Daze Pt 2
Ch 23: Homecoming
A/N: Writing notes is hard and I'm not particularly entertaining lol hope you guys like the chapter.
Edit: A quick reply to anon's review question:
Minato and Kushina's chakra imprints were tied to Kyuubi's sealing matrix.
When Akatsuki ripped Kurama out of Naruto, the seal was destroyed and Minato and Kushina's chakra imprints were dispelled.
With nothing to bind the chakra to, the jutsu dissipated and they faded away; the fragments of spirit in the chakra returned to the pure land.
Hope that explains it well enough.
X X
A few minutes earlier...
"Awaken now Ashura, you cannot rest now, the cycle yet demands absolution."
Naruto raised his head weakly and saw a horned monk floating above him.
"W-who are you?"
"I am he who desires peace, known to my era as Hagoromo of the Otsutsuki clan,"
The man sighed melancholically.
"-that name means little now, spread to the winds like leaves of a tea tree, you may address me as The sage of six paths."
"You can't possibly be?"
"Reality and legend are not always incongruous, and both are important to the tide of history."
Naruto sat up in the empty room he recognized as his mindscape, the broken bars of a massive cage sat abandoned.
"But why have you appeared now, why to me?"
The man outstretched his hand and sat it upon the boy's head.
"There are moments when words are only burdens, this is one such moment,"
In a moment Naruto felt visions of a time long passed, two brothers bound by love and divided by hatred.
A battle of generations passed down a cursed lineage spanning the war of clans and even the founding of the leaf.
When the vision ended Naruto felt tears tumble down his cheeks.
In the older brother, he saw the love of Itachi corrupted by a lack of trust.
"Why did you abandon Indra, he needed you and you had no faith in him!"
Naruto's mangekyo flared to life it's crimson power holding some sway on his emotions.
The monk bowed his head and closed his eyes.
"I saw within him the seeds of hatred, tempered with trust they may have sprouted a great tree of love, but in my haste, I fear I realized my worries."
The man looked up at him channeling chakra into his head which flowed into Naruto's eyes.
"That is why I need you, the blood of Ashura with eyes of Indra within you lies the secret to my power,"
The man pulled his hand back to his side.
"-when brothers coalesce, new strength emerges in time you shall see,"
The man smiled fatherly, his beard flowing gently as his ripple eyes shone with light.
"-go forth with my blessing, use it to repair the mistakes of the ancient past, my mistakes."
The man vanished like a phantom in the sun.
Naruto felt in his eyes some change was going to happen but it was incomplete and the power receded deep within him awaiting some catalyst.
The first thing he saw was a blur of red and white he felt the warmth of a woman's embrace.
"S-so warm."
He leaned his head into the soft shoulder feeling silken hair on his ear.
He could hear her sniffling into him.
"Don't ever leave me again."
Naruto smiled gently.
"I won't"
They just sat there embracing for a moment before Anko cleared her throat.
"You two are really cute and all but if we don't get back to Sakura soon Naruto really will bleed to death."
Naruto paled even more than he already had.
"Oh shit, really?!"
He hopped to his feet losing his balance from sudden vertigo but was caught by Tayuya.
His shoulder brushed against something particularly soft and he blushed, turning his head to hide his embarrassment.
Tayuya tried to play it off as though she didn't notice but was also blushing subtly.
"Do we even know where Sakura is or for that matter where we are?"
Anko looked around for a second noting the tropical trees and white sands.
"We can't be too far away, the nature is the same, we must be in the same island chain."
Anko bit her thumb summoning a massive green snake equivalent in size to the great snake Manda.
"Who daresss to summon me?!"
"My apologies Aina-sama I would not summon you were it not absolutely necessary I can promise you."
Anko began to sweat profusely, bowing, and speaking with uncharacteristic respect that unsettled the teens.
"Ahh, Anko I alwaysss liked you, had it been that slime Orochimaru I was prepared to devour him, but in your case,"
The snake blinked its massive golden eye in ponderance.
