Hey there! Sorry about not updating in so long but I had to get a laptop and in order to get that I had to get a job, then there was the process of programming my laptop then my personal life got in the way so that kind of set me back with my depression and all but I'm back and hopefully better than before so please enjoy this chapter
Italics are thoughts
Bold is Jutsu
Underlined bold are things that need emphasis
And italic bold is inner Kari
"All the things I really like are immoral, illegal or fattening." –Alexander Woollcroft
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto but I wish I owned Itachi
Chapter 29
Homecoming
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura and Kakashi were training near a small pond with a small brook feeding into it. Naruto tried the Rasengan again and began to pant heavily.
"Naruto…you should take a break." Sakura said while standing on the water.
"I…can't." Naruto responded.
"Naruto take 30 minutes then try again, you need to give your body a break." Kakashi ordered. Naruto grudgingly listened. "Well now that you can stand on the water, try to spar."
"Yes sir." Both genin responded.
Tsunade and Shizune were sitting at a vendor when Jiraiya walked in. "I knew I'd find you here."
"Get lost." Tsunade muttered.
"Now now no reason to be cold, I know you're happy to see me." Jiraiya answered.
"Master Jiraiya." Shizune greeted him.
"Shizune." He nodded. "Do you mind leaving the two of us alone for a bit? It's been a while since we've sat down together."
Shizune nodded and left, 'I think I'll go see Kari.' And she continued walking.
"Well, I have to say I'm surprised that you still have that necklace after all these years, I thought you would have gambled it a long time ago. But I guess it's all you have to remember them by." Jiraiya paused, "Is he on your mind?"
"What do you mean?" Tsunade asked.
"Naruto."
"Not really."
"I dunno, taking on a kid like that, he probably won't be able to master that jutsu in a week and you know it. Not much of a wager." Jiraiya said, "I only have one more thing to say. Just remember the Hokage before us and all they've done for Konohagakure, it's only thanks to them that the village is the way. They dreamed for the village to prosper, and to try and achieve that dream they died for it. The village needs you Tsunade, will you let that dream die and make their sacrifices meaningless? I'm only saying this, could you do such a thing?"
"It has nothing to do with me anymore." Tsunade simply replied.
"To feel nothing when those closest to him die is no different than a butcher. I know you aren't like that. No one cared more about Konohagakure more deeply. I remember that morning-"
"Okay! Enough with the lecture!!" Tsunade snapped. "That damn kid! And Kari…why did you have to bring them here?"
"Kari came here by her own free will, as soon as I said your name there was no stopping her."
"But why that kid?!" Tsunade moaned.
"Hmm they're quite similar; they must be close to the same age."
"It's not jus that…" Tsunade said as a memory entered her mind, "they're more alike than you realize."
Naruto was panting by a tree, "No way…I'm completely out of gas!" he panted.
"Dobe…" Sasuke muttered walking up to him. "Can you walk?"
"Sasuke-teme if I could I'd run over there and beat your face in!" Naruto hollered.
"Then I guess I'm leaving you here then."
"Wait! I'm sorry!"
"Tsk." He began to help Naruto back. No sooner did they close the door to their room they both fell asleep on the floor. Kakashi made sure to take a picture for his scrap book and to show Itachi.
Tsunade was playing at the slots as everything everyone said went through her mind. She was thinking it over carefully but didn't make a decision. She spent the day going from casino to casino until about 7:00 pm. She then went to see how Naruto was doing. After he collapsed she went to another casino.
Naruto trained and trained until finally he collapsed. Shizune was informed of Naruto's position by Tsunade and was ordered to bring him back to the hotel. Shizune bright him to his room and began to clean him up. Sakura walked in and immediately began to freak out.
"Argh that Naruto! Always overworking himself and doing himself injury! God he can be so stupid!" Sakura began.
"Hmm…" Shizune muttered.
Tsunade came in half an hour later.
"How is he doing?" Tsunade asked.
"He passed out from exhaustion; his right hand is severely burned by concentrated chakra." Shizune answered.
"He's out of it, he probably won't wake up for 2 days at the earliest. Well…Jiraiya was right about me, to think I've stooped so low to bet against a kid…hah! What am I getting so torn up about, it's his problem not mine." Tsunade sighed.
Shizune remained silent; there was a knock on the door so she went to answer it. Itachi was on the other side and he was quickly let in. "Thanks." Itachi said to Shizune, he went to the bathroom and shut the door. The women all left.
