Chapter 10: Troubled Mind, a Time for Resting

Meanwhile in Conreria.

Banjo was cleaning up his shop after Baraka's attack. Fox sat quietly in the corner nearby.

"I must say." Said Banjo as he cleaned up some rubble." That was really strange." He turned around to see Fox with his head hung towards the ground." Fox." Said Banjo as he stood up and looked at his friend." Why was that guy following you?" Fox stayed silent but glanced over to see Banjo staring at him waiting for an answer. Fox took a long sigh before answering. Then he turned and looked up at Banjo.

"I don't know." He replied. Then Fox took several steps towards the door." There are many things I don't know." Just then Banjo reached out his hand and touched Fox on the shoulder stopping him.

"Fox are you going to be alright?" he asked. Fox did not reply but simply shrugged Banjo's hand of him and walked forward out into the night. Then as he began to walk back to Great Fox it began to rain. But the weather did not trouble Fox.

Meanwhile at that time Falco and Rouge were just leaving the woods after their encounter with Baraka.

"Well that went terrible." Said Rouge as she walked along.

"Oh it wasn't that bad." Said Falco as he followed after her.

"We failed to get accomplish the mission." Told Rouge." And I got stuck with you for half the day, what else could be worse?"

"You could be stuck with me for a whole day." Said Falco in a sarcastic tone.

"That would be hell on earth." Groaned Rouge. Then she quickly turned and walked off in another direction.

"Where are you going?" asked Falco.

"Home." She said." And I'd advise you to do the same." She turned to leave but was stopped by Falco's voice saying

"Hey Rouge." She turned to face him." Thanks for bringing me along." Rouge shook her head.

"Hopefully we don't meet anytime soon Falco." She said. Then she turned and left. As he watched her go Falco brought his hands to his lips and blew her a kiss. Then he himself turned and left.

Later that night Fox and Falco both arrived home at Great Fox together. They stood before the door eyeing each other down, noticing the other's sloppy appearance.

"Long night?" asked Falco as he reached for the knob and turned it.

"Yea." Mumbled Fox. Then Falco pushed open the door and the two walked in.

"Well be happy." Said Falco." Because there's always tomorrow." The two walked into Great Fox and retired to their beds for the night. Falco of course went right to sleep but Fox was kept awake. He lay on his back with his arms crossed behind his head, with Krystal beside him his mind was racing with thoughts of his father and the creature he and Banjo fought earlier.

Meanwhile at that time on the leaf village.

Naruto's eyes began to open and the first thing he saw was a white ceiling. Looking around he noticed he was in a bed and his wounds had been treated. He sat up and looked out the window and there he saw a familiar sight. The woods, the fields, little rivers and houses, he was home. But then his mind began to race. He remembered the battle with ice ninja, Kiba Neji Choji and Shikamaru were there fighting as well. Then the last thing he could recall was the group of ninja hovering over him.

It was actually Kakashi and his group that had arrived on the scene. After the battle they'd picked him up and brought him back to the hospital, hence where he was now. He could hear the sound of yelling outside and down the hallway. But then he began to wonder. What became of the ninja they fought, and what happened to his own comrades. Had they been brought back to the village or had the worse happened.

But his questions were answered at that moment when the door opened and there stood Neji.

"So it wasn't a dream after all." Said Neji as the two walked into the room. They like Naruto had bandages all over their bodies.

"Neji." Said Naruto getting up to greet them struggling against the pain." It's does me good to see you alive." He stood up and they embraced each other, like long lost brothers." What happened?" asked Naruto." Where all the others? Are they alright?" The two began walking together out of Naruto's room and into the hallway.

"Choji had a deadly poison in his bloodstream." Told Neji." Lady Tsunade and Sakura are treating him now. Shikamaru's condition is far worse. Nearly every bone in his body is broken, they say even if he does live he may never walk again." The news kept going from bad to worse.

"And Kiba?"

"He is fine." Neji nodded." Like us his wounds were serious but once immediately cared for there was no danger." The two continued on their way down on the hall, looking ahead they could make out a familiar figure and a great white dog alongside him, but there were others as well.

