Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
A/N: Well, I must say, I really liked how the last chapter had turned out. Thanks to all the people who kept encouraging me throughout my works. I thank you all! So, without further ado, here is the next chapter of my (hopefully) beloved story!
-Epilogue: Naruto's Leave-
"I love you too, Uzumaki Naruto… Please come back…" She let out a choked sob, rubbing her eyes furiously, only worsening the already bloodshot and puffy eyes. "Please, Naruto… I love you… I'm sorry…" She felt a warm hand on her shoulder, and looked up to find none other than a very hurt, both physically and emotionally, Umino Iruka, squatting down to be on the same level as Sakura. From what she saw, Sakura could make out dried trails of tears on the chunin's face. He tried to smile at her, but rather than encouraging the girl, the sadness behind the façade only made Sakura want to cry more. Unthinking, she threw herself into the arms of the chunin, sobbing into his vest.
The chunin simply said, "I miss him too, Sakura…" Soon, Kakashi appeared, hoisting a stunned Uchiha Sasuke over his shoulder, and Jiraiya, looking very tired and beat up.
"Let's… Let's go home…" The others nodded in agreement to the sennin's words, rising slowly. Sakura had pulled herself away from Iruka as he began to rise, and now was rising, dusting herself off, fighting desperately to wipe the tears away. Tired and beaten, the Konoha ninja began to slowly return to Konohagakure no Sato, dreading the bad news they bore for the Hokage…
……………
Two weeks after the failed retrieval mission…Sakura slowly opened her eyes, the dismal plitter-platter of the rain against her window only adding to her already depressed mood. She forced herself out of her bed, preparing for the grim training she would go through with her new sensei, Tsunade. The female sannin had agreed to teach Sakura medical ninjutsu. The reason behind it was very simple: Tsunade had felt that, in a way, the defection of the blonde had been partially her fault. Despite holding the boy near her heart as he reminded her of her own brother, Tsunade had paid him little heed, and was now wracked with guilt.
…
Sasuke was slowly walking down the wet pathway to the Hokage Tower, in deep thought over the loss of his friend.
'Dammit… I… I wasn't strong enough to bring him back… Sandaime-sama will train me… I will become stronger, and then I will bring back that idiot and beat the crap out of him… That dobe…'
Sasuke slowly opened the front doors, paying no attention to the greetings and salutations that came his way, grimly making his way to the training room. With each step, the boy grew more and more determined. Determined to get stronger, and determined to bring back his friend.
'Dwelling on the past will not help my training… Itachi… You are no longer important to me… I will no longer try to retie my past bonds. Instead, I will try to protect the bonds that I have discovered… Naruto… You'd better not die, you dobe…'
…
For two weeks now, the white-haired sennin had not gone 'researching', but instead, had spent that time diligently training himself.
'I… was too weak… I had grown careless… If only I had spent more of my time training instead of peeping… But now, none of that matters. Naruto… My student… you… I will bring you back, you brat… Until then, don't do anything to get yourself killed… Stupid brat…'
…
Despite the heavy rain, Hatake Kakashi was facing the stone memorial, reflecting on the failed mission. Unbeknownst to even himself, a single teardrop escaped his visible eye, and rolled down his mask.
'I… I'm sorry, Obito… This boy… Naruto… He was so much like you, now that I think about it… And I failed to save him, like I failed to save you… I… I truly don't deserve to be a jonin, Obito… I failed another of my comrades… Like you said, Obito… I… am worse than trash… I… do not deserve your Sharingan, Obito… If only you hadn't been such a damned fool, trying to be a hero… Obito… I'm sorry…'
…
Umino Iruka was quietly going through the blonde's apartment, having agreed to look after the room since the blonde's leave. When he had first entered, he wondered how anyone could live in this mess, piles of clothes all over the place, along with trash littering the floor… However, as the chunin continued to explore the boy's house, he began to notice a pattern. All the blonde's shirts had been messily dumped into one heap, all his pants in another… His socks and underwear were in another pile, and his jackets in a small pile by his bed. The trash, which at first seemed to be littering the floor, was actually a road of sorts. The wooden chopsticks on the floor surrounded the dirtier trash, such as empty ramen cups and old milk cartons, some empty, some still containing what was once milk. Iruka couldn't help but smile at the blonde's cleverness.
