Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto, and if I did Naruto would have learned Jiraiya's awesome hair jutsus.
Author Note: Brehze, dajuanwilliams, Dyn4mic Duo, gunslayer12, Rebmul, TenshiNoAka, and Toshiro of the Eternal Dawn, thank you for your reviews. I almost didn't think I would continue the story when I released the first chapter, since in the two weeks it took me to update afterwards, less than fifty people even viewed the story. Ever since I corrected its character selections and posted the second chapter the response has turned around completely, earning all of you rapid updates. On the first of August, a second story will be coming out, titled "The Brightest Shinigami". Enjoy Chapter Seven!
Naruto sat straight up the moment he awoke. At first he was confused about what had happened and how he had got into a bed, but then he remembered the rage he had felt as he drifted in between being conscious and unconscious. He remembered Gato shouting about letting the girls live, but taking Kurenai to be his personal toy. He remembered the feeling of Zabuza's power as the juggernaut of a man had launched himself at Gato, and killed him.
Naruto remembered how he had drawn the Kyuubi's power to keep himself conscious, but the power boost had been enough to use the Suiton: Suiryu no Mugen no Mai (Dance of the infinite water dragon). That brought to mind how he had killed every last one of the thugs still standing, crushing and drowning the hundreds of bandit mercenaries that Gato had brought. He shivered, he knew that as a shinobi he would have to kill at one point, but he hadn't expected his first time killing to be a massacre.
Thankfully, the mix of the Kyuubi's volatile chakra, which numbed all emotions but rage, and the advice his father had given him and Lee about killing and how a person was only bed or evil if they enjoyed it, had kept him from freezing up during the combat. Naruto's thoughts were interrupted as a soft voice called to him from the doorway. "Naruto, I'm glad to see you're awake. Are you...alright?" Naruto looked at his sensei and smiled. Kurenai's regularly immaculate appearance was frizzled, her hair not exactly where she liked it and bags under her eyes. The effect was humanizing in a way, his sensei had somehow kept up her looks even during battle, but the genuine concern in her tone kept Naruto from musing for too long.
"I'm alright, Kurenai-sensei. How about you? I've never seen you so disheveled before." Kurenai let out a light sigh as her worries about her closest student were put to rest. She loved Hinata like a little sister, but Naruto was who she spent the most time, and he had grown very close to her during their one-on-one training he requested every day they met. "A lot better now that you're awake. I've been watching you the vast majority of the time, trying to keep you comfortable. I only left to grab some food a minute ago. Of course, you would choose to wake up when I'm not in the room."
Naruto felt his cheeks lightly flush at the idea that Kurenai had stayed up so long to make sure he was alright while he was unconscious, but thankfully the lights were off in the room and she didn't see. "Thanks, Sensei. How long was I out?" Kurenai looked almost disappointed that he didn't respond to her remark at the end, but answered him anyway. "You've been out for two days, you were already exhausted and injured before the Kyuubi manifested, and that seemed to weaken you further the moment it shut off.
Naruto winced remembering the Kyuubi cloak he had accessed on the bridge. He hadn't told his teammates he could activate that power thanks to earning some small measure of respect from the beast through his intense training. "Uh...yeah. I was gonna tell you I could do that, but we didn't really have anytime alone before the fight, and I hadn't been planning on using it. I guess I'll have to tell everyone about it now though." Kurenai was upset that he hadn't trusted his teammates enough to tell them without them seeing, but she knew how the villagers had mistreated him before Gai had adopted him, and how they ignored him completely afterward. She even knew that he had to use a Henge to shop, because the people that ran the store would ignore him and ask for the next in line while he was standing waiting to pay.
"Yes Naruto, you are going to tell them. You should have already told them, they are your teammates and friends, they have a right to know." Naruto looked away while his sensei scolded him, too ashamed to meet her gaze. He knew he should have told them, after all he had told Shikamaru, but he was afraid that they would no longer accept him if they knew. "I'm not angry, Naruto. I just want you to trust them as much as you trust me. It's important to trust your comrades, I know you work well together, but lingering doubts can affect your teamwork, and I don't want you to get hurt."
'What?! She means all of us, right?' Naruto's blush was now bright enough to be seen, and Kurenai had moved closer to him rather than keep speaking by the doorway. She had apparently not noticed her little slip of the tongue, but became worried when she saw him flush. 'Is he doing that because of me? No, he can't be. Must just feel feverish or too warm from all the blankets. I'm his sensei and almost a decade older than him, he can't like me.'
Kurenai had taken to usually calling him Naruto-kun, but on missions she was all business from the second they met their contact. She knew they were a little closer than average for a Jounin-sensei and Genin, but she saw how Gai's relationship as a father figure for Lee had helped the academy dead-last grow. She didn't think there was anything wrong or untoward for the way she felt about the Genin. Sure, he looked really cute to her sometimes, but she thought it was like he was a puppy, not weird at all.
