First of all. Thank you! Over 1,500 people have read my story, and combined of 190+ Followers and favourites! I know it may not seem like much, but to me it means everything. Only 4 away from 200... hell yeahhhhhhhh!
So thank you!
Sorry for the late update! Life got really hectic for me, however I might do another chapter over the weekend as a treat.
Go check out 'Common Sense' By Stone Elbow, it's a fic that inspired me to write this, and while some might say it's a direct copy read his first chapter, and then compare it to mine. His will always be better than any work I published, so chances are if you like this, you will like 'Common Sense' as well. 'Better Left Unsaid' by Kenchi618 is also very good, I like the way he treats his extended cast of characters and the consequences for some things being changed, this has helped me plan ahead for this fic. SO go check them out!
THANKS PK FOR BEING THE BEST BETA EVER!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Simple shit really, but if some dumbass on the internet believes I do, well I'm flattered.
It was a long day for Haruno Kizashi.
Not only was it taxing on his back, which was already injured, but also his mental health.
No one said being a merchant was easy, especially in the Ninja world.
Especially if you were a Ninja that was forced to retire.
Kizashi knew the inns and outs of all the work Ninja's were forced to do; political assassinations, sabotage and spying were all common things. Hell, as a Shinobi he participated in his fair share of many similar mission for his village, Konohagakure.
His home.
Oh how he loved it, every last nook and cranny of it. The breath of fresh air every morning while going on a jog, the air blowing through the luscious leaves, the laughter of children through out the town.
Everyone he met had a story, and each possessed the Will of Fire.
A desire to protect the Hidden Leaf, and its inhabitants.
That's the reason why he became a Chunnin.
To protect it all.
However, not all is as perfect as it would seem. No, Kizashi knew that. From personal experience...
War was a nasty place. A breeding for every negative emotion any human could muster, friends and even family would lay waste in a meaningless battle directed by those in charge.
Like mere puppets! Only the puppets could manipulate Chakra, hold weapons and had feelings buried deep within.
Feelings they were forced to swallow, or else the war would swallow them.
Kizashi growled as he lost track of what he was doing, gripping the handle of his mug so hard it broke.
'Uhh, another mug. Mebuki gifted this to me, for our anniversary. Shit...'
Mebuki was his saving grace.
His wife, with all her anger problems, her shoulder length blonde hair, green eyes and smile was the only reason he kept on moving. And then came his little angel, his one and only child.
Sakura.
Oh how he loved her as a child, always trying to copy her parents. He didn't experience true joy until he heard his daughter was interested in becoming a Ninja! If he couldn't protect his village anymore, then the Will of Fire could be passed on to his daughter!
Instead what happened, was even more tragic on his eyes.
He saw as his little princess, grew into what he saw before him right now from outside his small little shop. A sight sore for the eyes, as his angel rurned into something completely different...
She was growling, biting and screaming at Ino, her friend.
All the while both girls were fighting for attention from a boy, a mere boy!
Granted, he was an Uchiha, and they were powerful.
But a boy nonetheless!
One who wasn't even looking in his baby's face as she clung to his arm so hard Kizashi was surprised it had not snapped yet!
"Back of Ino-pig! Sasuke is mine!" his daughter screamed.
Ino shook her head as she replied "Nu-Uhn! Sasuke is mine, forehead!"
He rubbed his eyes as he saw the scene unfold upon his very eyes. Oh how it pained him to see that his daughter was protecting a boy who hadn't even looked at her, protecting him fiercer then the Ninja's protecting their village.
'Why couldn't she protect the Leaf, huh?' He thought to himself. Some days he wished his daughter would drop out, at least it would be less painful then for her to graduate and become a Gennin for the rest of her life.
Kizashi watched as an amused blonde boy broke up the two girls from fighting and took the boy away to eat ramen.
Both girls watched as their faces twisted into rage demanding that "Naruto" bring back their "Sasuke-kun!"
All in all it was a pathetic showing that made Kizashi grit his teeth. He would have words with his daughter the next time he saw her... and that Sasuke kid! It would be best if he didn't get any ideas, especially if it was regarding his daughter.
If that kid took advantage of her...
Kami help the Uchiha boy!
"It's interesting isn't it Kizashi, my boy." Said a voice.
