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Chapter 16 - Shinobi of the Leaf

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It's been a wonderful week. A week like no other.

Staring in the distance at the rice paddies, a hand shielding his eyes from the blinding sun, Naruto reflects on the past seven days. He's never been on family vacations before, but he's sure that's how it feels: in absolute bliss, shrouded in love, surrounded by people that matter. But it's now time to say goodbye, to turn his back on that small hamlet, on this magical week. And maybe that's why he feels so nostalgic. It has nothing to do with the peaceful streets he's leaving behind or the kindness of the villagers. It's all about the memories he built, the things he gained.

Naruto stretches his arms above his head and lets out a yawn.

"Careful, kid. You don't want to choke on one of those flies following you around."

The blond glances through his heavy eyelids at the old man sitting cross-legged at his feet. His long white hair is swaying under the breeze, and a smirk stretches on his lips, creating a wave of wrinkles on his painted skin. Naruto snorts and takes a seat by his side with a warmth in his belly that makes him giddy.

"Shut it, old geezer. I showered yesterday, just like you asked."

Jiraya laughs. "Took you long enough. You were repelling all the pretty ladies with your awful smell."

"Oi! It was the smell of hard work. Don't forget that!"

"Yeah, yeah," the man says, waving him off. "I'm certain Uchiha didn't need your sensei's plea to take a shower."

Naruto pouts and sends a glare towards the boy leaning against the shed. "Who cares? He probably didn't even sweat that much. I work harder."

Sasuke scoffs. "In your dreams, dead last." Naruto's eyes narrow when his teammate joins them on the grass, with a leg outstretched and another folded, his elbow hooked around his knee. The blond shifts his position to copy the other boy's posture and ignores Jiraya's mocking snort.

Naruto didn't get to see Sasuke a lot since the cave incident, so he's surprised when he takes in his teammate's appearance. His usual sleek black hair is poking in all directions, and the fact he's running his fingers through it every two seconds doesn't help in the matter. His pale skin looks even whiter than usual, and dark circles seem carved under his tired eyes. Naruto is about to voice his concern when Sasuke jerks his head around towards the rice paddies, one foot stomping the ground. "What's taking them so long?"

"Uh?" Naruto sends the boy a quizzical look. "Shouldn't you know what Kakashi's doing, anyway? You spent the entire week with him after all."

Naruto internally curses when he notices the tint of jealousy laced in his words. Sasuke's eyes shift to meet his gaze, and the blond braces himself for a scathing reply. "He was teaching me only because we have the same chakra nature. You know him; he always chooses the easiest way."

The blond blinks a few times, staring at his teammate, at a loss for words. Where are the insults? The look of superiority? The blatant hate and disdain? Naruto awaits them silently, his concern for the black-haired boy growing with each passing second.

"Anyway," Jiraya intervenes, "we all know he wasn't referring to Kakashi." His white, bushy eyebrows wiggle as his lips stretch into a suggestive smile. The two boys share a look, both wearing similar expressions of disgust, but Naruto's eyes suddenly narrow when he realizes his new teacher is probably right.

"Oi! Stay away from Sakura-chan," he says, an accusing finger directed towards the Uchiha.

"It's not like that, you moron."

"Yeah. Right." Naruto glares at his teammate, unconvinced, but Sasuke quickly drops his gaze to the ground and pulls on the grass between them.

"Whatever," Naruto hears him mumble.

"Sasuke, you alright?" When the Uchiha avoids his eyes and only shrugs in answer, Naruto casts a worried glance towards his sensei, who's now eyeing the black-haired boy with a pensive frown on his face. "I know you think I'm stupid," Naruto resumes. "But I can see something's wrong with you. Sakura-chan told me you didn't even visit once."

"You aren't any better. You went twice," Sasuke snaps, glaring through his dark locks.

Naruto pouts, silently agreeing to his teammate's remark.

"And how would you know that, Uchiha? Unless you were following Naruto around..."

The blond's eyes widen at Jiraya's words. "Or looking out for Sakura-chan!" He leans forward, his mouth ajar, trying to meet Sasuke's shifty eyes.

"It's not what you think," the black-haired boy answers, his ears burning red. "And who is this guy, anyway?"

Naruto scratches the back of his head and sneaks a glance at his sensei. The old man stares back at the Uchiha with his hands clasped around his knees, his eyes narrowed. A sheepish laugh escapes the blond's mouth, and he turns to his teammate again, ready to apologize for his sensei's awkward actions - that old geezer doesn't know how to behave - but freezes when he notices Sasuke's hand rubbing the new tattoo on his neck.

