AN: Alright, I hope you enjoy this. From now on, though, I'm going to be making shorter updates, maybe 2-3,000 words per update.
"Naruto, wake up. C'mon Naruto, wake up!" Ino's voice came through Naruto's head as he tried to open his eyes, failing to complete the simple task. He felt something wet hit his cheek. He tried to move, but it felt like he had lost all control over his limbs, as if they would just lie there.
"Ino, it's over. He's not responding, no pulse, not even a lousy pulse," Jiraiya's disheartened voice came across.
"NO!" Naruto tried to yell, only succeeding in a 'meep', though it still fell on deaf ears. 'Damn, I can't move! I have to try, no matter what. I promised to myself that I wouldn't die, especially after Sasuke!' Naruto thought, trying everything. Finally, he had one last idea. Kakashi-sesei should sense my chakra, so if I send out enough of it, it should show that I'm alive,' Naruto thought, feeling himself being lifted onto somebody's shoulder. He mustered up any and all chakra, sending a wave strong enough to make the person carrying him to trip.
"Naruto, he's alive! He still has chakra movement!" Kakashi said, lifting Naruto back up and rushing as fast as he could to the Konoha General Hospital.
"Jiraiya, what's going on?" another voice came, feminine, followed by the sounds of another person jumping along with them.
"Kakashi, Tsunade and her apprentice are here, they can take a quick look at him!" Jiraiya said, hope filling his voice.
"I sensed the Kyuubi's chakra. What is going on?!" Tsunade asked as Naruto felt he was handed off.
"This is Minato's boy, Naruto. He destroyed Orochimaru, while simultaneously nearly releasing that damned fox," Jiraiya said. Naruto felt a warmth come over his body, all the while trying to flex his fingers or just open his eyes.
"Jiraiya, this boy, he's just barely ali-" Tsunade stopped dead in her tracks as Naruto opened his eyes, staring straight into Tsunade's.
"Hiya," Naruto said, as if nothing had happened. He instantly received a slap to the back of thee head and a tackle from Ino, who had been silent the whole time.
"Ino, get off of Naruto," Jiraiya scolded, though Ino wasn't listening. She just kept the boy bear hugged, not willing to let him go again.
"Oi, I've been alive this whole time, ya know. I just couldn't move," Naruto said, standing up a bit wobbly with Ino still hugging onto him.
"Naruto, take it easy," Jiraiya said, receiving a weird look from Naruto.
"Where's Sasuke's body?" Naruto asked, not finding it or Team 9.
"Team 9 took it back to Konoha as soon as it was found, to see if the doctors there could do something. Naruto, you killed that teme, Orochimaru that is," Jiraiya explained.
"He killed Sasuke and countless others, he deserved to die," Naruto said, growling, though he was quickly calmed down as Ino hugged him tighter, though that could've been due to the fact that he couldn't breath.
"Ino, let up on the hug, Naruto can't breath," Jiraiya said, Ino doing as told and blushing.
"C'mon, let's get going," Naruto said, surprising Ino by lifting her onto his back as he jumped branch to branch.
"Wow, he is one hell of a kid, to have been on the brink of death and come back so quickly," Tsunade said, receiving a nod from Jiraiya and Kakashi.
"Yeah, now let's go," Jiraiya said, following after the blondes. Kakashi, Shizune, and Tsunade followed silently, thinking about Naruto's abilities.
Konoha General Hospital
"He's alive! Every available medic to the top floor!" the head doctor ordered, having just checked over Sasuke, finding a very small pulse, along with very, very small breathing.
"I'm here!" Tsunade yelled, busting the door to the operating room down as she rushed to the young Uchiha, instantly applying as much chakra to repairing all of Sasuke's injuries, starting with his heart, which ended up just being nicked instead of punctured. She then went on to his other, less life threatening injuries. She started panting, Shizune taking over for the blonde as she let her chakra reserves fill again. Tsunade decided to tell the others the good news.
"He's alive!" Tsunade exclaimed, receiving a cheer from Naruto and company.
"Alright!" Naruto exclaimed back, jumping out of his seat in joy, being slapped in the back of the head by Ino.