Kizashi turned to face a customer and was greeted with an old man with bandages wrapped around his right side of his face.
Kizashi bowed as he quickly said "Danzo-sama!"
Danzo smiled as he ordered Kizashi to stand tall. "After all, how many years has it been since we last met? Ten? Fifteen?"
Kizashi grinned as he replied "Since I was forced to retire. Thirteen years ago if I' am not mistaken."
The elder nodded as he picked up a pot that had a flowery design. After retiring, Kizashi and his wife opened up a general store. Everything was sold here, from food to pots and pans.
"How much is this?" Danzo asked
"Normally it would be two thousand Ryo, but for you it's for free!" Kizashi answered
The elder man laughed. "For free? I surely hope this isn't because I was your boss?"
Kizashi shook his head.
While officially it was known that Haruno Kizashi, a Chunnin, lost the ability to perform hand signs due to the tremendous stress it provided after a nasty injury. Unofficially, Haruno Kizashi was tortured for days on end by Iwagakure for being a spy, eventually loosing the ability to perform simple tasks without heavy strain from his body.
A spy sent by Danzo.
A spy that worked to support Konoha, in the shadows.
Haruno Kizashi was an ex-member of Root.
That was the undeniable truth; which only a few people knew of.
"No sir, I would never dream of it. However it wouldn't be good for business if I took money from you, a village elder. People would call me greedy, and my store would shut down meaning I wouldn't be able to help Konoha with simple things, like food or as you are holding, a pot."
Danzo smirked as he replied "Oh? Still haven't given up on your dedication to Konoha?"
The man shook his head as he brushed his moustache, "I would never dream of it sir! After all, you helped me realise my dream of protecting this village didn't you?"
Danzo merely nodded as he handed the shop keeper the pot.
The room grew colder as soon as Danzo passed the pot to Kizashi.
"My boy, I have a favour I must ask of you. It is highly important."
Kizashi nodded as he asked what it was.
"Tonight I fear something is going down, something highly dangerous that will threaten all of Konoha. As an ex-member of Root, I can only trust you as a I fear some of my own men have turned against me. The Roots that support the tree; have rotted."
Kizashi muttered "Those bastards! Have you dealt with them yet Danzo-sama?"
The elder shook his head in defeat. 'Grrrr! How dare they!?'
"Alas Kizashi, I can only intrust this task to you. Some rebel activity is meant to be gathering tonight, at the Uchiha compound. One of my most trusted men has been assigned to dispatch any of the rebels, should they appear to be hostile. All I request is for you to look inside the compound to ensure my man has not been killed, or that anything else has happened. A insurance policy if you will, nothing more then a quick look."
Kizashi nodded as he asked "And then report back to you?"
"Yes, after that you should report back to me immediately. Have no fear Kizashi, there is no danger involved here. All I 'am asking is a quick look into the compound, after all why wouldn't a father talk to the boy who has hurt his daughters feelings?"
'Ah. An inside route, encase I'm seen. Leave it to Danzo-sama to take precautions to ensure I'm not caught.'
Kizashi nodded as he accepted this mission.
He would protect the Leaf, even when not being on active duty as a Ninja.
"Thank you Kizashi. Hopefully on day your daughter, Sakura, will inherit the same Will of Fire I have, and the same that you have."
Kizashi beamed at the elder as he replied:
"Oh sir, I wish that was the case."
Danzo smiled as he left the shop saying "Oh you never know about the future Kizashi, your daughter may turn into a fine Kunoichi for the Leaf."
Kizashi waved goodbye to the village elder as he thought to himself.
'Maybe one day she will...' The man thought.
He quickly regained his focus as his daughter came into the shop with a pout.
"Hey dad!"
After taking one look at her he could see the dedication in his daughters eyes. If a bit misplaced, the dedication was there.
"You know Sakura, to get the attention of... Sasuma was it?"
Sakura rolled her eyes as she replied annoyed "Sasuke dad. It's Sasuke, jeez what is this the a millionth time?"
Kizashi grinned at his daughter as he replied "Well I'm rather old aren't I? Its not like I can remember names easily, anyway as I was saying your going about grabbing the boy's attention the wrong way,"
Her eyes snapped towards him as she was listening intently.
Fish, line and hook. Easy...'
"Well, if you become an impressive Kunoichi then he will have to respect you, am I right or wrong?"