"-it isss decided, I will accept 20 human sacrifices as penance."
"So gracious my lady of course my lady."
Anko bowed several times, turning to whisper urgently to her comrades.
"Come on, hop on before she changes her mind"
The two of them hurriedly boarded the snake queen's back helping Anko load their prisoners on as well.
"Where do you need to go humansss?"
"There is an island with large cliffs and a vast human settlement within this chain, that's our destination."
The snake hummed in understanding lunging into the water and slithering just below the water's surface.
They all held tightly onto her scales trying not to be sent flying by the wind and water shooting up at them.
In a short period of time relative to the great distance they arrived at the island and leaped onto the shore.
"Remember to honor our deal Anko you know what we do to liarsss."
"Of course Aina-sama it shall be done."
The snake flicked her mighty tongue vanishing below the water's surface and into a cloud of smoke.
"Phew, I thought for sure she would eat me."
Anko chuckled nervously.
Naruto wanted to quip but he felt extremely weak as his vision began to fog.
"I don't want to alarm you guys but I kinda can't feel my arms."
Naruto chuckled grimly.
"That's not a good sign we need to find Sakura quickly."
Within a short time, the kunoichi managed to locate their lost comrades and Sakura got to work to replenish Naruto's lost blood and heal his knee.
Once he was fully healed Sakura wasted no time punching him hard in the gut.
"Who do you think I am, Shannaroo!"
Naruto coughed.
"I deserved that."
Ino growled and gave him a kick to the uninjured knee.
"That too."
Naruto winced.
"Sorry."
He stood up and scratched his hair.
"Well, the fox is out of the box."
"You've been alive this whole time, where have you been?"
Sakura looked away from him feigning annoyance but internally relieved.
"It's a long story."
"You'll have plenty of time Naruto, you're coming back with us to the leaf."
Anko looked at him sternly making it clear it wasn't a request.
Naruto shook his head.
"I can't."
"You will."
Naruto looked disappointed.
"Don't make me fight you."
Anko smirked sickly sweet.
"Don't worry Gaki, Sakura slipped you some snake venom while she was fixing up your knee, there won't be a fight, see you in a few hours."
Naruto paled seeing the amused smirks of the kunoichi around him.
"Why are women so devious."
He fell to the ground, his vision turning black.
Naruto began to stir as he smelled the warm wind and began to recollect memories of childhood.
"Good timing Naruto, we just reached the Hi no Kuni border we're only a few hours away from the village."
Naruto paled.
"This is a bad idea, I really shouldn't be here."
Naruto tried to move his hands but saw he was bound with ninja wire and chakra sealing tags.
Tayuya looked back at him with pity munching on a stick of dango.
"Don't bother Dickless."
Naruto groaned but stopped struggling in Anko's grip.
"Tayuya-chan can I request a new pet name?"
Tayuya locked eyes with him, her brown orbs sparkling, she smirked at him.
"Hmm let me think about that Dickless-kun."
Ino looked at the two of them and smiled mischievously.
"So you two are really special to each other, how long have you been dating?"
Tayuya turned tomato red stumbling her words in a hurried attempt to call Ino every expletive.
Naruto blushed.
"It's not like that ya know!"
Sakura giggled but continued chewing on her ration pellet.
Ino smirked.
"Well if you two aren't an item then I might just have to scoop Naru-kun up for myself."
Ino stepped over to the bound boy and leaned down to put him at eye level kissing him on the cheek.
"You got really dreamy over the years Naruto, you're no Sasuke but maybe I could let you take me out."
Naruto blushed.
"I-I"
Tayuya growled, grabbing some medical gauze from her hip pouch she shoved it into the boy's mouth.
"Just shut up Baka-teme!"
Naruto sweatdropped like a pitiful puppy.
'What'd I do-ttebayo?'
"You also shut up bimbo, stop trying to seduce every prick in a ten-mile radius!"
Tayuya glared daggers at the blonde girl.
Ino smirked internally at the chaos she'd caused.
