Author's Note: Here is chapter 3 of this story. First thing, I would like to thank everyone for the comments and views. Also I want to thank everyone for all the follows and favorite. Out of all the stories I have on the site, along with the best opening response to a story as I said in the last chapter. This story now also has the most views in one day after I had posted the second chapter. On that day I had received over 700 views on the story. It also has the most reviews out of all my stories. So thank you everyone who has took the time to read, view and review the story up until now. I will do my best to keep making chapters for the story that you guys will like.
I went back to the last chapter and reworked the dialogue in the Teuchi scene. The way it was just didn't feel right to me. Also I know Naruto accepts the fact, that he is most likely wrong about how he reacted to Sakura earlier pretty quickly. It's just Naruto felt bad for acting the way he did and he loves Sakura. Yes he has matured more than what he was in canon but he can still be a little naive and jump on the train of the other meaning Sakura could have meant pretty easily. Also Teuchi said it and Naruto trust Teuchi a great amount.
Now in this chapter I talk about Naruto's childhood. It stays primarily along the lines of the canon version. There are some slight changes though that make it more intense, for lack of a better term, than the original. I don't go into to much detail but enough to get the point across for the scene I use it in.
There has been much hate in the comments and lets try to keep it that way. Also please give me the best feedback possible. Feedback regarding grammar would be great. Since I hadn't have much time to review this. I may have missed some spelling from the show and books because of my computer autocorrect. If you see any please let me know.
Finally I do not own anything Naruto related. Thanks. Now to the next chapter.
The four shinobis had arrived in the Sunagakure, Village Hidden in the Sand. As they got there a shinobi that was on guard waiting for them. He ran up to Temari and told her everything. Like that Kazekage had been captured but they all knew that. He did explain how the fight went down and that it took place over the village. That shocked all four of the people arriving to the village. Especially the sheer amount of sand that Gaara was wielding. Then he went on to tell them something they didn't know. That being that Temari's brother, Kankuro, had been poised by the one any only Master Puppeteer, Sasori. Also the poison that was used in that fight is unknown to them and they are doing all they can to treat him. Even with the treatments they are doing he doesn't seem to be getting better. That is when Sakura spoke up, "Hello I'm Haruno Sakura and I have been trained under Lady Tsunade. I will be happy to give my assistance in helping to save Kankuro." All the Temari and the messenger could do was thank her.
Shortly after they had made it to the hospital. Where they found Kankuro laying on a bed with multiple doctors around them. Also with two elderly people off to the side. Finally there was Baki standing next to the elderly two. Tamari immediately ran over to Kankuro to try comfort and help her brother. He was laying there in a white t-shirt and white shorts. He also didn't have his face paint in.
Sakura followed shortly after the sister, and put her hair into a ponytail. What she always does when she gets ready to treat a patient to get in to her zone. Lastly was Kakashi and Naruto who just walked in. As soon as they did though the elderly woman immediately ran to attack Kakashi. Yelling, "It's the White Fang!," at the top of her lungs. Naruto looked confused at who this 'White Fang' could be. Kakashi just looked shocked that someone remembered his father and though he was his father.
Naruto stepped in front of his sensei and blocked the attack. Right as that happened the elderly man spoke. "Chiyo stop that right now. That isn't the White Fang, look."
Chiyo stopped from continuing her attack and took a better look at the leaf shinobi that stood there shocked. "You're right Ebizo. I'm so sorry sir, you just look like one of the shinobis that had caused me a lot of problems in the past."
While that was going on Sakura figured at a way to help the suffering sand shinobi. She started ordering the other doctors away to get the items she needs. She was making a bubble that will go through Kankuro's body, using chakra, and extract most of the poison. Also collecting it so that she can create a antidote afterwords to remove the rest. Naruto just looked shocked at the pink hair girl, no pink haired women in his eyes. She has changed so much. She looks so peaceful, well I don't know about thats the right word. She definitely does looks relaxed in this stressful situation. Tsunade has taught her so much while I was gone. What else could she have been taught? Naruto just had a little smirk on his face as he turned to leave the room. Allowing Sakura to have the space needed so that he's not a distraction while she is in her zone.
