Here we go, Next chapter for you all. 2 More chapters of backed up stuff, then i'll be uploading what i'm actually writing at the moment...which will also mean the chapters will slow down
In the meantime Enjoy!
It was a dark room, barely lit that we find Nakashima lying on a table. Inoichi was preparing himself to perform a mind jutsu that would allow him to talk directly into Nakashima's mind. (A/N Think like a Mind meld from the Vulcan's In Star Trek) The jutsu would hopefully allow him to speak to Nakashima, and calm the boy down.
The Hokage had let him go home for the night, after Inoichi reassured him that Nakashima would be fine overnight.
He had high hopes that this would be a success, as Nakashima's clan relied on a strong mind. Very few of the Ninja population knew about Nakashima's clan status. The hokage, the clan heads, the Council a few Jounin and Iruka knew of his status. Mizuki had known, but when the man betrayed the village and stole a sacred scroll, the information was erased from his mind.
Inoichi, after having enough time to prepare, Flicked through some hand signs and placed his hand on Nakashima's forehead, but as he did Nakashima screamed. Inoichi ignored it and concentrated. "Ninja art: Mind speak Jutsu" he thought and closed his eys.
In Nakashima's world
Nakashima had been moved from one sacrificial table to the other, This table instead of having a Red glow every time he tried to channel Chakra, had a blue glow. There was a ghastly figure standing beside him , pointing something where it's hand should be on his face. He saw blood coming from a gash in his forehead.
"This is it…I'm dying, I'm going to the afterlife" Nakashima thought, then heard another voice in his head.
"Nakashima, Can you hear me?"The voice inside Nakashima's head spoke.
"Oh gods, Now im hearing myself talk in another voice!" Nakashima thought panicking.
"No, listen to me. My name is Inoichi Yamanaka., I am using a jutsu to allow me to project my own thoughts into your mind." Inoichi said.
"Okay, so your projecting your voice into my head. Jeez now I know im going crazy" Nakashima thought sadly.
"Your not going crazy. Please let me explain" Inoichi started but was cut off.
"NO! YOUR JUST TRYING TO TAKE MY SOUL! GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HEAD!" Nakashima yelled, forcing Inoichi out of his mind.
The Real World.
Inoichi jolted back, removing his hand quickly from the boy.
"Damn, he doesn't trust me" Inoichi muttered to himself, standing quietly.
The opening and closing of the door behind Inoichi made him turn around, to see the Hokage standing there.
"Progress.?" The Hokage asked
"Somewhat… I used the mind speak jutsu I spoke of earlier to project my thoughts into his. I was able to speak to the boy, but I couldn't gain his trust. His mind Believes that he is dead, and is running from people trying to take his soul." Inoichi reported.
"As far fetched as that is, it's understandable for a child to think that way after climbing out of there own grave." The Hokage said, thinking aloud somewhat.
"At this point, if he keeps ejecting me from his mind with force like he is doing, then it will do more harm than good." Inoichi said.
The old Hokage sighed. "I just wish there was someone in your clan that nakashima-" The old hokage started before is eyes went wide with realisation.
"What is it?" Inoichi asked.
"Would it be possible to teach the mind speaking Jutsu to your daughter?" The hokage asked.
"My daughter?" Inoichi asked confused.
"I remember something that Nakashima told me when he came to visit one day" The Hokage said.
Flashback time!
Nakashima was sitting in the Hokage's office. Naruto had been bailed up for some prank again, and Nakashima decided to go and keep the Old Kage company.
The two talked for a while, discussing various things. Until the hokage asked Nakashima something
"Nakashima, What is your goal in life? Your dream for the future?" The hokage asked with a smile.
"My dream? Well I have a few actually." Nakashima said.
"Oh? Mind sharing?" The Hokage asked.
"Well, there simple dreams really. The first is to clear all the hate in the village from Naruto. He really doesn't deserve it." Nakashima said sadly.
