Tenten quickly runs to the Yamanaka Flower Shop followed by the already tired Hinata. As she arrives, she opens the door to see a startled Sakura and Ino, who were conversing about the mission led by Shikamaru to retrieve Sasuke.
"Sa...kura...I...no!", Tenten calls their names as she breathes heavily from her running.
Sakura is baffled at this.
"Tenten?"
":What's going on?", asked a confused Ino.
Just then, Hinata arrives at the flower shop, looking very tired. Tenten finally composes herself. "Shikamaru and the others have returned...Chouji and Neji are critically injured...Shikamaru, Naruto and Kiba are at the hospital..."
"Tenten! Where's Sasuke-kun!?", Sakura asks anxiously. She waited the whole to see Sasuke again. Tenten didn't want to tell Sakura the bad news.
"Are Chouji and Neji okay?", asks a now concerned Ino.
"Um, they're okay but H-hokage-sama are treating their wounds at this instant", Hinata replies. Sakura still continues to ask for her "beloved".
"Where's Sasuke-kun?!"
Deep down, Hinata is irritated at Sakura. Her only main concern is the genin who betrayed Konoha rather than her own teammates.
"The mission failed", Tenten tells her rigidly.
Sakura is upset at this. "What?"
Tenten sighs at this. "The Sound nins are tougher but with the help of the Sand nins and Lee, they managed to defeat them. However, sadly, Naruto failed to retrieve Sasuke. We're going to the hospital to see them."
"Okay, just a sec. I'll tell my mom that I'll be going", Ino tells them.
Ino leaves the counter to tell her mom that she'll go to the hospital to visit her teammates. Tenten looks at Sakura whose face can be easily described as sad and miserable. Soon after, the four kunoichis head to the hospital.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!"
"Hold still!", orders a frustrated Tsunade.
Lee winces at his wounds. "It hurts Hokage-sama!"
"That's what you get for leaving the hospital!", Tsunade scolds at Lee.
Gai decides to step in and save Lee from the scoldings of the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, please forgive Lee. He just wants to help his friends..."
Tsunade sighs at Gai's statement. The two always stick together no matter what.
"Plus, on the brighter side," Gai uses his Mr. Nice Guy pose, "at least he didn't get injured again!"
All Tsunade can is glare at Gai. "Or, what if instead of getting injured, he dies? Haven't you thought about that? From what Gaara told me, the Sound nin Lee was facing was dangerous."
"But Hokage-sama! He was blocking Naruto!", Lee replies.
"True."
Just then, Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai arrived at the room where Lee is treated.
"Hokage-sama. How are the others?", Kakashi asks.
"Neji and Chouji are in critical condition but don't worry, they'll be fine. Shikamaru and Kiba are healed", Tsunade answers back.
Tsunade paused. Honestly, she felt her heart ache when she saw Naruto at one room tired, bruised and with a forlorn face that cannot be broken by smiles or happiness. Tsunade did the best she can to comfort the boy but to no avail. Naruto didn't cry but he looks like he's about to.
Kakashi looks around for his student. "Hokage-sama, where's Naruto?"
Tsunade pauses for while and then said, "Kakashi-sensei, may I have a word with you after I healed Lee outside? Kurenai-sensei, Asuma-sensei, you can see your charges now."
Asuma and Kurenai nod and left the room to look for the other genins. Kakashi is confused by what Tsunade said but waits outside. After healing Lee, Tsunade goes to Kakashi while Gai goes to Neji's room. Tsunade gives her best poker face. Kakashi half-knew where this is going.
"I'll be blunt Kakashi-sensei. Naruto is fine physically. Mentally, he's a wreck", Tsunade sighs. She wanted to comfort Naruto until he regains his joyous self.
"What?", asked a shocked Kakashi.
"You should talk to him. Be there for him. I've already alerted Iruka-sensei from the academy. He'll arrive here an hour from now", the blonde Sannin advices him.