Tsunade went back on the balcony to brood with her thoughts. 'Godaime huh?' She shifted her position, she was aware of the Akatsuki and their goals and how Konohagakure would be in danger. 'I would rather be the one thing I despise and protect what meant so much to those two then let some simpleton control Konoha and let it fall…but do I…really despise Hokage? I love the village…and Hokage never took anything away…Dan…and Noaki wanted to be Hokage but maybe I can live their dream for them.' "Alright…Jiraiya…you win." She whispered softly.
"Tsunade-sama…" Kari asked opening the balcony door so that she could step outside.
"I'll do it."
"Huh? Oh! Really?!" Kari asked walking over.
"Yeah." Tsunade smiled.
"Great!" Kari cheered, "Better you than some numbskull like Jiraiya."
"Yeah…" Tsunade agreed, Kari had a big grin on her face.
"Well then we'll leave tomorrow after your bet with Naruto." Kari said walking back inside. Tsunade followed her in.
Shizune was standing over Naruto and removed the bandages on his face and his right hand. Naruto began to toss and turn and moan in his sleep. Shizune stepped back in confusion and to top it off Naruto shot up out of the bed roaring, "THAT'S IT!!"
"Dobe…" Sasuke muttered. Naruto bounded out of bed and thwacked Sasuke then did a super hero pose on his bed.
"It's time…to get gama back…" Naruto said seriously before getting football tackled by Sasuke. Shizune was beside herself in laughter and only half-heartedly tried to separate them. (AN: haha I modified a line from one of my ex's videos. It was about where his friend gets kidnapped and he has to save him, if you have time…search up "A Heigh Kidnap" on youtube see what you get :D)
Kakashi stepped in, "Guys…" and they both stopped…as if by magic!
"Oi Shizune-san!?" Naruto asked "Where's the old hag?"
"She's waiting for you where you were training. So…does this mean you've got the jutsu down?" She asked.
Naruto sweat-dropped but quickly said, "Er…no but I have a plan I never tried yet so I'm just going to wing it and hope that it works."
Shizune giggled, "Well good luck to you Naruto."
"Yeap! Thanks!" and Naruto was out the door. Shizune left with Kari, Sasuke and Itachi after Naruto. They all made it into the clearing Kakashi was helping Sakura with the finer points of their training.
"So kid, you gonna wow me with your skill?" Tsunade yawned.
"You betcha granny Tsunade!" Naruto answered pushing all his doubts to the back of his mind. He formed the shadow clone sign and formed one clone. The others watched this in their confusion. Naruto's clone then began to mold Naruto's chakra to the rasengan, when it was large enough he unleashed it into the only tree left standing. It broke the tree from its trunk and the tree flew in the air rotating it until it smacked into the mountain wall. There was silence; even Naruto was amazed that it worked.
'Wow I never would have expected him to get that far, now the only thing left that he has to master is keeping the chakra in his hand without the assistance of a clone.' Tsunade thought while undoing her necklace. "Naruto." Tsunade called.
"Huh? What is it old lady?" Naruto answered.
An anger mark appeared on Tsunade's head as she tried to ignore the comment. "You know…you might actually have what it takes to be a half decent Hokage. I lost my bet…so here's my necklace, take care of it." She clipped it on his neck. "And if you call me old one more time I swear that the necklace will kill you.
Naruto chuckled weakly as he fingered the gem.
"Well…shall we go?" Kakashi asked.
"Yes." Tsunade answered. They were soon on heir way. It was a quiet trip until…
"Naruto! You're so gross!" Sakura screeched.
Naruto looked around confused "What? How am I gross?!" he grimaced "THAT WAS NOT ME!"
"What are you talk-god that's nasty!" Kari yelled holding her nose.
Jiraiya meanwhile just laughed since he was in the rear and was out of danger.
Kakasi was skeptical and was replaying the whole scenario in his head. I don't know why but that was what he was doing. So far his analysis told him that the fart smelled like it came from someone who ate fairly healthy, this ruled out Naruto cause all the kid ate was ramen.
Where Kakashi was speculating Itachi knew the answer. After living with the kid for 8 years he knew Sasuke's brand fairly well (not that he intentionally smelt his brother's farts but if you have a sibling you'll know what I'm talking about.)
'I won't rat you out this time but next time you won't be so lucky…' Itachi thought to himself.
Sasuke was a really good actor so he just didn't say anything and walked on with a grimace on his face.
Tsunade in her old age lost her sense of smell in that moment so she lucked out. Shizune was too far away with Jiraiya.
Pretty soon they were entering a village, it was fairly close to nightfall and there was a report of renegade bandits in the area so they didn't risk going out.
