Chapter 4: Truth Told, Answers Wanted
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Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi have an encounter with kyuubi and the rookie nine and Gai's team have questions for their Hokage that they want answers for.
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Caution a time warp is taking place. Same day as the end of chapter three, but just after sunrise. Location: in the forest with Naruto.
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The sun was just barely rising. Ibiki, Gai, Kakashi and the six ANBU were getting ready to leave. Kakashi was making some breakfast from the items that Ibiki brought. Naruto was awake and watched as everyone prepared to leave. Once the meal was ready, everyone helped themselves. Kakashi brought a bowl to Naruto and offered it to him. Naruto looked at it and found it was oatmeal.
"I know it is not ramen. You need to eat to get your strength back."
Naruto looked back down at the bowl and took it from Kakashi. He brought a spoonful to his mouth and looked at it. Kakashi smiled at him and Naruto took a bit of it and swallowed it. He ate slowly and could not eat more then half of the contents in the bowl.
"When we get back to Konoha, I will treat you to a bowl of ramen okay?"
Naruto nodded and waited for the rest to finish their meal. It did not take long and they were on their way to Konoha with their prisoners in the front. Naruto, Ibiki, Gai, and Kakashi brought up the rear. After an hour of walking, Gai fell instep with Kakashi.
"He does not look any better then last night."
"I know I can hardly wait to get back to Konoha for Tsunade to look at him. I hoped they found Jiraiya."
Gai nodded and went back to his part of the line. Few minutes later, Naruto tipped on a root of a tree and fell flat on his stomach. Ibiki helped him up which he quickly brought him to the side of trail they were on, as he empty the contents of his stomach. He sat Naruto down when he calmed down. Ibiki leaned up against the tree, waiting for Kakashi to catch up. He caught up and looked to Ibiki.
"What happen?"
"Your student puking up his gut, I am just waiting for my turn to do so."
"Come on, my cooking is not that bad, is it?" Kakashi asked
Kakashi knelt down to Naruto who was leaning against a tree. He placed his hand on his forehead and found his temperature was up. He sighed and placed his hands underneath Naruto's armpits and picked him up. He slowly swung him on his back and held tight on his legs. They resumed their walk with a sleeping Naruto. As they walked, one of the prisons kept looking behind him, towards Kakashi. Ibiki got tired of it and hit the man on the head. The man snarled back and yelled at them.
"That is the Yellow Flash's son isn't? He looks like him. Son of the bastard…"
He did not finish for he was hit in the stomach by Ibiki. The man crumpled to the floor unable to grip at his gut for his arms were tied behind his back.
"You will not talk about the Fourth like that. I should kill you now, but I do not think the Hokage will like that, but I will have the pleasure later on after I get to know you better."
The man paled as each word was spoke. Killer intent radiated off Ibiki making the prisoners more afraid of him and the ANBU jumpy. The man became more frightened to the point he lost control of his bladder. Ibiki kicked him in his rear and ordered him to get up. Naruto curled tighter behind Kakashi and relaxed once Ibiki calmed down. They resumed their walk and did not get back to the village till four in the afternoon. Kakashi and Gai separated from Ibiki as the group came near the hospital and the administration building.
As Kakashi and Gai walked towards the hospital, they saw Sakura, TenTen, Ino, Shino, Lee, Shikamaru, and Hinata walking out of the hospital. They saw Kakashi and Gai walking towards them and they walked up to them. Sakura saw that Kakashi was carrying Naruto."
"What happen to him Kakashi-sensei?" she asked
"Food poisoning." he said with a smile
"How?"
"It was Gai's cooking."
"It was not me you liar. It was your cooking that gave him food poisoning. I amazed I had not yet empty my own stomach from it."
"Did you say something?" Kakashi said with is smile
Everyone sweat drop, while Gai slump down, bowing his head from view.
"Sakura, have you seen the Hokage?"
"We did and we experienced her reputation first hand or fist."
"Oh, that would mean that either that Jiraiya was found or he showed up out of now where. Where is she now?"
"In her office is what we heard her saying."
"Good. Gai why don't you go tell her we are here and Naruto is at the hospital."
"Okay Kakashi."
Gai disappeared. Kakashi smiled to the group and walked to the entrance of the hospital.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke is in the room with Neji and the others. Tsunade-sama said it was the seal that was affecting him and he had been cleared of his actions. He is taking it hard and he told us the fight between him and Naruto."
"Do not worry; it will take time for things to get back to normal. Once it does, we will have our group meetings, for we will be preparing for the next chuunin exam and do not think I will go easy on all of you. I will see you later. I do not think the Hokage will be happy if I do not get Naruto checked in."