Kakashi lowers his head. "I see"
Tsunade could see the forlorn face Kakashi has despite the mask and decides to continue on what she has to say to him, "Also, if Uchiha Sasuke cannot be retrieve by one month, he is branded as a missing nin."
Tsunade hated the parallel between Itachi and Sasuke. In her opinion, she blamed Itachi for what happened to Sasuke.
"One month?", asked Kakashi.
"The maximum is usually a week or two. But Sasuke is vital to Orochimaru's plans. If he gets a hold on that boy..."
"I know", Kakashi interrupts, "But knowing Sasuke, he'll accomplish his goal of avenge his clan's demise by killing Itachi."
"Speaking of Itachi, I've read his files up to the point when he massacred his family. I don't know, but I find it surreal. Something is wrong. It's a puzzle that lacks pieces."
"That's the same thing I had in mind after I woke up."
Tsunade mutters, "Still can't believe two men knocked you out."
Kakashi is annoyed at this. "If I may Hokage-sama, Itachi used some kind of a special Sharingan technique that knocked me out."
"The Magenkyou Sharingan", Tsunade recalls on what the reports have stated.
"Yes. He used the Tsukiyomi on me and Sasuke. From what I've gathered, only Itachi has the Magenkyou Sharingan among his clan members."
"False. I think there are two or three who has them. I forgot. Also, I am planning to re-open the case of Uchiha Shisui."
Kakashi raises his visible eyebrow and says, "You're kidding?"
"I am not. But I don't expect the case to be solved successfully. Just trying to find the gaps, if there are."
Kakashi swallows this in his mind and decides to look for his student. "Where is Naruto?"
"His room is on the rightside near the hallway", Tsuande replies.
Kakashi nods at Tsunade and proceeds to Naruto's room. When he gets there, he sees a very solemn and quiet Naruto, a contrast to the usual loud and bright cheery genin, sitting in front of the window, his back on Kakashi. Kakashi is concerned at Naruto.
"Naruto?"
No response.
"Naruto?"
No response. Kakashi approached Naruto carefully not to startle him. When he looks at him face to face, it was what Tsunade secretly described.
"Naruto?", Kakashi asks in a concerned tone.
Naruto raises his head at looks at Kakashi. His only words to him are...
"Go away."
Kakashi is stunned at this. "Naruto..."
Naruto replies coldly, "You're not my teacher anymore."
Kakashi is shocked at this development, "What?"
"You're not my teacher anymore. I'm not fit to be the next Hokage."
"Naruto, what are you saying?"
Naruto glares at Kakashi, "Just leave me alone. Please."
Kakashi reluctantly agreed and left the room. He sat on the benches outside with his face buried on his face. What exactly had happened to Naruto? And what did he meant by not being his teacher anymore. He was confused at this yet at the same time frustrated and angry at Sasuke.
"Is he going to be alright?", asks a concerned Asuma on Chouji's case.
"Yes, but he needs complete rest. I've already informed his parents about his condition", the doctor relieves the tension Asuma has been carrying.
"Thank you."
"ASUMA-SENSEI!"
Asuma turns around to see Ino running towards him.
"Ino?"
Ino stops as she faces Asuma and said, "I came as fast as I could. Is Shikamaru and Chouji okay?"
"Well, this is a surprise. Since when did you become concerned with your teammates?" asked an amused Asuma.
Ino is offended at this. "What? Since when is it a crime to be concerned with them?"
Asuma chuckle and said, "Heh. I'm just kidding ya. Chouji needs rest and Shikamaru only has minor wounds but he'll be okay. Are you here alone?"
"No. Sakura, Tenten and Hinata are here."
"So, the Sasuke Fan Club is here. FYI, he's not..."
"...my main concern. He's a traitor now. I understand."
Asuma nods at his student. While on the way to the hospital, Ino had been thinking about her crush on Sasuke. It was then she realized that it only broke her friendship with Sakura. Plus, he hadn't acknowledged her or anyone else, be it straight or gay. She was shocked when she learned that he ran away from Konoha. As clichéd as it may seem, she realizes he wasn't the boy for her. Speaking of boys...
