A/N Cheers for the reviews people! I put a bit of effort into making this chapter so please enjoy! All criticisms and Praises are appreciated. Enjoy: D

KEY:

''Well then'' ----Speach

'I cant do that!'--Thought

YOU WILL SEE A FOOL--Kyubi talkin to Naruto through his mind

Serious enough? ---Emphasis

----------------------- - change of scenee

Chapter 4: The Truth, The Women, The Legend

She carefully began to dry her shoulder length hair, which now smelled of Cherry blossoms—the result from one her favourite shampoos. Her skin was clear and her eyes an Emerald green. Her hair was a radiant pink, natural, Unique.

And as many a male her age in Konoha would think of when thinking of her

'Beautiful'

Yet she was not feeling as others saw her—Those fiery green eyes were now watered, sober.

Distraught.

Everything felt so Unnatural to her, so surreal. She was broken at the depature of Uchiha Sasuke. Unable to do anything to stop the boy she loved. And her heart ached for she still did.

She looked at her reflection in the chrome edged mirror of her room and decided to perm her hair up to see what it would look like. In her eyes all she was able to see was her Forehead.

''Maybe I was not good enough for Sasuke-kun…but then-''

She remembered the last words that the Uchiha said to her the night she spilled her heart to him, staining the cold pavement floor that night. That confident smirk he wore, when she was told she was 'really annoying' but his eyes held a warmth only he knew.

And the moment he said 'thank you.' The moment her world went black and remained that colour the next morning onwards.

But she was also unable to forget what a certain blonde haired boy tried to give for her.

Dying in the process.

And yet, coming back to make sure she did not cry.

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His eyes flashed open. He was Alive.

''Hey…hey sa-kura cha-n''

Her skin grew a ghostly white. Naruto had moved the earth of those around that very table. Kakashi saw obito lifting the very boulder that killed him, Jiraiya saw the boy's father.. Tsunade saw Nawaki croaking out the name of her would be student. And Sakura saw Naruto. Alive. Grinning an idiotic smile, hiding his ever so weak body, damaged and maybe wrecked beyond repair. Yet his expression turned pale and a single tear formed in his eye as he managed to say before his own world went black

''Gom..En..Na sai…sakura-ch-an….I wa-s…so clo-se….im…sorry..''

Iruka Ran into the room at the moment, Unknown to the titan's will to live, that which Naruto had employed. ''Na-Naruto!''

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That event, nearly five days ago had opened her eyes. No longer was Naruto the loud-mouthed idiot. No longer was he something to joke at with his dreams of becoming 'Hokage' or 'Way of the ninja'. She felt something the moment he 'promised' to bring him back. Little did she realize that he would throw his life away, just to fulfil that promise? Did she mean that much to him that he would give it all up, Just for her?

And she Felt Guilty.

She didn't feel anything for him. Any feeling was Dead. But anything formed now was through new found respect.

But she felt Guilty.

'well…I better see how he is…I know…I'll buy him some flowers'

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Ino carefully tended to the many exotic and traditional flowers that resided in her parents store. She found it almost, 'spiritual' tending to the unattended and helping them perfecting their growth in bloom. A bell was heard, and she instantly knew she had a customer.

Yet she saw her friend and decided not to jump behind the till.

''Hello sakura!'' Ino chirped at the pink haired girl hoping for a reply. As soon as Sakura realized where she was, she finally made her reply.

''Oh Hello Ino. I erm…need some flowers''

''Why who are you taking them for? I heard Neji and Kiba are back on their feet now, and I wouldn't give any to Lee because you know if you even gave a petal to that 'green beast' he will hound you for the rest of his life'' Ino slyly cocked a smile at Sakura but was greeted with a girl looking completely lost.

''What? No Ino I want to give some to Naruto''

At that statement Ino turned a shade of Red which finally woke Sakura up.

Sakura looked a little quizzed at Ino before asking

''what is it?''

Ino managed to suppress her sign of embarrassment before continuing. ''He isn't in the Hospital anymore Sakura. I saw him…yesterday…''

''Eh! But he was in a critical condition! I don't believe you!''

Ino began to correct her ''Sakura im telling you I saw him. I was watering the sunflowers yesterday….I took a look up and I saw that idiot jumping from pole to pole. But…''

''But what?''

Once again Ino turned slightly pink before revealing the next statement. ''He…was not wearing a lot..''

'Great. Ino the Perverted girl of Konoha, one of its most desirable girls amongst boys her age. Now a Pervert.'

Ino could read the thoughts of Sakura just by looking her Expression.

''No! Don't get the wrong idea Sakura its Just..''

