Ok people. I am back, with the longest chapter yet!! Many things happen here. Not really. I'm desperate to get to the awesome part of the story. But I want to draw it out. One of the biggest mistakes a writer can make is going too fast.
Chapter Summary:Naruto and Sakura continue their training! Sakura almost reveals what she told Ino.
Here is that other thing then:
"Regular"-Character speaking
'Itallic'-Character thinking.
Itallic-Flashback(Will be seperated obviously)
'Regular'-Sarcastic comment. lol
Disclaimer:I deny ownership over Naruto the series and all characters within. All characters, jutsus, places, and concepts of the series Naruto belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
Now that that is over with, we move on!
Both of the two new training ANBU knew they were on a tight schedule for the next two weeks, and it would only get worse. Sakura was already busy, with work at the hospital and missions, although as an ANBU she wasn't required to work at the hospital unless she was severely needed. Sakura woke up, performed her morning rituals, and then went to wake Naruto, as she had a feeling she would need to. She dressed in her ANBU uniform before she left.
She arrived at Naruto's small apartment with half of an hour until 8 o' clock. She knocked on the door and saw Naruto come out in full uniform.
"Hey Sakura-chan," he greeted. Sakura was somewhat surprised at his preparedness. She expected him to be asleep and clutching that Kakashi doll. However, here he was, completely prepared, wearing the uniform, mask, and sword.
"Hey, Naruto," said Sakura. "I didn't really expect you to be, well, ready."
Naruto snickered, and then said, "Well, they don't call me the #1 most surprising ninja in Konoha without reason!" Sakura agreed, he was full of surprised. Like his sudden growth spurt that made him taller then her. Or his sudden charming personality that never failed to impress her.
"C'mon, Naruto, let's go to training now," said Sakura. Naruto agreed and they went to the training field the ninja way.
Hinata and the rest of her team had recently arrived back in Konoha from their last mission. It was a b-rank mission to find a wealthy mans daughter, who was kidnapped by a small group of rouge ninja. Needless to say, with Kiba's sense of smell, Shino's widespread bugs, and her byakugan, it was completed quite easily. Hinata was heading over to find her obsession when Kiba ran up to her.
"Hey Hinata!" he greeted enthusiastically. She turned and looked at him shyly.
"H-h-hey Kiba-kun," she stuttered. She wondered what he wanted. He was obviously looking for her, and he was excited about something. She could tell from his tone.
As if reading her mind, he answered her question, "Did you hear about Naruto?" Kiba had recently heard results of Ino's great gossip adventure. Most people reacted nicely to the revelation of Naruto's secret, except for Chouji, who was taught all his life of the Kyuubi's evilness. Chouji was eventually convinced that Naruto was a nice person. Hinata was the only one to not know.
Hinata was wondering what Kiba meant, and asked, "W-what about Naruto-kun?"
Kiba answered, "Well, It turns out that Naruto is actually the son of the fourth Hokage!" He snickered. Hinata was dumbfounded. Her obsession is the son of the great fourth Hokage. She was mentally squealing in delight. Kiba continued, "It turns out that the Kyuubi couldn't be killed, and needed a human prison, so the yondaime sealed it in him! Isn't that awesome?"
For some strange reason nearly all of Naruto's friends thought that having an evil demon sealed in you by your kamikaze father was awesome. Hinata didn't. She thought that it was horrible Naruto had to go through all of that, and she watched a lot of it. She finally knew why Naruto was mistreated and abused, but it did not make her feel better. With that revealed, Hinata was thinking about all that happened to the blonde jinchuriki, and it tore her apart on the inside. Hinata screamed.
Naruto and Sakura were busy going over kenjutsu. Kakashi and Surodoi were teaching them about that.
Kakashi said, "Naruto, your stance is horrible. Lift your arms and straiten the sword." Naruto listened, and shifted his stance. Unlike Naruto, Sakura was catching on quite well. She had a perfect stance, which was what they were going over that day. Surodoi, who was a master of kenjutsu, using dual swords, had told them that a good stance is the first asset you need in a battle with the sword. Naruto and Sakura most likely would not use the katana much, but they still had to know how to use it.
