There was a loud knock in Naruto's door but the owner didn't bother to open it since he wasn't in the mood right now. He can hear them calling out his name and asking them to let them in. He didn't want to face them. They don't know how he feels right now.
"Naruto open the door!" Lee shouted while knocking the door. He, Shino, Tenten, Hinata and Ino were standing there for five minutes. Lee begged him to let them in. "Naruto please!"
"It's no use", Tenten sigh in a frustrated manner. "I think he's not coming out."
"NARUTO! PLEASE!"
"Lee, that's enough. If he doesn't want to come out, he doesn't want to. Don't force him", said Shino.
All Hinata can do is twiddle her hands together. "It's not f-fair. W-why would those people hurt Na-Naruto-kun? He didn't do anything bad do them."
"I don't know Hinata. I don't know."
Just as they decide to give up, Iruka comes across their direction and sees them and they see him.
"Iruka-sensei!" yelled Lee.
Iruka was more or less surprised to see the five genins. But he was at least happy to see some people who cared for Naruto.
"What are you kids doing here?" asked Iruka in a pleased tone.
"We heard what happened to Naruto-kun that we wanted to know he's doing", answered Hinata.
Iruka nods at them and proceeds to knock Naruto's door, only more calmly than Lee's.
"Naruto? It's me Iruka-sensei. I'm here with your friends. Please open the door", Iruka called out kindly. "Naruto, everything's all right now."
Naruto didn't respond. Iruka hopes that he doesn't do anything stupid like committing suicide. God, I hope he doesn't do that, he thought.
"It's no use", whined Ino, "He won't come out. He's extremely upset."
"But we can't just leave him there!" complained Lee. He then looks at Iruka. "Iruka-sensei, do something!"
The Chuunin teacher sighs in a frustrated manner. He would do everything in his power to comfort Naruto, but he knew the Kyuubi vessel would want to be left alone.
"Naruto, I'll come back to you later and I promise I'll treat you ramen!" Iruka tells him. He motions the genins to leave the apartment.
"Iruka-sensei! What about...", Lee didn't want to leave his friend behind but Iruka cuts him off.
"Lee, Naruto will be fine. He needs to be alone for awhile. But don't worry! He'll be a-okay tomorrow!" Iruka smiles at them but to the observant eye like Shino, the teacher is extremely worried as hell.
Hinata and Lee are reluctant to leave Naruto alone but they knew it was for the best. All of them have their own worries right now. As soon as they left, Naruto quietly goes out of his room and sneaks to the Ichiraku for some ramen. He doesn't want to deal with anyone at the moment.
The mob that attacked Naruto earlier is now peeing at their pants as a very angry Tsunade looks at them with hints of wanting to kill them. They knew she would finish them in a heartbeat. They gulped when they see her crack her knuckles. This is not a good sign, they thought.
"Hokage-sama...", one man replied hoping he would get to her good graces.
"What?" asked a pissed off Tsunade. The man shakes his legs awkwardly and didn't respond to her.
"Your punishment," Tsunade continues in a harsh manner, "will be community service for 100 hours!"
"But Hokage-sama..."
"SILENCE! Your crime for hurting an innocent child..."
Another man intervenes. "Hokage-sama! That child is a demon!"
Tsunade isn't pleased with the interruption. "Interrupt me one more time and all of you will become women surgically!" As she says that, she slams her fist to the table. Miraculously, the table isn't destroyed. The men are now in fear.
"Now, if you harm Uzumaki Naruto one more time, I will, for this I promise you gentlemen, kill you", Tsunade warns them in a very Hannibal Lecter-tone. "You think that's impossible? I'll give you nightmares more vicious than Orochimaru! Do you understand me!?"
The mob nods their heads fearfully.
"Good. Your punishment will begin now."
Tsunade motioned the guards to let the mob out of her office. One day, she thought, she will shape up the village into liking the boy. Beside her is Jiraiya who is leaning on the wall.
"You know," Jiraiya speaks up, "you don't have to be THAT vicious. I understand your concern."
Tsunade looks at her former teammate. "I have to be, Jiraiya. I want to teach them a lesson."
"True, but what about the other people who branded the brat as a demon? Do you think you can take them easily?"