"Baka, this is a hospital, quiet down and sit down," Ino said, Naruto doing as told.
"Naruto, after Sasuke is done, I really want you to get checked out," Tsunade said, a somewhat worried look on her face.
"Don't worry about it, Tsunade-sama, I'll be fine, dattebayo. Besides, that stupid fox finally healed me up," Naruto said, receiving another slap to the back of the head.
"Hey, I am not having anybody rush over in the middle of the night because that fox didn't heal you properly. You're getting checked out," Ino said, receiving a sullen nod from her boyfriend. At this point, both Jiraiya and Tsunade fell to the floor, laughing.
"What's so funny?" Naruto asked, confused. Even Kakashi was chuckling at something.
"It's just that you two remind us of how you're parents relationship was," Kakashi said, breaking out into a laughing fit too. The two blondes blushed, embarrassed.
"Tsunade-sama, it was a success. Sasuke survived," Shizune reported, panting from exhaustion.
"Good," Tsunade said, sitting down in a chair. She motioned for Naruto to sit next to her, applying a green chakra to her hands to run a diagnostic. She sighed, but not one of sadness.
"Yep, you're all good Naruto, now go home and get some rest," Tsunade ordered.
"No, I'm staying here to keep an eye on Sasuke," Naruto said, receiving a slap to the back of the head from Ino, "Fine, I'll go home," Naruto said, yawning as he stood up.
"That's what I thought," Ino said, bidding farewells as the both of them left, arm in arm.
"Hey, how about we stop for something to eat? We did miss both lunch and dinner," Naruto said, noting that it was dark out.
"Sure, how about dango?" Ino asked, receiving a nod from Naruto. They headed out, and shivered when it started to pour. Naruto took out a small scroll, having saved this for later. He unsealed a jacket, handing it to Ino, who gratefully put it on.
"Thank you," Ino said, leaning her head on Naruto's shoulder as they walked, and despite the cold, Naruto felt quite warm. He smiled, one of fatigued happiness.
"Hey, Ino, think your parents are worried?" Naruto asked.
"Probably, after all, they haven't seen any of us since this morning," Ino said, lifting her head off of Naruto's shoulder long enough to sit, replacing her head after he sat down.
"So, what can I get you two lovebirds at this hour?" the waiter asked.
"Two orders of dango please," Naruto said.
"Kid, are you ok? You look like you were through hell and back," the waiter asked, noting Naruto's cut and burned attire, most of it from going Kyuubi.
"Yeah, I just got off of a mission," Naruto said, yawning. Exhaustion was finally hitting him, and he was barely keeping his eyes open. He heard a snoring and turned his head, finding Ino asleep on his shoulder, hugging his arm. He smiled, it was just nice being around her.
"Can I get that to go?" Naruto asked, gesturing to Ino, who was sleeping. The man obliged, taking the money for the dango and handing Naruto a bag. Naruto gently moved his shoulder, using one hand to hold Ino's head up while he took off his tanto. He sealed it in a scroll, proceeding to lift Ino onto his back and carry her home. He made it home, though barely, as his own exhaustion hit him 10 fold.
"Naruto, are you ok?" Inoichi said, opening the front door to their home when he felt them approach. Naruto yawned in response.
"Yeah, we're just exhausted. I kicked Orochimaru's ass today," Naruto said, stumbling in and setting Ino on the couch.
"How did you do that? And why is Ino exhausted?" Inoichi asked, questions spilling out.
"She was sent with Team 9, and Kyuubi ripped him into pieces," Naruto said, collapsing I nto a chair next to Ino.
"Naruto, in the morning, you better explain more, and I'm only letting you off tonight because you're exhausted," Inoichi said, throwing them blankets. They were in no condition to be moved, especially not to go upstairs. Inoichi shut the lights off, hearing snoring no more than 1 minute later.
The next day
"Naruto, wake up," Ino said, poking her boyfriend, who was still snoring loudly.
"Ino, honey, you have to do it like this…. WHAT? THERE'S NO MORE RAMEN?!" Inoichi yelled, Naruto jumping up at the words.
