Okay, I think the story is going good. So far, it's going how I have planned it out. I see that a lot of poeple favorite and put my story on story alert and that's good but I would honestly prefer that you actually review the story so I know what you're thinking. On the last chapter, I only got one review and I was way disappointed. I still haven't given up hope though. Anyway, I do not own Naruto.
Naruto shut the door to his apartment, and took his time locking the various locks that helped keep the villagers away. Packing wouldn't take long, Naruto didn't have much of anything. He made his way through the apartment before stopping at the door that lead to his room. he opened the door and entered. He went to the small closet that was across from his dingy little bed, and grabbed the only travel bag he had. It was a nicely sized navy blue knapsack.
Naruto got down on all fours and began running his hands over the hardwood floor. He soon found a board that was looser than the others and pulled it up. There he found a large bag of money he had got from the third Hokage before he had died. Naruto sighed sadly at the thought of his former grandfather figure, who had previously died for the well-being of this village. Naruto dropped it inside of his bag. He also collected some ninja tools he had lying around and dropped them inside too. He was ready.
Naruto turned around and found himself staring directly at the old picture of team 7. The picture used to make him happy when he had first become a ninja but the joy felt many times before was not felt. Naruto only felt anger, he walked briskly toward the photo and threw it on the ground. The shattering glass spread across the floor but he didn't care. He continued to stare at the picture before his angry disposition began to crumble.
He began thinking about the few people in the village who had not treated him like complete crap. The ones who he did still care for, for a second he doubted his plan of leaving but quickly replaced that doubt with confidence. 'I have to go. Nothing good will happen if I stay but maybe...' Naruto thought for a moment. And made a quick decision, he had some people to sat goodbye too.
'Are you sure you want to do that? It might it harder to leave them.' Kyuubi knew what Naruto was going to do before they left.
"I'm sure." Naruto found himself speaking aloud, no one was around to hear him. It wouldn't take long and he was sure that he'd have time tomorrow.
'Get some rest kit, tomorrow night is when we will leave then.' Kyuubi said.
*Next Morning*
Naruto awoke on the uncomfortable pile of springs he called his bed. He looked on the small clock on his bedside table and noticed that it was early morning. He got up, carefully avoiding the glass he had left on the floor, and cleaned up. Today was the day, and he had a few things he needed to do before that.
Naruto left out of his apartment with his knapsack and began walking to the shopping district. On the way there he hid in an alley and henged himself into someone with brown hair and eyes who was slightly taller. The whisker marks were no longer on his face and his clothes changed into a black jumpsuit. The store owners would never sell him anything, and if they did the prices would be incredibly high. Naruto entered the district, and began looking around. Even though it was early it was still pretty crowded with many people rushing around to the various stands and stores.
Naruto ran his hand through his fake brown hair and continued searching until he found his first destination, the weapons shop. There was a sign above the shop that had a shuriken blade on it. He walked inside the large store and found that there were a couple other ninja around, he kept his composure while he hoped that none of them would see threw his disguise and expose him. Naruto walked around searching, avoiding confrontation with anyone, he found what he was looking for. Senbon needles. He grabbed two boxes, grabbed a box of shuriken and kunai, and got some explosive tags.
As Naruto made his way to the counter he noticed small, square sheets of white paper lying in a box that had no cover. Above the box was a small sign that read 'FREE' in big red bubble letters. 'Paper?' Naruto wondered why paper was being sold inside of a weapons shop. 'Not just any paper, kit. It's paper made from a special tree. When you pump a small amount of chakra into it, it will do one of five things that will tell you your chakra nature. You should grab some.' Naruto did as he was told though he didn't know how it woulld really aid him.
He got a few other things that he thought he might need and went to the check out counter. There was a middle-aged man there who eyed him weirdly for a second before Naruto pulled out the needed amount of money. Naruto put the weapons in his bag and began walked back out, looking around again. He smiled when he noticed that the ninja clothing store was right next to the weapons shop.
'Convenient.' he thought as he went directly inside of the store. Naruto felt that it was time for a change. There wouldn't be any orange in his new outfit, well, maybe a little. Don't get him wrong, orange is and always will be his favorite color but his current clothing will bring back memories of this village and he doesn't want to remember. He moved quickly though his bag had become noticeably heavier.
Naruto got a shirt that was black and had long sleeves, he also picked up some black shinobi pants. He saw that the store had kunai holsters and shuriken pouches. He got two of each, grabbed a forest green ninja tool belt and began thinking of anything else he might need. 'It'll be fine, we can get more materials after we leave.' Naruto nodded, and once again went to the front of the store to pay.
