Disclaimer: Masashi did. Lucky fellow unlike Pumpkin.

Warning: Annoyingly slow build story, as one of my reader said 'Filler and fillers..' and I kind of agree but it is necessary guys. I promise you these chapters are needed.

Pairings: None yet. You'll know it when you read it. I mean when the characters start smooching and being sweet and lovey-dovey.

To TheRagingMaelstrom: I pray to God that I don't so that I may continue this. It would be such a shame if I did as I already have the ending planned. And thank you for noticing the moment between Naruto and Shikamaru. At the time I was writing that I'm thinking the what ifs if I followed with them as a possible pairing, but I'm still thinking about it, so wait for further development. Also thank you very much for appreciating my concept of having different type of pairing.

Pumpkin will let you read the chapter now.


Help

For an indefinite amount of time he stood there, staring at nothing, he was and is still pondering what the hokage told him and did.

First the hokage told him to wait for Jiraiya and second he left him in the dust.

Yes, he saw and thought right. He just left him in the dust.

Realizing that besides from waiting he told him nothing more, 'So, what am I supposed to do when someone asked for him?'

'Am I going to pretend that I'm the hokage now?' He thought sarcastically. 'Tch. I never dreamed of getting this accursed position but here I am, having been just left with this... no matter how temporary.'

'He's the hokage! Dang it! I should be the one with Naruto not him! When I—'

He was cut-off from his internal rant by a dreadful feeling caused by a large shockwave of chakra. 'Was that Naruto? Is the kyuubi already out? And what's with me always being cut-off?'

Frantically he looked out the window and saw lots of people stampeding out of their home not knowing where to go and a melee of ninja hurriedly making their way to the tower. 'To where I am... great! What am I going to do?' He thought as he facepalm and let his body slide down the window ledge.

'And... Here we go.'

As soon as he thought that, the door opened wide and numerous ninja of all ranks filed in. They started shouting for the hokage demanding that he explain what's happening and what they should do.

When they found no hokage on the desk they rounded on each other and started arguing between them. 'And they call themselves ninja, acting like toddlers throwing tantrums.'

Kotarou let it all happen, enjoying watching them turn on each other and panic. 'I've never been so ashamed of being a ninja until now.' He shook his head as he looked at them.

There are only a few who are at least somewhat holding themselves but when you look closer it is only because they are too lost to do something.


Kakashi look around the hokage's office looking for the man of authority, hoping that he can ease the anxiety he is feeling and tell him that what happened is only a fluke and not a sign of kyuubi escaping. Having Sasuke in his state have already done a number on him but feeling that awful chakra wash over the village is like being stomped by kyuubi repeatedly.

He knows that he'd been too hasty in nominating them and that the confidence he felt for them is biased but he still did even though he's feeling hesitant.

Alarms started going off for him when they learned that the second part will be held in the Forest of Death, but when the henge was disabled and they saw someone not supposed to be in the chuunin exams, it felt like the end of the world to them.

That moment when the image of Orochimaru flashed on the screen it's like Death himself passed by the room. No one breathed, no one moved, all is still. It is only when the snake sannin moved did they move. They raced for the door and run like mad to the forest.

They didn't think that they are breaking the rules by coming to the aid of the genins in trouble. This is Orochimaru they are talking about, it doesn't only spell trouble but screams it.

Kakashi and the others saw how Anko overtake them and run like the hounds of hell are at her heels. If you think about it, it is not that far off in the situation they are in. 'In fact, she is chasing the hounds of hell.'

As they arrived at the scene, Anko shortly looked aropund for the Snake sannin but when she didn't find him she immediately turn to Naruto and lifted her away to who-knows where. Kakashi was about to call her and ask her what she's doing taking her away when one of the assistant proctor shouted something about the Uchiha.

He didn't hear it but it is enough to call his attention and attend to his other student.

'Only superficial wounds but why is he unconscious?' He asked himself as he checks for any grave injury.

Because of their need to come quickly they didn't witness Orochimaru bite him thus the wonderment on why Sasuke—and for that matter Naruto—is unconscious. When he proceed to carry Sasuke and bring him to the hospital and have him check, there and only there did he saw the curse seal.

'Way to make things more complicated than it already is.' He thought as he jumps from tree to tree not really minding if he is too slow for someone holding a person who needs immediate help. He knows that he can't do anything about it but prolong the entire effect of the seal from happening. 'Even Jiraiya-sama can't remove something like this.'

When he came to the hospital he was immediately attended to and Sasuke was given his due care. Finding no serious casualties they put him to a room for his temporary stay in the hospital.

He absently sat at his bedside and began to think things through. Recalling all the things he did before and during the chuunin exams. On how he nominated them and be questioned about his decision, on how he approach them for the exam, on how he reacted when the exam started and on how he dealt with the Orochimaru fiasco. 'I didn't act like the teacher I am supposed to be, did I?'

