If any of you have questions about Naruto's back and forth. He's dealing with a lot of ptsd and without the support of his friends like in the anime/manga it's really difficult for him, with the exception of Sakura. He's been through a lot of pain and self hatred.
I hope you enjoy.
Naruto smiled. "Sensei, I want to ask you. With the new council, I was wondering if they could accept Sasuke's offer and give me back my citizenship?" He asked smiling. "Please Sensei, I know Sasuke is in every day but maybe if you could listen to me?" He begged. Kakashi's eyes saddened looking at Naruto.
"Naruto Sasuke hasn't come to talk to us about your citizenship not once in five years since you've been back home. I'm sorry to break this news to you. We told Sasuke that when he was ready to relinquish it to you it would be accepted immediately. And he hasn't spoken a word of it since." Kakashi said frowning.
Naruto stood up quickly hands shaking in fists. "He's been lying to me every day of our lives together. What else could he be lying about...? Is he really on a mission today?" He asked tearing up.
"Yes he left about a half hour ago. He probably won't be back until tomorrow night or the next day." Kakashi said softly. "Naruto I'm sorry I didn't know."
"It's fine!" He shouted and paced back and forth. "I will be back with Sasuke either tomorrow night or in the morning. I am done living as a slave." He said upset and stormed out of the office. Kakashi sighed and looked at Sakura. "I don't know why Sasuke wouldn't let him have his citizenship. The war changed them both so much. I'm worried Sasuke might try to hurt Naruto, I want you to watch over Naruto until Sasuke releases his hold on him."
"Of course Sensei." She said and rushed out to find Naruto. A few minutes of searching she caught up with him at the hair dresser. Sakura relaxed as she walked over to him and gently touched his arm. "Naruto I'm here." She said smiling at him.
Naruto looked at her and looked at the mirror before frowning. "No I want it shorter please." He said not seeing the sad look in Sakura's eyes. It took several times of repeating before he got the length he desired. He tried to grab his hair but it just slipped through his fingers too short to grab. "Perfect." He said softly and paid for the hair cut. Sakura frowned watching him. "Don't even give me a pity look. I want it to be too short in case he gets mad."
"I'm not pitying you Naruto. I'm happy for you. This will be tough for the both of you but it will be what's best. I just want you to know I'm here for you. You're my brother, my best friend. What are you going to do once you are no longer a slave?"
"Get as far away from Sasuke as I can. The past five years have all been a lie. What am I saying our entire relationship is a lie..." He said softly. He looked down at his feet.
"Well whatever you decide to do, I support you Naruto. Now I think we should go and get some ramen. You probably haven't had it in a long time. Sasuke doesn't like to eat out, right?" Naruto nodded and smiled hugging her.
"Thank you Sakura that sounds perfect." He said smiling.
"I know." She chuckled and smiled holding out her arm for him to take. He gently took her arm and chuckled. "Now Naruto don't think this is a date alright now." She said sternly in a teasing manor.
"Oh I don't trust me." He said and looked around briefly worried this was a test from Sasuke. He bit his lip. 'This is Sakura she wouldn't do this.' He thought trying to relax.
"Hey...did I go too far? Naruto I'm sorry if I did hey focus on what's happening now." She said and relaxed seeing Naruto's breathing started to slow. "There we go we're almost at the shop." Naruto nodded and walked a little bit faster. "Let's go." He said pulling her to the shop. When they entered Naruto smiled Ichiraku's hadn't changed at all. He sat in his usual spot and smiled at Sakura.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to apologize. Just order whatever you want the first bowl is on me." She hummed.
Naruto smiled and ordered his usual with double the pork. He smiled and listened to Sakura as they talked about someone she had met at the hospital. He smiled trying to stay focused on Sakura he was struggling after awhile to keep it together. Sakura smiled. "We should get going. I think you need some alone time especially after your upsetting day."
"Can I stay at your place?" He asked biting his lip. He didn't want to head back to the empty house.
"Of course but I do have work in the morning so you'll have to leave when I do." Sakura said smiling.
"That's fine thank you." He said smiling and got out of his seat. As they were leaving they saw Shikamaru and Choji heading to go to the barbeque joint down the road. Naruto waved but instead of going to speak with them he headed off to Sakura's apartment. Sakura frowned and followed after him waving apologetically to the other two.
"Naruto are you having an episode?" Sakura asked.
"I'm trying not to sorry. I know I should have talked to them but I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep." He said softly.
"Let's just get home and you can rest." Sakura said softly. When they made it to her apartment, she unlocked the door, and turned on the lights. "You can sleep on the couch or I can set up a bed in my spare room?"
"Whatever is easier for you. I'll take the couch." He said and went to get the linen closet. He grabbed a pillow and a blanket. He walked over and laid down. "I'm sorry Sakura." He said biting his lip. "I always seem to drag you down into my problems."
"Hush don't be down on yourself. This time tomorrow you'll be a free citizen." Sakura said smiling. Naruto chuckled. "I think I'll have to fight Sasuke, his love is all about control." He said softly and shook his head. "I'll be free of this torment soon." He said and closed his eyes dreaming of all the things he would be allowed to do.
In the morning Naruto left with Sakura and gathered the courage to walk home. He looked at the home he had built with Sasuke and gently opened the wooden gate. he looked at the flowers that Sasuke had planted. He frowned and unlocked the front door. It had the Uchiha fan and the Uzumaki symbol painted on the walls in the entry way. He walked to his room heading up the stairs, and turned to the right. He got in the shower and changed into some clothes after drying off. He packed a bag putting away things he wanted to keep. He took the bag downstairs and set it by the door. He packed up his room things to sell and things to give away. When he was done he felt a lot better.