The silver head wast shocked at Naruto doing this. He was just about to tell Naruto that they should step out. Wow Naruto seems to have matured a lot since I last saw him. He followed the blond out and the elderly two followed behind the two. There was a bench right outside of the door. Naruto sat down. Followed by Kakashi to his right. Then went Chiyo and Ebizo. "Kakashi-sensei, who was the 'White Fang' that the lady thought you were?"
Kakashi sighed and took a deep breath before responding, "The White Fang was my father." Chiyo head quickly snapped looking at the silver head. Naruto gave an 'oh' look back at his sensei. Also he felt like this was a subject that his sensei didn't want to talk about so he didn't ask a follow up question. The no follow up question shocked his sensei that Naruto could realize that he didn't wasn't to talk about it.
"Well hopefully Sakura can do what she needs to do to save Kankuro. Then we can go and save Gaara." Not even noticing himself but when he said that last sentence he released a wave of strong chakra. Kakashi understood it because of knowing the blond that the two Jinchuriki so he had this power. He is also knows how his student feels about Gaara. The two elders though were shocked that this little blond, could release such a strong chakra pulse. They quickly looked at each other and thinking the same thing. Who is this boy?
Kakashi put his hand on Naruto's shoulder, "Naruto I know you want to save him but I'm going to need you to calm down." Naruto nodded. The four just sat there in silence after that. Suddenly Chiyo leaned forward and just sat there with her eyes shut. The three began to panic and was just about to get help when she sat up with her eyes open.
Suddenly she started laughing. "Playing possum. Ha I got all you guys." She just continued to laugh and the others just gave a deadpan stair of 'really'. After that they all were sitting peacefully. The two villages only talking to the people from their village. After about a half hour or so, Sakura finally walked out and undid her ponytail. Then took her hand to wipe the sweat off of her forehead. Tamari came out with a smile. With that the others had an idea of what Sakura was coming out to tell them.
"Ok so I got most of the poison out of his system. I also managed to save a sample to of the poison. With that I'm heading to where they make antidotes to do what I can to make one and get the last little bit out. Also so you guys can have the recipe of an antidote if this poison is to ever come up again."
Even though the four knew good news was going to come from her. They all released a sigh of happiness. Then finally the four stood up and thanked her. Baki came out and called Kakashi over to have a quick talk. The two elderly were about to head somewhere but Chiyo turned back to Sakura. "Thank for this but I must ask who trained you?"
"Oh the person who trained me was our Hokage, Lady Tsunade. She actually was the one who made sure that I came on this mission."
Chiyo clenched her teeth, she never like Tsunade. All because Tsunade could come up with an antidote to any poison that she threw at her in the last war. "Well isn't that good." The sarcasm was just flowing off her voice. "Well make sure you guys inform me and my brother when you guys head out to get the Kazekage." Sakura nodded. "Thank you. Come on brother, I need food and to get some things." With that Chiyo and Ebizo took there leave.
Tamari quickly took her leave saying, "I have to go back all my things to come with you guys on this journey. Also to get a small squad to accompany you." The two leaf shinobi nodded which only left those two.
"Hey Sakura nice job in there. You look so comfortable and that you know what you're doing." Sakura let out a slight blush because of the compliment. It wasn't that big of a blush but just enough to put a little pink on her cheeks.
"Thanks Naruto." Right as she was about to say something a doctor came out saying he will show her to the place where they keep all the herbs and what not that she needed. Ugh why couldn't the doctor wait just a little longer. Grrr. "Well I gotta go and make the antidote Naruto. Also because I know we are going to fight this puppeteer, I'll make sure to bring some just incase one of us get poisoned. Well bye."