''Well what is it?''

''Its just that the idiot looked really different…not only because he was jumping of the Electric poles but. His body…I never realized he had that kind of Figure''

Sakura was a little more than Confused. But if what Ino said was true, then naruto was no longer in the Hospital. Where could he be?

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Jiraiya had already seen the result of Naruto's handiwork in the hospital and realized that something more than just a change had happened to the boy. He decided to check out his home, considering that even though Naruto was a relentless practitioner of the Ninja Arts, he was probably recuperating in the comfort of his Ramen factory

As Much of a Pervert The Sannin was, his Hunches were Usually correct.

Arriving at the Small apartment situated far above any of the townsfolk. He was able to see a grand view of his Dead Mentor and Student, etched into the giant stone. He chuckled to himself

'you really had plans for this boy hey sensei. Making him look at all that may be before him.'

Jiraiya Opened the Hatch leading into the small corridor of various rooms in Naruto's apartment. He opened the door only to see Naruto asleep, in his bed.

Whiiiishhch!

Before the Bulky sannin could react, he had stepped into a snare trap and was raised to the ceiling hanging upside down.

''Heh''

The shadow clone disappeared from the bed as Naruto came out of the Bathroom with a well aimed Shruekin Slicing the rope from which the Perverted hermit fell from.

Landing on his Face.

''Your getting slow, Jiraiya Sensei''

Before Jiraiya was able to pound his fist into Naruto's Face, he heard something he would never have ever expected to hear from The Blonde.

''Naruto wh-''

''don't Blow it. Act all Perverted and I WILL address you as the Legendry Erro sennin!''

Jiraiya stood tall as he took a good look at the boy who returned five days ago, Dead but Alive. He could see that whatever Injuries that had afflicted the young teen were now non-existent, and he never before noticed the healthy looking build he possessed now unwrapped by the ridiculous orange coat he wore during his various missions and everyday life. Yet his Eyes he now looked at were his father eyes. He recognized those eyes which he had raised into the fourth Hokage. Filled with reslution, and Confidence.

''Well Naruto. Im glad to see your better but it seems like the fun and games are over. I know the big bad fox in your stomach has aided you in your healing and you look a little…different. Are you sure your ok?''

Naruto flicked his hair back and began walking towards the small bed he had slept on for thirteen years. He began to straighten the sheets and soberly readied it before sitting down.

Much to Jiraya's Annoyance

''Hey Naruto did you hea-''

before the sannin could continue Naruto looked dead on in his dark eyes. Presenting him with a set of eyes he knew. Which he had seen before, Only in one other person. Naruto looked straight at Jiraiya. A storm was Brewing-

''First of Jiraiya…There is only one other person who had These eyes. The eyes your looking into now. I think you and I, oh and Especially me, Know who that person is.''

Jiraiya almost lost himself in time as he realized what Naruto was saying. He could not have meant-

''I want to know Why, Nobody told me who My Real father was. And you better believe it, ''grand-teacher'' Because I saw him die. I saw Him fight the bastard in my stomach. I SAW his SOUL being ripped into Limbo. And I saw him continue to hold me…in his arms even after he was GONE. WHY.''

Naruto's eyes had watered but the ice had not melted. The sennin could see the havoc of emotions surfacing and was surprised to see patience, to expect the Answer instead of wrecking all that was. Jiraiya finally lifted his face and met those eyes. Slowly, he began-

''Naruto…I will explain you everything. You need not tell me how you know or what knowledge you gained from the demon in your stomach, Yet I will tell you the Truth about Why it was. Why this was never revealed to you, and about the forsaken name of your clan''

The genin tucked his legs squarely on the bed and sat cross legged, arms loosely draped over his knees. Head tucked ever so slightly, the focus devoted to what was heard.

Jiraiya breathed in slowly and looked towards the woodbrown ceiling.

''Thirteen years ago, As you know-your father protected this village from destruction, The demon within your stomach was sentenced to live within you until you pass. Your Father was heartbroken upon allowing you to bear such a burden Yet he wished for the people of this village to look upon you as a hero. Yet this village, came to hate you.''

Naruto remained as he was

''He named you Uzamaki Naruto. The last string to the Uzamaki clan. Yet his identity was kept confidential and many referred to him as the 'Yondaime' His real name was Uzamaki Arashi. The Konoha Flash. He was revered as the most powerful within this village and for that the only one capable of fighting the Kyubi no yoko. That fateful night, he would not listen to me, as he said only he himself would be able to stand against the demon—''

Naruto interrupted ''Your going in circles. Get to the point''

Jiraiya spoke with conviction ''you can either listen or go. Be quiet otherwise.''

