Avenger's Destiny Chapter 24: Homecoming, a naruto fanfic

Yosh! Back in October, as promised! Here's your long awaited chapter, and thanks a million to everyone who reviewed, you guys are the best!

Anyway, I have a question. If I want to publish this story into a book online, what kind of permission do I require and how do I get it? And if I really do get to publish this story into a book, would any of you buy it despite already having read the whole story?

Please tell me about that, okay!?

Now on with the story!

Chapter 24 : Homecoming

二十四：返回

"Aw, isn't that just cute…?"

A sudden, feminine voice rudely jolted Sakura and Sasuke awake, both whom had fallen asleep under the tree. They leapt apart when their eyes caught a certain smirking Hyuuga prodigy standing next to Tenten, who was grinning widely, her arm in a sling.

Sakura's face was flushed, while Sasuke had rearranged his features into his emotionless mask once again. Both said nothing, glaring at the two older shinobis before them.

"Did you really have to spy on us like that?" Sakura asked indignantly, her arms crossed.

Tenten laughed and took her friend by the arm. "We're not spying, Sakura-chan… it's not like the entire camp doesn't know that the two of you had fallen asleep together…"

Sakura glanced up sharply at her surroundings. Everyone in the camp, who had previously been watching the interesting exchange, immediately whipped back to their work, unsuccessfully trying to hide their laughter.

Sakura groaned while Sasuke rolled his eyes, grumbling under his breath. "Immature idiots,"

"Not like you're being very mature about this, Uchiha," Neji smirked. Sasuke's hand automatically twitched towards where is sword usually hung – only to grasp thin air.

Neji twirled Sasuke's confiscated sword with ease, watching the Uchiha fume, smiling inwardly. He feigned a questioning face. "What? I'm already doing you a favour by not tying you up,"

The vein throbbing in Sasuke's forehead was clearly visible now.

Tenten and Sakura sighed, exchanging glances. Somehow, they had expected this to happen sooner or later, Neji would never be able to resist baiting Sasuke.

"C'mon, let's leave the menfolk to their own petty fights – it's time to go home, and Ino's dying to know what happened," Tenten grinned.

"Not again," the pink-haired kunoichi sighed, turning to follow her friend to pack. On second thought, she called over her shoulder to the opaque-eyed prodigy and the Uchiha.

"Oi! Don't kill each other while we're gone, okay?" the cherry blossom grinned.

Both watched the girls disappear before glancing at each other, shrugging, and walking off in different directions.

N [In Konoha…

"Shizune!" Tsunade yelled at the top of her voice. "SHIZUNE!"

The blonde woman waved the scroll on which she had deciphered Sai's most recent update just moment's ago, as her assistant hurried into her office, clearly annoyed at having been dragged away from her work.

"What is it, Tsunade-sama?" a very hassled looking Shizune asked exasperatedly, plopping into one of the chairs facing the Hokage's desk without invitation. She was desperately wishing that Sakura would just appear out of thin air, and help her deal with the load of work that Tsunade had, as usual, neglected.

"They're coming back!" Tsunade could barely contain her excitement – completely out of character for the Godaime. "Sakura's coming back – and she's in one piece!"

"Of course she's in one piece," Shizune said crossly, standing up and starting to walk out. "She's your apprentice, isn't she? Now please get yourself together and act like a Hokage, Tsunade-sama, Kurenai wants to see you," her assistant reprimanded.

Tsunade rolled her eyes. Sometimes Shizune made her wonder just who was boss around here.

The crimson-eyed Jounin strode in, followed by Genma.

"I know they're almost home, Hokage-sama, but it's not the time to throw a party just yet," Kurenai got straight to the point, speaking tiredly. She hadn't gotten any sleep lately, and it was taking a toll on her. Yet, shinobi were trained this way. Missions came first, no matter what.

"Deidara and another new Akatsuki recruit named Seijin are here, right now, in Konoha," Genma told the Godaime calmly, his hands in his pockets.

"What?" Tsunade nearly fell out of her chair. "In Konoha? How - but Jiraya – never said anything about a new recruit - !"

"Jiraya-sama's in Hidden Rain now, gathering information there – we suspect that he hasn't heard about this new recruit yet," Kurenai said darkly. "And as for how they got in – Danzou struck a deal with them. Akatsuki is bargaining for the Haruno scrolls, plus the two jinchuuriki. The traitor wants Konoha for himself,"

"When I get my hands on him…" Tsunade muttered under her breath, her fist clenching tightly.

