Last time on Naruto: Bound by Tails

Naruto manages to save Ino and Sasuke from Gaara and even beat Sasuke during the chunin exams. Sasuke seems to have a look in his eyes that sends chills down Naruto's spine. Sasuke's curse mark seems to be acting up and getting stronger but Naruto doesn't hesitate to subdue him. Sasuke confused Naruto with Itachi and lashed out. Ino and Naruto KISSED! 3

Now

Rain falling as heavy as the tears of those around the grave of their late Hokage. Sadness evident as a great friend of Hiruzen's gave a speech about him and his younger years. Danzo even gave a speech about how Hiruzen was a great man and that he had brought peace through war, only to die in another battle. Naruto could have sworn Danzo's gaze was solidly focused on him but he didn't want to say anything about it.

Jiraiya of the Sannin gave a speech about Orochimaru and he was focused on keeping Danzo from jumping into the Hokage's seat. After the funeral Naruto stuck around and stared at the late Hokage's grave with a blank cold stare. "Gramps…" He muttered. "It seems like that man is solely responsible for everything bad that's happened to those around me." Naruto said. "This weird ass mark on Sasuke's neck, the Massacre of Ino's clan, even your death… I swear on your grave, on my grandfather." Naruto said and his look turned into a determined glare.

Naruto then turned and walked away. Jiraiya watched him walk away with concerned eyes, before his sensei had died he wanted Naruto to be taught by the sage. "This is a good opportunity… I shouldn't let it go to waste." Jiraiya said and he frowned. "I can't let that scumbag Danzo get a hold on him." He then walked off in the direction that Naruto lived in.

Naruto walked into his home that he shared with Ino and he saw her on the couch crying. Naruto sat next to her and pulled her into a soft hug. Her eyes widened. "Naruto?" He nodded and he pulled her closer to himself.

"Ino… I-" The door was opened and an older man with white hair let himself in. He closed the door behind himself and he stopped abruptly at the sight of Naruto and Ino on the couch.

"Naruto Uzumaki! You are already a legend!" Naruto frowned and stood up, slowly unsheathing his sword. This man seemed to have an overwhelming presence, kind of like Orochimaru. "Put your sword away, I'm just here to talk. My name is Jiraiya the Gallant, I am the Toad Sage of Mt. Myoboku." Naruto's eyes widened. He was the old man's student? Naruto instantly sheathed his sword and knelt down on one knee.

"I apologize Lord Jiraiya." Naruto said and Jiraiya shook his head holding up his hand.

"Don't worry about it Naruto, I'm actually here for a reason, I would go but that Scar Faced bastard will nab the Hokage's hat if I do. I have a mission for you, Fox." Naruto nodded and he looked at Ino.

"Ino, I need to talk to this man alone, Classified information." Ino nodded and went into another room. Naruto nodded to him.

"Here is all the information I have on Tsunade, the Slug princess. You are to go to the place she was last spotted and find her. I don't care how, you just have to persuade her to come back to the village, she is to be taking the place of The Fifth." Naruto's eyes widened and he frowned. Soon after however he nodded and accepted the scroll. "Take this as well, this is the scroll that contains one of the fourth hokage's jutsu, take this and master it." Naruto stared at it for a moment. He was excited but he knew it was part of the mission. He took both scrolls.

"I managed to preserve and Anbu outfit for you, you have to create the mask using your chakra but you are temporary Anbu at this point so take this gear, get changed, and go. I will provide all necessary funding for the mission." Naruto nodded and took the last scroll.

He unraveled it and Jiraiya left.

Naruto got dressed in the traditional Anbu gear and he decided that he would mold the mask later after he became permanent or at least, joined Anbu. Ino walked into the room and Naruto smiled at her. "I have a mission Ino." He said and she frowned. "I can't tell you as it's classified intel but I can tell you that I'll be back. Love you~" He exaggerated the last part and she blushed, looking away. He grinned a toothy grin before his look turned serious.

"Be safe Naruto. I don't want to lose you." Ino said and he nodded.

"I wouldn't dream of it." He said and he walked out of the door before vanishing with a gust of wind and a single leaf. Ino felt herself tearing up but didn't know why, she really didn't want to see him leave but was that a real reason to cry?

"I wouldn't worry about him. Are you his Girlfriend?" Jiraiya asked and Ino jumped a bit. She shook her head.

"No… he's just a really close friend of mine…" She said and Jiraiya nodded. Ino turned toward him. "Are you hungry Jiraiya-Sama?" Ino asked and he tapped his chin for a moment before nodding with a large grin.

Sasuke growled from his hospital bed, he was in so much pain and he had just found out that Naruto was given a solo mission. He rubbed his temple and went to sit up. The door to his room slid open and a man with white hair red markings around his eyes walked in. He was wearing a white toga and black pants tucked into red sandals.

"Sasuke Uchiha. Lord Orochimaru is looking forward to you coming to him. Let us go." He said and Sasuke glared at him, scowl evident.

"You work for Orochimaru?" Sasuke asked and the man nodded.

"Yes. My name is Kimimaro and I am the holder of a special kekkei genkai that Lord Orochimaru unlocked for me. I am here to develop your seal on your neck and take you to Lord Orochimaru." Sasuke shook his head.

"Looks like we are going to have a problem then because I refuse." Kimimaro sighed and Sasuke's eyes widened as his skin turned a dark brown.

"I didn't want to have to use force but I will if I have to." Kimimaro's eyes widened as a curved kunai was placed at his neck.

"Step away from my student. Now." Kakashi said and Sasuke smirked. Kakashi burst into smoke as he was pierced with a large amount of bones that now protruded from Kimimaro's back.

"This is a pain, I have to warn Orochimaru that you are not being tainted by the mark." Kimimaro said and he turned around, vanishing just as Kakashi burst through the door.

"Who was that?" Kakashi asked and Sasuke shrugged.

"He said something about going to join him and Orochimaru." Sasuke said and he laid back down. Kakashi sighed and sheathed his kunai.

"I need to keep a better watch on this room." Kakashi said and he sat in a chair in the room. "Things are going to hell since Naruto left, it's taking all of Jiraiya-sama's will to stop Danzo from becoming Hokage." Kakashi said and Sasuke nodded. "I just hope he's okay, I have faith in his power but his mental state seems to be getting worse." Sasuke frowned and looked down.

He got a flashback of Itachi and growled. He then remembered just how much stronger Kimimaro had gotten with the use of his curse mark. Kakashi focused on his favorite book and Sasuke got lost in thought.

'If I go with that snake bastard then I get power, power is what I need to kill that bastard…' Sasuke thought and clenched his teeth. 'Itachi…'

That's a wrap? I think the chapters are going to be a little bit shorter but get more from one arc. Stop in for the next chapter and leave a review on this one.