"Aww come on! We can take on a bunch of bandits!" Naruto cried in exasperation.
"We probably could, but it wouldn't be a good idea considering our group, there's lots of room for error." Kakashi answered.
"This old man's beat, you may be young but I'm getting stiff and arthritic." Jiraiya commented.
"Arthritic my ass…" Kari snickered.
"Alright, but the point is I'm beat…" Jiraiya laughed.
"Hey hey! I just thought of something! If you live to be 105 at least you won't have peer pressure." Naruto randomly spouted out.
There was silence then…
"Oh! I get it! Haha that's greatness!" Kari continued to laugh.
There was more silence…
"I'm going to the casino…" Tsunade muttered.
"Tsunade! All that's left is your life savings!" Shizune cried.
"Screw life savings! Once I'm Hokage I'll be making and have 10 000x more than what's in there!" Tsunade yelled back then quickly ran off into the casino giggling like a 5 year old.
"Some things never change…" Jiraiya sighed.
"Sakura! Come! A hot bath awaits! Shizune you too!" Shizune and Sakura were dragged away.
That just left Jiraiya, Kakashi, Itachi, Naruto and Sasuke.
"Hmm…lets find a tavern!" Jiraiya suggested.
Kakashi never looked up from his book "I second that motion!" his voice reeked of enthusiasm.
Itachi just glanced at Naruto and Sasuke then shrugged his shoulders….very slightly "I suppose."
"Yeah!" Naruto shouted "FOOD!" Sasuke remained silent, so off they went in search of a tavern. After searching for a long time for a tavern that didn't have strippers they finally found one, it served alcohol but it wasn't like they were going to go sit up at the bar and order Sasuke and Naruto drinks. They ordered some food and a round of sake. It was silent while they enjoyed their meal.
"So…who's paying?" Jiraiya asked slyly. Everyone remained silent.
"My, for being a Sannin you should have quite a fortune; tell me…did you spend it all on women and sake? It'd be quite typical of you Jiraiya-sama." Itachi commented.
"I did not spend it all on women and booze and to prove it I'll pay!" Jiraiya yelled.
Sasuke looked at Itachi with a gleam of adoration in his eye; Itachi had always been the master of mind games.
"Sure you did Ero-Sannin!" Naruto cried out.
"Naruto…you're lucky you're my student…of sorts…and you're lucky you're an Uchiha and that you're marrying my niece." Jiraiya muttered "Or else I'd beat you both then make you pay."
"What time is it?" Sasuke asked to change the subject.
"10:30." Kakashi answered.
"30 more minutes!" Naruto pleaded.
"I'm not finished…" Sasuke added.
Meanwhile…
The three girls were submerged in hot water and laid there enjoying the water. Soon Sakura began to wash herself, same with Shizune. Kari just laid there and never moved.
"Do you think she's dead?" Sakura asked.
"Let's prod her with a loofa on a stick!" Shizune said excitedly. So they got a loofa on a stick and began to prod Kari. She moaned a little bit. They started on her neck where she just swatted it away.
"No…not tonight…please Itachi…I'm too tired…" Kari muttered.
Sakura and Shizune were failing miserably at keeping in their laughter. Kari began to stir and slowly began to open her eyes.
"Sakura-chan, Shizune-chan…why are you guys looking so evil and holding a loofa on a stick?" Kari asked drowsily.
Shizune began to scrub herself with the loofa and Sakura put on a motherly face, "You fell asleep, you were probably just dreaming, come on and get washed so we can hopefully be asleep when the guys come back." Sakura led Kari out of the deeper water. Soon they finished bathing and were fooling around in the water. Soon they finished bathing and were fooling around in the water.
"How much money do you think Tsunade's gambled away?" Sakura asked while lazily floating around in the water.
Kari and Shizune glanced at eachother "All the money she has." They answered at the same time.
"It's kind of a waste, gambling, it's all based on luck and probability and it's rare when you get the right odds at the right time." Sakura mused.
"It's an adult thing…what some crazy adults do…they can't help themselves." Kari commented.
"Um…I'm sorry to interrupt but…we close in 15 minutes so…could you please finish up?" the male attendant asked.
"EEK!" Sakura cried and ducked underwater.
Kari turned to face the man, her chest showing in its glory "Of course, it would help if you got out so we could change." She said. The guy quickly ran out. "Jackass."
They all changed quickly lest the pervy man return. They left the bath house and went back to the hotel.
