Thank you guys for your reviews & sorry for late update…was having a small problem with my laptop…..

I do not own Naruto, all characters are Kishimoto's


Chapter 7 – The Truth

"What the shit did just happened" exclaimed the stunned voice of Kiba. All the gathered Rookie 9 had only one thing in mind "was this guy really Naruto". They all knew the training trip of their friend with the legendary perv…sannin to be correct; but attaining such level was unimaginable.

"He just won against Konoha's best strategist, jounin and medic-nin" replied the stern voice of Neji. "Yeah Naruto, my eternal rival, your youth has proved to be victorious today" yelled frantically Lee with eyes in youthful fire.

Naruto heard the cheerful scream of his friend and looked at the gathered Rookie 9, looking at him rather suspiciously. He went in their direction "Hi everyone, so how was I?" waved Naruto towards everyone whom were still processing the recent events in mind. "Are you really Naruto, you smell like him, look like him….but there's something different" pointed out the Inuzuka. "The clothes perhaps..." replied the blond adjusting his coat; they all sweat-dropped at the comment "Confirmed, you are really Naruto" finished Kiba handshaking his friend with a welcoming bark from Akamaru.

The rest followed Kiba, congratulating their friends and pleased on his achievement. "Naruto-kun….i was sure….you would win…" stammered the now blushing Hinata "Thanks Hinata, it's always encouraging, knowing your friends have faith in you" mentioned the blond hugging the Hyuuga girl who literally fainted "Hinata….Hinata…stay with me" asked the concern voice of Naruto. "Saty with him…With Naruto-kun...it's too sudden" thought the Kunoichi before passing out "Don't worry Naruto you always has this…certain…effect on her" stated Kiba trying to reanimate her.

"Self-note; always go slow concerning hug with Hinata" pin-pointed the blond to himself.

"It looks like Konoha has a new Yellow Flash" came the voice of Kakashi, with a one-eye smile not going unnoticed, approaching the rest of Rookie 9 with Jiraiya and Tsunade at his side. "A better one I must say, surpassing his father" finished the toad sannin.

Everyone stood still looking at the sannin "You told him Jiraiya" exclaimed Tsunade rather concerned of the repercussions of such news. "Don't worry Baa-chan I already knew it when I met Ero-sennin" said Naruto clearing all doubts but left twice much on everyone's mind "I'm very sorry Naruto, such information was not reveal to you as….I know your reasons Baa-chan, and I don't blame or hate you for this" interrupted Naruto with a reassuring smile towards the Godaime which soon returned it.

"Sorry to interrupt you guys but who are Naruto's parents" pointed out Kiba with the same curiousness on the others face. Tsunade glanced at Naruto who nodded in response "Being Naruto's close friends you have the right to know" started the slug sannin taking a deep breath "Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime Hokage, mostly known as the Yellow Flash of Konoha is Naruto's father and Kushina Uzumaki, from the Uzumaki clan, known for their strong chakra and Fuinjutsu, is his mother"

Their jaws hung wide at the revelation; Naruto the Yondaime's son. Eyes wide open, they look at their friend who was sheepishly scratching the back of his head; how could they miss it. The blond hair, the blue eyes, his face minus the whisker marks, such features were screaming for their blond friend parented to the Yondaime. Soon remorse, regret and hate build in them, why was him treated like that, why the villagers isolated him from the rest, why most of their parents never allowed them to play with him. He is indeed one of the most worthy ninja of Konoha, always there for his friends, never letting anyone down, always cheering them but so much pain, the pain of loneliness, how could he always smile. How could they not see through it; the girls were openly crying, tears of both happiness and sorrow, knowing their friend was the son of such an exceptional shinobi, himself being a remarkable one but having to carry the burden of loneliness was just too much. The boys were in the same mental state but kept their composure, their eyes expressing all their raging emotions.

Seeing the reaction of his friends Naruto intervened "Don't let the past ruin your present" started firmly the Rokudaime "I'm proud to say that what I am today is because of all of you" continued Naruto, with now everyone listening intently to his words "I vowed to always protect my precious persons, and someone once told me; when you protect the ones important to you, your true strength will show" stated proudly the blond

"you are all my precious persons and yes, it is true that my father died and I grew without knowing what having parents mean" continued Naruto with now their friends showing regret "…but together, he and my mom protected Konoha from the Nine-Tails! They protected me! It may have only been for a second, but in that second, they gave me so much... their faith! Faith that I could finish their jobs! Faith that I could fulfil the role of a saviour!"

