Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of it's characters. If I did things would have turned out differently in the series for every character and there wouldn't be so much anime fillers. I am only doing this for fun and in no way making money out of this. Also Kurenai will not be a part of the harem that Naruto is having. So with that out of the way let's get this story on the road.
( Thoughts )
Bold: Kurama speaking or Naruto while in Bijuu form.
Chapter Four
The Tragic Aftermath Part One
In the Forest of Death a group of shinobi were slowly making their way toward the tower that was in the center of the very forest they were traveling to. Taking the lead of this group was Kakashi Hatake as he was scouting for any sign of Orochimaru with Pakkun by his side. The group had been traveling for a full day as they made their way toward the tower.
Standing on his right side was Anko who had her guard up watching for any of the wild animals that roamed the forest while standing behind her was Kankuro he had his right arm in a sling walking in slow steps taking slow deep breaths as his sides were hurting along with his arm.
Standing to Kakashi's left side was Yugao who was also keeping watch while carrying the giant fan that belonged to Temari who also had her arm in a sling but was able to walk fine as she didn't suffer as much as her brother's. Occasionally she would look back at the Anbu, who was carrying her younger brother and the blonde pipsqueak. Though she was a little freaked out with how he was carrying them.
Tenzo had both Naruto and Gaara in his grip thanks to his Kekkei Genkai as he carried them with ease though he also kept his eyes open for any trouble that might occur while in the forest. He was worried for his friend Kakashi as this was about his team, the first team that he had ever passed and honestly wondered what would be the outcome for him and his students? He would have to wait and see when they spoke to the Hokage.
"Are we almost there yet? My arm is killing me along with my sides." Kankuro complained as he honestly wanted to lay down for a while and rest after what he and his sister went through with their younger brother.
"We'll get there as soon we can gaki, besides you can barely move as it is though it's amazing your still walking." Anko told the puppet using shinobi.
"We are almost there so everyone please remain calm as I want us to avoid unnecessary conflict." Kakashi spoke up speaking in a firm tone, though inside he was feeling greatly upset and sadden for what had happen to Sakura. He was still berating himself and now wished that he and his fellow Jonin had listened to Iruka.
It was then that the group heard something approaching them and prepared for whatever it was while hoping to escape unscathed. What appeared before them took the group by surprise as it was more Anbu and some people Anko recognized.
"Raido, Iwashi and Genma? What are you doing here?"
"Kuma had radioed for back up with the Anbu and felt that we would be needed in case anyone was injured so that Iwashi, Raido and I would be able to get whoever was out quickly." Genma spoke while chewing on a senbon needle he kept around.
Kakashi hearing this nodded as these three were bodyguards to his late sensei Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime Hokage. He decided to give the group a command.
"Genma I want you and the others to take Kuma along with the Genin from Sunagakure to the medical wing along with my student Naruto to be treated immediately."
"Captain Neko what should we do in the mean time?" An Anbu with a hawk mask spoke up to his leader.
"I want all of you to go with Kuma to help secure the red headed Genin he has bind at the moment as he is unstable. But before that report to headquarters to put all units on alert as we have an intruder in our village." Yugao ordered the group in front of her.
The group of Anbu nodded to their captain and left to carry out their orders while Genma and his friends gestured for Kuma to make his way over to them. Seeing this the Anbu who was holding Gaara looked to the Genin.
"I want you to come with me as they will get us to the medical wing quicker then we are now."
Kankuro and Temari were hesitant at first as they felt they could be brought to a prison cell but decided to do as they were told considering both of them were injured after what happen between their brother Gaara and the one called Naruto.
Making their way over to him they saw that the three other shinobi circled around them which caused Kankuro to ask the Anbu next to him.
"Just what are they doing?"
"You'll see in a moment so relax, it won't hurt."
Before anything else could be said, the group was gone in a flash, leaving only Kakashi and the two females plus Pakkun who spoke up to his partner.
"Kakashi if you don't mind I'll be going back now but summing me again if you need anything and let me know if the kid will be all right will you?"
"I will Pakkun, take care of yourself."
The dog summon nodded before disappearing in a puff of smoke. With that done the three began to pick up the pace to head for the tower to report to their leader on what was going on.
