Hey everyone, this is where I decide to wipe my slate clean and restart The Return of The Fox with a better and more refined story. I wasn't satified with the original and decided to restart, thanks for understanding. Expect this chapter to be lengthy too. Enjoy the beginning.
Naruto and other characters are property of Masashi Kishimoto
Prologue: Departure
Naruto and Sasuke kneeled over the large battlefield before them. Kaguya had been defeated. Sakura helped Kakashi limp over to their comrades.
"It's over...It's finally over.." Naruro said between his breaths toward. Kakashi gave a sigh of relief. The war had been won. Sakura smiled at the reunion they were having. They stood there silently for what seemed like ages. Sakura was the first to speak up.
"I suppose we should all head back to Konoha...the war is over...now we can rebuild." She said optimistically. Sasuke looked over at Naruto
"First, we need to undo the Tsukuyomi."
"Right." Naruto and Sasuke held hands and the Tsukuyomi shined brightly, until the moon came back to its original state. Sasuke then turned to Naruto with a look of determination.
"Naruto...now that Kaguya's been defeated and the Tsukuyomi is gone, we have something to settle."
Naruto look at his friend and knodded. Both of them started to calmly walk down a nearby trail. Sakura and Kakashi both looked on with worry. Sakura finally spoke up after a minute.
"Where are you two going?"
Naruto stop and turned around to face the pink haired kunoichi. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, as much as he didn't want to tell her, he had no choice. He raised his head back up.
"We're going somewhere to fight. We have something we need to get out of the way."
Sakura gazed at the duo with disbelief, tears begab to drift from her eyes.
"Why?! Can't you two just stop! We all just reunited and defeated Kaguya! And now you two are going to fight eachother over some stupid rivalry!?"
Sakura screamed at her teammate. She was sick and tired of this. All she wanted was Team 7 to be reunited in Konoha. Naruto opened his eyes and looked at the pinkette
"Sakura, listen. It's alot more then that, Sasuke and I...its not just about us..its about our ideals...our values. We want to understand eachother on a deeper level."
Kakashi looked at his student, he understood Naruto and Sasuke's bond was important, there was no stopping them from their fight. Sakura's tears continued to fall, she lowered her head.with tears beginning to fall from her face. She looked over at Sasuke who has his back turned looking over his shoulder to her.
"Sasuke...I know you and Naruto have to do this...but if you have a small corner of your heart that still thinks of me...please...dont go...don't leave me again!" She shouted.
Sakura was visibly in tears now. Naruto only looked on with a frown. There was nothing he could do. Sasuke on the other hand looked over his shoulder again at her.
"You are so...pathetic." He said as he cast a genjutsu on her. A purple silouette of sasuke thrusted his arm into her chest, her eyes weakened and she fell over, Kakashi falling along side her. Naruto looked at Sasuke with intense anger.
"You bastard! Why did you do that!? She was only saying that because she loves you!" Naruto yelled.
Sasuke turned around with a smirk on his face. He had truly no feelings for Sakura or the rest of Team 7 for that matter. Something he would make very clear.
"You think I care what Sakura feels for me? She is just another pathetic weak ninja. I don't care about her..." Sasuke said coldly. Naruto clenched his teeth angrily at Sasuke. Kakashi looked at Sasuke eyes fiercely as he got up, he couldn't believe Sasuke had fallen so low. Sasuke simply turned his head back to the trail.
"You know where to find me...Naruto." Sasuke said as he lept into the nearby trees. Naruto looked at Kakashi with a sheer look of determination. Naruto knew he had to find Sasuke. This time...he would bring Sasuke back. Naruto knodded at Kakashi, who returned the knod. Naruto lept into the trees after Sasuke. Kakashi looked on, with Sakura, unconcious in his arms
"He hasn't changed at all...be careful...Naruto." Kakashit thought to himself.
Naruto and Sasuke stood on the figures of the valley, Hashirama Senju snd Madara Uchiha. Naruto stood on the head of Hashirama and Sasuke on his ancestor.
"Sasuke...after this fight I'm gonna bring you back to Konoha...It's time you came back!"
Sasuke smirked at the blonde, Sasuke still loved the power he held. He would become Hokage being the world to a better place, even if he had to take all the worlds hate on his shoulders.
