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Legacy of A Fox: Seven Years
A Yang Production
Chapter Three: What's Found Is Lost
Owls hooted to each other over the crackling of a small campfire. Bugs fluttered by trying to avoid contact with the creatures known as humans. The humans were sprawled out on the ground in sleeping bags. Something stirred within the bags and a figure slowly rose to a sitting position.
"Damn…" It muttered softly, shivering and inching closer to the flames. "Nights in Konoha weren't this cold!" Dark onyx eyes stared down at the fire as it rubbed its hands together.
"It's was like he was not looking at Naruto like a person…more like a predator looking at their prey. He lost that warm look. I do not trust him, be careful when you encounter him."
"What did he mean?" Sasuke asked aloud.
"What did who mean?" A female voice called out.
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan…did I wake you?" Sasuke asked in a whisper as he rubbed his hands together.
"No Sasuke-kun, I can't seem to get to sleep." Sakura poked her head out of her sleeping bag.
Sakura wiggled closer to the warm fire. There was only the sound of the fire crackling between them. Finally, no longer able to take the silence, Sakura turned to Sasuke.
"Are you still wondering about what Sai-san said about Hikaru-sensei?" She asked.
"…Maybe." He replied after a pause.
"You can't lie to me Sasuke-kun. I know you were."
"…I just find it odd, that's all." He replied with a snort.
"Me too Sasuke-kun. Hikaru-sensei is on of the nicest and handsomest academy teachers I've ever met. He was so kind to Naruto-kun, just like Iruka-sensei." She whispered while blushing.
Sasuke remained silent as Sakura continued to worship Hikaru-sensei. Hikaru-sensei took over Mizuki's spot not too long after he was sentenced. Even though Hikaru had been teaching for a while, Cell 7 really hadn't met him until later into his teaching. Kakashi had decided that he wanted to talk to Iruka so he canceled his cell's training much to the cell's disappointment. Naruto had complained the whole time, muttering something about a dead scarecrow or something. The whole cell walked into the academy and began the search for the Dolphin. In his haste to find Iruka-sensei, Naruto ran into a teacher struggling to carry an armload of books. A stunned academy teacher lay on the floor, books thrown askew on the floor and an orange clad youth rubbing his head.
"Are you all right Hikaru-san? EH? Naruto-kun!" Iruka appeared peering down at the mess before him. "What did you do this time Naruto?"
"Nothing! I swear Iruka-sensei. I'm innocent." Naruto pleaded his case.
"It's all true Iruka-Senpai; I was carrying too many books and was unable to see him coming." Said the man as he picked himself up from the floor. "This is the infamous Uzumaki Naruto-san then Iruka-Senpai?"
"The one and only!" piped Naruto but was quickly silenced with a look from Iruka.
"Iruka-senpai has told me many things about you Naruto-san, I've wanted to meet you but I've not had the chance! I'm so busy!" The new teacher smiled sweetly.
"Ah!" Kakashi looked at the man. "You're the new Academy teacher. Iruka mentioned you once."
"Eh?" Hikaru looked up at Iruka. "You did Iruka-senpai?"
"I didn't have much of a choice." Iruka stooped down to help pick up the scattered books. "He forced the information out of me."
Kakashi looked away suddenly interested in a poster on the wall.
"So what brings you here Naruto-kun?" Iruka handled a stack of books to Hikaru.
"Kakashi wanted to talk to you Iruka-sensei."
"Really? You wanted to 'talk' with me Kakashi?" Iruka narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
The scarecrow smiled the best he could at Iruka's ice-cold glares.
"Well, since those two have taken off," Hikaru jerked his head in the direction of Kakashi dragging a protesting Iruka into an empty classroom, "and all I have to do is drop off these books for tomorrow's lesson, I was wondering if you all were hungry?" Everyone's stomach growled in response. "How about it? My treat." He winked at the group, which made Sakura weak-kneed.
Naruto had lead them all to his favorite Ramen stand which to everyone's surprise happened to be Hikaru's #1 favorite food stand. They all spent a wonderful afternoon together, getting to know each other and enjoying each other's company. Hikaru seemed to have a genuine interest in Naruto, inviting Naruto to eat at Ichiraku again, which of course Naruto accepted.
It wasn't too long before Naruto became attached to Hikaru like his attachment to Iruka. Hikaru treated Naruto like a younger brother or a son; they had formed a strong bond thanks to the fact that Hikaru had a personality like Naruto's. Iruka, Hikaru, and Naruto, the unbreakable Trio, as they had become known as, were like family. To even think that Hikaru was just acting, and, in reality, did not like Naruto, it just had to be a lie. It just could not be possible.