'Naruto… You truly are one of a kind…'When the tanned chunin made his way to the bed where the blonde had once slept, he found a note. Curious, he opened it. What he read filled him with a mixture of emotions. The note said:
To whoever is reading this: I'm sorry if I've caused you any pain. But you're probably happy that I left, since no one seems to care about me. I just hope that Iruka-sensei will understand… Please tell him I'm sorry, okay? I'm sure no one else will care, not even that damned Ero-sennin. He never seems to care about me or my training, and instead, goes on his dirty 'research' trips. And Kakashi-sensei… Although he did teach me some cool stuff, he seems to be spending more and more time with Sasuke and Sakura, and less and less with me. Sasuke. He… Tell him that no matter what, I will always consider him my brother, even if we're not related by blood or anything. He will probably laugh at me and call me weak, but please tell him that's how I truly feel. And… and Sakura… She's… Please tell her I (scribbled out). So, anyways, if you want, you can go ahead and have a party now, because the cursed carrier of the Kyubi no Yoko has left the village… Geez, I sound like a whiny twerp now that I read over what I wrote… I guess that Ero-sennin and the others were right after all… I (smeared by liquid… teardrop?) am a useless (smeared by more tear drops). (Smeared by teardrops again) really wanted to (smeared) and take the Chu-(smeared) but I gue-(smeared)… Tell Sakura (smeared) her…
-Uzumaki Naruto-Iruka was, in a way, glad, glad that Naruto had acknowledged him and his treatment of the boy. However, he was deeply disappointed that Naruto had failed to recognize Jiraiya and Kakashi, both who had deeply cared about the boy. He was relieved to see that Naruto hadn't left in cold blood (sort of), but rather, for the villagers… maybe. Also, Iruka felt touched by what the boy had wrote, even going as far as to call the Uchiha boy his brother… And Sakura… He had probably meant to write that he loved her… But that didn't matter, for it turned out that Naruto had told her that before he left. Iruka felt the hot liquids forming in his eyes, and was surprised. He… was crying… He thought that he had gotten that out of his system a week ago? But he didn't care… He was in the boy's room… He was being nostalgic… Of course he would cry… And in that room, alone, Iruka cried his eyes and heart out, grieving again for the loss of his little brother in all but blood.
…
"Naruto-san… First things first… Those clothes will have to go…"
"What? Why?" Naruto whined, hugging himself tightly, as if he didn't want his clothes to suddenly disappear from his body.
"They are too bright and flashy. They will attract unwanted attention… That is what we wish to avoid at all costs."
"But…"
"Please, Naruto-san. You may keep them if you wish, but-"
"Then do you want me to walk around naked? I didn't bring any different clothing!"
"No… We have brought a set of clothes for you… It may be a little big, but you will grow into them…" Itachi pulled out a simple black t-shirt, black pants, and a cloak similar to the ones he and Kisame were wearing. However, when Naruto picked up the shirt, he nearly fell over from the sheer weight of it.
"Wh-what the hell?" Naruto exclaimed, surprised.
"Heh. Those are special weighted clothes. They might be a bit heavy at first, but you'll soon grow into them," said Kisame, smirking at the blonde. When Naruto put the shirt and pants on, he could've sworn he was slowly sinking into the mud.
"Also," added Itachi, "We'll be traveling through very wet places, so you'll constantly need to release a set amount of chakra if-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know! Ero-sennin already taught me all that crap!" Naruto said, growing frustrated. He would release the amount required, but he was still sinking!
"Naruto-san… Do not forget to release extra chakra to compensate for the weighted clothes," Itachi said, interjecting Naruto's thoughts.
"Oh… Dammit!" Naruto said, getting mad at himself. How could he forget? Producing his foxy grin, Naruto concentrated the extra chakra and began to follow after Itachi and Kisame. The soft rain falling upon his shoulders, the padding of their feet barely touching the mud… It would be a long hard road ahead, but Naruto was ready… He was determined…
……………
"Sasuke-kun…" the soft voice said. The said boy turned around, not surprised to find the pink haired girl standing behind him. As he looked at her, he was aware of her emotions, and was overcome with sadness himself.
Softly, almost as if fearing to speak, the boy said, "Sakura… Let's go to Ichiraku… For Naruto…" The girl merely nodded slowly, showing no signs of cheering up. At one point, the girl would've done about anything to get the boy's attention… But now, after Naruto's leave, Sakura didn't know what she even wanted anymore.
