Hi this is my first fanfic ever so any constructive criticism is welcome. Also, this idea is not mine, but was inspired by a fanfiction of the same name whose creator has tragically passed away, So I decided to try to do my version of this but with inspirations from his story. But first 5 chapters will all be bacekle the same as the original creators.
Disclaimer: engleski nije moj maternji jezik tako da se izvinjavam ako nršto pogrešno napiše. Also i dont hown Naruto
Chapter 5 The Road Ahead
NARUTO
Naruto felt free. He didn't know but for the first time in a long time. He felt like he truly knew where he was going. Being a Templar, it just felt right. He had been training in the way of the knight for years. And to think he was finally going on his own crusade. It was an amazing feeling. He wondered what he would find out there on the road. Right now he had his helmet on. He didn't like to carry it by his side. And he could see fine through the slits in the helmet. So vision was not a problem. And comfort was not a problem due to the chainmail and padded cap he wore with it.
He saw someone on the side of the road. He brought his horse to a gallop as the person held up a hand.
"Is there a problem?" He asked as the person spoke in a feminine tone.
"Yes, I was wondering how far it was to Konoha?" She asked as Naruto thought about it.
"You have about ten miles. That's how far I have ridden from there so far." He said as he could see a smile on her face.
"Thank you, I have been meaning to go there for a long time." She said as Naruto smiled, who knew helping someone with a simple task could be so rewarding.
"Visiting family?" He asked.
"Yes..." The lady said in a subdued tone.
"Well, I hope your family has a warm welcome ready for you. If you'll excuse me, I must be off." He said as she held a hand up.
"If I may ask...why are you dressed like that?" She said as she had never seen someone like that.
He was obviously a warrior, but what kind? And his weapons were unlike anything she had ever seen. The only thing she could think to compare him to was a Samurai. And that sure as hell wasn't a katana he was carrying. Nor was his armor anywhere close to the armor she saw the Samurai wore. Instead he worse ringlets of metal, which she assumed could be used to stop slashing weapons. A good idea against the samurai.
Either way, he was an odd fellow.
"Let's just say that I am a part of a higher cause. Have a Nice day." He said as he saluted her and kicked his heels into his horse.
"Onward!" He said as the horse took off again.
"What a pleasant man." The woman said as she continued down the road.
She was glad that Konoha was so close. In truth, it had been a long time since she had been there, and only now did she feel comfortable going back. She just hoped that things went better than she expected.
Naruto on the other hand was riding as fast as he could. In reality, he had his first destination in mind. He was going to Suna, when the Hokage heard what had happened, and that he couldn't overrule it, he helped Naruto out as best as he could. So he had given Naruto a few bounties that needed to be collected. Which would give him some employment, as well as take out the corrupted. So Suna was Naruto's first stop. Then he was thinking Taki would be next. It would depend on where his road would lead him.
"Well, I should probably give you a name." He said to his horse as they came to a slow trot.
The horse made a whinney as Naruto tried to think of names.
"How about Amadeus?" He asked as the horse seemed to approve.
"Wow really? Just one name and you like it?" He said as the horse made the same noise.
"Wait, you can't understand a word I'm saying can you?" He said with a smile as the horse made the same noise as before.
"Heh, silly me. Well Amadeus, lets get to work. We still got a few days ride til Suna. We'll go on for a few more hours. And then we'll rest as soon as night hits." He said as Amadeus actually seemed to approve of that.
"People would probably think I'm crazy if they see me talking to a horse." He said as he might as well have been talking to himself.
"Then again, we do have a long way to go, may as well talk to something." He said as they rode off into the distance.
His journey had begun.
MEANWHILE BACK AT THE VILLAGE
Sarutobi was furious when Naruto was banished. But when he tried to reverse, Naruto turned down his offer. He didn't know why Naruto chose to be exiled, but he saw something in Naruto's eyes. Something had changed in him, almost as if there was a light surrounding him. Sarutobi couldn't explain it, but i was that light that made him approve of Naruto's exile. Besides, Naruto wouldn't take a pardon, he admitted to his wrongdoings, even if they were for the right reason.
It didn't mean Sarutobi wasn't pissed off and had many of the council members arrested. As it turns out, the council were secretly plotting against Naruto for years, most of the village understood Naruto was not the fox, and they didn't care, but the council seemed to have a vendetta for no particular reason. That was why Ibiki was kindly interrogating them as he was going over paperwork.
"Lord Hokage, you have a visitor." The secretary said as he sighed.
"Send them in." He said as he saw a cloaked woman come in.
"Hello Hiruzen, it's been awhile." She said as her voice was muffled, and her face was covered.
"Do I know you?" He asked wondering why she had come to him.
"Yes, yes you do." She said as she looked nervous.
"If I know you, then why do you hide your face?" He asked as he saw her hands shaking.
"Before I do, you have to give me your word..." She said as he was confused.
"What good will my word do?" He asked as she sighed.
"Just promise me..." She said.