The Hokage sighed "Yes I agree with you there" He said solemnly
"The next, There's a few amazing streams I've heard of over in the east that I really want to fly fish." Nakashima said with a smile, causing the old man to chuckle.
"And the last?" He asked.
"Well, I want to settle down when I'm older with the girl I love, and have a family. Someone to teach right from wrong you know?" Nakashima said, looking at the ceiling.
"The girl you love huh? Somebody I know?" The Old kage asked, earning a laugh from Nakashima
"You moron, you know everybody in this damn village of course you know her." Nakashima said.
"I guess I do." The kage said chuckling back.
The two chucked for a bit, before Nakashima's voice went serious.
"Lord Hokage, Me and Naruto see you pretty much as a grandfather figure. I'd be more than happy to tell you who I love, But it's kind of personal to me. So is it alright if the ANBU can leave." Nakashima asked.
"How did you know the ANBU were there?" the Hokage asked surprised
Nakashima just scoffed. "Really? Your just going to sit here, with absolutely no protection. Like hell" Nakashima said.
The old Hokage stared for a moment, before he laughed loudly.
"Your too damn smart for your own good Nakashima" he said. Causing Nakashima to rub the back of his head and chuckle
"I can't really ask them to leave unless it's important." The Hokage said.
Nakashima nodded. "I understand. Then can I talk to them?" Nakashima asked.
The hokage nodded
Nakashima looked around the room. "I understand you all can't leave for something as trivial as this but..can you all promise me that you won't say anything?" Nakashima asked pleadingly.
There was silence for a few moments. "Come out and answer the boy" The old Kage said.
In a flash two Anbu members appeared in front of Nakashima. They were both girls, and that's all Nakashima could tell.
"We give you our word your secret wont leave here" one Anbu said. Causing Nakashima to smile.
"Thank you so much" Nakashima said bowing deeply, and the two ANBU disappeared.
"The girl I love is Ino Yamanaka." Nakashima said with a smile.
"Ah, yes I remember her. Very sweet young girl." The Hokage said.
"She has a kind heart, and I think" Nakashima said before he paused for a moment and looked down with a blush.
"I think she would let me cuddle her" Nakashima said vey quietly, but the Hokage heard it and smiled. Also both of the female ANBU were finding it very difficult to jump down and glomp the boy screaming "KAWAI!"
"She's smart, she's pretty, she's funny she's Everything to me!" Nakashima said then sat back and smiled.
"I hope you dreams come true Nakashima" The Hokage said.
"So do I" Nakashima said and then stood up "I should probably go get that idiot Naruto" Nakashima said. He then walked over to the door, then turned back.
"I trust all of you in this room, Unless it's a life or death situation, Please don't say anything" Nakashima said and then left quietly.
The hokage smiled. "That boy is much smarter than people give him credit for." The kage thought quietly.
Flash back end
The Hokage chuckled to himself at the memory.
"Lord hokage?" Inoichi asked, snapping the Hokage from his thoughts.
"Huh? Oh sorry, Like I was saying is it possible to teach it to her?" the Hokage asked.
"Yes it is. It's a simple jutsu, but there isn't a need for a genin to know it. Why do you ask?" Inoichi asked.
"I can't order you to make this a secret, but I'm asking you to keep this to yourself. Nakashima told me this because he trusts me." The Hokage said firmly.
Inoichi just looked at the man confused.
"Nakashima has been in love with your daughter for a very long time" The Hokage said.
Inoichi wasn't shocked, but he was surprised.
"I'm guessing this isn't just a childhood crush?" Inoichi asked.
"No it isn't" The Hokage said.
Inoichi just smiled. "I'll leave that for my daughter to figure out on her own, You have my word it wont leave this room. You think that if I can teach my daughter the technique he will trust her?" Inoichi asked.
"Yes, that's what im hoping." The Hokage said. He then snapped his fingers and an Anbu appeared in front of him.
