AN: Hello again my beloved readers, new and old, welcome to the second chapter of what I hope to be one of my most successful stories yet. Anyways I loved the great feedback that I got back from you guys and to all of you who gave me CONSTRUCTIVE criticism I thank you. For the guest review that told me to kill myself well I didn't, and I hope you have a good life where you find nothing but success.
On to more important things for the reviewer that told me that I was rude to you all for calling you fuckers and that I should apologize. I gave some thought to the request but in the end denied it, I have many times called my reviewers and readers that and I have never once received a complaint about it until you sir. So yeah, but if there actually is a problem then tell me as a majority.
Also once again I apologize for taking so fucking long, I hope to try and update more often but I promise nothing.
Alrighty then, now onto what you all really came for,
STORY START!
Side Note: Sometimes I will name the chapter something but other times it will just be a number, thank you that is all.
Chapter 2: Changes
Naruto groaned as he opened his eyes, bright light blinded him as he tried to focus his sight onto where he was. The heavy smell of antiseptic and the familiar smell of sterile blankets alerted him right away that he was indeed in the hospital. Looking around the room he went about just musing on about how all the rooms were exactly the same, feeling his throat quite dry he looked over to the night stand, to grab the jug of water and glass, by the bed and froze.
A head with bright pink hair was currently using his right hand as a pillow, he still must've been pretty out of it if he hadn't felt it. Taking in all of her features Naruto couldn't help but stare at her for a couple of moments before gently removing his hand from her and grabbing the glass of water on the night stand. Taking a slow long drink Naruto rolled his neck and shoulders wincing at their stiffness and the extreme soreness he felt in his left shoulder.
Sitting up painfully Naruto then gently began shaking Sakura awake, "Hey Sakura-chan, wake up." He said softly.
A small groan came from the pinkette as she slowly sat up and stretched, quite a few bones in her back popping as to relieve their stiffness. Jade green eyes fluttered a few times before opening at a half lid and gazing lazily around the room until her eyes met those familiar cerulean blue eyes.
Naruto smiled at her for a second before he almost died of shock when Sakura all of a sudden lunged at him and hugged him tightly. Naruto almost instantly melted into the embrace and ignored the pain, deciding to focus more on the warmth of the hug. Feeling her loosen her grip Naruto couldn't stop the groan of disappointment from escaping him as Sakura let him go.
"What was that for?" asked Naruto, a goofy smile on his face.
Sakura giggled at the look on his face before adopting a serious expression. Naruto seeing this also stopped smiling and looked at his long time crush in grim silence. He knew what that face meant, it's because he failed to fulfill his promise to her.
"Sakura-chan look, I'm really sorry that I couldn't stop Sasuke from leaving, but I promise you that I will train as hard as possible to kick some sense into that emo bastard." Said Naruto, a bright fire of determination burning in his eyes.
Sakura couldn't help but get misty eyed at his words, Naruto truly was one of a kind.
"Naruto. It's okay you don't have to worry about getting back that, traitor for me, and you didn't fail he is currently in custody." Said Sakura almost spitting out the words 'traitor' and 'he' as though they were poison.
Naruto looked at her with a confused expression on his face, he passed out and he knew that Sasuke didn't so how was he in custody? Second of all why did Sakura refuse to even say his name, and the way she said those words with such venom did not escape him. Did something happen after he lost consciousness?
"Wait Sakura-chan how is Sasuke in custody? I mean at the end of our fight I saw he was still conscious when I passed out, he should've had enough to strength to get away." Said Naruto looking at her in confusion.
"Uh, well actually Naruto, there's something I need to tell you." She said looking down.
"Yeah, what is it?" said Naruto hesitantly.
"I found Lee about to leave to and back you guys up and well, I talked him into taking me with him." Seeing Naruto about reprimand her she continued.
"I know, I know that I am not on the same level of the others or you and Sasuke but I just couldn't stand around while you and the others risked their lives for that, that traitor." Said Sakura once again while standing up and pacing around the room.
"Okay Sakura, why do you keep calling Sasuke a traitor? I mean he's back in the village, isn't that what you wanted?" asked Naruto.
"Why do I keep calling him a traitor? Because he is one! How can I not call someone who almost killed their own teammate three times, a damn traitor?!" she yelled, making whatever Naruto was about to say die in his throat.
"W-what are you talking about? T-that's ridiculous Sakura-chan, Sasuke didn't almost k-kill me three times." Came Naruto's weak response.
"Naruto you can drop it, I was there." Said Sakura.
