Hello and welcome back! I have reworked this chapter a Bit and I hope that you all like it, so sit back, read, and enjoy
RSL
Chap 9: Cruelty of the Villagers
Sakura sighed as she walked into the Hokage's Tower. The assistants knew who she was and smiled. While no one knew yet, many had seen the transformation between the two these past two months and maybe, just maybe they were hoping for the two to get together.
Sakura arrived at her destination and opened the door to see her love standing in the center of the room. Sakura moved forward and hugged Naruto tightly, her casted arm dangling a bit at her side. Naruto for his part, lifted her up and swung her lightly in a circle. Sakura giggled as she became a little dizzy.
"Naruto…"
"Yeah?"
"Is it okay…um, if I add…Kun to your name?"
"Yes! Of Course!"
"Thanks…Naruto-Kun…"
As the two embraced, they knew that they had played their parts perfectly in front of the Hokage herself. Naruto and Sakura and been practicing those last lines for two days straight and had just hit the tip off the nail into the coffin perfectly.
The two separated to the coughing of the Hokage and Sakura blushed as she saw Tsunade smirk at her actions. She knew that when word was out that the two were together, Tsunade would stop to no end to tease Sakura about love making and what not. That was one of the reasons that they had stayed secret for a little while.
"Alright, you two. I have called you both here to congratulate you both on being able to properly utilize your new eyes to the primary extent of Kakashi. From what Kakashi has told me, the both of you can bring out your eyes up to their maximum potential to surpass the extent of even the Uchiha and now with the different aspects of each eye."
"Thank you, Tsunade-Sama, but it's only because I can use my chakra so well."
"That's not completely true. You seem to have a happier emotional state recently. From the records we have on the Sharingan, we've found that females happier in their lives graduated faster than the boys at times. What is it that makes you happier lately anyhow, Sakura?"
"N-Nothing, Tsunade-Sama." Sakura stuttered as she briefly shared an eye glance with Naruto.
"Oh well, I was hoping for a boy in the background, but on to other matters…I am reinstating the both of you to missions up to B-class…"
"Baa-Chan!"
"High ranked B Rank, my dear Naruto, being in a three man team as Chunnin is rare enough as it is and whether you like it or not, the council is being rather stingy with all their Sharingan users in the same unit."
"Not like it wasn't before…" Naruto mumbled
"What was that?"
"Nothing, Baa-Chan…"
"Okay, speaking of Sasuke…it is time that we have to inform the villagers about the death of the last Uchiha, and to tell them, as by doujutsu degrees, where their last eyes are located, and with whom…"
"Hai, Tsunade-Sama, we'll reveal our eyes to the public, correct Tsunade-Sama…?"
"Correct. Sakura, I have spoken with the Jounin Council and we have agreed that the villagers view you as a good choice for Sasuke so they should see you as a great asset in their eyes for the last left eye."
"Thank you, Tsunade-Sama…"
"As for you Naruto…I am afraid that the council and I both agree that the villagers will bear hatred towards you…"
"WHAT?!" Sakura screamed as the ground beneath them shook.
Naruto looked to Sakura in worry and confusion to her outburst just now. Sure they were going out and they said to each other that they liked each other, Sakura had gone even further, but for Sakura to be upset about something as normal as this, it meant a lot to him.
"Sakura-Chan…it's fine…I'm used to it…" Naruto began as he stroked her hand in his.
"I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE USED TO IT!" Sakura screamed as she turned to look at Naruto, her Sharingan coming to life for a second before it disappeared as she calm herself more. "You shouldn't have to go through it…"
"But he has and will continue to do so, I'm afraid Sakura. Naruto IS slowly changing the people's minds, but there are still those that bear intent on him as a demon."
"But My Naruto-Kun is not a Demon! He is my Loving Fox!"
Tsunade and Naruto looked to Sakura's confession. Naruto knew that Sakura was becoming very emotional about things concerning him, her, and them lately, but they couldn't possibly keep their relationship under wraps if she did this in front of Tsunade.
"O-Okay…well, Naruto, I'll be assigning you a bodyguard for the meantime."
