Chapter 32 Summary: As two of Konoha's finest Jounins deal with heartbreak, the day has come for Sakura's meeting with the other members of the infamous Konoha 12. However one member has chosen not to attend which crushes Sakura's spirit, while another member chooses to end not only a friendship, but also their career as a Shinobi forever.
Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath
Chapter 32: "Heartbreak, Warnings, and Resignations"
Shikamaru was lying under a tree and gazing upwards towards the sky. Engrossed as usual with his favorite pastime cloud watching, the Nara heir was waiting for the remaining members of the Konoha 11 to arrive. The group aptly renamed from the Konoha 12 due to the Uchiha's betrayal and defection to Otogakure and the Snake Sannin Orochimaru. A slight breeze blew a waft of blonde hair into Shikamaru's face, as he looked down to see his girlfriend Temari still peacefully asleep, her head resting upon his chest. About a minute later, he heard the familiar crunch of a potato chip being eaten and Shikamaru looked over to see his teammates Chouji and Ino approaching him. They were followed closely behind by Tenten and Neji. Shikamaru nudged the Suna princess awake, as they both rose to greet everyone.
"How's it going guys?"
"We're all fine Shikamaru, but are we really going to do this?"
"I'm not any happier than you are Tenten, but Tsunade didn't give us a choice in the matter. Today is the day we all are to appear and listen to what Sakura has to tell us."
"I could care less what the Haruno bitch has to say!" Neji groused with annoyance.
"I concur." A voice behind everyone stated in agreement, startling everyone but also signifying that Shino had arrived.
"Hey Shino, good to see you, where's Kiba?"
"He'll be along shortly Shikamaru, his punishments from his mother finally ended today."
"Yeah, well it serves the mutt-boy right, saying what he did to the Council last week!" Ino declared with venom, while Tenten and Temari nodded their heads in unison. While everyone's memory harkened back to what had angered the present kunoichi's so much about the Inuzuka heir.
(Flashback one week ago)
Shikamaru left the Council chambers after having successfully testified on Naruto's behalf, to meet up with the other witnesses of the Kyuubi Event to let them know that the case against their friend had been dismissed. Upon his arrival at the training field, he relayed the good news much to the relief of everyone before adding.
"Even though none of us were allowed to hear each other's testimony on the witness stand, it's my understanding all of our testimonies correlated with one another perfectly. So, Tsunade was able to get all the charges dismissed against Naruto because of it."
"Yeah, I bet the Council was totally rocked by my testimony!" Kiba exclaimed while pumping a fist in the air.
"Oh yes Kiba, your testimony left a lasting impression on the Council, of that you can be sure!" Tsume Inuzuka stated in a very irritated tone of voice to the group, as she appeared before them in a swirl of leaves along with her wolf familiar Kuromaru.
"M, Mom!" Kiba stammered nervously under the stern glare the Inuzuka clan matriarch was leveling on him. Before she turned to everyone else and stated.
"I must say I am surprised Ino, Tenten, and Temari-san. I figured the three of you would be in an all out fight right now for whom gets the privilege of offering up their virginity to my son first?"
"WHAT!" All three kunoichi's shouted in unison.
"Well, I mean after all according to his testimony, Kiba so heroically protected all three of you during the fight against Naruto while you were petrified with fear. I figured I would be getting a daughter in law very soon after hearing from Kiba, how did you put it son? Oh yes, I remember now."
"Even though I was wounded and a mess after helping to subdue Naruto, all the kunoichi's present couldn't help but gaze at me with love and admiration for how bravely I had fought off Naruto to save them." Tsume stated in her best imitation of her son's voice, before continuing on in her own voice.
"So, I just assumed you three kunoichi's would be at each other's throats by now for the honor of becoming a bride to the heir of the Inuzuka clan. Well, I'm here to tell you not to worry and to please not fight over that. Since all three of you hold Kiba-kun in such high esteem. I'll talk to Lady Tsunade to see if we can get an amendment for all four of you to have a polygamist marriage. How does that sound?"
There was an eerie silence that fell over the training grounds like a shroud, as everyone could feel the killing intent rolling off of Ino, Tenten, and Temari was increasing to staggering levels before the sound of snickering and stifled laughter could be heard. As much as they wanted not to laugh, Shikamaru, Chouji, and even Neji were having troubles containing their amusement at Kiba's predicament. Even Shino seemed to crack a wry smile over his teammate's dilemma, until Tsume saw this and in a voice ringing with derision said.
"I don't know what all four of you are so amused about? According to Kiba if it wasn't for his inspirational leadership during the fight, you all might not have stopped Naruto. I'm especially disappointed in you Hyuga, since if it wasn't for Kiba's impassioned speech, you might have left the battlefield out of fright."
The killing intent from Ino, Tenten, and Temari was nothing to the intent that suddenly spiked in Neji who yelled out.
"BYAKUGAN!"
However, before the Hyuga prodigy could attack his Inuzuka comrade, he suddenly found himself being restrained by Shikamaru, Chouji, and Shino, whilst Kiba stumbled backwards in a panic. Tsume looked on as the three young men struggled to keep Neji under control and exclaimed in mock surprise.
"Why Kiba-kun, your friends appear quite upset with you, I wonder why? Could it be that you perhaps exaggerated your role in helping to subdue Naruto?"
"M, maybe." Kiba replied with a hint of guilt to his voice.
"Grrrrrrrrr, that's what I thought. KIBA INUZUKA GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!" Tsume roared out causing everyone to freeze from the killing intent she was now producing.
Kiba hesitantly shuffled over to his mother like a condemned man walking to the gallows. Upon his arrival in front of her, he refused to look at her and kept his head down in submission. Tsume lashed out and grabbed one of Kiba's ears and gripped it like a vice before giving it a nasty twist. Kiba immediately yelped in pain and was forced to look up and the clan matriarch while kneeling down onto one knee. Tsume maintained her painful hold on her son's ear while slightly bowing her head to look him in the eye and with a wicked feral grin on her face stated in a vengeful tone of voice.
"Now listen up my little pup! You are the heir to one of the oldest and most respected clan within the Village Hidden in the Leaves. As such I expect no demand that you carry yourself with dignity and respect for the clan you will one day lead. As such exaggerating your deeds from the battlefield is not and will NEVER be tolerated. You embarrassed not only the proud name of Inuzuka in the Council chamber today, but more importantly you embarrassed ME!"
Tsume then gave her son's ear another painful twist, as to put emphasis on what she was about to say next.