"W-what?" asked Naruto looking at her with wide eyes.
"Before Lee went to help you with that bone guy he dropped me off at the tree line and I saw you leave to go after him, so I followed you so that I could help." Said Sakura making Naruto look at her in surprise.
"Y-you mean you saw our fight?" asked Naruto dread and fear beginning to grow in his gut.
"Yes, Naruto I did. I saw the whole thing, the chidori that almost pierced your heart, and the mean things he said about me, and how you started kicking his ass." Said Sakura, smiling a bit at the last part.
"I then saw when he drove you head first into the shore of the lake, it's been two days since that fight and I can still perfectly hear that sickening snapping sound that I knew was your neck. I watched helplessly as you floated there lifelessly, I wanted to do something but I just couldn't. I'm so sorry Naruto, you go so far for me, risking your life and everything and I…I couldn't do anything for you." Said a now sobbing Sakura as she fell into her seat.
Naruto of course couldn't just let her cry and stood up ignoring his protesting body and hugged her with all the warmth and comfort he could muster. Sakura instantly returned the hug and let herself be calmed by the surprisingly soothing aura that Naruto was emitting.
"I-if it wasn't for the Kyubi you would be dead Naruto. He ac-" started Sakura before being cut off by Naruto.
"What did you say?" asked Naruto.
"I said that if it wasn't for the Kyubi-" began Sakura before being cut off by Naruto again.
"That, why do you say that?" asked Naruto.
"Oh c'mon Naruto, your birthday? The red chakra that surrounded you and resembled a fox? How in the Valley of The End your eyes turned red? Why the dumbass villagers glare at you when walking through the village and how you pretend not to see? That incredible healing factor of yours? All of this points to you being a jinchuriki, Naruto. All those things that Sasuke did to you would've killed any other shinobi." Said Sakura as Naruto just looked down, his hair now shadowing over his eyes as he tightly gripped his hospital bottoms.
Sakura reached out with both of her hands and gently placed them on both sides of Naruto's face and lifted it up. Naruto resisting for a second before giving in.
"Look at me Naruto, please look at me. I don't care that you are the jinchuriki of the Kyubi, I don't, I really don't. I know what the villagers say about you but that's because they don't know the real you, I do. He's sweet, kind, caring, funny, and puts everyone else's happiness before his own, that's the real you. Not some demon or his container, you are you, Kyubi is Kyubi. So please don't look away, I'm not like them. I only see you." Finished Sakura looking into Naruto's eyes.
Naruto couldn't hold it in anymore and engulfed the pinkette in a tight embrace muttering the words 'Thank you' over and over again, as tears streamed down his face. Once he was calmed down again Sakura helped him back into bed.
"So to finish what I was saying earlier, after I saw the fight I saw Sasuke use his Curse Seal and you guys do that final move. After you were both on the ground I walked over to where you and Sasuke were and he once again ridiculed me and the village. I just got so angry but then he said something about you and I just snapped, I hit him hard enough that I dislocated his jaw and knocked him out. After that Kakashi-sensei showed up and we brought you guys back here to the village." Finally finished Sakura.
Naruto just nodded quietly before closing his eyes, letting what Sakura had just told him sink in.
"Wait, what?! You hit Sasuke?" said Naruto looking at her incredulously, his eyes wide.
Sakura giggled at his dumbfound expression, "Yes I hit him, and that's only the beginning of what he's gonna get coming to him."
Naruto just looked at her with a curious look before shrugging and lying back down, for the rest of the day he and Sakura just talked. About themselves, about their friends, about their future plans and they were both secretly surprised to find out just how much they had in common with each other and how they just seemed to click. That day Naruto's love for the pinkette was cemented and a new feeling for someone who six months ago she would've never talked to this intimately, blossomed in Sakura.
With Sasuke
Sasuke looked at the Hokage in anger, "What did you just say?" he growled out, glaring at her with hate. Looking around at all the clan heads looking down on him from their raised desks while he sat on his knees looking up at them. He hated to be looked down upon and they were doing it both figuratively and literally. He could see the anger in Tsume Inuzuka, Chouza Akimichi, and surprisingly Hiashi Hyuga's eyes. The disappointment and slight anger in Inoichi Yamanaka, Shikaku Nara, and Shibi Aburame's shade covered eyes as they looked at him with stoic and cold faces. Turning back to the Hokage, Sasuke waited to see if he what he heard was correct.