His daughter flashed a matching grin as she nodded
"Dad, why can't you always act like this?" She asked her father. Kizashi stuttered a little bit before replying "What do you mean? I always act like this. You just never listen to me,"
Sakura laughed as she shook her head. "That's not true, I always listen to you!"
Kizashi raised his brow as his daughter glared at him.
"Hn"
The pink haired girl complained as she protested "Oh come on! I do listen dad!"
"Hnnnn"
They both stared at each other, neither one blinking before both dissolved into laughter.
'May she always stay like this!' Kizashi thought as he chucked a chocolate bar at his daughter.
"Eat, after all to be a strong Kunoichi one must have muscle. And with your wimpy arms, I'd wager you wouldn't pass the Gennin exams."
Growling, Sakura shouted "BUT I'M SEVEN HOW CAN I PASS THOSE EXAMS!?"
Kizashi pointed at the bar he gave her, as he replied "First of all by eating that."
What he expected was for his daughter to eat the bar, maybe share half of it.
No, instead she chucked the bar directly at him forcing him to move out of the way as she bellowed:
"I WON'T EAT YOUR SILLY BAR DAD! NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS! NOW UNLESS YOU WANT TO HELP ME WITH TRAINING I'M GOING HOME!"
Kizashi burst into more laughter, despite the predicament he was in.
"Oh Sakura, you sometimes forgot who you are talking to aren't you?" He said quietly causing he to gulp.
"One hundred push ups and sit ups in front of me by this hour, or else..."
He watched as his daughter moaned as she got on the floor and started to work out.
"Your doing it all wrong Sakura! You are meant to sit up, not raise your knees..."
"Oh come on Sasuke!" Naruto complained. "You do this every time, first you eat ramen with me and then when I ask let's do training you all you do is blow it off! I thought you were the best in the class?"
Sasuke raised his brow as he looked at his friend. It had nearly been a year since that fateful race against each other towards the classroom. "Oh come of it Naruto, from all the training you do outside the academy I'm surprised people still underestimate you."
Naruto grinned as he replied "Well why wouldn't they? I'm a 'dobe' after all, aren't I?"
Sasuke shook his head as he pointed his chopsticks towards the blonde boy. "No, you pretend to be a 'dobe'. I just play my part when it comes to your act. Honestly, are you trying to fool the whole village or what?"
The other boy nodded as he responded with a gesture on his right hand, only after did both the boys start laughing uncontrollably. "Come on Sasuke, I'm trying to learn some cool Jutsu!"
Sasuke scoffed as he asked "What Jutsu? Maybe it's one where you can summon ramen?"
Naruto shook his head as he answered "Huh? Hell no! I'm learning a super cool Jutsu that allows me to substitute myself for a log in a fight. Imagine one day we are sparring, and you use your eye thingy against me and it turns out I'm a log!"
Sasuke laughed as he said "A log? Interesting, I'll ask Itachi next time I see him."
It was still daylight as the boys left the ramen shop and walked around the village. Today school was cancelled, due to some "unforeseen circumstances" but that didn't stop Naruto joining Sasuke on his "Adventure" as the blond boy frequently said.
"So Sasuke... how about Taijutsu sparring?"
...
"No"
Naruto moaned as he pulled his hair angrily.
"Okay, okay. How about some Genjutsu training?"
Sasuke mocked thinking for a moment which caused a spark to light up inside his friend.
"...No"
The blonde boy's face dropped as he replied "Kenjutsu...?"
Sasuke shook his head as his friend kept on complaining.
"Jesh Sasuke, are you sure you aren't Shikamaru in disguise?"
Sasuke snapped back "Yes , now shut up. You getting on my nerves," He turned to face his friend directly in his eyes. "You wouldn't want me to be annoyed would you, Naruto?"
The blond boy stared for a moment.
"Pfffffff"
'Oh no... He's going to do that thing again!?'
"Pfffffffffffffha"
Naruto fell on the floor as he cried with laughter
"Pffffffffffffhahahahahahahahahhahahah! You? YOU!?"
Naruto immediately stopped laughing when Sasuke smacked the back of his head with a feral grin.
"Remember dobe, I'm the captain here! You are just entertainment for me-" Naruto cut him off with an even bigger smack causing Sasuke to fall to the ground clutching his head.
