12/15/12
A/N: Hello again! I know I promised to update sooner, and it's been exactly a month since my last update... but I have my reasons... My hard-drive died on me and I actually had typed up this entire chapter...but unfortunately, it was lost with everything else I had on it since 2009 :(. I'm really upset still, but I'm slowly trying to get over it and create more memories with new pictures and save things on external hard-drives too to prevent that from happening again...
Also, I finally used this past month to update myself with Naruto Shippuden on crunchyroll... and now I'm waiting for the new chapter in the manga next week! It's so ridiculously good, I cannot wait to read more ..
Anyways, I have been currently obsessed with NaruSaku and have had too many ideas of oneshots, so that's why I've been creating new stories instead of updating this one. It took a lot out of me to find the desire to re-write this, but I finally did. So without further ado, enjoy chapter 9!
Also please note, this story's pairing is SASUSAKU, no worries. The friendship that NaruSaku have is important, because Sasuke wasn't there for four years, but it's not romantic at all in this story. Also, NaruSasu friendship will be built back too in later chapters... I'm very sorry for the confusion. I can't say I like NaruHina, but for this story, I will have him with Hinata at points...not necessarily in a relationship though. I adore ShikaIno, so that will be more prominent and obvious in this story... but mainly the focus will be SasuSaku, especially after this chapter. Thank you.
The time period for this actually changed a bit from when I first started it... currently in the manga it's very different... But in my fic, it's after Sasuke kills Itachi and he leaves Orochimaru... Let's say for this fanfic, the Akatsuki work for Orochimaru instead of Tobi... And Konoha has not encountered them yet.
If needed reference...
::-::-::-::-:: Time breaks/Scene skips!
Italics/Regular – Flashbacks with regular text is a flashback in a flashback...hopefully that makes sense. (NEW: Italics with regular text can also be dream scenarios.)
And Italics/Bold used with regular text it stressing the point!
And BOLD in general is to emphasize.
OH! And Regular with Italics is used for thoughts.
I'm sure this sounds confusing, but you'll get it eventually.
::-::-::-::-::
Repetitive, I know...
Did I create Naruto?
Nooo.
Did I create this fanfiction?
Yesss.
:].
::-::-::-::-::
Retrogression
By: dark dreamerx
::-::-::-::-::
Chapter 9
(A little more action and plot development, hope you enjoy!)
"Sakura!"
Naruto's voice strained over the roaring wind.
His Kage Bunshin No Jutsu was beside him.
Manipulating hands.
Forming chakra.
Twisting, twirling, spinning.
Pooling blue energy.
That move.
He didn't want to use it on her.
Someone he cared a lot about...
But...
Pain seemed to be the only option.
Because he knew.
Sometimes words...
Never worked.
Rasengan...
Was the answer.
He widened his palm.
Fit as much chakra as possible.
Then it formed;
a ball.
Perfectly round.
Perfectly controlled.
Perfectly ready.
Naruto gritted teeth.
"Sakura,... Sakura-chan stop this!"
The words disappeared in the air.
The kunoichi held her ground.
Taijutsu pose.
To counter.
Oppose.
Fight.
Him.
Blue eyes fixated on green.
He had to get her back.
Even if he had to hurt her.
Break all her bones.
Exactly how he thought years ago...
When he'd fought Sasuke.
With everything.
Except hopefully,
this time...
It would be enough.
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
Then he charged at her.
Step step step step.
Running.
Picking up speed.
His teammate tightened her fist.
Blue chakra.
Smashed it into the floor.
Konoha's ground shook.
The cobblestone around Team Seven crumbled.
Huge cracks formed, splitting right into Naruto's feet.
"Kuso!"
He jumped, his Kage Bunshin mirroring his move.
I have to hit her with this, I can't miss!
Heavy dust surrounded the two.
Dirt, rocks, stone...
Mixed in.
Sakura darted her eyes.
Up, left, right, back, down.
No sign of him.
Where is he...?
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Suddenly arms grabbed her from behind.
Locked her in place.
Element of surprise.
Kunai dropped.
"Gah-!"
The kunoichi struggled against him.
Desperately trying to free herself.
But it was too late.
His grip held.
And then she saw a giant flash before her.
Two figures emerged from the dust.
Emerald eyes widened.
"RASENGAN!"
::-::-::-::-::
"He killed Itachi."
