Author's Note: It's me again, don't worry this isn't going to be as long as the last one. Just wanted to say that in case you didn't get the notification about the update to chapter one. I over hauled it again to where some of it reads like a completely different story. Other than that, ... I will say this, if you remember the second version of the first chapter. You will remember that one of reasons Naruto was with Hinata was "His Guilt over Neji dying."
If you have read the reworked first chapter you will know that I didn't mention that when Naruto's guilt is brought up. I generally don't like spoiling anything, but this is a weird situation. In the original story I had Neji have a big role in it that I wrote long before Neji's death was in the original manga. When I took the story down to originally work in more elements from the manga I decided to work in Neji's death. However, since I'm essentially starting this story yet again... I've decided to restore Neji back in to MY story. The reason isn't because I prefer my version of Neji's story over the real Neji's story. It's because I'm attempting to finish this fics rewrite in honor of my late brother and one of his favorite characters was Neji. That's the reason why... nothing more nothing less and now on to the second chapter.
It's just been a little over an hour since the ceremony this morning to make Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki both Jounin level ninjas and for the most part the villagers haven't been able to stop talking about it. No one could have expected that the two orphans of the village: one the outcast that the entire village looked down upon because of the Nine Tails Fox that his body imprisoned; and the other an anti-social revenged crazed maniac who became a rogue shinobi, would be two of the village's greatest heroes.
It was easy to see that not a lot of work was going to be getting done today, but it was still also the first day of the new Ninja Academy semester. Iruka Umino, is freaking out a little bit out in the hallway in front of his classroom as he just realized that he left his satchel with all of his important documents at home.
"What a way to start of my final year as an instructor." Iruka thought to himself as he sighed. He couldn't blame himself for forgetting it really, because last night began the normal anxiety of taking on another classroom of young minds, he is going to mold in to fine shinobi taking a hold of him, but then there was the excitement of being able to give Naruto his Jounin vest this morning as well.
"Iruka-sensei, is everything okay?" Asked one of the other instructors as they were on their way towards their classroom.
"Yeah, everything is fine." Iruka lied, because he didn't want the instructor to mock him over his "forgetfulness" as the instructor in question is at least ten years his junior. As the last thing that he needed was for his mental health to be called in to question before he assumes the role of headmaster at the academy. If he is honest with himself, he is still a little bit in shock over that as well that the current headmaster is stepping down after this year and named him as his successor. Iruka has to wonder if his appointment is due to the fact that he's instructor to train to teach the most recent heroic ninjas of the village.
"Iruka..." said another voice, but this voice didn't belong to one of the other instructors. Iruka spun around to come face to face with Shizune. He couldn't help, but blush at the woman that is standing in front of him.
"Shizune? What are you doing here? I thought you'd be with Lady Fifth, during the meeting with Team Kakashi." Iruka said, as that is generally what he thought considering that she is Lady Tsunade's personal assistant after all. Shizune just smile back at Iruka.
"I was, but she dismissed from the meeting." Shizune said, with a little bit of worry in her voice considering what had happened prior to her dismissal from the meeting.
"Why would she do that?" Iruka mused to himself, because he hasn't seen the two of them apart very often expect for when they call it a day at the office of The Hokage. However, what Iruka didn't realize is that while he thought he was just mussing that fact to himself, but he actually said it aloud to Shizune.
"I'm actually cutting back on my duties as her assistant." Shizune said, as she started to blush a little bit herself. "As I'm going to be teaching students about medical Ninjutsu and poisons at the academy, but also so I can spend more time with you."
"That's wonderful." Iruka said, because it truly was, because with more students able to learn medical Ninjutsu the better. Not to mention getting to spend more time with Shizune was going to be great as well. They haven't gone public letting anyone they know that they are dating yet, but that time is seriously getting closer. However, he was also a little worried that without Shizune by her side that Tsunade isn't going to get any work done as Hokage. He's just about to voice that concern to her, but she cuts him off.
"Oh, almost forgot you left this at my place last night." Shizune said, as she bent down to grab Iruka's satchel from TonTon's back. Iruka let a sigh of relief out to having his satchel with him. However, after a second goes by and they both realize how Shizune phrased that they both turn beet red as anyone of their colleagues could've just over heard that. However, before the conversation goes any further the bell rings signaling the start of class.