"Never mind him," he says with a dismissive wave of his hand. "And Sasuke, forget about Sakura-chan for a second. What's up with you? What's that all about?" He points to the Uchiha's neck and shifts closer.

"Nothing." Naruto huffs in annoyance and swats the boy's hand away to have a better look at the mark. "Don't stand so close to me, dumbass."

He sits back on his feet but refuses to let the matter go. "I saw you covered with black, ugly things, and you were totally out of it, I swear. You even hurt Sakura-chan, don't you remember?"

"Tch. Of course, I remember." Sasuke leans away from Naruto's scrutinizing stare and looks back at the white-haired man still eyeing him. "So, who is he?"

"Dammit, Sasuke!" Naruto grabs the black-haired boy by the collar. "Stop avoiding my questions."

"You're the one avoiding my questions. And I won't talk in front of a stranger, so drop it already." Sasuke tries to pull away, but Naruto only brings his face closer, their noses almost brushing. "He's my new sensei, Jiraya. And he already knows everything, thanks to Kakashi-sensei. I'm the only one out of the loop, dammit. Just tell me, Sasuke! Maybe I can help!"

The raven boy holds his stare, his chest heaving, eyes searching.

"I have a seal," he finally says. "Kind of like yours."

A sudden pain, then Naruto folds in two, a hand to his belly. When he realizes his teammate punched him, he glances up through teary eyes and notices the Uchiha has retreated to his previous spot, leaning against the shed with his hands in his pockets.

"Let him be," Jiraya says before leaning back in his hands to stare at the sky.

The blond boy nods reluctantly and copies his sensei's posture.

Yes, it's been a wonderful week. At least for Naruto.

In the past seven days, he met someone special, a father figure of some sort, and they bonded in a way he never thought possible. He also learned a new jutsu. An achievement that makes him proud of himself, with a contract that connects him to someone else - or rather something else. He's still not entirely sure about the toad thing, but he guesses it could be worst; it could be snakes… or slugs. And in the end, he sees all this as improvements, like roots that are slowly expanding, anchoring him.

And now, knowing that Sasuke is going through the same hardships as he does weirdly enhances his feeling of bliss. He knows he should worry, seeing his teammate struggling, acting in such a different way, but he doesn't. How could he, when they have each other?

The lonely vessel isn't so lonely anymore. And thanks to people like Team Seven and Jiraya, he feels like a person again, like he is more than just a Jinchuuriki, that he is also Uzumaki Naruto, shinobi of the Leaf.

"Guys!" Naruto jerks his head around upon hearing Sakura's calling. He sees her running towards them, a hand waving, her short hair bouncing around her heart-shaped face. She stops somewhere between her two teammates and sends them both an apologetic look. "Sorry, I'm late. It took me a while to say goodbye to everyone."

Everyone probably means all the nurses and doctors from the hospital, besides Bear and Mole, Naruto thinks while answering her with one of his cheery waves. He knows Sakura spent a lot of time with them during their last week in Hinode. Not that she had much choice, seeing that Kakashi forbid her to leave the building.

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan," he says, grinning. "We're still waiting on sensei, anyway."

"Oh," she answers, a hand to her heart. "Good." Then she plops on the ground with a heavy sigh. "Being bedridden didn't do my cardio any good."

"Then we'll help you get back in shape. Right, Sasuke?" Naruto turns to his teammate to find him intently scrutinizing the pinkette. "Oi, bastard! Don't look at Sakura-chan like that!"

The girl jumps at Naruto's yelling, then glances at the black-haired boy with blushing cheeks. "Sasuke-kun?"

"It's been over five days," he says, pushing himself off the wall and walking towards Sakura. When he stops only inches apart from her, Naruto gets up, his heart beating fast.

"What are you doing? Don't stand so close to her!"

Sasuke ignores him, only crosses his arms over his chest and leans forward into the girl's personal space with narrowed eyes. "Oi! I said -"

A gasp coming from Sakura's mouth interrupts him. "You're right," she says. "Oh my god, Sasuke-kun, you're right!"

She engulfs Sasuke in a tight hug, a giggle escaping her lips as she does. But what truly takes Naruto off guard is the Uchiha's arms closing around her and the sigh of relief escaping his mouth.

He hears Jiraya getting up but doesn't look back, cannot take his eyes away from that sickening sight. He feels a hand patting his head and swats it away absentmindedly.

"Guys?"

He realizes he's the one speaking when Sakura releases the black-haired boy to pivot towards him. "Naruto! Isn't it a wonderful day?" She runs towards him and circles her arms around his stiff body. His eyes widen, and while he processes the information that Haruno Sakura is hugging him, he swirls her around with a victorious cry.