As she left Kakashi came back to Naruto and told him some of the things that Baki told him. Like how they think they believe there was an inside man that let the two Akatsuki slip into the village and how they are missing a shinobi. He also told more detail about the puppeteer and how the other Akatsuki member was using explosives. After informing Naruto he made a note telling the Hokage to send reinforcements which he gave to Baki to send on a falcon. Then he summoned his hounds telling them to go out and recon around the village to find where the Akatsuki members are. He could do this because Kankuro was able to get a piece of clothing from his opponent.
They knew there would be some time since they had no idea where Gaara was and also how long the antidote to make would take. They did know even if everything went as shortly as possible that they would wait to the morning to leave no matter what. With that Baki lead them out of the hospital to the living quarters that they would at least spend the night in. Nothing really happened the rest of the day, Naruto just went off to train.
The next morning and Sakura didn't return to the sleeping quarters. She spent all night finding a way to mix the ingredients in just the right way to make the antidote. Finally at six in morning she found it and ran as fast as she could to the hospital. Quickly she had the staff brew a pot of tea and then put the antidote into it. Making it easier to give to Kankuro to drink it. Once that was done she quickly went to the sleeping quarters for the first time and passed out on the bed. After getting like five hours of sleep she woke up to being blinded by sunlight. "Good afternoon sleeping beauty." She heard come from somewhere to her side. As she sat up she rubbed her eyes and allowed them to focus on what is going on. That's when she noticed Naruto sitting right next to her. "Well you're finally awake. Anyway Pakkun hasn't come back yet but he knows he's close. Since the smell of the Akatsuki member is getting really strong. As of now it's a least a two day travel. Which would be good because Grandma had to wait to send back since no teams were back yet. Today she is sending Team Guy to support and they should have left a couple hours ago. Most likely they will meet us at where Gaara is and not here."
"Sounds like a plan. Now though I would love to talk more about this mission but can I please get some food." Naruto just laughed and nodded, as the two left. The day went by quick it was late in the evening when Pakkun finally returned, by ending his summoning once he found the area and Kakashi noticed. Therefore knew to summon Pakkun back to find out where it is. After Pakkun pointed it out on a map Kakashi sent Pakkun to go find Team Guy and have them meat at where Gaara is held.
They knew it was in the evening but knew they had to leave know to get as close as possible tonight. They told Chiyo and she showed up saying she is coming. Something about she knew the puppeteer, they weren't fully sure but knew she would be in handy. Tamari stood there ready to go, even Gaara's student, Matsuri, stood next to the sister. There were also a few other shinobis there too. Right as they were about to leave Baki showed up. "Tamari, you and your team are to stay here. Let the leaf shinobi and Lady Chiyo, save Gaara."
"No, he is my brother and our Kazekage. Sand shinobi should be there there to save their Kazekage."
"I know that but we can't have our strongest forces leave the village. What if other villages find out that our leader is kidnapped and decide to attack us? Then if you left we would have enough of our strongest shinobi to protect the village. Also we need you to help in taking care of you other brother. Finally we do have Sand shinobi going with the Leaf to save out Kazekage."
Chiyo stepped forward. "That's right young one. I may be old but I'm still a shinobi of the Sand and I have plenty of fight left in me."
"Thats right Granny. See Temari, we have the help we need and have reinforcements coming to meet us where our brother is." Naruto stopped realizing what he said in that last bit. Everyone there looked shocked, even Naruto was a little. Yes, he pretty much considered Gaara as a brother but this was first time he actually had admitted it to himself. The ones that weren't to shocked were Temari and Kakashi. Those two knew exactly what he meant. The two Jonin knew ever since the chunin a few years ago that a knew a strong bond was forming between the red head and the blond. All stemming back to the fact the two were Jinchuriki and as being one you know what others go through. "Temari, on my life we will get him and bring him back alive." Tamari nodded and accepted that she had to stay. Knowing that Gaara had the best people going after him.
