So, I try to write on the weekends now as I'm so busy during the week. But sometimes I just need a break from writing- you know when writing becomes a chore. Also, there is a lot of stuff still going on in my life that I'm working on or dealing with so please just bear with me.
Shameless plug: I started writing a new story this one based in the Harry Potter universe and it helped me to get over my writer's block, so I would really appreciate it if you would check out my new story please.
PS Sorry for the story getting dark, just preparing you guys. Remember no one is safe.
Thank you for the all the follow, favorites, alerts and reviews.
Thank you to my Beta Spaded Ace18.
Thank you for the all the follow, favourite's, alerts and reviews.
Naruto = flash back
'Naruto' is thoughts/thinking
"Naruto" signing/sign language
"Naruto" speaking.
"Naruto" Demon
"Naruto" is demon enhanced.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto just some DVDs and games.
Chapter 51 – The one without Naruto clones.
The figures of Kotetsu and Izumo could just be made out in the early morning light. They were carrying two overly large piles of paperwork that the recently appointed Fifth Hokage had forgotten. They were grousing between them when they noticed over the top of their paperwork, that someone was lying on the bench outside. Kotetsu stopped suddenly causing Izumo to bump into his back.
"What's wrong?" Izumo asked moving his head around his paper work.
"It's the pink haired girl from Naruto's team." Kotetsu replied. "Hey wake up! If you sleep in a place like this, you'll catch a cold."
"Is that blood?" Izumo asked seeing the pool of blood lying underneath Sakura.
"Sasuke!" Sakura snapped up, she slumped to the side suddenly.
"Hey now, steady, you need to get to the hospital." Izumo stepped closer to Sakura.
"No time." Sakura muttered.
"Why don't you tell us what's going on?" Kotetsu enquired.
(Line the Hokage Building)
Nami jumped up to the desk, Tsunade was snoring with her head sprawled across some scrolls. Nami's tail tickled Tsunade's nose as there was a knock at the door. Tsunade lifted her head up and sent a questioning look at the cat statue sat on her desk. She lifted a finger to poke it when the door creaked open. She turned her hand up into a wave, "Thanks for the hard work," she yawned with her mouth closed.
"You were just sleeping, weren't you? You make us go and get these documents while you slept?" Kotetsu shouted.
"Anyway, Lady Hokage there is news to report?" Izumo shifted his papers so he could see.
"What is it?" Tsunade wiped the drool from her face.
Nami's tail twitched as the two reported what had happened.
"What is that true?" Tsunade sprung to her feet slamming her hands on the desk.
Nami sent a glare towards the Hokage and curled up at the end of the desk an ear flickering.
"Yes, from what we heard from Sakura Haruno there seems to be no mistaking it." Izumo nodded, finally free of the paperwork.
"Lady Hokage, there's more Sakura Haruno appeared to be injured and even though she was advised to go to the hospital to get her wounds seen to, she ran off before we could make sure she went there." Kotetsu explained.
"We came straight here as we thought you should know." Izumo cut in.
Tsunade walked round her desk and over to the door at the side of the room, she pushed it to seeing the room empty. "Izumo, Kotetsu," she called over her shoulder. "There is someone I would like you two to bring to me…" she spun round to face them.
(Line across the village)
Shikamaru yawned stretching his arms up, then resting his head down on his arms. He was sat opposite his father at the table as his mother brought breakfast in.
"You had better eat your breakfast fast. As of today, your dad has a mission too." Yoshino said.
"There's not much time this morning for training you know." Shikaku nodded.
"Yeah yeah," Shikamaru drawled.
"One yeah is enough!" Yoshino snapped.
Shikamaru balked at his mother. The doorbell rang distracting Yoshino from her son.
"I wonder who that could be this early." Yoshino stood from the table.
"Hey dad," Shikamaru whispered behind his hand. "Why did you ever marry such a strict woman?"