Naruto even though he had calmed down soon since he left the Hokage's office he was still furious. He got to where he was just a mile away from his home and while the urge to go home and hide away in his bed was strong, but he knew if someone was sent after him that was the first place that they would look for him.
So, he ducked in to a quiet and still very dark alleyway for this time of the morning. He just needed some time to vent a little bit over the situation and he knew that he wasn't in the right mind to talk with Hinata either. If she had come back to clean up his apartment like she always, does it would only be a matter of time before he loses it and takes it out on her.
"How? How could he think about it!?" Naruto growled through gritted teeth as he balled up his right fist and struck the wall in front of him. He didn't hit it hard enough to damage the wall, but hard enough to break his knuckles.
"Naruto, calm down!" Kurama howled, in pain not just from the pain in Naruto's heart, but the pain from the broken bones in his hand.
"SASUKE!" Naruto yelled, several times as he hit the wall each time. With each hit the wall finally did start cracking, but more than that the jagged bones from his knuckles started cutting through his skin. It wasn't long after that the blood was covering Naruto's hand, but also staining the side of the wall.
"NARUTO! Stop this and calm down or I'll stop healing the wound!" Kurama yelled, at Naruto knowing full well that meant him feeling more pain, but it was the only thing that he could do in the hopes of snapping Naruto back to normal. Naruto clobbered the wall several more times before falling against the wall that was positioned right behind him.
"Why Sakura? Why would you choose to be with Sasuke when he won't fully commit to you?" Naruto sobbed, as the tears started to well up in blue eyes. It wasn't long before he just let the weight of his body drag him down the wall until he was in a sitting position.
"Naruto, the term is blinded by love." Kurama said, he knew full well that it could set Naruto off again, but he needed to hear it. "She's so in love with him that she is willing to overlook his short comings."
Naruto knew that already, but it didn't make things hurt any less when he sees Sakura not getting treated like she deserves. Naruto's thoughts are still fragmented, but he is slowly starting to piece them together.
Kurama in the meantime returned to healing Naruto's hand. Focusing solely on the bone first, because it doesn't matter how many times, he stops the bleeding if one twitch of a finger causes the razor-sharp bone fragments to slice through again.
"Kurama, I'm sorry…" Naruto started to say as he knew that it was going to a pain to heal his hand, but more so he was apologizing for his indecisiveness when it comes to his love life.
Kurama sighed a little bit, because he knew that he was partly to blame for pushing him to end things with Hinata. So, he was about to apologize for his role in the matter, but they hear a familiar voice: "Naruto!? What have you done to yourself?"
Meanwhile in the Hokage's office, Kakashi was staring at Sasuke, because very much like Naruto he couldn't believe that he could even consider taking another wife with how devoted Sakura has been to him. The copy ninja knows that rebuilding the Uchiha clan is important to Sasuke, but it could be achieved with just Sakura… though it would take considerably longer.
"Lady Hokage, are you sure you want to allow Kakashi-sensei stay for this?" Sasuke said, as he casted a knowing glance at his teacher. He knows very well that the veteran Jounin was judging him for his lack of empathy towards Sakura's distress.
"Yes, because of a matter that I have been discussing with him." Tsunade said, a little bit evasively. Not that it would matter much, because she turns her attention to the glaring Kakashi and straight up asked: "So have you decided? Are you going to become my successor?"
Kakashi just rolled his visible eye at the mere thought of him becoming the next Hokage. He didn't like the idea of it when Tsunade was in her coma after the battle with Pain, but even less now.
"Wait, Kakashi-sensei is going to be the next Hokage?" Sasuke said, out of shock, but not because he felt that the veteran Jounin wasn't worthy of the title. In terms of power and skill he is more than qualified, but his tardiness is another matter. Not to mention if Sasuke was being honest about it, he was worried that Kakashi was going to reverse the Clan Restoration act.
"If he accepts that is, but know this the Clan restoration act by the elders has already been signed in to affect by the land of Fire's feudal lord it is completely binding." Tsunade said, to quell the worry in the last remaining member of the Uchiha clan, but if she was being honest with herself, she wanted to knock the brat through the wall for hurting her pupil like that. "Meaning that only you and Naruto have the power to end it by not using it to your advantage."