Naruto lowered his head once more

''so he died. Yet the people had seen you next to his corpse of their saviour and they believed YOU were responsible for his death. It is our fault in a way, for we kept the Fourth's identity and relations a secret. Little did they know you were his son. And those villagers, each clan had come to kill you.''

Naruto's face showed nothing more than disgust

''you were saved By Uchiha Itachi.''

Naruto flicked up his face ''What!''

''This was six years before the massacre of the Uchiha clan but I believe he knows exactly who you are. That is also why, he saved you back then. Why he wants to claim you for the Atasuki now I do not know.''

''He butchered any villager who tried to harm you during that night and brought you to the third himself. The third announced that you were the vessel of the Kyubi and you kept it prisoner yet should you be killed it would be released once again. This lie warded of the villagers and kept them away from laying a finger on you. Yet the Third did not say who you were and little did they know who the depth behind the 'Uzamaki' title.''

Jiraiya met ice once again ''you are the Heir to the Uzamaki clan. The clan that has watched the balance between all that is here and what we cannot see. A clan blessed with the power to defy the natural and surpass the surreal. Only you, as the last link could bear the most powerful Biju in this world, Within yourself. It is capability given to you, etched in your blood. Your father had a set of scrolls he wanted to give you and wanted me to guide you on your journey.''

''What journey?''

Jiraiya smirked ''To become the next Hokage''

Naruto felt a tremor within himself and heard his dream. Seriously considered. And put on the plate, in front of him.

''Naruto, everything that your father learned from, everything from its history and the power of your blood—It has all been recorded in scrolls, which he gave to me. And so I will hand them to you. Yet I am going to take you away from this village Naruto. We have Three Years.

''What? I need to go and bring back tha-''

Jiraiya cut into the genins reply to which he was now gritting his teeth to. ''Sasuke is
fine. Orochimaru can only use his ''immortality' technique once every three years as it requires a very specific process, which I am unsure of. But I am certain of the time we have. In that time…I want to take you away and train you. And help you learn the way of your clan. We leave tomorrow.''

The Blonde remained silent. Still.

The sannin rose from his train of thought and turned around, slowly beginning to climb the small numbers of stairs that lead to the hatch-like door which Naruto had entered a countless number of times. He carefully shut the hatch behind him, leaving Naruto spreading himself on the bed. Alone.

'I'm going away…. I'm going to come back…. I'm going to bring that bastard back home…and…'

WELL THAT WAS QUITE THE 'DRAMATIC' SHOW WOULDN'T YOU AGREE. I AM INTRESTED IN THE NATURE OF YOUR FATHERS PACK.

Naruto sat up and walked towards the cream coloured wardrobe, beginning to pack his Equipment in the very same bag he used during his mission in the Wave country…With Sakura…and Sasuke…..

GOING SO SOON?

'No…Im just getting ready to leave…tomorrow-'

'Sakura….'

BOY, DO NOT BOTHER WITH HER NO LONGER. NOW YOU MUST TRAIN AND FORGET ANY AFFINITY WITH HER FOR SHE FEELS NOTHING FOR YOU. IT IS DEAD. TO ME, SHE WAS EVEN DISHONORABLE TO ASK YOU TO DO WHAT SHE SHOULD HAVE DONE HERSELF. DISGUSTING WENCH.

Naruto did not want to agree. Something inside him pulled him to the Edge of the Kyubi's thinking

'She means so much to me..'

YET YOU MEAN NOTHING TO HER. SHE PITIES YOU. THAT IS WHY SHE EVEN ASSUMES TO 'INTERACT' WITH YOU. HEED MY WORDS. YET IN THREE YEARS YOU WILL BE EXACTLY HOW I WANT YOU TO BE. EVERYONE WILL FALL BEFORE YOU IN AWE OF YOUR POWER

'that's not what I want though! I just want to protect this village!'

AS HOKAGE YOU WILL RULE THIS VILLAGE. I WOULD RATHER DESTORY IT, YET HE IS YOUR FATHER AND YOU ARE YOUR OWN MASTER. HONORING THE WISH OF A MORTAL LIKE THAT, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.

Naruto had filled the bag full of everything he was sure he would need. He looked at the best before date of his ramen cup. Having four years left before its exquisite taste diminishes; he tucked it safely in his draw. It would be his first meal back. So he hoped.

As night fell time began to slip into precious diamond beads. He felt it slipping. Realising it was going. And before he awoke he saw the rays of the sun, piercing through the hazy window which beheld the village. The Sun rising, as did Naruto He felt obliged

to say his Goodbye.

To be Continued