Shikaku drank from his mug. "Well there are times when she's happy and cheerful too. That's probably why."
"That's it?" Shikamaru sounded disappointed.
"Shikamaru!" Shikamaru's back straightened. "Some messengers from the Fifth want to speak with you." Yoshino called.
(Line across the other side of the village)
Sakura ran through the village, she'd stop and lean against the wall as she caught her breath, one fist clenched tightly. She scanned around her surroundings.
"I'm sure Naruto lives around here somewhere." She muttered aloud.
She pushed off the wall and continued running. She ran past a big red building that had recently been refurbished and skidded to a halt. She turned back and checked the building list. Naruto was the last door on the top floor. She wrenched her way through the door, pausing to catch her breath again, then attacked the stairs with a vigor she never used in training. 'Come on Naruto please be there.' She hoped as she ran. She turned the final stairwell, sprinted over to the last door and started hammering on the door.
"Naruto open up!" She shouted as she hammered. "Naruto come on!"
"He's not here." A small female voice drifted down the hallway.
Sakura spun around. "Where is he? It's important I've got to find him."
"He slept at the Hokage tower." The girl placed her hands on her hips staring Sakura down. "You should go to the hospital, get those wounds looked at." The girl shifted her hip to the side. "Or not!" she shouted as Sakura ran back the way she came.
(Line Hokage building)
"Late last night Sasuke left our village," Tsunade's eye travelled to the cat curled up on her desk. "There is no doubt in my mind he's headed for the Land of Sound." She turned her attention back to Shikamaru.
"He left! Why?" Shikamaru asked shocked.
"Because Orochimaru persuaded him to…" Tsunade clasped her fingers in front of her mouth.
"That Snake guy that attacked him and Naruto in the forest, the guy who attacked our village and killed our Hokage? Why would Sasuke do that?" Shikamaru felt his anger building.
"That's beside the point we're running out of precious time. For the time being I'll be giving you your first mission as Chunin right now." Tsunade was surprised at his sudden anger.
"So, you want me to follow Sasuke and bring him back? Well, if I don't run into the enemy, it shouldn't be much of a problem." Shikamaru estimated.
"That's true. However, this mission needs to be completed quickly above all else. There will be a high probability of running into trouble." She watched as the color drained from his face. "This isn't the first time something like this has happened. There is a high probability Orochimaru's henchmen will be showing Sasuke the way."
Shikamaru sat back in his chair, his eyes flickered to Nami who had one blue eye open staring at him.
"Therefore, normally on a mission like this I would ask for a team comprising solely of Chunin and Jounin." He paused assessing the Hokage. "However, due to the invasion most if not all of our ninja are out completing missions, which leaves us with a select few important ones and…" his eyes travelled back to Nami, who had changed positions and was now sat like a statue staring at him.
"I see why Naruto agreed you'd make an excellent Chunin." Tsunade sighed. "You have thirty minutes gather as many worthy genin as you see fit and leave immediately!" Shikamaru nodded and stood.
"Troublesome. I'll do what I can."
"Come back alive. I know Naruto got into the habit of telling you all this. I don't expect any of you to die on me."
"Yes, Lady Hokage."
"Oh, and Shikamaru," He turned hearing a draw open. "Give that to Naruto." She flung a familiar green vest at him. "Make sure he wears it. Tell him it was the last act of the Third Hokage." She paused. "And I'm fully behind that decision." She smiled as Shikamaru caught the vest. "Don't forget this is your mission, your team, don't default to Naruto." She watched his eyes flicker to the cat on her desk then leave the room. "I swear you're just messing with me?" She eyed Nami critically. "Now I'm talking to a statue." She dropped her head into her hands.
"One more thing," Shikamaru stuck his head back in the room, "Where can I find Naruto?"