And then…
After talking about Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, Genjutsu, ninjas they've killed, hot babes they've seen, and exciting missions did they realize it was 11:30.
"Oh damn it! Time flies when you're having fun…" Jiraiya commented.
Itachi and Sasuke were already out of the tavern. The others followed, Kakashi bringing up the rear reading his book.
Luckily for them Tsunade had checked into the hotel, but checked into a group room because it would be cheaper, unfortunately…
"It's kind of small…" Sakura commented.
"If we all scrunched up we'd probably be able to fit…" Shizune commented.
"Well…once everyone gets here we'll probably be able to see how we will be able to fit everyone into the room. Tsunade came in, her facial expression was blank as she sat herself in the middle of the room.
"Tsunade-sama…don't you think this room is a bit small?" Kari asked.
"It's the biggest one they had. I think with some organizing we can fit everyone in." Tsunade said in an airy tone.
"Well I'll just set up in the corner…" Kari yawned, very wiped out from the day.
It wasn't that much later when the guys came back, "Hmm…" Kakashi pondered, "Team 7 and I take one corner." And they began to set up. Jiraiya took one corner below team 7 but because of his effects he took up half the room. Tsunade took the last corner. This left Shizune and Itachi.
"You can have the middle." Itachi whispered and inclined his head to her as he made for the small, very uncomfortable space in between Kari and Sasuke.
Shizune quickly set up and went to sleep. None of them rally woke up until noon, which was really surprising, but it didn't matter because they'd be in Konohagakure sometime that evening.
It was a pretty silent walk even with 9 people and one pig. Everyone had their own things to think about. They only stopped twice for lunch and a rest period.
"We just made it…" Jiraiya showed them all the food packs were empty.
"Wow, yeah." Naruto answered.
"Nature would have plenty to offer in emergency, mosses, berries, birds, squirrels, bunnies, if we're lucky a deer…" Kari rambled.
Sakura looked horrified, "Bunny rabbits and squirrels?! That's so cruel!"
"Well…when its life or starve to death…them squirrels start to look mighty tasty…" Kari's eyes fogged over and Itachi smirked at a far off memory.
"One day you'll be in that situation, whether you like it or not." Kakashi advised his student.
"I wonder if you could transform a squirrel into ramen?" Naruto pondered.
The others decided to ignore the comment except…for…
"Probably the looks, not taste." Sasuke answered
"Then I shall find a way to make a squirrel taste like ramen!" Naruto made his vow.
"You know what I feel like having? Gyouza." Kari commented.
"Yes." Itachi answered.
"I can see the gates." Shizune informed.
"I wonder how Kisame and Deidara have been doing…" Kari pondered.
"We'll probably be living in a cardboard box, maybe a crate if we're lucky." Sasuke answered.
"There's another 15 minutes before we're at the gates." Jiraiya called.
Everyone was fairly silent the rest of the way, their own problems and thoughts floating around in their heads. When they approached the gates the watchmen bowed their heads. When they entered the village the elders Kohaku and Homura were waiting in the town square.
'Have they been standing there the whole time?' Kari asked herself. 'Probably…' those two gave both sides of Kari the creeps.
"Well me and Shizune are with them, see you around." Tsunade and Shizune left. The remaining people continued walking.
"Sakura and I have to go this way. Training is in 3 days." After exchanging goodbyes the remaining people continued on their way. Naruto went to his apartment and Jiraiya retreated to the springs leaving Itachi, Sasuke and Kari to the Uchiha district. Luck was on their side as their house appeared to be in one piece. Itachi knocked on the door and an overjoyed Kisame answered it followed by an extremely happy Deidara.
"Thank the heavens your back! I don't know what I would have done if I would have had to wait another day!" Kisame cried, tears of happiness flowed from his face.
Deidara meanwhile almost took out Kari with a bone breaking hug. "Kari-chan! I'm so glad you're back un! Kisame was so mean to me! He beat me up and touched my no-no parts un! And made me do his share of his chores un!"
Kari just rolled her eyes when Deidara wasn't looking and walked into the house to find it clean…in fact it was a little too clean, which meant that something definitely happened, 'But…as long as everything was in better condition when it started I have no problems with it.'
Sasuke sighed not knowing how to take this.
Pretty soon they all collapsed from the exhaustion that the past week brought.
END!!
Sorry about not updating for so long, I have way less time then I did 2 years ago…now I got a job and stuff so I get worn out and stuff, I find myself sleeping a lot :') but yeah I'm trying to update as much as possible well anywayz please review it'd be appreciated I'll try to update soon
Sakura Sama 101 signing off.
