Disclaimer : I don't own anything from the series Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto owns it all.
Chapter 3
As the Kyuubi vessel made his way over the humongous wall surrounding Konoha, he noticed that the girl in his arms was pale, her eyes were closed and breathing had slowed.
" Damnit! Don't die on me, we're almost there!"
Naruto burst through the hospital double doors, startling the nurses behind the receptionist desk. He ran up to the front, panting frantically for air.
" I need… a doctor for her… quick…"
The nurse closest to the front motioned for the two behind the counter to take Tayuya out of the boy's arms as she pressed a red button on the wall. The redheaded girl was placed on a stretcher brought in by a medic and they rushed her towards the intensive care unit. The head nurse turned back to him.
" Who is she and what happened to her?"
He thought for a second before offering her a sheepish smile.
" To tell you the truth, I don't even know her name yet myself. She was under a tree when I found her, so she probably has a few broken bones. I think she mentioned internal bleeding when she was conscious."
" We'll get Shizune-sama on it immediately."
Glancing down at the blonde, a scowl played across her features.
" And you should be upstairs on the 2nd floor with your teammates, healing!" She scolded. " What were you thinking, leaving with the injuries that you sustained?"
" Oh, for the love of… I'm gonna get enough of that from Tsunade-Obaa-chan when I see her, so lay off will ya? Speaking of which, where is she?"
" Tsunade-sama is on the 2nd floor doing a routine checkup on your friends. I think there are a few people you know waiting for you in your room also. You really worried them when you left so abruptly."
" Heh. Yeah, I probably did. Well, I'm gonna go so they can stop sweatin' over me. Bye…"
He glanced down at the nametag then flashed her a grin.
" …Asami-chan."
She smiled at the blonde boy as he ran towards the stairs.
' I don't see why all the villagers call him a monster, even if the Kyuubi no Youko is sealed in him. He seems like a sweet child to me. Wait… was that a kunai in his shoulder? Ugh, I got to stop with these graveyard shifts; this lack of sleep is making me hallucinate.'
The blonde headed Genin darted through the corridors of the hospital, searching for the Godaime. It took a great deal of running around the facility, but he found her coming out of a room down the hall from his.
"Tsunade-Obaa-chan! Tsunade-Obaa-chan!"
Tsunade stopped dead in her tracks and turned, with a fist raised threateningly, to face the only person who dared to call her by that.
" Brat, how many times do I have to tell you, STOP- Oh, Naruto! You're back!"
He ran up to her, only for his face to greet the dark olive tile as Tsunade punched him downward.
" You baka, don't leave like that again or else! You had us all worried about you! Where did you go and where's Kakashi?"
When Naruto came to his senses and stood on wobbly legs, he rushed the words so fast they slurred together.
" IwentbacktothevalleywhereIfoughtSasuketothinksomethingsoverwhenKakashi-senseishowedupandweheadedoff.WewerebeingchasedthroughtheforestandhetoldmetorunbackherewhilehestayedbehindtofightthreeSoundJounin!"
She put her hands on the boy's shoulders and shook him.
" Calm down, Naruto. I didn't make out a word you just said."
Taking a deep breath to control his nerves, he made another attempt.
"I went back to the valley where I fought Sasuke to think some things over when Kakashi-sensei showed up to bring me back. We were being chased through the forest and he told me to run here while he stayed behind to fight three Sound Jounin! You need to send someone to help him!"
" The Sound? Why would the Sound be chasing after you? What were they doing out there to begin with? Sasuke should have already been long gone by now…"
That's when Naruto remembered why he was looking for her in the first place. He started a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his head. Noticing his reaction, she crossed her arms and waited impatiently for the explanation.
" Heheh…Uh, You're probably not going to like that part. I'll start from the beginning so you won't end up killing me right away."
Five minutes later, Tsunade's right eye wouldn't stop twitching.
" That's just like him to play hero, thinking he's invincible just because of that Sharingan of his." She mumbled to herself. Turning her attention back to Naruto, she pointed an accusing finger at the blonde.
" And you! What were you thinking when you brought a Sound ninja here without MY authorization, even if you had a substantial reason?"
As he opened his mouth to protest on his own behalf, she raised her hand to silence him while rubbing her temples with the other. Tsunade felt a migraine coming on.