(Line in the training ground with a waterfall)
Naruto stood on the water facing Konohamaru. Both were wearing just their trunks as they practiced on top of the water. Shikamaru watched them for a bit before walking over to where their clothes laid piled on the shore. Shikamaru stared at Naruto's back noticing for the first that there was a scar running diagonally from his right shoulder down to his left hip, it was deep and thick. He jumped back as a kunai was sent flying towards him.
"Hey Shikamaru," Naruto looked over his shoulder at his friend. "Nice aim Ko try to be a little quicker next time though." He turned back to his brother.
"Hate to cut things short but I've got a mission I want you to accompany me on." Shikamaru shouted.
The two boys on the water turned looking at Shikamaru noticing his face and body language they walked back towards their clothes. A few steps away from the shore Konohamaru's feet started to sink into the water. Naruto turned pulling on his clothes as Ko stepped onto the bank. Shikamaru averted his eyes from Naruto's scar this time.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Shikamaru shared a smirk with Konohamaru.
Naruto stopped and looked down at himself, he was fully clothed, had his weapon pouches and his head band. He looked up confused as Shikamaru flung a vest at him.
"Lady Hokage told me to give you that." Shikamaru frowned seeing the uncertainty crossing Naruto's face. "Put it on we've got other people to recruit." Shikamaru pushed.
"Finally, you're a Chunin, knew it'd only be a matter of time." Konohamaru laughed.
"I can't..." Naruto shook his head and held out the vest.
Shikamaru and Konohamaru frowned. "She told me to let you know that it was the Third's final decision. One that she fully agrees with." He studied Naruto's face concerned that he wasn't putting the vest on.
"If grandpa made you a Chunin then technically you were promoted before Tsunade went into office." Konohamaru scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Sasuke's left the village." Shikamaru stated.
Naruto blinked, nodded and pulled the vest on. "Right who else do you have in mind? Konohamaru go train with Hanabi and Akane, work on your team work. I'll see you later." Naruto's eyes steeled.
"Come back alive." Konohamaru shouted after them.
"Next up Choji," Shikamaru nodded bouncing up into the trees.
"Good choice, you've been working closely together for years. He probably knows you better than anyone. Who else?" Naruto asked.
"I'm thinking trackers, so Neji, Kiba or Shino I think a five-man team will work best." Shikamaru nodded.
"It's your call," Naruto adjusted the collar of his vest.
(Line at the Hokage Tower)
Sakura ran bursting through the doors of the office making Nami jump up as well as Tsunade.
"Naruto! Where's Naruto?" Sakura gasped.
"What is the meaning…" Tsunade's voice broke off when she caught sight of Sakura.
"Naruto where is Naruto?" Sakura repeated.
Nami watched Sakura with teary eyes. Tsunade was round the desk and moving Sakura to a chair in moments. Her hands started to glow green as she soothed Sakura's shock. Tsunade walked over to her cabinet and pulled out her standard medical kit, it had all the basics in it, including blood replenishing pills. She took one out and forced the girl to eat it. She moved her hands towards Sakura's face. Her eyes widened when Sakura recoiled away. Tsunade placed one hand on top of Sakura's murmuring that she was okay, she wasn't going to hurt her. Slowly she lifted her other hand and cupped Sakura's cheek. The girl at last burst into tears. "Hush now you're okay? Sakura, I need to know who did this to you." Tsunade spoke in a soothing voice.
"Sasuke." Sakura slumped forwards.
(Line back at the gates)
"Well Shino's out on a mission so this five-man team will have to do." Shikamaru stated, looking round at Neji, Kiba and Akamaru, Choji and Naruto.
"Hey Lee. Good luck with your operation." Naruto smiled at Lee who had accompanied Neji to the gate and was looking rather depressed about being left behind.
"Thanks Naruto." Lee smiled.
"Congratulations on the promotion." Choji acknowledge Naruto's new vest.
"The Third's final decree." Shikamaru watched Naruto fiddle absently with the vest.
"Damn it! I lost money on that bet." Kiba wiped his nose. Akamaru barked at him. "Wha-, yeah I know I shouldn't bet on Naruto."