"Kakashi-sensei what was the technique he used that day on the roof of the hospital and on our assignment in the Spring Country. What was it?" Sakura asked
Kakashi looked at them with a large smile.
"It is called the rasengan, a technique created by the Fourth which took him three years to perfect. It took a week for Naruto to somewhat fully master it after learning the basics to it. I will see you."
He walked into the hospital, still with the smile on his face and the shocked expression on the groups face fresh on his mind. They came out of their stupor and left for their home. Kakashi walked in and found a doctor to look after Naruto till Tsunade arrive. He rubbed the back of his neck, his smile disappearing. He took a deep breath and followed the doctor knowing the Hokage might want to see him.
-FOXED-
In the Hokage's office, she was going through every sealing technique she could find. Jiraiya was helping by going over Yondaime's notes. They were not getting anywhere when Gai came in.
"Hokage-sama, we are back."
"Where are Naruto and Kakashi?" she asked
"He took Naruto to the hospital. He was not feeling well."
She disappeared closely followed by Jiraiya. Gai took off for home. The Hokage appeared outside the door Naruto was in. She entered and found Kakashi sitting in a chair by the bed. She saw that Naruto was hooked up to an IV line. She looked at Kakashi.
"The doctor said he was dehydrated. I do not know if he ate before we found him, but he refused to eat the night we found him. I even made ramen. This morning he ate, but it was not an hour later he threw it up. We did not stop for lunch knowing he may not hold anything. He mostly slept all the way home."
Tsunade pushed Naruto's bangs away from his face. She smiled, but it did not stay long.
"We have been searching through all types of sealing techniques we could find. Jiraiya looked through Yondaime's notes on the sealing technique he used to seal away the kyuubi. We had found nothing that could help us expect the Gogyo Fuin, but it will have side effects. Jiraiya told me the same seal was placed on Naruto during the exam and it messed up his chakra control. Another is placing another seal on the broken one which may close off the kyuubi's chakra from Naruto, for good. Either way it is going to affect him."
"I see, but if it is true that the kyuubi will escape from Naruto, could we just take him as far away as we can and allow it to happen and hope the fox will leave, but it could kill him in the process. Then from what I know, if it must come to it, is to kill the kyuubi by killing…"
"I know, we came up with those two possibilities also which I do not like. We decided to do the Gogyo Fuin, for we still have time before the seal is completely gone."
"When will you do it?"
"When that idiot gets here."
"I want to stay if you do not mind." he asked
"I do not see why not. I will be right back to retrieve that pervert. He was right behind me."
See left and Kakashi made himself more comfortable. He watched Naruto sleep during his wait.
-FOXED-
Inside Naruto's mind, he was asleep with the kyuubi curled around him. It had been preparing Naruto for the past two days knowing that he was making the boy sick. It laughed slightly when it saw Naruto refusing ramen. It was hoping that it was not making a mistake, for it does not know any side-effects that will occur, but only sees it as a compensation for what it had done and it still blames itself for what happen. It looked to Naruto with a grin. It took one of its tails and brushed it across the right upper arm of Naruto. An orange light was seen glowing from underneath his sleeve. As the light died down, a nine line spiral was seen.
"I am sorry kit. I do not know what side-effects that will happen to you. I believe you wish I would not leave you. I believe it will be good to leave. I hope you like the gifts I leave you. Take care kit and try and stay out of trouble."
Outside, Tsunade returned with Jiraiya. She pointed to Naruto and had a mad look on her face. He quickly moved away from her and walked to Naruto. He glanced at Kakashi and gave a small smile. He looked down at Naruto sleeping away. He pulled back the covers and motion for Kakashi to help him take off Naruto's shirt.
"I do not think this is a normal sickness, but I hope this seal will work." Tsunade said
They pulled off his shirt and Tsunade gasped when she saw the nine line swirl on Naruto's upper arm. She raced over and grabbed his arm to examine it. Jiraiya and Kakashi stood with worried expressions on their faces. Jiraiya quickly placed his left hand on Naruto's stomach and push chakra into, to make the seal visible. It did not come up at all.
"What is going on, that seal is one of the strongest ones around, and how is it completely gone now? We should still see parts of the seal. If the seal is gone, then why has the kyuubi not escaped from Naruto?" Tsunade asked
"I do not know, but I will do the seal now, I still remember how it was placed on him, I hope this works."
Jiraiya summoned his chakra to his right hand and brought down his hand to Naruto, but he was stopped. His hand, was a few inches from Naruto's stomach, was surrounded by red miasma up to his elbow. He tried to pull back, but the miasma was too strong. Tsunade tried to help him free him, but her feet were surrounded by the miasma, along with her hands. Kakashi found himself captured by the miasma as he was about to call out for help. The miasma surrounded his mouth, making him unable to speak.