"You're what now? I'm sorry I think I heard 'Weakling', am I right?"
Sasuke growled as he stood up wiping the dirt from his clothes. "I'll get you back for that Naruto! When you least expect it, I will strike and make sure you taste all the power that has been passed down through the Uchiha's; that will be a sufficient apology for this grave insult-"
Sasuke stopped talking as he realised Naruto was not listening.
No, instead the blonde boy was talking to a classmate of theirs.
She had short dark blue hair and was very red while talking to an excited Naruto.
"Hey Hinata! Fancy seeing you here; since Sasuke is going on one of his stupid rants want to train? I have a cool new technique..."
Naruto trailed on as the Hyuga girl smiled, with a small interval of her nodding her head politely.
To some it might have been cute, but to Sasuke it was material. Material for the future as he rubbed his hands together with a massive grin on his face.
"-So this cool Jutsu I've been working on allows me to substitute my body with a log, when I'm hit-" The next thing Naruto knew was the ground as Sasuke slapped the back of his head with even greater force than before.
"Such a cool Jutsu Naruto. Why couldn't you use it now?" Sasuke said while trying not to laugh.
The blonde boy sat up with a grin as he replied "How much force did you put into that? Let's go to the hospital, you might have hurt your hand after all you are a weakling aren't you?"
Sasuke in response put out his tongue as he replied "Is that the only thing you came up with ?!" Sasuke then waved at Hinata, who was torn between being concerned for Naruto and laughing at the boys' antics.
"Hey Hinata! Don't mind stupid over here, he just thought he could take me on in a fight-AHHHHHHHH!" Sasuke said as Naruto tackled his friend into the dirt.
At this point Hinata giggled as she saw how the two friends rolled around on the floor fighting each other.
All before a man wearing a Jonin uniform had his reading session interrupted when he had to jump to avoid them.
"Maa, maa Naruto. You should learn to be more considerate, you as well Sasuke. Some of us are just trying to walk here...-Oh that's some interesting development," The Jonin said as he flicked over the next page.
'Of course Kakashi is reading his weirdo books again.' Sasuke thought as he got himself up from the floor.
"Well wouldn't that be justice for reading in the street Kakashi?" Naruto asked.
Kakashi gave what looked like a smile underneath his mask, whether it was because of the book he was reading or what Naruto said, they would never know.
"Ju-Justice?" The shy Hyuga asked, her hands trembling as she did, eyes glued to the floor as she refused to meet anyone's eyesight.
Naruto nodded as he continued "Yeah justice! You shouldn't be reading in the middle of the street, so he deserved it. Justice."
Sasuke face palmed as he asked his friend "How is that justice? Justice would be if he burned us for making him physically jump over us for interrupting him, no?"
Naruto smacked his friend's back very hard as he laughed out "...No Sasuke, that's murder not justice. Honestly, where do you get these ideas from?"
Sasuke moved to the side to avoid the next smack as he asked his friend "Then what is justice to you Naruto?"
Naruto beamed, as if he had been waiting his whole life to be asked this question as he answered "Simple. Justice is making someone comply with Konoha's rules. Like Kakashi broke a rule while reading his book down the street."
The Jonin perked up as he replied lazily "Naruto, I don't think that's a rule."
Naruto shook his head as he responded "Well it is now! SO what's gonna be your reply?"
Kakashi nodded as he flicked to the next page, pretending not to even notice what the blonde boy had just said.
"But Naruto. If someone hurts you, shouldn't you hurt them back?" Sasuke said.
Naruto nodded as he replied "Well of course! But you can't go around killing everyone for anything, maybe you can help save them or-"
Kakashi interrupted as he shut his book and stared directly at Naruto. "That's a naive statement Naruto. We are Shinobi, well I' m anyway. You can't save everyone, sometimes what Sasuke said is the only action left."
Instead of backing down, Naruto replied "Well then I'll make it happen. I know what it's like losing people, so why can't I try to save as many people as I can? And I will, If I believe in myself then I know I can do it!"
Kakashi raised his non hidden brow as he replied "Why? Sometimes justice at the hands of a village isn't enough to satisfy people, especially ones driven by revenge. What makes you special?"