"What's the plan?" Naruto turned to Shikamaru.
"What's the matter not good enough for you Hokage?" Kiba couldn't help the snide remark.
"This is Shikamaru's mission. He was chosen to lead it. He's been acknowledged by the high council as a leader, we all need to get on board with that." Naruto turned a glare to Kiba.
"Tell us the basic strategies and plans then according to what we've heard, there seem to be enemies and possible ambushes." Neji stated logically.
"Since this is a rescue mission, we're the pursuers. Which means it's easy for our enemies to get the first strike on us. So, we'll decide now on squad formation. Naruto your data isn't up to date yet but I'm going by what I know okay?" He looked over to Naruto, who nodded. "So, this formation is the most suitable to reacting to a sudden strike. If anybody moves on their own and ignores my orders it might end up killing us all!" His eyes narrowed as he looked to Kiba.
"We'll proceed in single line formation. First Kiba will be in the most crucial position of forward scout. That's right you!" he looked to Kiba's shocked face. "You're always travelling all year throughout the nation of fire, you know our terrain very well. Also, you've got a keen sense of smell, so it'll make it easier to track Sasuke. This also means that it's easier to detect booby traps from the enemies' scent." Naruto nodded as he listened.
"Second is me, the squad leader. I can give orders according to the situation behind Kiba, and anyone behind me can see my hand signals. Third is Naruto, you've got quick reactions, so you're best in the middle where you can be in a prime position to assist both front and rear. You'll be the cover and assistance especially since you've got Shadow clones. Anything else?" Shikamaru asked Naruto.
"I'm kind of a sensor, but you're using me for my other skills so that's all good." Naruto nodded.
"Noted. Fourth is Choji. You don't have the speed, but you've got the most hit power in our squad. I and Kiba and Naruto will create openings and you will charge in to finish the game. Basically, you're our heavy hitter. Lastly, Neji on the squad's tail. I'll let you handle the most difficult task of rear scout. With your Byakugan you can always check for the squad's blind spots. All right I'll explain more with this drawing." He pulled out a blank scroll and drew very quick and accurate figures.
"So, line of sight?" Naruto nodded understanding dawning.
"Yes, So Kiba will concentrate on the forward position. I'll spread my sight at a wider range. I take it you'll be sensing the entire time, but I want you to concentrate on the left while Choji covers the right which leaves Neji to cover the entire rear section with your Byakugan." They all nodded.
"Right, I want to check our total squad strength. Everyone let me check each of your weapons and equipment, I'll finish in three minutes." His eye's drifted over to Naruto, "Five minutes." He amended. "Questions?"
Lee stood beside them astounded that Shikamaru had pulled out a workable strategy after putting together a rag tag team of individuals.
"Sasuke's not a very close friend of mine, he's not someone of any importance to me. However, he is a fellow shinobi from the hidden leaf just like us. He's our comrade. That is why we'll risk our lives for him. This is the way of the leaf," He glanced at his friends. "I'm responsible for all of our lives!" he sounded sure of himself.
(Line in the Hokage's office)
Tsunade listened as Sakura told her everything that had happened between her and Sasuke. She could feel her temper rising, the boy had been so cruel to this girl, there was a lot of damage done just in this one encounter. She clenched her hands into fists.
Suddenly her door was once again thrown open as Kazue dashed inside.
"Tsunade-sama. Sasuke Uchiha attacked some civilian children. They're in the hospital being treated." Kazue uttered breathlessly.
"Why would Sasuke attack civilians?" Tsunade blinked.
"They say he took something a charm or something?" Kazue shrugged.
Both women turned as Sakura let out a gasp.
"It's a message. The message for Kakashi sensei." Sakura opened her hand to reveal a small Narutomaki in her hand with a torn piece of scroll, reading "One left."
Tsunade took the items from Sakura. "Were there any other messages?" Tsunade asked.