And indeed he didn't because as he recalled and reflected on each situation he found out he didn't do anything that resembles that he is a responsible teacher. He just winged it, as he had done with all things that he is not sure how to go about.

In his reflection he remembered one important thing he conveniently forgot amidst the chaos, 'More like a person. Ugh. I'm so stupid!' He abruptly stood and jumped out the window. 'How can I forget Sakato! Stupid me! Stupid self!' If only he could he would have kicked himself in the face in his frustration and failure.

He bumped and stumbled when a large shockwave of chakra hit him. He thought he can never be more of an utter failure than he is currently now, but it seems someone above really hates him and decided to add more problems to his unending list.

'What now?!' He pulled his hair as he flickered to the office of the hokage to please, please explain to him what is happening. Or he might end his life now.

'Someone really hates me.' Is the repeating thought in his head when he saw no hokage inside. 'Someone must really want to see me kill myself, huh?'

Despairingly he adopted a statue stance and stood on side and begins to internally break down.


Some of the more sensible ninja sense that they are being watched and mocked. When they look towards the window they spotted a man sitting below it and staring at them, seemingly bored with his chin atop his hands.

They recognize him and instantly felt shame. They can only stop what they are doing and look down and fidget like kids who are caught being naughty. The others gradually noticed that their comrades are quieting down and fidgeting. Some are glancing towards the apparent cause of their discomfort, so they looked and wished they didn't.

Those eyes shows how much contempt he had for them and how hard he is holding himself back from attacking them. He didn't need to say a word to tell them why is he looking at them like that, a single look is enough.

There is no killing intent or aura to indicate that he is angry. No. What he had is indifference. An indifference so well shown that you will feel how much insignificant you are. How he can easily crush you under his foot. How he sees you as nothing more than an annoying pest that you are.

When all of them had calmed their selves down and have come back to their wits, Kotarou stood and made a show of brushing his pants of the dust that only he can see.

Still patting his pants down and not looking at them he said, "Are you done acting like toddlers throwing tantrums?"

Almost all of them flinched at his words. As they should be because they have finally realized how pathetic they must have looked.

"I'm sorry. We're all sorry Kotarou-sama." Kakashi breathed out as he tried to climb out from the apparent grave he had dug out.

"Hmm. You're sorry? Sorry for how you acted so pathetic that I was truly ashamed to be called your comrade. You are lucky that I'm the one who saw that... that—I don't even know what to call that." He said as he raises his head and looks at them.

"Please remember to act like a ninja. We are soldier. Make sure to keep that in mind."

All of them gulped and nodded at that. Clicking his tongue he decided to entertain them. He crossed his arms and leaned on his left leg, "So what brought you here and in such panic that you nearly wet yourselves?"

"Kotarou-sama didn't you feel it?"

He suddenly felt like playing around so he did, "Feel what?"

"T-the chakra that washed over the village, sir."

"Oh? There is?" He frowns, feigning ignorance.

"Kotarou-sama please..." begged one chuunin by the door.

"All right, all right. I felt it, so what?"

Outraged that he would disregard something like this Ebisu shouted, "What 'So what?'"

He whirled on the jounin who dare rear his ugly head to him. Ebisu automatically wilted under that heavy glare. "Yeah. So what? Are you harmed? Did you see the village being destroyed?" He asked the foolish jounin but Ebisu couldn't answer

"I asked you. So answer me!" He raised his voice to wake him from his stupidity.

"N-no, sir."

"Then what is your problem? Coming here like loons causing unnecessary chaos among the villagers?"

This time Asuma answered saving the rest of them from more humiliation, "We thought that the kyuubi escaped the seal."

"What do you think? Do you see the hokage?" And before any of them can answer he said, "Why do you think that he is not here? Of course he already acted before all of you did, he acted like a ninja."

"Give us some credit here Kotarou-sama. It is not every day that you feel a chakra like that, it's bound to make you feel restless all the time." Asuma defended.

"Got a point there, but you are ninjas. You must maintain composure under all circumstances. You are the pillars of this village, what do you think will happen if the pillars are the first ones to collapse?" He rhetorically asked them.

"Destruction. Utter destruction! That is what!" He shouted and gestured to the disorder outside the building.

"Now, go and do what you are supposed to do. Rally the villagers. Tell them that the situation is under control. Form a group and patrol around the village, someone might have slipped inside or outside during the mayhem. Tend to the injured ones, because there will be one or two in that stampede. Ino-Shika-Chou, go to the elders they will surely rain down on us demanding for explanation. Go to them before they did and explain. Asuma, meet the civilian council assure them that everything is alright. Go!" He instructed them and group by group they dispersed.

Sighing he faced Kakashi, "What are you still doing here? Go!" Shooing him away.

Deciding to be straightforward he bluntly asked, "Is Naruto okay?"

"Oh, now you remember her."

Kotarou just can't help but mock him. He wants something more than mocking him but Naruto would hate him if he hurt her sensei, so he settled for mocking him. Petty but always work deeper than a knife.