Despite her popular girl persona, she was a fan of juicy drama.
Anko rolled her eyes at the adolescents' antics but internally she was amused.
The next few hours were a blur as Naruto told them the story so far.
He withheld the parts about his bonds with the Akatsuki members and part of him felt guilty for feeling sympathetic.
He also withheld the secret mission that was given to him by Itachi.
Naruto felt his throat lurch at the large metal monument in the distance.
Ino tossed her arms back like a bird taking wing as she skipped excitedly.
"Home sweet home I can't wait to take a nice long bath with some rose petals and lily candles!"
Sakura nodded in agreement.
"I need some green tea and dumplings stat."
"Well Naruto here we are, how long has it been since you saw these gates on your way to your last mission?"
Anko turned to him melancholically.
Naruto tilted his head down to hide the tears of relief and a faint smile on his face.
"Almost three years."
"Welcome home gaki, Sakura cut him loose."
Sakura looked at her in confusion.
"Won't he try to run?"
"Just do it."
Sakura obliged, cutting her former teammate loose; he climbed to his feet and massaged his wrists.
They stepped through the gate entrance, prisoners in tow earning curious looks from Izumo and Kotetsu.
They all turned back to look at Naruto expectantly and he took tentative steps through the gate with an entranced look in his eyes.
Naruto saw the phantom of his former self spiky mop of blonde hair, azure eyes, orange jacket, and blinding smile.
Then he saw himself reflected in a tiny puddle.
Long spiky hair much like his father's, dull onyx eyes, and a subtle smile of a pained youth forced to change.
He shed his formerly white jacket which was now a rust-brown from mud, blood, and varied burns marks.
He tucked the jacket under his arm and noticed he was wearing burnt orange pants today, a small fragment of his inner light.
He saw the shocked faces of Izumo and Kotetsu and shot them a toothy grin he always used to wear.
"Hey, guys."
They nodded back at him and smiled.
"Welcome back kid." / "Hey Naruto it's been a long time."
Anko nudged him.
"We need to go see Tsunade-sama come on gaki."
Naruto nodded, tying his jacket around his waist, some of the rust-colored grime rubbed onto his sleeveless ash shirt and painted it a near orange.
The walk to the Hokage mansion was like a dream to Naruto as he walked through the village where he had been raised.
But something was different, no one looked at him with disdain.
He got friendly smiles from middle-aged merchants and older couples, a few blushes from girls his age, and a few shocked looks from older Jonin.
By the time they reached the manor, Tsunade was already waiting outside the entrance, likely informed of Naruto's presence by an ANBU.
She practically tackled the boy in a hug nearly crushing him as so many emotions poured forth from her.
Naruto couldn't help but smile and cry softly in her arms, Tsunade was the closest thing to a maternal figure he'd ever had.
"I'm so happy to see you."
"Me too Baa-chan"
Naruto let her embrace him until she was ready to part at which point he gave her a simple smile.
"So what now?"
"We need to wrap up this mission report then we'll talk about that."
Anko and the kunoichi followed the Hokage into the building Naruto stood there for a second staring at the stone face of his father.
'This is my first time seeing you since I found out huh Tou-san.'
Naruto smiled at the stone face before making his way into the building.
Sasuke stepped out onto his apartment balcony leaping out to a nearby roof.
He had to meet with Kakashi, Sakura, and the Hokage about the reforming Team 7 after Sakura's long term solo mission.
He had to admit;
Some part of him was anticipating going on missions with old comrades; though he wondered who would fill Naruto's position.
He reached into his pouch pulling out a brown band and worked on tying back his long unkempt hair as he travelled to the mansion.
On his way he passed a familiar kunoichi one year his junior with purple hair and amber eyes.
"Oh, Oltier."
"Sasuke-san?"
"Are you also headed to meet with Tsunade?"
She nodded.
"Something about a new team formation."
Sasuke's eyes flickered curiously.
'A coincidence or, hmm'
"You want to head there together?"
The girl nodded curtly.