It was getting close to being nightfall. Naruto left Sasuke a note to meet at the Hokage's office, in case Sasuke had already seen Kakashi. He grabbed his two bags and the money he had gotten from the items he sold. Sakura smiled meeting him outside the office. "Are you ready? Sasuke was seen at the gate so he should be here any minute."
Naruto swallowed a deep pit suddenly forming in his stomach. "I've made up my mind I'm leaving him." He said. "Really nervous for some reason, but I can do this." They walked into the office and sat on one of the couches waiting. Kakashi had written up all of the paperwork needed to give Naruto his citizenship back. All the was needed was Sasuke's signature. Sasuke walked in a half hour later holding the note from Naruto.
"So you know." Sasuke said softly and sighed. "I won't sign it." He said glaring at Kakashi who started to grab the contract. Sasuke frowned. "Why did you cut all your hair off?" He asked.
Naruto ignored the question. "You will sign it. You lied to me Sasuke. I want my freedom or you will never touch me again." Naruto said angrily. "I will not be controlled and lied to. You said no lies. I held up my end but you...I can't trust you anymore. You promised to protect me, be honest, and be understanding. You swore to me but...Just give me my freedom." Naruto said frowning.
"I only did this so you wouldn't leave me. I couldn't lose you Naruto. Will you stay if I sign this?" He asked frowning.
"No I will go and not be trapped here. If you will give me my space I'll come back." Naruto said sadly. "If you would have been honest, given me back my freedom, I would have stayed." Sasuke frowned at him and walked over to the desk and signed it. He started to walk out. Naruto frowned. "The collar Sasuke." Sasuke turned and walked over. At first it looked like Sasuke was going to hit him, and Naruto flinched back. He barely felt the other take it off letting the collar drop to the floor. Naruto had squeezed his eyes shut and didn't know Sasuke was gone till the door slammed shut.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes and looked around confused. "He left without saying goodbye, but I'm free." He said sinking onto the couch. He started to cry tears of relief and smiled up at Sakura and Kakashi.
"Congratulations Naruto, you are now a citizen." Kakashi said smiling. "I wish I could give you the title you deserve." He said and stopped. "But you are still a ninja, a genin, but a ninja." He said with a small smirk and went to grab him a headband.
"No sensei, I am leaving, if I do come back I'll think about it. Thank you," He said and hugged Sakura. "Goodbye." Naruto said and picked up his bags.
"Can't we at least celebrate Naruto, please?" Sakura asked.
"I really just want to get on the road." Naruto said frowning.
"It will be better to leave in the morning it won't be as dangerous. There's still rouge ninja out that don't agree with the peace treaties we signed. Please just one night with team 7."
Naruto sighed. "Alright sensei but you're buying. Whatever we do." Kakashi chuckled and sighed.
"Of course. Let's get dinner and we can talk till they close. I'll even pay for a room at the inn Naruto." Kakashi said smiling. He grabbed a couple things and walked out with them locking the doors. Naruto couldn't help but smile. This reminded him of the times before Sasuke came home. They went to a more expensive place in town and he chuckled. "Planning on going bankrupt sensei?" Naruto chuckled.
Sakura smiled. "Don't bow out on us Sensei." She chuckled. They were seated and Naruto didn't order anything too expensive. He smiled as they talked and laughed till the restaurant closed. Sakura went home and Kakashi walked Naruto to the inn.
"Thank you for staying Naruto I hope to see you sooner than later." Kakashi said smiling and paid for a night for him. "In case I don't see you before you leave goodbye Naruto."
"Goodbye Sensei." He said softly and headed up to his room. He immediately searched the room, he relaxed and locked the door and the window. He got in bed and closed his eyes. He couldn't wait to leave in the morning. He sat up panicking. He relaxed seeing he wasn't at the old house. "It's not real. It was just a dream. Just because he's alive doesn't mean he still wants you. " He said rubbing his face sadly. He closed his eyes before getting up. He got changed and cleaned up before heading to the gate. He frowned having to show his paperwork to the guards at the gate who congratulated him.
Naruto nodded and waved goodbye quickly leaving the village. He started to run, not stopping till he had to stop to rest his legs. He closed his eyes chuckling, which soon turned manic. Slowly getting up after his little outburst, he started on not sure where he was going to go. He traveled many days enjoying just being free and able to walk freely.
It had been three weeks till he heard a rumor of a new hidden village one that was accepted by the other villages. He frowned and bit his lip listening in. He froze in his tracks hearing that the village had been created by Orochimaru. Naruto tried to ignore the rumors but then he saw some of these ninja at the inn he had been staying at. He stayed away but he had to it was still haunting him. He had to face the snake.
Gathering his courage Naruto approached them. "Excuse me I'd like to go to your village."
The woman in charge of their team scoffed. "Oh, and why are you so special we should drop what we're doing to help you?"
"I'm interested in seeing Orochimaru." He said firmly. "It's important."
The four of them laughed. "Important? Well I don't know I suppose a fee to help you out..."
"If I'm as sure as I think I am. Orochimaru will pay you handsomely if you reconnected us." Naruto said smiling.
"Listen, you're starting to get on my nerves." She said starting to pull out a kunai but Naruto was quicker and before she could touch her pouch he had his against her throat. "Who do you think you are?"
"Naruto Uzumaki." He said staring into her eyes. He smirked seeing her eyes widen.
"Team get your things we're escorting Uzumaki back to the village." She said and Naruto let her go. "Be back here in five or we're leaving without you."
Naruto nodded and went upstairs grabbing his things. He pulled on a cloak he wore during his travels pulling the hood up he went downstairs. "What's your name?" Naruto asked her.
"Makana." She said frowning. "Now hush no more questions." Her team arrived and she started walking. "Just follow us." Naruto nodded and they quietly made their way out of the town.