"…and he would always stick up for Naruto-kun when the other villagers were rude to him. He was like … a father to Naruto-kun. Well, Iruka-sensei was the father and Hikaru-sensei was like an uncle or something." Sakura concluded her monologue.
"Yeah." Sasuke agreed. "There's no way that Sai-san's comment is true."
"When we catch up with those two, I bet Hikaru-sensei is going to take us out to eat for three months as an apology for making us worry." Smiled Sakura.
"Three months! No, he'll take us out for life. That's how he is Sakura-chan." Sasuke gently corrected.
She smiled warmly. "You're right. I hope Naruto-kun isn't giving Hikaru-sensei a hard time."
"You know Naruto." Sasuke laid back and looked up at the clear sky. "He's probably driving Hikaru-sensei crazy."
"Mmm…" Sakura sleepily sighed, "I guess so, but that's Naruto. Always…full of…energy."
Sasuke could only nod in response, sleep embracing him at last.
Sasuke dreamt. He dreamt of Konoha. Naruto was on top of the gates…staring at the village. Sasuke tried to yell but nothing would come out. Naruto jumped from his spot, landing on the ground outside Konoha and made a mad dash for the setting sun. Naruto kept saying the same sentence repeatedly… "Gomen, my beloved people. I need to keep running…forever." Sasuke kept trying to call out to Naruto but found himself useless in any attempt. He cursed himself and could only consent to forget for the time being.
Waking up, Sasuke tried to recall more but his mind would not allow it. He wasn't worthy yet. Not now…not yet.
The last embers died out as water was poured over them. Sakura rolled up the sleeping bags as Sasuke finished putting out the fire. Neither spoke as they headed out, the first rays of the morning sun hitting their face.
Nothing…left
"Eh? Sakura-chan, did you say something?" Sasuke turned to her puzzled.
"No, why?" She replied
Nothing left…at all.
"Nothing, never mind." Sasuke brushed off the unsettling feeling in his stomach.
There's nothing left for me…nothing at all. I must move on.
He didn't hear it again, that voice that whispered those words to him. Sakura hummed to herself, taking in the area surrounding her, tall brightly colored tress of varies species and lush green grass. Their peace was short lived as something came towards them at an alarming rate.
"Watch out!" Sasuke pulled Sakura to the ground just in time to avoid a short tube like container that lodged itself into a tree. Whatever it was, it exploded in a shower of blue sparks and flaming wood.
Sakura was too shocked to realize that Sasuke was holding her so close to him. Both stunned shinobi continued to stare at the flaming and sparkling tree as they heard people running towards the spot.
"Oh my god! There are some people down there!"
"Are they okay?"
"They're not moving…is that good or bad?"
Sasuke rose to his feet and pulled up a shaken Sakura.
"Are you okay Sakura-chan?" He asked concerned for his teammate.
"A little shaken but fine. Sasuke-kun!" She pointed to his cheek. "You're bleeding."
"Mmm?" He touched his cheek and found it warm. When he pulled his hand away there was blood on his fingertips. "Just a scratch." Sakura pulled out a bandage and started to apply it to his small injury.
The group made their way towards them, talking amongst themselves.
"Umm Hi? Are you two okay?" Someone from the group approached them.
"We've had worse." Sasuke stated simply. "What was that?"
"A Rocket. It was suppose to have been shot into the sky but some idiot," They turned to glare at a nervously laughing youth, "broke the stand after they lit it."
"Well…yeah. Sorry about that." The youth continued his nervous laugh.
Sakura and Sasuke exchanged a look…this young boy reminded them a little of young Naruto, in how he acted around them.
"Be careful." Sasuke had to suppress the urge to add the word Dobe to the end of his sentence. "You could kill someone."
The people shuddered at the iciness of his words.
"Oh Sasuke-kun!" Sakura tried to cover for him. "You don't mean that. I'm sorry about my partner." She smiled at the group. "He's always like that. But do be careful."
"Yeah. It's just today is so special." One of the women in the group squealed.
"Special?" Sasuke raised an eyebrow
"Oh, you're not from Hero's Village are you?" The laughing youth had stopped laughing to question them.
"Hero's Village?"
"Yeah and today's the Day of our God and Protector!" Several women swooned and sighed.
"…Your God and Protector?" Questioned Sasuke.
"Yep! Our God is the greatest. Come! We'll show you!" The group grabbed their hands and dragged them to the village.