"Now, I could leave you here with your friends and let them merit out their own brand of justice for what you've done, but I fear they will be too lenient with you. For you see after your rockingtestimony today, my fellow clan leaders laughed at me. I don't like to be laughed at Kiba-kun! So you are coming home with me right now and I am going to teach you why it is so inadvisable for you to disgrace not only yourself and the clan, but me as well! And I guarantee that by the end of this week, you will never consider doing something like this ever again!"
As the remnants of the Konoha 11 watched their comrade get dragged away by his mother, most of them felt a hint of sympathy for the Inuzuka boy. However, Ino was not one of those people and openly complained.
"Damn it, that's not fair, I wanted to get some shots in on dog-boy! I can't believe he just got saved by his mother!"
"Kiba didn't get saved Ino, that's for sure. I know he would gladly take a beating from all of us right now, than face a week's worth of punishment doled out by his mother. Next to the Hokage and my own mother, there isn't a meaner old bitch in the entire village than Tsume Inuzuka." Shikamaru declared with certainty.
"Thank you for the compliment Nara-san! I'll be sure to let your mother Yoshino-san know you hold her in such high regard and company!" Tsume shouted back to the group, although she and Kiba were a great distance away. Shikamaru dropped his head down in defeat and muttered to himself.
"Most troublesome, I forgot about that damn Inuzuka hearing."
Later on that day, Shikamaru entered his house to find his father silently trying to shoo him out the door once again, before a voice rang out and asked.
"Is that you Shika-kun?"
"H, hai mother." Shikamaru replied with trepidation, as there was an unfamiliar sweetness to the sound of her voice.
"Good, NOW GET YOUR ASS INTO THIS KITCHEN RIGHT NOW! THIS MEAN OLD BITCH WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOU!"
(End of Flashback)
Shikamaru shivered while he tried to drive away the memory of the Hell his mother had made of his life for the next several days after that kitchen encounter. Just then, Kiba arrived with Akamaru in tow at the training grounds and trotted over to his friends.
"Oh look, the conquering hero has arrived. Thank Kami, I don't know what I would do if Kiba-kun wasn't around to protect little old me." Ino griped with sarcasm.
Kiba winced upon hearing this before he straightened up and apologized with sincerity.
"Look guy's, I want to apologize to all of you. I just got caught up in the moment being around all those great and legendary Shinobi in the Council and I wanted to look good in front of them. I'm sorry now that I did that and I hope you all can forgive me?"
Everyone stood silent for a minute and gazed at the Inuzuka heir before Shikamaru finally spoke up and lazily said.
"Ahh forget about it Kiba. It's much too troublesome to carry a grudge with you about it. At least you stuck to the plan and your testimony corroborated with everyone else's. Even if you did make try and make yourself look good in front of the clan heads. You still helped in getting Naruto off the hook and that was our main goal anyways."
With that said, everyone else present seemed to agree with the Nara heir and Kiba was begrudgingly forgiven by all of them.
"Shikamaru, what time were we supposed to go and see Sakura?"
"We've got a little over an hour in time Ino, before we all are to report to her hospital room."
"I wonder what Sakura has to say?" Tenten asked with curiosity.
"Who knows, I guess we'll find out when she tells us." Shikamaru lazily answered.
"Hey, I know let's go visit Hinata and Naruto before we have to go to this meeting!" Ino exclaimed.
"Might as well, maybe we can cheer Naruto up a bit? He seems to be getting more and more depressed with each day that goes by." Shikamaru commented with concern.
"Or angrier, I made the mistake of mentioning Sasuke's name while visiting yesterday and his killing intent went immediately through the roof. Ino stated with a shiver.
"I can't say that I blame him for his depression, I know he truly cares about my cousin a great deal. What I don't understand is his sudden rage against Sasuke? It's almost as though he blames the Uchiha for what happened to Hinata. But, Sasuke wasn't anywhere around when Hinata got hurt."
"Perhaps we will learn some of the answers to our questions after this meeting. I am quite certain we haven't been given the full details of what exactly has happened as of yet." Shino commented in logical fashion.
"You may be right Shino, well, let's get going then." Shikamaru stated, as he and his fellow comrades began their trek to the Leaf Village hospital.
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As Kakashi signed off on the forms releasing him from the hospital, his mind was on other matters than the paperwork before him. The current focus of his attention was the upcoming meeting in half an hour with his former pupil Sakura and what she had to say about another student of his Sasuke Uchiha. Kakashi dreaded what the girl was going to say, as it would only confirm to everyone what a failure he had been as a Sensei to his previous Genin team. Trying to shake loose his musings on that subject is when another anxiety filled subject invaded his thoughts, Yuuhi Kurenai. Kakashi knew he was going to have to talk to the Genjutsu mistress soon because of what he had said to her after the Kabuto fight. But the famous Copy-nin did not have a clue, as to what to say to the woman. Kakashi realized that his admission of love to Kurenai had irrevocably changed their relationship forever. As sad and as painful as it was to know, Kakashi understood that Kurenai did not have any feelings for him. Her discomfort and inability to speak to him after his confession was testament to that, as he thought to himself while exiting the hospital.
'I just need some time to sort things out before I speak to Kurenai. I don't want her feeling uncomfortable around me in the future.'
A few seconds later, as if Kami was laughing at the silver-haired Jounins plight, a soft voice called out behind him.
"Kakashi!"
Kakashi's head dropped a bit while a faint sigh escaped from his mouth, as he immediately recognized the voice that had called to him. Inhaling deeply before turning around and flashing his famous closed eye smile he replied.
"Konnichiha (Hello or good day) Kurenai-san!"
However, when Kakashi opened his eye, he found himself once again transfixed by the beauty walking towards him. His gaze wandered momentarily to Kurenai's angelic face with her deep crimson colored eyes providing a stark contrast to her alabaster white cream like skin. Kurenai's long dark brunette hair framed her gorgeous face like a dark silk curtain. His vision then traveled to the sensual curve of her slim feminine hips and her supple breasts, which were firm and thrust out proudly before him nearly took Kakashi's breath away. Before the Copy-nin even realized it, she was suddenly standing before him and asking.
"Are you alright Kakashi?"
Snapping out of his self induced stupor, Kakashi stammered.
"Gomen (Sorry) Kurenai-cha . . . . . . san, I'm, I'm fine. I just got lost in a thought for a moment."
"Well, I'm very happy to see you up and about again. You look much better than the last time I saw you."
"Arigato (Thank you), I too am glad to see that you've recovered from your injuries, you look lovely as well."