Kurenai's best friend Anko teased her about it all the time though, at least since she had drank a little and told her. Her crazy friend had done just as expected, and accused her of being a cradle-robber. Anko had even come up with the theory that the real reason Kurenai had never gone on a date was that everyone that asked had been too old for her, and that she decided to be a Jounin-sensei as something like a dating service. Kurenai stayed calm and denied these obviously false allegations, even if they had been incredibly embarrassing.
"Um, Sensei?" Kurenai looked back at Naruto, realizing she had space out while remembering Anko's crazy insinuations about just what she taught Naruto when they practiced genjutsu alone in her house. "Yes, Naruto?" Naruto looked around the room, before continuing. "I was wondering what happened to the Nuibari, I wanted to keep it and learn to use it to balance out my combat and not be disadvantaged by longer reaching opponents or swordsmen."
Kurenai smiled, glad she remembered correctly about Naruto saying he wanted a sword, but thought to tease him a little before giving it to him. Their mission was more or less complete, after all, and it had been too long since they had spoken about anything normal. "Oh? Are you sure you wouldn't rather have the Kubikiribocho? It is way bigger and more easily recognized." Her banter left Naruto frowning, however. He had killed Kushimaru and if he wanted his sword he deserved it. That was how that psycho had gained it in the first place.
"Kubikiribocho belongs to whoever killed Zabuza, which I'm going to say is a mixture of Kakashi-sensei and Zabuza overstraining his own body. Besides, Zabuza earned my respect when he charged Gato and rampaged through his thugs. Kushimaru was nothing but a sadist that was too faded from his prime and too proud to quit." Kurenai saw that her banter attempt failed a second time, Naruto not being recovered enough to respond wittily.
"Well, I did recover Nuibari from the battlefield for you, but did you have any plans to learn to use it?" Naruto nodded his head. He had several ideas, but none of them were likely. "I was going to ask Kakashi-sensei if he could give me some tips or scrolls on sword combat, then attempt to mix his insight and my memories to replicate Kushimaru's sword style." Kurenai frowned, she knew it would take personal instruction to really become any good with a sword, and she had a better idea of who to ask.
"You know, I have a friend in ANBU that specializes in kenjutsu. I bet I could get you a few lessons with her. If you'd like me to, Naruto-kun." Naruto smiled as the friendly honorific resurfaced, and nodded excitedly. He would never pass up training from an ANBU operative if they were willing. It would take time out from the rest of his training, but he could still just make clones for most of it. He could even send a clone to continue his genjutsu training with Kurenai, if she didn't take offense to not training him in person.
Their conversation was broken by Kakashi turning on the light in the room they were in, his visible eye closed in what might be his largest eye-smile ever. Naruto found the act rather disturbing, however, as he didn't understand how a person could bend their eyelids into a 'U' shape. Maybe Kakashi had to train his eye muscles to do that, or it was some kind of genetic mutation. The laidback voice that came from behind the mask brought Naruto from his musings, for now.
"Good to see such a close relationship between Sensei and Student. Also, welcome back to the land of the living, Naruto." Naruto managed a short nod despite his blush and the unnerved feeling he got watching Kakashi smile. Kurenai didn't blush at all and assumed Kakashi was praising her teaching rather than accusing her of pedophilia. Although she found it odd he referred to it as 'seeing' despite his eyes currently being closed.
"Everyone is having dinner right now, I'm sure they would love it if you came down and told them exactly what happened." Kakashi's smile had left him, his eye now open and peering at Naruto suspiciously. He knew his sensei was extremely skilled, and that this was his son, but he was worried the Kyuubi had tried to escape the other day and that Naruto might be suffering from a weakened seal. Naruto scratched the back of his head nervously, before he nodded and agreed to come down stairs.
Of course, he had just woke up after two days of rest and a heavy injury, so Kurenai insisted that she help him with the stairs, even as Naruto protested that he was fine. When they reached the dining room, the rest of the group turned and saw Naruto. Hinata and Shino had relieved looks, while Kiba, Sasuke, and Sakura looked as though they were trying to figure him out. Naruto sat down in one of the chairs with Kurenai's assistance, before once more scratching his head nervously.
"So, I guess you guys wanna know what happened at the bridge?" Team Seven collectively nodded, while his own team just looked at him in anticipation. "Alright, what do you guys know about the Kyuubi Attack?" Sakura answered instantly, she had tried to memorize every important historical event in Leaf history, though there were some that were no longer taught. "On October Tenth nearly thirteen years ago, the Kyuubi no Kitsune attacked our village. It dealt major damage before the Yondaime killed it, sacrificing himself in the process."