Surodoi said, "Sakura, you're stance is very good, but I want you to practice on that dummy and make sure it's for you. Naruto, you will work on yours for a while longer, until you get it." Sakura obeyed, and went to a dummy to practice. Her style was based on powerful and rapid cuts. Her chakra super strength allowed her to do that. Naruto was told that he would be better suited by a flowing and fierce attack style, fed by his amazing endurance.
Sakura had just cut the dummy in half. Naruto snickered, thinking of how cool she was. Chakra came from both halves of the dummy and sealed it back together. Sakura continued to strike at it, every once in a while severing one of the metal dummy's limbs. Naruto again tried to form a stance, but Surodoi sighed. Or at least Naruto thought he did, with his full mask and hidden eyes, he was more unreadable then Kakashi.Naruto thought, 'How does he see?'
Kakashi said, "Naruto, how exactly do you plan to guard like that?" Naruto shrugged, and Kakashi pulled his katana out. "Let me demonstrate," he said, swinging the katana at Naruto. Before he had any time to move the clumsily held sword into a guard there was a gash on the jinchuriki's arm. Kakashi slowly moved the sword to point at the blonde's chest. "You understand now?" he said, bringing it away.
Naruto nodded, and shifted his stance. Surodoi thought, 'It's still bad, just not as much. At least he's getting better.' Kakashi thought, 'He is advancing slowly. This is coming from the kid who mastered Rasengan in three weeks? Maybe kenjutsu isn't his thing.'
Kakashi and Surodoi foiled every one of Naruto's stances for the rest of the day. Every stance had something wrong; one was great defensively, but any attack would be awkward and slow. Another was reckless, as defensively any strong blow would render the sword between useless, and maybe even break some of Naruto's fingers.
Naruto went through many different stances until the right one was found, that would let him block attacks and quickly counter. Naruto was unique; he infused taijutsu in as well, making attacks like a horizontal slice followed by a quick roundhouse kick. Surodoi and Kakashi both agreed it was perfect for the persistent ninja.
As they were getting ready to leave, Kakashi said to Naruto, "You have performed great today. Slow, but great. Anyway, I am going to give you you're newest asset today." He turned to Sakura as well.
Sakura inquired, "What asset?"
"Well," said Kakashi, "You are getting weighted clothing." He pulled out two pairs of leg bracers and wristbands. He handed them to Naruto and Sakura. They weren't that heavy, just five pounds each.
Naruto and Sakura put theirs on, and then Naruto said, "These are light as hell. How do these do anything?" Sakura agreed, but not as loudly.
Surodoi answered their question by placing seals on each of their weights. Instantly they got heavier, with Naruto's weights each weighing 50 pounds. Sakura's were much heavier, with two hundred pounds per weight. With her chakra she could support it easily.
Kakashi said, "You shall wear these at all times. When you go to bed, take the seals off and return them in the morning. Starting tomorrow you will do one hundred laps around this training course each day. Until tomorrow, you are dismissed."
Naruto and Sakura both responded, "Hai!" They left the training course and started to go back to their apartments, which were close to eachother.
Naruto said, "Hey Sakura-chan, want to go on a date?"
Sakura replied, "Well, I guess we could go to Ichiraku, since I owe you one." Naruto was happy, and smiled joyfully. One thing Naruto got with his promotion was a pay raise. Since they were training for two weeks, they got an immediate advance of 20,000 ryo. That would be enough to pay for the date and easily be able to pay his weekly rent.
One disadvantage offered by the presence of the Kyuubi was that he had to pay his rent weekly, at the same price as a month's rent. Naruto's landlord was a definite asshole. However, he was the only one who would take him in. A shrewd businessman, he clearly saw the economic opportunity offered by the lonely blonde boy once he moved in eleven years ago. The sandaime had paid off all the costs until Naruto became a ninja, and even then would give what he could.