"We need instructions fast, Tsunade-sama," Genma told her firmly. "All else can wait. Deidara and Seijin request that Danzou attack the Rookie Nine team and retrieve the scrolls, so they are in immediate danger once they're within range of Konoha's gates. It is imperative that Akatsuki do not get the scrolls, isn't it?"

"We can't detain Danzou without more proof, the old hags 'advising' me love him too much," Tsunade scowled with distaste. "Who else is in your team, Kurenai?"

"Iruka, Kotetsu and Izumo,"

"I'll talk to the clan heads and see what agreement we can reach for them to help us," the Godaime Hokage spoke thoughtfully. "Meanwhile, station ANBU guards all around Konoha, and casually spread the word among Danzou's supporters that the team is returning tomorrow. We'll have to bait them, so make sure the team is well protected,"

Kurenai nodded.

"Genma, draw up a report on the new recruit Seijin and give it to me in another three hours. I want to know exactly what he looks like and what his apparent abilities are – Jiraya can elaborate on the rest," Tsunade turned to the other Jounin.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama," Genma acknowledged his task.

"I'll speak to the clan heads and get back to you latest by tomorrow, Kurenai. Gather your ANBU team," Tsunade's hands were clasped underneath her chin.

The office was silent for awhile. The crimson-eyed woman spoke quietly. "Akatsuki only needs the Nanabi and the Kyuubi to complete their set… and they've gone as far as to collaborate with one of our own… do you think… that this means…?"

Tsunade stood, turning to face her open window. She watched several kids playing ninja on the street below as their mothers called them in for dinner, she watched villagers greeting each other cheerfully as they passed. Everything she loved, everything important to her was here. Her beautiful face was once again heavily lined, her former excitement had given away to worry.

"Yes," the Hokage spoke slowly, closing her eyes.

"This means war,"

"Oi, teme."

Sasuke looked up from the tent he was packing and acknowledged Naruto's presence with a slight nod. The hyperactive blonde bent over to help the Uchiha.

"I wanted to ask your something," Naruto said as they both stood, Sasuke carrying the bundled tent over to the pile of backpacks

"Hn."

"About Orochimaru,"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't kill him yet?"

"No."

"Why?"

"I don't think that concerns you,"

"But he tried to take over your body, right?"

"Twice."

"And?"

"I resisted."

One look from Sasuke told Naruto that he had asked enough questions. He dropped the subject with a grin and went on packing silently.

"Hey, dobe," Sasuke suddenly spoke after several moments.

"Wait a sec – you're talking to me?" Naruto feigned dramatic surprise.

"No, I was just talking to this can of tuna," the Uchiha shot back sarcastically, tossing the aforementioned can into a pack.

"Never knew that you could talk to fish," Naruto grinned, and before Sasuke could retort, he continued. "So, what?"

"Sai," Sasuke motioned to the dark-haired teen standing some distance away, talking to Sakura. "What kind of person is he?"

"Oh," Naruto smirked, barely hiding his glee – a jealous Sasuke was priceless to watch. "He's got absolutely no social skills, like a certain someone I know…"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sasuke deadpanned, looking at Naruto threateningly.

"You know what I mean, teme," the jinchuuriki grinned mischievously. "Because you're such a wonderful social butterfly yourself…"

'Since when did the dobe acquire sarcasm?' the Uchiha thought vaguely. For some reason, the memory of Naruto accidentally 'kissing' him when they were in the Academy resurfaced. He shook his head to get rid of the image, and suddenly felt like throwing up.

Naruto, completely oblivious to Sasuke's lapse of attention, prattled on. "Anyway, Sai's gotten a lot better since Sakura-chan started trying to teach him social skills,"

He couldn't resist baiting Sasuke.

Sasuke subconsciously glared at the back of Sai's head – he was still talking to Sakura.

"You know, teme, it's okay to be jealous – after all, Sai is a lot better than you," Naruto tried to look nonchalant.

The Uchiha sent the blonde idiot a death glare, aiming a punch to his head.

"Shut your mouth, dobe, before I shut it permanently for you."

N [with Orochimaru…

Kabuto winced as yet another loud crash and the sound of something shattering could be heard from within the Snake Sannin's room.

Orochimaru was mad, he had been mad since he learned that the Leaf shinobis had managed to retrieve Sasuke. He'd been throwing things for three days now, and it seemed like he still wasn't finished venting his anger. The medic nin was pretty sure that if he even put a foot in there, he would be the next thing Orochimaru threw.

It wasn't as if the bastard hadn't already blamed the whole incident on him.

Kabuto sighed. He had no choice, his master had summoned him. Perhaps he should hand in his resignation and go into early retirement, Kabuto vaguely contemplated that option.

