How can you mend a broken heart? By Mr. Lee
Disclaimer: This fanfiction is for entertainment purposes only. The author of this fanfiction does not own Naruto or its characters. Naruto is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. Any other similarities in this story are purely coincidental.
Special Author's Note and Apology: Hello my fans, authors, readers and dear friends, this is Mr. Lee. Due to the recent reviews I've been receiving for the content in chapter two, I'm leaving this special author's note to clear the air once and for all.
Let me make it abundantly clear that I have nothing personal against Kakashi or Jiraiya. They are both great characters in Naruto and I truly do like them. However, for the sake of the story and the plot, which deals with the serious subject of rape and the affect it has on people, it was necessary for me to put them in that light. I have read all of your reviews, and I mostly agree with what you are all saying. But I did mention in my past author notes and in my warning that the content in the story does not reflect my personal views and beliefs, that there would be serious angst, that it would be controversial, and that certain characters would be OOC. In addition, I was asked by a number of you to put a little more angst in the next chapter if I chose to continue it. And I did just that. Most of you understood what I was trying to accomplish in chapter 2, and for that I thank you and for your kind reviews. But unfortunately, it seems that I may have added a bit too much for certain readers and it rubbed them the wrong way, despite the fact that it wasn't my intention. And for that, I am deeply and sincerely sorry :(. So let me explain so that there is no confusion or misunderstandings.
In regards to Kakashi, what Naruto said to him in chapter one has made him feel immense guilt over what happened, since he spent the most time with Sasuke and he felt responsible for him. Just like he felt responsible for Obito's death, and in this story, what he said to his father and Rin. In Rin's case, in Kakashi Gaiden, after Obito died and Kakashi told Rin that he would protect her, Rin asked him about her feelings for him. Kakashi said, and I quote, 'I…I was once the kind of trash that would abandon you…'. Combined with the fact that Rin had a sad expression on her face as she looked at the heavens after they were rescued by the Yondaime gave me the inspiration for that scene. The same goes for what he said at the end, since he said, and again I quote, 'What kind of commander, what kind of jonin am I?' when Obito was injured. Also, the majority of the words I used in his segment came right from the anime and manga. And I decided to add my own twist to this as well since we are dealing with someone who at this time has a guilty conscience. As strong as the Copy ninja is, guilt is something that's a constant companion to him (The fact that he apologized to an unconscious Naruto after his fight with Sasuke after the battle at the Valley of the End is proof of this.). I didn't add those scenes to bash him, since as I said, I like Kakashi. But for a story such as this and the events that were involved, it was necessary for the plot. Besides, like Tsunade said after Naruto's rant, he wasn't himself. And that incident will be focused upon in the next chapter.
As for Jiraiya, his scene with Tsunade is where I got the most flak from. Once again, let me make it clear that I like Jiraiya, and I was deeply saddened by his death when he lost to Pein (May Ero-sennin rest in peace.). But like Kakashi, for the story and its plot, again, it was necessary. Despite the toad sage's popularity, due to recent things that have been revealed by Kishimoto about the super pervert (The fact that he's Naruto's godfather and that he named him is an example.), the popularity of Shippuden and of Jiraiya himself has recently taken a serious drop from fans because of how his character was handled (From the fact that he didn't even recognize Naruto when he first appeared to the way he died are just some examples.). Since most fics always show Jiraiya in a positive light and since my story is an angst story and it was necessary for the plot, I decided to take a different course. Again, I wasn't trying to bash him. It was just necessary for the story. Why? Look at it from this point of view.
As we all know, of all of Naruto's precious people, Tsunade could easily be put in Naruto's top 5. In addition, as it has been revealed in the manga by Jiraiya himself, despite the fact that their former teammates, him and Tsunade weren't really that close since she never gave him the time of day (When he revealed this, you saw him being hit with an uppercut by the beautiful blond.). So it would be easily understandable if she cared more about Naruto than Jiraiya since she sees Naruto as family and puts him on the same level as Nawaki and Dan. After all, like Naruto, she came very close to killing Jiraiya when she broke nearly every bone in his body when he peeped on her while they were young (A fact that once again, Jiraiya admitted to in the manga.).
Now put yourself in Tsunade's shoes. Imagine you were a parent or a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse, and you discovered that your child or someone you loved was inflicted with a permanent injury. And the person that you felt was responsible for their safety didn't prevent it from happening. You'd be naturally upset and angry at that person, despite the fact that that person may not have been directly involved. As humans, we are all guilty of saying and doing things to others in the heat of anger. Myself included. Tsunade was no exception. After all, she does have a fiery temper when she's angry. And it reared its ugly head in the last chapter. In the heat of anger, all logic goes out the window, leaving only our raw emotions like hate and anger. And in letting out those raw emotions, there will indeed be consequences. Just like the villagers hate Naruto because they feel he's the demon when it's most likely they know the truth, Tsunade was upset and angry at Jiraiya in the exact same way.