"Still stubborn as ever...Naruto you're gonna die here and now, and I will become Hokage, and restore the Uchiha clan."
Naruto glared at sasuke from a distance
"And thats how its bound to be...we were never friends Naruto...you, Sakura, Kakashi...you were all remnants of my past, my weak, pathetic past. But...by killing you, I can finally cut that piece of my past away.."
Naruto's eye slightly widened at Sasukes cold words. Seeing as how he treated Sakura, Kakashi, and most of all, himself, Naruto began to think how far Sasuke had fallen.
"Enough talk then, lets get to it." Sasuke swiftly said with a grin and he jumped towards Naruto.
"Right." Naruto prepared himself for Sasuke's assault
Their battle started with pure Taijutsu, both of them landed punches and kicks onto one another. They seemed nearly identical in skill. Sasuke jumped to kick Naruto, but Naruto used his clones as a distraction, allowing him to counter attack. Naruto punched Sasuke straight in his cheek, sending him flying down to the water. Where Naruto would join him shortly after.
"Not...bad...loser.." Sasuke said between his breathes.
"Sasuke...why are you so obsessed with cutting off your old ties...without us, we never would have defeated Kaguya. Think back to your family Sasuke...to Itachi..being alone with never make you happy...you can't do everything alone..."
"Shut up!" Sasuke yelled as he angrily charged at Naruto and swiped his sword, narrowly missing his chest. Naruto began to speak between his swipes.
"Its not..too late..to come back...Sasuke!"
"I said shut up!" Sasuke swiped his sword toward Naruto and gashed his right shoulder. Naruto ached in the sudden pain and jumped backwards. Both of the shinobi then ran towards one another at a great speed.
Kakashi limped towards the rest of the shinobi in the area, there they found a medical tent set up. Kakashi tried to gather their attention.
"Over here!" Kakashi yelled, The Sannin Tsunade noticed there presence and bolted towards Kakashi with a few medics. one grabbed Sakura and the other helped Kakashi walk.
"Kakashi!? What's her injury?" Tsunade quickly asked.
"Unconcious, Sasuke used a Genjutsu on her" Kakashi said sternly. Tsunade eyes widened at his words.
"Sasuke? Why would he.." She looked back at Sakura's unconcious body. Her pupil had fallen in love with that man, and he just treats her like dirt. I made her feel angry, but st the same time it reminded her of Dan...She was sad Sakura couldn't have the same love she felt all those years ago. She turned back to Kakashi and the medic assisting him.
"Where's Naruto?" She asked. Kakashi sighed and looked up at The Hokage.
"He and Sasuke went to go fight...I don't know where.." He replied tiredly. Tsunade sighed and closed he eyes.
"Take him in and give him some rest." She ordered.
"Yes Lady Hokage!" He said as he help Kakashi past her. She looked up to see the moon setting down, the clear shine gave her both relief and anxiety.
"Be careful Naruto...please...be careful." She said
They walked into the tent where Sakura was layed down on a gurney. Her body seemed lifeless. Kakashi felt horrible for her, but felt even angrier at Sasuke. He had fallen so deep, was he even capible of saving? He lied down for a short time and closed his eyes, his body relaxed at the rest. The world seemed calm for the first time on a while, but still urgent. He felt a pair of hands touch his chest and looked up in surprise. He found it was Shizune healing him, green chakra cloaked her hands.
"It's ok, I'm just cleaning your cuts." Shizune said solemny
"Thanks...Shizune" Kakashi said as he looked into her deep dark eyes and smiled.
Shizune smiled back at Kakashi
Naruto breathed heavily as Sasuke launched fire balls at Naruto. Naruto swiftly dodged the attacks and threw shuriken at Sasuke, only for him to deflect them with his sword. Sasuke then jump up the sides of the rock and ran towards Naruto.
Naruto used his clones and made a rasen-shuriken and launched it at Sasuke. Only for him to activate his susanoo. Narutos eyes widened. In response Naruto activated the nine tails chakra mode. Naruto jumped down unto the water and jumped back as Sasukes susanoo tried to kill him with a single swipe of his sword.
Naruto landed on one side of the valley while Sasuke stood the other side. Night was beginning to fall. Both of their clothes had been torn, and both of them were getting tired. Naruto raised his head.