"What about no more Ramen?" Naruto asked, fully awake. He received a slap to the back of the head, courtesy of Ino.
"Baka, Dad wanted us to tell what happened," Ino said, smiling.
"Umm, all I remember after Ino got there was racing off and finding Orochimaru stab Sasuke. After that I nearly ripped the seal off of Kyuubi, I was so angry, but then, I heard Ino's voice and I ran, away from the Kyuubi in my mindscape. I fell unconscious, and then after they thought I was dead, Jiraiya-sama and Kakashi-sensei with Ino, started heading back to Konoha, Kakashi carrying me. Next thing I hear is that Tsunade-sama stopped us, sensing the fox's chakra from earlier, and she healed me. After I got up, we went back to Konoha, finding that Sasuke was still barely breathing, Tsunade-sama saved him, and we went home," Naruto summed up, Ino nodding.
"Well, it went different outside of Naruto's mindscape. I arrived, a four-tailed mini-Kyuubi tearing Orochimaru to shreds as he slowly kept gaining a tail until he was up to eight. I slammed Kyuubi in the side with Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu and gained it's attention. After that, I yelled at it, hoping Naruto was still in there, and truth be told, Kyuubi started detransforming, leaving Naruto where it had stood," Ino explained.
"Sorry," Naruto said, feeling bad that Ino had to do all that.
"Don't worry about it, besides, Jiraiya-sama decided to show up shortly after," Ino said, smiling.
"So, everybody is ok?" Inoichi asked.
"Yep, Sasuke's in stable condition, everybody else except for me and Orochi-teme suffered light exhaustion and a few cuts and scrapes," Naruto said, smiling sheepishly.
"Good, now, Ino, remember you have that gennin test today," Inoichi said, being wrong once again when Kakashi showed up.
"Actually, after last night, Hokage-sama made Ino here an official gennin, so all that's left for my team is Sasuke, which will take about two weeks before he can start training at all," Kakashi explained, causing Inoichi to curse.
"Can't you ever use a damn door?!" Inoichi yelled out, angry.
"Why don't you start using windows, it's a lot faster," Jiraiya said, popping into the window next to Kakashi. Inoichi just mumbled, watching as Ino's headband was tossed to her.
"Oh, Naruto, I got you a new ANBU outfit, because after last night, I thought you would need a new one," Kakashi said, hinting at Naruto's tattered shirt and pants.
"Hehe, I guess you have a point," Naruto said, catching the outfit.
"Alright you two, training today at 10. Be prepared for exhaustion," Kakashi said, leaving the window and walking off.
"Naruto, after he's done today with training, you're coming with me to train," Jiraiya said, disappearing in a poof of smoke.
"Well, Naruto, looks like we're going to be busy today," Ino said, heading up to her bedroom. Naruto simply headed to the bathroom, changing.
"Ino, I'm going for a walk. I'll meet you at Kakashi-sensei's training grounds!" Naruto yelled up the stairs before he headed out the door.
"So, where are you headed," a cat masked ANBU asked as she jumped down next to Naruto.
"To check on Sasuke, then to pay my respects to my parents," Naruto said, walking along casually.
"Cool. I'll be watching over you," Neko said, disappearing atop the roves of buildings near Naruto. Weird, Naruto thought, shrugging it off and continuing on. He was near the Konoha general hospital when he was tackled, a giant fireball raining down overhead. He went on the defensive, drawing his Nodachi and analyzing the area around him. That's when he saw it; Itachi Uchiha and Kisame, standing there, Itachi with an indifferent look on his face, and Kisame with a maniac grin, readying his weapon.
"Let's Rock," Naruto growled as two different Anbu landed next to him. One was Neko, the other was Tenzou.
"Bring it, Naruto. Samehada is looking forward to getting your chakra," Kisame said, charging forward, though was stopped as Tenzou took the man on.
"Neko, go get some help. I'll hold off Itachi until then," Naruto said, charging at Itachi, careful to avoid eye contact as he brought his sword in a wide arc at the Uchiha, Itachi pulling out his own to block.
"Naruto, if you would've came with us peacefully, your death would've been quick and somewhat painless," Itachi said, Naruto literally blowing Itachi back with a blast of Kyuubi's chakra.