At the tower in the middle of the forest...
Inside the tower was a young shinobi who was waiting for his sensei to return with his teammate and this young man 's name was Sasuke Uchiha. He was not the only one there are several other shinobi were there which were Teams Eight, Team Ten and Team Nine. All groups had the needed scrolls to continue but they decided to stay a while longer hoping to know what had happen to Naruto. Karin was there with them but kept to herself as she was trying to remain calm after what she witnessed in the forest.
Sasuke at first told everyone that they should just head inside and he would relay the news to them but Ino and Kiba were stubborn and insisted everyone should be with him as they wanted to know what it was that caused Naruto to do what he did. When Lee had asked what had happen to Sakura everyone went silent and held their heads down with Sasuke looking extremely angry. Lee would have said more but his teammates Neji and TenTen told him to drop it and wait for Sasuke's sensei to show up and then they would know what was going on.
It was then that the group in question had arrived as everyone saw Kakashi, Anko, and one Anbu with them but they then noticed that certain people were missing and it was Sasuke who decided to ask the question.
"Kakashi-Sensei where are Naruto and the team from Sunagakure?"
"Naruto and the two members from Sunagakure are in the medical ward right now but their younger brother is being locked up for now as he is a bit unstable." Kakashi told his student as he looked over the group seeing that they wanted to know what happen to Naruto since many of the rookies had went with him to the academy. It was then that Rock Lee spoke up and answered a questioned that he wish to avoid.
"Kakashi-Sensei please tell me where Sakura-Chan is, is she with Naruto in the medical room as well?"
The Jonin could only hold his head down in sadness and shame as he didn't want to speak about his now deceased student as he cursed himself for not putting in more effort into training her. With a sigh he reluctantly told Gai's student.
"Lee I am sorry to tell you this but...Sakura isn't with Naruto in the medical ward...Sakura is dead."
The moment that Rock Lee heard this all the color had drained from his face as his mind tried to process what he was just told from Kakashi. Sakura was dead? It couldn't be! It was just so untrue and unyouthful!
The student of the Yondaime Hokage could see the absolute shock and utter disbelief in Gai's student. He didn't know why this young man was interested in Sakura but something must have happen between the two to get him to be interested in her.
Before anything else could be said Lee began running his way toward the exit that lead out of the tower and both Anko and Yugao reacted faster then anyone seen and pinned him down to the ground.
"And just where the hell do you think you're going gaki?!" Anko berated as she already had a good idea on what he was planning to do.
"Let me go this instant! I must try and find Sakura-Chan!" The young man struggled but the two kunoichi wouldn't let him go.
"There is nothing you can do! Kakashi has already told you what happen and you will not be going back into the forest!" Yugao told him with authority
"No I refuse to believe such lies!" The student of Maito Gai shouted as he was able to get to his feet despite the two holding him. That was when something or rather someone did something no one expected to happen.
WHAM!
Lee was punched hard in the face that it caused his lip to bleed and his face began swelling. He was then hauled up looking into the eyes of a very pissed off Sasuke Uchiha.
"You stupid son of a bitch! Why the hell would my sensei or the Anbu with him lie about something like this?! I was there and so were the other Genin teams that were with me when we came to this fucking tower!"
The other Genin who were watching this exchange felt a little scared as none of them saw Sasuke this angry or upset before. They did she him often scowl or growl out in anger when someone mentioned his brother but this was on a whole new level, considering what had happen to Sakura they were now worried if Naruto would react like Sasuke was doing now or would he be worst.
Kakashi decided to put a stop to this before things got out of hand and rushed over pulling the two apart.
"That is enough out of the both of you! Sasuke you will calm down and let me explain to him the situation and I will make sure his sensei is present so he doesn't do something foolish like he was about to do! Lee you will remain in the tower with your team and continue the exam, during which your sensei and I will speak to you later and if you so much as even try to leave this place I will have you punished for insubordination!"
This caused the student of Gai to stop his struggling as he stood there shaking in anger and disbelief as he didn't want to believe what he heard or remain in the tower but he couldn't risk his teams chance to be promoted or disgrace the only man who gave him a chance to be a shinobi. So with a reluctant node he quietly walked back to his team.