"Sasuke...why...why do you constantly fighting...why do you put yourself through all this?" He asked. Sasuke smirked as his Susanoo lowered into nothing. He looked up at Naruto with his dark eyes.
"Because Naruto...I was weak...my weakness is why clan was killed...and the reason a loser like you could surpass me. The world cannot prosper with the weak" He jumped towards Naruto and swiped his sword Naruto blocked it with his Kunai.
"You will be my first kill...then.." Naruto stared intently at Sasuke who smirked and looked into Naruto's eyes, bloodthirsty.
"I'm gonna kill Sakura..." Naruto angrily looked at the Uchiha as they began to clash again.
Sakura woke up suddenly, her breathing was hasty. She found herself on a medical gurney. A medic came by and tried to lean her back down.
"Mam, you need to rest.." She said worrily. Sakura looked around her really fast to find Kakashi, she ignored the medic and got off the bed. The medic tried to help her walk.
"I'm fine...I can walk.." Sakura said to her. She looked for Kakashi and found him on the other side of the tent resting, Shizune carressing his face. She hastily walked over to Kakashi and leaned down.
"Kakashi-sensei are you alright!?" She asked. Kakashi had recovered quickly due to Shizunes vast medical experience. He turned his head and gazed at Sakura.
"Sakura? Why are you up you need to rest..." He said. Sakura shook her head. She wasn't worried about her self right now.
"Don't worry about that! Wheres Naruto and Sasuke!?" She shouted. Kakashi sighed and look up at Sakura. Shizune stood there, clearly uncomfortable at the situation. Kakashi explained to Sakura their fight and how Sasuke blatantly knocked Sakura unconsious. Sakura was shocked to hear what Sasuke had done.
Naruto and Sasuke slashed at one another with their weapons. Naruto had manage to cut Sasuke a few times. This was no longer a battle of ideals or philosophies...this was a battle of will.
Naruto breathed in and out as Sasuke made swipes with his sword at Naruto. Naruto jumped back to gain a significant distance from Sasuke and his blade.
"Ya know Naruto...I never thought you would be my equal...I'll rest assured knowing I killed you after all this time...along with Sakura" He said arrogantly. Naruto fury rose as he looked at Sasuke, his eyes turned crimson and his cheek lines thicked.
"No...not now Kuruma..." was all he could think. But his emotions flowed through him like a river, and there was no stopping him now. Naruto's frustration with Sasuke had intensified. He was gonna end this now.
Sakura stepped over to a nearby cliff, overlooking the forest. She could see the statues of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha in the distance. She knew what was going on there...she tried to hold back her tears. She hoped everything was alright.
Naruto's anger had completely taken control of him at this point. He transform on his Nine-tails chakra mode to further enhance his power as Sasuke activated his Chidori. Naruto had two shadow clones create a rasengan for him in his left hand. It glowed a orangish red, rather then the blue. Naruto glared at Sasuke.
"LETS FINISH THIS!" he yelled across the valley. Sasuke smirked and ran toward the blonde. Naruto flew across ths valley and both of them held out their respective jutsu.
"NARUTO!!"
"SASUKE!!"
Their jutsu collided with one another and a large flash could be seen from miles. Sakura witnessed the flash. He eyes she'd tears as she looked in fearfully. The flash died down within minutes.
Rock's dropped down from the nearby cliffs, dust covered the whole valley, and Naruto stood there, weary from the battle, even more so then his battle with Pain. Sasuke had been shot into the nearby cliff, what remained of the valley of the end was a shadow of its former self. Naruto's jacket was completely torn, in nothing left but his fishnet undershirt, and Sasuke layed against a rock shirtless, coughing up blood.
Naruto approached Sasuke angrily, his eyes reverting back to their cerulean blue. His expression changed once he saw how much damage he had really done. Naruro felt deep regret for Sasuke, for letting his anger and frustration get the best of him. Sasuke coughed and began to speak.
"Naruto...why..." Naruto looked on at Sasuke with a look of pity, regret, but most of all, sorrow.
"Why would you go through so much to try to convince me to come back..."
"Because you were my friend Sasuke... I didn't have a family growing up... but when I found you, Sakura, Kakashi, and the others... you all became my family. I didn't want to lose you to Orochimaru... I didn't want to lose my best friend...I couldn't bare the thought of losing my family..."