"Go and get Ino Yamanaka and bring her here at once." The Hokage ordered, and the ANBU disappeared in a flash.
The Hokage then turned back to Inoichi "Ino doesn't need to know of his clan status." He said.
"Of course not" Inoichi replied and the ANBU returned with Ino by his side.
Ino's eyes were groggy and she was still wearing her pink pyjamas. She rubbed from sleep from her eyes and looked over at her father.
"Daddy? What's going on?" Ino asked tiredly,making her father smile. He leaned down on his knee and placed his hands on his daughter's shoulders.
"Ino honey, This is very important. Everything you see and hear tonight is not allowed to leave this room. It' an S ranked secret. Do you understand?" He said in a serious tone.
Ino was shocked, and a little bit scared. "O-of course daddy." She said in a timid voice, Somewhat unprepared for what was happening. Ino was a strong girl...When she was prepared.
"Alright, Firstly im going to teach you a Jutsu that I wasn't normally going to teach you. This jutsu is not for combat, but it is important because we need you to use it tonight to help someone." Inoichi said
Ino rubbed some more sleep from her eyes and nodded.
"This jutsu is called the Mind speak jutsu. It allows you to project your thoughts into another person. It does not allow you to control them, just to hear you. Do you understand?" Inoichi asked.
Ino gave a cute nod, and Inoichi went over the seals for the Jutsu with her. She tried it on her father himself, and after a couple of tries, was able to do it with ease.
Inoichi then took his daughter's hand and led her into where Nakashima was. As soon as she saw him she screamed.
"Daddy! I can see a ghost!" She yelled out, clutching her father in fear ,which was very unlike Ino… Must have been the sleepiness
Inoichi couldn't help but chuckle at this. "Don't worry Ino he's not a ghost. Nakashima isn't dead" He said reassuringly.
"Huh? But I was at his funeral" Ino said confused.
"The autopsy team lied about it, and he was buried alive. He had to climb out of his own grave." The Hokage said sadly, causing Ino to gasp loudly.
"what? Who would do that!" Ino asked.
"People who are confused" The old Kage said sadly, confusing Ino.
"Anyway, we believe that because he was in your class, he might be able to trust you." Inoichi said
"Why Couldn't you do it dad?" She asked.
"I tried. At this point in time, Nakashima's mind is making him believe that he is in a place between life and death. He thinks that everyone is out to get his soul." Inoichi explained. Inoichi then explained the rest of the situation to her.
"I understand. It's because of the trauma of having to climb out of his grave right?" Ino asked.
Inoichi just smiled "Yes that's exactly right." He said.
"And I'm guessing you wan't me to try and explain to him that what he is experiencing isn't real right?" Ino asked.
Inoichi couldn't be prouder of his daughter. "That's exactly right honey" He said with a smile.
"Alright, I'll do it... But um, what do I say?" She asked.
"Just try and gain his trust first. Make him believe it's you who's actually talking to him. Then try and calm him down and explain what happened to him." Inoichi answered.
"All right, I'll Try" Ino said bravely. She walked over to where Nakashima was lying, and flipped through the hand signs. She gently placed her hand on his forehead.
"Mind Speak Jutsu" She thought.
In Nakashima's World.
He didn't know how long she had been there, but amongst all the darkness, there was a white light. A spirit of a person. he watched her standing there talking to the demons. Maybe she was trying to get his soul? To take him to heaven?. To be honest the boy didn't know what to think in the world he was trapped in. If only he could see, then he could try to understand what the hell was happening to him.
The white "angel" As Nakashima decided to call her, stood there for a while, and then came over to where he was tied. Was she here to free him? He didn't know. All he knew that she felt calm, that he could trust her. When she floated over and placed her hand on his head, he relaxed.
The real world
Inoichi and the Hokage watched as Nakashima physically relaxed as Ino placed her hand on his fore head.
