what's your problem?'
'YOU ARE! Honestly... You've been cooped up in your room for weeks crying your eyes out over Sasuke, and you only NOW notice that Naruto is gone!'
Sakura looked to the side, folding her arms as she kept on walking.
'T-That's...'
'Naruto nearly died trying to bring Sasuke back to us, and you barely bat an eyelash at him! Oh yeah, sure, you go and visit him a few weeks back in the hospital, only after I fucking guilt tripped you into realizing that Naruto almost fucking died for YOU!'
She bit her lower lip as she looks down, feeling guilt rushing through her.
'..I'm such a bitch...'
'Fuck yeah, you are.'
The pinkette begins to walk up the stairs of the tower, looking down as the guilt flowed through her.
'...I shouldn't be so cold to him.. I should be nicer.. Try to be a good friend to him..'
'A real friend, you mean.'
'..Right.. Because you're right.. He is doing this for me.'
She walked through the halls of the tower, as even more guilt began to rush through her.
'..I should also be more useful to him..'
'Hm?'
'I can't do anything in a fight.. I'm only book smart.. I don't know good strategies, I can't fight as well as he can.. I'm just.. A burden...'
She reached the hokage's door, and knocked on the door, and slowly opened it, and to her luck she was awake. "A.. Ano.. Hokage-sama?"
The hokage looked up, and gave her a slight smile "Ah, Sakura, come in."
She was an older woman, but you wouldn't know it thanks to her age altering abilities. She has long, light blonde hair that she puts into two pig tails near the base of her neck. She wears a green jacket, and under that a gray shirt with a long V-neck, revealing a lot of cleavage from her rather large chest. She also sports navy blue pants, and black high heel shoes.
She was the Godaime: Senju Tsunade.
Tsunade picked up her coffee, and took a relaxing sip, as she opened an eye at the pinkette "You seem to be doing better."
Sakura nodded, giving the blonde woman a small smile. "Hai.. It took some time.. But, I decided it's time to move on."
Tsunade smirked slightly as she laced her fingers together, and propped her shoulders on the table. "That's very good. Now.. What can I help you with?"
Sakura looked to the side, unsure of how to ask this "W-Well.. Do you, by any chance, know where that baka Naruto is? I haven't seen him since I checked on him at the hospital a few weeks back."
Tsunade raised a brow to this, as she fully sat up "You don't know?"
Sakura just stared at the godaime, her silence answering Tsunade's question, who only sighs, as she closes her eyes. "I'm surprised, I thought he would've told you of all people." Tsunade opens her eyes, staring right at the pinkette.
"Naruto left with Jiraiya."
The pinkette's eyes fully opened at this "Seriously? Well, when should he be expected back?"
The blonde stood up, and walked over to the window. "They won't be back for 2 years, Sakura.."
Sakura's eyes widen slightly at this, as she looks down.
'T.. Two years..?'
'Well great, now your apology will have to be on hold.'
She then clenches her fists, as she gritted her teeth.
'I just know that... He'll spend all that time, training himself to exhaustion, so he can keep his promise to me..'
'Probably.. You know how that baka is.'
Sakura then raises her head, eyes locked on Tsunade "Tsunade-sama!"
The blonde looks at the younger girl in confusion "Yes?"
Sakura then bows respectfully "Please, train me!"
Tsunade's eyebrow raises to this, as she turns to the pinkette fully. "Eh? Train you?"
The pinkette nods to this "Yes! I wish to increase my skills as a ninja!"
The blonde hokage walks over to the pink haired girl, and puts a hand on her shoulder. "Is that the only reason?"
Sakura looks to the side, as she stands straight up, biting her lower lip. "Naruto went through hell, because of me... Now, he's going through rigorous training.."
Her eyes then sharpen, confidence growing "I can't just sit around, and do nothing after everything he has done for me."
Tsunade's eyes fully open at this, surprised by Sakura's resolve, before smiling "Well said, Sakura."
She then turns around, hands crossed behind her back "Alright then, I will train you!"
Sakura's eyes lit up instantly at this "R-Really? Arigatou!"
Tsunade then turned her head slightly, showing a rather menacing stare "Don't expect it to be easy! I will bring you to the depths of hell and back!"