" Just, don't. I would end up knocking you through a wall if you said anything remotely stupid right now. We'll talk about this later, Naruto. I'll help Shizune with the girl down in the ward after I round some ANBU up to support Kakashi. Hopefully he'll still be in one piece when they get there."
" What'll happen once she wakes up and you're done with getting the info from her?" The boy asked,
" It depends. By law, she should be executed post-interrogation for aiding an S-ranked Nuke-nin and attempted homicide on one of our newly recruited Chuunin, Nara Shikamaru."
" WHAT!"
" But, if what you said is indeed true, I'll allow a loophole. If she relinquishes all information willingly and doesn't show anymore hostility towards Konoha, it's allies, or their citizens, she won't be. As soon as she's discharged, she is to do as she pleases; whether it is to stay here under multiple restrictions and watched by a guardian or to leave and go on her own. The only reason I will allow such a thing is because an enemy of Orochimaru's is an ally of ours. I'm sure Orochimaru would want her dead if he found out she leaked anything on his whereabouts."
" Oh. Okay. Thanks, Obaa-chan."
" Don't thank me just yet. You better come up with a good excuse to tell Shikamaru, also. I'm sure he will absolutely love to hear one of the reasons he failed his assignment is recuperating at this very hospital. He and Subaku no Gaara are waiting in your room.
Gaara insisted he and his siblings stay in Konoha until they found out you were all right. Haruno Sakura didn't take your leave so well either. She was crying most of the time she was here up until I had Yamanaka Ino take her home a few hours ago. She thinks you ran away from her just like Sasuke did and don't plan on coming back."
" Oh… crap."
" Oh crap, indeed. You have my condolences on this one. Have fun explaining the dilemma to your little friends. See you later, brat."
Turning, Tsunade walked off down the hall to attend to the more pressing matters, leaving Naruto to consider the different possibilities that could result; most of which involved being strangled to death by shadows, crushed and suffocated by sand, and knocked senseless by a delicate pink flower. Today was just not his day…
On the outskirts of the Hidden Leaf Village, a battle was being waged. Drawing a kunai, Copy Ninja Kakashi charged straight at the Sound nins. The captain, Kenji, thwarted the Sharingan user's swipe, kneed him in the gut, and speared him through the back with his katana. The Jounin disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving the blade inserted into a log.
" Kawarimi!"
The Copy Kat dropped down from above while in the midst of performing handseals. He landed behind Kenji at the same time he stopped on the Tiger. Inhaling, Kakashi put a hand to his mouth.
" Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
The flames shot out, incinerating everything within its radius. When the raging fires died down, all that was left was a smoldering crater. He turned around and saw all three standing in a triangular defensive formation.
' Huh. Guess they aren't as stupid as they look.'
Masagi, the weapons specialist, jumped forward and came down with a stroke of his katana. Kakashi dispersed into a pool of water the moment the sword slashed through his body. The Sound nin jumped back into formation, sheathing his blade and launching several kunai into the distant brush. A blur of deep blue shot out and disappeared into the foliage again on the other side of the glade.
' He managed to follow my movements. This could prove … I've got to eliminate one this moment or it could prove to be a hassle later.'
The sudden sound of numerous birds chirping filled the area, seeming to come from every direction. They had to, quite literally, scream in order to communicate with each other.
" What the hell is that! A Genjutsu to distract us!"
" We have no idea what jutsus he can perform, so stay alert!"
Kakashi rushed out of the brush, Chidori in hand, straight at the three. One had chucked several shuriken while another threw his katana with a chakra string attached. The weapons traveled towards their target and skewered the Copy Ninja. They were smirking until they saw the 'Kakashi' explode, covering the area in smoke. They put their arms up to block the debris that flew their way.
" What the…! An exploding Bushin!"
Kakashi had appeared in the center of them in a swirl of leaves, by using Shunshin no jutsu, with his head down looking at his right hand. His left, used as a breaker to stop the constant flow of chakra from enveloping his arm any further, enwrapped it at the wrist. Taking the physical shape of lightning, the chakra crackled from the sheer amount being discharged into one jutsu.
" One of you shall have the honor of dying by my only original technique, Chidori."
