Chapter 3
Several years had pasted since the day Naruto had played the game hide and go seek for the first time. Since that day he had slowly been trained in the ways of being a shinobi. His greatest help had been his aunt and Jiraiya, whenever the toad man was around. His skills and abilities had improved greatly since then too, but not many people knew how good and powerful he was. He mostly covered it up to make people believe that he wasn't really smart or skilled. He even made people believe he was more of a trickster with the help of his pet, Momo. Those that knew the truth were luck.
Unlike normal shinobis in training at his age, he was allowed many privileges by the Third Hokage. One such privilege was being allowed on missions with his aunt and some times with other shinobis. It was good way of deceiving the enemy into thinking they were a family traveling to some place or back home in order to get information or in a more deathly matter. Naruto knew the risk of these missions and had already expected what was expected of what he had to do.
When he's not helping out his aunt or away from the village, he was like every nine years old, who wanted to become a shinobi, attending the Academy. While attending the academy only a select few teachers watch out for him and one included Iruka Umina. They knew the truth of Naruto's skills and ability that could understand why the boy would do a test poorly in class. So they had it set up that he would do another test either before the fake ones to find out his real potential, which were beyond any child's ability and many shinobis.
Also over the years he had gained more friends, usually the ones that were consider sort of out case or those that didn't care who you were and what others thought about people who were different. His closes friends were Shikamaru Nara, Choji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, and Hinita Hyuuga. They each were the children of the only leaders of their clans that new of his secret.
His friends only knew at the beginning that he was more skilled then them and that he preferred to keep things a secret. They never questioned him on why. They had a few guess that the number one reason was what many people still thought of him. Later on they found out that he was the container for the Kyuubi. When they first found out about that little tib- bit, they didn't understand fully, but still stayed friends with him. Later when they did understand they didn't care. They just thought him as the person they grew to know, instead of what others thought.
How he met them each had been a little interesting. Choji and Shikamaru had been the first two. Choji had been playing in the park one day and wanted to join the other kids there, who where playing pretend ninjas. None of the other kids would allow him to play and started to make fun of him just because he was chubbier than most his age. Naruto had been in a tree at the time watch and when he seen what was happening to Choji he had stepped in.
He defended Choji and that was when Shikamaru stepped in to defend him also. Shikamaru at the time had been playing with the group and before Naruto stepped in he was going to stop the others. After that they both told off the other kids, the three of them went to play a game of their own. They were always hang around each other when they wanted to play or knew where to find the other since the day they had first became friends.
Ino and Hinita came into there little group not much later. The two of them had been playing on the swings when two older kids wanted the swings for themselves. Hinita had fallen off when she was pushed. Ino then started to use her big mouth to tell them off, but they came back at her and intimidated her. Their watchers would have stepped in to help them, but Naruto, Shikamaru and Choji had shown up first.
At first they told the older kids to leave both Hinita and Ino alone, but the older ones soon rounded on them. When they started to make fun of them they held their temper and allowed them to make stupid remarks. Naruto was doing all he could do to not let the remarks bother him, even though he was wanting so much to hit them. He got his chance when one of the older kids pushed Choji and Shikamaru down.
Not thinking he was a threat to them, they had decided to push the two girls down and away from the swings. Before they could hurt the girls, Naruto jump in front of them and pushed the older ones down. As the older ones were going to attack him, Naruto punched one of them in the gut while Momo, who was never far from him jumped on the other causing him to fall to the ground again. Then Naruto gave a warning to the older ones to leave his friends, the two girls and anyone they decide to bully alone or he would find out and do a repeat.
After that Naruto had checked on each one of his friends to make sure they were not hurt. That had been the first real fight they had seen him in and knew in some ways that he was very strong. Then once making sure they were all alright he asked them to play a game with him, which they accepted. Since then they each had a close bond with each other.
"Naruto, quit sleeping," yelled his closest and trusted teacher Iruka. Naruto automatically sat up in his chair as many other students laughed at his normal thing he did in class. He didn't mind. "Naruto you need to pay attention."
"I do sometimes, if it is worth knowing about."
"I don't see why he should be here he's never going to amount to anything," spoke a pink haired girl named Sakura Haruno. Some of the other students nodded.
"Ya he's considered dead last in everyone's eyes," yelled Kiba Inuzuka, who came from a clan that worked with a bunch of dogs.
