Three years has passed, Naruto thought as she was napping between piles of fur. Today heading with Chie's advice she decided to relax. After the Aka maboroshi-byō accident, she was sought to heal different illness from neighbor villages.
She was worried that she might be dragged to the clan wars before she was strong enough to defend herself and thus she created a kage bunshin to stay in the real world while she goes to the fox dominion to train.
The smug face of Sora when she decided to learn from Yōko this time made Akira scowl. She would alternate her training between the two kinds just to get them out of her back. They are too prideful and jealous from each other which was funny at the beginning but with time it started to irritate her.
And thus Naruto thought that if she wants to change the elders of Kitsune and solve their animosity, she will start with the young kits.
She started to play with the white and orange kits, chasing them around from time to time, praising each one of them when they do well and take naps with them in a huge pile just like now.
Slowly the older generation started to tolerate each other, still they are no lovely-dandy, yet they are finally capable enough to have a civil conversation without getting into each other's throat.
"Baby step, baby step" Naruto mumbled as she ran her slender fingers between the furs of white little fox that decided to sleep on her lap. A Yōko whined slightly and she chuckled scratching behind his ear erecting a gleeful yip. After few hours napping, Naruto woke up.
She stretched her body and then patted every kitsune's heads on the sleeping pile. She gave a smile and then said "time to go back". She found on of the Yōko's elders and asked him to return her back and that he did.
Naruto appeared by the foot of Nagano's mountain. She walked toward a waterfall and stared at the water that was rushing toward the ground. She walked to the river and washed her face trying to wash the sleep away.
She suddenly narrowed her eyes once she noticed presences close from her. Takeshi, she thought dipping her hands to the water only to shake the idea. Takeshi stopped sneaking and absorbing her a year ago. In fact, she hadn't seen him for few months by now.
Hmm something to check later on, she thought trying to detect whoever was or should she say; whoever were watching her now. She couldn't detect their chakra which told her of their mastery over their chakra control that made them able to hide it.
But even so, their intention was clear. Something that she learned to feel, their negative emotions thanks to being Kurama's vessel god bless his soul wherever he is right now.
They were three, she thought as she felt one was determinate, the other was passive and the last one was … desperate?
No matter after conferring them she will know what do they want from them. She hummed softly as she applied chakra to her vocal. Keisei Kyoku no Genjutsu (siren's melody illusion) Naruto thought as she casted her Genjutsu while humming something that Sora pride himself for being able to teach her.
She noticed two of the three drop from tree brunches to stand on the ground. Slowly they kneeled to the ground enhanced by her voice. She swiftly appeared behind them and delivered a non-threatening hit knocking them unconsciousness.
She turned her head around trying to sense the last foe. A sudden sense of worry made her turn to the left. "Come out, I know that you are in there" Naruto talked impassively. She kept her gaze toward the now cautious aura that slowly came from its hiding place.
Naruto's eyes suddenly widen her eyes and mumbled "Sasuke?"
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Izuna was in a mission, a self-proclaimed one that he didn't wait for formal permission from the Uchiha elders or his brother seeing that it was an emergency. His father fell after killing Senju's leader Senju Butsuma.
Finally that bastard of a Senju is dead, was the collective thought of every Uchiha that was present in the battle field. The Senju called for a retreat as the Uchiha drove them away.
It was a devastating blow to the Senju that every Uchiha was smug about it. Only for their clan head, his father Uchiha Tajima to collapsed on the ground. Silent controlled that moment that made Izuna's heart stop with fear.
"What are you waiting for? Start healing my father!" Madara growled at his kin-men who stood aimlessly, not knowing what to do.
"Chichiue" Izuna shouted hurrying to his father side. The Iryō-nin who was close to their father started to heal him only to stop after few moments. "Why did you stop?" Madara shouted making him jump with fear.
"I am s-sorry Madara-sama. But, Tajima-Dono is not responding to my technique", "well get me someone who can use a better Jutsu" Madara's Sharingan at that point blazed to life; his three matured Sharingan swirled like a hurricane with worry and anger.
"I apologized Madara-sama, b-but I'm the best healer between our squad" the man cringed once Madara glared at him. Just as he was about to beat him senseless, Izuna placed his hand on his shoulder to receive his furry-full glare.