As the three attempted to jump away from him, Kakashi grabbed the nearest by the jacket with his left hand and thrust the Chidori into the ninja's back. The Sound nin could only gasp at the searing white pain as the jutsu traveled through him, piercing the flesh and muscle. On its search for an exit, the chakra penetrated his right lung and shot straight out of his body, making the gaping wound crackle with electrical energy. The Jounin went limp in Kakashi's grasp and was chucked aside like a rag doll. His back ricocheted off of a tree in a resounding crack, no doubt severing the spine of the already dead shinobi.
Kakashi turned to the remaining two, taking notice one wasn't keeping his anger in check while the other remained emotionless. As Masagi stepped forward, Kenji held his arm out in front of the enraged nin.
" Get out of my way! He'll pay for killing Isao!"
" Stop! We can't just run in without a plan, he could slay us with ease if we don't think ahead. Follow my lead."
Kakashi was getting a sinking feeling in his gut when they started throwing multiple kunai at the surrounding trees. Upon closer inspection, the kunai were wrapped with different individual charms, some even with explosive notes.
' This… won't end well.'
As if to confirm his inner thoughts, Kenji and Masagi started doing the same handseals in rapid succession.
" Katon: Shoukyaku Enjin no Jutsu!"
The moment they finished, Kakashi was flung into the middle of the glade by a group of explosions. He froze in place as he stood up; there was nowhere to conceal himself or evade any attacks. The entire battlefield was encased in a circle of fire. Kenji stalked towards the Sharingan user with a sneer under his mask.
" Eliminate an enemy's movement, and they are severely weakened; destroy the shadows, and an assassin can't attack unnoticed. What will you do now?"
Instead of wasting time on a response, Kakashi was already formulating a plan in his head and setting it into motion. He threw several kunai at the two, forcing them to evade; Kenji to the left and Masagi to the right. Reaching for another kunai, Kakashi charged Masagi and slashed his leg on the Sound-nin's attempt to avoid the second attack. Kenji followed it up and slammed into Kakashi with tremendous force, driving him back to the other side.
Unbeknownst to them, Kakashi had pulled a scroll out of his vest and swiped the blood from the kunai on it. Hitting the ground and rolling to his feet, the Sharingan user was performing the necessary handseals in an instant. He slammed the scroll down on the earth as he finished.
" Kuchiyose - Tsuiga no Jutsu!"
When nothing happened, the two Sound nin exchanged glances and focused back on the Jounin. Kenji's gaze was scanning the surrounds and traveling back to Kakashi every couple seconds.
' What are you up to, Copy Ninja?'
Over the roar of the flames, a deep growl echoed throughout the forest. Before his Nin-dogs even unearthed themselves, Kakashi started the handseals for his 2nd Chidori. When he hit the last and gripped his wrist, the dogs burrowed up and latched themselves onto Masagi, incapacitating the unfortunate shinobi.
" Ah! Where did these things come from! Get'em off me!"
But instead of listening to the cries of or helping his partner, Kenji was more intent on observing the enemy before him. He watched as Kakashi's hand was enshrouded in a bluish light. Then, he heard that oh so familiar noise over the vicious snarls, the angered curses, and kindling crackles. The sound of a thousand birds chirping.
As Kakashi launched himself at the pinned down member, Kenji didn't move. Despite his teammate's pleas for help from his impending death, he didn't even flinch. At the very last second, Kenji phased to behind his partner and reached for a second sheath. The weapon he unsheathed was a nodachi, an abnormally longer sword. His partner's eyes widened in pure shock and horror as his captain speared him through with it. Kakashi was stupefied by his actions, then realized the cause and mentally cursed.
' Shit, I'm going to fast to stop in time! He plans on having me impale myself through his comrade.'
Before he was ran through, Kakashi shifted his weight and turned. Instead of a straight thrust through his chest, it pierced his side without damaging any vitals. He grunted and ground his teeth together at the pain, but it was nothing compared to his experience with Itachi's Tsukuyomi. A shiver ran down his spine at remembering the event.
The Sound nin turned his head slightly to look at his squad leader with disbelief written all over his face.
" K-Kenji… W-Why…"
He answered his remaining subordinate in a nonchalant voice.