Kurenai turned her head to the side in an effort to hide her small blush. Unfortunately, Kakashi mistook this action as one of discomfort at what he said and silently berated himself.
'Nice going Kakashi, you tell yourself you don't want to make Kurenai uncomfortable around you, but then you go and say something like that to her. What an idiot you are Kakashi!'
"Gomen-nasai (I'm sorry) Kurenai-san, I didn't mean to embarrass you." Kakashi said with a sad and penitent tone of voice while looking down.
Kurenai heard the regret in Kakashi's voice, but before she could reply and assuage his feelings that he had just done something wrong. The red-eyed kunoichi suddenly found an arm draped around her shoulder, as Asuma appeared in a swirl of leaves and greeted them.
"Hey Kakashi-san, Kurenai-chan, are you two here for the meeting with Sakura already?"
Kakashi took notice of Asuma's arm wrapped around Kurenai and the suffix he used to greet her and for a brief moment a hint of sorrow flickered in his lone visible eye, before he eye-smiled once more and hastily said while turning to walk away.
"Yes, in fact and need to go and check on her now, I'll see the two of you later at the meeting."
"Wait Kakashi, I want to talk to you about what happened after Kabuto ran off!" Kurenai shouted to the retreating silver-haired Jounin.
Kakashi turned his head back to glance first at Asuma and then at Kurenai before he gently replied to his kunoichi comrade.
"There's nothing to talk about Kurenai-san, I understand. Like I told you, it was just a foolish dream on my part. You need not worry, I won't bother you anymore, I'm just glad that you're happy."
Kakashi then flashed another quick glance at Asuma then at Kurenai before sadly closing his one visible eye and disappearing in a swirl of leaves. As Kurenai watched Kakashi vanish, her eyes grew wide in realization at what he said and what Kakashi must think seeing Asuma with her. Growling with absolute rage, Kurenai grabbed Asuma's arm draped around her and pulled it around behind his back into a hammerlock. While taking her other hand and grabbing a mane of the bearded Jounin hair and slamming the side of his face into the hospital wall. Leaning forward, Kurenai hissed into Asuma's ear in a voice of pure malevolence.
"You fucking pig Asuma, don't you ever touch me again! You gave up that privilege a longtime ago. Go to your stinking snake-whore if you want touch a kunoichi! From now on you will only speak to me if it's about official Shinobi matters and nothing else. And if you ever touch me again, I promise you it will be the last time you touch anything ever again! Do you understand?"
When Kurenai didn't get an immediate answer, she applied some additional pressure to the painful arm lock that caused Asuma to grimace in pain, as he heard the Genjutsu mistress say once more.
"I said do you understand?"
Asuma nodded his head frantically and said with a choked and stuttering voice.
"I, I understand."
Kurenai applied one more painful tug on Asuma's arm before releasing it and storming off away from the cigarette smoking Jounin who glared furiously at her retreating form. As Kurenai walked away, a single tear rolled down her cheek while she clutched her arms around her, as she thought to herself.
'Damn that bastard Asuma! Between this and the night of the Yamanaka party, Kakashi probably thinks that drunken pig and I are still together. Even if I told him that isn't the case anymore, it doesn't matter. Because I can't seem to speak the three words he wants to hear and that I'm unable to say to him . . . . . . . . no matter how much I dearly want to.'
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Sakura was very nervous as she waited for everyone to arrive. Actually, the pink-haired Genin was more than just nervous, she was terrified of facing all of her former classmates and friends and wondered what their reactions were going to be like, when she toldthem about what had happened with Sasuke. Even if her injuries prevented her from doing so, Sakura would have loved nothing more than to runaway at that moment, but the young kunoichi knew she couldn't do that. She had to warn all of her friends about Sasuke and the dangers they now faced because of him. Sakura heard the door creak open into her hospital room and looking up saw her former Sensei walk dejectedly into the room. As Sakura watched Kakashi amble over to the wall in front of her bed, his entire body language seemed to scream defeat, as she heard him exhale in resignation while staring at the ceiling above him.
"Ka, Kakashi-Sensei, I, I mean Kakashi-san, are you ok?"
Kakashi quickly shook his head and looked down towards his former pupil and flashed his eye-smile to the girl before saying in a mournful voice.
"Sorry Sakura, I've been better. I'm just coming to terms and acceptance that something I want I will never have, and to be honest, that's probably best for everyone involved. Thank you for asking Sakura, that was very kind of you."
"You don't have to thank me, you are. . . . . . . . I mean you were my Sensei."
"I may have held the title of being your Sensei Sakura, but I was never a teacher for you or Naruto. And that is something I deeply regret and apologize to you for. I hope one day you can forgive me for my failure in being the teacher that I should have been to you two."
"There's nothing to apologize for or forgive Kakashi-san, you were wonderful teacher."
"No Sakura, I wasn't, but thank you for the compliment even if it isn't deserved."
Just then the hospital door opened once again and in strode Tsunade followed by her apprentice Shizune, the Toad Sannin Jiraiya, and Special Jounin Mitarashi Anko. The blonde Hokage made her way over to Sakura and said with a smile.
"How are you holding up Sakura?"
"I'm, I'm fine Lady Tsunade."
"Sakura, I wanted to let you know that besides your classmates and their Sensei's. I've asked Jiraiya-san and Anko-san to sit in on this meeting, as they know more about Orochimaru then anyone else alive. I'm sorry that I have to do this, as I know this meeting will be tough enough for you. But I need them here in an official capacity for the safety of the village, do you understand?"
"I, I understand Lady Tsunade."
The door to Sakura's hospital room opened yet again and Asuma nursing a bruise on his face came walking in followed closely behind by his students Ino, Chouji, and Shikamaru. The killing intent immediately rose from Anko when she caught sight of Asuma and glared daggers at the bearded Jounin. A scant few seconds later the Suna Ambassador Subaku no Temari entered the room. Looking about, she saw Tsunade standing by the bed with Sakura and walked over and bowed before she politely inquired.
"Lady Tsunade, are you sure you want me here? I realize this in a Konoha matter and more important perhaps a personal one for Haruno-san. I do not wish to overstep my bounds as Ambassador or on a personal level with Haruno-san and have my presence cause her discomfort."
"I asked Lady Tsunade to invite you to this meeting Temari-san. The information I have may be of value to Sunagakure, but I know it is something that you personally need to listen to." Sakura stated with certainty.