Those words shook them to the core, the intensity in his words, he meant everything he said; he has truly this unique power of changing people with his words. "As the Rokudaime Hokage of the village of Konoha I'll bring a permanent peace to this shinobi world" finished the blond earning quizzical looks from the rest.

"You're not yet the Rokudaime, I'm still on service and you'll not get rid of me so easily" came the voice of Tsunade, a small smile adorning her face. "That's why I gathered every one of you here" replied the serious tone of the Rokudaime.

"I'm not the Naruto of this time, I come from a near future after winning the Fourth Shinobi World" stated sternly the blond Hokage.

"Gaki! I'm in no mood for this one. Times are getting serious with the Akatsuki on the road" came the sharp serious tone of the Godaime. All Rookie 9 had varying reactions; Kiba was laughing his ass off "Dude….that's the best…..you've ever pulled…haha…oh boy…hahaha" said in between laughs. Neji smirked at his friends antics. 'He remained the same' sweat-dropped Ino and Tenten, the others were just staring at their blond friend. Naruto kept his calm, his gaze fixed and composed, reflecting all what he said but mentally face-palmed himself.

"Kurama, it's better that you carry forward with the explanations, they'll take you….more….seriously" formulated the blond towards his friend "Got it Kit, let me handle this" replied the smirking tone of the fox.

A sudden change was soon noticed; elongated fangs and nails with the pronounced whisker fangs bearing the fox features. "Naruto is telling the truth" exclaimed the grave, primal voice of Kurama. All laughs and insinuations died straight away at the abrupt change in tone and appeareance. "Naruto it's no more funny" implied harshly the Godaime.

"I agree with you Tsunade….it's not funny to cut me out when I'm talking" pointed the growling fox. "In case you haven't found out..." started Kurama eyeing everyone with his slitted blood redden eyes "…I'm what you know as the Kyuubi, the Nine-Tailed demon fox, King of all Bijuus" bursting a small amount demonic chakra to prove his point.

The small demonstration left still all Rookie 9, face-to-face with the Kyuubi, whom the Yondaime himself had a hard time with. "Back off everone" came orders from Tsunade. Soon everyone encircled the demon fox with Kakashi and the Godaime inside the settled perimeter.

The Rookie 9 were still processing what was happening, the Kyuubi which everyone thought died long ago by the hand of the Yondaime, was back from the dead through Naruto's body. "What's happening for Kami's sake" yelled Kiba.

"The Kyuubi has break free through Yondaime's seal and took control over Naruto" replied the serious tone of the Copy-Nin, clearly frustrated from this sudden change in situation. "Jiraiya, you take the point, with your knowledge in Fuinjutsu you'll be able to slow his control, Kakashi and I will cover you" commanded Tsunade taking her fight stance while the Copy-Nin clearly exhausted from his previous fight pulled his hand band, taking his position. Jiraiya had a small smile on his face; his pranky nature deciding to play with it. "The rest leave and start with the evacuation, mobilise all our active forces…Tsunade you really think I'm here..." interrupted Kurama in all preparations of an imminent attack "Shut up Kyuubi….You're intentions were known long time ago when you attack Konoha….so cut the damn crap" roared the Hokage

"Baa-chan he's no more the demon Konoha has feared long time back..." intervened the voice of Naruto to which everyone put a halt, clearly clueless from what the damn was happening "I consider him as my friend and a comrade of Konoha….without his help I would not be here today" explained the Rokudaime to now worried and wide eyed shinobis looking at him as if he was Kami or something.

"You befriended the Kyuubi…Kurama, he's name is Kurama. And yes he's now my friend which I vow to protect dattebayo!" cut in once more the blond Jinchūriki. Kurama heart melted at the declaration of his host, he knew that he had someone who truly cares for him, no more being considered as a mere weapon.