"Orochimaru-sama?" he adjusted his glasses and knocked tentatively.

The only reply was the sound of something else breaking.

Kabuto recklessly pushed open the door and walked inside.

"… that ungrateful, filthy little bloodsucker – "

CRASH. A vase shattered. Orochimaru had repeated this rant for three days, and honestly, Kabuto felt sick of hearing his pitiful whining.

"- came to me for power and walked away – "

Smash. The innocent little wooden chair in the corner split.

"- without paying the price!"

White feathers flew as Orochimaru ripped a pillow.

Kabuto blinked.

'This is gonna be another long day…'

Tsunade paced her office incessantly, numerous thoughts running through her mind – and for once, none of those thoughts were related to sake.

She glanced at the battered old clock on the wall. It'd been half and hour since she'd dispatched messengers to summon the clan leaders of Konoha for an emergency meeting, and she was getting impatient.

Her gaze fell upon the clutter on her office desk. Sakura had often admonished the older woman for having such an 'unrespectable' office, and even undertook the task of cleaning up every three days, but with the pink-haired kunoichi gone for nearly three weeks now… the entire office had fallen into disarray.

Yet two items remained in place upon her desk. A photograph, of Tsunade and Sakura, both grinning madly for some reason or another, and a porcelain bottle of special, winter-brewed sake that Sakura had bought for her teacher from the Village of Hidden Mist, when she'd been there on a mission. Tsunade hadn't touched it yet.

The blonde-haired Hokage smiled at the memory, barely registering the knock on her door.

"Tsunade-sama," Shizune's quiet voice sounded as the raven-haired woman stepped into the office.

"Send them in, Shizune," Tsunade straightened and stood behind her desk as the clan heads filed in, greeting and bowing to her respectfully. With a wave of her hand, the Godaime gestured for them to sit.

Tsunade looked around for a few moments to ascertain that everyone was present.

'Hyuuga… Yamanaka… Akimichi… Aburame… Nara… Inuzuka…' her hazel eyes scanned the room, nodding to Jiraya who had slipped in quietly at the last minute. Satisfied, the Godaime began to speak.

"Just recently, I sent out a team of eight Chunins and two Jounins to source out two scrolls, believed to be of the Haruno Clan's, and sought after by the Akatsuki. They were led by Hyuuga Neji and Nara Shikamaru, and the updates from them have revealed that they were successful in the objective of their mission. Hatake Kakashi, on the other hand, was sent on another S-class retrieval mission with Pakkun. The latter returned with additional information on Orochimaru, while I arranged for Kakashi to somehow meat our team of Chunins. They are now escorting Uchiha Sasuke back to Konoha,"

A slight murmur rippled through the room. Tsunade held up a hand for silence.

"The Uchiha is the least of our concerns right now. I have received information that Akatsuki is growing more ambitious and restless as the time passes… while one of our own has betrayed us,"

"And who might that be, Hokage-sama?" Hyuuga Hiashi asked calmly.

"The traitor is Danzou," Jiraya, who had been silent and standing in the far corner of the room, spoke up suddenly. "He has been meeting with up with an Akatsuki member known as Deidara as well as another new recruit named Seijin. They are collaborating – Akatsuki intends to obtain the Haruno scrolls, and in return, Danzou demands to be put in charge of Konoha,"

The atmosphere in the room tensed.

"Our spies have determined that Danzou plans to attack the team of shinobis due to return tomorrow, under pressure from Akatsuki to obtain the scrolls at whatever cost. Our team is not aware of this ambush and we cannot inform them in time without looking suspicious. They will be in danger, because hidden ninjas in our surrounding forest are often taken for our guards and not as enemies. Most of them, I believe, are your sons and daughters," Tsunade continued.

"Why can't we just arrest Danzou and have it done with?" Akimichi Chouza asked quietly.

"You know, as well as I do, that we will never convince the village elders of his guilt without proof, they favour him for his monetary donations and previous contributions to our village." The Hokage explained sharply. "I have stationed ANBU to capture Danzou's men in action tomorrow. But I need all of you to focus on a more pressing matter," she took a deep breath.

"Akatsuki, as you know, has spent the last few years capturing the jinchuuriki and extracting the Bijuu from them. They only require two more to complete the set – the Kyuubi, residing in Uzumaki Naruto, and the Nanabi, currently hosted by my apprentice, Haruno Sakura."