Naruto grinned like a Cheshire cat as he replied simply
"Well that's my Nindo! My ninja way, to help anyone and everyone. Even if they hurt people, if I can make them sorry then they are better."
Kakashi sighed "The real world doesn't work that way Naruto..."
"Then I'll make it happen when I become Hokage, believe it!"
Kakashi went back to reading his book, as he wasn't bothered to continue the conversation.
Sasuke said nothing, but deep down he felt it. He felt the passion that Naruto has , about his justice. About becoming Hokage and achieving it...
And the crazy thing was that Sasuke agreed with him.
'If anyone can achieve that goal, it's going to be Naruto. His version of justice... it sounds nice. It sounds achievable, coming from Naruto.'
Sasuke was pulled out of his thoughts as Hinata said to Kakashi.
"Well I believe in him! Naruto will do it, he always says things and does them!" She said, surprising Sasuke as she didn't stutter once and she looked normal for once. Turning to Sasuke she continued "And Sasuke agrees with me, don't you?"
Sasuke blanked as he panicked to respond.
"Wha-What?"
Kakashi looked up from his book as he stared at the young Uchiha boy.
'Oh crap! He is staring at me! What to do...'
Sasuke breathed as he tried to find the words to say, but could only manage a "Hn"
"See Naruto? Even your friend disagrees with you-" Kakashi was cut off by a smiling Naruto who simply said "Then I'll change both him and you."
...
Kakashi ruffled the blonde boy's head as he replied "Yeah, good luck with that my cute little academy student. Maybe when you're older you can make that claim-"
Sasuke cut him off as he said "I think you can do it. Your justice sounds nice, I don't know what mine is but I do know that if anyone can achieve what you want to achieve, it's going to be you. And as your friend I'll help you!"
Kakashi snorted "Maa, maa children are funny these days. I'll tell you what, once you achieve your goal Naruto - with Sasuke's help- I'll buy you two five hundred ramen bowls from Ichiraku's, deal?"
Both Naruto and Sasuke nodded at the same time as they said "Deal!"
Hinata looked at the boys before giggling as she added "And I wa-want to help as well! So five hu-hundred for me as well!"
Naruto nodded, and Sasuke grinned as Kakashi accepted the bets.
"Very well. One thousand five hundred ramen will be guaranteed. Although I severely doubt it will happen in my lifetime, considering your test results Naruto. What is it now, four sixty five percent in a row? Stop smiling idiot, that's nothing to be proud of..."
Sasuke grinned as he watched Kakashi chase Naruto around like a loon, who hid behind a very red Hinata as protection.
"Hey Sasuke, friends don't give up on each other right? So can you help me out here?"
'Justice? I think I know what mine is.' He thought as he ran after his friend, with a great smile plastered onto his face.
"Daaaaaad! Can you now please train me?" Said an excited Sakura.
After the father and daughter spend some time closing down their shop, Kizashi took his daughter out to eat some Dango, with a promise that afterwards he would teach her some skills.
"Now, Sakura don't be impatient" Kizashi replied. "It isn't good for a Ninja to be impatient. After all, in the field unless you are exceptionally strong you can not dictate the battlefield's tempo, you just have to be patient and go with it."
Sakura pouted as she played around with the food on her plate.
Kizashi sighed.
"Fine. Let me just pay the bill and I'll show you something cool, alright?"
Immediately after he said that, her pout disappeared and was placed with a cheeky grin. 'Oh? She thought that she could get one over me huh?' Kizashi thought to himself.
"Actually Sakura, on second thoughts this Dango is quite good. It would be a shame if I let it go to waste right?" Kizashi said while trying not to laugh at his daughter's expression.
All the energy she had before was zapped out of her as she laid her head down on the table with a groan.
Deciding he was done, he quickly called the waiter and paid the bill, leading his daughter outside he asked her "So... what now Sakura?"
Sakura's reaction was priceless as the smile she was hiding from her father disappeared, instead what had taken over was a mask of rage.
She was shouting at her father, who couldn't help but smile throughout the whole thing. "Are you done now? You know if you had said nothing, your training would have started."
Instead of using her voice, she started to use her eyes as a means of warfare against her father but failed as he brought her in for a hug.
"NO DAD I'M NOT FOUR! DON'T HUG ME!" She yelled as she tried to escape his grasp, but found she couldn't.