When he left the shopping district he dropped the henge and headed back to his apartment to drop all of his stuff off. Then he left out of his apartment the second time that day to spend some time with the few special people he had in the village. First Naruto would visit all of the rookie 9 (excluding his team) and Guy's team. He would start with Kurenai, then go to Guy, and finally Asuma.
Kurenai's team were happy to train with. Well, Kiba was. Hinata stood around blushing and stuttering and Shino didn't say much of anything but Naruto didn't think that either of them had a problem with it. Kurenai wondered why he wasn't training with his own team but didn't think much of it. Naruto left after saying goodbye to all of them.
Asuma's team went a bit differently. When Naruto found them they were in a barbeque restaurant sitting and eating. Naruto was about to leave because he didn't want to interrupt but Choji hastily called him over. So, Naruto spent time sitting and eating with them. They seemed to act comfortably around him, something that Naruto greatly enjoyed. When they were done Naruto once again said goodbye.
Guy's team was at a training ground just as Kurenai's. When Lee noticed him he gave him a bone-crushing hug, then went on a small rant about the 'Flames of Youth' before asking him to a spar. Naruto couldn't help but smile after air actually made it's way back into his body. He got into a fighting stance and their spar began. Naruto enjoyed every second of it. He also sparred with Neji and got Tenten to show him some of her ninja weapons.
He found that it was kind of hard to say goodbye and it made him a little sadder each time he had to do it but he knew had to leave. He still had a few more stops to make. As he left the training grounds he noticed the position of the sun and jumped from roof to roof. He didn't a whole bunch of time left.
On his way, he had found Konohamaru and his friends. Naruto decided that he should spend some time with them too since they look up to him so much. He had never had anyone look up to him. They just spent some time playing ninja and it kind of reminded Naruto of when he was younger. He had always wanted to play but the other kids shunned him. He left soon, he needed to manage the time he had left.
When Naruto arrived, he walked up to the apartment building and knocked three solid times. Within seconds feet could be heard shuffling and soon the door flew open to reveal a smiling face. "Hello Naruto," Iruka said with slight surprise, "Come in." He gestured inside and Naruto followed. "Hi, Iruka-sensei," Naruto said with a big grin. Iruka returned the smile with one of his own. "Any particular reason you're here?" He asked as they both took a seat on his comfortable couch. "No, I just came to visit you. Aren't you happy to see me?" Naruto replied.
"Of course. Let me make us some tea." Iruka then made his way into the kitchen to make them some tea. He came back with two steaming cups in his hands. He handed one to Naruto and reseated himself on the couch. "So, how are you?" And that's how it went. Naruto and Iruka sat and talked about everything that came to their mind. They sat there for what seemed like hours before Naruto decided that he should go.
"I think it's time for me to go Iruka-sensei." Naruto said with a sad smile. "Are you sure you can't stay a little longer?" Iruka asked, he was really enjoying their time together and it had been a while since Naruto had last visited. "Sorry, but I have to get up early tomorrow. Kakashi-sensei is supposed to put us through some kind of test." Naruto lied. He didn't want to lie to his brother-figure but he had no choice.
"Okay, I understand." Iruka reluctantly nodded in acceptance. He walked Naruto to the door and Naruto abruptly embraced him in a tight hug. "I love you, Iruka-sensei." For a few seconds Iruka was in shock at Naruto's strange behavior but quickly returned the hug. "I love you too, Naruto." They stayed like that for a while before Naruto pulled away, turned around, and jumped to the roofs. "Bye!" Naruto yelled over his shoulder.
Naruto dragged his sleeve across his eyes to wipe away the water that was building up. When Iruka was out of sight, Naruto jumped to the ground and began to briskly walk to one of his favorite places in the village. He walked up to the Ichiraku Ramen Shop with a grin on his face. "Well hello Naruto!" Teuchi exclaimed as he realized his best customer had arrived.
"Hey old man, can I get ten orders of the usual." Naruto took a seat on one of the stools as Teuchi and Ayame feverishly worked on his order. When the first steaming bowl was placed in front him, Naruto felt himself begin to drool. "Dig in!" Ayame spoke with a smile on her face. Naruto wasted no time in devouring each bowl that was handed to him. "Boy, that hit the spot." Naruto said as he added the final bowl to his stack.