She knew he's right. "Jiraiya, why did he seal the Kyuubi into Naruto? Why him? There has to be a good reason."
"There is, I'm not dwelling on informing you right now."
Tsunade looks at Jiraiya warily. "Are you hiding something from me?"
He gives her a skeptic look. "What? No!"
Tsunade doesn't buy his excuse. "I know you, Jiraiya. You can't keep a secret."
"Look, it's none of your business. I will tell you when the right time comes, I promise you."
The Godaime decides to drop this from the time being but makes a mental note to ask him again soon. Silence envelops the room until the ero-sennin speaks up.
"Tsunade, I would like to do a favor. It involves Naruto."
Kiba is in his room at the moment, switching to different channels. He was bored and upset. Upset because of the failed mission. He missed Akamaru. He blamed Sasuke for injuring his favorite pet dog. Kurenai told him that he was at the vet. Then, he heard a loud "arf!" outside the door. Kurenai, Shino and Hinata enter the room with Akamaru leading. Kiba's very happy to see his partner okay but is baffled when he saw the sad face of Hinata.
"Akamaru!" Kiba shouted joyfully as the mutt leaps at him and licks his face. He puts Akamaru down and looks at Hinata.
"What's wrong?"
Hinata didn't answer. Kurenai notice her hesitation and decides to speak up. "Well, Naruto was attacked by a mob earlier. They threw him rocks."
Kiba is shocked. "WHAT? Why the hell would they do that?"
"They think he was the one responsible for Sasuke's betrayal", Kurenai continues.
"THAT'S BULLSHIT!"
"Kiba, watch your mouth", scolded Kurenai. "Luckily, Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei saved him."
"But", adds Shino, "the damage was done. He doesn't want to talk to us or to Iruka-sensei."
"That's crazy. Why would they blame Naruto?" asked a confused Kiba. Kurenai wanted to tell her students but the law is the law and if she does tell them, she will get punished. Instead she replies, "I don't know, Kiba. I don't know."
And how she hated lying.
The next morning, Ino visits Sakura's house with a twinge of nervousness. She wanted to talk to her so much to the point that she wanted to apologize for her mistake. When she arrives at the front door, she gently knocks three times. The door opens and Ino is surprised to see Sakura's mother, who just came back from her mission last night. If the parents knew what she had done, then she's done for. If not...
"Why, hello Ino", Mrs. Haruno with a genuine smile.
"Um, h-hello Haruno-san...is Sakura there?" asked a nervous Ino.
"Why yes, she's in the kitchen. Come on in."
Mrs. Haruno let the young girl inside. To her left, she sees Mr. Haruno eating breakfast. The patriarch greets her in a sign of nodding. On cue, Sakura comes down stairs for breakfast. She was somewhat dismayed that practice is cancelled today by Kakashi but at the same time she doesn't want to face Naruto after what she had done to him at the hospital. When she sees Ino her face switches from confusion to anger. She's not in a mood for a shouting match today nor does she want her parents to find out their mishap.
"Ino, what are you doing here?" Sakura asked in a cold, emotionless tone that could rival Sasuke's. Needless to say, Ino is now very nervous.
"Um...hi Sakura! Um...how are you?"
If looks could kill, Sakura would kill her. "Fine."
Both Sakura and Ino didn't want to make a scene in front of the former's parents. So, the pink-haired genin motioned her former best friend to follow her outside. Once they're outside, Sakura and Ino are in a face-to-face confrontation.
"What do you want Ino? I'm not in a mood for a chat", demanded Sakura.
"Look Sakura," Ino responds, "I-I'm sorry for what I've done to you at the hospital."
Sakura looks down at the ground. "Oh. Okay."
Ino understands her wanting to be alone. "So, I'm gonna leave you alone okay. M-maybe we can hang out later or tomorrow, if you want."
There was a pregnant pause between them. Sakura looks up to face Ino. Her expression is unreadable. Ino knows that it means "I'll think about it". She nods at her and leaves. Sakura looks at her leaving towards her house. It wasn't that Sakura is a very grouchy person; it's just that emotions have been taking over her and now she's an emotionless doll. Nevertheless, she decides to have a nice conversation with Ino tomorrow. Another thought that hit her is that she misses Sasuke even though he is branded now as a missing-nin. Almost everyone hates him now for betraying the village so, why couldn't she just simply join the bandwagon? Oh yeah, love. She loves Sasuke. But was it superficial or real? However, she's just 12 years old, going on 13.