Everyone froze, not wanting reason for the miasma to attack them further. As they waited, they were wondering why the chakra, as they figured it out, did not feel like it did thirteen years ago and why no one came. Their answer was given to them as the red chakra formed it self above Naruto. Its height was three foot at the shoulder. It sat down by Naruto with its nine tails up in the air, with the ends curling behind them. Wisps of the chakra were swirling in the air, disappearing. It looked like a flame that was alive.
"Your first answer behind the seal being broken, I sent too much of my own chakra to aid the kit. It cracked under the presser of my power. I started to breakdown the rest of the seal to aid what I will be doing shortly, and no I will not be taking revenge on your village. The reason I have not escaped is I would not have any body to return to. My soul would be taken away to our realm and I would had to wait for who knows how long for me to gain my body back, but I would not have been able to either. My soul and the kits soul have been mixing together since the sealing. A side-effect, I do not know, or since he truly did not have one as of yet. I became half of his as he grew.'
"I finally chose to allow our chakra sources to merge and I would be gone, but he would still be him. A bit of truth to you three, I did not attack the village willing. There was no summoning contract with the foxes. I was summoned and I refused what the person ordered me to do and I was about to leave when he placed a control jutsu on me, which caused me turn in to a rage of destruction. After your Fourth sealed me away, the jutsu was lifted. I stayed mad at myself for the past years when I should have been helping the kit out. I will be leaving him with some gifts, but it will come at a price of great pain.'
"Each gift will be locked. He does not know I am doing this. The symbol on his arm will allow him to summon a two-tail fox. It is locked and he will only be able to summon a two-tail till the lock is removed. When you have him summon a fox, tell what became of me and what I did. Allow the two-tail to return and wait three days before summoning the fox again. They will teach him, I am for sure. I do not know what side-effects that will occur, but I know of one. You think he was hyper now, wait until the process is complete and he had a few days of rest. I know he is the son of the one who sealed me. I hope in the near future you can tell him who his father was, but I understand it is not a wise to do so. Maybe when peace has come."
It looked to Jiraiya.
"You should teach him his father's specialties. He will like that, but I can see him pulling off pranks with them. I guess another side-effect. If I might ask that if you go off doing any of your research, I truly hope Tsunade-sama beats you to a pulp. You can do your research at a later time after you teach him. Also teach him more then fighting styles and other ninja stuff."
It looked at Kakashi.
"I had heard what you promised to do for the kit. I do hope you keep it, but be prepared, you will find that he is a fast learner. It only took him one night to learn the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu. Make sure you get him to fully understand each item you teach him. Teach him a broad range of different elements."
It looked at the three of them for the last time. It tilted its head and foxed grin at them.
"I guess I just sound like a mother hen fretting over her chicks."
It chuckled at what it said.
"I will be leaving now and the process of my gifts will start. Tell him I am sorry, but he should like his gifts. Oh, frog hermit, don't go throwing him over any cliffs anytime soon. I did not like you putting his life in danger just for him to call fourth a summon. His chakra was erratic after you removed the seal that snake freak placed on him. He went a few days without my chakra mixing with his. His body was trying to get use to it again and he still had lousy control over his chakra, but it came to him in times of need. See you."
They watched as the image of the fox disappeared in the air. Their bonds were removed and they were able to move again. Shizune came walking in with fresh clothes for Naruto. She saw that the three adults looked pale.
"What happen?"
Tsunade jump when she heard her voce. She looked to Shizune.
"We were wrong about the kyuubi."
"What do you mean?" she asked
Tsunade walked to the chair by the bed as Naruto started to curl into a ball. He face was contorted in pain as the process started. She sat down and placed a hand on his bare back and rubbed it. Without looking behind her, she spoke to the group.
"Jiraiya, go and get one of the nurses and have them get me some of the strongest pain killers we have and bring in a replacement for the IV bag."
Jiraiya left quickly.
"Kakashi can you inform Shizune of what happen, but tell her in my office. Shizune I need you to bring some blank scrolls and writing instruments from my office and a lap board when he is finished."
Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder and transported them to her office as Jiraiya came back with the nurse.
"Tsunade-sama this is the strongest we have." a nurse said
She handed her a vile of clear liquid and a syringe.
"How much do we have of it?"
"A small case ten all together."
"Bring me the rest of them and a set of syringes."
"Yes ma'am."