"That's what you two think. You both don't know jack, so don't say things you don't know for sure about. I plan on being Hokage some day, so believe It." Almost everyone laughed except his friends. They knew he was serous, especial when his eyes flash for a second into eyes that reminded them of Momo's eyes.
"Keep dreaming dork." The person who spoke that was Naruto's most hated rival in the class Sasuke Uchiha. He was now know as the last Uchiha alive from the former clan of Uchiha's. Even though the boy had closed himself off from people and became cold, the two rivalry still existed. That was something that hadn't changed. It was just one of those things that just happen on first site.
But as the Uchiha stared at Naruto, he knew what Naruto spoke was true. He knew no one really knew Naruto except for his friends. He even notice that the said boy seem to hold himself back at time and knew there was something up with the teachers when it came to him. It was like some big secret was going on that almost no one know about that deleted with Naruto. What made him think of this was when he saw the other boy's eyes flash to that of his pet.
"It's good to know that you're back to normal," was all Naruto said silencing the class of their continuation of laughter. That even stopped the Uchiha's thinking process and caused him to narrow his eyes as he glared back. The class was more along the lines of not offending the last Uchiha and settled with being quiet out of respect to him.
Iruka had had enough. It had gotten out of hand, even when Naruto's eyes flashed. He knew Naruto could control his angrier. "Knock it off you two. You both are disturbing this class. Naruto you need to calm down a little. Sasuke, Kiba, and Sakura you three need to learn to not be rude to fellow classmates. If I catch one saying such rude things, I won't hesitate to give detention." The three nodded their heads. "Good. Now let's continue on with our lesson."
For the rest of the lesson, Iruka Sensei went on to tell about the history of the village. When it was time to go everyone prepared to leave, but Naruto stayed behind. He told his friends he would see them later. Once the last of the students were gone, Iruka dropped off a test in front of him, before heading back to his desk to grade papers. When he finished he hand the test back to Iruka, who quickly graded it.
"You know Naruto," said Iruka suddenly. "It would be good of you to pay attention to what I'm saying during class, even though you may know the stuff. Honestly why do you continue to allow everyone to believe you are not smart, when in fact you are the opposite?"
"We both know the reasons sensei. I just don't need all that extra attention of people hating me further because of what I am or thinking I am threat to this village, by finding this out. I know I'm smart. You know I'm smart, my aunt knows I am, the third, Jiraiya, Ibiki, my friends. I am perfectly happy with how things are. That should be enough for now."
"You never cease to amaze me, you know. You could be on your way to being a Jounin now, since you've been on many A class missions, but instead you stay behind for your friends to graduate with them. Your loyalty is a strong one and no matter what you do you seem to want to keep everyone's spirits up even those that are not your friends."
Naruto just grinned like a sneaky little fox. "What can you say? Its just how I am and it proves how far I want to become Hokage. Besides I want to be there for my friends and for my rivals, so they can reach their own goals and for them to help me in mine."
"I understand that, but times have changed. I've changed and I know others will too. They will even understand. Just give them, us a chance to see you as you are, your true self. Not the one you cover up with all the time, but the real Naruto. I know it would be hard for you, since you've had it worst than any of you fellow classmate. Sasuke may come closes to having a hard life now, but you've had a harder life and always had to watch your own back almost all the time. I'm sure if others see you now …"
Naruto didn't want to hear this anymore. He didn't want Iruka to continue and also there was another listening onto their conversation, even though that person had been their since class had finish. He knew who it was. He knew earlier that the Uchiha had been in thought and was confused by him. He had seen others with the same pattern. If he was correct the Uchiha was trying to find out the truth or some what the truth. "I'll think about it," he had finally said to stop Iruka. Iruka thought about it before nodding his head.
Then after a second, Naruto spoke up again. "I've got to go now sensei. I've got to go see the old man. He still wants me to come by for a daily check up to see how I'm doing and to know I'm not causing some sort of trouble. Maybe I'll be lucky and he won't be in his office, so I can play a really good prank on him. It still makes me laugh about the last prank I played on him."
Iruka looked at him horrified. "Naruto don't you dare do that. Got it!" Naruto just grin showing that he was just playing with him. When seeing this Iruka calmed down. "I don't like it when you mess with my mind like that Naruto, but any ways since your going to see Sarutobi, you can take him this report to him. I was going to do it later and give it to him, but it looks like I don't have to make a trip."