Sakura felt her spine shiver at this in slight fear, before nodding "H-Hai, I understand!"
The blonde then stuck her tongue out "And who knows, if you ask nicely, I might also teach you how to get puppies like these!" As she said this, she pointed to her chest.
This caused the pinkette to go completely red in the face "T-That is not what I'm here for, Tsunade-sama!"
The next several months were definitely strenuous for the young Haruno. She had increased her strength, dexterity, agility, and endurance.
That wasn't all, though. She had also learned how to use her chakra for healing properties.
After working a shift at her new job in the hospital, the pinkette walked through the streets, drinking a thermos of coffee, as she yawned loudly.
She looked up at the sky, dark, menacing clouds were building up. She then looked forward, taking another gulp of her coffee.
'Looks like a storm is coming..'
'Indeed. Hm..'
'What?'
'It's been nearly a year since Naruto left. We haven't had any word from Jiraiya to know how he's doing.'
To this, Sakura just shrugged nonchalant.
'They might just be busy.'
'I guess...'
'Huh, normally I'm the one who's worried, why are you?'
'I just.. I have a feeling something is wrong.. I know you do to.'
'What makes you say that?'
'I am you, after all.'
Sakura sighed, as she bit her lower lip. True, she's been having a bad feeling for the last few days. However, she's been trying to ignore it.
As she walked up the stairs, rain began to fall from the cloud covered skies, causing Sakura to rush into the tower.
She then ran her hand through her hair, getting out the rain water, as she sipped her coffee.
'The weather doesn't help itch off my bad feeling, either..'
As she walks through the halls, her eyes fully open as she picks up something.
Blood. There was blood trailing along the floor.
She looked forward, as she kept walking, and saw that it went into her master's office.
She walked to the door, and opened it. "Shishou? Why is there blood on th-"
Her eyes widen slightly, when she sees Jiraiya sitting against the wall, blood rushing from cuts all over his body.
Tsunade growls slightly, as tears beginning to build up in her eyes. "Baka..! How could you let yourself get hurt like this..!"
He flinches slightly, as he feels pain rush through him. "G-Gomen.."
The pinkette slowly stepped into the room "J-Jiraiya-sama?"
Both their eyes widen as they look over at Sakura. Jiraiya then looks to the side, his face filled with pain, and sorrow.
The pinkette steps forward "W-What's going on..?" She hesitated, she feared to ask the next question.
"Where is Naruto..?"
Tsunade bit her lower lip, her already strained eyes only grew with more sorrow. Jiraiya gritted his teeth in self loathing, as his fists trembled.
The white-haired man looked down, as Tsunade continued to heal him. "We.. We were ambushed by the Akatsuki..."
Sakura's eyes slowly began to widen.
'No..'
Jiraiya's eyes began to twitch, as tears built up "There was so much of his blood.. But no body.." He then looks at her "Naruto is.."
"No.."
Both sannin look at Sakura in shock, whose eyes were twitching, and a fake smile was on her face "Is this another genjutsu training, Shishou..?"
Tsunade bit her lip harder, as tears began to run down her face. "Sakura.."
Sakura felt tears beginning to build in her eyes. "Because... While I was able to see through the others.. This one is.. Pretty difficult."
The pinkette's eyebrows twitched as she closed her eyes, the tears building up more. "Kind of a low trick though, if you ask me..."
Tsunade couldn't take this anymore, seeing her student refusing to see the truth was more than she could bear. She then got up, and placed a hand on one of Sakura's shoulders "Sakura.. This isn't a test..."
Sakura's eyes widened greatly, when Tsunade placed something cold, and hard in her hand. She looked down, and was shocked, to see it was a forehead protector.
It was Naruto's.. It was covered in blood stains, his blood stains. The cloth was torned, the metal was scratched, and dented.
Tsunade's eyebrows creased upwards, choking slightly, as she let the words slip out.
"Naruto is dead..."
"NO!"
Both sannin jump at this, as Sakura grips the forehead protector in her hand, as tears began to slowly run down her face. She then ran out of the room, not caring about Tsunade calling out to her.
She ran through the halls at full speed, tears rushing from her eyes.
'He's not dead.. He's not dead..'