"Naruto I am truly honoured to have met you and being considered as one of your friend. As the Mighty Kurama, I vow to honour your trust and serve you as a true friend" the thoughts of Kurama resonated in Naruto's mind truly happy to liberate his friend from the vicious grip of hate he once were.

"It's a long story, so please calm down everyone. It's better to show you" mentioned Naruto with a small grin of his.

Soon everyone found themselves facing Naruto with the huge tailed beast next to him. Without being able to fully process what just happened, a series of images flash the whole place; Naruto's return, the Akatsuki, Kakuzu, Asuma's death news, Pain's attack, Madara/Tobi/Obito declaring the Fourth Shinobi war, The Kage Summit, and finally the war. The victims, all the bloodshed, the devastations, his final fight with Madara/Tobi and Sasuke; the strive of the Kages against the resurrected Madara, Tsunade's last words.

"You know everything now" said the blond Hokage in all seriousness "…and if nothing is done to stop the Akatsuki, it would all go in vain" added Naruto. The least which he was expecting occurred; all Rookie 9 went on one knee "Hai Hokage-sama" chorused everyone bowing to their Rokudaime Hokage.

"Sensei, your son has truly come a long way, yours and Kushina-san's legacy will truly bring a new era of peace in this Shinobi world" thought Kakashi mesmerised at the sight in front of him. Jiraiya and Tsunade were wholeheartedly proud of their Gaki of godson, knowing he'll follow the steps of his father.

"Guys, you don't have to do this….come on get up" said sheepishly the blond, manoeuvring his embarrassment.

"No Naruto you, among everyone, deserve this…you've done so much for this village…..and for each and every one of us" said the trembling but determined voice of Sakura. "Naruto, you can count on all of us and we'll be at your side….till the end" replied the weak voice of Shikamaru, truly shocked by the events of Asuma dying and most surprisingly not finding the situation too troublesome. They all nodded at Shikamaru's words and the girls went for a tight embrace, a thankful and welcoming one.

"So let's come to serious matters now" cut in the voice of the Godaime "For now I'm still your Hokage…but I'm proud to have legated the title to you Naruto" turning his attention to Naruto with a true smile, which he returned "…since we have the upper hand now, I leave the courtesy of our counter offensive strategy to Naruto and Shikamaru….so you are dismissed" stated the slug sannin.

"Baa-chan I request Kakashi-sensei with us, he did find the weakness of the Akatsuki leader in our final fight" requested the blond to his Baa-chan. "As you find it right Hokage-sama" teased the Godaime "Oh come on Baa-Chan, not you too…" with these few words everyone dispersed to their respecting homes.

Naruto decided to drop Sakura home, the two of them walking the lonely street of Konoha, the moon and stars, illuminating their way. Her house came in sight and they soon reached her doorsteps with an awkward silence between the two.

She turned to her door but felt an uneasy sensation about her blond friend, like beneath the happy smile, something bothering him. During the whole walk, he remained silent, talking only about general matters and when talked to, in short, not at all the Naruto she knew; the cheery one, the loud mouth, the one always making her laugh,…her Naruto.

She slowly turned to him and looked in deep in his eyes. They were the eyes of someone torn by war, of someone having seen and witness horrible things, not the shiny sky blue ones which warmed her day, but gloomy blue eyes tainted by deep pain which she needed to know.

She advanced to him and place a reassuring hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze "Naruto, don't lie to me, I know that there's something bothering you…I can't see you like that….please tell me". What follows shocked her even more "It's you the problem Sakura-chan..." replied the trembling voice of Naruto not meeting her gaze. But before anything else could be said he hugged her letting his emotions carry his words "I love you Sakura-chan…." Shedding a few tears "I love you so much that it hurts….not to hold you…feel you near me…." continued the now sobbing blond.

"I know that you are not having any such feeling for me now but before I came here…..you admitted your love for me…..and you kissed me…at the same moment everything just seem to freeze…it was a dream come true…having accomplished the two dreams of my lives.." he trailed to speak in between sobs and emotions.

Sakura could only feel her heart squeezed at the declaration "he love me so much and I've always rejected him, pushing him away…he's always been here for me, always striving for my happiness….how selfish was I….he was ready to sacrifice his love for my happiness" she thought, openly crying at the emotions Naruto just showed. "I…always knew your unique dream of becoming Hokage….but what about the second one" she managed to say.

