Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the Twilight series of books.
Chapter Three: Sasuke's Change
The village of Konoha was busy with activity as usual; the shinobi of the village went about their duties, the civilians went to work, and everyone in-between found a way to busy themselves. Team Seven, lead by Kakashi, was currently leaving Ichiraku's, the best place to get Ramen in the entire village, to go to their final mission of the day.
They have been a team for little over seven months and despite the initial tension they had formed a friendship of sorts. Naruto was the heart of the team and their default leader; Naruto is an excellent strategist and good training partner for both Sasuke and Sakura: Sasuke didn't like the idea of listening to Naruto but he accepted it and Sakura went along with it once Sasuke followed Naruto's leadership and instructions. Sasuke was the team's point man: the first to enter combat and any forms of aggressive action, something he was just fine with. Sakura was the teams nurse/mind: on Naruto and Kakashi's suggestion (constant nagging) Sakura had begun to learn how to be a medical-nin: Sakura is a pivotal part of the team not only because of her medical skills but because of her analytical mind that goes well with Naruto's strategic capabilities.
Kakashi was a good teacher because he took things slow making sure to work on the basics of any subject and work his way up once he knew everyone had mastered what he taught them; team seven was an excellent shinobi squad, however they did have a small problem, Sasuke's attitude.
Sasuke was always angry and being weaker than Naruto made him even angrier; sure he trained with Naruto and listened to the blond but it was only because Naruto had promised to teach him how to turn into a wolf.
-Break
"I refuse Hokage-sama" said Naruto firmly as he looked at Sarutobi, "there's no way my team can continue wasting time with these so D-ranked missions". Sarutobi merely sat patiently, smoking his pipe, while he listened to Naruto. Naruto and his team had just finished their final mission for today and Iruka had suggested that the team do another D-ranked mission: that statement alone set the blond off.
"Listen I know everyone has to start out small and build their way up but I think we've proven ourselves to take on a C-ranked mission" said Naruto exasperated.
Kakashi watched as his student pleaded the teams' case and his two other students were watching as Naruto confront the Hokage, the highest authority in their entire village. Iruka seemed a bit disappointed in Naruto's overreaction. He had always seen all shinobi, no matter what rank, respect their superiors, and never question their orders.
"Iruka" said Sarutobi, "Tell me just how many missions has team seven completed".
"Right away Hokage-sama" said Iruka as he looked through some papers in front of him, "the official records say that team seven has completed 107 D-ranked mission and nothing more".
'That's more missions than I ever did as a genin' thought Sarutobi a bit ashamed.
"Uhm, that certainly is impressive" said Sarutobi with a neutral expression, "tell you what, you come in a week and I'll see what mission we have".
"That's all I'm asking for" said Naruto as he and team seven began to leave.
"Well I guess we have the week of from missions then" said Sakura, "What do you think you're going to do, Sasuke-kun?"
"Nothing much" said Sasuke.
Sakura turned to Sasuke and let out a gasp; Sasuke didn't look well, his usual pale skin was even paler, he had dark bags under his eyes probably from lack of sleep, and it looked like he hadn't eaten in days. As they exited the mission distribution office in the Hokage's tower the four were making their way to Ichiraku's for some lunch.
'He looks terrible' thought Sakura as she looked at Sasuke next to her.
'Damn' thought Naruto as he quickly glanced at Sasuke, 'looks like old man Hokage was right, Sasuke and some of the others are like me, their protectors'.
'Well what will you do know Naruto' thought Kakashi knowing full well what Naruto was and what Sasuke was becoming.
"Sasuke-kun" whispered Sakura, "I think we should get you to the hospital, you look exhausted".
Before he could reply Sasuke fell to the ground, his body limp and looking cold; Sakura jumped to action and knelt to Sasuke her few months of medical training making her go into nurse mode. Kakashi was the second to react and waited for Sakura's explanation but Naruto calmly stood over Sasuke's prone body, knowing full well what's happening to him.
"Naruto, his burning up" said Sakura panicked, "His temperature is higher than anything I've ever seen".
Naruto took a deep breath and looked at this girl who in a short time had become one of his few friends; the worry in her eyes made Naruto feel a pain he'd never felt. A person he cared about was hurt and as much might as he had he could do nothing to console her.
"Sakura I want you to go to Sasuke's house with Kakashi-sensei get him some clothes, a few bed sheets and pillows. When your done go to your house and get all the medical supply at your disposal, and then meet me at our training field: tell no one of what were doing with Sasuke, now go" said Naruto as he picked up Sasuke and sprinted away making sure not to be seen.
-Break
Night time had come and the village was quiet it seemed everything was right, however, for team seven everything was far from right. Sakura was waiting at the edge of the forest per Kakashi-sensei's instructions; sitting up against a tree and looking at the sky, with the full moon in sight. Apparently Naruto and Kakashi knew what was happening to Sasuke but wouldn't tell her just yet.
'What can possibly be happening' thought Sakura worriedly as she waited for Naruto and Kakashi.
"Sakura" said Naruto as he stepped into view, "he's doing alright but it's going to be a rough night for him and us".
"When do you think he'll phase?" asked Kakashi calmly.
"An hour maybe less" said Naruto as he sat next to Sakura.
"Guys" said Sakura, "I think I've been relatively patient with you I want to know what is going on now".
"Saku-" Kakashi was about to say something but Naruto interrupted him by raising a hand, signaling to stop.
"Naruto" pleaded Sakura with unshed tears in her eyes.