"Sure," he said taking the report. Before leaving in a poof of smoke, he said one last thing. "I think Sasuke needs to talk to you. He's waiting outside the classroom if you want to know." He had spoken loud enough for the said person, who had been listening to hear. Then with that Naruto left with a smirk on his face.
Heading to the Hokage's office, he ran along the roof tops with Momo at his heels following close behind. He didn't feel the need to get more glares from people today. For once he wanted to feel at least a little free and what better way than running along on the roof tops just for a little while. Running up there he didn't have to feel the hated glares or feel those that thought he was doing something wrong. Here no one could tell it was really him running, since he looked like a blur running by.
Then like everything his feeling of real freedom had to come to an end. Soon he had reached the old man's office. Slipping inside quietly, so to not be noticed by anyone, he found the office empty. The old man wasn't there. 'Probably in off doing something,' he thought. Not wanting to sit around to wait, he decided to snoop around, like when he had been little. Looking around he had a fox like grin on his face knowing at any moment he could be caught in the act.
Not really knowing where to start, he went over to one of the bookcases. As he inspected the bookcase with all types of books, he noticed that there was a secret room behind it. He had gotten good at finding secret rooms as he grew up in his home. The room was only the size of a small closet, but was packed full of things including the third's secret stash. He was no fool of a four year old anymore. He knew what those books really were since Jiraiya was the one that wrote them and sort of blabbed about them, which he shouldn't had.
Looking closely at some of the things in the small room, he found something that drew his attention. It was a huge scroll with the writing on it saying 'Forbidden Jutsus' and a number on it, telling it was one of many other forbidden scrolls. Just looking at it he couldn't resist getting in to it. Picking up the big scroll he moved back in the office so he could have more room.
Unrolling it a little he came to the first jutsu. It was called Kage Benshin no Jutsu. It was a type of clone jutsu, but not a normal one. In the writing it said that these clones would last a lot longer that the normal ones. It would take a hard blow to it rid of them. It even could be worked to an easy advantage of transforming others better than other jutsus and there would be less of a chance of being found out by the enemy. The jutsu was considered to be at Jounin level, which suited him perfectly fine.
Moving along he read what he would have to do to learn how to do the Jutsu. It had a trick to it, but he already figured it out. He first practiced the jutsu several times with his hands before putting it into his mind so he wouldn't always have to use his hands to do the jutsu. Over the years he had found out a way to do jutsus without hand signals or saying the jutsu a loud by doing the signals in his head. It had proven him well and especial when he had been out on missions with his aunt.
Once he had the jutsu down pack, he tried it out. He made sure to put a little chakra as possible so to not be found out. Doing the jutsu in his mind and silently said the name of the jutsu he produced two clones. He smirked at how well it had worked and couldn't wait to start on the next Jutsu the scroll had for him.
Ending the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, the two clones disappeared in a poof of smoke. Just as he reached to unravel more of the scroll he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. He had been caught and all he could do was scowl at himself for being so careless to not knowing someone had caught him in the act. He really should be more watchful and sense anyone's presence, when near by.
"You're late," spoke a silver hair jounin. In his hands was a book full of smut you could say. "I expected that when we planned to meet each time that you would come on time. So now tell me why you are late, Sasuke?"
"It's nothing."
"It isn't nothing, if you can not concentrate."
Sasuke was scowling because he didn't really want to talk about it. If he didn't follow the man name Kakashi's orders, he wouldn't get the training he wanted to avenge his clan for what his brother did in making them the last of the Uchihas. A week ago he had been approach by Kakashi to be trained, he of course took the offer and so they had made it a plan to meet up when the older man wasn't on any missions for the village. "It's really nothing."
"It isn't, so tell me or I will not train you," spoke Kakashi not even looking up from his book. "Either way I can always find other things to do than wait for you to…"
Sasuke stopped him knowing there was no other way. "In my class I have this rival. He's really a pain in the ass and an idiot. In class he is considered dead last. Over all there is just something that bugs me about him. Even though he acts stupid, something tells me it's just an act. He's not bothered by others making fun of him, but once it gets out of control he does defend himself. He gets more offended if someone picks on his friends.