"Say, where's Shikamaru?"
"Patching up. He received less injuries but he is required for a check-up just in case."
Meanwhile Hinata and Tenten see Gai in Neji's room, sitting on his student's bedside.
"Gai-sensei, is Neji okay?" asked Hinata.
Gai smiles at her and said, "Don't worry, he'll be fine. He needs to rest."
Tenten smiles at what Gai said. "That's great! Where's Lee?"
"He's in his room. Nothing serious. Hinata, Kiba's at the other room with Kurenai."
"Thank you, Gai-sensei", Hinata bows at him and heads to Kiba's room, where Kurenai is waiting for her in case she visits. Gai slumps on his chair.
"Gai-sensei, is there something wrong?" asks Tenten.
"Nothing Tenten. Just fine", Gai assures her.
Tenten sighs. "Things have been hectic lately. Seems Konoha has gone through a lot of stress."
"The hard part of being a ninja is sometimes you keep wondering if you're the good guy or a bad guy", Gai replies while he recalls his A and S-Class missions that involve assassinations.
"Everything's shade of gray. It would take more than that to clean everything."
Gai chuckles a bit and said, "I rely more on the youth. Do you know why? They can change the future and fix the mistakes of the adults." Tenten is confused. Gai answers her questions. "Don't mind me. Just being sentimental."
When Hinata enters Kiba's room, she found him sleeping with Kurenai checking on him. The Jounin turns around to see her and gives a heart-warming smile.
"He's fine. He's just taking a nap."
Hinata smiles back. "I-I see. I shouldn't be disturbing him then."
"It's okay. I take it your cousin is okay?"
Hinata nods and asks, "Sensei, what happened? Why did the mission failed?"
This what Kurenai hates the most: failed missions. "According to Shikamaru, when they were pursuing Sasuke they were attacked by the Sound nins. Chouji and Neji fought the first two, while the others pursued Sasuke. Kiba could've been killed if it weren't for Kankuro, the Sand nin."
Hinata is confused and continues to ask, "What was he doing there?"
"Since Konoha and Suna have formed an alliance, the latter send Gaara and his siblings to help them. In fact, I heard that Gaara immediately volunteered. They're in the Hokage's office at this moment."
"I see." Hinata ponders for awhile and then asks Kurenai, "Sensei, do you know Naruto-kun's room?"
Kurenai smiles at her. She knew she would ask her about her crush. "Not far from here. But Kakashi-sensei told me that Naruto isn't interested in having visitors at the moment. Just let him recover. He took the failure of the mission hard."
Hinata felt sorry for Naruto. Yet, she understands his condition at the moment. All Hinata would want to do at the moment is to comfort him but would he do the same thing in return? Then, she realized someone is missing.
"Se-sensei, where's Akamaru?"
"He's at the vet", replies Kurenai.
Hinata nods. She grabs a chair and sits beside Kurenai. She has been doing some thinking. For her, it's time to tell Naruto her true feelings. All she can do now is to muster the courage in doing so.
Gaara, Kankuro and Temari are at the Hokage's office. The mission has been a failure, they know that. But, they have something else to discuss at the moment.
"Are you sure your Kazekage can be trusted?" asks a confused Tsunade.
"He was our father's trusted assistant before he was killed by Orochimaru. Kagami is a very good leader", Temari comments.
Tsunade takes a good look at them. "I can tell something is wrong."
"We think it was a coincidence that he was chosen as the new Kazekage at the same time we learned that Orochimaru was posing as our father", Kankuro replies.
"It can happen in other countries as well."
"You don't understand, Hokage-sama. In Sunagakure, whenever there is an opening for the Kazekage, the elders will screen the nominees and they will choose whoever is fit to rule. Kagami nominated himself at the same time we learned the truth", Temari adds.
Tsunade leans back on her chair and gives a moment to ponder.
"Why are you telling me this now?"