Naruto nodded, and proceeded to take a few calming breaths. "That is what the books say, and it is mostly correct, with one exception." The group leaned forward, wanting to know what this had to do with Naruto. "Killing a Bijuu only disperses it for a short time, a few years at most. In order to truly save the village, the Yondaime sealed the Kyuubi away into a newborn baby, the only way the container's chakra coils could handle the massive expansion brought by becoming a Jinchuuriki."
Sasuke's eyes widened, realizing where this was going and envying Naruto for his 'gift'. "The baby used was born that day, namely, I was born approximately five minutes before the Kyuubi's rampage began." Sakura took on a panicked expression, remembering how her parents warned her to stay away from Naruto. "You're the Kyuubi!?" Sakura's shriek was met with a frustrated sigh by both Jounin and all the other Genin. "No, Sakura. I am not the Kyuubi, it was sealed inside me, like rations into a scroll or anything else that is sealed."
Sakura's breathe calmed as she got over the shock and looked at the situation logically. The Yondaime was famous for being the greatest sealmaster alive at the time, and he had performed the sealing at cost of his life. Naruto had never displayed destructive or aggressive tendencies besides at the bridge, which was a combat situation. Neither of her parents were skilled with seals, her mother a civilian and her father a retired Chunin. The odd cloak of red energy he had used was shaped like a fox, but it seemed to flow from his core. Her usually intelligent brain figured that Naruto was being honest, he was not the Kyuubi.
As she calmed down, the others thought about what they had just learned. Shino had expected that for some time, though he only had situational evidence. Hinata just felt her admiration for Naruto increase. Sasuke felt that the Kyuubi was the only reason Naruto was so strong, and that Sasuke would be stronger if he had its power. Kiba...didn't really have an opinion. Naruto was Naruto, and this didn't really change anything about him. The two Jounin had already known, and thus had already formed opinions about our young hero.
Hinata was the first to speak, easily the more talkative of Naruto's teammates. "Is that why the villagers treat you like they do? They jump to the conclusion that you are the Kyuubi like Sakura-san just did?" Sakura looked down in shame at having voiced that thought before considering all of the facts, determined not to be so judgemental from now on. "Yeah, of course, I don't blame them too much. They lost their families and livelihoods, a lot of them. They don't bother to think that I lost my parents too. I'd probably have been a complete moron if Gai hadn't adopted me."
Sasuke's envy dissipated as he heard that Naruto was mistreated because of his power. He wanted to kill Itachi, but there was no point if he was hated for the rest of his life afterwards. Gaining power was important, but Sasuke believed it important to be recognized. He did care for his teammates, even if he didn't show it. Kiba had essentially become his best friend, which was important even if he was his only real friend.
Kakashi gave another of his physically improbable smiles, and looked at his students proud that they had realized the truth. He wasn't going to tell Naruto that his birth father was his sensei, but he still felt a connection to him. He had no idea that Naruto already knew, or he would've offered him a lot more than just the few scrolls he had given him. Naruto, however, already knew that Kakashi was his biological father's student, and planned to discuss it in private when he asked about using his sword.
Tazuna and his family had been silent for the story, and none of them felt any animosity for the hero of their country. They hadn't lost anything in the Kyuubi Attack, and Naruto had saved them from being overwhelmed by Gato's thugs. They didn't really understand too much about what he was talking about, but it seemed that he was the same as before and he didn't look like a fox, so he wasn't one. Naruto was glad that as soon as Sakura's misunderstanding had cleared, everyone accepted him.
"Oh, Kakashi-sensei, I want to ask you about something." Kakashi looked at Naruto as the conversation veered to easier subjects, his lazy gaze hiding his impressive mind. "I'm going to keep the Nuibari, and I was hoping you could help me a little with some advice or something so I can get started training with it." Kakashi was thrilled to have another opportunity to help his sensei's son, and agreed to meet Naruto outside in an hour. Kurenai objected, saying that Naruto should rest more, but Naruto stated that he was fine and two days was more than enough sleep.
When the two of them got outside, Naruto brought up something that he felt Kakashi should know. "Kakashi-sensei, I know who my biological parents are, and I know my dad was your sensei." Kakashi was shocked, when had Naruto found out? If the Hokage knew, why didn't he tell him? These questions burned through his mind before coming up with his own answer. The physical resemblance to the Yondaime would become more prominent if Naruto was seen around known acquaintances of him. That included both Kakashi and Jiraiya. If Kakashi's guess was right, Naruto's knowledge was kept from them for the same reason he hadn't been able to help Naruto in the open by adopting him.