Yugao who was watching the exchange going on decided to say her peace and spoke to the group of Genin.
"If all of you have the necessary scrolls required you will head into the tower now and wait for the rest of the days to pass for the exams until the Hokage explains the next phase. This is an order."
The group in front of her nodded and made their way to the entrance while Kakashi and his group stood outside for a moment before he spoke to those with him.
"All right everyone it's time that we report to the Hokage about what is going on, but first Neko you will check on Kankuro and Temari to make sure they are secured and there brother is restrained."
She nodded to him before she performed the Shunshin No Jutsu to take her leave. With that out of the way Kakashi looked over to Anko and gestured for her to follow him which she did as they went to report to the Hokage and deep down Kakashi Hatake was not looking forward to making this report.
A few hours later...
Hiruzen Sarutobi was starting to feel his age at the moment and wondered if this was his punishment from Kami-Sama for not stopping his old student all those years ago? He had just been told of what had happened in the forest during the second part of the exam by Kakashi Hatake and Anko Mitarashi involving Orochimaru and Naruto Uzumaki using the Kyuubi's Chakra to the point that he formed a Bijuu Cloak in the form of a four tailed fox and had been battling Sunagakure's own Jinchuriki who from what of he was told by one of his Anbu was starting to transform as well which would have caused untold destruction in the village.
"And that is what we have to report Hokage-Sama." Kakashi said to the leader of Konohagakure as both he and Anko had finished their report to him. Yugao and Tenzo had come by later to share their report to their leader after making sure that the shinobi from Sunagakure were secured and didn't cause trouble. They had also informed their leader that other Anbu and Konoha shinobi meet up with them to make sure they were all right. Yugao ordered the group to take the Genin from Sunagakure to the medical wing along with their younger brother. Tenzo decided to go with as to make sure Gaara didn't cause any unnecessary death.
"All right for the time being we will have to continue the exams as it is and Anko before you say anything we can not stop it for any reason since Orochimaru would most likely retaliate in the most destructive way possible."
The former student of the Snake Sannin could only node her head and fume in silence. She felt that they were vulnerable like this at the moment as she wanted to defend her home against the traitor that mad her life hell and prove to those that still doubted her loyalty in the village.
The elder shinobi took out his pipe from his desk before adding his favorite tobacco into it and lighting it up with a match. Taking a few puffs from it he started smoking to help calm his nerves and get his thoughts in order before speaking again to the two in front of him.
"Anko I want you to inform the Jonin sensei's of each team that made it to the tower with the scrolls they have acquired to continue the exams to let them know they have succeeded. Afterwords I want you to head to the Anbu headquarters to inform both Neko and Kuma to bring me the Jonin sensei of the Genin from Sunagakure as I want to have a few words with him concerning one of his students and you will accompany them."
The two shinobi in front of the Hokage could tell from the tone of his voice that he was very upset and most likely there would be consequences for Sunagakure after the exams were over.
"Kakashi I want you to stay for a few moments as I wish to speak with you. Anko you are dismissed."
The Tokubetsu Jonin bowed to her leader and took her leave to meet up with the Anbu. When she was gone it was just the two men in the room and it was Hiruzen who decided to speak first.
"How is Naruto doing right now Kakashi?"
The last student of the Yondaime sighed before answering.
"He hasn't woken up yet Hokage-Sama but in all honesty I know when he does he is going to be extremely upset and will might blame himself for what happened to Sakura. Worst yet I'm afraid he might go down a path for revenge against Orochimaru."
The student of Hashirama and Tobirama Senju took a few puffs from his pipe before looking at the young Jonin.
"I'm going to talk to Naruto when he awakens to let him know that he and Sasuke can no longer continue in the exams. I'm also going to make sure to tell him he is not at fault for what happened in the forest."
"Is there anything for me to do Hokage-Sama?"
"For now there is nothing you can do at the moment and if Naruto is up to talking to you or anyone let him do so on his own as he will need some time to himself. Another thing is both the councilors and I will be reviewing over your work regarding Team 7."