There sat Kiba all bandaged up with one arm resting on Akamaru petting the hound but at his side sitting there was Hinata next to him resting on his shoulder while Tenten waited nearby.

At the sight of them coming closer a smile grew on his face and Kiba rose to his feet. Then he walked over and hugged Naruto. Despite his injuries he still hugged like a bear.

"I knew you'd make out against the pain." Groaned Naruto in Kiba's grip.

"What pain?" asked Kiba." I've had worse pain than this."

"Is that Naruto?" asked Tenten as she sat forward." So you were telling the truth." She and Hinata looked up as the three men walked over to them, though they'd seen better days. A small blush came over Hinata's face as she saw Naruto again after all this time. Kiba took his seat back next to Hinata, and Neji next to Tenten. Naruto sat himself down next to Hinata and across from Neji and Tenten

Naruto watched on as Tenten leaned up and kissed Neji then asking if he was alright in a soft voice. Looking over he saw Kiba and Hinata pressing their foreheads together with their hands locked together. The actions confused and shocked Naruto very much.

"Pardon my intrusion." He said to them. Neji and Tenten looked to him." But are you two um-"

"Dating?" asked Tenten. Naruto nodded his head the confusion of the whole situation taking him over."Yes." she replied. Naruto couldn't help but let out a chuckle after she answered.

"Damn." He said." And you two?" He asked turning to Kiba and Hinata. His friend had a sly smile on his face and shrugged his shoulders"No?" said Naruto in shock. Kiba nodded in reply while Hinata blushed redder than a rose. Then Naruto broke out into a hearty chuckle.

Just then all their attentions were turned to the emergency room doors opening up nearby.

Stumbling out was Choji being supported by Sakura and Tsunade.

Choji's male comrades rose from their spot to greet him, taking the burden away from Sakura as they helped Choji to a seat. Neji and Kiba put his arms over their backs and moved him while Naruto stood in awe at Sakura. The second she walked out he could only stare at her. She looked the same as they had when they were kids but she looked different somehow.

"How it go?" asked Kiba as to Sakura.

"Well." Said Sakura as she pushed her hair behind her ear." The poison was spreading fast threw his system, but luckily we were able to get it out before it did any damage."

"Thank you." Said Kiba as he reached out and touched her on the shoulder. Sakura was trapped in that moment for a while worshipping it, hoping it lasted forever. Then Kiba went away from her and over to Choji then Naruto stepped up.

"Sakura." He said greeting her with a smile on his face.

"Naruto." She said in a rather regular tone. Though she herself was surprised to see him standing there." So you really are back."

"Yep." Replied Naruto with a smile." And I'm here to stay."

"Well that's good." Said Sakura. Then she walked past him. Every instinct in Naruto's body told him to follow her but as he turned to do that he was approached by Tsunade.

"Naruto." She said." You've returned."

"Yea that seems to be a hot topic today." He replied as he tried to sneak around her and catch up with Sakura." Say why don't-"

"Naruto what happened?" asked Tsunade drawing his full attention back to her." Your friends here said you came across a group of ninjas." Naruto looked over at his friends who all looked at them.

"Came across, fought, and defeated." Said Naruto.

"Did you get their names or where they were from?" asked Tsunade.

"No." said Naruto.

"Sub-Zero." Said Kiba speaking up." That was my opponents name."

"Scorpion." Spoke Neji.

"Reptile." Added Choji.

"Well that takes care of three." Said Naruto turning to Tsunade." But as for where they were from we do not know."

"I don't think they were from around here." Spoke up Choji.

"But" Said Neji stepping up." They made their intentions clear. They plan to invade us and take over the village."

"Well we can't let that happen." Said Tenten.

"What is it we're going to do?" asked Choji as he looked up at Naruto.

"We should-" began Naruto.

"We should be prepared for when these invaders return." Said Tsunade showing her authority as Hokage to the young crowd." For now we have repelled their forces but they may return with more powerful ones." She looked around at all the ninja before her." So for the time being prepare yourselves for when the time comes to fight them again."

"There will be a time for fighting." Said Naruto." But now is a time for resting. How is Shikamaru?" He asked. Tsunade was silent for a moment perhaps as she though over the question.