"How did you find out, Naruto? It was supposed to be an S-rank secret." Naruto grinned and gave a 'nice-guy' pose, bringing a subconscious twitch from Kakashi. "One of my classmates told me I looked a lot like him, and I bothered Jiji until he told me when I asked for a paternity test. I could swear he was glaring at Dad though when I said 'paternity'." Kakashi sweatdropped, he knew that Naruto would never have learned what that word meant without either engaging in the activity to cause it or Gai telling him. It was probably a good thing that Gai had though, now Naruto had some of his mother's things at least. He would have to make Chunin to gain his father's, but Naruto would most likely do that on his first try.
"Well, Naruto, if you already know, then I guess I can tell you about him while I show you the basics." Three hours later, a winded Naruto and Kakashi came back to the house. Naruto's stamina wasn't completely recovered yet, and Kakashi had neglected his training since leaving ANBU enough that he was tired as well. His injuries and fatigue from the bridge played a large part in his exhaustion though. Naruto was smiling brightly though, glad to have learned a little about his first father.
To Naruto's surprise, an extra person was in the dining room from when he had left. The kunoichi that had helped Zabuza was being convinced by Hinata that she should join them and come to Konoha. Wild promises about her being treated practically like she was royalty for having a Kekkei Genkai and about the world's most delicious cinnamon buns being used as evidence. Hinata even promised that she could still be a kunoichi if she wanted and that she would be her 'bestest friend' if she agreed to come.
Haku eventually relented, more interested in Hinata's promise to help her think for herself and be her friend than the cinnamon buns. Naruto briefly wondered why, until the rest of the team gave him Haku's backstory that Hinata had apparently pulled from the quiet girl while he was out. She had come from Kiri, where Kekkei Genkai were purged as being evil, and had been taken in by Zabuza because he gave her a purpose. Her father had killed her mother, then attempted the same on her. Ice spears rose from the ground and saved her, but she had lost her will to live. Naruto promised he would ask the Hokage to take her in himself, as he had a special relationship with the man.
Both Hinata and Haku had thanked him for his support, Haku overwhelmed by the kindness these people that she had fought against showed her. Naruto shrugged off their thanks and returned to bed, too tired from straining his recovery to stay up the rest of the night with his fellow Genin. Kurenai had already gone to bed, no longer keeping herself awake with worry and not having to watch over Naruto now that he was awake. A smile was on Naruto's face when he fell asleep, one destined to be wiped off as his dreams were the only place those he had killed were still alive.
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A week later, both Team Seven and Team Eight along with Haku were gathered at the completed bridge, readying to return home. Inari was crying, and Naruto seemed to only just be holding back his own tears. His efforts proved in vain when Tazuna announced the name of the bridge, however. "Thank you from the bottoms of our hearts, we would like you to take this letter guaranteeing cheaper trade rates to the Hokage, and welcome you all back anytime you wish. It is all thanks to you, that the Great Naruto Bridge is complete."
Naruto's tears finally managed to break free when the name was announced, the gratitude and appreciation from these people more than he was ready for. Everyone smiled at Naruto as he bowed his head in respect to the people of Wave, where he was first labeled a 'Hero'. After a quick promise to return one day, the assembled ninja and their new friend turned and left, cheers following them for the first few minutes of their journey.
The return trip was not at the breakneck pace they had used to reach Wave, but was faster than Kakashi's pace had been when his team had made the original journey with Tazuna. Naruto spent what spare time they had practicing with the Nuibari under Kakashi's advisement, and refusing to teach Sasuke the jutsu he had used to defeat all the thugs. Sasuke was upset until Naruto explained that he simply had yet to gain enough chakra to use the technique, as it took twice as much to form as a regular Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu (Water Dragon Bullet), and its cost increased the longer it was active.
Hinata spent most of her time convincing Haku to open up to her, and telling her about everything she was legally able in Konoha. Shino looked around at the bugs mildly, but didn't see anything he was unfamiliar with. Sasuke got Kakashi to give him a couple jutsu scrolls, for Raiton techniques as His team had their affinities tested by Kakashi back in Wave. Sakura practiced repeating her hand-seals for genjutsu as fast as she could, speeding up whenever she felt comfortable. Kiba just worked on the exercise Kakashi gave him, channeling Doton chakra into a rock to make it bigger.
When the gates of Konoha appeared, the team was definitely ready to go home. They knew that they would have a lot of work and explaining to do when they met the Hokage, but for now, they just let the sight of their home, hopeful home, in Haku's case, wash over them. Naruto smiled, excited to start training with his sensei's friend, and eager for whatever would come next.
Endnote: I actually wrote...FLUFF! I think I might be disappointed in myself for the awkward feelings in the beginning of the chapter, but I'll base my opinion on it from your reviews. Of course, I know when the pairing will really take off and you don't, so just to let you all know, it will be a while. Like, post Sasuke retrieval and possibly post time-skip. But more fluff will appear before that, as will the dreaded Chunin Exam arc. Mostly, I have a scenario where the first test is the same and one where it is different, so please tell me in a review which you would prefer.