Kakashi could only flinch as he was afraid this might happen to him. It was more then likely that he would never get another team after this and now he regretted entering his students into the Chunin Exams thinking it would have been a good idea to make them experience what the real world is all about for them, kill or be killed.
"You are dismissed Kakashi."
The Jonin bowed to his leader and left the office to leave the old shinobi to his thoughts. Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his thoughts were going a million miles as he would be dealing with a lot of issues. The first being his former student coming back to the village and whatever Orochimaru had planned for him and everyone in Konohagakure wouldn't be good.
The second issue was going to be informing Sakura Haruno's parents about her demise in the Forest of Death which he would know right now would be the most heartbreaking experience that every parent went through when losing a child. Her parents had been hesitant and even against the idea of their daughter choosing such a dangerous career but the young girl was stubborn as a child.
The third and final issue was Naruto, a boy who he saw as a second grandson with a burden that he never asked for and grew up without family no thanks to the damn fox. He knew that he would suffer from the loss of his first crush even though the girl held no feelings toward him and only for his other team mate Sasuke Uchiha.
Speaking of Sasuke he heard of what happen between him and Gai's student Rock Lee wondering how Sasuke would deal with the loss of Sakura as well, hoping it wouldn't cause the boy anymore psychological damage then he went through during the Uchiha Massacre.
Sighing sadly he even thought how Kakashi would be dealing with this and it would be most likely the man would feel he dishonored himself and those around him. He then frowned as he thought about the villagers.
( I swear to Kami-Sama if the idiots of this village even dare blame Naruto for this or even do something incredibly foolish I will make them wish they were never born! I might even let Naruto vent his frustration on them after what he's had to put up with the last thirteen years. )
It was then that another thought came to mind concerning the seal holding the Kyuubi and made a mental note to contact Jiraiya as soon as possible to make sure that the demon inside Naruto wouldn't corrupt him and was secured. He didn't need someone like Danzo demanding he be giving to him to be turned into a weapon or his teammates even suggesting they lock Naruto away.
Another issue he just remembered was a Genin who wished to speak with him about becoming a citizen or even a shinobi under his village. Her name was Karin and she came from the village of Kusagakure an allied village, though it puzzled him why she would wish to leave her village? He would have to ask her that when she came to see him but for now he had to plan his next action against Orochimaru and help Naruto in anyway he can as he knew the boy would need someone by his side soon.
He then looked over to the scroll on his desk which contained Sakura Haruno's body. The elder shinobi could only feel sadness and anger as he would have to take her over to the morgue so when her parents could claim her they could prepare a funeral for her. He was sad that such a young girl would never be able to live her life to the fullest and angry at himself wishing that he now denied Team 7 from entering the Chunin Exams.
( I'm afraid that Iruka's nightmare has come true. I hope that when he learns of this he will not do anything foolish out of anger or guilt. )
With those thoughts he gathered the scroll and left his office to make his way to the morgue.
To Be Continued...
Authors Note
Well everyone here is the newest chapter to my story and I apologize if it is a bit short to your liking but I honestly didn't want to anything unnecessary. The first thing I want to do is apologize for not updating sooner as I've been going through a lot of issues and some grief concerning my family. Two months ago back in June my sister died and my mom has been depressed a lot. I do what I can to help her and even though I couldn't stand my sister with her stupid behavior she was still family and I hope that she is at peace.
I also can't stand my job and honestly just want to quit but I need the money to help look after my sisters cats so until I publish an actual book or find a better job I'm stuck with what I have. I will try to finish A Kunoichi's Need as I'll need to rewrite the chapter I had. I also got a new computer since my old one was going to shit. I've also been checking out a new series called Black Clover and Black Torch. I really like them and there is another manga I'm enjoying called Seraph of the End.
I've also been thinking about my one Devil May Cry crossover I mentioned a few years back and I may or may not have another character who is descended from Sparda and his family. Too many ideas and too much things going through my head. Plus I might make another rant soon if I have time.
Anyway that is it for this chapter. On the next one Naruto will find out what has happened and he is definitely going to be pissed off. He won't be the only one as Iruka will most likely blame Kakashi for what happened and may even attack him.
Until next time everyone.