"Dobe, you'll squeeze her to death."

Naruto puts down the girl with a sheepish smile. "Sorry, Sakura-chan."

"No, no. Don't worry, Naruto. It's fine." Then, she links an arm with each boy. "I'm so happy! You have no idea! Now, I want to hear all about your week. Who's first?"

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The journey back to Konoha has been uneventful so far. He's been leading the way, along with Jiraya, since they departed. Most of the time, Kakashi stays behind, his nose buried in a book. And on occasions, Sakura keeps him company, chatting enthusiastically about everything and nothing. Otherwise, she spends her time in the middle with the quiet black-haired boy. Weirdly, he doesn't seem bothered by the company.

And Uzumaki Naruto is everything but perceptive. So, even though he knows something is different, he cannot pinpoint what it is.

After her initial burst of joy, Sakura kept a certain level of happiness, but something would often obscure her eyes. A thought, perhaps? Or a memory? He knows she's been through hell in that cave, so he doesn't pry on the matter. But Naruto would be lying if he said it doesn't worry him.

"Is it me, or does it smell like smoke?" Naruto takes a big inhale at Sasuke's comment.

"We're almost home, and it's the Chuunin final exam today," Kakashi answers, his eyes glued to his book. "With a bit of luck, we'll arrive before the end."

Jiraya chuckles with a fond smile on his face. "Ah, I still have vivid memories of my exams. Tsuna almost killed her opponent after he commented on the size of her boobs." He pauses, relieving the memory, then bursts out laughing. "The poor guy." He stays silent for a while, then adds, with a bitter look: "And it took Oro something like thirty seconds to win his fight."

"Oro, as in Orochimaru," Sasuke asks, stopping dead in his tracks?

Jiraya falters. "Aa. Listen, kids. We used to be -"

They feel the earth shake underneath them, and the sudden fall of a tree to their left makes them jump. Sasuke takes a few steps towards the commotion and narrows his eyes. "This is not even in the village," he says, turning to Kakashi.

The silver-haired man secures his book inside his jacket, and his grey eye locks on a giant cloud of smoke billowing above the trees. Suddenly, Jiraya sprints towards it, leaving a puzzled Team Seven behind.

"Konoha is under attack," is the last thing he says before disappearing under the trees.

"Dammit!" Kakashi reaches for Sakura's arm and pulls her closer to the boys. "You three stay together and away from the village. I'll go with Jiraya-sama."

"Wait!" The man stops at Naruto's shout but completely ignores the blond boy. Instead, his gaze land on Sasuke. "If you disobey, which I know you guys will do, at least, remember your limit, Sasuke. Not over two."

And with that, he jumps into the nearest tree, leaving their line of sight.

"What should we do," Sakura asks, arms wrapped around herself?

"You heard the man," Naruto says. "We disobey! Come on!"

Sasuke nods and follows as the blond boy leads the way. Before he enters the forest, though, Naruto glances behind. Sakura seems hesitant, with her arms still wrapped around her torso, her lower lip swollen from the continuous munching.

"Don't worry, Sakura-chan. We won't let anyone touch you this time around. I promise." He gives her a thumbs up, to which she replies with a forced smile. When Sasuke glances back at her, she avoids his eyes and runs past them.

"I don't need your protection, Naruto," she mutters before entering the woods.

Naruto stares wide-eyed at his black-haired teammate, guilt swelling in his belly. At Sasuke's sigh, he snaps out of his daze and hurries after the girl. "Wait! Sakura-chan! That's not what I meant! I know you're strong!" The pinkette doesn't acknowledge his shout, so he speeds up. "Oi! Sakura!"

Naruto collides against the now motionless girl and sends her flying forward. He tries to catch her before she falls, but she pushes him away to regain her footage by herself, scowling. Another apology is about to leave his mouth when he suddenly feels the weight of a dozen pairs of eyes on him.

"Nara," he hears Sasuke greets after coming to a stop at the pinkette's side. That's when Naruto notices Shikamaru's presence in the middle of this sea of men.

"Oi! What's going on here? Do you need help, Shika?"

A man bursts out laughing. "Keep on distracting him, and soon, you'll all need a miracle."

One of Shikamaru's eyebrows twitches, and he falls on one knee with a sigh. "What a drag."

Then, many things happen simultaneously, and Naruto's brain isn't fast enough to register them on time. His cerulean eyes are still following the retreating shadow, his brow furrowed, when he suddenly gets tossed to the side. He hears the characteristic sound of a kunai embedding itself in wood, then glances up, wide-eyed, at the crowd of Oto shinobis. They have scattered into four groups of around two or three men, each of them targeting one genin.