In all honesty, he had better things to worry about. But there was something about this woman, something familiar. It was like he knew her, but he couldn't think of any woman he knew who would be hiding their face. Perhaps she was injured and he wouldn't recognize her due to scarring, but he had the feeling that was not the case. Either way there was something about this woman that was strikingly familiar, but he wouldn't know until he finally saw her face.
"Promise you what?" He asked as he didnt' know what she wanted.
"Promise that you will hear me out, and not automatically pass judgement." She said as he sighed.
"I swear, I will retain my judgement, now remove your hood." He said as she reached up for her hood.
When she pulled it down, Sarutobi may as well have had a heart attack.
She had aged, but he knew that hair, he knew that face. The long hair all the way down her back. The violet colored eyes. The slightly chubby face. This was Kushina Uzumaki.
Naruto's mother.
"Kushina...how..How is that possible?! How are you alive?!" He yelled as he was shocked.
"Please...hear me out..." She said as he was just baffled she was there.
"You died the night of the fox attack, you were turned to ash." He said as she sighed.
"No...No I wasn't." She said as she recalled the night.
"I remember Minato sealing the demon away into Naruto, I woke up a few minutes before you arrived. I found him laying dead on the ground, Naruto right by him. All I could think about was how Minato was dead and I was all alone in the world again..." She said as Sarutobi cut in.
"But you had Naruto..." He said as he didn't like where this was going.
"Yes...I did. And that was the problem." She said as she looked at Sarutobi.
"I wasn't killed, I left...with Minato gone, I got scard, I didn't know what I was doing, parenting was going to be something we shared responsibility in...and when he died, I just got so scared, and I...ran..." She said with shame in her voice.
"You mean to tell me, you abandoned Naruto? Willingly?" Sarutobi said as he was angry.
"Trust me, I know you're angry, I've looked back on that night every day for the past 12 years, wishing I could take it back.." She said as Sarutobi cut her off.
"YOU ABANDONED HIM!" He said as he had never felt this pissed off.
"You got scared? That's the point! Parenting isn't supposed to be a joy ride! You'll get scared, you'll be terrified, you'll be confused! But just because you are, that doesn't give you the right to abandon him at the first sign of danger!" He said as Kushina shot back.
"I wasn't in my right mind! I had just lost Minato!" She said as Sarutobi glared.
"And your response was to abandon the only family you had left..." He said as he was angry.
"I know, it was stupid. But I'm here now, I want to make this right." She said as Sarutobi tried to calm down.
He may not have been the pinnacle of fatherhood. But at least he never willingly abandoned his kids. To think that Kushina, the woman he loved like a daughter had abandoned her son, that was just an awful thought, he never would have thought she would do that within a hundred years, and yet she did. It was terrible.
"It's too late for that." He said as Kushina pleaded with him.
"Please, I know I screwed up, I know he may hate me for leaving him, but I want to-" She was cut off again.
"No, it's too late, not only does Naruto not know who you are, but he's no longer in the village." He said as Kushina's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?!" She raised her voice a bit.
"I mean what I say, Naruto is no longer in the village." He said as she walked up to him.
"Then where is he?!" She yelled.
"He was exiled." He said as Kushina took a step back.
"W-What? Why? Was it because of-" She was once again cut off.
"No it wasn't because of the fox...he chose self exile." He said as Kushina looked even more shocked.
"Why would he choose that?" She didn't understand her son.
Course, that was to be expected after not being there for him the past 12 years.
"I wish I knew, all I know is that some members of the Shinobi council tried to fight against banishment, but Naruto actually welcomed it. I don't understand why, but he said it was something he had to do, to repent for his sins. To be honest he was really cryptic, especially with that strange attire of his..." Sarutobi said as Kushina raised her head.
"Attire? What attire?" She asked.
"Naruto didn't leave in the standard shinobi gear. He left in some strange armor, and a white robe with a cross on it, with some sort of helmet." He said as Kushina froze up.
"W-Was he on a horse?" She asked as Sarutobi looked at her.
"Yes, he was...I take it you saw him?" He asked as she collapsed to the ground.
"I-I asked him for directions, I couldn't see his face, t-that was Naruto?" She asked as he nodded.
"Yes, that was Naruto." He said as she felt like crying.
She told the knight she met on the road she was going to meet family. And yet she gets here, and realizes that the knight was her family. And he was probably a day's ride away by now.
"I have to find him!" She said as she got ready to leave.
"I'm afraid that's not possible.." Sarutobi said as the doors locked.
"What do you mean?" She asked as Hiruzen sighed.
"You just don't get it, you willingly abandoned the village, you knew what you were doing, you willingly committed DESERTION and TREASON." He said as Kushina paled.
"Y-You wouldn't charge me..." She said as she knew the punishments.
Anywhere from prison to execution.
"I don't want to, but I won't have a choice, all these Anbu in my office heard what you said. Seize her." Hiruzen said as they came from the shadows.
Kushina had screwed up big time.