Her voice was solemn, observing Uzumaki Naruto's eyes.
Pupils dilated.
Wavering, shaking slightly...
until they fell upon his hands.
Clenching and unclenching.
The Hokage waited for him to speak,
her hands folded under her chin.
Just like before...
His head lowered.
Ruffled blonde tufts masked his eyes.
He spoke.
Voice unnatural;
tight.
"He...did?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
"What...about...?"
Tsunade answered him quickly.
Her eyes still on the boy before her.
Watching his figure.
His form...
The emotions emitting from him.
"No, he did not kill Orochimaru."
She paused.
Letting the information sink in gradually.
She took a breath and continued,
"But he made a deal."
The Jinchuurik's head shot up, startled.
Her words echoing into his eardrums.
"...W-What? What deal?"
Tsunade sighed, a hand now squeezing her eyebrows.
"He's strong... But he wasn't strong enough to defeat him."
Azure eyes blinked repeatedly,
then narrowed.
"He just wants our help?"
A low growl.
Cold.
Bitter.
Naruto's insides froze over a long time ago...
For that bastard.
"Yes, but—"
"THE FUCKING NERVE!" He screamed.
Body shot up.
Turned to leave.
Finish the job the Hokage couldn't do.
But she stopped him with her words.
Cut and dry.
"He will trick him, Naruto. Sasuke...wants to sacrifice himself."
He swallowed bile.
He just felt sick.
"He could have done that when he was still there!"
The boy was facing her again,
body trembling with rage.
She didn't blame him.
Truly.
But he wasn't comprehending the situation.
At all.
Nor was he trying.
"I'm gunna kill that bastard—!"
"NARUTO!"
Gold eyes flickered with authority.
Dismissive.
Naruto held his tongue in spite of himself.
The door flung open.
Four ANBU members infiltrated.
Ready to grab Naruto.
He stumbled back in shock.
Heart in his throat.
Ba-Bump.
Ba-Bump.
Ba-bump.
Unknown to him,
Tsunade held her hand up.
"No! It's alright. Leave us, please."
The ANBU hesitated.
Seconds.
Then, bowed deeply.
"Our apologies Hokage-sama,"
one murmured.
Then they disappeared.
The door closing quietly.
The Godaime bit her lip, frustrated.
"Naruto, if you don't listen to me quietly...I will not hesitate to throw your ass in the cell Sasuke was held! Got it?!"
He meekly nodded, sitting back down.
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
Her lips moved, speaking softly.
"Orochimaru wants me... Just like the last time."
Naruto's eyes widened.
Again.
She continued,
"Even in Sasuke's perfect body, the Sandaime's Shikifuhin would still affect him in the third year..."
Naruto listened intently.
Noiseless.
Gazing at her,
lost in thought.
"He plans to lead him here, still pretending to be on his side. He informed me as such and I've decided to trust him."
Naruto gaped.
"W-Wait! How can you trust him Baa-chan? What if he's just lying to you instead of Orochimaru?!"
"I've already discussed that. It's no such case."
The reckless ninja opened his mouth to say something...
Silence.
Nothing came out.
Tsunade shook her head.
Swallowing his words,
she regarded him gravely.
"Listen to me. Sasuke will sacrifice himself to destroy Orochimaru...with a forbidden jutsu he learned with the snake himself."
"H-How? Isn't Sasuke evil? Why did he come back...?"
Naruto's expression faltered.
He looked in pain,
clutching his stomach.
Gritted his teeth.
Shook his head back and forth.
Not understanding.
Questioning everything.
The Godaime stood up slowly.
"Sasuke was taught this jutsu to forbid anyone else from capturing him...but he learned a fault."
Her back faced Naruto,
looking out the window.
At Konoha.
At the village she must protect.
At the people she would die for...
Her heart hung heavy.
Noting the harsh situation,
this had left him in.
She took a breath.
"And with that fault... He will destroy himself and Orochimaru."
Silence.
Silence.
Silence.
"We must, no—will, cooperate Naruto. I already tried to suggest other methods, but he wouldn't have it... He said, 'I want Naruto and Sakura to live...that's all.'..."
The reflection of him was enough for her.
He was pissed.
Naruto's limbs quivered,
his fists growing paler.
The blood ceasing.
His skin tight.