Temari merely nodded to Sakura and the Hokage before standing next to Shikamaru in the room. A few minutes later, Team #9 entered the ever increasing crowded room. Neji marched into the room and grabbed a chair before the Hyuga prodigy shot an irritated glance at Sakura, while he, Gai, and Tenten helped Rock Lee get situated into the chair. A short time later, Shino and Kiba with Akamaru atop his head strolled into the room followed closely behind by Kurenai.
The Genjutsu mistress noticed Anko in the room and shot a hateful glance at the Special Jounin, who bore a look of deep hurt, as she turned her head away from her fellow kunoichi's glare. Kurenai then shot the same odious glare at Asuma, before her gaze fell upon the forlorn looking Kakashi leaning against the far wall with his hands in his pockets and his head hung low while staring at the floor below him. Kurenai's stomach tightened in grief at the sight before her, as she turned her head away with sorrow.
Looking up to the clock on the wall, Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose before she inhaled and exhaled a heavy sigh, which nearly caused every male in the room to have a nosebleed by doing so.
"Alright, I think that is everyone who is willing to come, let's get this started." Tsunade announced, while silently contemplating the absence of one blonde-haired knuckleheaded Genin. Unfortunately, the Hokage was not the only one to notice that Naruto wasn't there and Ino piped up and exclaimed.
"Wait a minute, we can't get started Naruto isn't here yet! I'll go get him, we were just with him earlier."
Ino then poked her head outside the door and saw Naruto walking down the hallway and she commented.
"There he is I'll go get him for the meeting. With everything going on with Hinata, he probably just forgot about it."
Ino then left the room leaving the door slightly ajar while Tsunade attempted to call out and stop her, but to no avail. Ino grabbed the unsuspecting orange clad Genin from behind and began dragging him towards Sakura's room and got within about 15 feet of the door before Naruto escaped her clutches and with annoyance yelled out.
"What are you doing Ino? Hinata's room is in the other direction!"
"I know where Hinata's room is you idiot. Did you forget about the meeting Sakura wanted to have with all of us about Sasuke? Come on, we're all waiting for you to arrive so it can get started."
Naruto's demeanor immediately went from annoyance to a mounting anger when he heard the names of his ex-teammates and he growled out.
"Well then you all are going to be waiting a longtime, because I'm not going to any damn meeting that Haruno called for and I already told baa-chan this!"
'Haruno?' Everyone in the room thought with confusion upon hearing the way Naruto now referred to Sakura. Ino was taken aback by Naruto's address of Sakura and of his refusal to attend the meeting. Regrettably, her famous quick and fiery temper exploded, as she snapped at her orange clad classmate.
"What the Hell is wrong with you Naruto, what's with this Haruno crap? Its Sakura were talking about here, your teammate and friend!"
"Hah! Teammate maybe, friend . . . . . . . . . . never!" Naruto scoffed in a dismissive tone of voice.
Sakura felt sick to herself when she heard Naruto's reply and the tone in which it was given. The pink-haired kunoichi could feel tears welling in her eyes as she remembered Naruto's voice in the past had always been one of warmth and friendliness when speaking with or about her. Now that kind and happy voice, she had always secretly enjoyed from him was gone. Sakura could only stare blankly at the covers on her bed while her heart was breaking when she and everyone else heard Naruto scornfully say.
"If there's nothing else Ino, I'd like to go see Hinata now rather than stand here and waste anymore time talking about Haruno's meeting. Which I'm sure is either a pity party for herself or just an event so she can defend and make up excuses about how her traitor teme of a boyfriend is still a great guy!" Naruto spat with vicious sarcasm before adding.
"Sorry Ino, but I've already sat through enough passionate defenses in the past from Haruno about her precious Sasuke-kun and endured countless punches when I disagreed with her about him to last me a lifetime. I don't need nor have the desire to sit through another one of those sessions ever again! Been there, done that! Hell Ino, you know as well as I do Sakura wouldn't even be here anymore if the teme hadn't rejected her . . . . . . . . again!"
As Naruto turned around to walk away, when he felt Ino grab his arm and spin him around to face her and suddenly felt a stinging slap delivered across his cheek. Ino then grabbed a handful of Naruto's jumpsuit and pulled him forward to stare at her enraged visage, as she screamed at him with unbridled fury.
"You bastard Naruto! You know what that pig did to her and what she has been through! How can say such things? I know you're upset and angry about what has happened to Hinata, but you're acting like it's somehow Sakura's fault!"
Naruto stared at the blonde kunoichi before him, as the pink handprint was already fading from his face. Before his eyes briefly flashed red when he heard Ino's last sentence and he released some killing intent while saying in an icy tone of voice.
"I'm going to give you a pass on hitting me Ino because you're Hinata's best friend, but don't ever do that again."
Ino released Naruto and took a couple steps backwards, as she felt the killing intent directed towards her, before it receded and Naruto's voice became calmer, but still retained its cold bearing as he continued on.
"I know what the teme did, and what she has been through. I do feel sorry for her, as no human being should ever have such a vile and cruel act happen to them. But let me ask you one question Ino and if you can answer it I'll attend the meeting."
"O, ok?" Ino hesitantly stammered in puzzlement.
"How did the Oto nins know to go after Hinata to get at me?"
"Wh, what are you talking about?"
"Come on Ino, it's a simple enough of a question. How did the Oto nins know to target Hinata to try and hurt me?"
Inside Sakura's room several of the remaining members of the Konoha 11 were suddenly pondering that question as well. Shikamaru had already deduced the answer to Naruto's question a longtime ago, but was ordered by Tsunade not to divulge it. However, when Sakura winced slightly after hearing Naruto ask Ino the question, this was noticed by both Neji and Shino. In an instant they too now knew the answer of Naruto's question, as both their killing intent rose and they leveled harsh glares at the pink kunoichi before them. It was then everyone in the room heard Ino attempt to answer the question.
"I don't know Naruto, I guess Sasuke told them?"
"But how Ino, Hinata and I didn't get together until after the teme had already deserted the village?"
The Yamanaka heir stood silently, as she realized that Naruto was right about that and racked her brain to try and think of the correct answer. After a minute of waiting, Naruto sighed and commented.
"And you called me an idiot."
Ino shot Naruto an irritated and angry glare for that before she heard him state, as he turned around and started walking away.
"Come talk to me when you figure it out Ino, then maybe you'll understand my anger. Don't feel bad about not getting it right away. I didn't want to believe the answer myself when Ero-Sannin first told me, but it's the only way the teme could have known."
Tsunade's head whipped around to level a hard glare at Jiraiya whose face remained impassive like granite, as he returned his own defiant stare to the blonde Hokage before stating unapologetically.
"He had a right to know."