Tsunade changed the IV bag and drew some of the painkiller medicine into the syringe. She took an alcohol pad and wiped down an area on Naruto's hip. She injected the contents of the syringe. She disposed of the syringe and looked back at Naruto. She was happy as the medicine started to work.
"Why do you think that no one came running in when the fox emerged to speak with us." Jiraiya asked
"I do not know, but I think it was using one of it abilities. A type of mind link, which we were the only ones able to fell the chakra of the fox. It made us see an illusion that we believed the fox was there. With us not being able to move and thinking that the chakra was acutely forcing us to sort of freeze, was it power to take over our minds. That is what I am thinking."
"I believe you are right. I hope he will be okay. Now we got to deal with an even more hyper brat with new abilities."
He said smiling at Tsunade.
"Yes and I will do as the fox said. You are to put your research on hold when you train Naruto. You will not abandon him with only giving him instruction on how to do something and just leave him to figure it out on his own and why did you throw him over the cliff? Are you mad or something?"
"It is not my fault. I grew tired of him only summon tadpoles. I forced him into a corner to get him to use his chakra and the fox's. I truly did not know that the seal placed by Orochimaru messed him up that bad."
"Well, do not do it again or I will truly hurt you."
After their fight, the two watched Naruto in quiet. Jiraiya found the only way to pass the time was to work on his books. Tsunade did not like it, but allowed it. After an hour, Shizune and Kakashi came back to the room. Kakashi was stuck carrying a bag full of scrolls. Shizune handed over the lap board and a blank scroll to Tsunade. She began writing the events that happen. It was a long night which Shizune and Tsunade worked on reports while Jiraiya slept and Kakashi went over what to teach Naruto and his teammates.
"Tsunade-sama, what did you do to the villagers that attacked Naruto." Kakashi asked
"I could not do much without breaking the Third's law. I talked to some who started to fight and they are still hateful to Naruto. I will find a way to change their minds."
"What did you do with Naruto's stuff? I head of his apartment being trashed." Jiraiya asked
"What was salvageable, I had taken it. I want Naruto to move in with me in the Hokage home. I am having a room made ready for him. I am also thinking of getting him to change his outfit. He is flashy like his father, but it will still have some orange in it. By the way, where is his necklace and forehead protector?" Tsunade said
"His items are in the side table drawer. I placed a seal on the drawer so his items are safe."
"Thank you Kakashi."
For the next nine days and eight nights, the same scene played out in Naruto's room. One of the four was always there to keep an eye on him. On the third day Kakashi went to visit with Sasuke. He entered and found all of the rookie nine and Gai's group there.
"Kakashi-sensei how is Naruto?" Sakura asked
"He is doing fine. I heard that three of the occupants in this room are leaving today."
"Yes and I am glad I am able to. I hate hospitals." Kiba said
Small chuckles went through the room.
"Kakashi-sensei, why can't we see Naruto?" Sakura asked
"Tsunade-sama wants him to rest undisturbed. Sasuke I am glad you are back to your old self before the seal."
"Me too, I hope I can become better friends with Naruto. Tsunade-sama said I am able to leave the hospital sometime this week."
"That's good Sasuke. Sorry, but I only had enough time to see how you were doing. I will let you know when we meet back up."
"Hold it sensei. What truly happen to Naruto that caused him to be back in the hospital? I doubt it would have been food poison. I also want to know how he could survive a death blow and be out of the hospital within a week and why the villagers hate him, because it could not be because his pranks. Also his connection with foxes. He even looks like a fox with one of his stupid grins and him having those whiskers like marks on his face. His chakra during our fight surrounded his body, forming into the shape of a fox and his features changed, including his eyes. What is the deal with it? " Sasuke asked glaring at Kakashi
Everyone agreed with Sasuke, wanting the truth. Kakashi looked at them and his smiled vanished.
"I can't tell you. I will ask you not to dwell on this subject. Do not ask any of the adults your questions; it will just make it harder on Naruto. Keep it among yourselves and do not ask Naruto. I have to go; I have some errands to run for the Hokage."
He left everyone dumbfounded and with more questions.
"It is like they are afraid to tell us, but from what he just said, the connection between Naruto and a fox becomes stronger." Sakura said
"I have a question for all of you, who do you, think is or was Naruto's father?" Shikamaru asked
"We don't know, not even Naruto, because from what we know, his parents were killed during the attack." Ino said
"Do you think one of his parents brought the kyuubi here and that is why they don't like him?" TenTen asked
"No, I was not going that way. I believe I know who Naruto's father was. Who else has blond spiky hair and blue eyes like him?
Everyone thought about it not coming up with an answer.