"Aniue, I will bring a better healer. Take father to the compound and keep him stable until my return"
And that was the last words Izuna said before going to Matsumoto village. The village was boosting with life and it wasn't hard to find further information about Kiseki no chiryō-sha (miracle healer).
He as one of the best strategist of his clan kept taps on everything that might make his clan glide to victory and one of these things were the medical capacity of his clan which was nothing compared to the Senju's well-praised one. Even he wasn't arrogant enough to not to admit that his clan lack healers and thus he suggested that they start training few of his clansmen on healing using their Chakra just like the Senju.
His suggestion helped them to save warriors from dying thanks to minor wounds infection. But even with them, many fell dead once they received a threatening wound.
Such a shame that made him considers hiring a healer from outside their clan. He will not have the Senju beat his clan on anything! He started to hear rumors about a civilian who managed to heal broken bones, internal injuries with their chakra.
He wanted to investigate more, but they were caught into a marathon of battles that ended today. He along with his two escorts who he didn't even consider knowing their names walked in the village and using their Sharingan they managed to find the healer hut only to find it empty.
Later after integrating another villager through his Sharingan, he knew that their target spends few hours within Nagano's forest from time to another.
And thus they headed to there. They finally found their target walking in the forest. He couldn't believe his eyes once he noticed that their target was a SHE. She in her Miko attire walked to the waterfall leaving her back open.
Foolish, He thought looking at the blond ponytail hair that was swinging behind her back. He signed to his comrades to surround her and keep their eyes open. Once they nodded and left, he turned his gaze to their target that was now washing her face with the waterfall water.
Izuna stared at the beautiful fair face that was now wit with water drops. This is the one who will save father, I hope that she can save him, he thought with desperation.
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Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound
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Izuna's eyes slowly started to drop as some tension started to leave his poster. A melodic tone started to make him wish to leave everything behind, to just calm down and relax. He felt safe, he felt no pain, he felt that he can have everything if he just calm down and closed his eyes... but ... something is... wrong!
Genjutsu! Izuna flared his Sharingan cutting the effect. He changed his hiding place as he heard the slow hum allure him to sleep. He narrowed his eyes as he saw his two teammate walk to the clearing only to be knocked to consciousness as their target appeared behind them with speed.
Fast, Izuna thought seeing how his Sharingan couldn't trace the woman. "Come out, I know that you are in there" Izuna cursed as he noticed her standing close from his supposed escort. Calm down Izuna, you can trap her in your Sharingan Genjutsu and save those idiots, Izuna walked to the clearing raising his hand in global motion of I-came-in-peace.
Such a lovely azure eyes, Izuna thought as he was casting his illusion once he contacted his Sharingan with the girl's blue eyes.
"Sasuke?" the girl mumbled with wide eyes. Izuna titled his head and then shrugged it off as an effect of his Genjutsu: Sekai o yume (dream world).
Just as he was about to lower his hand and walk closer he noticed the girl narrow her eyes and mumbled "you are not Sasuke. Who are you?" How did she break from his Genjutsu? Izuna stared with wide eyes as he didn't feel the usual chakra pulse of breaking one.
Izuna calmed himself and then said with his best prince-charming smile "my name is Izuna. I came here in peace". The woman instead of giving him the usual respond he usually receive –blush and kyaa squeeze- , snorted rather in un-lady-like and said "and I'm the Ramen god. So, why were you and your goons staring at me? Weren't you thought not to peek a look at a woman? I swear that men are pervert by nature".
Izuna frowned at her words. He is a well-mannered man thank you very much. "I apologize if we offended you, but we came her requesting your medical skills to heal one of our own. I'm sorry that you've felt threatened by our way, but please blame that to our ninja training" Izuna said not messing a beat as he slowly scratched the back of his head to give the impression of a goofy kid.
"Oh~" Izuna noticed the healer raise her fine delicate eyebrow and place her hand on her hip. "What made the mighty Uchiha clan seeks the help of little poor ol' me. You would think that well known clan would have the best medical staff to fight their long life foe" Izuna's face crunched into suspicion. How did she know that I am an Uchiha?