Sasuke looked down at the rocks for what seemed like years. He thought back to his early childhood. His parents, Itachi, all the good times they shared. He also began to think back to his time with Team 7. Memories flooded back to him of them defeating Zabuza and Haku. Of them in the chunin exams, of them fighting Gaara, and of them training together. Sasuke hadn't realized the family he had. For the first time in a very long time, he felt saddened...
"I get it..Naruto..."
Naruto's eye widened in excitement, was Sasuke finally gonna come back? Sasuke looked up, his weak black eyes staring at Naruto.
"The people you hold dear...those are what drive you...those are what motivate you...those are what make you...Naruto Uzumaki.."
Naruto's eyes teared up as he listened to his friend.
"I lost...my family...but instead of...making anew...with you...Sakura and Kakashi...I numbed myself..."
Naruto began to tear up listening to his friend.
"You...were always...improving...while I...stayed behind...You...had the right motivation. I destroyed...who I was...Naruto...I made a horrible mistake"
"Yes Sasuke...you finally get it..."
Sasuke closed his eyes and undid the knot in his robe. He grabbed his sheathed sword and layed it out next to him. Naruto's tear fell as he knelt down and watched his friend.
"Naruto...take my sword..." Sasuke muttered
Naruto looked on confused at Sasuke. He didn't understand why he wanted Naruro to had his sword...and he didn't want to understand. Sasuke's smirked turned to a frown as he held onto his blood cover chest.
"It's...to late for me...Naruto..."
"Don't say that! It not to late we can get you to the medic-"
"Stop...being so stubborn...Naruto...I'm ready for this...I killed Itachi...I became the strongest of my clan...I saved the world with you..."
Waves fell down Naruto's face now, he kept his attention on the Uchiha.
"I accomplished alot." He smirked. Sasuke then coughed up more blood into his hand.
"Tell Sakura I'm sorry for the way I treated her... and Kakashi...tell him thank you for everything he taught me..."
"I will Sasuke...I will tell them..." Naruto said while tears streamed down his cheeks.
"And Naruto...thank you for everything you taught me...you taught me..in the end..what being a shinobi...no...what being a person...Is all about..."
Naruto's eyes twinkled in sorrow as he watched his friend close his eyes.
"Naruto...thank you...brother..." Sasuke said quietly, his body went limp and Sasuke Uchiha was no more.
Naruto fell to his knees with his hands in his face crying, he had just witnessed his friend...no...his brother death. Time seemed to stop. Naruto sat there and cried, looking deep into the ground, memories clouded his mind and he could stop sobbing. The guilt was to much for him to bear.
The dawn began to rise as Naruto walked over the trailed back to the other ninja. His head was down as he walked, tears ocasionally falling down from his face.
He looked up and saw a pink haired kunoichi looking at him, he hands together on her chest. He approached her and raised his head to look into her jade eyes. She had teared up as she looked an how Naruto had been beaten badly. Naruto pulled out Sasukes Sword off his back and handed it to Sakura.
"Is...this..." Is all she could say before bursting into tears, bring her head down. Naruto look at the pinkette guiltly.
"He said he was sorry for how he treated you all that time.."
"How could you...Naruto.." Sakura asked between her breaths. Naruto's tear began to swell.
"Sakura I didn't -"
"You killed him...you killed Sasuke.." Sakura muttered. Naruto tried to turn around and speak to her. She kept her eyes on the sword.
"Sakura...I didn't want to-"
"Go Naruto...don't talk to me..." She coldly said. Naruto tried to grab her shoulder to talk.
"Saku-" Sakura quickly turned around.
"DONT TOUCH ME YOU DEMON! GO!" Shouted and pointed past Naruto. Her green eyes were filled with anger and resentment. She clenched her teeth aswell. Naruto could only stare at awe.
He was deeply saddened by Sakura's comment. She really thought he was a demon since he had killed Sasuke? Naruto let his head down. He turned and walked toward the other shinobi. They cleared a path for him to walk through, but no one spoke.
Sakura stayed there crying, with Sasuke's blade in her right hand. She fell to her knees and sobbed as it rain poured around her.
6 Weeks Later
Naruto sat on top of the Hokage faces, looking over Konoha. The wind blew in his hair and his clothes, he had recovered quickly from the battle with Sasuke, but the fight had not left Naruto's mind. Naruto heard a voice behind him
"Naruto.."
