CHAPTER: 7

Void.

That was what he was confined in, a world of nothingness. The last memory he had was the crackling arm of Sasuke Uchiha, who he had tried to bring back to Konoha. He vaguely recalled that the chidori had shot through his chest as he was lost into darkness. And there he was, surrounded by black and emptiness. He slowly felt around himself and remembered that he had a pair of legs and hands, and a pair of eyes. He slowly opened them to see the realm he was in. it was the same as he had seen with his closed eyes, except for two things.

Two open doors.

'Is this some point where heaven and hell separate?'

"You are very close"

Suddenly the entire world was ablaze with silver light. The impending light gave way for him to see what or who spoke to him. The speaker was very familiar, too much so. He wore clothes similar to his and had the same appearance, down to the last detail. It was like staring at his reflection, except that the newcomer's eyes were crimson than his sapphire. His face was twisted and sported a smile that looked sick even to himself. The doppelgänger, whoever he was, cast an aura that was deeply unsettling for him. It was malicious and evil.

"This is where life and death separate. I wanted to speak with you for some time now"

"Who are you?"

"Call me Yami, for that is what I am. I am your true self, Naruto. The one who was bred by all the hatred, fear and resentment you had locked away within yourself. I am the truth behind that smile you put up in front of others. I am what you should be over what you are pretending to be"

"That is impossible. I don't hold a grudge against anyone for anything"

The Yami chuckled darkly. "Don't you really? Never felt angry when they called you demon or ignored you? Never hated them when they beat you like shit and ditched you in some alley? Never angry with Sasuke for being such a douche bag? You can deny all you want but I know what you think and how you feel". His face contorted into a severely pained expression. "It was so bad, SO BAD THAT IT HURT LIKE HELL. The worst torture possible and I had to bear it almost every day. You just thought you had gotten over their hatred but what you really did was make me suffer in your place. YOU DUMPED ALL THEIR CURSES ON ME AND KEPT SMILING. NOW YOU KILLED US TO RESCUE THAT TRAITOROUS BASTARD FOR A VILLAGE THAT WANTS US DEAD AND A BITCH WHO NEVER WANTED TO EVEN SMILE AT YOU. Tell me, Naruto, don't you think it's a waste of time working your ass off for those people? Those schemers who plotted to steal your life and identity? Did they tell who our parents are? Did they train us for good? Did they even accept us as humans? NO! BIG FAT NO! THEY KEPT US SATISFIED BY LIES AND STORIES BUT YOU WERE TOO BUSY BRAGGING ABOUT BECOMING A HOKAGE THAT YOU NEVER NOTICED IT. BUT I KNOW. I SAW THROUGH THEIR LIES RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING. THEY ARE ONLY USING US FOR THEIR NEEDS. A WEAPON OR A TOOL, NOT AS A HUMAN BEING. THEY DESERVE TO DIE" he stopped and drew a breath. "You have been lying to yourselves that they will see the truth about us and that you will get them to like you. That is never to happen, for you are just the same demon ever since your birth. Do you think they will ever change? THEY BLOODY WON'T"

For the first time ever, Naruto Uzumaki was at a loss of words. Surely this was not real, but did they really use him? Was he nothing more than another tool for the village that he so desperately wanted to protect? Did he really have that much of dark emotions inside him? All he wanted was to deny the Yami's words but the very simple "NO" fought hard not to escape from his mouth. All he could manage was a feeble "What now?"

"You may live or die. They sent you to fetch that Uchiha's ass but who is gonna come to save yours? They won't send anyone for you. "Let the demon die" is all they will say. Konoha will celebrate your death, you pathetic idiot. Maybe Tsunade likes you but even she can't go against her village to rescue you. Face it, you're screwed completely. If you live through this, it is only because of me and the kyuubi. We have always protected you from inside though you never knew it. And I am fed up with your foolishness. All your attention seeking antics are sickening. Look at where it's landed you. The idiot, dead last and troublemaker. They will never see you for what you are, a hero. Now I will take over you and make those idiots pay. Starting with that pinky"

"NO. YOU CAN'T DO THAT"

He sprung towards the lookalike and tried to hit him, but his punch was blocked with equal grace. "You still don't get it, do you? I am as strong as you are in body and far stronger than you in spirit. You just don't stand a chance against me. Now prepare to get destroyed". They began to fight evenly, each blow parried or negated. After some exchanges, Naruto began to pant heavily but the other stood strong. "You're worn out. But I have access to the kyuubi's chakra and I am still good to go. How are you gonna survive now?" A red aura cloaked around him as Yami stood in front of an exhausted and horrified Naruto. Naruto tried to muster each ounce of his anger but even then he was still unable to summon the red chakra. "You can't, Naruto. The kyuubi likes me more and shares my idea that you must be gone for good". He stood defenseless against his own self, with no way out and no kyuubi to aid. 'Is this how it ends? Is there no way for me to escape from here?'

The world around them suddenly began to rumble. It looked like it was about to explode. The Yami smiled evilly.

"Looks like you win this round after all. This talk is far from over. I will come back. And I will have you see my way."