"Sakura – since when?" Yamanaka Inoichi let out an exclamation. He had know the kunoichi as his daughter's friend, and never once had he heard that –

"Too long a story to explain, and I refuse to divulge the details, but if it helps, she only became a jinchuuriki during this mission," Tsunade fought to keep the exasperation out of her voice. "But let me get to the point. Akatsuki's near completed collection of tailed-demons can mean only one thing for us. I need all of you to train your clan members harder, strengthen our walls and do everything in your power to ensure the safety of our village. We fight to protect all that we love, and I don't know what you think – but Naruto and Sakura are extremely important to me and to your children, because they are our friends and comrades. Never forget what our forefathers died for,"

There was pindrop silence all around. Tsunade closed her eyes, willing her tears not to fall.

"It can be a day, a month or a year, but war is approaching."

"Hey Genma…! I heard that the Rookie Nine are gonna return from their mission tomorrow!" Kotetsu made a show of being drunk, yelling at the top of his voice in the middle of Konoha's largest bar.

Genma had to admit, Kotetsu looked really convincing. Beside him, Anko was sprawled out on the bar counter, also looking drunk as she burped and laughed, fingering her drink. "Yea, and the Hokage's so damn happy…"

"Hey, shut it, both of you, that's supposed to be classified!" Genma played his part, hissing with a strained voice in a loud stage whisper.

The Jounin watched from the corner of his eye as the men at the next table got up hurriedly, paid and left. He knew that man. One of Danzou's lackeys.

Genma pretended to hoist both Kotetsu and Anko after paying for their drink, apologetically muttering to the barman about comrades getting drunk after missions. Receiving a sympathetic smile from the barman, he dragged both shinobis out rather unceremoniously until they reached ANBU headquarters. Once safely inside, Kotetsu and Anko dropped all pretense of being drunk.

"You think we did it?" Kotetsu asked Genma.

"Yeah. I think Danzou's man bought our act," Genma said thoughtfully. "We should be able to proceed with Kurenai's plan,"

"But that was fun!" Anko grinned, her usual self.

Genma rolled his eyes.

They were getting closer to home. Everyone seemed to move twice their usual speed, eager to return to familiar grounds, their thoughts on home.

All except for one person, that is. Uchiha Sasuke was trying to think of anything but Konoha and everyone in it.

Five years. Branded as a traitor. He was pretty sure that no one would be overjoyed to see him. Heck, he wasn't even sure if he wanted to go back.

Next to him, Sakura was chatting animatedly about how much Konoha had changed, the things she wanted to do when she got home, her patients at the hospital… Sasuke could sense that her smile was faked, her cheeriness was simply a mask to hide what she felt – how people would accept her as another jinchuuriki back in Konoha, but Sasuke was too preoccupied with his own troubles to take notice of her nervousness or her need to talk to someone. There was a slight pang of guilt in him, he was being selfish, but Sasuke brushed it off easily.

"Are you done talking?" the Uchiha snapped, irritated. Sakura's face fell ever so slightly – since when had she been able to hide her emotions this well? – but she quickly retreated with a sad smile.

"Yeah, it's okay if you don't want to listen."

The cherry blossom slowed down, her emerald eyes somehow haunting him. She was growing father away again… and it was his fault. He soon lost sight of her as she fell to the back of the group.

Naruto, who was travelling in front of Sasuke, glanced backward at him with a partly angry, partly reproachful look, somewhat mixed with annoyance and incredulity. Sasuke had a feeling that he was going to get a lecture when they got back to Konoha.

He tried to ignore Naruto.

"One word of advice, Sakura," Tenten smiled quietly as she leapt onto another branch, wobbling precariously as her arm in the sling failed to help her balance. She swore under her breath, before continuing the conversation. "Sasuke's not ready yet – talk to him when the initial problems are over, talk to Ino if you're having fashion issues, but talk to me if you've got real problems,"

Neji, who had been at the end of the group, caught up to the girls who were slowing down, and looked at Tenten enquiringly. The brown-haired girl motioned him forward, shaking her head to deter any further questions on his part. Finally catching on that this was a 'girl thing', the Hyuuga moved forward, indicating to them to catch up quickly.

Sakura tried to smile, but failed. "I – can't make him understand that right now, I need to talk to someone. I need to talk to get things out of my head because honestly, I'm scared about returning home with this," she glanced briefly at the mark the Nanabi's sealing within her had left.

"He's got other things to worry about, Sakura, other things that concern him more," Tenten said patiently, even though Sakura knew what she was about to say. "Like how he'll move on with life when he gets back to Konoha. You know his quest for revenge isn't over, and personally, I think the only reason he's following us back now is because he's sick of Orochimaru trying to take over his body – and also because there's likely nothing more that he can gain by staying with that bastard. Your problems are, from his point of view, little of his concern,"

"That sounds rather harsh," Sakura's voice was soft. She didn't want to think that Sasuke was returning home because he had nothing left to gain with Orochimaru. She wanted, very badly, to think that he was returning because he cared.