Naruto and Sakura returned into their apartments and changed into their normal clothes. Naruto had his black shirt without the jacket, and Sakura had her red vest and skirt. Sakura and Naruto headed over to Ichiraku Ramen. After a meal, in which Naruto ate seven bowls, and Sakura ate two, they left.
Sakura had developed a taste for ramen. Although it was not her favorite food, she agreed with Naruto that it was pretty fucking delicious. So that time she had two bowls instead of her usual one. They walked down the road to see Lee running down the path, which was probably the result of one of his strange training rules. As he saw them, he stopped and waved.
Lee said, "It is a youthful day, right Naruto and Sakura-chan?" They just nodded in response. Lee scanned them and then continued, "AH!! I see you two are now wearing very youthful weights, just like me? Did their youth inspire you??" Naruto shrugged nervously and Sakura slapped her forehead.
Naruto said, "We were wearing weights as part of a special training progr…" He tried to finish but Sakura stepped on his foot. Naruto whispered, "I wasn't going to tell him about that." Sakura removed the pressure from his foot.
Lee started jogging in place and said, "Well, now I must finish my youthful laps! May youth be with you!" He started running off again.
Naruto said, "May youth be with you? What kind of lame goodbye is that?"
Sakura agreed, "Really, it must have been something Gai-sensei told him." Naruto snickered.
He said, "Well, I'm glad we didn't get him as a sensei." Sakura nodded. The two said goodbye to eachother and went to their respective apartments. Naruto decided to go to sleep early that night, and went to sleep shortly after arriving home. Sakura called Ino(by the way, I'm quite sure they have phones in Naruto. They have those wireless communicators, so why not telephones?) and talked to her about 'girl stuff'. Soon after that, she went to bed as well.
Hinata was in her room at the Hyuga estate, locked up and crying. Kiba had tried to comfort her while she started crying. He had said comforting words and escorted her back home. Hinata realized what a good friend he was. She was still upset about that sudden realization.
Hinata thought about it again. Naruto had an evil demon sealed in him by his father. He had gone through constant abuse and neglect. She thought about the first time she saw him, the amazing blonde boy with the cute whiskers and strong will. Hinata had been tormented by her father as she wasn't good enough. Sent to Kurenai, because her father thought she was useless. As if that wasn't enough of a blow to her self esteem, her little sister Hanabi was chosen over her by her father.
Hinata was wandering aimlessly and saw Naruto training, covered with dirt and bruises. He would not give up on it. Hinata had started to watch him and admire him, more and more. He was exactly who she wanted to be. But eventually admiration became obsession. Hinata wasn't sure she liked him, but she didn't know what else it could be. Hinata stopped crying. 'Pull yourself together,' she thought. 'You must stay strong, just like he has.' Hinata was inspired again.
Naruto and Sakura returned to training the next morning. After one-hundred laps around the course, they were exhausted. The leg and arm weights started to feel heavy, but they couldn't take them off.
After the laps, Surodoi said, "Today you will be sparring with us." He pointed to himself and Kakashi. "This will help you improve your guards, parries, and strikes." The two students nodded.
Kakashi said, "Naruto, you will be paired with me. Sakura will be with that other guy." Kakashi pointed at the black clothed ANBU beside him.
Surodoi said, "Aw, c'mon Kakashi. You know my name." If it wasn't for his mask, one might have seen Kakashi smirk. The two instructors paired with their pre designated students, and began to spar.
Throughout the rest of the say they sparred, Naruto and Sakura becoming more and more tired. Sakura thought, 'Wow, it's a wonder my arms have not fallen off yet.' Sakura was still using chakra to support her arms and legs, as part of Tsunade's technique. However, that did not stop the exhaustion.
Sakura remembered when Tsunade explained the technique to her. Tsunade explained that, essentially, it was using chakra to enhance strength. There was more to it, though. The reason only a medical ninja like Sakura could learn it was because it required knowledge of the muscles and body structure. Tsunade used her excellent chakra control to send chakra to the muscles. The chakra would enhance strength by splitting into microscopic strands and enlarging the force brought on impact.