" Because, you must use any means necessary to be the victor. If you would remember, when you devoted your allegiance to his Excellency, you would give anything for Orochimaru-sama to prevail. This time, your life was required."
Masagi took one final breath before slumping on the sword's blade, dead. Kakashi narrowed his eyes in pure hatred and disgust at the last Sound nin while gripping part of the blade that wasn't sunk into flesh.
" He was placed under your command, he trusted you with his life. You go and forsake it just to obtain the upper hand in battle… Scum like you who call themselves ninja make me sick. I'll be glad to rid this world of your filth."
A faint smirk appeared under Kenji's mask.
" It was but a small sacrifice to eliminate an enemy of Orochimaru-sama's such as yourself."
" Don't start gloating, I'm not dead yet."
" But it seems at the moment you're a bit… stuck."
He started to rotate the blade, causing Kakashi to grimace at the increasing pain. Before he had the chance to make the wound any more life threatening, Kakashi pulled it out of himself in one quick slide.
Holding his side, he watched as his canines dispersed in a puff of smoke. Kenji kicked the corpse of his fallen comrade to the ground, leaving the sword in. He rushed towards Kakashi, throwing what was left of his kunai and shuriken. The silver-haired Jounin dodged to the right, only to be caught by a roundhouse to the fresh wound, forcing him to stagger from the immense pain. Reeling over and nursing the wound with one arm, he blocked the next kick aimed at his head with the other. The force of the blow was enough to knock him onto his back, being exhausted from chakra depletion. Kenji towered above the immobile Kakashi, staring down into the two different eyes as he drew his blade.
" It was an excellent duel and you truly lived up to your title, Copy Ninja. It is unfortunate that you must die like this…"
As Kenji drove the blade down into the man's chest, Hatake Kakashi closed his eyes and awaited the inevitable. When it never came, he peered out of his Sharingan eye to see the shocked expression of his adversary and both of them bathed in liquid crimson. His stare traveling from the horror-etched features of Kenji down to their torsos, he noticed two blades instead of the one. The katana in Kenji's hands had stopped mere inches from his body and the foreign weapon was protruding from Kenji's flak jacket, a steady stream of lifeblood gushing from the open wound.
" Hatake-san."
Upon hearing his name, Kakashi shifted to the left and looked over the shoulder of his enemy. An ANBU member wearing a dog mask was bearing down, with both hands gripping the handle, the foreign sword through Kenji.
" Yes?" He asked, mildly surprised to see someone come to his aid.
" Hokage-sama sent us to support you if it was required. When we saw you were going to lose, I had to interfere. I apologize."
The Inu ANBU removed his blade from the body and removed it from atop the wounded Jounin. He walked over and began rounding up the other two lifeless shinobi as Kakashi propped himself up into a sitting position.
" Gee, thanks. You're apologizing for saving my life…" He mumbled, before noticing something missing. " Wait, where's the rest of your squad?"
The canine ANBU turned towards the eastern flames.
" Fall in!"
When the order was called, three more vaulted over the fire and landed near them; each kneeled before their captain and awaiting orders.
" Itachi! Tori! Help me extinguish these flames! Neko! Patch up Hatake-san!"
As the three went to work on putting out the flames, via water jutsu/anything available, the cat ANBU was busy using a healing jutsu on Kakashi's stab wound. He attempted to make small talk while ignoring the prickling pain from the jutsu at work.
" So, how long were you watching?"
" We arrived in time to watch you slay the first." The kunoichi replied, eyeing her handiwork.
Kakashi held his lazy demeanor until the words sunk in. That's when he realized the quite obvious.
" What do you mean ever since I slew the first! You're telling me you all could have stepped in and even prevented me from obtaining this wound?"
" Well, if you think about it that way. Yeah, I guess we could have, Hatake-san."
Kakashi had the threatening urge to kill again. Eviscerating the ANBU captain in the nearest vicinity would do nicely.
" Then WHY didn't you?" He questioned tartly.
The Neko ANBU tilted her head to the side in a thinking manner, then started giggling for no reason apparent to him. That just served to fuel his killing intent further.
" What? Do you find my death funny or something?"
She shook her head while attempting to stop the little fit.
" It's… It's just that I remembered why we didn't step in."
Bloodlust set-aside for the moment, Kakashi raised a quizzical brow.