"Don't be like that Kotarou-san, I'm just one person. I can't tend to them all."

"Yes, and we are all meant to have person we will always favour."

"Kotarou-san... please." He begs.

"..."

"Please..."

After a long moment of silence he stiffly answered. "When the hokage took her away. She was screaming her lungs out, and clawing at her stomach that is almost bleeding... I bet she isn't even aware that she is screaming or hurting herself."

Kakashi didn't move and only stared at him.

"I'm saying this now because I don't want Naruto to be in harm. There is nothing you can do. There is nothing we can do. Even Sarutobi can only do so much. So don't try anything reckless, like uselessly sacrificing yourself. God knows that will not make an inch of difference."

He didn't say anything to that and just shunshined away.

"That's quite a speech you've got there, ero-ji."

He rounded on the long haired man and brought him down to his level. 'Stupid Jiraiya and stupid abnormal height.' "Why so late Jiraiya? I know you can be faster than that."

"That's what I told him, but he won't listen." Said a panting and haggard Anko as she leans on the door. "He only sped up when we felt that wave of chakra." And promptly laid on the floor not caring if she is less than decent than she already is.

Kotarou ignored the woman and opted to focus on Jiraiya.

"Here." He said then hands Jiraiya the scroll that Sarutobi gave to him.

Right away Jiraiya bit his thumb and swiped it at the scroll, and opens it. He reads it and found himself increasingly worried.

"Come on. Sensei needs help. Lots of it."


Sarutobi did his best to contain the trashing girl, reach the place he had in his mind and be discreet at the same time. He tried to knock out Naruto but it doesn't do anything but make her silent for a second or two and she will start again after that.

They reach the sealing room located inside the hokage mountain. It was in the dead center of the mountain, Minato made it this way so it is near but well hidden and protected. He used this for creating and trying the seal he invented. 'Thank God for his genius. Now we can benefit from it again.'

He placed Naruto in the middle and activated a containment jutsu made of water, when he succeed he then turned to the cave's door and activated all the wards and seals Minato made to protect the people inside the cave. After properly activating all the seals he sat behind the door and played a waiting game and watched as the girl suffer from another bout of seizure as chakra rampage inside her body.

Jiraiya, Anko and Kotarou arrived at the foot of the mountain and waits for Sarutobi to open the entrance to the cave. The venerable old man led them to where Naruto is and showed them the state she was in.

Anko instantly felt tears building up while Kotarou tried to go to her but was held back by Sarutobi, he looked at him ready to trash him when the hokage just shook his head at him.

Jiraiya clenched his fist and remove the large scroll at his back. 'I see.. the suppressor broke under the heavy chakra. I guess containing it won't work.' He thus opened it and skimmed through the contents when he found what he is looking for he started to draw around Naruto.

Anko can't believe what is in front of her. She didn't even know if it still is Naruto that she is seeing. She is bleeding all over with her skin spurting blood and chakra. The blood doesn't have the time to flow as it was right away burned by the chakra. You can't even see her face anymore, there is no hair even. She guessed it was also burned. She also heard her rasping as if she was too hoarse to shout anymore. She truly was in a pitiful state.

"Jiraiya, hurry up and do something! Make it stop!" Kotarou shouted not taking his eyes off of Naruto.

"Quiet! We can't stop it! The suppressors I have put on her is already gone. There are no seals invented yet to contain such large chakra-Minato can't hold a candle to this thing-and it seems that it is simultaneously converting it too so the only thing we can do is help with the merging. So shut up and let me do my work." Jiraiya said not even stopping what he is doing to answer Kotarou.

Kotarou didn't mind notice the rudeness because he was too focused on staring at Naruto as if by staring he can stop what is happening.

As Jiraiya finished he called the hokage and asked him to stand beside him. "Sensei I have to charge chakra in this seal to work. I don't have that much I need yours to complete this."

Sarutobi just nodded and formed the hand seals Jiraiya showed and start charging chakra to seal.

Anko and Kotarou saw how the seal glowed brighter and brighter and the two men keel over with chakra exhaustion. They approached them and help them sit properly.

"What now?" Asked Anko.

"Now... we just have to wait and trust Naruto's will to live." Jiraiya said as he too stared at the girl covered in dried blood and dead skin and whose mouth seem to open forever even though no sounds are coming out of it.


Revised and added soime scenes to it, to make it more detailed and legit. (Is that even a legal word?)

Some of you may like it. Some of you may hate it. But it is alright as long as I get on with the story I will continue with this story plot I have. And yes, it seems boring but I have to state all this shizz because in the coming chapters it is necessary to clear out the incoming confusion, so please bear with me guys.

If you have any comments, suggestion, or you just want to mention my horrible grammar and minimal vocabulary then go ahead.

Please feel free to review!

Next is an angst filled chapter that you would hate me because of how it is written.

MadPumpkin