"I said that you are hereby sentenced to two years in an ANBU prison, due to the attempt of allying yourself with a known S-rank criminal of Konoha, who had a hand in killing the previous Hokage and attacking the village. The almost fatal endangerment of comrades due to the aforementioned actions, using a tainted power you were forbidden from using, and last but not least for deserting the village. Due to these actions you will never be eligible for the position of Hokage, ANBU commander, or Jonin commander. The highest level of power you will ever be able to achieve will be clan head or ANBU captain." Said Tsunade glaring back at the traitorous brat.
"You can't do tha-" started Sasuke before he was cut off.
"I can and will, the elders have been out voted, the clan heads and myself have decided your fate. You should be grateful for that fact that you aren't being executed, and that your shinobi career isn't completely over. You even have the possibility of getting out in a year if you behave but you'll be on a one year parole. Where we will be watching your every move and action, and by the end of that year it will be decided whether or not to end or extend your parole. Now, I have other more important business to attend to, so this trial is over. Council you are all dismissed." Finished Tsunade standing up and walking towards the door, the clan heads standing and bowing to their leader before making their way towards the door.
"ANBU! Take him to his cell." Said Tsunade, her back towards Sasuke.
"You bitch! I'm an Uchiha! You can't do this to me, I am an elite! I demand that you let me go and get me a teacher to make me stronger! We both know that this village would be weak without any Uchiha." Yelled Sasuke.
Tsuande just looked back at him from the door way and scoffed before waving her hand in a 'shoo' motion before leaving. Making the ANBU walk, more like drag, Sasuke out of the room before disappearing in a shunshin. Sasuke struggling as much as he could, kicking and screaming before being shunshined away.
The clan heads all just watched before walking out of the room.
"They should've executed the damn brat." Said a pissed off Tsume Inuzuka.
"We both know that the only reason why he was spared was for the fact that even though most of the Uchiha were bastards, their sharingan is very powerful and useful. Anyways, Tsuande-sama and Jiraiya-sama have a feeling that being punished harshly like this and actually learning some humility that the brat will change for the better. At least that's what we're hoping for." Said Hiahsi Hyuga.
"Yes, but we also know that him being an Uchiha isn't the only reason why he's being spared. Uzumaki has a fairly strong sway when it comes to Jiraiya-sama and for some odd reason an even stronger sway on Tsuande-sama. We all know that he would become depressed if they killed the brat. So not to avoid that Tsunade-sama and Jiraiya-sama came up with this. Though he calls her 'baa-chan' I have a small feeling that it's a bit more than that, more along the lines of mother and son to be honest." Said Shikaku Nara with his usual lazy drawl.
Chouza Akimichi smiled slightly as they all walked towards the Hokage entrance, "I actually have that same feeling, but Naruto deserves a maternal figure in his life. Anyways isn't Mito-sama the great grandmother of Kushina? If I remember correctly she is, and since she is Tsunade-sama's grandmother that means she and Kushina are cousins. Meaning that Naruto is actually related to her in some way and if Tsuande-sama has realized that, that's most likely why she is so close to him, she left the village because she lost all of her family but now she does have family in the village, so she must want to be at least somewhat close to them." Finished Chouza making the rest of the clan heads stop in shock and stare at his back as he continued walking towards the entrance.
Noticing that he was walking alone Chouza looked back and saw his friends and fellow clan heads stare at him in shock.
"What? Oh c'mon I can say smart things sometimes too!" whined Chouza.
Shaking his head and smirking Shikaku looked at one of his best friends, "We're not saying that Chouza, it's just you usually have food on your mind most of the time, so you kind of caught us off guard there for a minute." Said Shikaku.
"Yeah Chouza where the hell did that come from?" Tsume asked half joking.
"You know what, I actually am hungry, you guys want to go get some barbeque?" asked Chouza, making them all shake their heads.
Everyone, and surprisingly Hiashi, agreed.
Two Days Later
A now more or less healed Naruto walked calmly through the village on his way to the Hokage Tower, Baa-chan had called him for some reason. While he didn't mind walking he was still sore as hell so he didn't understand why that mean cat faced ANBU lady couldn't have shunshined him there.
She seemed really familiar for some reason but he decided to think about that later. Thinking about these last two days, he was pretty sure they were the best of his life. The entire time he was in the hospital Sakura had come to visit him and they just had a lot fun, they talked a lot, he made her laugh, and he even got her to help him sneak out and go with him for some Ichiraku Ramen. He also ran into Pervy Sage who told him that they were leaving in three days, so that they could go on the training trip. He realized he was smiling stupidly to himself as he kept getting weird looks from the villagers. Smiling sheepishly to himself Naruto stood a little straighter and put his arms behind his head and continued his walk to the Hokage Tower. Fifteen minutes later, Naruto walked up to the oak door and opened it, immediately irritating the blonde Hokage who he has come to see as the closest thing to a mother he had, though he called her Baa-chan.