" Oh? And that would be?"
" Captain, Itachi, and Tori had a pool going as to how far you would make it. I think the captain won with 22450 yen."
It returned tenfold as he stood. He stalked over towards the poor, unsuspecting men while cracking his knuckles along the way. Yes, he would have to fill in a few MIA reports when he returned. But in the end, it would be worth it.
Naruto entered his room to find Shikamaru lying on his bed, eyes closed, and Gaara gazing out the window at Konoha's nightlife. He knocked on the door to announce his arrival, causing Shikamaru to sit up PDQ and Gaara to glance over his shoulder. He gave them his trademark fox grin.
" Hey. I'm back."
" Where the hell did you go off to, Naruto?" Shikamaru all but shouted as he stomped up to the other boy. He was glaring down his blonde friend but there were traces of relief in his eyes.
Naruto brushed past Shikamaru, ignoring the outburst, and pointed to the kunai in his shoulder.
" You mind yanking that damn thing out? It's been irritating me ever since I got here."
Shikamaru held an expression of utter disbelief but managed to comply. Naruto gritted his teeth as his ponytailed friend ripped the kunai free.
" Want to explain where you went and how you got this imbedded in your shoulder?" The Shadow user asked, voice full of suspicion as he fiddled with the tool.
" I just went somewhere to think, that's all." He replied, though the low pitch of his voice and current posture told different.
" I asked where, not why. And how did going off to think lead to this?" He inquired, waving the sharp object around.
" Uh, you might want to sit down for that one."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow, but did as told while Naruto walked over to Gaara. He patted the Sand nin on the back to get his attention, which surprisingly the Suna no Tate didn't activate. As Gaara tilted his head to look at the boy, Naruto was already whispering something in his ear. The redheaded vessel nodded and turned around so he could view the entire room and it's contents. Naruto sat down on his bed with Gaara standing less than two feet away.
' Good. If Shikamaru overreacts, Gaara's sand will stop him before I'm torn to shreds.'
" Okay, now I can start."
When he finished his explanation, he was surprised yet again to see his friend not make an attempt on his life. Still, Shikamaru was reasonably more tense than usual after the summary and, from the looks of it, if Gaara had eyebrows he would have raised one. Shikamaru leaned back in his seat with his eyes closed and let out a forfeited sigh.
" Whatever, Naruto."
He eyed the Nara curiously.
" That's it? You're not going to try to kill me?"
Shikamaru was thoughtful for a second, and then shrugged.
" Why would I? She was our enemy only because we were both doing our duties towards our respective villages. Now she's an exiled ninja who shouldn't hold a grudge against anyone but the Sound for their asassination attempt; except maybe his sister, Temari, and me for almost killing her. And the course of action you took was possibly the best, so it's too troublesome to start an argument over it."
The blonde blinked. He didn't expect his friend to read that much into it. Then again, he expected there to be a lot more bloodshed, so he was relieved somewhat.
" Well, you took it a lot better than I thought you would."
Shikamaru directed a lazy look towards him and shrugged again. Naruto turned his attention to his newfound friend/acquaintance.
" So you were actually worried about me, huh?"
Gaara didn't even look over his shoulder to acknowledge the other boy. He started talking while continuing to stare out the window.
" I've held a form of respect for you ever since you defeated me, Uzumaki. You were the first to do that, and you did it with your determination and … compassion… for others. That recognition was made before I knew you were like me, in our own… unique ways. It was formed from the quality of that perseverance to protect those who are special to you and never give up. When I learned of your disappearance, I was more curious as to find out what could knock down that unbreakable wall of determination you had built and cause you to run from your problems, rather than mere concern."
He turned around and faced the blonde.
" But yes, you could say I was somewhat 'worried', if you must."
Naruto's eyes were bulged out of his skull and Shikamaru's mouth was hanging agape. Gaara's face stayed impassive but his eyes displayed confusion.
" What?"
" T-T-That's the most I have EVER heard you speak… and without violence involved." Naruto stuttered out, perplexed.
" I didn't think you were capable of talking like a civilized human being that much…" Shikamaru mumbled, crossing his arms.
The Sand shinobi shot them a death glare and turned back to the window with a grunt.
" I can't believe you were fearful of a girl's response, Uzumaki."