"He calmed down instantly, has she gained his trust already?" The Hokage asked aloud.
"I doubt it, my guess is that he recognised her somehow." Inoichi said, and the hokage nodded.
Nakashima's World
Nakashima was confused. The angel had her hand on his forehead, but nothing was happening.
"Is she judging my soul?" He thought, before another voice invaded his head.
"Nakashima, Can you hear me" The voice asked.
Nakashima smiled. Of course his angel had Ino's voice. The girl of his dreams would be the one to guide him to the other side.
"I can hear you my angel" Nakashima thought, a smile across his face.
Ino blushed at that, And she was sure her face was blushing as well.
"Uhm…It's Ino Nakashima." She said shyly.
"Of course it is. You're here to take me over right? To heaven?" He asked.
"Uhm..no im not, your not dead." Ino said
"So you're here to help me come back to life!" He asked excitedly.
She was about to try and explain that she wasn't an angel. But she thought about it for a moment, and decided that another approach would be a good idea.
"Nakashima What's the last thing you remember?" She asked
"Before the blackness?" He asked.
"Yeah" She answered
"Me Naruto,Sakura and Sasuke were at Wave. Naruto was home guarding the house, and Sasuke was out training. I was at the bridge fighting with Zabuza and the hunter ninja. I fought the Hunter ninja as best as I could, but in the end, I felt my limbs stop working my eyes getting heavy. I passed out and woke up to blackness.. I guess she killed me." He said, sadly at the end.
"How did the Hunter ninja kill you." Ino asked.
"With needles, lots of needles" Nakashima answered, a little confused. Why did his angel need to know about this? Surely she could have seen it when she judged his soul.
"Nakashima, Do you remember what happened to Zabuza the first time you fought him" Ino asked. Remembering what Sakura had told him about the mission.
"Well yea, The hunter ninja plugged him full of needles. We thought he was dead, but she just put him into a temporary death status." Nakashima said.
"The same thing happened to you Nakashima. The girl put you into a heavy temporary death state. Nobody could tell you were alive. You were bought home and given to a Autopsy team. They found you alive…but apparently they hate you or something and had you buried alive… Your mind is just playing tricks on you." Ino said.
Nakashima thought about it for a moment, thinking the possibilities over in his head. "Ino" If that's who it actually was, could be lying to him. And it could be another ploy to get his soul. But her voice sounded so calming, so…trustworthy? That he couldn't help but trust her.
"S..so if I am still alive, how come I can see nothing but black?" He asked.
"Do you remember a moment before the blackness, of waking up in the dark, forcing your way out of somewhere with dirt falling on top of you?" Ino asked, trying to visualise what it would be like to climb out of a grave.
"Yeah! I remember that. I thought I heard two kids screaming too!. Then I saw my gravestone in the blackness, and that's when all the evil soul catchy people were after me!." He said
Ino couldn't help but chuckle at that… "Evil soul catchy people?" She asked.
"Yeah..couldn't really think of a better way to describe them…" he said, mentally shrugging
"Anyway… that memory happened for real. The shock of seeing your gravestone made your mind visualise this world to deal with it." She explained
Nakashima thought about it. and it made sense, if he wasn't dead, and was buried alive, of course he'd freak out if he saw his own tombstone…. Who wouldn't
"So how do I get the hell out of here?" He asked, and his eyes went wide as he watched the light come back into the world.
Back in the real world A few minutes ago.
The hokage watched Nakashima's face go through various mixed emotions. Ino still stood beside him with her hand placed on his head.
"Do you think she is making any progress?" The Hokage asked.
"Nakashima forced me from his mind moments after I entered it. I believe she is." Inoichi said.
They watched for a few moments before Nakashima seemed to calm down entirely.
Ino opened her eyes and looked around.
"Ino?" Nakashima's voice called out.
She snapper her eyes down to his and looked at him "Nakashima?" She asked.