As he sat there letting his food digest, he began to have a nice conversation with both of the workers. They had talked throughout the eventual cleaning and closing of the shop. When everything was finished and Naruto had paid for his meal he said his final goodbyes to two of his favorite people. He was saddened that this may be the last time he would ever get to enjoy their ramen.
He noticed that the sun was going down, he knew that he had to run as fast as he could if he wanted to reach his final destination fast. When Naruto arrived he took a different approach. Instead of knocking, like he did when he visited Iruka, he just kicked the door open and announced his presence. "Hey, obaa-chan!"
Tsunade jumped up from her desk, ripping a piece of paper work from her face and then proceeded to wipe the drool off. "N-Naruto, what are you doing here?" Naruto smiled, his obaa-chan would never change. "I just came for a visit. How about it?" Tsunade raised her blonde eyebrow because Naruto never came for 'just a visit'. He usually wanted to annoy her or he wanted her to give him harder missions.
"If you say so," The Hokage responded with more than a hint of suspicion. Naruto rolled his eyes and went to sit in the window adjacent to her desk, which, Naruto noted, had piles of paperwork littering it and the floor around it. Tsunade glared at the menacing bunch of paperwork. 'Well, I might as well start since he's not going to leave anytime soon.' She thought as she grabbed a random piece of paper and a pen. "What have you been up to, brat? Getting stronger?"
Naruto inwardly smirked, 'Not yet, but I will be.' Their conversation continued on and on and seemed to get even longer when Shizune arrived from an errand she had been sent on. Naruto enjoyed the company of both and he liked talking like this. He began to wish he had done this more but he knew that it was nothing to dwell on. He decided to just enjoy it while it lasted.
When the dim orange-red glow of the sun turned into the radiant white-yellow glow of the moon, Naruto decided that it was time to go even though he wanted to stay longer. Naruto inwardly sighed before giving both women a big grin. They had been sitting in a comfortable silence after their talk. "I've got to go now, obaa-chan, Shizune-nee-chan. I need to get up early for training tomorrow." He got up from his perch on the window sill and walked over to give them both hugs which they both eagerly returned. Naruto did not seem to want to let go. When he was back on the sill of the window he looked back at them with a sincere smile.
"I love you guys," Naruto barely got out but the occupants inside of the office still heard him. They exchanged varying levels of confusion and curiosity at Naruto's strange behavior but returned the sentiment. "We love you too, Naruto." Tsunade spoke for both of them as Shizune nodded in agreement. Naruto's smile grew as he finally jumped out of the window, making his way toward his apartment. Naruto sighed as he entered it, knowing that it could very well be the last time.
He put on his new clothes that he had bought before grabbing his bag and leaving his headband on the desk, in the same spot as the framed picture of team 7 use to occupy. He put a note on top of it, and nodded to himself. He left out again, making his way to the Hokage Monument. He rushed through the air, feeling the cool wind hit his face. The run was not long. He perched himself on the head of the fourth Hokage and sat for a while looking over the village. It was dark, the only light was coming from the moon.
Naruto thought about all the people he was forced to say goodbye too. All the people he loved and cherished. His friends, some as close as family. Then he remembered why he was leaving. The hatred of the village, the neglect of his so called 'team', the absolute hell he was put through on every one of his birthdays. This had to be done, it was the only way for him to get stronger and accomplish things he wouldn't be able to do if he remained in this village. Naruto stood with renewed confidence, he had to try. He wouldn't be held back by the people in this village anymore.
'Are you ready kit?'
'Yes. I am.' Naruto thought back as he jumped from roof to roof, he knew this would work. He had complete and utter faith in Kyuubi and his plan. Naruto stopped a little ways away from the gate. 'What do I do, Kyuu?'
'Just go up to them. Then I'll handle the rest.' Naruto nodded and began to sneak quietly up the village wall before walking right up to the two ninja guarding the gate. "Halt! State your business. Where are you going?" The first guard asked as they both took defensive positions. Naruto put both his hands up as if he were about to surrender and let Kyuubi take over. Suddenly, Naruto's eyes turned to a crimson red and the Kyuubi's chakra could be felt.
"Look into my eyes." Both guards did as they were commanded, their free will seeming to have vanished. Once they looked into his eyes they both fell to the ground shaking and cowering. Kyuubi relinquished his control and Naruto wasted no time in running out of the village. He gave one glance back, 'Good riddance.', he thought bitterly as he turned forward and enhanced his speed with some of his chakra.
He would finally be free.