"No matter what someone does to him he continues to go on never going away from his dream of becoming Hokage. The way he says he's he will reach his goal seems to inspire others to reach their own even though they won't say it's because of him. When he's not spewing about his goal he's going on encouraging his loser friends to be the best they can be.
"Well today I just really started thinking that there is something really secretive about him or more like odd. I even realized that this wasn't the first time strange things have happen involving him. Like usual he had yelled to the class that we didn't know him and that he would become Hokage, I notice that he eyes had flash for a second like his pet fox's eyes.
"That's what got me thinking. I know I don't know him, but I got this feeling that if I had gone against him in a fight I would most likely loose. I even started thinking that all the time he had has been gone that he had been doing something else or the fact that many of the teachers covered up the reason for him being gone. It…"
Kakashi listened as he told him about a fellow classmate of his that the boy considered a rival. As Sasuke talked about the other boy, he soon knew who the other boy was. He should of guess, Naruto. The last time he had really seen the boy had been when the boy had been four years old, but over the years he had heard that the boy had became well known among the shinobis and that he had been apart of several A rank missions. He even heard that the Hokage was allowing the boy the chance to test in becoming a Jounin with his skills, but turned it down to graduate with his friends. Now that was loyalty.
Also from what he was hearing the boy was even inspiring others to reach their own goals, including his rivals it sounded like. He could still remember what the boy did for him the night that changed him and getting a better understanding of who Naruto really was. He could say that the boy had inspired even him by trying to find his own peace and not having to remember the past all the time.
As Sasuke continued, he had a feeling why Naruto was keeping a front in front of people and the reasons. If Sasuke wanted to know the truth he would just have to wait until Naruto told him the truth on his own. So keeping the best intention in mind, he came up with ways to stopping Sasuke to finding out or becoming more suppositious about the boy.
"I suggest you put this all out of you mind. Its really not your business to get involved with things that are not your concerns. Whoever this rival is he probably has his reasons. So why worry over something that really has nothing do with you? Or is it that you are worried that you could truly lose against him like you said earlier."
That did it. Sasuke just gave him a glare. "As if that dork could do anything right in beating me, he can't even use a weapon correctly. Now can we begin my training."
"Sure," said Kakashi amused at how easy he got the boy to focus on something else than finding out the truth to Naruto.
"You know, Naruto that is called stealing," said the person whose hand was resting on his shoulder. Naruto final came out of his scowl and annoyance at getting caught. He then looked sheepish and rubbed the back of his head with a fox like grin on his face. "And why do you have one of the forbidden scrolls opened?"
"First it's not like I'm stealing anything when the scroll never left your office. To answer your question, I was learning some of the jutsus in it. I've already learned how to do the first one. I was going to learn another, but you caught me. I really should pay a little more attention to my surroundings, but I couldn't help it when I just get an eager to finding things out."
Sarutobi just chuckle knowing the boy loved to get into things and cause some sort of trouble. It was just something he liked about the boy. Also if he didn't have the boy around things would just be dull and boring around him. "Just put the scroll away and try not to get into anymore things will you Naruto, even though it makes my day more enjoyable."
As he put away the scroll and closed the bookcase he said, "I'll promise that I'll never change, how's that?"
"That good to know."
Once he was done, Naruto came to stand in front of the Hokage. "Iruka-sensei told me to give this to you," he said handing the report over to him that Iruka had given him.
Sarutobi took the report and took a quick glance at it, before setting it down on his desk to look at it more later. The report was basically about Naruto's test and score that had be record. From what he had seen the boy was proving to be far more improved than anyone in his class. "Have you decided if you are wanting…"
Naruto knew what he was asking. "I'm not willing to give up leaving my friends behind, old man. If I want to reach my goal, I want them to reach their's. I may not be normal, but it will be no fun if I can't grow up around them. Besides, I like being in Iruka-sensei's class, you can always count on something interesting happening at some point in the day. You can always count on him to be scared into believing your going to do something wrong, too."
Sarutobi chuckled knowing what he meant. He of course had pulled several little jokes on the young man for a little fun and it ended up scaring the young man until he had realized that he was being fooled. He had been surprised that Iruka had been tricked so easily, when he had been younger and known to play similar pranks on others.
"You two seem to think on the same line when it comes to me you both want me to take those tests/exams now because of my skills. He even wants me to be myself and let others know what I can do. But I'm just not ready for more people to know my true self yet. I just want to enjoy myself a little longer before telling people that I can do this or that."