Sakura nodded her head. "Make sure they send Naruto after me. We've got a score to settle." Sakura began to cry again.
"Kazue I've just sent Naruto out with Shikamaru to go and retrieve Sasuke."
Nami stood on the desk fur rising, head staring at the door.
"Tsunade what is the meaning of this?" Homura shouted.
"Rumors are saying that Sasuke Uchiha has left the village." Koharu supplied.
"I'm a bit busy dealing with the situation, to be bothered by you old cronies." Tsunade snapped. "Where'd she go?" Sakura had left the office unnoticed.
(Line back at the gates)
Naruto's head tilted to the side, Shikamaru stopped mid check of Naruto's pouch watching Naruto. Naruto's eyes glazed over slightly before returning to his now steel grey blue eyes.
"Everything alright?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yeah. Sasuke's after power. He's not happy that I'm more powerful than him. That curse seal's wrapped his mind. He's dangerous." Naruto stared at Shikamaru like they were having a silent conversation.
"Right let's go." Shikamaru handed Naruto back his pouch.
Naruto's head tilted round to the village. "Wait!"
They all turned to see Sakura, her face still stained in blood. She had a diagonal cut going from the middle of her eye brow to the right side of her forehead. Another cut running from the right inside of her nose and following along her cheekbone. A final cut went from midway cross the previous cut diagonally down towards the bottom of her cheek. Naruto stepped forwards.
"Sakura are you alright? Should you be here?" Naruto prompted.
"Naruto I… I couldn't convince him to stay. You said it would be alright. That he wouldn't leave. He said I was annoying and weak and ugly. That I was only good for delivering messages. Naruto, he wants to you go after him."
"I know." Naruto agreed.
"Naruto, I beg you, please bring Sasuke back. I couldn't do it. I couldn't stop him! You're the only one left that could stop him!"
"You still want me to bring him back after he did that to you? He attacked civilian's Sakura?" Naruto felt his anger rising.
"I love him!" Sakura cried.
"Love isn't worth this!" Naruto shouted.
"Please Naruto, if you care about me, about the team at all. You'll bring him back. Promise me!" Sakura begged.
"I'll try to bring him back, I promise." He sighed turning away from his former team mate. "Sakura, you can prove him wrong you know. You're already beautiful, don't let him take that away from you. You are a strong independent woman. Be that girl I know you can be." He turned to Lee. "Take her with you to the hospital."
"Right let's go!" Shikamaru called out.
"Don't worry Sakura, Naruto promised he would try. He'll keep his promise. And he's right, you're still beautiful. Sasuke just can't see it." Lee smiled as they watched the team go.
"Hey Naruto, you alright?" Shikamaru asked.
"I want to blame the curse mark for Sasuke's actions but what he did to Sakura. That's not right." Naruto shook his head.
"Why did you promise her that?" Shikamaru asked. "She'll hold you to it."
"I know. That's why I said I'll try." Naruto's lips quirked into a brief smile. "I promise to try to bring him back." Naruto reiterated.
(Line the Hokage tower)
Tsunade stared at the cat stood with its fur up on her desk, everyone else was staring at the cat too.
"You cannot just barge in on the Hokage like this." Kazue stated her hands on her hips.
"As a civilian you shouldn't be permitted in this office either." Danzo's voice drifted through the door way.
"When it involves civilians, I can." Kazue glared at the mummified man.
"And what does the Uchiha's defection have to do with civilians?" He pressed closer.
Tsunade watched as this sweet little civilian stood her ground against the old crone.
"Sasuke Uchiha attacked a group of civilian children in the early hours of this morning." Kazue growled.
"Orphans, no parents to press charges." Danzo tried to swat her aside.
"Orphans who live in the red building, Naruto's building do you really want Mrs. Yamamota coming up her to press charges?" Kazue bite back.