Words could not describe what they were feeling. Sasuke and Sakura were lead to a HUGE crowd gathering at a large shrine. Everything about it was so…orange. Inside in the smack center of the shrine was a large gold cast idol of their so-called "God and Protector". On the walls were portraits that depicted scenes in which the Protector was seen battling demons and winning. Every now and then, there were some of his personal belongings…including a rice bowl and a pair of underwear in glass cases roped off by velvet ropes. People brought offerings that were constantly moved to make room for other offerings. At that moment, the group was on their knees praying for constant protection.
"…If I weren't here watching this I would have never believed it." Sakura couldn't help but gawk at the gold idol.
"I would have thought he'd gone insane or something." Sasuke just sat where he was, surrounded by other devote followers.
"Have you wished for anything of our great Protector Naruto-Kami?" One of the children of the followers asked.
Both Sakura and Sasuke still fell flat on their face when they heard Naruto's new title…Kami.
"That Dobe, a Kami!?" Sasuke had to bite his lower lip from laughing.
"Are you sure it was Uzumaki Naruto? Not some other Naruto?" Sakura gripped a tree to hold her up as she asked.
"No. The shrine's right ahead. It's kinda small though." Sighed the guide. "We're hoping to expand it soon."
"Naruto-Kami…" Sasuke gave up holding in his laughter, he fell to the ground laughing.
The first time they heard his title they fell to the ground in complete shock and disbelief; they thought of it as a joke until they reached the shrine. Kinda small…it was taller and larger than Hokage tower in Konoha!
"Our protector Naruto-Kami." A priestess said aloud.
"Naruto-Kami!" The crowd roared.
"He freed us form the torment of a murderous demon that drove us from our village, making it a barren land."
"Naruto-Kami!"
Sasuke and Sakura unable to take any more of this worship escaped the crowd and fled outside.
"They're crazy!" Sasuke laughed.
"Don't call them crazy…more like mislead." Sakura looked up to see the crowd leaving. "Good…it's over."
"Good! Let's see what that idiot did." Sasuke smirked in an attempt to stop laughing.
Two priestesses were shutting the door for the day as the two approached.
"Hello!" One smiled brightly. "Are you looking for the guidance from our Great Protector Naruto-Kami?"
Both skid against the ground, they were never going to get used to it. Naruto and Kami just could not coexist within the context it is currently used.
"No…We're just looking for someone." Both of them dusted themselves off.
"I'm sure that if you pray to Naruto-Kami you'll find that person." She replied with a grin.
"That's the problem…we're looking for Naruto."
"Ah!" The priestess beamed at them. "You want him to lead your wedding ceremony!"
This caused Sasuke and Sakura to blush as red as a tomato.
"N-no!" Sasuke stuttered. "We have business with him."
"Well..." sighed the priestess, "He'll be in the town center getting ready for tonight's performance in his name."
Their breath was caught in their throat and their heart seemed to stop beating. Hope filled their body. They had longed to hear words that would lead them to Naruto.
"Y-you mean he's here?"
"He's been her since the beginning…our great Naruto-Kami." She intertwined her fingers together and held them up to her face in prayer. "If you wish to see him go into the village and find the largest fountain. Blessed be in Naruto's name."
There was no need to bless them, they had found him. After only a week, give or take a few days, they finally found him. They ran in the direction that the priestess had pointed to. When they entered, everyone greeted them in Naruto's name.
"He's here!" Someone shouted. "Naruto is here." A path was cleared and the people bowed as two men walked down the path followed by a figure dressed in what seemed similar to the Hokage's outfit only it was blue and white and the hat was a jeweled headpiece that resembled a box with cloth that hid the wearer's hair and came down to the shoulders. The person had their eyes closed and their head down as they walked.
"Naruto…" the crowd whispered as Naruto walked by. His friends stood still…this had to be a dream. After seven long years…after nearly giving up hope, after everything, here he was…smiling, being loved, being wanted…being a member of a village.
…Everything he wanted but was denied in Konoha...
I wanted to shout out, to run to him and throw my arms around him, but my body wouldn't move. Seeing the people respect him only made me feel small and worthless. I had never been loving towards him. Sure, I tolerated his presence but I was always doting on Sasuke, rejecting Naruto love. I never noticed how my indifference hurt him.
Naruto was searching for a certain pink haired cell member. He found her sitting on the bridge railing that lead to the Uchiha estate.
"Hey Sakura-chan!" He called out but got no response. Naruto decided to try again.
"Nice day, but not as pretty as you!"
Sakura's eyes were fixed on Sasuke's house, she would not let herself be distracted.
"You know," She heard him say, "I wonder sometimes what it would be like to be him for once. To have the village love me, to have to girl I like, like me back. Stupid isn't it? He doesn't know how lucky he is, the stupid bastard."