Kakashi sighed, as he should have expected the Elders to move that fast and probably without Tsunade's approval. In truth, he could see the logic behind for both young men. Having the power of the Sharingan to help control Naruto if he loses control considering that both Yamato and he, himself, are practically senior citizens in this age of shinobis.
As far as Naruto is concerned, having someone with The Uzumaki's insane levels of Chakra and stamina to inherit Kurama when that need arises. Also, the more heirs that the village have the more protected they are if something happens to one of them, but more so they would be able to evaluate each heir to make sure that the best possible choice is made.
"KAKASHI! Have you decided?" Tsunade yelled, snapping Kakashi back to the present.
As Sakura ran through the village looking for Naruto, she's a melting pot of emotions ranging from happiness, fury, but most of all sadness. Sakura should be happy right now, because earlier today during the ceremony as she presented Sasuke with his Jounin vest he asked her to marry him. Her dream was finally coming true, but in an instance that happy ending was put into uncertainty. She was supposed to be the only one, but now... Ino, that Taka girl Karin, ... and any girl whoever had a crush on him could marry him.
"You're so annoying." Sasuke's words from the day that they are placed on to Team Seven started to echo in her head. As thoughts started to run through her mind as what if he had only asked her to marry him was because she never gave up on him. What if he was worried that none of the others from the village would welcome him back like she did. She secretly prayed that was going to be the case, but given the reaction he got when his name was called out earlier... she knows that isn't the case.
"I don't need to marry more than one person." Naruto's outburst came to Sakura's thoughts now as tears were starting to form in her eyes again. She didn't even think that Hinata and Naruto were that serious already and here he was declaring with defiance to Lady Tsunade that he didn't need more than one wife.
"Could I make Sasuke feel that way about me?" Sakura thought, as she wondered thinking back to her Genin days and how Naruto would always ask her out, but she would always turn him down, because he wasn't Sasuke. So, she just had to wonder what it was that Hinata did that won Naruto over so completely.
"Who knew that Naruto was so handsome?" A random villager was saying as Sakura ran past her and snapped Sakura back to reality. She couldn't be lost in her thoughts at a moment like this, because she was supposed to be finding Naruto. Sakura came to a stop as she started to try to center herself.
"I know right." Another villager said, as little smile started to form on Sakura's face. As she was hearing Naruto getting recognized by the rest of the village. Naruto's dream was always to get the respect of the rest of the village by becoming Hokage, but he has it right now and he hasn't even been named Hokage yet.
"Yeah, but even though he's a bit of a bad boy that Sasuke is still hotter." A third woman said, and drove a dagger through Sakura's heart. Which just proved her earlier thought that she was going to have competition when it comes to being Sasuke's wife. Yet, at the same time even though those girls were fond of Naruto by his own words... he had eyes for only one. They didn't have a leg to stand on in a fight against Hinata for Naruto's affections. Sakura shook her head, as she tried to clear the thoughts out of her head. She didn't need to be thinking about this right now and was blindly running to one of the likeliest of spots to find Naruto.
"Where are you, Naruto?" Sakura thought, as she was breathing a little on the heavy said from the running, she was doing. She went straight to Ichiraku Ramen, because that's where she thought he would most certainly be. Angry, happy, sad, it really didn't matter to Naruto, because Ramen was always the answer for the problem, but not to find him there was a little frightening. Sakura after taking a moment to catch her breath she took off running again, but this time her destination is his home. It doesn't take her long to get there, but she is a little surprised to see Hinata standing outside of his door.
"Sakura, what are you doing here." Hinata politely asked, as the two women's eyes met one another's.
"Looking for Naruto he ran off without all the details for our mission." Sakura said, as she showed Hinata at least the outside of the scroll that contains the details of their mission. She can't actually share the details with her, because it's classified, but more so than that she didn't want to cause any relationship problems between her and Naruto.
"It's strange, he hasn't come home yet." Hinata said, with a little bit of panic in her voice as she started to realize that something must have gotten him worked up. She may not know what the mission is or might be, but she knows that it takes an awful lot to get Naruto worked up over simple details of a mission.