"Your pink eye and the Uchiwa symbol on your armor is how I knew that you and your pals are Uchiha. Even if I'm a civilian doesn't mean that I will be arrogant to shinobi famous clans' symbol. You know it is a civilian first rule, 'stranger danger, especially a ninja' and that is how I survived Izuna-san"
Izuna index scratched his cheek and said with a pout "but I'm not a stranger now, Minatsu-san. You know my name no?". Izuna decided to act like an innocent kid and thus he started to show his emotion on his face.
Not like this civilian could read his deception, after all they were all trained to cheat well, to Kill, and then to Walk in the Funeral Procession with tears in their pale faces.
"And don't sell yourself short Minatsu-san! You are the Kiseki no chiryō-sha! Best healer in the world! I came here to ask for your help to heal an acquaintance of mine. Our healers couldn't heal him; he will die Minatsu-san. If we have good healers like you, many of our kin would be alive" Izuna gave a sad smile as he stared at the ground.
His feelings were genuine but he had to force his emotions to his face too convince her.
He suddenly clapped his hands in front of his chest and said "oh I know how about you work for us after you heal my associate…" "I refuse" Izuna was cut and with an apologetic tone Naruto continued "I'm the healer of my village Izuna-san. Please understand that I can't leave them".
Izuna mentally gritted his teeth. He thought that his goofy emotional yet innocent facade could convince her to join them. Alas, he can figure out a way to do that later on.
"Oh… I see. B-but Minatsu-san please come with us. He will die without your help" he gave his pitiful pleading face that was filled with worry. "Bring him to here Izuna-san and I…" "but Minatsu-san!" Izuna cut her frustrated.
Every passing second near his father to his death and he will be damned to have it this way."We can't move him according to the medic. Please I beg you" Izuna got into his knee sand this time with no deception stared with desperation.
Izuna noticed the blue eyed healer stare impassively at him for a moment. Then there was a faraway look that told Izuna that she wasn't seeing him, but seeing through him... like if she was seeing someone else.
Sasuke maybe, he thought waiting for her. If she refused, he thought as his hand came closer to his sword hilt. He can always force her to, but Izuna knew that people do their best when they wished to rather than when they are scared.
And that is why he is here begging this woman. And he will do despicable degenerate tasks just to have his father safe.
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Naruto on the other hand was angry. The one time she uses her head and plan for her future this happen! Here she thought that she will live her life healing the people of Matsumoto village while waiting for Konoha to be found.
And after that she will kill Madara before he defect and summon Kurama to fight the first Hokage at the valley of the end; really a simple plan that she was so proud of but here she is now seeing it crumble thanks to Sasuke's look alike.
Now, now what should she do?
Whoever is this one who needs her healing is very important to the Uchiha clan that they get off their mighty horse to beg a civilian to help.
If she went with them, they could force her to stay and heal during their battles which might change the timeline tremendously that Konoha might not be founded.
What if the one she is requested to heal was Madara! If he died than she can say goodbye to Konoha! Oh shit what should she do? Naruto licked her lower lips as she thought in frustration.
But
..
what if it wasn't Madara and it was some no-name person? Yeah she can hope that right? Naruto thought.
Right before she reject Izuna again, she noticed his hand hovering over his sword hilt. Her eyes returned to the red eyes that were waiting for her answer. She can sense his intention, his desperation that urged her to help him.
It was hard to look at Sasuke's look-alike face when he was having this expression. It reminded her of Sasuke when he was depressed enough to go to that pedo Orochimaru.
even thinking about Orochimaru wanted her to puke!
"…If you don't share someone's pain. You can never understand them…"
If she refused to help him and the patient died she will have Izuna on her back. She trusts her skills to defend herself but if he died on her hands she is sure that the Uchiha clan will come to seek Justice.
"…Justice comes from vengeance, but that justice only breeds more vengeance…"
And the hatred circle won't end.
Well screw it! She is Naruto! She is not the sharpest Kunai that plans beforehand. She has always walked on her gut feelings and her feelings are telling her to help Izuna.
She can always fight her way out of the Uchiha clan and hopefully she can give Madara a good life beating while doing that.