" So what? That girl's response matters more to me than anyone else's. I failed a lifelong promise towards her and I like her, so I'm spooked that she might hate me for all eternity or something. Also, you can call me Naruto. Whenever someone calls me by my last name I feel like I'm back in the academy."
Before another word could be said from the Sand shinobi, the window slid open.
" Yo."
They all turned to see Team 7's Jounin sensei sitting on the windowsill.
" KAKASHI-SENSEI! You're alive!" Naruto shouted, voicing his surprise and relief.
Kakashi frowned at his pupil.
" You thought I'd die that easy? Naruto, I'm hurt. You should put a little more faith in your sensei's capabilities."
Naruto sprang from the bed and was hopping up and down in front of Kakashi in under a second like a child about to receive an early Christmas present.
" Comon, comon, comon! You have to tell me what happened! Details! Don't leave out any details!"
Everyone in the room sweatdropped. Yes, even Gaara; who was doubtful if this was really the same person who overpowered him during the Chuunin exams.
" Naruto, can it wait until later? I mean, you need to rest and I'm sure your friends need to be heading home also."
Naruto looked at Shikamaru and Gaara who both nodded. Gaara disappeared in a flurry of sand as Shikamaru got up and walked out the door.
" I'll see you tommorrow, Naruto." He called over his shoulder.
Kakashi followed the Chuunin out the door, stopping when the door was shut mid-way to glare at his student.
" Don't leave this room for atleast 24 hours. If I find out you have, so help me God…" He left the threat hanging, as if daring him to defy his authority.
The blonde rolled over so his back was facing the Jounin, apathetically ignoring his threat.
" Yeah, Yeah. I'll see you tommorrow sensei. G'night."
As the door slid closed, Naruto let the darkening veil of sleep consume him.
The next day…
" That makes twice you have snuck out, Naruto! We let you off the hook the first one because you had a legitimate reason and wanted some time alone, but for ramen this time? This is just unacceptable."
Shizune noticed the boy struggling with the bonds as she was finishing her diagnostic.
" Don't even bother. That's made from black hair, and it's tied so even a shinobi can't get away. It's useless to try to break it."
" I'm fine, damnit! I have to go out there and train so I can get stronger! Take pity on me for once, Shizune!"
She smacked him over the head with her clipboard.
" Pity! We took pity on you when we didn't send ANBU to retrieve your butt last night, you baka! They would have beaten you within an inch of your life and drug you back kicking and screaming! Don't talk to me about pity! If you want to leave so soon, do what the medical staff says and rest quietly!"
There was a knock on the door that made them both stop arguing and look in that direction.
" Come in." Shizune announced.
Sakura walked in the room, closing the door behind her. Naruto took one glance before turning his head away in mortification. She looked to Shizune in confusion as the older woman kept writing.
" He left twice without permission. Tsunade-sama told me to make sure it doesn't happen again, that's why he's bound to the bed. His regenerative abilities are amazing. He shouldn't have been able to move with the number of injuries he had sustained when Kakashi-san brought him back. Even so, she doesn't want him overdoing it."
Naruto turned to her with a scowl on his face and lifted his upper-body a good foot off the bed in an attempt to break the rope.
" I told you, I'm fine! Now let me out of these restraints!"
Shizune glanced up from the paperwork long enough to shout at him.
" Bear it a little longer! Now settle down and rest before I add another layer!"
A couple more scribbles and she let out a sigh of relief.
" Done! Now, I'll leave you two alone. Make sure he stays where he is."
Sakura nodded somewhat as Shizune strode out, leaving them in silence. The kunoichi found the floor to be a very interesting thing to look at instead of her blonde teammate. The unbearable silence dragged on for another minute before she broke it, her voice barely above a whisper as her gaze remained on the tile.
" Why did you leave yesterday?"
Naruto still refused to look at her.
" … I needed some time to think."
There was a pause in the conversation before she spoke again, her voice holding a bit of hurt as her features took on a forlorn look.
" I was worried about you… that you might not come back."
" I… I'm sorry, Sakura-chan."
She raised her head and let a small smile grace her lips.
"It's all right, Naruto. You came back, so it doesn't matter anymore."
The blonde shook his head and met her gaze for the first time in two days, his holding nothing but absolute shame.