"Oh? Is that because you want 'Sasuma' to hug you?" He teased.
Sakura turned beet red as she hit him but missed each punch. "Pathetic, for my daughter no less. Say you want 'Sasuma', but how are you going to defend him when your punches can't even connect with an old man?!" He managed to say in between laughing.
"...IT"S. SAS-U-KE! NOT SAS-U-MA!" She screamed at him causing him to laugh even harder.
"Oh, oh I get it now. Suzaku. Nice name, don't you think Sakura?" He replied with a grin as his daughter still attempted to hit him.
'Cute. But if her punches had more power, they would be deadly'
"Ok, ok. I've had enough now. Let's go to the river, and I'll teach you a new skill. Is that okay with you Sakura?"
The only response he got was her mumbling something that sounded like "Stupid daddy doesn't know any skills" making him grin even further.
'Oooooooo. I wonder, how will she like me teaching her that? Or maybe this...' He thought as he walked towards the river, his pink haired daughter following behind him.
In a few minutes, after a few breaks for Kizashi they eventually reached the river as Kizashi turned to his daughter with a grin.
"Walk" He said, gesturing towards the wooden walkway that led onto the river.
As she walked forward, she eventually reached the end and stood still awaiting further instructions.
"What now dad?" She asked.
Kizashi took a step onto the water, and surprising his daughter he stood on it and walked over to her as if he was on solid ground.
"Walk. Just like me."
Sakura stuttered as she dipped her left foot in, and almost fell in completely.
"Bu-But how?"
Kizashi smiled as he gave her his hand and replied "Well, just pour your chakra towards your feet and walk. Feel the water, be one with the changes that disrupt it and just... walk I suppose."
As she grabbed onto his hands, she immediately plunged into the water when he took his hands away quickly.
As she swam to the shore, she could hear her father crackling as he wiped tears from his eyes.
"Oh Kami, you should have seen your face Sakura? Hahahahahahaha! It was priceless!" He exclaimed while pointing to the water before him.
"The way you just... fell. Honestly, it was the funniest thing ever."
Before long, another person started to laugh with him. As he turned to face them, he saw a blonde boy with whiskers laughing at his daughter, while a boy with black hair tried to hide a grin and a girl with long dark blue hair was trying to look away.
'So an Uchiha, a Hyuga and that boy are here. Interesting.' He thought. However, his thoughts were interrupted when his daughter shouted at the boy, telling him to shut up before she would come there and make him do it.
Naruto smiled as he took a step forward... and managed to walk all the way over to Kizashi with a wide grin.
"Say what now Sakura? You said that you would come and shut me up?" He managed to say.
The Uchiha threw a pebble at him behind as he started to run on the water like his friend and put up a Taijutsu stance.
"Alright stupid, show me that cool Jutsu you were talking about earlier!?" Sasuke said as he started to punch and kick his friend.
Naruto grinned as he managed to make the Tiger, Boar, Ox, Dog and Snake hand signs in rapid succession before the punch connected as he shouted loudly "KAWARIMI NO JUTSU! (Substitution Jutsu)
Kizashi watched in amazement as the seven year old boy vanished and the Uchiha recoiled when his punch connected with a big wooden log instead.
'How in Kami's name does he know the Substitution Jutsu? At such a young age? Plus he is walking-No, he is running on water like it is nothing. This brat might actually be good.' Kizashi thought as he watched the two boys spar, fascinated by every movement.
Sasuke wasn't pulling his punches, in fact his whole form was impressive for a seven year old. However, while his Taijutsu was shaky, Naruto had been successfully dodging most of his attacks, and if he could not dodge he would just substitute out of there in mere seconds.
It was an impressive showing, and Sasuke had managed to create a powerful Fire Ball Jutsu that nearly burnt his friend alive. Naruto didn't feel that he had almost died as he fanboyed and asked Sasuke if he had been working on it in secret.
Kizashi walked towards his daughter who was staring at the two boys fighting with a blush on her face.
"So? Would you like to say 'Hi' to Sazuki?" He teased as he his daughter tried to splash water on him.
"It's Sasuke dad. Sasuke. And how? They can fight on water while I can barely stand. How will I be able to say 'Hi'?" She replied as she stared towards the sky.
"You won't know until you try Sakura." Kizashi responded as he laid down with his daughter.