Shortly after the five shinobis took off. Once again Naruto took off and was in the front of the pack. Come on Gaara you gotta fight whatever they are doing to you. You better be alive and if you're not I will revive and kill you myself. You are my brother and I will not let those close to me die. If any of those scum do harm you, I will make sure to kill them myself. That is a promise. As he was thinking this his anger was rising and the people behind felt his killer intent rising exponentially. Looking back, "Come on we have to speed up. Gaara is suffering from what is happening." When he did look back his eyes had gone red, his whisker got even more pronounce and his teeth were also sharper then they were already were. His right hand began to turn into a claw.
It wasn't just Naruto who was upset about Gaara's kidnapping. The nine tailed fox was upset to say the least. Yes, the fox in him wasn't the biggest fan of her eight other siblings and would fight them. The one tail in particular was definitely not one of her favorite siblings and she fought him the most. Still she was very protective of them from outsiders. If a sibling got hurt from someone, oh would there would be hell to pay. She could tell her sibling was hurting right now. Which was also causing her chakra to flow out and into her container.
Chiyo was shocked and now was almost sure what it was about this boy but had to get confirmation. Sakura quickly sped up next to Naruto, "Hey Naruto I know you care a lot for Gaara but I need you to relax. We are going as fast as we can to get to him. The way you are won't help much you need to get your head back in control." He shook his head but Sakura could see the changes receding to where they use to be. She stayed up with Naruto to keep him calm and company.
Chiyo moved over towards Kakashi to ask her question. "Hey son of the White Fang, what is with him? Why does he care so much about our Kazekage? It's not like he's from our village so he wouldn't have a need to save his leader." Sakura had just barely heard the question. In hoping to find out more about Naruto and everything she slowed down just a tad. allowing herself to hear what was about to be said more clearly.
Kakashi looked to the left at the women for a second then turned his head forward. He saw Sakura drop back a little and knew it was because she heard the question and would probably get answers to her own questions about Naruto from his response. Letting out a sigh he decided to tell Chiyo about Naruto even with Sakura in hearing range. "You see Lady Chiyo, Gaara and Naruto are practically the same. Gaara is the Jinchuriki of the one tail while Naruto is the Jinchuriki is the of the nine tail. Knowing that, they have grown to have strong bond. As you know Gaara's childhood was very bad. Well that is how it is for pretty much all Jinchuriki in any of the villages. Naruto went through his fair share of pain and everything in his child hood. So the two are very similar even going back to being born. Both lost their mother right after birth. Naruto though also lost his father at birth too. After that he was watched by our Hokage at the time who did his best to protect the child. He even made a law to not talk about the night Naruto had the nine tailed sealed in him. He thought it would help the child, it didn't though.
The village hated the child, he's had to live on his own since he was five, when the orphanage kicked him out. Then on his birthday he always had to barricade and stay in his apartment out of fear of being attacked and/or being killed. If he would go out of his apartment the villagers would attack him. One occasion he was nearly beaten to death." Kakashi took a short pause. I'm so sorry Naruto that I couldn't get to you fast enough on that night.
"Most stores wouldn't allow him to shop at them and parents would keep there kids away from him. It wasn't until he went to the academy that he actually was able to have a friend besides the Hokage. Well the local family ran ramen stand has always treated him nicely. Anyway when he first went to the academy pretty much all the kids there hated him except three. That being Hyuga's heiress, the Nara's and the Akimichi's heir. Yes Sakura here and even their other teammate, Sasuke, didn't like too much. Those three heirs that did like him might not have always hung out with him and do what normal friends would do. They would however always be nice to Naruto and never treat him different than any other kid. Actually the Nara's and Akimichi's family fully supported their sons hanging out with and playing with young Naruto. Besides the those three, the village couldn't see the different between a kunai and the scroll that holds a kunai. There was even a teacher at the academy that had tried to sabotage Naruto's learning and prevent him from becoming a genin. To the point where he had Naruto, unknowingly, steal one of the villages most important scrolls. Then try to blame it on Naruto, knowing the village would believe him over Naruto, and afterwards take the scroll for himself
Now I know Gaara didn't necessarily have that exact same upbringing. I do know though from what I've heard of his upbringing from either Naruto, when he felt comfortable enough and trusted me enough to tell me, or just from hearing from other people, that theirs was similar. Just the only main difference is that Naruto was able to make friends where Gaara wasn't. Which caused Gaara to become what he use to be. Naruto, here, is the reason why Gaara changed from what he use to be to what he is now. Gaara knows that too, that if it wasn't for Naruto his village and family wouldn't treat him with anything but fear, that is also why the two have such a close bond. A bond being so close that Naruto considers Gaara to be like his brother. Yes the village and him are on a little better terms. Though most of the civilian villagers still give him death stares and hate him. Most of the shinobi forces on the other hand respect and like Naruto. Besides that do you now do you understand why Naruto is acting like this?"