A few seconds later, Ino came shuffling back into Sakura's room while her face bore a look of deep contemplation. After a moment she looked up and announced.
"I'm sorry Sakura; Naruto didn't want to leave Hinata to come here."
"It's alright Ino, I understand." Sakura softly replied, the anguish evident in her voice, as she continued to keep her head down and gaze at the covers on her bed.
Tsunade looked down towards Sakura and knew the young kunoichi's heart was broken by what Naruto had just said. As much as the blonde Hokage wished to comfort the girl, she also knew that if Sakura were ever to recover, then she needed to face her friends about what had happened. Placing a comforting hand upon Sakura's shoulder Tsunade leaned down and quietly whispered into the girl's ear.
"Sakura, I know you're hurting right now about Naruto. But you need to deal with that for another time. The rest of your friends are here and you need to talk to them about what happened. I got them all here because you told me what you had to say to them was important. So I need you to be strong right now and talk to them, we'll worry about Naruto later, ok."
Sakura didn't say any or move for a minute until she finally lifted her hand to wipe away the tears in her eyes, before looking up to Tsunade and softly saying.
"You're right Lady Tsunade, thank you."
Sakura then turned her attention to the people in her room, as all of their eyes were focused on her. Exhaling a sigh and mustering up as much courage as she could Sakura began to speak.
"I want to thank all of you for coming here today. I know it wasn't easy, as some of you probably hate me because of what I did and what has happened. But I do appreciate you giving me the chance to speak to you. And I do hope that some of you, if not all of you can forgive me for what my action have wrought."
"Stop right there Haruno-san! If you did ask us here for a pity party for yourself like Naruto said, then I have better things to do than listen to you wail about poor me!"
"That's enough Neji, let Sakura-chan speak before you judge her!" Lee sternly criticized his friend and teammate in defense of the girl.
Neji could only stare with pity at the determined look in his friends face before shaking his head with disgust that Lee still harbored his foolish crush for the pink-haired girl in the hospital bed. Knowing it was pointless to argue with his friend and teammate about it, Neji turned back towards Sakura and nodded to the girl to continue.
"Th, thank you Lee-san, no Neji-san I didn't ask you here to give me pity, because I deserved everything that happened to me. I wanted you all here because I needed to tell you about what happened and to warn you all about Sasuke."
Both Tsunade and Kakashi grew worried upon hearing Sakura say that what had happened to her was justified or somehow deserving in the young girls mind. Tsunade was deeply concerned about this admission from Sakura and made a mental note to talk to Inoichi Yamanaka about this as soon as possible. The Hokage was broken out of her thoughts when she heard Sakura state.
"Let me start at the beginning. A few weeks ago I received a message from our former classmate Sasuke. The message from Sasuke said that he had escaped from Orochimaru and that he wanted to return to the village to be with me. The message also said he was afraid of Orochimaru recapturing him or of what might happen to him when he returned and he asked me to come get him."
Sakura took another deep breath before continuing on.
"Sasuke said in the message he cared about me and that I was the only one he could trust, and I, I believed him. He told me to not tell anyone about this, because he was fearful of the Anbu and would only come back to the village with me or not at all."
Several of the people in the room silently wondered how Sakura could have been so gullible as to believe what the Uchiha had told her. As if reading their minds Sakura stammered with remorse to all of them.
I know some of you must think how stupid and foolish I was in believing Sasuke and you're right. But you, you have to understand, I really thought I was in love with Sasuke and that deep down he loved me too. I believed this so much that if Sasuke decided he didn't want to return to the village after I got there, and if I couldn't change his mind, then I was going to go with him no matter where he went. But, but, you have to believe me, my first choice was to just bring Sasuke home."
It was then Ino remembered Naruto's words to her.
'Hell Ino, you know as well as I do Sakura wouldn't even be here anymore if the teme hadn't rejected her.'
Ino's memory was interrupted when she heard Kurenai ask.
"I believe you Sakura, but what happened when you found Sasuke?"
Sakura began to tremble a little bit, as she was now going to have to reveal what had happened that horrific night when she reunited with Sasuke. Tsunade sat down onto the bed and cupped Sakura's hand into her own to reassure the pink-haired kunoichi. Sakura nodded to her Hokage and began speaking once more, but with a renewed strength in her voice, as her next sentence was filled with anger and spite.
"When, when I arrived at the location where he was at, I soon learned everything Sasuke had told me was a lie! He never wanted to come back to the village to be with me. He never cared about me. Sasuke is perfectly happy with being Orochimaru's new apprentice among other things. All Sasuke cares about now is gaining power from the Snake Sannin to kill his brother and anyone else who gets in his way."
"Then why did he want you Sakura?" Tenten asked in confusion.
Sakura looked down again in before saying in a soft voice.
"Sasuke wanted me as bait to lure Naruto to him, so he could kill him."
An audible gasp was released by several people in the room upon hearing that. After getting over the initial shock of Sakura's statement, it was Lee who spoke up and asked.
"But, why does the Uchiha wish to extinguish the flames of youth within Naruto?"
"Sasuke thought he had killed Naruto at the Valley of the End Lee, but he wasn't sure because his Mangekyou Sharingan hadn't activated yet. I was to be used as bait to lure Naruto out so Sasuke could finally kill him and gain his precious new Sharingan." Sakura spat with disgust.
"What is this Mangekyou Sharingan Gai-Sensei?"
"The Mangekyou Sharingan Lee is a legendary doujutsu of the Uchiha clan and is considered the ultimate form of the Sharingan. The person who gains this level of Sharingan will have different but incredible levels of strength and power."
"But, but why does Sasuke have to kill Naruto for it Gai-Sensei?"
The easiest way to gain the Mangekyou is to kill your closest friend Lee. And although it was but for a short time, Sasuke considered Naruto his best friend once." Kakashi interrupted and solemnly answered.
A pall of silence fell over the room like a shroud before Sakura spoke up once more.
"Sasuke is completely and totally insane. He wants to kill Naruto to gain the Mangekyou Sharingan, but even if he had his prized Sharingan he would still want to kill Naruto because he is jealous of him. When I told him that Naruto was alive and that Master Jiraiya had accepted him as a fulltime student, Sasuke became enraged. He activated his curse mark and went on this wild tantrum about how Naruto is nothing compared him because he's an elite Uchiha. Sasuke was ranting and raving about how come he couldn't kill Naruto, but swore upon the Uchiha name that one day he will. But I need to warn all of you that Sasuke wants to kill you as well."
"He said that!" Kiba exclaimed.