Shut up Naruto-kun!" Sakura turned to glare at him. "Don't say such dumb things! Leave me alone okay!" She jumped onto the bridge and brushed past him. "Quit chasing me!"
She never heard him give his response.
I was so cold to him, if I could have see that this would have happened…I would have been nicer long before he had left…I would have…loved him too.
I couldn't move. Naruto was only a few feet away, living and in the flesh, but he couldn't do anything. People reached out to touch him and when he did, they cried out thanks. In Konoha, no one dared to touch Naruto. They were disgusted by his presence, they hated him. I was no better. Both Sakura and I didn't really accept him until maybe a half year before he left. We never though we would have to lose him in order to know how much we appreciate him.
You know Sasuke-kun…
Naruto's image flickered into his mind. The image was fuzzy but it looked like Naruto had suffered a critical injury.
There is something inside…just like it has said.
Sasuke winced as his head began to throb.
People can't live alone, they need each other…
Images of Cell 7 flooded his mind. They were fighting enemy Shinobis, they were weeding gardens, and they were eating ramen. In every memory, they were together.
…But I'm different. Want to know why?
The pain was starting to become unbearable, like his skull was being pressed in.
I'm an Uzumaki.
Sasuke's mind ran the words and the image of Naruto repeatedly in his mind. Sakura watched as Sasuke dropped to his knees yelling in pain while clutching his head.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura was at his side, her arms on his shoulder.
Naruto looked up to see where the yell came from. Someone was in pain and their companion was hysterically trying to help them.
"Go help them! Take them to my home!" He ordered his two bodyguards. "NOW!"
Sasuke continued to yell until he couldn't stand it, his mind and body slowly becoming numb.
I'm an Uzumaki.
Those words had caused him pain beyond anything; it looked like Naruto was going to say more but his mind wouldn't let him hear what else that memory held.
When he opened his eyes, everything was pitch black. The only other object was a crystal framed full-length mirror that showed no reflection.
"Sasuke-kun." Naruto's face materialized in the mirror and he emerged from the mirror. "I am an Uzumaki."
"What the hell does that mean?" Sasuke stood in the darkness, Naruto's words echoing.
"I'm an Uzumaki." He stressed as he walked closer to Sasuke.
"So what?" Sasuke watched as the mirror behind Naruto vanished, the darkness consuming it.
"Good-bye Uchiha Sasuke." Naruto placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder and plunged his hand into Sasuke's stomach. "It was nice to have met you."
"Naruto!" Sasuke bolted up; he was covered in sweat, his clothes soaked through and breathing heavily. He lifted his shirt and saw no scar or wound. "It was just a dream." He sighed. He noticed that his ANBU outfit was folded neatly on a table next to the bed he was in. He was dressed in a simple black shirt and dark blue pants. No one was around, not even Sakura so he couldn't ask who changed his clothes. The room was dim but he could make out a door and the light coming from the crack at the bottom. Testing his strength, he gently placed his weight on his feet; he was able to stand shakily. He walked to the door and pushed it open. Sakura was asleep on a table with a pen in her hand. The red scroll that Tsunade had given Sakura was open and Sasuke just caught a glimpse of the Hokage's writing before it snapped shut.
CONFIRM,
SEND RESULTS
-TSUNADE
He reached out and nudged Sakura awake.
"Meh…" She rubbed her eyes as she lifted her head. "I wasn't sleeping."
"You were and drooling."
"Sasuke-kun!" She wrapped her arms around him as she jumped from her chair. "I wasn't! I was so worried. Naruto-kun had you carried here, you fainted from the pain. He left us in the care of a Medic Nin. Are you okay?"
"Yes, what time is it?" Sasuke asked his partner.
"I don't know, but you've been out for a while. It's night, so about 8 or 9."
Sasuke let out a sigh as he sat in a chair. "Did you talk to Naruto at all?"
"No! I was worried about you."
A knock at the door made them jump, a male servant came in.
"I'm sorry if I scared you, but if the young man is feeling fine, Naruto-sama is in his waiting room. He would like to speak to you." The servant informed.
The nodded and, although Sakura was against it, the both followed the servant down the long winding hallway. They stopped in front of a gold plated door.
"Umm…Naruto-san?" The male servant peered into the room. "The couple is here." Naruto must have nodded or something because the servant stepped to a side to let them in. "You're so lucky!" He whispered as he walked off.
A large window showed the waning quarter moon. They could see Naruto's back as he watched the heavens. There were two soft cushions on the ground with a cup of warm tea in front of them. They approached slowly and took a seat on the cushions.