She busted through the door to the roof, as she climbed the stairs to the open roof, the rain coming down hard.
Sakura knew the truth, she was just so reluctant to admit it to herself.
'HE CAN'T BE DEAD!'
Her running slowly came to a halt, as she stood in the middle of the roof, rain covering her from head to toe.
She then stared up at the sky, tears running down her face, as she absently ran her fingers along the damaged metal plate of his forehead protector.
'N.. Naruto..'
The pinkette fell to her knees, as she screamed out in agony, letting the tears openly flow from her eyes. As she did, a bolt of lightning crashed in the background, the skies themselves mourned along with her.
'I lost them both.. I lost Sasuke-kun to Orochimaru.. And I lost Naruto to the Akatsuki..'
She stared at the ground, as the tears fell from her eyes. She tightened her grip on the protector.
'...I couldn't even try to make up for all the horrible things I've done..'
'There is at least one thing you could do...'
'Yeah... I'm going to do what he would have wanted me to do.. I'm going to bring Sasuke-kun back..'
She then looks forward, tears still rushing from her eyes. "Naruto.. I am so sorry.."
A week later, a funeral was held for the blonde jinchuuriki, officially labled 'MIA'.
Sakura slowly walked out of her home, dressed in black. Her eyes had bags under them, and her pupils were faded. She had cried for hours the night before, only having about 4 hours of sleep under her belt.
She slowly trudged through the dark streets of the village, the sky was once again covered with dark clouds.
'This is actually effecting you worse than Sasuke leaving.'
Sakura legitimately snarled at this.
'It's one thing if someone betrays your home.. AT LEAST HE'S STILL ALIVE!'
That shut her inner self up, as she kept going, her anger leaving her quickly, as it was once again drowned in sorrow.
Her eyes glanced up, as she saw her sensei, adorning black wear over his normal dark blue with green vest jounin wear, his light gray hair, looking dark gray as it was wet from the light rain that was now falling. He also wore a black mask, instead of a dark blue one.
It was her Jounin instructor: Hatake Kakashi.
Kakashi walked side by side with his young student. He glanced over to see nothing but empty sorrow on her features. Her eyes were empty, depressing.
He grimaced as he looked to the side. He knew what it was like to lose teammates. After all, both of his died in combat.
However, by the time they were both dead, he was battle hardened, he was used to death.. Sakura wasn't.
They arrived at the memorial stone. It was a small funeral, to say the least.
The only people there, consisted of the Konoha 11, along with Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, Mitarashi Anko, Sarutobi Asuma, Maito Gai, Umino Iruka, and Yuhi Kurenai.
They all had pained looks on their faces, but none as bad as Sakura. Who, the moment they put Naruto's name on the memorial stone, literally fell to her knees, crying into her hands.
Yamanaka Ino, her best friend, literally rushed to her side, and hugged the sorrow filled pinkette.
Sakura's crying only got worse, as the rain came down harder. Ino, looking down, bit her lip.
'She's lost so much in such a short amount of time...'
She hugged Sakura as tight as she could, doing the only thing she could think of, being there for her friend.
That day echoed through Sakura's mind, even two years later.
She now stood, wearing a red combat shirt, pink combat skirt, and dark blue combat shorts. She is now sporting a red forehead protector, black fingerless gloves, and black high heel combat boots.
Her eyes glared in the cave, at the one man who stood between her, and reaching Orochimaru. Sasori of the red sand.
Sakura tightened her fists, as she stood next to the Sunagakure elder Chiyo. She glanced at the elder, her sharpened look not fading "Chiyo-sama.. Make sure you don't get hit.. I know he's still using that poison that he got Kankuro with.. I just don't know what he's got it laced on.."
Sasori huffed slightly, his gruffy voice showing he was clearly unamused "If you two are done chatting.. Why don't we get this over with.."
The pinkette took her stance, as Sasori opened his coat "Since you were capable of destroying a boulder of that size.. I may as well use my second most powerful puppet."
Sakura's eyes widen as a puppet, the size of a full-grown man, appears from his cloak.
"That sick bastard..!"
The pinkette looked over at the older woman, eyes still widened "What?"
Chiyo growls lowly in frustration "That's the third Kazekage...!"