"I will never die, not at the hands of somebody who killed his own family!" Naruto yelled, charging forward after coating his blade with the Kyuubi's chakra. HE jabbed it forward, but it was knocked off course as Itachi jumped on it and over Naruto.
"Foolish little kid, you're fighting someone stronger than you, you should've at least tried to run," Itachi said, sending another fireball at Naruto.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Ino called out, having felt the Kyuubi's chakra spike. The water dragon slammed into the fireballs, creating steam as the fire was extinguished.
"Leave Naruto alone!" Ino yelled, charging the Uchiha as she drew her Tanto. Naruto ran after her, ready to protect her weakpoints. Itachi knocked the attack away, swinging his sword, expecting to meet flesh, but instead met metal, as Naruto blocked with his Nodachi.
"You tried to hurt somebody I love, now you will pay with your life," Naruto growled, pushing everything with in a 10 year radius back. Ino jumped before this happened, having felt the attack.
"Bring it," Itachi tempted, watching as Naruto created about 70 clones, all attacking at once. The real Naruto, however, substituted with a branch, planning to attack while he was distracted. He jumped, bringing his Nodachi in for the kill, Itachi having two decisions. One, turn and get killed by clones, or flee, choosing the latter of the two. He performed a quick sunshin, seeing Kakashi arrive as he did so. Naruto's sword dug into the ground, sending up dust everywhere, allowing for Kisame to escape, too.
"Naruto, are you ok?" Kakashi asked, rushing over to his student's side.
"Yeah, I just wish I could've killed that bastard," Naruto growled, ripping his blade from the ground and sheathing it. He received a slap to the back of the head, turning to find Jiraiya.
"You gaki, what were you thinking, taking on an S-ranked ninja by yourself?" Jiraiya scolded.
"I was thinking that I could hold him off until someone stronger got here, like maybe you or Kakashi-sensei," Naruto growled in response.
"Well, don't ever do that again," Jiraiya said, angered that he could do something so reckless.
"Hey, why did he attack me in the first place?" Naruto asked, confused.
"Let's talk somewhere more private," Jiraiya said, grabbing Naruto, Kakashi, and Ino as he used a sunshin, bringing them to the Hokage's office.
"Jiraiya, what are you doing here?" Hiruzen asked, even more confused when he saw Ino, Kakashi, and Naruto.
"The Akatsuki have started making their moves, Itachi and a former 7 swordsman of the mist attacked Naruto in broad daylight, trying to get the Kyuubi," Jiraiya said, causing Naruto to growl, but was calmed by Ino, who grabbed his hand and squeezed.
"Damn. Kakashi, any mission you go on outside of this village as a team, you will be accompanied by Jiraiya and a group of Anbu, the latter staying hidden," Hiruzen said.
"Wait, what do these Akatsuki guys want with Kyuubi?" Naruto asked. Jiraiya sighed, he didn't like what he had to say next.
"We don't know exactly why, however, we do know that they are trying to collect all nine biju. That's all the info I have gotten so far, other than the fact that the group is made up of S-ranked ninja," Jiraiya siad, hating that he didn't have any more info than that.
"Fine, I'll just have to get stronger that way I can defeat them on my own," Naruto said, not showing any signs of fear.
"Naruto, you baka, you won't do that. I can't let you get killed," Ino said, receiving a smile from Naruto.
"I promise, I won't die unless it's of a ramen heart attack. I never go back on my promises," Naruto said, receiving a smack to the back of the head about the ramen comment.
"What, I was just joking about the Ramen part," Naruto said sheepishly, gripping Ino's hand.
"Naruto, today's practice is canceled. Go home, but be careful, dangers could be lurking," Kakashi said, concentrating at the task on hand.
"Yes, have a good day," Hiruzen said, ushering the two blondes from his office. Naruto sighed, so much for his plans today. Both he and Ino walked back home, gripping each others hands, ignoring the weird looks they were receiving because of earlier.
AN: So, how was that? I know, it's shorter than the first two chapters, but I can't keep exhausting myself on just one story, so sorry. Hope you enjoyed, and please tell me your opinion.