"I can understand that you don't want to take those tests. He's right that you should tell more people, how else are you go to get the respect you deserve if not. Have you told your friend about yourself fully?"
"Just what they want to know. They know that the Kyuubi lives on in me and that I am not a normal being. They know I use a front so people do not hate me even more or believe I'm one thing when I'm not. They know I'm loyal to those who are close to me. They know I'll always protect those that need protecting. They even know that I want the best for everyone around me, even those that are my rivals. I think they even know me more than I even know myself sometimes."
"That good to know and it's funny that people can sometimes know you more that you yourself do."
"Yeah."
For a moment everything was silent in the office, before Sarutobi spoke again. "So what is the real reason you needed to see me?"
"Do you know when Anko will be back?"
"I'm afraid Naruto I do not. You never seem to wonder before when she was away on missions, so why so worried now?"
"I don't know. Usually she comes back when she says she will, but this time she been gone longer that she is suppose to. Also I get this weird feeling that something is up. Almost like something had gone wrong on her mission and she might be injured. It's been bothering me for a while, since late last night. It just came to me and won't leave."
Sarutobi took all this in. The boy was rarely wrong when if came to things. It was strange that he hadn't heard anything new about the mission she had been sent on or that of any delays on getting back. He did think it strange the mission had lasted this long, which it should have lasted only a week instead of almost three. "I think I'll send a scout group in the morning if she still hasn't returned tonight. You are right that something may be up. And before you ask, no you may not come on to look for her."
Naruto understood, even though he really wanted to look for his aunt. "I know, but I don't like just waiting around to know if she's alright. She's the only family I've got and I don't want to lose her."
"That's understandable. If something comes up I will tell you if you need to know."
"You better old man because I won't forgive you if you didn't."
"You've got it Naruto." The Hokage could tell he was still worried as the boy glazed outside through the windows in the office. For right now he could do nothing to really help the boy except to tell him that everything would be alright. "She'll return to us."
The boy hardly nodded his head still not reassured as he continued to glaze outside. Then finally he spoke. "Then I guess we'll just have to hope that she comes back alright."
"That's right Naruto don't give up on hope because with hope everything will be fine." Again the boy nodded, but this time he seemed a little more happier. "Now I suggest if you want to meet up with your friends, you should leave now. There's still time to play a few games or talk with them before the sun goes down."
"Just don't forget to tell me anything you find out."
"Will do."
With that Naruto left the office by the means of using the new jutsu he had just learn. In an instance four clones showed up in the office and then the five Narutos jumped out of the opened window down onto the street below. Down there, each of the Narutos took off in different direction, except one. That one was the real Naruto and he took off in one specific direction where he knew his friends would be at this time of day. He knew at around this time of day to count on Shikamaru and Choji to be there for sure.
Just as he had thought when reaching the park he saw the two there on top of a hill laying down and looking up at the sky. They were watching the clouds. Knowing Shikamaru for so long it was his most favor of things to do during the day. Choji would rather be at a barbeque place, but being with a friend beat out eating at some place. To Naruto that was something that showed real friendship, even if he didn't understand Shikamaru's choice in fun things to do. But then again everyone had to have some strange habit. This habit of Shikamaru's usually helped him get some extra sleep.
Soon Naruto appeared out of no where next to them. Over the years each of his friends had gotten use to his appearing out of no where act with Momo closes behind. Noticing him there next to them, they gave him a nod that said, 'Hey.' Naruto nodded back as he sat down next to Choji. Once he sat down Momo came over to him and sat in his lap. For a while no one said anything not wanting to ruin the peace around them. It didn't do much for him to get off of worrying about his aunt.
"Why so down Naruto?" spoke Choji suddenly grabbing a bag of chips from his pouch around his waist. Shikamaru even glanced at him wondering the same thing, but not wanting to voice anything out.
"I just have a bad feeling about something. I've never been wrong and I just hope it goes away soon."
"Does this have anything to do with you notorious aunt of yours that we've never seen before and the mission she been on?" said Shikamaru.
"Maybe, I can't really say where this feeling coming from, but it doesn't feel very good."
"If I know you it probably not good because one thing I know you aren't normal and anything you may know or think is one thing to never underestimate." Then a second later Shikamrau said, "Man this is just too troublesome."
