AN: Alright, Ch. 2. I'm sorry, I have to warn you, I did get a bit lazy at a point, but I mean, I really don't want to explain the Sasuke Retrieval Mission, especially when it goes right along with canon for the battles. Sorry about that, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. R&R
12 1/2 days later
"Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, you've all been chosen for this mission based on your skills and the fact that you're the only ninja left in the village," Tsunade explained as the 'Sasuke Retrieval Team' stood in her office. Naruto's face was that of rage, and the only thing keeping him from exploding was the fact that his friends were in the room. He was pissed off so much that if he could, he'd make a deal with that damned fox that if he was released, he'd destroy Orichi-teme and the sound village. But he knew he'd never be able to protect those in the village and become Hokage. He visually calmed down at the thought, though inside he was still boiling.
"Alright team, let's move out. We're to bring Sasuke back alive, no matter what," Shikimaru said as they walked out of the Hokage's office.
"Hey, I'm coming with you!" Ino yelled out, spotting the group as they were walking out of the building.
"No, the village can't afford to send out anymore ninja," Shikimaru shot out, actually worried for his friend.
"Yeah. Besides, it's five on five in case Sasuke decides to fight," aruto said, giving off a fake smile to reassure his newly found friend. Over the last week and a half, they'd trained together, and just plain talked, Ino still trying to pry information about that mysterious cloak.
"Ok, just come back alive you guys," Ino said, a bit saddened. She'd given up on Sasuke after her last mission; he'd become even colder and harsher, besides, she had to focus on training and her friends. Narutos smile turned into that of a sad one, he hated seeing people sad, especially a friend.
"Hey, how about this; after the mission I'll treat everybody to dinner," Naruto said, seemingly cheering up his blonde friend.
"Alright. Now go, you have to catch Sasuke-teme," Ino said, causing weird looks throughout the group. They just shrugged it off and sped off, Kiba and Akamaru leading the way. They caught up quickly, splitting off the group until it was only Naruto left, chasing after Sasuke and Kimimaro(I think that's how you spell his name). Naruto was quickly outmatched, however, Lee joined the fight and allowed Naruto to go after Sasuke. They met in a fierce battle, one that was nearly matched, and Naruto would've won had he not changed course of his attack at the last moment to avoid killing his 'brother'. Sasuke left, leaving Naruto on the shore near the VotE, hoping the rain would wash away his scent. His hopes were true as Kakashi arrived, picking up Naruto and unsuccessfully trying to send his dogs after Sasuke. He carried Naruto on his back to the village, hoping to Kami that his blonde student would survive. The rest of the team had arrived over two hours ago, and Ino stood worridly, waiting for Naruto's return. He should've been back by now, and when she saw a figure come darting out of the woods, her hopes jumped that it was Naruto. Her hopes that her friend was alive, however, dropped when she saw Naruto on Kakashi's back, unmoving.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Ino yelled out, running towards the jonin, who turned quickly.
"Ino, we'll explain what happened. Right now Naruto needs major medical attention!" Kakashi shouted out, turning towards the hospital. That's when she saw it; the gaping hole that went through Naruto's chest and out his back, even though it was ever so slowly closing up, she threw up. How could that happen? It bugged her so much that she stood there, throwing up until her stomach was empty. She raced to the hospital, thoughts flying through her mind. Who did this, and will Naruto be Ok were her two main questions. She quickly arrived, hearing the mass panic as codes were being yelled out, nurses running to their places. She intercepted the secretary before she was called out, asking where Naruto was.
"He's in his own private room, and his condition is stabilized, now I have to go," the nurse got out quickly before running off. Ino sighed in relief; Naruto was ok, and Choji had stabilized an hour before hand, though Neji was still in critical condition. She raced through, looking for the private rooms, and quickly located Naruto's. She knocked timidly, listening for a reply. She heard a quiet come in and found Naruto wrapped in bandages, only his mouth and eyes showing, though she could tell he was frowning.
"Naruto, are you ok I saw what condition you were in when you arrived," Ino said, not quite knowing what to say.
"I... I failed. I couldn't bring him back, and I broke a promise," Naruto said blankly, not really noticing who was in the room.
"What happened out there?" Ino further questioned, trying to figure out who did it.
"Sasuke. He left of his own accord, sound ninja accompanying as a guard, ready to defend long enough for him to get away, and even with one on one fights, I couldn't beat Sasuke," Naruto rambled on, not turning to face Ino. He was acting like he was in a different world. Ino walked over to him and manually moved his head to face her, looking deep into his blue eyes.
"Naruto, you did your best. It doesn't matter whether or not Sasuke got away, only that you came back... somewhat safe. Now, don't give me that depressed crap, and be glad; everybody came back alive," Ino said, intimidating Naruto.
"You're right. I have to get stronger, that way I can fully protect the people that are precious to me!" Naruto shouted as he tried to stand up, immediately falling back onto the bed in pain.