Sakura notices a bird landing on her shoulder. It was small and graceful. She pats the bird very carefully and then it leaves at her side. She enters the house for much needed comfort.
At times like this, Naruto thanked The Powers That Be for making him addicted to Ramen. The now-quiet young boy is busy slurping his noodles as if he was in ecstasy. If there's one thing in the world that would comfort him, it would be ramen...that and acceptance of the people. But he knew those stubborn villagers would refuse to let go of the idea that he is still the Kyuubi. He contemplated on leaving the village but that would upset those who care for him like Iruka. Yet it would spare him from the pain. If doing so, he would find Jiraiya and ask him to train him.
"Hey brat!"
Speaking of the Ero-Sennin, Naruto turns around to see Jiraiya approaching him.
"Hey, Ero-Sennin", Naruto replies unenthusiastically. Jiraiya notices the sad tone.
"Relax, kid, everything's going to be okay!"
"You're just saying that so just to make me feel better."
Jiraiya shrugs. "True. But, just so you know, how about a training trip between you and me? I can teach you some new jutsus, if you want."
Naruto looks at him with interest. "Really?"
"Yup!"
"You'll teach me?"
"Yup!"
"You'll promise me not to peek at the women's bathhouses?"
Jiraiya frowns at this. He nervously laughs. "Heh, heh. Sorry kiddo, can't promise you that. Besides, I need it for my business!"
"Find another business for crying out loud!" Naruto yells at him while sticking his tongue out. Yet he was happy. "So when do we leave?"
"In two days", Jiraiya answers. "I still have some unfinished business to take care off."
Naruto gives him a skeptic look. "Uh-huh."
"Don't give me that look. We leave early in the morning. Oh I forgot, I already told Tsunade about this."
"Great! I'll tell Kakashi-sensei about this!"
After finishing the ramen, Naruto pays the bill and runs off to find Kakashi. Jiraiya tenderly looks at the boy.
"You know," he said to no one in particular, "he has your characteristics. You would've been proud of him." Then, he runs off to another direction.
One thing Chouji likes to do is to eat and to eat if he must, then eat he shall do. In his favorite Korean BBQ restaurant, he eats all the food that he can muster.
"You know, I kinda find you cuter at your current condition", complained Tenten.
"Leave me alone", mumbles Chouji. Today, he was released from the hospital except for Neji and Kiba.
"Asuma-sensei, don't you mind about the bill?" asked Shikamaru. "He could easily finish your bank account."
"Bah! Chouji deserves a reward! And I don't mind paying the bill!" declared Asuma.
"Your bankruptcy", Shikamaru mumbled. Earlier, the Sand-nins left to return home. He recalled Temari giving that look. The look of longing, which bothered him the most. "How is Naruto?" asked Shikamaru.
"Not good. He doesn't want to be with anyone at the moment", replies Shino.
"That sucks."
So they eat silently, hoping for their friend to be okay.
One of the things Jiraiya hated the most is waiting for the lovely girls to enter the bath. Another is seeing ugly women. He focuses on his research when he heard girly giggles. From his hiding spot, he felt as if he was in heaven when he finally sees over-the-top beautiful women. Beautiful, he thought, beautiful. All the better for his book. He went silently excited when he saw a blonde touched a red-head's breast. It reminded him of his youth when he saw a naked woman for the first time...which turned out to be Tsunade. But at that time, he has to admit she was well endowed. But, his merry-making time is about to end when a mysterious stranger is standing behind him. As one of the legendary Sannin, his instincts have been full alert.
"What do you want," Jiraiya asked without turning around, "Kakashi?"
Kakashi is surprised at this. "I want to talk to you about Naruto."
"Sorry, but I'm busy. Maybe some other time."
"If you don't talk to me right now, I'll tell manager to ban you from the bathhouse", warned Kakashi.