"Well, of the guys yes, of the girls he has other . . . . . . . . intentions in mind." Sakura replied with trepidation in her voice.
"What intentions for the girls do you mean Sakura?" Tenten asked with anxiety.
Sakura took another deep breath, and with a shaky voice stated.
"Sasuke told me to tell you he will be coming for all of you soon to grant you the honor and the privilege of helping to restore his clan."
"Is, is that what happened to you Sakura?" Tenten asked with concern.
Sakura breathing began to rise while tears began to stream down her face, as she answered in a quaking stammering voice.
"N, no Tenten that's not what happened to me. Sasuke ra, raped and tortured me because he was bored and he thought it would anger Naruto seeing me in such a condition when he arrived. Sasuke also informed me that he only wants to sire children to restore his clan from strong kunoichi's with talent, not weak and useless ones like . . . . . . . . me."
"He, he mentioned all of us by name?" Tenten stuttered with alarm, as she squeezed Neji's hand a little tighter.
"No, not by name, Sasuke just said his female classmates. The only kunoichi he mentioned specifically was Hinata and you as well Temari. At least that is what I assume by his term of the sand bitch from Suna. But I don't think it really matters, if Sasuke deems you a strong and talented kunoichi, then you're not safe from him!"
Sakura looked around the room and could see the anxiety filled faces of many of her friends, as they all were pondering what they had just heard when Sakura continued on.
"Kurenai-san, I need to warn you as well. When I regained consciousness after Sasuke's attack, I overheard him and Kabuto speaking about you. Kabuto is targeting you as well in the future for himself."
Kurenai visage took on a grim appearance after hearing this. While Kakashi's head shot up and his killing intent spiked for a moment. The silence in the room was over whelming and was only broken when Temari snarled with fury.
"If that fucking Uchiha asshole thinks I'm going to become a wife and sire children for him he's got another thing coming! I'd sooner cut my own throat before I let that bastard try and make me into some sort of sex-toy for his pleasure and amusement!"
"You misunderstand me Temari-san. Sasuke isn't looking for wives, only vessels to bear his children. He views women as nothing more than a means to restore his clan. And as for being a sex-toy for him, you need not worry. Sasuke's sexual preferences are more towards the masculine side of people."
"You, you mean!" Kiba stammered with dread.
"That's right Kiba. I already told you guys he wants to kill all of you. So when I say watch your asses, I mean that both literally and figuratively when it comes to Sasuke!" Sakura warned in earnest.
Every male buttock in the room involuntarily clinched at the same time after hearing Sakura's warning to them about Sasuke.
An eerie pall of silence fell over the room like a shroud once more, as everyone attempted to come to terms with what they had learned. After a few minutes, it was Kiba who finally broke the silence by asking.
"So Hinata and Kurenai-Sensei were attacked because Sasuke wanted to kidnap Hinata to breed with her?"
"Yes, . . . . . . . . and to hurt Naruto-kun." Sakura replied, before mumbling the last part to herself.
"What do you mean and to hurt Naruto-kun?" Kiba asked with confusion.
"It, it's nothing Kiba."
However, Sakura could feel a growing killing intent being directed towards her and looked over to see Ino glaring with rage at her, before the blonde-haired kunoichi asked with malevolence.
"Sakura, how did the Oto nins know to go after Hinata to hurt Naruto?"
Sakura merely kept her head down and did not want to answer the question, but Ino would not allow that and roared.
"ANSWER ME!"
"Be, because I told Sasuke about Naruto and Hinata." Sakura replied in a choked voice, as new tears spilled down her face.
"Let me see if I understand all of this. Your psychotic boyfriend is out there running around wanting to make bastard Uchiha babies with any kunoichi he can find. And you put Hinata on the top of his hit-list because Sasuke knows that if he hurts her, he'll be hurting Naruto as well."
Sakura could only meekly nod her head before Ino then asked in accusation.
"Why'd you do it Sakura? Were you jealous that could have been you with Naruto instead Hinata! Or did you just figure that with Hinata out of the way, this would give you a clear shot at Naruto since your Uchiha fantasy dumped you again!"
"No, no that's not what happened Ino. I would never do that to Naruto and Hinata on purpose. You have to believe me, it was an accident!"
"How is it an accident Sakura?"
"Sas, Sasuke hurt me Ino, he hurt me bad. The things he said, the things he did to me. I, I just wanted to hurt him back that's all. So when I saw Sasuke trying to explain to Orochimaru that his plan to lure Naruto to him could still succeed, I laughed at him. I laughed at Sasuke and told him when it comes to Naruto he had failed once again. I told that Uchiha bastard that Naruto wasn't going to come and that he isn't going to waste his time or his life coming after me anymore because he has Hinata now. I'm, I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking, I just wanted to hurt Sasuke anyway I could. And, and I knew throwing Naruto back into his face would do just that. I didn't know that Sasuke would then target Hinata and ask Orochimaru to capture her for him. You have to believe me, I'm so sorry that Hinata got hurt, I know it's my fault and I hate myself for it! I hate myself for it so much I just want to die, just die!"
Sakura had begun screaming the last few words as tears erupted from her eyes before Tsunade grabbed the girl in a hug and attempted to calm the girl down, while Sakura cried into her chest.
As everyone watched Sakura breakdown in front of them, most of them felt a pang of sympathy for what the young girl had gone through. They realized that while the girl and made serious errors in judgment and in her life recently. Sakura had paid a heavy price for those mistakes and nearly everyone hoped that the young kunoichi would be able to recover from this, both in mind and body. However, one person in the room now no longer cared whether or not Sakura would recover, as she had made up her mind to break all bonds with the girl. After a few minutes, Sakura's sobs began to lessen and Tsunade released her embrace of the girl. Sakura looked up with pleading eyes to her former best friend and hoped she would find forgiveness. Instead all she found was recrimination glaring back at her as Ino coolly announced.
"Naruto is right, I am an idiot. But not because I didn't figure out sooner that you were the cause of Hinata getting hurt. No, I'm an idiot for letting you into my life and actually calling you at one time my best friend."
Ino then reached into her pocket and pulled out red sash and Sakura's eyes grew wide when she saw it and then heard Ino say.
"I kept this with the hope that one day we could resume our friendship that YOU chose to end over that Uchiha bastard. But now after hearing you, I've now decided a friendship with you just isn't worth it anymore."
Ino then crumpled up the sash in her hands and callously threw it into the trash can by Sakura's bed before saying with a cold and indifferent voice.