At last, coming back to his senses, Naruto summons dozens of clones and rushes forward with a war cry. The clashing of metal against metal echoes all around him, and at one point, a gust of flames hits one of his opponents. Part of him wants to berate Sasuke and tell him to let him fight his own battle, but the men are stronger than expected, and his clones will most likely not be enough, anyway.

His heart sinks at the realization that he won't be enough, but Sakura's sudden cry of pain quickly snaps him out of his self-pity.

"What are you doing?" He hears Sasuke ask with urgency in his voice. "Use your chakra to evade, Sakura. You're better than this."

Sakura mutters some curses, but before Naruto can have a good view of her fight, he gets propelled backward by a punch to his face.

"Oi! I found the real one."

Naruto scrambles to his feet, and flashes of lightning, accompanied by a sound similar to birds chirping, attract his attention to Sasuke's fight. He sees the boy's hand piercing a man's shoulder, and a gasp escapes his lips.

Sasuke's sharingans land on him. "Naruto, careful! Focus on your fight, idiot."

The blond pivots and notices an enormous axe flying towards him. He braces himself for the hit, his kunai in front of his face, ready to block the blow. However, when the clashing of metal resounds in the forest, he's still waiting for the hit, his eyes closed. He snaps them open in surprise. Shielding him from his opponents now stands a tall man with tanned skin and black hair and beard. He recognizes the headband and finds the face familiar, so he sits back with a hand to his chest.

"Sensei," he hears Shikamaru call, panting.

"I'll finish this fight," the man says. "Don't you have somewhere else to be, kids?"

Naruto exchanges a look with his teammates. Sakura seems reluctant to continue onward, but Sasuke just gives him a nod.

"I used most of my chakra," Shikamaru interrupts the boys' silent conversation. "I'm not following. But Neji, a guy a year older than us, is alone, purchasing three genins from Suna, and he could probably use some help."

"Yosh! Let's go!"

Naruto jumps to his feet, and after a thumbs up directed towards Shikamaru and his sensei, he rushes through the trees, knowing his teammates will follow. For a minute or two, he only hears their feet against the bark of the trees and their heavy breathing, which are telling him that Sasuke is on his left and Sakura on his right. At the thought of his female teammate, Naruto glances at the girl to assess her condition, but the black-haired boy suddenly jumps past him to grab her by the arm, shielding her from Naruto's view by doing so.

"Why didn't you use your chakra?"

The pinkette stutters, flustered. "Sasuke-kun," she finally says, her eyes wide.

"Oi!" Naruto puts a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Relax, man! She's probably still a bit traumatized from her last fight. Give her some slack."

Sakura nods at his words, and he gives her a reassuring smile. However, this doesn't seem to convince Sasuke, and the raven boy only tightens his hold on the girl's arm. "I cannot believe you fooled me, Hana."

Naruto's face scrunches. "Hana? What the hell, Sasuke?" He tries to toss the boy aside, but to no avail.

"Why lying? It was your turn, anyway," Sasuke resumes, ignoring Naruto's attempts.

Sakura holds his stare for a while, nibbling at her bottom lip. "Does it matter," she finally asks?

"Tch." The Uchiha abruptly releases the girl, as if burned. "For now, no. Just let Sakura deal with the fighting."

"If I do that, I'll never learn how to use my chakra." She crosses her arms and lifts her chin defiantly.

"Her chakra," Sasuke corrects. "And this is not a game, Hana. If she dies because of you, you'll die too, remember?"

"Of course, I remember. I'm not stupid. But I managed just fine until now."

"You're wounded," Sasuke points out, and Naruto notices the scratch on the girl's cheek.

"It's nothing," she says after rolling her eyes. "It won't even leave a scar."

"Dammit!" Sasuke slams his hand on the tree above Sakura's head. Usually, Naruto would have reacted to that, but his brain doesn't seem to register anything properly right now. Instead, he keeps on staring at the incongruous conversation happening before his eyes. "We don't have time for this. Just let Sakura handle the fights."

Both teenagers hold each other's stares for a while, and Naruto doesn't know what to do or say, so he stays behind, eyes drifting between his two teammates. Then, the girl sighs. "Fine. If we encounter another threat, I'll let Sakura do the fighting. Happy?"

Sasuke steps back with a nod, then resumes running, followed by a pouting pink-haired girl. Naruto stays behind a second longer, then hurries to catch them.

"Wait, who's Hana?"

[A/N] In the end, I decided to take my time with this one. Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks for the continuous support.

M.B.