"He is in critical condition." Tsunade answered." Ino's in there with him now, but we're not sure he'll make it through the night." That was a shock Naruto certainly wasn't expecting upon his return home and his face showed it.

Meanwhile in Corneria.

Shang Tsung had done as he was told. He'd written his letter and delivered it to Fox McCloud in the night. His magic made the strip very short.

He'd placed the note under the door, and then he silently disappeared during the night. Great Fox had not been hard for him to find, for many years ago James was in command of the very same ship and it was very familiar to Shang Tsung.

Falco was the first to awaken the next morning. He made his way from his room to the kitchen in hopes of a quick breakfast. But then as he walked across the floor he felt something odd, he looked down to see a sheet of paper sliding under his foot. Falco reached down to grab it and when he did he found it to be a letter. Falco a very curious fellow with little respect for others privacy opened it up and began to read it and when it did it surprised him.

At that moment Krystal woke up and when she did she found out that Fox wasn't next to her. Then she sat up and turned around to see Fox standing against the wall looking out the window. Something clearly had him upset as he starred off into the distance with his head rested against the wall.

Krystal rose from her place and came up behind him. She put both her arms around him and pressed her head against his back.

"What's troubling you?" she asked.

"Nothing." He replied slowly after several moments had passed.

"You're lying." She said as he moved around and stood next to him. Then she reached up and turned his face towards her." You can tell me anything." Fox looked down at her as his hands began to fumble around in his pockets, then he remembered what he was going to do before he got mixed up in all this father business.

"There is something." he said." That I have to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Krystal." He said taking her hand over his. Then he prepared to drop to one knee." Will you-"

Just then Falco bursted into the doorway." Yo Fox!" He called. Fox turned his head over to him with a look of great annoyance." You got a letter." Said Falco waving it around.

Fox turned back to Krystal and said "One moment." Then he walked over to Falco ripping the letter from his hands and then held it before his face and began to read. Then as he began to read his eyes bursted open with shock.

"What's it say?" asked Krystal as she noticed the unusual look on his face. Fox did not reply so Falco and Krystal looked over his shoulders and read with him.

It read: 'Dear Mr. McCloud,

I am writing to you to with some interesting knowledge. A Tournament will be held and should you choose to enter you may find someone from you're your past there.

Should you like to know more you'll meet us in ten days on the beach.'

The three readers read over the second line very carefully.

"Someone from you're past." Said Krystal." What do you think that could mean?"

"It's about his father." Said Falco as Fox stood there in silence.

"You think that could be possible?" asked Krystal." I mean isn't he-" But she stopped herself.

"Dead." Said Fox." I know."

"Fox are you really going to believe this?" asked Falco pointing to the paper.

"Up until a yesterday I thought he was still dead." Told Fox.

"What's going on?" asked Peppy as he entered the room.

"Fox's father is still alive." Said Falco turning to Peppy.

"Says who?" asked Peppy curiously.

"Says this letter." Said Fox. He walked up and handed it to Peppy." Does it say what we think is says?" Peppy took a moment to read it over and was just as shocked as everyone else was.

"It implies, but it could really be anyone." Said Peppy looking up at Fox." What are you thinking Fox?" he asked after observing the look on Fox's face. Fox walked past him and leaned onto the wall resting his arms on it.

"My future is surrounded in the blur that is my past. If this tournament can help me find out where I come from then I don't really have another choice. If he's still out there, if he's still alive I've got to find him." He looked around at everyone in the room and the shocked looks on their faces.

Meanwhile back in the leaf village.

It was certainly a dark moment for them all. This should have been a time for celebrating the return of Naruto. But instead they grieved for Shikamaru. Terribly hurt in his battle it was unknown if he would live.

Visiting hours at the hospital were over but nothing would keep these friends separated. So the night the four boys snuck in. But their own injuries hindered their stealth full objective. They tried to move as quickly and as quietly as they could but the groans of discomfort could be heard with each step.

"The Emergency rooms is just around the corner." Told Neji." Almost there." Not wanting to be separated from his friend any longer Naruto took the lead and the others followed.