"I…I'm alive?" Nakashima sad in a quiet voice.
Ino reached and gently undid the restraints holding Nakashima.
"Yes Nakashima, your alive" she said with a smile, but then gasped as Nakashima threw his arms around her, and started crying into her shoulder.
She was dumbfounded as Nakashima cried into her shoulder fiercely, muttering out every now and then "I'm alive".
The Hokage and Inoichi looked at the two and smiled. Ino had fixed his mind, and the two watched happily as the boy cried into her shoulder, his eyes locked shut.
Ino looked around desperately, unsure how to handle the boy that was crying his eyes out in her arms. She tried her best to calm the boy, gently rubbing the back of his head and whispering soothing words into his ear. She sighed a breath of relief when he calmed down and simply sat there in her arms with his eyes shut. After a few moments, the boy became very heavy, and all Ino could do was guide him to the floor.
"Nakashima!" Ino yelled out, but then realised the boy had simply fallen asleep.
She gently run her fingers through the boy's long straight red hair. She wouldn't admit it, but something she had always wondered as a small child, was if Nakashima's red hair felt weird.
"Ino, we should probably get him to a bed somewhere." Inoichi said quietly.
Ino blushed madly. She had forgotten her father was in the room. "Um…I" She started before Inoichi cut her off
"It's okay honey" He said, making Ino sigh a breath of relief. "I approve of your new boyfriend" He finished with a smirk.
"DADDY!" Ino harshly whispered, glaring at her father, earning a chuckle from him.
"Anyway, the boy's most likely mentally exhausted. He needs to rest. Also, I wouldn't recommend letting him go home. Keep it quiet that he is alive for the time being." Inoichi said
Ino simply nodded, and the Hokage snapped his fingers, making a female ANBU appear in front of him.
"Take Nakashima somewhere safe and let him sleep. Nobody is to know of his presence until I speak with him tomorrow. Are we understood." The hokage ordered
"Yes lord Hokage." The Anbu replied with a nod, taking Nakashima and disappearing.
"Remember Ino, you are not to repeat anything you saw here" The hokage said, snapping his fingers ordering another ANBU in front of him.
Ino just nodded, and the Anbu took her away in a swirl of leaves.
The Hokage sighed, and the two men left exited the room.
With Sakura and Naruto
Naruto awoke with a small groan. He looked down to see Sakura peacefully lying on his chest. The boy smiled, he could get used to waking up with her like this.
Then a thought entered his head. Should two people Naruto's age be intimate like this? It wasn't like they were having sex or anything.
Naruto had to fight back a nosebleed at the thought. He was male after all, and he couldn't help but think of his girlfriend like that.
The boy shook the thoughts out of his head. They were way too young to consider it. But was it wrong for the two to be this close.
Naruto decided to go and ask the only other person he thought of as a mentor beside the Hokage. And that was Iruka. For now, he decided to simply enjoy his girlfriend's company.
"Things would be perfect now if Nakashima were still here" Naruto thought sadly
A few tears escaped the boy's eyes at the loss of his best friend. But he quickly wiped away the tears as he felt Sakura stir.
Naruto smiled and gently placed a kiss on the girl's lips. Sakura moaned slightly and deepened the kiss slightly.
When the two broke away, Sakura smiled "I could get used to a wake up like that." She said happily
"Expect it a lot more" Naruto said gently giving the girl another quick peck before he got out of bed, earning a shiver from Sakura at the loss of the warmth.
Naruto went gently over to the kitchen of his temporary apartment, and proceeded to make the two some breakfast.
Sakura just watched quietly with a smile as the boy made them some toast and tea. When the food was ready, Sakura gently got out of bed and sat down next to her boyfriend.
The two ate in silence, simply enjoying the meal, before Naruto broke the silence.
"Sakura..We need to talk" He said.
Sakura was shocked…Had she done something wrong? What did Naruto want to talk about? Was he breaking up with her? All these thoughts were running through her head, but her thoughts were cut off as Naruto gently took her hand.