To say Chiyo was shocked was and understatement. Even if she had her thoughts, of Naruto being a Jinchuriki, which were confirmed by what was just said. She still couldn't believe what Naruto had gone through. As knowing the full extent of Gaara's childhood she could so see the similarities between the two Jinchurikis and now fully understand why Naruto felt the way he did. "Yes Kakashi, I understand why Naruto cares so much. You know it was me who sealed the one tail into Gaara. That is part of the reason why I decided to come along. The other being I know who this puppeteer is, as I'm the one that has trained him. Finally this gives me something to do besides sitting around at my old age." She laughed at the last sentence.
"Oh Lady Chiyo you are not old. You are still plenty young, don't think like that." The laughed again. It was a good way to lighten the mood after what they had just talked about. Sakura on the other hand felt beyond horrible. Actually the pink haired shinobi didn't feel horrible, no, she felt like scum. She felt bad already for how she use to treat Naruto. Now after hearing what her blond teammate had also gone through, she just wanted cry. The roughness of Naruto's childhood and the fact she did nothing but make his childhood worse for him. That only amplified how horrible she felt. Finally looking at him and even though he was upset about Gaara, he looked so peaceful. You would never have know that Naruto had gone through what he had when he was a little kid. How he is still sane and caring for the village is beyond me. Naruto I'm so so sorry for never treating you nicely when you were little. You had so much trouble as it was from the other villagers. I should have been nicer. Why did I have be a fangirl and not notice the trouble you went through? Naruto I will always treat you nicely from here on out no matter what and will always be there for you."
The rest of the travel that day was uneventful and they quickly made camp. Sakura wanted to apologize to Naruto but she didn't know how to bring it up. So she decided to sleep on it, to decide how she would bring it up to him and apologize. Because she would apologize tomorrow no matter what since there is such a high chance something bad could happen on this mission. The pinkette wants to know that she apologized to him, even if he doesn't fully accept it. Yes, they were trying to form a relationship and admitted the they like each other. She had to apologize otherwise she wouldn't feel right being with him. Even if he does accept it Sakura still doesn't think she would feel worthy of the love of Naruto. With that she silently cried herself asleep.
The next day's travel was also uneventful. The four had traveled at full speed all day. Naruto had kept his cool and his fox chakra hadn't spiked at all, luckily. Sakura stayed close but was right behind him and never took her eyes off of him. Naruto had asked if she's alright because she was acting different. She dined it but she wasn't alright, her guilt was still eating at her. Kakashi noticed Sakura's change in behavior ever since yesterday. He told her to come back to him and explained that it wasn't her fault and that she didn't know he was going through that. She still wouldn't take it and still felt beyond guilty.
Finally that night arrived, the group was only an hour out, two at most. Naruto was upset about stopping but understood that tomorrow would be tough and they needed to be fully energized. The two older shinobi had fallen asleep. Sakura was sitting by the fire and in front of her Naruto was sitting on a branch at the top of a tree. He was just looking at the where they will be going tomorrow and also at the moon. Finally Sakura decided to get up and climbed the tree and sat next to him. "Hey Naruto."
"Hey Sakura."
"Hey Naruto. Hey you're looking upset. What the matter?"