Jiraiya reluctantly follows Kakashi outside to a secure location. The former knew why he wanted to talk to him is because of Naruto. He also knew Team 7 has decreased into two and with Naruto gone for a while, the only one remaining is the pink-haired girl who Jiraiya guessed as the one who is obsessed with Sasuke. Once they reach into a safe place, Kakashi faces him.
"I was told by Naruto that both of you will go on a training trip."
"Yes", Jiraiya replies, "Most probably one month."
"And you do realize that I only have one genin left to train."
"So? Train the girl harder. No offense, but she's very weak."
"Sakura is not the issue here."
Jiraiya didn't like where this is going. "I know that. I'm asking Naruto to train with me and he said yes."
The white haired man looks at the copy-nin carefully when a thought struck him. "Wait, I get it. You're threatened."
That struck Kakashi by the nerve. "Excuse me?"
"I get it. With that brat Uchiha gone, you have no one else to teach except for Naruto and the girl. So you now are focusing on him and yet when you found out, you feel that in his point of view, you're not a good teacher to him."
At those words, Kakashi felt boiling in anger yet he still keeps his cool. "Oh, and are you a good teacher to him?"
"I thought him what he really needed to know", Jiraiya answers back.
"The Rasengan. But that alone doesn't..."
Jiraiya reveals his trump card. "I taught him how to summon and believe it or not, he's good at it."
Kakashi is surprised at this. "What?"
"Right before the final Chuunin exams, you focused all your time on the Uchiha brat."
"I chose to train Sasuke because at that time, I knew Orochimaru was after him. So I taught him the Chidori for protection and that I told him not to go to the dark side", Kakashi counters him.
"Yes. You successfully taught him the Chidori yet you failed at convincing Sasuke not to join the dark side very well. But I think there's more than that."
Kakashi pauses for a few seconds. "Sasuke is a younger version of me. He's a genius at a young age and he reminded me when I was young. I chose to train him, that's why."
"And what does that make Naruto? The replacement? Second fiddle? I chose to train Naruto because he reminded me of Yodaime."
"That's your excuse?"
"Not just that. Naruto has more potential than the Uchiha brat. Kakashi, you may be an excellent Jounin, but as a teacher you're not good at picking favorites."
Bad move for Jiraiya. At that, Kakashi smashes a nearby wall with his fist with pure anger and begins to shout at the Ero-Sennin. "DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME A BAD SENSEI! I make mistakes! So what? Does that make you any better? I also care for Naruto as a student! I'm his instructor so I should be the one to train him!"
Jiraiya looks at him. "Yes, you are his Jounin instructor and you should be the one to train him. But...he made his decision. And honestly, I think you have nothing else to teach to him."
In a final straw, Kakashi quickly punches Jiraiya at the face but the latter didn't fall down. "Fucker, just because you're one of the Legendary Sannin doesn't mean you have the right to judge at other people so easily."
Jiraiya holds his bruise tenderly. "I could say the same thing about you, Kakashi. But you're right. We all make mistakes."
With that, Jiraiya left the forlorn Jounin in the place. Kakashi remembered what Naruto said to him at the hospital.
You're not my teacher anymore.
Kakashi felt rejected by Naruto. Maybe Jiraiya was right. Maybe he was a bad sensei. But there's Sakura, yet with Sasuke gone, she's figuratively lifeless. Kakashi closed his eyes and prayed to his late sensei for failing to teach his son properly.
It was 10:47 p.m. and Sakura couldn't sleep. All she could is read some books. Next, she tried the old-fashioned formula: counting sheep. Yet it failed. Sakura's parents knock her door and open it. Sakura looks at them with curiosity.
"Mom, dad, what are you doing?" asks Sakura.
Her father speaks up. "Sakura, we noticed that you've been cooped up in your room for the entire day. Didn't you have training today?"
"No dad. Kakashi-sensei cancelled today's training. I'm just not in a mood for going out today."
"Are you okay, Sakura?" a concerned Mrs. Haruno asks her offspring.
Sakura smiles at them. "Yeah mom, I'm fine! I'll be okay I promise!"
"Okay, if you say so."
Just before they went to their bedroom, Mr. Haruno looks at his daughter. "Sakura, how about tomorrow night, we go eat outside and watch a movie?"
Sakura is delighted at this. "Sure!"