They rounded the corner quickly but found an obstruction. There standing between them and the Emergency room doors was Sakura, one hand on her hip and in the other hand a set of keys. She was almost trampled as one by one the boys piled up before her. They looked her over and she looked at them, all managing genuine smiles when she did.

"What are you doing here?" She asked without delay.

"Um." Was the first answer she received and it came from Choji.

"My bandages are too tight!" Kiba shot out. Sakura gave a skeptical look to each and every one of them. Naruto however tried a different approach.

"Sakura please." He said putting his hands over her's." We must get in there. We must see Shikamaru." She looked at him quizzically, thinking the whole thing over. Naruto watched as she turned, put the key in the door and unlocked it." Thank you!" Naruto said to her as he walked inside.

"You owe me." She said aloud as each one of them walked through the door.

But they continued on their way and began looking in each room until their found their lost friend. Eventually they did, Choji opened the door to see Shikamaru lying in bed with Ino sleeping in the chair by his side. Choji called everyone to him and one by one they made their way into the room. But they stayed quiet, trying not to wake Ino.

"Hey, Shikamaru buddy!" whispered Choji. Shikamaru stirred in his sleep and when his eyes opened he saw his four friends standing over him. They all had smiles on their faces and looked happy to see him but Shikamaru felt dull and drowsy. With a groan he rolled over in bed and pulled the blanket over his head.

"Hey c'mon now. Is that anyone to greet your old pals?" snickered Choji. Shikamaru grumbled a reply. Kiba went over and ripped the blanket off him, exposing him.

"Get up lazy bones, we're going out!" He said as he began pushing Shikamaru.

"SHH!" everyone else silenced him. Everyone turned to see Ino still sleeping in the corner.

"C'mon." encouraged Naruto in a whisper." Let's go." Despite Shikamaru's sleepy protest he was carried out of the room on the back of Choji. Then the five friends set off and into the night. Later in the night Shikamaru began to walk himself but not without the use of a cane.

The spent the entire night they were showing Naruto around town, and he seemed in wonder of it all.

"It all looks so different." Said Naruto as he walked around the streets with his friend's right behind him." And yet I could walk it blindfolded."

"Naruto." Said Neji." What was your training like with Jirayia."

"Long and hard." Told Naruto." But I've learned a lot of new moves."

"Care to show us a few?" asked Choji.

"When the time comes." Replied Naruto.

"Where is the old man now?" asked Kiba.

"He told me my training was done and there was nothing else he could teach me." Said Naruto." So he sent me on my way home while he headed off to the Hidden Cloud Village."

"Naruto." Said Shikamaru as he came to Naruto's side." What are your plans for the future?"

"My plans?" asked Naruto. Shikamaru nodded. Naruto ran his hand threw his hair and mumbled a brief reply.

"Well?" asked Neji.

"I want to settle down and raise a family." Replied Naruto sheepishly.

"A family?" asked Choji." And who will be the lucky lady."

"Well um." Said Naruto with a sudden frog in his throat." And also I've got to after the Hokage position." He added quickly changing the topic of interest.

"That'll be hard to get at." Said Shikamaru.

"Well we can help you with that." Said Choji as he patted Naruto on the back.

"But it's not gonna be easy." Said Naruto.

"Nothing ever is." Replied Neji.

"What should we do about Sasuke?" asked Choji. A cold mood set over the group.

"I have a feeling we'll be seeing him again." Said Shikamaru.

"And we'll be ready when the time comes, to finish what we started." Said Neji. But then as he looked around he noticed Kiba wasn't with them." Where's Kiba?" said Naruto. The boys looked around but couldn't see him.

"There he is." Said Neji pointing him out. Kiba stood several feet behind him with Akamaru at his side. He stood with his eyes fixed on a large building before him.

"Kiba." Said Choji." What are you so fixed on?" The large man walked over and stood next to his friend. Kiba pointed it out to him and Choji looked up at it. Then the rest of the group came and looked with them.

"What are you thinking?" asked Shikamaru to Kiba.

"Just follow me." Said Kiba." I've got an idea." Then he walked forward into the building. Naruto quickly followed after followed by Choji and Shikamaru. Neji was left out there alone and was the last to give in and finally enter after giving a disapproving nod of his head.