"That is enough!" I do not have time to be dealing with you three interfering in the way I run this village, you got your way when Sensei was Hokage, but not on my term. From now on you will not interfere is that clear?" She snapped eyeing everyone in the room. "Now if you don't mind I have an appointment with Rock Lee. And she pushed the three elders out of the room and closed the doors on them.
"I need you to find Sakura, Naruto's team mate, she's in a state of shock." Tsunade stated.
There was a gentle knock at the door followed by the door opening and Rock Lee sticking his head in the room.
"Lady Hokage, I'm here for our appointment and Naruto asked me to bring Sakura with me." Lee smiled kindly.
The two women shared a look. Nami smirked and flopped over exposing the belly to the ceiling.
(Line somewhere deep in the forest)
"Sasuke-sama. I think this will be a good place. We've gone far enough from Konoha Village." Sakon interrupted their progress.
"What is it?" Sasuke snapped.
"Well we've got an important order from Orochimaru-sama. The last and final one…"
"I'm asking what the hell is it." Sasuke's temper flared.
"You must die once." Sakon laughed.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he noticed the sound four had surrounded him.
"You're telling me to die once?" he snapped in confusion.
Sakon pulled out form his pocket a small glass bottle which he shook to hear the rattle.
"Seishingan. You'll drink this." Sakon smiled.
"What the hell is that?" Sasuke snarled.
"Your current cursed seal is level one. That will forcefully increase the curse's level to level two." Tayuya explained in a bored tone.
"However, the level two seal will dramatically increase its contamination speed. If we don't do anything you will die. In other words, in order to control the level two power your body needs some time to get adjusted to the level two curse. With the level two curse you will probably possess the same strength as us. When the seal is awakened to level two, there will only be a few minutes until you die!"
"What will happen after I die?" Sasuke asked as Sakon came closer.
"Don't worry that's what we're here for. Our Barrier jutsu will reduce the side effects of the curse. It'll soften the effect of death to a temporary coma." Sakon placed the bottle in Sasuke's hand.
"Your barrier skills how reliable are they?" Sasuke asked.
"Remember that barrier used during the invasion that was us." Kidoumaru laughed.
"The one that was stopped by two ends of a broken bo staff?" Sasuke sneered.
"Listen we're the elite guards of Orochimaru-sama, our strongest skills are creating seals and barriers. That was the only time ever that has won't happen again," Sakon assured.
"I'm counting on it." Sasuke swallowed a pill.
Sasuke fell to his knees in pain. Sakon pulled a giant scroll out of nowhere laying it flat on the ground to reveal a summoning seal. "Hey, hurry up you idiots or Sasuke-sama's going to flip." He shouted at the other three. Jiboro went behind Sasuke and lifted him up as a giant barrel with seals printed around the sides and a giant rope around the middle appeared. Jiboro placed Sasuke inside the barrel.
Then the four returned to their original positions flicking through hand signs, smoke appeared above them as they threw their hands down the smoke gathered and created a swirling mass diving down into the barrel that Sasuke was stuffed inside. The smoke formed into a solid black mass posin lid. Sakon pulled out several seals and threw them at the barrel where they stuck in place sealing the lid down. Sakon finished the jutsu with his hands pressed together.
"First steps done." He acknowledged.
(Line Hokage tower)
Kazue stood over Sakura who had been sedated. While Lee and Tsunade had a conversation on the roof.
"If you give up being a shinobi there's no chance of death. Why do you trifle about it?" Tsunade asked turning her attention to the young ninja in front of her.
Lee took a steady breath. "Everything about my life was to prove that someone like me can become a respectful ninja."
"Even if the surgery is successful your life will still be at risk" Tsunade interrupted.
"But that is my dream." Lee smiled.
Tsunade's face softened. "Okay lee. Let's go. There is no backing down now."
"Yes ma'am."
Thanks for reading.
Review if you like or don't like. (The more people explain what they like and don't the like the more inclined I am to write).