'Hn. Seems like it will be a good night to watch the stars. Maybe after I finish my errand I'll watch it with her. And then I'll discuss what type of Ninja she wants to be.'
Sakura was having the same thoughts, despite Sasuke and Naruto's loud sparring match that she could figure out who was winning without even watching.
"Hey, no fair Sasuke! We agreed no Shuriken!" Naruto complained as he seemingly dodged all the Shuriken Sasuke threw at him.
"Not my fault you might be incompetent dobe, maybe if you train harder you might be able to beat me?" Sasuke replied while laughing.
'I'm never going to be as good as them will I?' She thought to herself.
"You know, that's not strictly true" Kizashi said. "I know you're feeling weak, like you can't do anything. But look at those boys, they are pure fighters. Unless you devote yourself for years on end then you will never be in the same class as them. But that doesn't mean you can't be in the same league as them."
Sakura looked towards her father confused.
"Oh come off it Sakura, use that big brain of yours. You are very book-smart, yet you never use that to your advantage only to show off in class. There are many types of Ninja's you know." He said.
She sat up as she asked "Hey dad?"
Kizashi sat up as he listened to his daughter.
"Thanks. For everything." She said and Kizashi grinned.
He ruffled her hair as he replied "Everything? Well I suppose you are underplaying my parenting skills, but I'll allow it this once. You know tonight is going to be real pretty, the stars are showing even now in daylight. Maybe you should ask Samuke out?"
Sakura nodded. It would be nice if Sasuke watched the stars with her.
"Of course, only if I chaperone. But don't worry, I won't get in your way. Not much that is..."
Sakura ripped out some grass as she threw it towards her dad.
"Samuke? Samuke?" She asked as she realised what he said.
Kizashi laughed as he ran towards the water and managed to keep afloat.
"Come now. Let's get back to training." He said.
Sakura stood up as she saw that Sasuke and Naruto were still sparring.
'Breathe. Breathe Sakura, breathe. Just pour the Chakra to your feet, and try to flow like the water.' She thought as she closed her eyes and tried to walk on the water.
What she wasn't expecting was to trip and fall face down onto the water.
"Oh Sakura, maybe I should have taught you how to climb trees using Chakra instead? After all it is easier and certainly a more friendly lesson." Kizashi said while smirking.
Sakura shot her head up as she angrily replied "YOU THINK DAD?"
It was nearly night time as Kizashi left his house. After they had arrived home, Kizashi was chewed out by his wife for being an irresponsible father and not bringing a towel or a spare set of clothes for Sakura.
Kizashi apologised to Mebuki as he hoped that he wouldn't have to sleep on the couch for a night.
Unfortunately, he was sent to sleep on the couch for a week by his wife. He tried to escape it, but his fate was sealed the moment he arrived home with a grin plastered across his smug face while pointing towards their daughter.
'Oh well, I just have to please her somehow. Maybe a box of her favourite chocolates?'
His wife was telling his daughter a story before dinner, as Kizashi left to do some last minute "shopping".
He hated lying to his family, but sometimes it was necessary. Well it wasn't technically a lie, after he reported to Danzo what he had observed he would do shopping. For his wife, but primarily to sleep in a warm bed tonight.
However if what Danzo said was true -he had no reason to doubt the man- then some rebellious activity that could harm the village would be gathering near the Uchiha compound. And that was more important than his small family, cause all of the village was his family.
He walked towards the direction of the compound as he racked his head over what it could be.
Maybe it was a gathering from people outside the village?
Or people trying to steal the Sharingan, like what nearly happened with the Byakugan a year back.
Either way, Kizashi hadn't felt this buzz since he was a member of ROOT.
Before that mission...
He could still feel the cold steel of a Kunai be repeatedly stabbed into his hands, before being nearly healed as the process went on and on.
He could still feel the glares as he was plunged into a tank of water, buried underground alive, set on fire, electrocuted.
Everything that would break a man, over and over again for days on end.
He still remembered the feeling of death, of despair but he never gave in.
And he wouldn't turn back now either.
If he did , the rebel activity could harm more people in the village, potentially his wife and daughter.
And he wasn't going to let that happen. Not when he could prevent it!
It seemed like an eternity, but eventually Kizashi arrived at the compound.