" No, not that. I'm sorry I failed to keep the promise. Could you… forgive me? Will you give me a second chance? To make things right?"
Sakura was taken aback; She didn't expect the boy to ask for forgiveness after almost losing his life, but to go as far as to ask for a second chance? She couldn't find the words.
" Naruto… I…"
" If you give me a second chance, I'm sure I can do it Sakura-chan! I won't go back on my word, cause that's my way of the ninja! So, please…"
Naruto was staring at her enthusiastically, hoping against hope that she would forgive and allow him to make amends for his previous fault.
Sakura's eyes shimmered with unshed tears of gratefulness towards his actions. She could only nod towards the boy, not wanting to risk the chance of her voice betraying her. Naruto's eyes widened as a giant smile split across his face.
" Thanks, Sakura-chan! I won't let you down! I'll keep the promise, cause I told you it's the promise of a lifetime!"
She couldn't help but smile at the blonde's optimistic attitude.
" Thank you, Naruto."
" That was real touching kids. I really felt the mood, or it could just be some indigestion from what I had to eat earlier."
Both of their stares snapped over towards the window where the white-haired Sannin sat, indulging from Naruto's courtesy fruit basket.
" By the way, I heard you've been sneaking away a lot, Naruto. You want to train that badly?"
" Ero-Sennin! Hey, hands off my fruit!" Naruto shouted.
Sakura's eyebrows scrunched together in puzzlement.
" Aren't you the legendary Sannin, Jiraiya? What are you doing here?"
" If you expect to get anymore jutsus off of me brat, shut up and let me eat." He spat out in between bites. The Sannin turned his attention back to Sakura after swallowing.
" Yes, I am. I've been training Blondie here for a while now."
She looked back at Naruto unbelievingly.
" You've been training with a Sannin and didn't tell anyone!"
He merely shrugged, or attempted what looked like a shrug with the amount of rope that was pinning him down.
" I didn't think it was THAT important. Besides, I really don't want anyone to know I'm being taught by a perverted hermit."
Jiraiya chucked an apple at Naruto, knocking the boy upside his head.
" Stop calling me that! I'm starting to reconsider what I was going to offer you."
The blonde eyed him with skepticism.
" Why did you come here in the first place and what kind of offer are we talking about? It better not involve anything perverted…"
The Sannin's arm started twitching as if to hit him over the head… again.
" I came here to tell you something important, so shut up and listen. From here on out, I'll take you on as my student and train you one-on-one for the next three years."
" Three years…?" Naruto repeated, slightly surprised by the sudden proposal.
" I've also heard some information regarding Akatsuki. They will be coming after you in about three to four years. I do not know why they're going to wait so long, but we can use the time to our advantage."
Sakura was sitting quietly beside Naruto, baffled by how little she knew of her teammate.
" W-Who are Akatsuki? Why are they after Naruto?"
Jiraiya glanced at the girl, who was watching him intently, and then back to Naaruto. The boy was shaking his head so fast it looked like he was going to receive whiplash. The Sannin let out a frustrated sigh.
" That… is restricted information for authorized personnel Jounin and above and Naruto only. I'm sorry to say that I cannot tell you more, Sakura."
Before the kunoichi could pry any further, Naruto interjected.
" Screw the future! We have to focus on the matters at hand! I have to go after Sasuke as soon as possible! He could be killed by Orochimaru!"
Sakura was panic-stricken and on the verge of tears again at this new knowledge as the Sannin looked appalled, then gave the boy a sad frown.
" So you know about Orochimaru's goal… I've known about it for some time myself. I was researching Orochimaru's Fushi no Jutsu; once he's used that technique, it can't be done for another three years. He got impatient waiting for Sasuke, so he transferred just recently."
" S-So we… still have time?" Sakura stuttered.
Jiraiya gave the disheartened girl a small smile.
" Yes, you have three years to save Sasuke. There is still time."
His expression turned hard in an instant.
" But if you want my opinion, forget about Sasuke."
Both looked up at him incredulously.
" He went to Orochimaru of his own free will. Whatever you do, he won't change. I've seen a lot of shinobi travel down that path, I know. He is the same type as Orochimaru. If you two are thinking of trying to help him, forget it. That's the kind of thing only a fool would do."