Naruto stepped into the room and stepped in line next to the kunoichi squad.
He locked eyes with Shizune who smiled at him with barely contained happiness.
He listened quietly as Anko read her report off for Tsunade's approval.
Once it concluded Tsunade folded her hands and lowered her head into her hands.
"So, Orochimaru has finally fallen."
She raised her gaze and nodded.
"Well done, you completed the mission without issue, successfully rescued Naruto, and dealt a crippling blow to Orochimaru's operation."
"Ibiki and I will get to work on Kabuto at once, but what of the woman she's been unresponsive since Orochimaru fell?"
Tsunade eyes glimmered with thought.
"Take her to Inoichi, perhaps he can repair her damaged mind."
"Naruto, Sakura you two stay, the rest of you are dismissed."
A series of hai's and shinobi bows preceded the kunoichi's exit.
Naruto and Sakura looked at each other in shared confusion.
"What's going on m'lady, did I do something to displease you?"
Tsunade smiled at her apprentice.
"Nothing of the sort, in fact this is a special occasion for all of you I'm sure, we just need to wait for the others to arrive."
Naruto's eye flickered with realization at what she meant and he turned to the door expectantly..
Sakura pondered, still distracted by the week's events to fully realize what she was insinuating.
"Is everyone here?"
A series of replies of confirmation followed.
"Very well, Madara you wished to address us."
The masked man's crimson eye shone more intensely than it normally had.
"Yes Nagato, now that you're all gathered here we can begin."
The man adjusted a green scarf beneath his crimson cloud adorned robe.
"Karasu… no, Uzumaki Naruto has escaped; he was spotted by Zetsu entering the land of fire alongside a squad of Konoha shinobi,"
The man's voice rumbled with barely contained displeasure.
"-it's safe to assume his memories have returned, and that will prove catastrophic for this operation,"
His black gloved hands clenched tightly the fabric crumpling.
"-the loss of Itachi's eyes along with any information he may have taken with him will cripple our ability to operate from the shadows,"
The man resumed a cool calm demeanor raising his gaze to the Akatsuki council.
"-with that in mind he must be dealt with permanently."
Sasori looked down, seeming displeased at the man's decision, Kisame remained perfectly neutral.
Pain faced the man, his spiral eyes meeting the man's red.
"I would remind you that I was against using the boy in the first place, it was a reckless decision that resulted from Itachi's weak will."
"Itachi and I already had a failsafe in place but on the off chance it fails I shall be dispatching Kakuzu, and Hidan to the leaf."
Hidan chuckled.
"The gaki eh, if you had told me a year ago I'd be tasked with hunting him I"d think you were wasting my time,"
The man readjusted his scythe against his shoulder.
"-but now, who knows what techniques he has up his sleeve."
The crazed man smirked to himself relishing the challenge.
Kakuzu remained perfectly cold staring at the Akatsuki leaders.
"Letting him live would be bad for business, still I expect the other's to ensure the money keeps flowing while I'm out."
Deidara sighed.
"I wish it didn't have to be this way, I always did like that kid he was kind of like my annoying little brother,"
Deidara flipped his hair dramatically.
"-still, in this business it's do or die, wouldn't it be better to send me and Sasori-taichou to get him after all we know him better than anyone else?"
Pain shook his head.
"We need you to hunt the Shukaku, we can't afford to send the entire Akatsuki on a wild chase."
Deidara huffed but nodded compliant.
Konan looked at a paper flower silently.
'That boy who reminds us of Yahiko, I know this must be hard Nagato but you have already confronted pain.'
Pain looked down grimly.
'Forgive us Yahiko, everything we do, we do for peace.'
The masked man's eye wrinkled upward in a sinister grin.
'Are you watching sensei, do not weep for him; you and the brat shall be reborn in my perfect world project Tsuki No Me.'
X END X
A/N: It's a miracle.
I uploaded two chapters within the same week. ^^
all jokes aside, hope you enjoyed; the next chapter is already being written.