"Maybe you should get some rest before you go all jumping out of bed," Ino said, sitting in the visitor's chair of Naruto's room. She watched silently, keeping an eye on her knuckleheaded friend. She slowly dozed in the chair, putting her head on to her arms as she slept. That's the moment Naruto waited for; if he had to get stronger, he had to train, no matter what condition his body was in. He slowly got out of bed, sneaking silently past the bed. He was nearly past Ino when her eyes shot open.
"Damn," Naruto cursed under his breath as he froze.
"Naruto, why are out of bed. Get the hell back in the bed before I tell Tsunade," Ino threatened, a tempting look in her eyes.
"Fine. Baa-chan hurts when she's angry," Naruto grumbled, walking back to his bed and laying down. Just as he was dozing off, and after Ino had fallen asleep, Jiraya popped in the window.
"Naruto, are you ok?" He asked, quite silently to not wake up the platinum blonde.
"Ero-sennin! Get me out of here, Ino's holding me in here!" Naruto replied, silently going towards the window.
"Hell no. I heard her say she'd tell Tsunade, and I'm not getting in trouble with her," Jiraya said, remembering the time he got caught peeping by Tsunade. He shivered at the thought of what she would do to him now.
"Fine, you don't have to get me out of here, just get me some ramen and some clothes," Naruto asked, receiving a nod.
"Ok, after mini-Tsunade over there let's you out, how about we go on a training trip?" Jiraya asked, having planned all this out before hand.
"No. I have to stay here and protect those precious to me. Besides, I can get stronger here," Naruto said, detirmined to make sure that nobody got hurt.
"C'mon, we'll travel the countries!" Jiraya persuaded. Naruto shook his head.
"What good is travelling if I can't be here to protect my precious people. I've already failed Jiji, and I don't want to fail anybody else," Naruto said, detirmination in his eyes and voice.
"Fine. I can't force you to go. I'll just have to train you here," Jiraya said, defeated. When Naruto got like this, there was no way he was changing his mind.
"Ok, now I have to get some sleep before Ino kills us both," Naruto said, pushing Jiraya out of the window. He quickly layed back down, going to sleep.
The Next Day
"Rasengan!" Naruto yelled, pumping as much chakra as he could into it before slamminbg it into the training dummie in Training ground 7. The dummie was obliterated, chunks of wood flying everywhere. Naruto smiled, he'd gotten the Rasengan stronger. Though, he still needed to gain better chakra control.
"Naruto, we've been looking all over for you," a familiar voice yelled out. Naruto turned to see Ino walking towards him.
"What, you said I could train after getting some rest," Naruto replied, nervous as to why they were looking for him.
"That's not why we were looking for you. We've got a mission, Me, you, Kiba, and Kakashi-sensei," Ino said, reaching the blonde jinchuriki.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Naruto yelled, grabbing Ino's arm and pulling her along as he aimed to meet the team at Konoha's front gates. Ino cursed Naruto out as she was dragged and bumped along, all the while trying to run along with Naruto.
"Naruto! Slow down!" Ino got out before she was slammed into the back of Naruo.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asked, turning around to see Ino on the ground, bruised.
"You were pulling me behind you!" Ino yelled in frustration, pulling herself up. They were maybe 25 meters away from the gate.
"C'mon! I can see Kakashi-sensei and Kiba waiting there!" Naruto whined, trying to get In0 to go.
"If they're waiting already, they can stand to wait a few more mintes," Ino said, leaving no room for arguements.
"Fine. So, what's the mission ab-" Naruto was cut off from talking as a certain Uchiha and fish guy dropped down from the buildings. Naruto cursed under his breath, creating two shadow clones to cover Ino.
"Damn, samheda wants your chakra bad!" Kisame said, causing Ino to sweat drop.
"Ino. Run, go get Kakashi-sensei or anybody as soon as you can," Naruto whispered, Ino nodding as she ran off, clones covering her back.
"Well, time to get this over with," Itachi said in a monotone voice.
"Let's rock," Naruto said, a crimson chakra cloak covering him. Kisame chuckled; Samheda was going to feast well tonight.
"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" Kakashi's voice rang out, a giant fire ball descending upon the pair. Kisame laughed, Itachi dodged, and Naruto jumped after Itachi. Other Jonin and Anbu arrived, surrounding the four ninja as thy fought, though Naruto was seemingly losing. Kakashi was evenly matched, though becoming quite exhausted from using his sharingan.
"Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki, give up, we have you surrounded," presumably an Anbu captain yelled out, ready to intervene. Just as Naruto got up, he looked into Itachi's eyes, mesmerized by the sharingan. Then everything went black.
AN: Ooh, a cliffhanger. Exciting. Not really. Ok, maybe. Anyways, sorry again for being lazy on the Sasuke Retrieval part of this chapter. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, R&R