This goes back to Kakashi and his reasons for feeling guilt over Sasuke. Naruto spent the most time with Jiraiya, and as such, as his sensei, and on a lesser note, a member of Naruto's family, his godfather, that would make him responsible. In the beginning of the chapter, if it was just the fact of Jiraiya's unorthodox training of the blond, Tsunade would have just scolded him for it, since his training would be considered by more traditional teachers, reckless and immature. But now that the fact that Naruto's current condition was mainly due to Kyubi's chakra and Jiraiya was responsible for helping Naruto unlock it and use it as a weapon (A fact that Jiraiya apologized to the Yondaime for in the first part of the series when he knocked him out and he tossed him over that cliff.), regardless of the fact that Naruto is mostly to blame for going to the fox and giving into his rage in the first place, Tsunade felt, in her throes of anger and for her love of her precious person that she considers family, that Jiraiya was mostly to blame for the incident, which led to what happened. Just like a guardian or a parent would be blamed for what their child does to someone else. It's only natural. Illogical, but natural.
Besides, we have all witnessed that the fact of Jiraiya helping Naruto unlock Kyubi's chakra in the first part of the series has had repercussions on the blond and those around him in Shippuden. The fact that Jiraiya was nearly killed and Sakura was badly injured by it is proof of this. This led Kakashi, Yamato and Jiraiya himself to tell Naruto not to use Kyubi's chakra, to have seals to suppress that chakra (One of which Jiraiya created himself because of the near death experience.), and to help Naruto use his shadow clones better and to create the Futon: Rasengan (Wind Release: Spiraling Sphere) and the Futon: Rasenshuriken (Wind Release: Spiraling Shuriken), both of which are now officially S-ranked jutsus in the data book. See how everything falls into place? But since my story takes place when Naruto and Sakura are 13, the events of Shippuden don't necessarily apply. In any case, Tsunade, simply put, was upset and angry at Jiraiya for what happened to Naruto and lashed out at him in a way that Sakura would probably yell at Naruto (Which we all know is very common in Naruto fics.). I'm not condoning what she said and did to him. But it was a natural response and it's something I could see the Godaime doing. It wasn't meant as a bashing episode against him, at all. I truly like Jiraiya. It was just necessary for the plot in the story, nothing more. And like Naruto, Tsunade's actions in that chapter and the consequences of it will be dwelled on in the next chapter.
In closing, as I mentioned in my profile, I apologize if I offended, angered, upset, or hurt anyone for any reason for the content in this story and the last chapter :(. It was not my intention to do so and I sincerely hope all of you can forgive me for this, since I truly feel bad for upsetting you all :(. Just remember that what I write in this story doesn't reflect my views and beliefs on the other characters, what I believe in personally and morally, or the situations that happen in it. Reader Discretion is, and shall always be until the story comes to a close, advised. I thank you all for your thoughts. Any thoughts, suggestions or opinions you might have after you read this will be kept in mind, good or bad, whether I agree with them or not. As I said, your thoughts and feelings are important to me. I truly mean that, even if I don't get a chance to speak to all of you and even if I don't agree with them personally. If you can tell them to me clearly and respectfully, it would be appreciated. I am far from perfect in the world of fanfiction, despite what others might think or say about me (Especially the negative ones.). But you, my true friends and loyal fans, know that even though this is just a hobby for me, I'll always do my best to entertain all of you as well as myself. And if I miss that mark, I'm really sorry and I'll try my hardest to do better next time :(. But if I do hit it, and you tell me that I did well with a chapter I did in one of my stories, I'll be happy and satisfied that I did well. But I'll still continue to keep doing my best.
Again, I'm terribly sorry for all the trouble I caused in chapter 2 :(. I hope that you can all forgive me :(. I hope that all of you understand now what I was trying to do and that there are no more misunderstandings from anyone. As I promised, things will start to get better in the chapters to come, starting with the next chapter. For those of you that are still reading this, please have faith in me when I say this. Things will get better! Most of the major angst is done, and I thank Kami that I got it out of the way. And now that that's done, the healing of all the characters (Jiraiya and Kakashi included.) can begin. I'll do my damndest not to disappoint. Until next time, Read, Enjoy, and as always, Review. After all, this story would not exist if it weren't for all of you. You loyal fans and friends of mine are the reason I keep writing. Don't any of you ever forget that! Later for now :)!