An utterly perplexed Naruto stood still as the doppelgänger faded from his sight.

Naruto Uzumaki is alive. After all this time, he had come back.

This was the only thought coursing through the mind of Sakura Haruno as she rested in her bed in the hospital. Three years of self-depreciation and ominous loss will finally end and she would be back with the one teammate who had always stood by her side even when she had turned him down. Finally, her redemption was at hand. She could make up for all the lousy treatment she had put him through as a blind fan girl. Be a proper friend and teammate to him.

"Oh, you can always be more than just a friend you know"

'You! Just what the hell are you doing here?'

Her inner persona had shaken out of her slumber and spoke for the first time in years. The last 'talk' they had was nothing pleasant.

"Saying hello to Naruto. He looks handsome. Very handsome, won't you agree?"

A faint pink adorned her cheeks as she recalled the image of Naruto from her mission. 'Tell you what, I think he's very hands… what the hell is wrong with me? I am not supposed to think like that. I am his friend, not some fan'

"Oh come on, a friend can always be a fan. And were you just blushing? Maybe you want to see more of him? More of that body of his and…"

'CUT THE CHATTERING AND CLEAR OUT'

"Words of wisdom. Don't be a fool and ignore what is plain to sight"

The only thing plain to her sight was how much he had grown up. More in skill than in body. His poise and power, the calm attitude even in face of a deadly shinobi and the way he fought against Sasori, all pointed out glaringly how much he had grown ahead of her in skill and how much wide their differences was. She had a lot to catch up with him now to even stand next to him as a teammate. Even when she contemplated on how to develop her skills and become better, one thought loomed inside her repeatedly.

'Why did you not come back to us all this time, Naruto? What held you?'

'Demon'

'That beast, what is the Sandaime thinking? Allowing it to roam among us?'

'DIE, DEMON BRAT'

'Dead last'

'That Naruto, he is a good for nothing loudmouthed idiot. My mom told to never talk with him'

Each memory that crashed over him was along similar lines of insult as he slowly opened his eyes to see the world in front of him. He was not in the Valley, nor any place he could recognize, but inside someplace very similar to the one he just left, darkness. As he stumbled sideways he spotted a small bonfire next to which a huge green scroll was sitting.

"Welcome back to our world, Naruto"

He was facing his master, Jiraiya, who looked immensely relieved and happy.

"How did I get here? How did I live?"

"Sheer luck I suppose. They had given up hope that you could be alive but I didn't. I and the toads searched downstream until we found you near Yuki, all about to die inside a cave. It is thanks to kyuubi that you are still alive, it was healing you when I stumbled into the cave. I took you out and found the nearest shelter to halt. Didn't want to carry you injured and bleeding. Just wait till they see you. Tsunade will be happy as hell and your teammates as well. Your friends are sad that you died. They all miss you"

"And the village is celebrating, isn't it?"

Whatever Jiraiya was about to say stopped in his throat as he heard Naruto's brusque voice. He looked at the younger boy whose face was set in a hard expression, prepared to hear the worst.

"Yes"

"Then let it be. Let them think I'm dead"

It was only his long life as a shinobi that made Jiraiya mask his surprise and pose impassively. "Why? Don't you think your friends will be…?"

"FRIENDS! Who? Those who insulted me in every available opportunity and never thought of even counting me as a friend? Those who hated me for no reason but because their parents hated me? NO! And I don't even have to start about the rest of the village or my so-called sensei. They will be happy to rid of the demon brat. You said Tsunade and my 'team' 'miss me'. How come they never showed that when I was right in front of them, desperate for some attention? Tell me, Jiraiya Sama. You do know who my parents are, don't you? How can I trust them or even you, when you are keeping me at your sympathy with all those lies and "Will tell during the right time" shit? Why would I go back to a village which wants me dead each time the people see me? Why would I want to go back to a team whose members are either a traitor or a cold fan girl and the sensei is biased and has taught no shit except tree climbing?"

Jiraiya's face betrayed his surprise with each word that tumbled out of Naruto's mouth. 'I was told that he took everything in stride. Looks like even Naruto has a breaking point'

"He was right. You all just used me and here you are, the great Jiraiya of the sannin, ready to take me back to that village where I am hated. You are just another of those schemers, trying to keep the demon in its place. Tell me how much you were really interested in teaching me. You spent more time in your research and brothels more time than you ever taught me. Did they send you to make me believe that I am not ignored? Then they failed miserably. You may be a great ninja but you are just another hater to me. Give me one good reason why I should not hate you or try to strangle that gaping face of yours"

'Who the hell is this 'HE'? The kyuubi perhaps?'

The sannin stood struck, his face morphed into shock and hurt as the boy in front of him accused him. After an agonizing moment, he started to speak with a sad tone.

A/N: Well up! Finally did the chapter. It became really hard to take the plot ahead... and I have planned future but am yet to stabilize the present. Hope this one is good. The darkness shall return and next time, the fight is within and without any doubt. What is Jiraiya about to tell Naruto and how much has Naruto changed over the years, starting with the cave outburst? Find out more of Jiraiya's redemption and Naruto's retrospection in the coming chapters.

Arrivederci