Since Sakura lacked experience, when she did this the strands of chakra were made properly. This resulted in an amount of chakra being wasted, and it did not bring as much strength as Tsunade did. Sakura had gotten better, as she was able to stop the chakra overflow. She could also bring it to more parts of her body, such as her feet. Her strength wasn't as legendary as Tsunade's though.
Naruto was doing well against Kakashi, and as the day progressed was gaining an advantage despite his weights. Kakashi sighed as Naruto gained confidence. He was, of course, holding back. Naruto was too, due to his weights. But Kakashi wasn't trying as hard as he could, and wasn't using sharingan.
Naruto tried an excessively bold move, cleaving his sword downwards. Kakashi blocked, but saw the hidden intent in the move. He wasn't fast enough, and Naruto's spinning jump kick hit him in the stomach. He moved his headband up over his eye, revealing his sharingan eye.
The next time the two locked in combat Naruto didn't get close to Kakashi, no matter how he tried. Naruto was not exactly a master of the sword, and Kakashi went through ANBU kenjutsu training and practiced a lot. Naruto wasn't winning, but Kakashi still thought, 'It is amazing that I need my sharingan to fight him. He is already so good at this.'
Meanwhile, Sakura was locked in a battle with Surodoi. She was not faring well; her weights restrained the power of her blows and Surodoi was the best ANBU had in kenjutsu. Sakura was learning though. Eventually she was on even footing with Surodoi. She thought, 'How is he so good at this, but he can't even see?' It doesn't make sense!'
Surodoi then said, "You are probably wondering about my special technique." Sakura thought, "Of course! It must be some sort of secret technique he has.' Sakura nodded as they continued their battle. Surodoi continued, "I see. I shall tell you about it." He blocked a swing from Sakura and returned with a jab, which she dodged. "It involves my wind element." He parried her vertical slice. "I spread a chakra aura of wind throughout the area. I 'see' objects through their interaction with the wind." He sliced twice at Sakura, she dodged the first, and blocked the second.
Surodoi continued, "When something moves, the air also does. As such, I can see with out my eyes, all around me."
Sakura jabbed with her katana and then said, "I see. So you have 360 degree vision like the byakugan?"
Surodoi parried her thrust and explained, "Yes, and I can see far away to an extent. However, I can not see through walls or very far away, and details are lost to me." He sliced at her quickly, and said, "My powers are hindered by this headband. I am holding back." Sakura and Surodoi continued to spar.
Naruto and Sakura adjusted to their extra weight and became better at kenjutsu. At the end of the training session Surodoi commented that they have improved. Kakashi amended that he was impressed.
Kakashi said, "That is all. You are dismissed."
Sakura said, "Hai, Kakashi-sensei." She left the training area, with Naruto behind. They returned to their apartments to get into regular clothes. Sakura then proceeded to work at the hospital, because she had nothing better to do. Naruto decided to eat at Ichiraku Ramen.
Naruto met up with Iruka at his favorite food stand. Iruka tried to treat him, but Naruto refused.
"Iruka-sensei, I have the money, and I owe you," said Naruto when he rejected Iruka's offer. "C'mon, Iruka-sensei let me treat you!" Naruto grinned.
Iruka smiled kindly, and said, "Well, if that's what you want."
"Yeah!" said Naruto. "Teuchi-san! Bring two miso ramen over here!"
The owner of the stand said, "Sure thing Naruto! Two miso ramens coming right up!" The rest of the night Iruka and Naruto talked. Naruto went home happy nine bowls of ramen later. He paid the bill and went to his apartment to sleep.
Sakura walked out of the hospital at nine o' clock. At first Tsunade protested her working, but she insisted, as she wanted to 'take her mind off something.' When Tsunade tried to delve deeper, Sakura blushed furiously and said it was nothing.