"You want forgiveness for what you've done, go to a priest. Because you'll get none from me while my true best friend lays in coma down the hallway all because of you. I'm done with you Sakura now and forever, as far as I'm concerned you can go to Hell!"
"That's enough Ino!" Asuma yelled at his student.
"Or what Asuma-Sensei, are you going to no longer train me anymore? Please, it's not like you've trained any of us the past few months Asuma-Sensei. Sensei, what a joke calling you that is!"
"You little bitch, how dare you talk to me like that!" Asuma spat with rage, as he advanced upon his kunoichi student before both Gai and Kakashi stepped in front of the bearded Jounin.
"How dare I talk to you like that! How dare you call yourself my Sensei! You hardly trained any of us on Team # 10 in months. Or when you have graciously decided to train us, you and my teammates have conveniently neglected to inform me of those training sessions." Ino exclaimed while shooting a glare at Chouji and Shikamaru.
"We wanted to tell you Ino, but Asuma-Sensei ordered us not to." Chouji meekly replied with guilt.
"Shut up Chouji!" Asuma barked at his pupil.
"It's alright Chouji, I understand. I'm not mad at you or Shikamaru; I figured it was something like that. At least Asuma-Sensei respects the two of you enough to still train you when he feels like it. As far as I'm concerned, in his eyes I'm nothing but a detriment to the team."
"He's wrong about that you know." Shikamaru stated, while Asuma glared fiercely at him.
"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't, I don't know anymore? All I do know is that my own Sensei thinks I'm the weakest kunoichi of our class next to Sakura, and maybe I am. I mean he's right, I couldn't even beat her at the Chunin exams."
"He's wrong Ino, you gave your all in that exam and there is no shame that you ended up tied with Sakura."
"Thanks Chouji, but what if he is right about me? I mean what was it that you said about me being a Shinobi a few weeks ago Asuma-Sensei?"
"I don't remember Ino!" Asuma said through gritted teeth, while Gai and Kakashi remained between him and his student.
"Well I do, you declared in front of everyone that."
"What makes Ino weak is her attitude. She barely trains at all and she relies solely on her family's bloodline jutsu's to get her by. All she is concerned with is shopping, fashions, and drooling over pretty boys like Sasuke. Ino is a spoiled little diva that cares about no one but herself and certainly not about becoming a quality Shinobi."
Virtually everyone in the room was now casting angry or disapproving glares towards the bearded Jounin, who seemed to visibly wilt under their harsh and silent judgment. Before Asuma could even offer up any kind of explanation or defense, Ino spoke up once more and announced.
"Well Asuma-Sensei, you don't have to pretend anymore that you care whether or not I do become a quality Shinobi. As of right now, I hereby resign from being a member of Team #10."
Chouji and Shikamaru looked up in shock and stared with pleading eyes at their now former blonde teammate before Chouji asks in a choked voice.
"Ino, you don't mean that about quitting?"
I have no choice Chouji. I mean I'd rather have a Sensei who actually wants to teach me to become stronger than one who doesn't care whether I do or not. Besides, Sensei had already replaced me weeks ago with the Suna princess over there because after all according to Asuma.
"It will be a pleasant change to have a strong kunoichi to train with as opposed to Ino."
"Ino, I swear I'm not a replacement for you on Team #10!"
"It's alright Temari-san, I'm not angry with you either. You are a strong kunoichi and Team #10 is probably better off with you than with me." Ino stated with a hint of sadness, as she turned to leave the room.
"But, but Ino, you can't do this. You have to continue on with your Shinobi training to get stronger. What would happen if Sasuke got a hold of you?" Chouji pleaded to the Yamanaka heiress.
Ino just shrugged her shoulder with resignation and said in a monotonic voice.
"Well, Sakura said Sasuke only wants strong and skilled kunoichi's to restore his clan with. And since according to my formerSensei that I'm no better than Sakura is and Sasuke rejected her, I figure I'm safe for the time being."
Just as Ino was about to leave the hospital room; Chouji's voice rang out once more and asked.
"What are you going to do Ino?"
Ino turned her head back from the doorway and stated with a joyless voice.
"First, I'm going to go down the hall and apologize to Naruto and then visit with Hinata for awhile. After that Chouji, I have no idea."
Everyone in the room watched in muted shock, the door close behind Ino as she left. No one knew what to say as they looked over to both Shikamaru and Chouji who had their heads held down in sorrow. It was then Tsunade's growl punched through the overwhelming silence that had gripped the room when she stated with fury.
"Asuma, I'm too angry to deal with your sorry ass right now, but I want you in my office at 9:00am tomorrow morning sharp. And if I were you, I would not be late! Do you understand me?"
"Hai Hokage-sama." Asuma sheepishly replied.
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It has been several hours since Ino resigned from Team #10 and left the hospital. After spending some time with both Naruto and Hinata, upon leaving the Yamanaka heiress suddenly realized that she had absolutely no idea what she was going to do next? Ino hadn't really thought things out when she decided to end her days with Team #10. It was a spur of the moment action precipitated by what she had heard from Sakura and what she had been feeling for the past several weeks. Under normal circumstances she would talk to her parents, but they had been so proud of her when she became a leaf Shinobi. That right now Ino didn't want to have a conversation with them about how she had just flushed her Shinobi career away. Ino didn't regret what she had done, but the realization that she had no plan for afterwards annoyed her greatly.
After walking the streets of Konoha seemingly forever in a daze, the blonde-haired kunoichi suddenly found herself at one of the training grounds. Looking around the grounds, Ino spied a pink clump of something over near the wooden posts used for Taijutsu practice. Hiking over to see what this unknown object was, upon her arrival Ino discovered it was the pink wig Kiba had brought to the training grounds as a joke. Now that she thought about it that was the same day Sakura deserted the village to go find Sasuke. A sense of anger began rising within Ino, as she placed the wig on top of the wooden post and then lashed out with a vicious strike. Ino followed up this strike with a leg kick to the post as well. Soon the blonde kunoichi was raining blow after blow onto the wooden post, ignoring the pain shooting through her arms and legs like fire. All Ino could picture in her mind while she pummeled the post was that it was Sakura that was standing in front of her, as she screamed out while punching and kicking.
"You fucking selfish bitch! It was always about Sasuke with you always! You threw away our friendship over him! You treated the one guy who worshiped you like a queen like garbage because of him! And now you've hurt Hinata because of him! But now you have the nerve to come crying and begging to all of us for forgiveness. And why is that Sakura, because of what Sasuke did to you, sorry bitch not good enough! Naruto is right; you wouldn't even be here and would have happily become a traitor to the village and betrayed all of us if Sasuke had asked you to. Damn you Sakura, I hate you, I hate you so much I wish you would die, Arrrrrrrrrrgh!"