"Not everyone's like you, Sakura," Tenten laughed slightly, reading her friend's mind easily. "Yes, he's returning to Konoha for the sole reason of ditching Orochimaru, but I think he cares in a different way. He could've left for elsewhere, where he wouldn't be looked down upon like in Konoha, but he chose to return. That ought to mean something," the kunoichi tilted her head to a side. "Sometimes caring about a person doesn't mean prying into every aspect of that person's life, or trying to help them in every way. People need to learn to move on by themselves, there's only so much you can do. You've done your part in helping him, but he may not think that he needs to help you with some of your problems. You can't expect him to automatically care because he's been away for five years, whatever you and Naruto say, that bond has been severed, even if a little, and it will take time to build it back again," Tenten looked at Sakura seriously. "Maybe you should give him some time, try living your own life for a bit and let him live his. If you don't think he's interested to listen to what you're going through, you can always talk to me. Or stand alone, like the 'strong girl' you've become,"

The weapons mistress smiled as she said the last sentence, but she was alarmed to find that Sakura was about to cry.

"What if, Tenten – what if I'm just tired of being strong?" the pink-haired kunoichi asked softly in a choked voice, biting her lip to keep herself from crying.

"Tired… of being strong?" Tenten asked.

"This whole mission… changed my life in three weeks. Every single one of those things that I gained, the scrolls, the Nanabi, my kekkai genkai – every one of them is a responsibility! Before this mission, I wanted to get stronger, I tried so hard to achieve more things, to match up to my teammates – but now I'm not so sure anymore. It's so difficult when everyone relies on me for a solution, because they expect me to be able to solver everything just because I have sudden extra powers!" Sakura said exasperatedly, fighting to keep her voice down.

"It's like being a medic, Tenten," the cherry blossom spoke softly, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, her body on autopilot as she moved through the forest. "Everyone relies on me to heal their wounds, to cheer them up, to reassure them that everything will be okay; and they expect me to be able to heal myself, to get up myself when I've fallen,"

Sakura paused on the branch she was on, silent tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Everyone forgets that I'm only human, that sometimes, I need someone else to help me heal. That I feel what they can feel, that I'm not invincible no matter how strong I appear to be. I don't mind being strong, but I just can't handle everything alone,"

Tenten had stopped moving when Sakura halted on the branch she was standing on. "You're a really silly girl, you know that?" the kunoichi asked with a slight grin. "What are we? You know Naruto and I, along with all your friends, have never let you bear things alone. Sasuke will take time to learn about caring, and if he doesn't, I'm pretty sure Naruto will make him learn, at any rate,"

The weapons mistress tried to hug her friend, but swore again as she found that the sling was restricting her movement.

"Aah, screw the sling, my arm's perfectly fine," Tenten grumbled and ripped the material off before enveloping the half-laughing, half-crying Sakura in a warm hug, telling her in unspoken words that she was never alone.

"Almost home," Kakashi said, grinning at his only female student. "Can't wait to get my hands on Jiraya-sama's latest book,"

"I thought you said you were bored of it?" the cherry blossom enquired, rolling her eyes as she grinned back sheepishly. Some things never would change.

She'd managed to catch up with the team along with Tenten after her breakdown, hoping that no one had noticed, or would question, their absence. She was pretty sure that Asuma, Kakashi, Neji and Hinata would have seen them falling behind, but they didn't ask any questions and Sakura wasn't complaining.

At last, they could see it. The roofs of Konoha's buildings, reflecting the morning sunlight just beyond Konoha's gates in the distance. Home.

"Ichiraku Ramen, here I come!" Naruto hollered somewhere at the head of the group. Kakashi and Sakura exchanged amused glances, sighing if only a little. That was one thing that would never change.

Kakashi suddenly tensed and whipped out a kunai, yelling a warning and darting to Sakura's side as a black-clothed figure came bearing down on her, the glinting tip of a sword clearly visible.

"WATCH OUT!"

YESH!!!! Chapter 24 done at last:stretches: that sure was one long chapter to type…

Okay, sorry for making you guys wait so long for this! Really! So war is approaching and Konoha isn't exactly ready for it, and what's going to happen to our team of shinobis?? I'm not telling, deal with it.

Don't forget to answer this question:

So… until the next chapter!

Chapter 25: Pain

二十五：疼

Until next time, ja ne!

-Raven Ariana-