"Izuna-san, I will need to return to the village to get some supplies to heal your… acquaintance" and with that she turned toward Matsumoto. She had reached to her hut with the three Uchiha on her toe; the two who she had knocked earlier were drilling holes to the back of her head.
"Please stop glaring at my head, I will need it to heal your kin" Naruto smiled in mirth as she felt Izuna glare at the two pointedly.
"You can use seals" one of the two suddenly asked as she was packing few herbs into a scroll. "Yeah" she answered shortly as she roamed her house gathering some medical supplies along with few weapons that she sealed into her wrist storage seal that was covered under her sleeve.
She will need it during her break out from the Uchiha compound later on as she has no doubt that they won't let her leave after she healed their kin.
She wore her straw hat and her back-pack that is now full with scrolls. "Well then shall we go gentlemen" she said with a soft smile.
Izuna nodded and then said "I'm sorry Minatsu-san, but we will have to put you into a Genjutsu. It is just some security procedures that our clan follows when we bring stranger to our home".
Naruto pouted childishly as Izuna carried her in a Peggy style as they travel between trees; her sense where confused thanks to the Genjutsu that they had put on her.
She wanted to protests but then she shrugged it thinking about the free ride to the Uchiha clan. Beside her weight-seal made her more than ten-times heavier than usual.
Izuna must be polite for not to complain about her weight, that or he is used to carry heavy things which is not something she would consider a skinny boy could do.
Meh~ she doesn't give a damn about that.
"Mou~ when will we arrive to your stupid compound?! I want to finish healing your kin so I can go back to home and cook my dinner" Naruto whined rather loudly into Izuna's ears.
She can be a brat sometimes, but even you will become one if you were bored. And a bored Naruto is a dangerous one.
"Shut up woman! We are moving stealthy and…" "Shut up man! We are moving stealthy and…" Naruto mocked, "jeez do you think that shouting at me by woman offend me? Look here pinky-eye I am a woman and there is nothing to be ashamed of being one!" Naruto turned to yell at the Uchiha who dared to shout at her.
"Minatsu-san, please forgive my kin. He doesn't seem to realize how valuable and beautiful creature you are" the other Uchiha said with an apologetic tone that contradict the sneer in his face. "But please keep quiet, we are passing another clan territory and we…" "Izuna-san, please tell this gentleman that although your Genjutsu confuses my sense, that doesn't mean that I can't feel their animosity. A polite facade with black intention and vile heart do not belong in the same line no?" Naruto smiled resting her chin against Izuna's shoulder not noticing the dropped jaw of the two Uchiha.
Izuna didn't pay them attention as he was thinking about getting fast to save his father.
Naruto after few hours -or what she thought that were hours thanks to the Genjutsu- finally was carefully placed on the ground. A moment passed and the Genjutsu was lifted making her sense return one after the other to normal.
She blinking her eyes noticed that she was standing within a traditional corridor of a well maintained traditional castle-like compound.
"This way Minatsu-san" Naruto turned her gaze to Izuna who urged her to follow him. She walked gracefully behind him noticing how few maids and worriers would bow to Izuna and stare at her with curiosity.
Both of them reached to a room with well decorated shoji-screen. The room was guarded with two worriers who bowed to the Uchiha in front of her and opened the door.
Both walked inside the room to see men and woman struggling to save an old man. Naruto stared at the medic –three woman and four men- pouring their chakra into the man's chest where his blood was leaking.
They were wasting their chakra with no avail, Naruto moved her eyes from the man to inspect the room until her eyes met him.
"I just stopped the fate of this world. I freed people from pain, suffering, and emptiness. Naruto… You're getting in the way of everyone's happiness. Our game ends here. I turned hell into heaven. You should understand… It's already over."
Two words repeated in Naruto's mind as her cold Azure eyes stared at the one who destroyed her world...
Kill him…
Kill Him…
KILL HIM…!
Uchiha Madara
thoughts ? really I would like to hear what you think will happen next ;3
and a call for the one to become my beta... WHERE ARE YOU? ARE YOU OKAY?! hope that you are okay (⊙.⊙(⊙ _ ⊙)⊙.⊙)