"I was in the Hokage's office yesterday. When I entered to talk to her, she was looking at a picture on the wall. I saw it, but I was not able to study it for long, for she started to talk to me about ideals for the party we plan for Naruto. I listen to her and I glanced down on her desk and I saw many scrolls. I caught a glimpse of a name, Arashi. The name of the Yondaime. After I left, I thought of what I saw of the picture. I never paid any attention to it when I was in her office before. I went home and looked through some old books in my family's study. I found a picture of the Yondaime. I was shocked to say that both he and Naruto looked alike. I was going to ask my parents, but I thought against it. I remembered them always saying to stay away from him, that he was trouble. I also remember the hateful looks they gave him when ever he was around."
"What are you saying?" Ino asked
He reached in his bag and pulled out a book. He opened it to a marked page and passed the book to one in the room.
"I think the Fourth was his father. Why else would he know one of the Fourth's technique."
Everyone gasped when the realization hit them.
"From what I know of Naruto, he does not know his parents. What would cause him not knowing about his family? If they kept it a secret form him they why?" Sakura asked
"Think about it, the Fourth had made many enemies during his actions for Konoha. Who would not like to take revenge on the son of the Yellow Flash? It is the same with your sensei." Shikamaru said
"But, that does not answer for the hatred of the villagers to Naruto." Lee said
"I believe we should go talk to the Hokage together. I would like the truth of Naruto. We are his friends in one way or another. We have the right to know." Sasuke said
"But how will we do that? Wont we need to make an appointment?" Chouji asked
"I do not think so. We just show up and demand that we talk to the Hokage. She will have to see us. I think Monday morning is the best time to do so. It will give us seven days to plan our visit to the Hokage and the party for Naruto." Neji said
They all agreed and went in planning for Naruto's party and what they would say to the Hokage. Outside the door to the room, Kakashi had been listing in on their conversation. He bowed his head from what he heard. He disappeared and reappeared outside the room Naruto was in. He entered and found Tsunade in the room placing a wet cloth on Naruto's forehead. He looked at Naruto and saw he was only wearing a pair of shorts. His blankets were kicked off and he was curled up in a ball with his back facing the door.
"How is he?"
"He is okay. He had a fit before you came in."
"Are there any changes?"
"Yes, his eyes are starting to become silt."
"It looks like he will have the senses of a fox. If he does, then he will be able to work at night with out any aid from night equipment."
"True, I thought you had errands for me to do?"
"Yes and I finished them, but I think we will have some trouble in the near future."
"What do you mean?"
"I went to see Sasuke. He started to ask questions, especial about how Naruto was able to leave the hospital and what about when they fought, why his chakra formed a fox shape around him and he changed. I told them I could not tell them and left. I stayed outside the door and heard their conversation. It seems that Nara kid came to the conclusion whose Naruto's father was. They plan on visiting you on Monday morning to talk to you as a group. They want answers. I believe I added more fuel to the fire for their desire for answers. Sorry."
"No, no, it is okay. They probably would have come to me sooner. It just gives me time to come up with a counter plan against them. I have to go. The village elders want to talk to me about the attack on Naruto. Are you staying?"
"Yes, I don't have anything else to do."
"I will see you. If he looks cold, cover him up."
"Okay"
She left the room and paused after closing the door. She hated visiting the village elders. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She went down the hall and to a flight of stairs. She descended two flights and arrived in the reception area of the hospital. When she arrived, she found ten of Naruto's friends, knowing they really had not been friends with him. She walked up to the nurse on duty at the desk. She smiled hearing Kiba complaining about signing forms to leave the hospital. The group saw her and watched her. The nurse looked up at her and smiled.
"Is there something you need Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, have one of the nurses on their rounds on the third floor replace the IV bag in room 212."
"Yes ma'am."
"I will be in meetings for the rest of the day. I will be back later tonight."
"Yes ma'am."
Tsunade turned to leave, but was stopped by a small barrier.
"Is there something you need?" she asked raising one of her eyebrows
"Yes, we would like to visit with Naruto, what room is he in?" Kiba asked
"At the moment you can not. He was asleep when I left him. If you excuse me, I have a meeting to get to."
She walked up to them and placed a hand on Kiba. She slightly squeezed his shoulder, which to him it felt like it was being crushed. She moved him out of her way and left. Kiba rubbed his shoulder.
"Man that hurt." Kiba said with a whine in his voice
"Lets go, I have things I need to do. We meet back here day after tomorrow as we planed." Ino said.
Everyone said their goodbyes and left on their separate ways. Tsunade arrived at her office and waited for the village elders to come. A headache was coming to her. She believed this week will only get worse.