Kankuro casually tells her, "To tell you the truth, we don't trust Kagami. There have been stories that he was against our father's rule."
Gaara, out of the blue, and tells Tsunade, "We think he's siding with someone else like Orochimaru. We can't be too sure about this."
Tsunade, Kankuro and Temari look at Gaara as if he was a statue came to life by talking.
"Very well. I look over this", Tsunade confirms.
The nins bow down to Tsunade. Then, Gaara spoke with a hint of concern.
"Where is Naruto?"
"In the hospital. Give him time to recover, he's tired." And upset, she thought.
Sakura stands in front of Naruto's room. Earlier, Kakashi advised her to let him rest and leave him alone. But what he said to her was a hint of sadness and disappointment. She opens the door to see a very solemn Naruto sitting on the bed, looking as if he doesn't have a care for the world. Sakura is worried for her teammate, but not so much than Sasuke. Naruto promised her that he would bring him back. Alas, he failed. Sakura didn't know whether she would get angry or pity at the blonde.
"Naruto?"
Like before, Naruto didn't turn around to see her. Or maybe he isn't interested at the moment.
"Naruto, please talk to me!", Sakura replied in a forceful tone. He didn't respond. This time, she would go to the extremes. "Naruto...you didn't fulfill the promise. I-I...Sasuke-kun's g-gone." Naruto said nothing. Sakura continues to talk as her tears begin to fall on her cheeks. "I-I told him t-the night before he left that I love him. He said nothing except thanking me."
Naruto decides to speak up in a cold manner, in order for Sakura to shut up. "So?"
Sakura is surprised at this. She would think that Naruto would at least understand her. Big mistake. "Naruto?", asked a confused Sakura.
Naruto gets up from his bed and slowly walks towards his teammate. What Sakura saw from him is a shock: large bruises on his face and body, a bandage on his cheek and his eyes...are red, probably from the lack of sleep. But his expression is pure anger. Anger because he has had enough of Sasuke. For this, Sakura slowly creeps back.
"You think Sasuke would love you? You think you would fulfill the role as one of the best kunoichis of Konoha? Tough. You don't care about me. You don't care that Neji and Chouji are in critical condition or Kiba and Shikamaru may have suffered from injuries that might be fatal. All you want is your precious Sasuke-kun. Well guess what? He doesn't love you! He's not coming back here! He cares for no one but himself and his quest for power!", Naruto yells at her with disgust. Sakura is stunned. Before, Naruto wouldn't raise his voice at her. Sakura decides to fight back.
"That is not true! I care for them also!"
"But you would focus more on Sasuke!", Naruto shouts back. He continues to approach her. "Come to think of it. You are useless. No technique of your own. Weak and stupid-"
"SHUT UP!"
"You would always rely on Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke, Ino and everyone else."
"That is not true!"
"Because you're a self-centered bitch!"
Uncharacteristically, Naruto shoves her to the wall.
"You think you're so smart that you would be an asset. YOU'RE NOT! This is the real world, Haruno Sakura! Your intelligence alone would help you survive! In the real world, Sasuke will kill you in cold blood! SO WAKE UP!"
Sakura slaps him hard on the face. Naruto didn't flinch or anything. She's upset on what he said to her.
"What about you? You think you would be Hokage in the future you stupid loser?! You always fail at everything! You only got lucky because of Iruka-sensei, Kakashi sensei and the Sandaime! Everyone in this village hates you! I hate you! Sasuke's gone because of you!", Sakura yells at him. She turns around to see Hinata, Ino and Tenten, whose faces are in pure shock.
"N-Naruto-kun!", Hinata yelps a bit.
"Sakura, what did you do to him?", asked a stunned Ino. It seems that the three arrived by the time Sakura slapped Naruto.
The only thing Sakura could do is blame Naruto. "It's his fault that he couldn't bring back Sasuke-kun!", Sakura replies as she points her finger at Naruto.
"What?", asked a confused yet disgusted Tenten.