"I'll be fine Baa-Chan…"
"Doesn't matter…you can't harm civilians and they know that, but others defending you can, so…I'll send Bear to guard you…"
"No…" Sakura interjected, "I'll guard Naruto-kun, Tsunade-Sama…"
"I can't ask that of you, Sakura. As far as I'm aware, you still live with your mother and you have your injuries to worry about…"
"Naruto can move in with me! And he can treat my injuries and me for the time being! "
"No…"
"But I still need to work on our eyes! We can't use them completely yet…"
"Sakura, I don't think your mother would approve…"
"Of course she would! And if not, I'll move in with Naruto! I'll…"
"Enough Sakura! I'm sorry, but no…we can't let the villagers attack you as well…The announcement will be in three days…that is all…"
Naruto and Sakura walked down the street, silence apparent all around them, before Naruto pulled Sakura to the side before he cornered her and demanded to be heard.
"Sakura-Chan, why did you offer to leave your mother?" Naruto asked, unable to comprehend why his love would say something like that.
"Naruto-Kun, my mother is fine with both the ideas, I'm sure of it…" Sakura said as she lightly caressed Naruto's cheek, earning a happy sigh.
"But…still…"
"I know, but it's not like we aren't attached at the hip already Naruto-Kun…"
Naruto chuckled as he stole a kiss from Sakura. She always knew what to say in order to convince him, whether he believed her or not. "That we are, that we are."
The three days passed all too quickly and Tsunade stood before the people of Konoha. The villagers were excited and some were a little skeptical. Whole village announcements were rarely done and they were usually for bad and good reasons together; a rallying speech if you will.
The villagers were talking animatedly about their speculations as to what event could have happened that they were unaware of. The villagers thought that pretty much nothing escaped their eyes since they lived in a ninja village. Oh how wrong they were…
"People of Konoha!" The villagers instantly shut up and looked toward the Hokage tower balcony. The tower at the moment was surrounded by the elite Jounin of the village, the top of the top so to speak while not being forced into commander positions in Anbu.
Tsunade looked out at the villagers and knew that what she was about to do was something that the villagers would dread just as they did on the day of the Kyuubii attack. She just hoped that they wouldn't turn against any specific person.
"I have gathered you today for a couple of reasons. The main reason is to inform you, by clan law, that the Uchiha clan is no more." The villagers looked up at their leader confused. "Sasuke Uchiha, the last surviving Uchiha has died in battle protecting his team from a surprise attack."
The villagers started to cry. Their precious 'prince' of Konoha was dead? That could not be…it simply couldn't. The Uchiha clan was the most powerful in Konoha…no, in the world. If he could die so easily, then what kind of world were they living in?
"As by the Doujutsu degree of the second Hokage, it is my right to disclose where Sasuke's eyes have been placed as well as his clan's still surviving eyes as well. First let me bring out a man who has had his friend's eye since he first became a Jounin. I give you Kakashi of the Hatake clan."
The village erupted in cheers to the son of the White Fang. He had proven himself countless times of protecting the village as well as his teammates. If anyone could bet, it would be that Sasuke learned that trait from the copy ninja himself.
Kakashi moved forward to stand where the Hokage stood previously. He stood at attention and looked past the crowd at the mountain where the faces of the Hokage's stood back looking over the village. Kakashi showed no sign of happiness to an outsider, but to those that knew him personally could see his mask smirk.
"Next, I give you a girl who has surpassed all of my own personal expectations. She was there when Sasuke himself gave her his left eye, and watched as his soul moved on to the other side. I give you, Sakura of the Haruno clan!"
An even greater applause erupted from the villagers. They all suspected that the girl was happy and this must be the reason why. They all chanted Sakura's name as the girl herself stepped forward and into the light.
Sakura chose to wear a headband like Naruto and Kakashi today. Her headband was tilted to the left to hide her eye and even though it was still green, the tomoe's still stayed where they were since her Mangekyo Sharingan had awoken. Sakura moved to Kakashi's left side and stood straight with a slight smile on her face. She looked down and saw her mother smiling up at her and knew that she'd give Sasuke one heck of a sight, seeing her life pass before her.
"Finally, I give you Sasuke's pseudo brother, one who had befriended Sasuke since their academy days. He saved Sasuke when he was kidnapped from Orochimaru and brought him home to his village. He defeated the leader of the Akatsuki on his own. To you, the village of Konoha, I give you, Naruto Uzumaki!"