The sound of wood splintering echoed through the training ground, as Ino finally dropped to her knees and cried out in obvious pain. Her hands and legs were covered with deep bruises and bleeding lacerations which now marred the Yamanaka heiress once pristine skin. As Ino lay crumbled to the ground with her eyes screwed shut in intense and throbbing agony. She had failed to sense a figure that lay hidden in the trees watching her, while she turned the once sturdy Taijutsu post into firewood. As Ino attempted to calm down and control the pain she was feeling, one thought of wicked delight went through the mind of her mysterious observer.
'Yes, this girl will do, this girl will do nicely indeed.'
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Author Notes:Well, there you go another happy, lighthearted, optimistic, and angst free chapter that I'm famous for writing. Don't you just feel like you can go run a marathon now after reading this? Anyway, I want to thank all of you who reviewed the last chapter. I have to say I was stunned that it nearly set a new personal record for reviews of one of my chapters. Not to say I wasn't proud of the chapter, but I felt it really didn't have any particular significance in comparison to some of the other chapters I've written. Now this chapter has significance. So I would be most appreciative to not only see a new review record set, but to see the old record smashed. The current record stands at 54 reviews. Come on people; give me some love like you give to the lord of the land of fire.
To all Naruto/Hinata fans take heart. I found the recent manga #453 to be a positive sign in seeing a Naruto/Hinata pairing come to life in Kishimotos tale like it should be. Why you may ask? Well, when Sakura broke down and started crying (wow, what a shock) when asked the question of "What's Sasuke to you anyway?" The look Naruto gave to Sakura to me looked like a realization or epiphany on his part that he finally knows that Sakura will never love him, like she loves the teme. Now if he wises up and opens his eyes to a certain Hyuga heiress, he can finally have the girl that he deserves and one who will truly love and care for him. Instead of one who might say she loves him, but deep down in her heart will always pine away for the traitor.
Warning * Warning * Warning
As most of you know it was my sad duty to give you the news of the passing of the ff author Hefster last chapter. However, since then German authorities have informed me that Hefster has risen from the grave and is currently devouring the brains of all Naruto/Hinata fans. This Zombie Hefsteras officials have dubbed him is wreaking havoc in the German countryside as you read this. Hamburg is close to falling and authorities fear Bremen may be next. Now how can one Zombie be creating such chaos? Scientist cannot explain it, but apparently after Zombie Hefsterhas eaten the brain of a Naruto/Hinata fan. The victim's hair turns pink and they too rise up as a Naruto/Sakura loving zombie. Who then goes out alongside their master Hefster to devour more brains of the Naruto/Hinata fans. It should also be noted that because Zombie Hefster is spending so much time feeding, there will no longer be any updates to his stories.
The German military Bundeswehris at a loss at how to defeat this zombie army ravaging their land. They've tried shooting the zombies in the head only to find that the bullets rattle around inside the skulls are there is nothing to damage. They have also tried shooting the zombies in the heart only to discover that they don't have one. There has been talk at the highest levels of German government of calling upon NATO to help deal with the problem, as a tactical nuclear strike may be the only thing that stops them. There has also been talk that if the zombie leader Hefster were to be somehow defeated or destroyed, that to may stop this horrible catastrophe and save the world.
As such German officials have released the following description of Zombie Hefster to the general public. Male (they think?), 5'11 in height, weight unknown as it is dependant upon how many brains he has consumed at that point. Pink hair (of course) wears and listens to an Ipod featuring all the songs and musical stylings of David Hasselhoff, Nena of 99 Luftballoons fame, and the 80's pop super-duo Wham. Witnesses have also stated that Zombie Hefster tends to wear a bright yellow replica jersey of his favorite Brazilian football player Kaka and is said to be the #1 fan of the Brazil national football team.
So to any of my readers in Germany or Europe in general, be on the lookout. If you do spot Zombie Hefster or one of his undead, unholy minions, do not attempt to talk to, reason with, or subdue the individual.Just shoot them in the face and be done with it. As one reviewer 'I'm Solo' so wisely pointed out last chapter in his review. "(It's like killing zombies...kill them before they turn you into one as well)" There is good news to this tragic occurrence, well for some of us anyway. Because the world population is estimated to be 6,763,557,000 people, of which I figure 6,763,507,000 are Naruto/Hinata fans. Zombie Hefster and his army have a lot of people to eat before we should be concerned here in the states. This is one of the benefits of having two massive oceans bordering us.
*End of Warning*
Back to more pleasant things, I've created a poll in my profile/bio page with regards to lemons for the story. Please check it out and vote when you have a chance, thanks! As always, if anyone wants to discuss my story in greater detail, just shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with any readers who really have an interest in it. I'll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can. Now I'd like to give a shout out to a few stories that I recommend and hope you all will check out when you have the time.
"Naruto: The Lost Ninja" by EdStargazer: This is a future AU story with a timeline set 10 years after current manga. A scarred blue-eyed blacksmith is found after many years of searching. He knows nothing of his past and his future looks bleak until some ninja come for him. Watch as he struggles not only to regain his former life, but also save all those who are precious to him from a great evil known as Sasuke.
"Kitsune and Vixen: story series" by MehaandIruka: This actually a set of three stories beginning with Kitsune: Assassin for Hire which involves Naruto and Hinata leaving the village and becoming two of the Elemental nations most skilled and proficient assassins. Read as they attempt to not only build a life and family for themselves, but also reconnect with the home and friends they had left years earlier. This is just a fun little series to read and is not overly complicated in anyway.
"My Purpose? What is my Purpose?" by NeonZangetsu & Kingkakashi:If you didn't already know, I am now co-writing an amazing Bleach/Naruto crossover story with my fellow author NeonZangetsu. The story involves Naruto leaving the village in pain and despair as he now searches for a new meaning to his life. However, some friends and foes aren't ready for Naruto to disappear from their lives, and want him back at any cost. If you're a fan of the angst, drama, suspense, surprises, and romance I've done with my story. Then you should enjoy reading this tale as well. NZ and I alternate on writing the chapters. He has the even numbered chapters, and I have the odd beginning with chapter 11 when I began co-writing with him.
I hope that all of you can R & R these stories when you have a chance.
Take it easy and be good!
Kingkakashi
School time:
Visage
Definition: The face, countenance, or appearance of a person.
Etymology: Latin to Anglo-French to Middle English 14th Century
Part of Speech: Noun