"Naruto what have I told you about walking in to the Hokage's office without knocking?" chided Tsunade.
Naruto grinned at her and simply muttered a quick apology.
"You wanted to see me Baa-chan?" asked Naruto looking at her curiously.
"Yes actually I have some good news for you." Said Tsunade grinning at Naruto.
Naruto was about to ask her what she meant when she stood up and pulled out a scroll and handed it to him.
"What's this?" asked the baffled genin.
"Open it." was Tsunade's simple response the smile on her face never leaving her.
Opening the scroll Naruto saw that it had a containment seal on it, pumping in the correct amount of chakra, Naruto was shocked when a familiar forest green flak jacket laid in his hands. Looking up at Tsunade with shock written all over his face he hesitantly asked.
"Is this for real?"
Seeing her nod, Naruto let out a cry of joy as he quickly put on the chunnin vest and hugged Tsunade with all his might.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" repeated the blonde over and over again for the third time in his life, the first being when he received his head band from Iruka-sensei and the second being when Sakura-chan had accepted him as him and not the Kyubi.
"I'm so proud of you Naruto." Said Tsunade softly, making the energetic blonde tear up.
After calming himself down Naruto looked a bit confused and asked, "I thought that I didn't pass recommendation after the chunin exams?"
Tsunade suddenly gained an annoyed expression as she said, "That's because the stupid secretary, that Sarutobi-sensei had, tried to hide the promotion notice. Just about all the jonin had sent in a recommendation after the exams so that you would be promoted after what you did to protect Konoha. Then you took it even further when you convinced me to come back, and then also with that clever display you put on to defeat the previous year's rookie of the year. All that along with the fact that you also defeated this year's rookie of year pretty much sealed it. You earned this Naruto." Finished the busty kage before flashing him what looked like a motherly smile.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Said Naruto bowing deeply to a very shocked Tsunade.
Smiling once more Tsunade dimissed Naruto and watched him walk away from the tower with a proud look on her face.
"They would be so proud." Thought Tsunade before returning to her drink- uh, working.
One Day Later
Naruto after having a fairly teary goodbye with Sakura, and getting a congratulatory hug for becoming chunnin, walked to the main village gates alone. As Sakura had promised Ino that she would go visit, Choji, Neji, Kiba, and Akamaru at the hospital with her and Shikamaru. Naruto being someone who tried his hardest to never break a promise just about forced Sakura to go and that he would see her soon in three years. He said he would send a messenger toad every once in a while to give her an update as to how he's doing.
Approaching the gates Naruto gave his fellow chunnins a quick wave goodbye, which they returned with a quick yell of "Good luck!", and walked towards, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune.
"Well this is good bye for now, Obaa-sama." Said Naruto with a crack in his voice, pulling the stunned Hokage into a hug that she returned.
"Obaa-sama?" wondered everyone.
"I decided that since I am no longer a genin, that I at least need to show you a little more respect, but not too much. Or else that just wouldn't be me." Explained Naruto, making the three smile.
"I'm gonna miss you too gaki." Said Tsunade, before bending down and giving Naruto a quick kiss on the head. Jiraiya and Shizune exchanged a quick look at seeing the motherly kiss.
"Oh and before you go, I have another little present for you. Here." Said Tsunade handing naruto a scroll and quickly unsealed a very familiar sword that Jiraiya instantly recognized from a separate scroll.
Looking at the scroll Naruto quickly felt tears stinging his eyes when he saw written on the scroll was 'For Naru-chan, from Kaa-chan.' He looked up at Tsunade who just smiled at him softly and handed him the sword. (AN: I'm too lazy to describe it. It's Tenza Zangetsu. The original one.)
"I felt that since you are now a chunnin you deserve to at least know who your mother was. That is a letter she left for you and this is her sword. Open the letter when you're ready, don't rush it." Said Tsunade after handing Naruto the scroll and the sword.
Naruto nodded and tried his best to hold back his tears, Jiraiya smiled to himself before pushing off the pillar he was leaning on.
"See you soon Shizune-nee-chan." Said Naruto giving the medic apprentice a warm hug after rubbing his eyes.
"Alright gaki, let's go. See you soon Tsunade-hime, Shizune-chan." Said Jiraiya waving a quick goodbye to Tsunade and Shizune.