A slight applause appeared in the silence as most the villagers stared in awe as Naruto appeared on the balcony. Naruto for his part strode out of the shadows and stood to Kakashi's right. Sakura looked out of the corner of her right eye and saw with concern that Naruto's left hand was visibly shaking.
Sakura put her right and uninjured hand in a seal and a genjutsu chakra hand moved toward Naruto's before holding it gently. Sakura watched as Naruto sighed at the contact. He looked over briefly at Sakura and gave her a thankful smile to which was returned by Sakura.
Sakura smiled at what she had been able to do for Naruto. It was small, but Naruto had reminded her a couple nights ago that no matter what she did for him, it would always mean something to him. She would do anything for Naruto and that meant big and small deeds alike. After all, he'd said, he grew up with no reassurance at all. Sakura and Naruto were in bliss…until the shouting started.
Demon!
Murderer!
The ceremony became a shouting contest of which word could be heard louder. Sakura quickly looked over the crowd in shock before glancing back at Naruto. Naruto had placed his own mask of happiness on his entire persona. 'Oh No' She whimpered as she knew that Naruto was in deep pain.
Sakura watched as the elite Jounin all stepped forward as one and started to back the crowd up and away before a riot could break out. The trio turned around and marched back into the Hokage Tower. As soon as they were clear, Kakashi vanished as Sakura immediately pushed Naruto to the wall as she held him close.
"Sakura-Chan, I'm fine."
"Don't you dare lie to me, Naruto-Kun."
A single tear slid down Naruto's cheek as he looked down at his girlfriend of two months. They walked down the secret staircase to the main area till they reached the exit for the tower. They released each other's hand forcefully but stayed close together as they pushed the door opened.
Their jaws opened wide as a full on riot had appeared in front of them. Villagers were attacking the Jounin as they tried to gently prod them away without causing physical damage to them. All eyes swept to Naruto as he walked out and the door shut behind the secret couple.
Then all hell broke loose. The villagers all connected at one point and tried to pounce at and attack Naruto. A wall of earth appeared around Naruto and Sakura that was slanted upward and covered in spikes to keep the villagers from getting closer, but they had other thoughts in mind.
Sakura leaned into Naruto as they walked through the crowd to Naruto's house. About halfway through the plaza, something red and filled with juice connected with Naruto's head. A ripe tomato fell slowly down Naruto's face as he just walked on. More fruit followed and soon, Naruto was covered in it.
Sakura stayed beside him the whole time, her hand now in Naruto's for comfort and she'd never give a damn if the villagers thought different of her. Sakura looked ahead and saw the earthed wall ending and watched as the villagers surrounded the exit. Sakura knew she had to get Naruto away and take him someplace safe, and she knew of such a place.
Sakura pushed chakra into her legs before grabbing Naruto firmly and jumping over the villagers. She led herself and Naruto to the right, through an alley. The villagers followed them, now armed with rakes, swords, kunai, and whatever else they could get their hands on. Sakura turned down another right alleyway, then left, next a right again.
Sakura continued to turn right until she pushed Naruto in front of her and slid her arms around him. Naruto looked past her in worry for the villagers would surely find them. When none came, he finally started to relax and together, they slid down the wall behind Naruto and Sakura sat in Naruto's lap, her legs stretched out as she sat forward in Naruto's lap and she leaned back into him.
After a couple minutes, Sakura spoke quietly to Naruto.
"I used to hide here to escape the bullies when I was little. They never found me here."
"Saku-"
"I found this place after I met you on those swings…and then I thought… 'I found a safe haven'…now it will be ours okay?"
Naruto stared down in awe before a genuine smile appeared and he nodded. Sakura smiled before leaning into Naruto. They stayed like that for a long time.
After a couple hours of staying around their new safe haven, the couple walked out into the lower town and sighed as most of the rioting had ceased. They moved down the street slowly and at a very, what most would call romantic, pace. Sakura still had her hand intertwined with Naruto's and she didn't care for anything else as she snuggled into his shoulder.
The two slowed down further at the new smell that baked the area. Naruto and Sakura looked toward each other as the all too familiar scent came to them.
"Fire?" They both questioned.
They walked with a brisk pace toward the increasing scent. They turned the corner and there, before them, was Naruto's house, ablaze with smoldering ash and a small fire where his main bedroom used to be.
Well, tell me what you thought about it? Was it could? Should I continue this story? Review!