"Why are you saying that, Sakura-chan?", asked Hinata.
Sakura's tears continue to fall. "He f-failed to bring back..."
"Is that it? All you care about is Sasuke? At least you can do is thank Naruto! Everyone tried their best to get him back!", Ino scolds at Sakura.
"Well what about you? You always like Sasuke!", Sakura shouts at her former best friend.
"He's not worth it, Sakura. He doesn't care for anyone anymore. I'm over him. You should too", says Ino to Sakura in order for the latter to wake up. But Haruno Sakura at the moment is very upset at the loss of Sasuke so her mind doesn't register well.
"You're lying", Sakura sneered at Ino. "You pretend to get over Sasuke-kun so that you can easily steal him away from me!"
Ino is confused. "Eh?"
Sakura rolls her eyes. "Don't pretend to play dumb at me! I love Sasuke-"
Ino interrupts Sakura by slapping her in the face. What happened next is parallel to dramatic films: Sakura and Ino begin their fight by pulling each others' hairs and punching and kicking at each other while Tenten is trying to stop the fight and Hinata is putting Naruto in a safe distance. The fight between the rivals is interrupted suddenly when a large fan hits the both of them. They look at a very annoyed Temari.
"What the hell is going here?"
Sakura glares at the Sand-nin. "It's none of your business, bitch! What are you doing here?"
Temari doesn't take this very well. "Oh I'm sorry I disturbed your cat fight. Please continue killing each other."
Ino lets go of Tenten's grasp on her shoulder as she faces Sakura. "When are you going to wake up Sakura? Sasuke's not worth it. He destroyed our friendship." Deep down, Ino knew she is also guilty of the rift between her and Sakura. But it was Sakura who first broke off their bond.
Sakura paused. She doesn't know what to do at the moment. She's hurt, both physically and emotionally. Her eyes lock with Ino's. "Just leave me alone, bitch!"
Ino is known for her short-temper as she is about to assault Sakura. Hinata and Tenten stop her in time by grabbing her arms.
"Ino, enough!", Tenten orders her fellow nin.
"YOU THINK WE'RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU? GUESS WHAT? I HATE YOU! YOU'LL ALWAYS BE THAT SOCIALLY INEPT, LARGE FOREHEADED LOSER I BEFRIENDED A LONG TIME AGO!", Ino yells at Sakura enough for the everyone to hear. What she will say next will come off as a surprise for everyone, including Ino herself: "I HOPE YOU DIE!"
Sakura flinches at the remark. Then, she quickly runs off, pushing Hinata and Temari to her own sanctuary: her house. Tenten looks at the burnt out Ino. "What the hell were you saying?!", asked a shocked Tenten. She knew Ino has a short fuse but this takes the cake. All Ino could say is, "I-I don't know."
Temari, seeing the whole incident, gives a small annoyed sigh and mutters something about immature girls. "Hey, can you girls help me? Do you know where Shikamaru is?"
UP NEXT: Naruto's day turns from bad to worst. Shino and his father return from their mission to confirm Tsunade some bad news. Itachi meets up with Sasuke as the latter is on his way to Orochimaru. Jiraiya returns.
References for the fic: The End of Evangelion, Kill Bill, Hero, The Lord of The Rings Trilogy, Alias, HunterxHunter, Full Metal Alchemist, Ranma ½
1. Bad news: don't expect NarutoxHinata and SasukexSakura. I'm sorry but that's life: don't expect things that would work out for you. But do expect: TemarixShikamaruxIno, AsumaxKurenai, NejixTentenxLee. What the hell: everyonexeveryone.
2. Which name do you think is better: Hotaru or Subaru?
3. Do you think it's possible to have another Sannin from another village?
4. The Sakura-Naruto confrontation is a reference to The End of Evangelion wherein Asuka confronts Shinji right before the Komm Susser Tod scene.
5. Sorry if this seems a bit rush. I'll focus on what has happened based on Tenten's journal for about 3-4 chapters. Then, the real story begins.