Just then, Sakura jumps out-of-the-way of the puppet swiping at her with hidden blades.
She keeps back flipping away from one attack, after another. She then growls, and proceeds to kick the puppet in the jaw.
It then gets sent flying back, but not before shooting iron sand out of its mouth, causing a large block of it to appear above the pinkette.
Her eyes widen as chakra fuels through her arms, she then raises her arms up, and catches the block of iron sand.
Chiyo's eyes widen at this "The only other person who would be capable of doing that is.. Tsunade-hime!"
Sakura begins to shake as her muscles tense, and veins begin to buldge from her arm "F-Fuck..!"
Her eyes then widen, as she feels a shot of adrenaline shoot through her "SHANNAROOO!"
She throws the large mass of iron sand at the puppet. She not only crushes the puppet, but also hits the wall of the cave, causing it to crumble the cave into nothing.
She breathes deeply, as she sees Sasori recovering, she then smirks.
The pinkette rushes at him, and throws her fist right down on his spine, causing her to shatter the outer shell. "QUIT HIDING!"
Her eyes widen as something fast jumps out of the hole she made, and appears several feet away.
The man was small, a bit feminine, with shaggy red hair. He sighed lowly "Pity.. You easily killed my prized puppet."
He then began to un-button his cloak "However.. Do you really think, I would be done after that?"
He then finishes un-buttoning the cloak "Now.. For my greatest puppet.." He takes the cloak, revealing that he is also a puppet.
Sakura's eyes shrink at this in shock "What.. The..."
Sasori laughs at this "Oh, and that is not all.."
The red-haired puppet then releases seals from his arms, causing one hundred puppets to appear "..You stand no chance.."
Sakura growled, as she saw the puppets drawing swords, she could make out the poison dripping from their blades.
She took out a needle, with the antidote in it, she then stabbed herself in the arm, injecting into herself.
The pinkette then stretched her arms "Time to finish this..."
Her eyes widen as the puppets rush at her at high speeds. She avoids each hit thrown at her, her eyes moving rapidly in every direction.
She then grabs one, and throws it into another, causing the two to shatter. However, they keep coming at her endlessly, as she avoids sword swipes, and poison covered tackles.
Sakura growls as she throws her fist down on one, however, she looks in shock as she's left wide open.
She begins to get slashed by endless swords, getting her sides torn up. Chiyo's eyes widen greatly at this.
"SAKURA!"
The pinkette's eyes open fully, pupils shrunk as she fuels chakra into her fist "BACK OFF!" She throws her fist down on the ground, causing a chakra fueled explosion, killing them all.
Sakura then falls to the ground, panting lowly as she puts a hand on her side, slowly healing some of the many cuts.
Sasori claps slowly at this, a small smirk on his face. "Very very impressive."
He then rushes at her, causing her eyes to widen completely, as she has little time to react.
The pinkette stares wide-eyed, as she gets a sword plunged into her gut, her mouth slowly opening as blood rushes out of her mouth.
Sasori then bends down, giving her a smug look "You're out of time."
Sakura's torso shoots up as she falls to the ground, feeling the poison begin going through her.
Pain runs through her spine, as she looks up at Sasori, completely defenseless.
As Sasori was about to finish her off, though..
"Well, what do we have here?.."
The red-haired man raises a brow as he looks over, to see a hooded man, with a mask on walk over. All that could be seen was dark bangs hanging over red canine looking eyes.
Sasori puts a hand on his hip, as he stands up. "Oh, now this is interesting."
The pinkette looks over slowly to see the man walking over, dead silent.
The red-haired man chuckles "First this bitch shows up.. Now yo-!" His eyes widen as he gets a punch to the jaw, going flying back across the cave.
Sakura's eyes widen slightly at this, as the masked man turns to her. At first, she's shaking, but then, he gets down on one knee, and looks at her softly. "This might hurt.. Alright?.."
She shakily nods to him, then grabs his shoulder instinctively in pain as he gently pulls the sword out of her torso.
He flinches a little at her strength, but immediately shakes it off. He then does a seal, then starts moving his hand around.
Sakura groans slightly, as she feels something move through out her body. She then looks in shock as she sees a purple substance flow out of her sword wound in a coat of chakra.