As a sob racked through Sakura, Naruto was shaking with rage; if he weren't tied down, he would have attempted to strike his unofficial sensei. Who was he to tell him what and what not to do to for the only people he cares about?
" I don't care what you say! He may not mean anything to you, but to me he's my friend!"
" And do friends hurt each other! Just look at the condition you're in!"
Naruto opened his mouth to amend the situation, but nothing came to mind that could possibly help the outcome of their argument sway in his direction. The blonde gripped the sheets tight and stared at the ceiling in dismay. Jiraiya took a deep breath and regained his calm demeanor.
" Listen, Naruto. Sakura. I felt the same way about Orochimaru when I was younger as you two do about Sasuke. But, no matter how much I wished for it, he didn't return. I suffered, and was left full of remorse and regret. I don't want you to follow down the same path I did…"
Yet again, the older man let out a sigh.
" If you wish to pursue Sasuke, forget about training. You'll be followed by ANBU, and in some cases, permission to leave Konoha will be denied."
Jiraiya stood, turning to face the window.
" Well, that's that. If you don't listen to me and try to do things yourselves, I guess that's the only way. Just remember, someday you will have to face people more dangerous than Orochimaru. Give up on Sasuke. Sooner or later, this was bound to happen. Don't make yourselves suffer anymore over this thing and just forget it.
It's not only jutsu and power that are required, but a shinobi should be smart and decisive. If you plan to live as ninja, you need to be wise. If you remain a fool, living a life of pain will be your reality."
As Sakura was digesting this information, Naruto spoke.
" I got it. If that's what it means to be wise, I'd rather be a fool for the rest of my life! Even if we're alone, we can rescue Sasuke by ourselves! If I have to, I'll just create more powerful jutsu and definitely bring that bastard back!"
Sakura looked to her teammate with gratitude.
" Naruto…"
Jiraiya realized the boy wasn't going to change his mind by the kindling defiance and limitless determination in his eyes. The older man contemplated for a moment, shook his head and chuckled.
" If someone like you goes at it alone, the best you could do is come up with some useless perverted ninjutsu. A fool is a fool, but an idiot can still do something if he has help."
The Sannin jumped out the window. In a puff of smoke, he was on a giant toad's head outside the 2nd story of the hospital.
" I'm going to go talk to Tsunade to set something up. I'll return for you later, idiot."
Jutsu list.
Bakuretsu Kage Bushin no Jutsu – Exploding Shadow Clone
Chidori – Thousand Birds
Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu – Fire Element: Grand Fireball technique
Shunshin no jutsu – Body Flicker technique
Katon: Shoukyaku Enjin no Jutsu – Fire Element: Incineration Ring technique
Kuchiyose: Tsuiga no Jutsu – Summon: Tracking Fang technique
Suna no Tate – Shield of Sand
Fushi no Jutsu – Immortality technique
(A/N) OKAY, EVERYONE SHOULD READ THIS. A few details that should be read so you won't get confused with the plot.
1) Nobody knows Tayuya was one of the Sound that erected the barrier during Sarutobi's death. That's the main reason she's not getting treated like shit.
2) Before anyone goes off on my ass for this, look it up. Shunshin no Jutsu is NOT the 4th's ultimate technique. Shunshin is a simple limited range teleport that usually involves nearby elements to facilitate the movement, not an instant transmission like Hiraishin no Jutsu.
3) If anyone is interested, 22450 yen is converted into around 200 US dollars.
4) Gaara is so OOC in this chapter it's not funny, ne? Alas, what he said had to be said, and by him nonetheless. Don't worry though, you'll get a Roman holiday-side of him later. ( I don't care if he's 'reformed' from his defeat by Naruto, he's still a mass murdering psycho to me J)
5) At the end of this chapter, the Fuuma Clan/Rice Country filler (Episode 136-141) starts. I'm not going to type out that entire freakin' 6 episode arc just to add a few different comments here and there. If you haven't seen it, go find a summary or download it. Also, I'm not going to follow the anime/manga anymore whatsoever, I just needed to find a way to waste about a week's time and that was convenient, lol. So, rejoice for originality…I guess.
R&R Please. Constructive criticism welcomed with open arms. So are flames, I need a good laugh.