Sakura thought, 'Well, that didn't help much. I'm still thinking about him. Why can't I get him out of my mind?' A blush crawled across her face as she thought of 'him.'
"Hey forehead!" said a voice from behind Sakura. Sakura turned around to see Ino, coming out from the hospital.
Sakura said, "Oh, hey Ino-pig." The blush was still on her face. Ino saw it and smirked.
"Thinking about him?" she asked.
Sakura admitted, "Yes. I just can't stop thinking about him, with those cute whisk…"
Chouji was seen walking up to the hospital, and interrupted, "Cute what Sakura?" Sakura blushed and shook her head, as it was bad enough Ino knew her secret. She thought back to when she first told her…
Flashback
Sakura was dragged into the Yamanaka flower shop by Ino, right after she returned from the ANBU headquarters and Ino was told about Naruto's inner demon. Ino brought Sakura to her room.
Ino said, "Spill now Sakura." Sakura knew Ino only called her by name when she was serious. And Sakura only called the other Ino when she was relaxed, or serious.
Sakura said, "Ino, why should I tell the gossip queen of Konoha my dirtiest secret?" Ino smiled evilly.
"Because I basically already know, and telling me is just confirming it. So here are you're your choices, Sakura. Tell me about your love involving him, and it stays with me. Or you don't and I go tell everyone, including Naruto."
Sakura said, "Okay fine, I'll tell you. But if this news reaches anyone else without my consent I will break every bone in your body. Then I will heal you. And I will do it again, over and over until I am out of chakra." Ino knew Sakura was jesting. She would only do it once.
Ino said, "Okay then; You're secret is safe with me!"
Sakura said, "Well okay then. The guy that I like isn't Sasuke." Ino noticed the missing 'kun'. Sakura continued, "It is…"
End Flashback
Sakura had told her of her next love then. One that was so dramatically embarrassing that Sakura refused to make her affection public. It was a love whose seed was planted long ago. Sakura looked to Ino and saw her twitching. Sakura knew Ino was a good friend, as she was fighting the insane urge to tell Chouji her secret.
Chouji said, "Ino lets go now. It's my house tonight!" To say Sakura was surprised was an understatement.
Sakura said, "What? You two are going out!"
Ino replied, "Well, yes. Yes we are. At least I'm not afraid to admit who I like." Ino stuck her tongue out. She went up to Chouji and kissed him. Ino continued, "You know what the best thing about Chouji is?" Chouji grinned at her statement, knowing what was coming.
Sakura said, "No, and I don't really want to either."
Ino returned, "Well, too bad, I am telling you anyway." Sakura sighed in defeat. Ino said, "Well, let's just say that his body isn't the only thing that expands."
Sakura was horrified. She held her temples as images of Chouji yelling 'Penis expansion Jutsu!' flowed through her head.
Sakura screamed, "Oh my god! Why did you have to say that! Ahhhhhh!" Ino smiled and Chouji hoisted her into his arms. Sakura stopped screaming and pushed the thoughts of an enormous dick lodged inside Ino away. They were replaced by thoughts of 'him.'
Sakura sighed and then walked home. She went inside the apartment that her best friend, Naruto, helped her move into. Sakura saw a picture frame inside one of her drawers. It was a photo of her, her mom and her dad. An angry expression came over her face as she smashed it. Sakura crawled into bed and started drifting into slumber. One word slipped from her lips before she entered the void, and that was a quiet, "Naruto…kun."
Jutsu guide:
Penis expansion Jutsu!- Ummm, do I really have too explain? This fic is rated M for a reason you know. So for those eight year olds that have no Idea what this is, please stop reading.
Rejoice InoChouji fans! And for those of you who aren't, don't worry; They won't be together forever. I mean, do you you really expect that Ino would be with anyone forever? I certainly don't.
Also, It doesn't take a Shikamaru to figure out who 'him' is. So, for those of you who know, congragulations! You aren't a retard! woohoo!
You can expect the next chapter to be out soon. So until then, Goodbye!!