"That idiot!" Sakura yelled, through her gritted teeth as she clutched the scroll in her hand even tighter as if she was trying to ball up her fist right through it. "Where did he get off to?"
"Sakura, maybe I can help you find him." Hinata said passively, as she of course didn't have a problem helping her friend, but with the way that she is acting, Hinata is starting to get a little worried about Naruto.
"Hinata, that would be perfect!" Sakura said, as she knew with Hinata there was no way that Naruto was going to be evade her for much longer.
"Byakugan!" Hinata said, as she focused her chakra in to both of her eyes causing the veins around them to bulge out. It didn't take Hinata long to spot Naruto's chakra. However, what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Her eyes aren't as keen as Neji's eyes are and all she can make out is familiar aura of his charka as it flows through his chakra network. However, what makes her heart skip a beat is the fact that from the way that his chakra points are positioned it looks as if he is down on one knee with a hand in the air, being held by another person. Who has familiar chakra signature, but all she can recall about it is that it's a female's chakra, but the shock of the moment has her drawing a blank. "He's in an alleyway, a mile, to the east of here."
"Thanks, Hinata!" Sakura exclaimed, as she turns to run in the direction that the Hyuuga heiress just gave her, but stops just short of doing so. "Are you coming with me?"
"No, I think I'll wait here." Hinata said, as she released the chakra from her eyes letting them revert back to normal, but even more so than that she pulled both of her hands up in front of her chest as if she was trying to protect her heart from heartbreak. Sakura just nodded, and then vanished on her way to find Naruto. Once she was sure that she was alone, Hinata dropped to her knees, as tears started to form in her pale white eyes as she wondered if that was what Naruto wanted to tell her this morning that there was someone else.
It was still early as the bell for homeroom at the Ninja academy hasn't rung just yet. As most of the classroom is still busy horse playing at their desks. As one young man starts to move toward one of the only empty seats left, a paper airplane flew right by his head. The young man sighed, before he takes his seat while wondering just how much worse this class was going to get if there are any more students left to arrive as they were going to be the most delinquent troublemakers of the bunch.
Sure, he was a little late getting to the classroom, but that was because he had to finish his job of making sure first round of pork was put in to his clan's special marinade before the restaurant opens for the day. As he is a member of Tenshi clan, the owners of the Leaf's premier BBQ Pork restaurant, that is very often patronized by the entire Akimichi clan. Once, the young man had taken the seat that he was going for he looked at the boy that was sitting next to him. Despite it being morning and class hasn't even started yet, the young man was already asleep at the desk. The Tenshi boy could only see that his classmate sitting next to him has red spiky hair and was wearing tan shorts and a white sleeveless shirt.
"Hi, I'm..." The sandy haired young man started to greet his classmate while extending his right hand out, but the sleeping boy just remained still as if he was just content on not moving a muscle.
"Don't let him get to you," A voice from behind the young man says, and as he turns to look at the speaker, he is nearly floored. The speaker, was a young girl with the most platinum blonde hair he has ever seen as it looks almost silver in certain lights pulled in to a ponytail. She was wearing a blue shirt with white fingerless gloves that stretched all the way up to her elbows and a white mini skirt. She was beautiful, but there was something missing... then he noticed that she was rather flat chested. "Raine isn't up to having conversations yet, but you can call me Yu Kara, been that knuckleheads only friend since I was born."
"Keishinn Tenshi, nice to meet you," he said, with a smile as he extended his hand out to the young lady, who despite noticing that the young man was staring at her underdeveloped chest took his hand to shake it. "If you don't mind me asking, but why isn't he up to talking just yet?"
"It's a long story if I tell it," Yu said, as she frowned a little bit, but that is due to the fact that she doesn't know the whole story herself. However, it also wasn't her place to tell what she did know about what happened last night. "Just listen to me, Raine can be quite the pain but if you're able to get past that, you can sort of like the guy."
"Just what is their connection?" Keishinn thought, as even though she said that they have been friends since the day that she was born, but she doesn't seem overly friendly or supportive of him. Keishinn doesn't have long to ponder the question, because out of nowhere, someone flicks him dead set center of the nose. Which of course makes his eyes start to water.