"I'll be right there Pervy-sage!" yelled Naruto.
Turning back to Tsunade and Shizune he said, "Thank you." Before he was about to catch up with Jiraiya he remembered something.
"Oh one more thing, Obaa-sama. Can you do me a favor?" He asked.
"Depends on the favor, but I'll try my best." Replied Tsunade.
"I was hoping that you would consider taking on Sakura-chan as your second apprentice. Now before you ask, this isn't because I like her, it's because I feel that she would really do well learning from you." Said Naruto seeing Tsunade give him a look.
Tsunade looked at Naruto for a couple moments before nodding, "If she approaches me on her own, then I'll say yes and give her a chance, but if she doesn't ask or work hard. I will not accept her." Said Tsunade giving Naruto a stern look.
Naruto nodded to himself, "Fair enough. Alright, thank you once again, Obaa-sama, and see you guys soon!" he finished with his trade mark grin before running after Jiraiya.
Tsunade smiled and turned around, heading back to the Hokage Tower, Shizune quickly following close behind her.
"These next three years are going to be fairly quiet." Said Tsunade to Shizune.
"Yeah they will be, you really going to miss him huh?" asked Shizune.
"Normally I would say hell no, but lately after seeing him on the operating table, and losing him twice, I've grown to become really attached to the gaki. He reminds me so much of Nawaki, but I see him as more of a little brother, I- I see him as sort of like a…son." Finished Tsunade softly.
Shizune looked at her teacher/mom figure in shock, "Y- you do?" asked Shizune.
"I see him in the same way I see you, like my child." She said making Shizune tear up and hug her before they continued their walk.
"When he gets back I'm going to tell him. After all, we're family." Said Tsunade making Shizune nod happily as they arrived at the Hokage Tower and entered her office.
With Naruto and Jiraiya
"So what exactly am I going to learn on this trip Pervy-sage?" asked Naruto.
Jiraiya felt his eye twitch at the nick name bestowed upon him by his god son.
"Well, at first I was going to have you just work on harnessing the kyubi's power but after seeing how abysmal your overall skills are we'll be working on all of that. So if we have time for you to learn how to use the Kyubi's power, then great, if not, oh well. So first thing you're going to do is learn and master a proper taijutsu style. We're going to get rid of that brawler street fighter shit that you do." Said Jiraiya annoying Naruto at the first thing he said.
"Hey! My fighting style is not that bad!" yelled Naruto defensively after realizing that Jiraiya had just insulted his combat skills.
"That's the thing, you don't have a fighting style!" yelled Jiraiya, instantly making Naruto shut up.
"From now on you'll be learning the fighting style of the toads, my style." Said the erotica author.
"You'll also be doing, speed training and strength conditioning. As well as working on your hand seal speed, agility, and you'll be learning how to play Shogi, to improve your strategic thinking. We'll also find out what your nature affinity, or affinities, is and improve your ninjutsu. Also since you just received your mother's sword I'm sure you're going to want to learn how to use it?" asked Jiraiya, seeing Naruto nod he continued.
"Since you are my apprentice, you'll also be mastering that incredible stealth that you have, and since I am a spy master you'll be learning from the best. Oh and you'll be learning fuinjutsu of course, you can't be my apprentice and not at least become proficient in seals. Also if the toads like you enough and they find you worthy they'll teach you something really cool." Said Jiraiya, making Naruto's eyes shine in excitement for a second.
"And last but not least, we're definitely going to work on your horrendous chakra control, and the major disadvantage you have when it comes to genjutsu. Since I doubt that with that amount of chakra you have you'll ever be capable of using genjutsu I'll instead teach you how to dispel even the most powerful genjutsu's." finished Jiraiya.
"Oh, and since you plan on becoming Hokage, you're going to have to learn, all the village rules, laws, and politics. So when I'm not whipping your ass into shape, you'll be playing Shogi with me and reading, while asking questions and answering random quizzes while we're playing. That will also increase your multitasking, so after hearing all that. You ready gaki?" said Jiraiya with a shit eating grin on his face.
A fire of determination burned in Naruto's eyes as he looked up at Jiraiya with an excited look on his face. He smirked and shouted his answer to Jiraiya's obvious challenge.
"Bring it!"
AN: Holy shit that took a long ass time to finish! Damn, anyways, here is the second installment of With My Own Eyes. So please my faithful and new readers remember to,
And always.
Read,
Review,
Recommend,
And as always.
Enjoy!