Naruto laughed before saying, "Everything is just too troublesome to you,"
"Uh-ah," said Choji in between munching on his snack. Then when he finished his bag of chips he decided to go on to a different subject. "So did you have another one of those different tests?" Naruto nodded his head yes. "Was it written?" Again Naruto nodded his head. "That's good to know. It means me and Shikamaru only have to review what we've learned since the last written test we've taken. Even though you take more advance tests, we can always count on you to know if we get a test the next day."
"Man I feel so used," he said with a smile on his face.
"Then why do you stay behind?" said Shikamaru not looking at him.
"What about you?"
"I asked you first.. You know what never mind. It just too troublesome to know again, why?"
"I stay behind to enjoy things and life with you guys before having to give it all up. When we become shinobis we won't get as much time to hang out or do things anymore. I also stay behind to help you each in your goal to becoming a shinobi with knowing that there is less chance of any of you dying too early. I already know what life out there is like and I want to make sure you guys are prepared for anything and everything."
They understood what he meant and knew fully why he was doing what he was doing to stay behind and help them. Out of all they were glad to have a friend like him even if he wasn't a normal person. Unlike other people Naruto cared more for helping and protecting them then himself. With that ability and loyalty proved to them that his goal of becoming Hokage wasn't going to be just a dream, but a reality in their eyes of their future.
After he had spoken, Naruto saw two of their missing friends from their group coming over to them. For the rest of the day with Ino's help they did something more fun than just watching the clouds.
It had been a long time since he had first walked the tunnels that lead to the being that was sealed inside of him. Now he could see some improvements. No more was there any kind of water dripping onto the ground that had him to go through water puddles here and there or trying to avoid if he could. Instead the tunnels were totally dry and there even seem to be little lighter than the last time. And as he continued the route he had taken years ago, it got lighter and lighter.
Soon he came to the room that held the giant fox within the cage. Even this room had changed also. It seemed to Naruto that it had taken the biggest change of all. The cage still had the seal on it, but it was what was on the inside it that change. Unlike before now you could see inside the cage, there was plant life growing. On the left side and to the back of the cage there was a waterfall thatfeed into a pool of water that was big enough to allow to two giant fox to bathe in or use. On the other side there was a cave big enough to hold Kyuubi inside. The ceiling of the cage had turned into look like the sky outside of the dream mind he was in.
"Been a while kit," was the first thing Kyuubi said getting his attention.
"Yeah it has."
"You've grown and improved from what I've seen."
"Your cage seems to have improved."
Kyuubi looked around, before saying, "Greatly, kit."
For a second they were silent not knowing who should speak first, but in the end Naruto was the first. "I get the feeling that there is a reason that I'm here."
"Your right, Kit. Now think on why you're here?"
"To tell me that something had happened or will happen. So what does it have to do with me?"
"Good, kit. What has been bothering you lately?" In an instance Naruto's eyes widen in knowing. "Very good. Now don't you think you should wake up now."
At that moment Naruto woke and jumped up from his seat. As his chair scrapped the floor, the whole class turned there heads and look back at him wondering what he had done. Some were going to laugh, but stopped with others at seeing the look on his face. Something told them each that something was up. To the class Naruto just stood there looking out the window like a worried zombie, but Naruto was really scanning the area and trying to sense out where his aunt was. He could feel she was close to the village.
"Naruto, please sit down," spoke Iruka-sensei getting the feeling that Naruto knew something was wrong. When the boy didn't listen to him, he knew this couldn't be good. He could even see that his friends were worried too. "Naruto, if you won't sit down, then I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside the classroom. I'll be out in a minute to speak to…."
Everything Iruka had asked for went on deaf ears. Naruto just continued to scan the area for his aunt. The way he was acting seem to worry those close to him, some were thinking it was some sort of joke, another batch thought he was acting creepy and one who was considered his rival thought this was just one more thing to put on a growing list called the 'Mysteries of Naruto'. Then suddenly Naruto did something at shocked almost everyone in the class.
He had felt her, his only living relative. She was in the direction of the Northeast Gate of the village. But as he felt out a little longer, he could sense that there was something truly wrong with her. What? He didn't know, but he was going to find out soon. He wasn't going to stick around here to wait to be told what had happen. He was one for answers now than later. Quickly as he could he appeared by one of the open windows in the room and then jumped out.