"Sakura" said Naruto, "if you're going to here this from anyone it might as well be me".
"What?" asked Sakura.
"You know how I change into a wolf right" said Naruto.
"Yeah, I didn't question it because I figured it's a bloodline, and you being an orphan and all don't need me prying into something that would bring up painful feelings" answered Sakura quietly.
"It's time that you find out the truth" said Naruto as Kakashi sat in front of two.
"Sakura what Naruto is about to tell you is truthful and very secretive; the villagers have almost all but forgotten the truth about our village's formation but few like Naruto and myself still remember" said Kakashi calmly.
"Please tell me what you have to tell me" said Sakura tiredly.
"It dates back a few generations" said Naruto as he looked up at the full moon, "The Uzumaki clan along with all the other clans of the village and most of its civilian populace had banded together during the time of the shinobi wars, a time of lawlessness and blood. It was decided by all the people that we would settle down on this land and live our lives in peace away from the horrors of war; however, our decision for peace didn't sit well with the warring factions of the land. They attacked us and tried to kill us but thanks to the Uchiha, the Hyuuga, Uzumaki, and Senju Clans we manage to hold them back-"
"Wait a minute Naruto" said Sakura, "if your family helped found this village that would make you a noble and clan head" finished the girl surprise.
"Let him finish" said Kakashi as he nodded for Naruto to continue.
"As I was saying" said Naruto who never took his eyes of the full moon, "The clans held back the attackers who tried to stop the people from forming Konoha but each attack crippled the people and made us falter. It was decided by my great-great grandfather, Chief Uzumaki Urufu (Wolf), that the Uzumaki would protect the land from all evil because we are descendants of wolves and wolves defend their territory to the bitter end. All of my clan embraced their 'wolf gene' the part of us that since the time before jutsu allowed us to become wolves".
"Seeing as how the village is here, I'm guessing that your clan did a good job of protecting the people" said Sakura giving Naruto a bitter-sweet smile.
"Yes" said Kakashi, "but sadly the Uzumaki clan was betrayed".
"What do you mean?" asked Sakura.
"Almost all of us died protecting the village" said Naruto, "only six young men survived their duties as protectors and they were feared because of our ability to change. The other clans banded together and forced the six to never phase again and to add insult to injury they forced my six fellow clans' men to marry into six different clans".
"How could they" said Sakura, "after all your clan did they just turned on them like that".
"We humans are like that Sakura, we fear what we don't understand" said Kakashi calmly.
"One of the six was my great grandfather, Uzumaki Getsuei (Moon) son of Urufu; he lived as a shinobi and had a family that carried on the clan. My other five clans' men are lost in the corridors of history and known only for marrying into the Uchiha, Nara, Aburame, Hyuuga, and Inuzaka" said Naruto sadly.
"I'm so sorry Naruto" said Sakura with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"It's okay Sakura" said Naruto as he finally looked at her and smiled, "With Sasuke I'm not alone".
"That's right" said Sakura with wide eyes, "Sasuke is a descendant of one of the six which makes him a very distant cousin of yours".
"I actually have a few other 'cousins' out their" said Naruto.
"Do you know who they are?" asked Sakura.
"It's hard to tell bu-" before Naruto could finish an angry roar could be heard behind them.
Naruto sprang into action and ran into the woods: Sakura and Kakashi could both hear the familiar sound of Naruto phasing. The ripping of his muscles and skin came first and them the massive weight of his wolf form could be heard as he landed and ran towards Sasuke.
-Break
Sakura was behind Kakashi as he approached the sound of barks and growling; it was the sound of two beast, they were speaking. Kakashi held Sakura back as they approached and the two looked in amazement at what they say.
Naruto stood in his wolf form; the moonlight reflecting of his jet black fur, Naruto is a sight to behold: the noble king of the forest and next to him was the most amazing wolf she had ever seen. The other wolf was a bit smaller than Naruto and he didn't appear to carry the confidence and pride Naruto had.
The other wolf was her Sasuke-kun: hi's fur a deep brown and his eyes the deepest gold she had ever seen, and before Sakura knew it he was heading towards her. Sasuke brushed past Kakashi as if he didn't exist and stood before Sakura, looking deep into her eyes as if trying to ask a question. Sasuke pressed his damp wolf's nose against Sakura's cheek, causing the girl to giggle.
"Sasuke-kun, you look amazing" said Sakura.
Naruto gave a bark and gave a huff.
"You look amazing too" said Sakura with a chuckle.
"That's all well and good but where does it leave us" said Kakashi as he watched Naruto disappear into the forest.
Sasuke gave a bark as if trying to say something: his attempts of communication were useless to say the less. Naruto once again reappeared to his team in human form: a smile on his face and most likely in his heart, he wasn't alone as a wolf and that must surely be a good thing.
"Well" said Kakashi as he looked at Naruto and then Sasuke.
"Easy enough to figure out" said Naruto, "We are pack, I am alpha, Sasuke is my second, and we wait to see if the others will change as Sasuke has".
"Naruto what about Sasuke-kun?" asked Sakura.
"What about him" said Naruto.
"He can't exactly go walking into the village like this" said Kakashi.
"Oh yeah" said Naruto, "I think we better get started on training: don't want him to get angry and I need to teach him to tune into the pack mind".
"What's that?" asked Sakura.
"Well get to that but first lets help Sasuke change" said Naruto as he grinned at Sasuke.
End Chapter
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