The Harunos smile at her. "Okay dear, go to sleep now and we'll discuss this tomorrow morning", Mr. Haruno tells her.
"Good night dear", said Mrs. Haruno.
"Night mom, dad", Sakura answers back.
Lights were turned off at the Haruno household. Feeling better, Sakura lies down on her bed and goes to sleep.
3:30 a.m.
All is quiet at the Hidden Leaf Village. Everyone is asleep save for those who are working on the watchtower. The weather is cold but suitable. All is quiet, until a loud explosion takes place. This made the nins who are in charge of the watchtower jump of their feet. Soon, the firemen arrive to extinguish the flaming house. Everyone in the neighborhood watch as they realized that the building is belongs to none other than...
"SAKURA!" Ino shouts at the house. But as she tries to go to the house, Shikamaru and Chouji, who were wide awake when they heard the explosion and alarms, grab Ino's shoulders and pull her back.
"LET ME GO!" Ino struggled to be free.
"No! It's too damn dangerous!" said Shikamaru.
"BUT SAKURA..."
Chouji decides to intervene. "Shikamaru's right! It's too dangerous!"
Kakashi, Naruto and the rest arrive at the scene with the look of horror.
"SAKURA-CHAN!" Naruto shouted at the flames begin to erupt. Many wanted to rescue Sakura but they knew it would be too dangerous and it was too late to rescue the Harunos. All they can do is watch the house burn into ashes and the occupants who live in it.
In the early dawn, the flames were terminated but the house was gone, burned into ashes. The elder nins decide it's time to collect the bodies of the Harunos. Slowly, they carried the burnt corpses one by one. Many people were stunned to see the dead people. When they finally carried Sakura's corpse, everyone who knows her were in pure shock. Ino shrieks and cries over her former best friend's body and Shikamaru and Chouji try to comfort her. Hinata and Tenten begin to weep over their friend's death. Lee and Naruto quietly wept for their crush's demise. Everyone else silently mourned. They didn't know what to do, yet they couldn't believe it. No matter how much they think hard, it was real. Haruno Sakura and her family were dead.
A few hours later, a tired Tsunade listened to the ANBU's debriefing over the explosion. Among in the room were Shizune, Jiraiya and Shikamaru, who was brought over for his expertise.
"We believe that the explosion was caused by a gas leak", reported one ANBU member.
"Gas leak?" asked a baffled Tsunade.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
This is where Shikamaru cuts in. "But the strange thing is gas leak isn't enough to start an explosion. You need more than that. You need fire to do so."
"We investigated enough and the gas leak is our only lead to the explosion."
"What about the microwave? If you put a foreign substance that is flammable..."
"The microwave is strangely intact even though it was burnt."
"Are there any other clues? I have to agree with Shikamaru", said Tsunade.
"Don't worry Hokage-sama. We'll look into it."
With that, the ANBUs disappear in a puff of smoke. Shizune escorts Shikamaru out while the two Sannins remain to think about the incident. Tsunade looks at her former comrade.
"What do you think of it, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya looks at her. "I don't know. Something doesn't add up or make sense. I have to agree with the Nara kid, yet I have the feeling there are only few clues."
"A gas leak doesn't make a house explode. You need fire."
Tsunade paused for a moment. "How's Naruto's taking Sakura's death?"
Jiraiya gives his frustrating sigh. "Not very well. I told him that I would cancel the trip but he insisted that he'll be going. I told him there would be a one day extension."
"I see. I also heard you had an argument with Hatake Kakashi."
"It's a long story, Tsunade. It's something I would rather not dwell on at the moment."
Two days later, Naruto decided not to go to the funeral. He was all set to go to the training with Jiraiya. To him, if he attended, it would cause him so much pain and heartbreak. Even though he snapped at Sakura at the hospital, he still cares for her. He soon realized that Team 7 is dissolving and the only ones remain are him and Kakashi. Sasuke doesn't count, since he sided with Orochimaru. Speaking of Sasuke, Naruto wondered if he already knows Sakura's death. He looks at the window and sees the grey and dark clouds forming at the sky. Then it rains lightly. He grabs his backpack, opens the door and looks at his apartment one more time before he leaves.