"Are you well?" His voice made them jump. It sounded different…more soft and gentle… but then again it had been seven years. They remained silent, heads held low. How could they look at him now that they had seen the difference in the treatment they had given him and the treatment he received here?
"Naruto." Was the only thing they said.
"I am." He turned to face them. His face seemed so strange after seven years, but his dazzling blue eyes shone brightly at them, his trademark smile giving them comfort, and his whisker marks giving him a foxish appearance. The leaf Shinobi couldn't describe the joy they felt at seeing their friend's face after all this time. It was a breath taking moment.
"Naruto!" Sakura was the first to respond. She stood up and threw her arms out to embrace Naruto. "We found you…" She buried her face into his chest. "We missed you so much! Seven years Naruto, we missed you all that time!"
Sasuke came to stand next to her and glared at Naruto who looked at him in confusion. "I should punch you right now…but I'm glad we found you." His glare turned into a small smile.
"…." Naruto looked from the crying girl in his arms to the smiling guy. "I'm guessing that you want me to say 'I'm happy to see you too' but…I'm just a little confused as to what is going on. Why have you been looking for me these past 7 years?"
Sakura stopped crying and looked up at Naruto. "What do you mean by that? We came to find you and bring you home to Konoha!"
"I am home…uh…can I have your names please?" Naruto titled his head in confusion.
Those words caused Sakura to let go of Naruto. How could he have forgotten them? Yes, he had every right to but they were friends…right?
"But…" She cried. "Naruto! How could you forget everything?"
"Look this is my home and I don't want to go to Konoha!" Naruto stated firmly as he crossed his arms over his chest.
Naruto found himself slammed against the wall with an angry looking Sasuke in his face.
"What do you mean that you don't want to go back? There are a lot of people back home that are concerned about you! Are you going to say you don't care about them?" Sasuke hissed.
"Can't breathe!" Naruto gasped as he gripped Sasuke's hand in an effort to get air into his lungs.
"Let go of him!" Sakura tore Sasuke away. Naruto slumped to the ground gasping for air. He reached up to his desk to support himself. The doors burst open as his bodyguards and other shinobi-trained personnel rushed in.
"Naruto-sama!" They helped him to his feet and stood in front of him.
"…Take them to their room." He wheezed.
Sasuke and Sakura were surprised that Naruto would turn on them. He had always come to their rescue although they would usually end up rescuing him.
"What's gotten into you Naruto? We were teammates! Friends!" Sakura shouted through tears as she tried to fight off Naruto's protectors. "Come back to us!"
"This is my home no matter what anyone says other wise!" He snapped as he pushed through his bodyguards.
"Naruto!" Sasuke was able to break away from the group that had restrained him. Naruto wasn't able to bring up his hands to block the punch that Sasuke landed squarely on his face, sending him flying into a wall.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura watched in horror as Sasuke flared his Sharingan at Naruto.
"I don't care what you say Naruto," Sasuke got into a fighting stance, "you're coming home with us. Sakura-chan! Keep the others busy." Sakura could only nod.
"If you must insist on a fight then I'll fight you." Naruto pushed himself off the ground and straight at Sasuke.
Please Sakura prayed we just want Naruto-kun back.
The two locked hands in combat, each glaring at the other. They tired to overpower the other but were currently matched. Naruto had to end it first.
"You keep insisting that I know you, but I don't!" Naruto kicked Sasuke in the stomach making Sasuke double over. Naruto brought up his knee to catch Sasuke and slammed his elbow into Sasuke's back. "Let me make this clear, I belong here and I do not know you two!" He threw Sasuke at the guards who had restrained Sakura. "Get them out of here! Keep them confined to the room. Attend to any injuries they now have…" He shooed away the doctor who rushed to his side. "…Pathetic, really pathetic."
"Naruto!" Sakura heard her voice but felt as if she had lost all control of her body as she was dragged away. "I believed in you! I believed in your promise. Do you go back on your words now?"
He didn't say anything; he simply turned his back to her, hunched over as he gripped his shoulders.
Icouldn't believe that he would break his promise, but seeing him beat Sasuke without hesitation…seeing his turned back, somehow I felt we had lost him. Yes, we lost Naruto. Here was everything he had always wanted, here was filled with love and Konoha was only death in life for Naruto-kun. I'm sorry Naruto-kun, I am still an idiot. I might never come to understand you…I've come to love you far too late.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun!" However, I was too far from him to hear me. "I really am an idiot." I added in a whisper as the door closed behind Sasuke and me. All I could do for now until things settled down was cry…
…and I did.