"That… that sounds good, Sasuke-kun," Sakura said, adding the -kun suffix more out of habit than anything else.
…
The two genin could be seen in the small stand, slurping ramen slowly. The owner looked down on them with a disapproving look on his face.
"What's the matter, you two? Is it bad? Did I overcook the noodle? Maybe the broth is cold…"
"N-no! I-it's perfectly fine," Sakura said hurriedly, giving the chef a smile. However, there was some sort of sadness behind the smile…
"Eh… It's about that boy, Naruto, isn't it? I heard the news, too… Never woulda thought he'd be the one to betray us… Smart boy, he was… A bit dull at times, but smart all the same…" This only seemed to sadden the two genin seated at the bar. Noticing this, the old man hurriedly added, "B-but pay no heed to the ramblings of an old man! Y-you two enjoy your bowls!" And with that, the man hurriedly shuffled into the back room, doing whatever ramen store owners did in their back room.
"Sakura," said the raven haired boy, looking over at the pink haired girl, "You… you really like Naruto, don't you?" The girl merely responded by slowly nodding her head, the fake smile being replaced by a look of sadness and concern. "Hn. Don't worry, Sakura. If there's one thing I know about Naruto, it's that he can see through anyone and everyone… It's just that most of the times, he chooses not to. He knows what he's got himself into. If anything, he'll make them respect him. Heh. I should know…" He was awarded by a small, sad smile from the pink haired girl. She turned her head, looking into to the onyx eyes of the Uchiha with her jade green ones.
"Thank you, Sasuke-kun."
"Hn. Don't worry, Sakura. Someday, I'll bring back that idiot, even if I have to beat his head into the ground and drag his sorry ass back to Konoha… I'll still get him back."
"No," said the pink haired girl, her smile growing bigger, "We will bring him back… Together. And all who wish to come with us… We'll get back Naruto… kun…" Surprisingly, the Uchiha boy smiled. Not smirked, but smiled. Although filled with sadness, it was a smile all the same.
"Of course, Sakura… We will bring him back… Together…"
…
"Iruka… Don't worry. He's a bright kid. A bit bratty, but smart all the same. If anyone, you should know this. So stop being so damned down all the time, okay? Here's what, I'll even let you come to a research trip with me sometime next week, 'kay?"
Iruka let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head from side to side. "No… That's quite all right, Jiraiya-sama… But I understand what you mean. Naruto… I hope he will be safe until we can go get him back. How much time, Jiraiya-sama, before you will be ready?"
"I… I'm not sure, but give me about two years, not only me, but also Sakura and Sasuke. It'll be easier if they come along, and there will be less bloodshed that way."
"I… Yes, Jiraiya-sama."
"Now, are you sure you don't want to come on one of my research trips?"
"Hahaha. I… I'm quite sure, Jiraiya-sama."
"Well… your loss!"
……………
The Sandaime was sitting in his office, looking up at the four portraits of the four Hokage that had reigned over Konohagakure no Sato. He turned his head to the picture to the far right, a blonde man with spiky shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile. He was beaming down upon the now old man, whose face was worn more than ever from the constant stress ever since the attack upon Konohagakure on Sato by Orochimaru.
He let out a slow, long sigh, closing his eyes.
"Kazama Arashi… Yondaime Hokage-sama… I'm sorry… I've lost Naruto… to Akatsuki… The promise… I am sorry… Although broken now, I will reprimand it, Arashi… Please, forgive me… I will make sure he grows to be a powerful shinobi, just like his father… Naruto… Please be safe…"
……………
A/N: Well, that was a surprisingly short chapter. I wanted to elaborate more, but it gives you a basic understanding of what the characters went through after Naruto's leave. I'm not sure what I'll do with the plot line, whether I will go ahead with a time skip, or spend a few more chapters on Konoha's desperate attempt at trying to bring back Naruto… Please leave me a few comments, telling me what you think. Also, I will not elaborate on Naruto's training with Akatsuki, for that will be slowly revealed as the story goes by… Also, when I get around to actually installing Photoshop on my computer, I will scan several pictures I drew and will draw, depicting the changes of several of our heroes in the story… Maybe.