"I didn't expect to see you in this class." Said another voice, Keishinn didn't need to be able to see who it was that was speaking in that moment. He could see the sight of the boy with short black hair, icy blue eyes, wearing black pants, a brown shirt, and both of his hands were taped up in bandages. The image of the boy has been seered in to Keishinn's mind, because ever since they were born, he's been the boy's victim of bullying. "I thought they would have put you into the sissy class, wet stain."
"Hello, Shigure..." Keishinn greeted, through his watery eyes as Yu just leaned forward to get a better view of the boy. Keishinn took a deep breath trying to keep him nerves about him, but also trying to find the inner strength to tell him to knock it off with the nickname. They were barely four years old at the time when Shigure beat him up for the first time that resulted in him wetting his pants. "Could you not call me..."
"Don't waste your breath, because I will never stop calling you that, wet stain, until you beat me in a Taijutsu battle." Shigure said, cutting Keishinn off with a smirk on his face. Shigure starting to prepare for another flick to Keishinn's nose, but before he reaches up high enough someone grabs his hand and stops him.
"Leave him alone." Said a voice that was actually coming from behind Keishinn.
"Yeah, and what are you going to do about it?" Shigure snapped, and as soon as he did the sound of the chair behind Keishinn scrapped across the floor as Raine jolted up into a standing position with the only thing keeping him from being right up in Shigure's face is the fact that Keishinn is sitting inbetween them.
"For starters, I'll cut your balls off." Raine said, as with his free hand started to reach for something behind his back.
"Oh shit, wet stain is sitting with you? Oh, this is too rich..." Shigure said, as he yanked his arm away from Raine, but he didn't say anything more than that. "I'll be seeing the both of you around."
Shigure laughed a little maliciously before he turned away from them and started to walk toward the back of the room. Keishin cringed a little bit at the thought of having to be in the same class as his him for all year. Though, his attention did turned to Raine, because he has never had anyone stand up for him before. He wondered why he would do something like that, but that is when he noticed the young man, who was smiling, but his face and he gets a better look at his clothes which are dirty.
"Keishinn, just who was that?" Yu asked, with a slight sigh as her cheeks blushed a little bit. "He's just so handsome."
"Shigure Minawa, but believe me he's the biggest bully you'll ever meet." Keishiin said, but Yu didn't really pay attention to anything other than the boy's name.
"Though you're not that bad looking either, but I don't get the whole wet stain thing." Yu said, which both brightened Keishinn's day, but at the same time made it worse. He really didn't want someone that could potentially be girlfriend material to know that nickname. Luckily, attention is drawn away from the subject as a large commotion started coming from the door leading in to the classroom started up.
"Get out of my way, Amon!" One of them yelled as they were both trying to push through the door at the same time. It was obvious to everyone watching them that they were family as they both looked the same... twins. The only thing that set them apart from one another was that one of them had medium length black hair that falls loosely down into his face while the other one has it gelled up into spikes to give him added look of attitude. The both of them are tan pans, black shirts, with grayish jackets bearing a black insignia of a mountain on the back of it.
"Just when you thought the class was full..." Raine said, as he yawned a little bit before returning to his seat at the desk. "The Yamashita brothers... Yuki and Amon."
"Oh my god, You're still alive!" Yu said, sarcastically as she just realized that Raine was up and talking now.
"Yeah, but it's only because your mom doesn't suck at cooking like you do." Raine retorted, which just further seemed to confuse Keishinn as far as their relationship goes. They don't seem friendly, but he's not only had her cooking, but her mom's cooking as well. Nothing was making sense about these two.
"We haven't been formally introduced... names Raine, just Raine." he said, as if he was making sure that Keishinn didn't inquire about his clan's name. Which from the looks of him, Keishinn could probably already guest that it was because he lost his parents and doesn't want to deal with stigma of being the last of his clan. However, to Keishinn that really doesn't matter if he's the last of his clan or not, because both Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki are great heroes to the village and they are both the last of their clans.
"Is this seat taken?" Someone asked, from behind Raine who quickly turned to look at the person to see another young woman standing behind him. "I'm Mirai Sarutobi."
"No, I don't think so," Raine said, which caused the young woman to smile before she sat down in the empty seat. Keishinn was about to ask something, but he gets interrupted by the sound of the bell ringing which immediately caused the class room to settle down as they knew it wouldn't be long before their Sensei would enter the room.