"Sakura..I love you more than you could understand, I always have. And right now, Everything Is almost perfect. It would be completely perfect if Nakashima was here." Naruto said, looking down at the end of the sentence.
Sakura also lowered at the mention of her team-mate. It still hurt.
"But is this what you really want Sakura?" Naruto asked. Confusing the girl.
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked
"I mean that I don't want you to wake up one day and realise that you didn't love me… I wouldn't want you to have to go through that." Naruto. Said.
"Why do you thing that I wouldn't love you?" Sakura asked.
"Because….Because I know how hard it is to lose someone you care about, and how your heart can play tricks on you" Naruto said,
Sakura was..well…Angry "So you think my feelings for you are fake, is that it?" Sakura asked with a hint of venom to her voice.
"No sakura its just." He started before he was cut off again.
"Do you think that I would tell you I loved you so carelessly naruto!? Is that it?! That I'm just using you to deal with Nakashima's death!? How dare you Naruto Uzumaki!" Sakura yelled, causing Naruto to back away from her.
"Sakura please I" Naruto tried to say before Sakura cut him off again.
"Don't..Just don't Naruto! I can't Believe you would say something like that to me!" She said and stormed over to the door. When she got there, she felt arms circle her waist.
She turned to glare at Naruto, and the look of sorrow and despair on his face melted her anger to nothing.
"Sakura..i.i never men't it like that… I only wanted to make sure you were happy with me.. I.i don't deserve you.." Naruto said quietly , hugging the girl tightly, fearing she would disappear if he let go.
Sakura felt bad instantly for yelling at the boy. Still even now, all he wanted to do was make her happy. Even if it meant leaving. She realised just how lucky she was.
She turned to Naruto and kissed him deeply, pouring as much passion into the kiss as she possibly could. When she broke the kiss, she giggled at Naruto's dazed state.
"You silly boy, of course I love you. I had my doubts yes, but when I kissed you for the first time, I knew I loved you. And you do deserve me Naruto… You've never known a Woman's love all your life. Your scared..aren't you" She asked.
However Naruto was still somewhat dazed from the kiss. "Wow…" Was all he said, earning another giggle from Sakura. But after a few seconds he came to his senses and nodded.
"I'm scared Sakura..I'm scared I won't be good enough for you. That I will do the wrong thing and hurt you, or those bastard villagers will hurt you and it will be my fault." He said looking down, but Sakura gently lifted his head and made him look into her eyes.
"Naruto..I don't care what happens, and I know we are only young but..I will always love you, Ever since I kissed you, I've thought of nothing else." She said with a smile.
Naruto listened for any doubt in her voice, but heard none. Could he dare hope that she did love him?
"But what if I do something wrong? I" He started before Sakura put a finger to his lips.
"I'll just make sure you can't do anything to hurt me..okay?" Sakura said with a smile.
Naruto stared at her for a few moments, before he smiled. "Alright Sakura" He said.
"Now..I need to go out and get some food and…I also wan't to go and visit Ino…She was pretty upset when I told her about everything" Sakura said.
Naruto nodded, he remembered seeing Ino crying at Nakashima's funeral. He was surprised, But he remembered that Nakashima had won over her friendship, just like he had done with Sakura.
"Allright, I want to go and see Iruka anyway" Naruto said.
Sakura nodded, giving the boy a quick peck on the lips, before she turned and left the apartment.
Naruto fell to his knees. He had almost lost her there and then. He took a moment to gather himself, before he left to go seek out Advice from his older brother figure
And its done. I did add a bit to this as i Uploaded it, So...yeah Review please! It makes my day
Thank you to
DiranaTheRune
twolfe81
dukedkurifu gari
war sage
NIGHTANGEL2
The Crystal Gems
For your reviews so far! The Criticism and praise makes me want to keep writing.
Thanks guys!