She looks him in the eye, and while they seem terrifying from the fact that they are blood-red.. And look like they belong to a wild animal.. They also seem calm, and caring. To her, it felt a lot like his gaze.
He then got up, and turned away, not before tossing her a blood pill. "You should be able to handle yourself from here... I have other things that need to be taken care of.." With that, the hooded figure turned away, then vanished.
Sakura snapped out of her daze, as she popped the blood pill in her mouth, and began healing her injuries. She then smirked "Whoever that guy is.. I owe him my life."
With that, she rushes at Sasori, who was still recovering from the punch, and proceeded to punch him in the gut.
She then grabbed his core in one quick movement. "I hear you're a man who has a lot of spies.. Do you have one for Orochimaru in particular?"
Sasori chuckles at this "I see you have done your research... However.. Why should I tell you.."
She then growls as she begins to crush his core "TELL ME!"
The red-haired man grunts slightly in pain. "S-Such determination.. For what purpose..?"
Sakura's eyes sharpen as a vein builds. "I've already lost some one dear to me... I will not lose this chance to save Sasuke-kun from that bastard!"
Sasori raises his brows at this, then chuckles, as blood begins to leak out of his mouth. Sakura only now realized she had crushed his core in anger.
He then looks her dead in the eye. "Very well.." She could hear the gears in him slowly stopping. "In ten days.. Go to the bridge of heaven and earth in Kusagakure at noon.."
His head then hangs, as his life slowly fades away. "I have a spy... Working as one of.. Orochimaru's subordinates... We were... Supposed... to rendezvous... There..."
Sakura sighs as she backs off, letting the now empty shell fall to the ground. She then turns back to Chiyo, and her eyes widen "Chiyo-sama.."
The elder woman is clutching her side, due to getting hit from a stray attack. She then puts a hand up "I'm fine.. Really."
The pinkette's eyebrows crease upwards, before shaking her head. "We gotta go.. Sensei might be in trouble."
They both nod, as they then take off.
When they finally caught up, though, Sakura saw something she wasn't expecting.
There was that same hooded man, who had saved her life only minutes ago, now saving her sensei's life, who was leaning against a tree, clearly out of chakra.
She rushes to Kakashi's side, and begins healing some of his explosion injuries "You alright?"
He nods slowly as his mangekyo sharingan returns to his normal one. "Y-Yeah.. Just over used a technique that I just acquired.." His eyes widen as he looks on at the fight between Deidara and the masked man.
The black hooded man proceeds to jump over the thrown explosive projectiles, causing the one-handed blonde to only grow aggrivated "Stand still you fucking monkey!"
He then chuckles "I wouldn't call myself a monkey..." The hooded figure then picks up the pace, as he rushes up, and kicks Deidara hard in the gut, then punches him in the face.
The blonde growls lowly, as he puts his hand to his mouth, eating all the explosive clay. "Clearly.. I am out matched.."
Just as team Gai gets there, Neji's eyes widen, as his byakugan sees chakra building at an alarming rate inside Deidara. "Everyone! Get back!"
Sakura picks up Kakashi, and begins to rush off, only to look back to see Deidara glowing.
'We don't have enough time..!'
'Fuck...'
The hooded man's eyes widen as he grabs Deidara, and leans in close "Let's go for a ride..." He then squats down, charging chakra into his feet.
He then jumps up, high enough to where they would all be safe, as Deidara explodes in his face.
Sakura's eyes widen, as she looks away, cringing.
'He sacrificed his life... To save us..'
'Why would a stranger do that..?'
Just then, a man touches down on the ground. "Fuck.. That thing was new too." He then gets up, as his hood literally falls apart in shreds. Revealing golden blonde locks.
He then turned an eye to them. "Looks like he got away, too.."
He then put on a black cloak, with orange flames on the bottom, cracking his neck. "Ah well, not like it matters much-ttebayo."
All of team Gai, and team Kakashi stare in utter shock, to see the very man they thought had been long dead.
None of them could utter a word, all except for Sakura, who shakily spoke out.
"N...Naruto..?"
Okay! That's the first chapter remade! Only seven to go! And wow.. this mother fucker was long!
Well, to those who are actually reading this, tell me what you think.
Laters.