As the three coffins begin to be moved to the ground, the mourners didn't weep save for a few, for the sky is weeping over the loss of a good family. Lee didn't smile and his spark that made him so lively disappeared. Gai is concerned over his student and the loss of a very promising student. Ino and Hinata continued to weep bitterly. Shikamaru, Chouji, Shino and Tenten held a silent prayer for their dearly departed fellow Genin. Tsunade also held a silent prayer for Sakura. Iruka is saddened over the death of his former student. As for Kakashi, all he could do is lower his head in shame. He regretted that he didn't do enough to save his student. Like Naruto, Kakashi realized that Team 7 is gone. His only student left didn't attend the funeral but he understands his motives.
Not far away from the funeral, Naruto watched as the graves are now being buried. Jiraiya looks at him with concern. Both of them were soon ready to go, but Naruto needed one more minute to say his final goodbye to Sakura for now. Then, he motioned his sensei to leave. That's when Hinata notices him and follows them.
As they are near the gates, Naruto pauses when he heard his name being called.
"NA-NARUTO-KUN!"
Naruto turns around to see Hinata running towards at his direction. Jiraiya notices her and decides to wait. When Hinata finally reaches Naruto, she was tired from the running and faces him.
"Naruto-kun, where are you going?" asked Hinata.
"I...I'm going to a training trip with Ero-Sennin", that was all Naruto could reply.
"You didn't attend Sakura-chan's funeral."
"I'm sorry. I felt uncomfortable being there."
The two paused for a moment before Naruto speaks up.
"Hinata, what are you doing here?"
"I...I noticed you and Jiraiya-sama and so I decided to follow you", said Hinata. "There's something I wanted to talk to you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto notices Hinata is playing with her fingers. It was time for Hinata to reveal her true feelings for Naruto. It was now or never. It was one thing she learned after Sakura's death and that is say how you feel before they're gone.
"What is it, Hinata-chan?"
"Na-Na-Naruto-kun," Hinata breathes in and out before she can continue, "I love you."
Naruto is surprised at Hinata's declaration.
"I love you Naruto-kun. You were the one who gave me the courage to be a stronger person. At the Chuunin Exams, when I fought Neji, you shouted and encouraged me to do my best. I've grown to admire you ever since the days at the Academy. You are a stronger person than most people give you credit for. You change people. You change me. So, I love you."
Hinata smiles at Naruto nervously, hoping that he would accept her. On the other hand, Naruto is surprised at this.
"Hinata..."
The Main House member looks at her crush. "Yes, Naruto-kun?"
"Thank you for acknowledging me...", Naruto smiles at Hinata, who smiles at him in return.
"But I can't love you. I don't love like that. I only love you as a friend."
Hinata is stunned and saddened. Naruto has rejected her. Soon, tears begin to well up on her eyes.
"Na-Naruto-kun", Hinata said while she begins to sob, "Why? Why?"
Naruto sheepishly replies, "I'm so sorry Hinata. Like I said, I only love you as a friend, nothing more."
Hinata is now sobbing like hell. The only person who acknowledges her as a fine kunoichi has rejected her. Her heart has been smashed into pieces.
"Hinata?" Naruto looks at her. He is about to touch her shoulder and apologize when Hinata swats his hand very hard.
"Please leave Naruto-kun", Hinata responded in hint of sadness and anger.
"Hinata..."
"I said leave, please!" Hinata shouts at him in an uncharacteristic manner. This surprises the both of them.
"Again, I'm sorry."
Naruto looks at Hinata with concern while the latter walks away while crying. He felt stupid. He broke Hinata's heart. But there was nothing he can do. He looks at Jiraiya, who is waiting for him and then they left the Hidden Leaf. For that, Naruto left his village broken hearted.
UP NEXT: Loss.
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
1. I won't update this fic for a while (give or take two weeks) for I'll be focusing on my other fic "Kingdom Hearts Volume 2". If you're interested, read and review. On the chapter I'm making right now, Sasuke is there and let me just say that he'll be screaming like a girl at the end of his battle.
2. This will not be a NaruxHina fic. I'm sorry. But don't worry, Hinata fans, she will find her special someone.
3. The rating will go up later on as it deals with language, violence, sexual situations and dirty jokes.
Any feedback / criticism / comments would be appreciated. Please do it constructively.