Naruto broke the hug and look straight in her, blue orbs meeting green, "The love of my dream girl, you Sakura-chan, you've always been the one my heart beats for…." he replied to her, his eyes showing all his love, care and concern for the pink haired Kunoichi. A love which was always beaming through his eyes but she was blinded by Sasuke's obsession to really notice it. "…everytime, every minutes of the day" he finshed taking a few steps backs.

He dried the few tears and looked back at his love "I know it's all too sudden, but I'll wait for the whole eternity if to get your love back" he said, convicted by his words with a small smile only reserved for his pink beauty.

He turned to leave but felt a hand gripping his, he turned to realise Sakura has just stopped him still crying from his declaration "Naruto…I've never been nice to you….always rejecting you…..but you've done so much for me….saving my life a considerable number of times…." Sobbing uncontrollably, the Kunoichi could not face the blond.

"Sakura you know I don't like see you crying, please….Naruto let me finish" cut in the voice of Sakura "Truly speaking I've always been a bitch towards you, being the selfish I am to let you make this promise….and you Naruto, despite how much you loved me, you agreed just to make me happy.." Naruto slowly embrace the sobbing Kunoichi "Shh Sakura-chan…" slowly rubbing her back "Naruto…I don't deserve someone like you in my life….you need the perfect girl….someone like Hinata.." she continued trying to let go of his hug but Naruto kept still, never wanting her dream girl to leave.

"It's funny. You've said more or less the same thing the first time and I'm going to tell…or better show you" he replied now the two being in the blond's mindscape with the Bijuu next to his host truly happy for his friend to find his mate.

Everything was submerged by a bright light before Sakura witnessed the words of Naruto. She felt everything he put in it; simply and purely love, one far ever she could have ever imagined. Naruto Uzumaki's love; bright, cheery, warm and caring love. She felt all her doubts fading witnessing the first kiss they shared, a passionate and heart melting kiss. The scene faded to find Naruto still hugging Sakura protectively "it just feels so right to be in his arms. I always called him baka but in fact I was the real idiot skipping the incredible and lovable person by my side all this time"

"Sakura-chan it's getting late, I think you should get some rest" came the voice of Naruto interrupting the medic-nin's thoughts. "Okay goodnight Sakura-chan…." he trailed before turning away.

Without being able to react he was turned to face back his pink love and felt a pair of lips claiming his. The sensation blasted his mind, he was kissing Sakura, the same girl he'd die for and finally being loved by his most precious person shut him down for a few seconds. He returned fully the kiss with double passion and love. The lovebirds kissed like that what it seemed like hours before the need for air arise. A trail of saliva linking their lips when they broke, with the two blushing heavily at the new sensation.

"I love you too Naruto-kun, and sorry for realising this only now" she managed to say still blushing. "Like I've said before I'd wait the whole eternity in return for your love my cherry blossom" said Naruto with one of his special Uzumaki smile. Sakura blushed even more at the name "only dear Kami must know what I've done to merit someone like you Naru-kun"

Naruto chuckled a little bit before taking her lips once again, Sakura's sudden gasp enables the blond to explore her mouth, his tongue tasting every inch of his cherry blossom. Sakura soon reach the dance, their tongues swirling in a rhythmic ballet. Soon they broke apart and were lost in each other's arms.

"So I'd better go home now..." whispered the blond. "Naruto….can you stay with me tonight?" asked a heavily blushing Sakura. Naruto was a little taken aback but himself not really wanting to leave, decided to enjoy his pink beauty's company.

Naruto for the first time entered Sakura's apartment. It was a simple one room flat with a kitchen, toilet and a small living room with Sakura's bedroom at the end. It was furnished with just the basics. Soon both settled on the couch and Sakura leaned on her lover's shoulder, enjoying the warmth.

"I'll take the couch for the night" said Naruto, being the chivalrous gentleman he is. "My bed's large enough for the two of us…so why bother taking the couch" replied Sakura with a small blush dragging Naruto in her room.


Have promised someone to envisage a good lemon….Never tried it before so hope you like the upcoming one ;)

Keen to all suggestions, so please don't hesitate…

Working on the next chapter…Till then keep reviewing