He kooked behind and saw Tsunade standing there, serious as ever
"Oh..hey Grandma" He muttered
Tsunade walked over and sat next to his pupil. He overlooked the view with Naruto.
"How are you feeling?" Tsunade asked. Naruto kept his silence.
"Look, I know you still think about Sasuke...and everything with Sakura." She said empathetically. Naruto just stayed silent as Tsunade spoke.
"Have you talked to Sakura at all?" She asked
Naruto frowned, lowered his head a few notches and closed his eyes
"She won't talk to me...not since that morning"
Tsunade stared are Naruto sympathetically. She understood how much Sasuke meant to Naruto and Sakura. It reminded her of her former teammates, Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
"Look...Naruto...I know you're in pain...I don't say this as a mentor...but as a friend."
Naruto brought his attention to Tsunade's light brown eyes.
"I think it would be best if you left Konoha for awhile.take a trip away to think...figure some things out..."
Naruto looked out and sighed at Tsunade's suggestion. Tsunade turned her attention to the view over Konoha.
"It meant seem silly at first...but now this is a great time. The villages are at peace. Go out and explore the world. Enjoy life for awhile." Tsunade said happily. Naruto looked over at Tsunade.
"What about Sakura...and the rest of my friends..."
"I will let them know...I won't keep them in the dark about this. I'm sure they will understand after what you've been through."
Naruto paused in deep thought. Admittably he liked the idea of traveling, and discovering new places. He felt empty here in Konoha. He closed his eyes and lowered his head. Tsunade began ti wonder what ran through the young mans head.
"Okay Grandma...I will." Naruto finally said.
Tsunade gave a relieved smirk at Naruto.
The Next Morning
Naruto had his things packed. He waited with Kakashi at the Konoha gate. He looked out toward the distance of the new world. The day was bright, the sky was blue as ever. And the lush environment covered the land before him.
"Naruto, where do you plan on going?" Kakashi asked. Naruto shrugged and continued looking on into the distance.
"I'm not sure...I think I'll go where the wind takes me." He said surely. Kakashi smiled at Naruto. He always kept his confidence, even when he wasn't sure of things. The two turned to see Tsunade walking towards them. She walked up to them with her hands on her hips.
"Well this is it huh?" Tsunade asked.
"Yeah...I guess it is." He replied. She walked over and hugged Naruto tightly. Naruto embraced her back.
"You better come back here soon...you hear me." She said assertively. Naruto smirked at his Hokage's words. As forceful as she was, he knew it was out of love.
"I will Grandma...I promise." She let go of the blonde where he turned his attention to his sensei.
"This is it Kakashi-Sensei...atleast for awhile.." He said saddenly. An empty feeling began to take Naruto as he had realized how much he loved Kakashi, as a teacher, mentor, and a friend. Naruto hugged Kakashi in an embrace. Kakashi returned it and smiled.
"You be careful out there...promise me one thing Naruto.." he said firmly. Naruto back up and gazed at his sensei. Kakashi did he signature eye smile.
"Don't stop being you.." He said confidently. Naruto smiled and began to tear up. He wiped away his tears with his arm and knodded at Kakashi
"I promise Kakashi." He turned his head and looked into the distancd. He turned back to them and knodded and said.
"Goodbye guys..."
Naruto began walking away from Konoha, he looked back with a slight smile.He felt something in his back pocket and pulled out something he didn't have before. It was a small book with a bow on it, along with a small note. He read the note and saw it was in Kakashi's handwriting.
"Enjoy" was all it said. He removed the bow and saw i was an Icha Icha paradise book. He smirked and laughed.
"I'm gonna miss you Kakashi-Sensei."
He looked over his shoulder to Konoha and smiled. He knew it would always be his home. He would return one day a new man. Hopefuly Sakura will forgive him.
"I'll be back...one day."
Sakura looked on from the top of the Konoha gate at Naruto walking away, into the horizon. She stared at him as he left.
"Be careful Naruto...please...be careful."
Well I hope you enjoyed the prologue. I felt this was a very appropriate start to the story and I hope everyone enjoyed it. Again, thanks for the support and letting me remake things in a better image. Peace.
-SilverFang210