"If he never came back, we'd be living just fine... He thinks sacrificing himself is going to change anything 'ttebayo...?"
A whisper.
Filled with venom.
His breaths ragged,
forcing oxygen.
"Naruto... he doesn't care for forgiveness. He has changed, but... there's something inside him that will not allow you two to die, for his sake..."
"If he thinks he's doing us a favor,"
he growled.
"He's completely mistaken."
Tsunade sighed again, turning to face her disciple's friend.
"Naruto. This is what will be, I am the Hokage of Konoha and it was the best option to guarantee our safety... No... The whole Shinobi's safety."
"Why...?"
He seethed,
his gaze at her darkening with every second.
"Because if Orochimaru possesses Sasuke's body with healed arms... there will be a fourth world war. Do you want that, Naruto?"
Blood trickled from his hands,
finger-nails digging into skin.
No answer.
I'm sorry Naruto... but this is the truth.
Tsunade resumed her speech, growing tired of the conversation.
"Sakura could die. Kakashi, Iruka... all of your comrades... We are not violent people... But we also cannot allow the whole world to be obliterated because of one person... One 'Konoha' shinobi."
Naruto's head hurt.
Mind was spinning.
Racing.
Throwing kicks and punches.
Pounding his brain.
Into frail lumps.
"And Naruto... if this were to happen, Orochimaru would come for you next. He wants your Kyuubi."
Grave words.
No hesitation, no joke.
Naruto paled.
He.. wants me...too?
His exterior shook again,
his breaths unsteady.
Am I hyperventilating?
His vision started blurring.
Images in and out.
He heard Tsunade's voice,
but it was so low...
Felt his body fall forward.
The pull of gravity.
And then...
everything went black.
::-::-::-::-::
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
"Tsunade-sama?!"
The brunette's horrified look met determined eyes.
Through gritted teeth she answered,
"I know! He will live! Even if she tried to mastermind me, I will figure it out!"
A memory had enraptured her...
She shook it off.
This is different.
This is real.
Wires latched themselves onto his skin,
cuts and blood covered his body.
Naruto...
What did she do to you?
Why?
"Tsunade-sama!"
Shizune was panicking,
the monitor's drone growing louder.
Gold eyes re-focused on the boy in front of her.
His heart stopping.
"KUSO!"
The Godaime's hands ripped whatever fabric was left.
Through the orange, the black, to skin...
Her fingertips pressed against his exposed chest.
His body burned.
She winced.
I can't give up...
Even if I die, he has to live...
Sakura...
How could you do this?
"Shizune! Get the room prepared!"
Tsunade's voice was firm, steady/
"We have to extract the poison, but first, we have to force the Kyuubi out enough to heal Naruto before..."
Shizune nodded, and disappeared.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz,
bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Other medic ninjas appeared seconds later.
Took hold of the bed.
Rolled the body out.
Screeching wheels.
Screaming orders.
Tsunade's heels clicked,
sprinting after them.
There was no time left.
If she couldn't successfully do this...
Naruto would die.
::-::-::-::-::
"Sasuke! Go now!"
Tsunade screamed.
Already established the un-sealing jutsu.
His comrade already on the floor,
in the middle of fifteen medic ninjas...
No, maybe more.
Purple chakra everywhere,
everyone concentrating.
A box encircling them,
hands in identical seals.
Eyes straight, focused...
on his first friend.
Sasuke couldn't lie to himself.
He was in shock.
How did he find him like that?
What did she do to him?
Was she really that mental?
To go that far?
Put him in that state...
He was going to die.
Unless Tsunade was as renowned as he'd heard...
Naruto would definitely die.
"SASUKE PLEASE!"
It was a cry.
Her cry.
Dark eyes met gold ones.
He couldn't decipher the emotion behind them.
But he knew she could read his.
"Go! Bring her back! She can't be trusted like this..."
She added soft words, after a long pause...
He could read her lips, his Sharingan activated.
"He will live... just like you wanted him to."
The Uchiha nodded once, understanding.
And then he was gone...
A/N: And the flashback of Sasuke finding Naruto will be in the next chapter! Which I actually am writing now, and hopefully will upload tonight... Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! And chapter 10 will definitely be more exciting, I promise!
An honest thank you to all those who have continued to read this story over the years... whether you are in the shadows, or did leave a kind review. Thank you very much :).
-darkdreamerx