As the whole class saw this, they all rushed over to the window to see him safely land on the ground. Then they saw him blur as he left the academy. No one knew where he was going or had a clue as to what was going on. They just knew that on that day they had underestimated someone who had been consider dead last. Some already believed that it was just a dream at what they had just seen. But most were just still in shock not knowing what to believe anymore.
Moving as fast as he could he rushed to the northeast gate. He didn't stop for no one or say he was sorry to those he had bumped into. At that moment all he cared for was getting to his aunt. Drawing closer to the gate something in the air reminded him of the smell for fresh blood. At first he thought it strange, but then it seemed that the smell was coming from the direction of where he was going. That wasn't coincidence. He knew that in some strange way that his aunt was very injured and from what he smelled she was bleeding a lot.
He was right once he reach the gate. In the distance he could see someone coming from outside of the village gate. They came slowly down the path. As the figure drew closer and closer, he could tell that the person was female and that they were limping. Upon farther look, Naruto knew it was his aunt drawing closer in her torn up clothing. Her wounds were showing and she was leaving a bloody trail. Still moving, he could tell that she was trying to stay awake.
Then when she finally saw him, he watch in slow motion as she said his name quietly under her breath and pass out from all the blood lost. All he could think was stopping her from hitting the ground in his mad rush. He didn't even notice that as he ran to her he had screamed her name or the fact he wasn't the only one that had noticed her. Gentle catching her the best he could since he was still a kid, he laid her down on the ground. In the background shinobis were yelling for a medic right away for his aunt.
Soon they arrived, two medics with a stretcher. First they checked her vitals. Then they check of her body for all her injuries, like broken bones and her wounds. Once they knew what to be careful of they told Naruto to stand back as they lifted her onto the stretcher. Naruto just looked like a zombie as he moved back to let them do their work, not taking his eyes of his aunt. A couple of shinobis stood by him to keep him company, but it was no use when he followed after the medic-ninjas to the hospital.
Arriving at the hospital, Anko had been taken into one of wards to be healed up. Naruto not wanting to be too far away stayed outside it and waited. Four hours into the process, he started to get very worried. He was starting to get scared that his aunt would not make it. He truly didn't want to lose her. He didn't want things to go back to how he remember how it. He didn't want to be alone in the world. Even though he had friends who could help him he didn't want to loose someone who actually truly understood him the most.
That single thought was lifted from his shoulders not much later. The ward doors opened and several people wheeling a bed with his aunt on it headed to a private hospital room. Not being left behind Naruto followed them. Stepping into the room they hooked her up to a machine to keep tack of her vitals signs. Soon it was just his aunt, him and the person over seeing his aunts healing. He was told by the head medic that his aunt would be alright and that she would recover fully over time.
After another hour, someone else entered the room. Naruto at first thought it had been just a nurse to see how things were faring or at least the doc coming to check on his patient, but then he caught the scent of smoke in the air. Knowing that this was a hospittal and how sanitary it's suppose to be, it didn't take him long to figure out who it was. He didn't know many people who enjoyed smoking and so his first guess was the Hokage, which he had been right when he looked at the thought of person.
"It's good to know she will recover alright." The older man had said finally. "I've heard that you had been there when she had return in the bad shape. It's no picture any family member would wants to see, no matter how much bloodshed they had already seen in their life. When she is in better shape she will have to explain what had happen to her. So whatever is said I want you, Naruto to not get yourself involved. I do not want to know you will not allow you to go out there for revenge agains those that deserve what is coming to them. You've got that? That job is others to take care of."
"Yeah I got it old man."
"Good."
As they talked they never took their eyes off of Anko and once they were silent again they just continue to sit in the room and wait. It would be like that until morning when the sun came into the room and the first sign that Anko was really going to be alright in Naruto's eyes. When Sarutobi saw this he knew the boy would be just fine and didn't need his company any longer. So with that the old man left with plans to think on how he should deal with the situation at handling the wrong doers that were responsible for Anko being in the hospital.
From that day Naruto made plans of his own. If he was going to become Hokage then he was going to have to protect his family and friends better than what he was doing now. Just seeing how his aunt was, he knew he would have to work harder to make sure that no one close to him would either come into that state or die. He didn't care if he died doing it, but it would be good to know that he had protected them like he wanted them protected.