"Sakura, Gaara and me are the pretty much the same. It hurts to know that I could be where he is right now. Gaara is basically like my brother, the fact that those bastards have him hurts me so much. Who knows what they are putting him through. I do know he's in pain and it kills me to know I can't do anything to help him right now. All I can do is just sit here and be useless." With that he punched a indent of his left fist into the tree. His hand began to bleed as he continued to punch. The bandages began to get torn and the blood began to seep through the bandages that were still there. After five minute Sakura had to finally grab his arm to make him stop hurting himself.
"Oh Naruto give me your hand. Let me heal it." If he is acting like this now when there is a chance that Gaara is fine. How will he act if something has happened to Gaara? They both know his hand would be healed in a couple minutes but he still let her heal it. " Now Naruto I know you feel bad but know Gaara is a strong shinobi. He wouldn't go down that easy even if they have him. You heard about the fight and how much he did. Tomorrow we will be where he is and you will be able to save. We all will be able to save him."
"Thanks Sakura. You really know how to make me feel better." Naruto turned to his left to look at her giving her a smile. That was the last straw for Sakura's guilt though.
"Naruto I need. I need to apologize for something."
Naruto was confused now. "What do you need to apologizing for? You haven't done anything wrong." When he said that it hurt her even more because she has done so much wrong.
"Naruto I have though. I know you like to keep you childhood to yourself. Just yesterday Lady Chiyo asked Kakashi-sensei why you care for so much about Gaara. As Kakashi-sensei's response, he explained why you cared so much by talking about a lot of your childhood. And how it was similar to Gaara's childhood. I was able to hear all of it Naruto. I… I treated you so horribly when you were little. You already had the whole village hating and treating you beyond bad. Only having like three friends, if that. Here I was who had you tried to be nice to and I didn't nothing but make your life worse. I'm so sorry for everything." With that Sakura just began to cry and Naruto brought her into a hug and just held her.
Naruto was a little upset that Kakashi was talking about his childhood without his knowledge. He only wished his sensei asked before he told someone about it. The blond also knew though that the his sensei only knew half of what happened to him. Sakura though, he was never mad at her at all for what she had done. He just held her tight to him and used his right hand to rub her side comfortingly. Doing what he can to calm her down in the silence. "Sakura, I'm not mad at you. Honestly one more person not liking me wouldn't make that big of a difference to what I am use to. You also wouldn't have really know about what happening to me. So don't feel bad, but look you have changed now. You don't hate me and treat me nicely. Hell you even like me now. Sakura since you looking for a full response though, I will give you one. Sakura I forgive you for everything you had done when we were young."
To say Sakura was shocked was an understatement. "How can you? How can you forgive me?"
"Because I can that's how. Like I said you didn't know what actually happening to me. It's not like you treated me to go along with the other people. You just didn't like me as a person not for what I had in me. Which is the exact opposite of the villagers. They hate me because of what I have in me. Some even think I am what is contained in me. You know what though, I also forgive them too. They didn't at the time and most still don't understand exactly how being a Jinchuriki works. How just because a tailed beast is in me doesn't mean that I am that tailed beast." She turned her head into his shoulder and continued to cry. "Here, this will make you feel better and know that I truly forgive you." Sakura looked up confused at the blond.
Naruto lowered his head and placed his lips on hers. Giving her the first real kiss they have had that had not just been a peck on the lips. After a few seconds Sakura began to kiss back and the tears slowly began to fade. This kiss wasn't a long one out of lust. No this was a long one that just showed his passion to her. It showed how much he did care for her. While she showed how she felt back to him. When the kiss finally ended, she truly did know that Naruto held no grudge against her. "Now how about we get down on the ground and get some sleep? We are going to need all the sleep we can get for tomorrow." She nodded.
The two hopped off the tree and landed on their feet. "Well I'm going to get some sleep. I trust that your clones are set up to provide watch over the camp?" Naruto nodded. "Well than goodnight Naruto." She waved as she headed to her sleeping bag that was on the other side of the camp. I can't believe he forgave me. Naruto, I will always be there for you and will never leave you to fend for yourself again.
"Goodnight Sakura." Naruto turned and headed to his side of the camp.
