Naruto: Archer and Loner
First and foremost, I must apologize for the long wait. Had a bad case of writers block and was focused on real life. As for a comment about Hiashi being supportive of Naruto and Hinata, first, he tried to gain control of the Uzumaki clan through politics, when that failed, he found (or re-found) the betrothal contract. He tried to gain control through that, but Naruto hit him where it hurt the most. He hit the Hyuga honor and pride. Now Hiashi is stumbling. It doesn't mean he is done trying to gain control. Right now he's on shaky ground. He can go either way at this time. He'll either be supportive or he'll try his backhanded shenanigans. Just depends on what hits me to write.
As usual, neither Naruto nor Bleach belongs to me. If it did, maybe Sasuke wouldn't be such a dick to everyone.
What Makes a Team?
As Naruto and his team made their way towards the three posts standing in the middle of team 7's training ground, a thousand thoughts ran through his mind. The most prevailing thought was: 'Are we even a team or are we just individuals thrust together focused on our own goals?' That thought brought a realization to Naruto. It forced him to think over every mission and every 'training' exercise they did. As Naruto went over everything he did, he realized he was possibly the only person on this team who put forth the effort to make a team.
'I never held back in my spars against Sasuke in order to show him that his hot-headedness in a fight was a hindrance and I always tried to get Sakura to train more. Yet, it never worked. Kakashi never said anything to either of those two while I tried,' he thought to himself. As his thought finished, the group arrived at the posts.
"Ok, let's sit down and talk," Kakashi began.
"Why should we talk, Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke asks. "We need to focus on training me like you promised."
"You will sit down, genin, and listen to what is said here today," Kakashi snaps at Sasuke. Naruto and Sakura sit leaned up against two of the posts. Sasuke stays standing next to the third post.
"We need to talk, Sasuke-san," Sakura says. "There has been a lot that has changed in the last few months. We need to know what each person has been up to in order to work properly as a team."
"Very well said, Sakura," Kakashi says. "Who would like to go first?"
"I think I will, Hatake-san," Naruto begins. "I have a few things to say and you may or may not like to hear it, but, it needs to be said."
"Why should we listen to the dobe," Sasuke huffs. Kakashi glares at him, but Sasuke ignores it. "It isn't like he'd have anything meaningful to say."
"I have plenty to say, Uchiha," Naruto begins. "Your attitude for one has been a hindrance on this team since the beginning. It needs to be curbed."
"You don't know anything, orphan," Sasuke snaps back, anger clearly showing on his face. "You have never had everything taken from you."
"And once again, he leaps to the fact he lost his family," Naruto begins. "Let me ask you something, Sasuke. You think your parents were such great and noble people, right?" Sasuke nods at this. "What would your parents do if they came across either clan members or non-clan members beating a child?"
"They would've killed the people beating the child," Sasuke answers.
"You are wrong there, Sasuke," Naruto states as he stands up. He slowly removes his shirt revealing scars covering his arms and chest and turns around. There in the center of his back was the most prominent scar in the shape of the Uchiha clan emblem. "This is the gift your loving parents gave to me when I asked for food one day. I don't doubt that your parents didn't care for you or love you, Sasuke. I am just saying that not everyone is innocent in life."
"W-w-w-who gave you all those other scars," Sakura asks.
"The villagers," Naruto replies. "Ever since I was a young child, I was beaten, starved and many times almost killed. The only Uchiha I trusted was Itachi. He was the only one who tried to help me when he could."
"Why would people do that to you," Sakura mumbles out in shock.
"They did it because they were ignorant. They thought I was the Kyuubi. The Fourth Hokage," Naruto starts.
"No, Naruto," Kakashi yells.
"Shut up, Hatake-san," Naruto replies. "This is my life and my burden. I am allowed to speak of it when I want to. These two need their eyes opened to a crucial fact of life. Not everything is sunshine and rainbows. Now, as I was saying, the Fourth Hokage couldn't stop the Kyuubi, so he did the only thing he could think of to stop the rampaging beast. He sealed it in a child, a child who had been born that night. He sealed the Kyuubi into me."
"So that is how you're so powerful," Sasuke states, "all because of the Kyuubi?"
"No, Sasuke. I became powerful because I put my blood, sweat and tears into training every day when my heritage was revealed to me," Naruto replies. "I never rested a single day while I trained. To continue with what I was saying, after the Fourth sealed the Kyuubi and he died, the Third made a law that no one was to speak about the Kyuubi. His hope was for me to have a normal childhood. He hoped the people of this village would honor the Fourth's wishes for me to be seen as a hero. Both those hopes were in vain though."
"Why do you say that, Naruto," Sakura asks.
"Because if you tell one person something earthshattering and given time to think, they can come to a positive outcome. However, if you tell a large group the same thing, they'll riot. A person is smart, a group of people are like chickens with their heads cut off," Naruto replies.
"Wait until I tell everyone else about this," Sasuke says. "Then you'll be shunned even more."
"The moment you open your mouth, Sasuke, I will kill you due to the Third's law," Kakashi replies. "Naruto is the only person who is exempt from that law. He decided to open up to you and this is how you repay that trust? How blind have I been to how you are?"
"Honestly, I'm not worried about the Kyuubi," Naruto states. "There is a danger to the whole world that is greater than all the tailed beasts. But, that is a story for another time. We need to move on in our talk."
"Very well, Naruto," Kakashi says. "Is there anything else you would like to say?"
"Yes there is," Naruto begins. "Sakura, I know you may have changed in the last few months, but you must work on your fangirlish ways. I would suggest you ask Kakashi to blood you soon. Doing so in a safe environment would be a benefit to you now instead of in the field. The Hokage heard about your chakra control and suggested you start working at the hospital to learn medical jutsu to benefit the team. I hope that you take training more seriously now."
"Yes, I do, Naruto," Sakura replies. "And I know I have things to work on. There is a lot for me to think on with what you've said and shown me today. I know my past actions will be something I need to change. I know my actions towards you must change. Even though I knew you were a Clan head, I still treated you like dirt and hit you every chance I got. For that, I am sorry and I hope you can forgive me." Sakura stands and bows low to Naruto.
"I forgive you, Sakura," Naruto replies. "We have the future to look towards."
"Well, we've heard from Sakura and Naruto," Kakashi says. "Do you have anything you want to say Sasuke?"
"We didn't need this talk at all," Sasuke says. "All we need to do is focus on my training and everything will just be fine."
"No, Sasuke. That will not happen. From now on this team trains as a team. I have been negligent in that aspect. This changes from this moment forward," Kakashi says sternly. "There is a lot all of you can learn from me and from each other. We will meet in two days at 6 AM. Don't be late."
"Very well, sensei," Sakura says. "I'm going to head to the hospital to see about starting there. I'll try and get a schedule we can work around." Kakashi nods at her and Sakura gets up to leave.
"I will finish the training I have going on with Kiski-sensei and Zabuza-sensei and will be here at the correct time, Hatake-san," Naruto states. He stands and nods at his 'team mates' and turns to leave.
"Fight me, dobe," Sasuke shouts at Naruto.
"No, Sasuke. I won't fight you until you learn respect," Naruto replies without turning and looking back at Sasuke. Sasuke huffs and stomps off towards the Uchiha district.
'I hope that this team will work out,' Kakashi thinks to himself as he starts walking towards the Hokage office. 'If it doesn't, I see Sasuke running and the rest of us having to put him down. No team should have to go through that.'
Yay! Another chapter done! I hope my writers block stays away and allows me to get a few chapters done in the coming week. Thank you all for sticking around and as always reviews are welcome. Along with constructive criticism.