However what greeted him was the gate half open, with an unmissable stench kicking against all his senses.
The smell of fresh blood.
Kizashi cautiously peered through the door as he saw a masked man, with some black stripes and covering his face was an orange mask leaving one eyehole open.
He was speaking to someone as he said "Hm. As expected of an 'Uchiha' genius. The Leaf won't know what hit them, and they will never know that this all happened over orders from the village elders. How pitiful." The man said.
'Village elders...? What the hell is going on? And where is the inside agent from Danzo?'
"Hm. I suppose, however this was for the benefit of the village, to prevent even more violence from within. I think that's what Danzo said," The other person said.
'Da-Danzo? He can't be behind this-this massacre can he?' Kizashi thought.
"For the benefit of the Leaf, eh? What a wonderful excuse to wipe out this clan. Wouldn't you agree, Itachi?"
Kizashi blanked as he realised what he processed.
Uchiha Itachi.
He had killed his family, under orders from the village elders.
Danzo, the Third, Homura and Koharu. They were behind this...
"I would stop talking if I were you Madara. The clan might not have been wiped out yet..."
Kizashi lost it as he leaned against the door too hard, creating a loud screech.
'Shit'
"Ah... it seems someone has overheard us Itachi. Kill them."
Kizashi tried to run as fast as he could, but his joints were aching within seconds of sprinting. 'Curse...these...wounds...'
Fighting with his body, Kizashi tried his hardest to run, but alas his efforts were for nought.
He achieved ten metres away from the gate before he felt a sharp pain, and as he looked down towards his chest, he saw a sword sticking out of it covered with his warm blood.
DRIP
DRIP
Kizashi coughed up blood as he was laid down on the floor, Kizashi turned to face his killer, but was met with a crying Uchiha. Tears were in his eyes, maybe from before, or maybe from killing Kizashi.
"I'm sorry. You. You shouldn't have been here. Forgive me..." Itachi said as he left, choosing to leave the sword stuck in his body.
"sa-Saku-Sakura. For-Forg-ive me." Kizashi managed to breathe out.
For what seemed like forever, Kizashi stared at the sky as he wondered what his wife and daughter were doing.
Maybe they were still reading a book?
Or in fact, they could be eating dinner without him? What was it again, a pie? Or maybe that was for dessert-
But it all didn't matter as Kizashi looked at the beautiful night sky.
Stars were dotted everywhere and Kizashi smiled as he thought to himself.
'Sakura would have loved to see this...'
"Bye Naruto!" Sasuke waved at his friend.
It was night already, and he had spent way too much time already outside. If he spent even ten minutes more his father would probably kill him, revive him only to just kill him again.
He kicked a stone across the road as he walked towards the direction of his home.
'Hn. I wonder what mum has cooked? Maybe it might cheer up dad, he's been a bit grumpy this past week?' Sasuke thought to himself.
As he turned a right, what he saw surprised him.
A man was lying down in front of the compound staring into the night sky.
As Sasuke got closer, he nearly vomited as he realised a sword was sticking out of the man. Blood was everywhere around his torso, and the man had tears in his eyes.
Sasuke ran towards him as he checked the man's pulse, but he felt nothing.
He wasn't even breathing.
Sasuke sat on the floor as he stared at the man.
'Isn-Isn't he Sakura's dad?' the boy thought.
However most importantly, Sasuke realised that the sword seemed familiar.
Too familiar.
It looked identical to his brother's.
"What...?"
A creek made Sasuke turn his head to face the compound and his eyes widened as he saw what lay within.
Bodies of his extended family lay on the ground, blood splattered all over the floor.
Sasuke gulped as he jumped backwards, not wanting to go closer.
But then it hit him, his family was inside.
Gathering all the courage he could he picked himself up and ran through the doors, closing his eyes as he tried to push past all the family members he saw.
Tears were spilling down his face as he passed by each person he had met multiple timesin his short life.
Each with the same look on their face.
Shock.
Eventually, for what seemed like eternity Sasuke reached his house which had its front door open.
Panting, he shouted "Mo-Mother-Fa-father?!"
Sasuke ran inside the house, and up the stairs as he opened his parents room and vomited at the sight.
His parents.
They were dead. His father was facing the ceiling, while his mother lay on top of him facing the door with the same expression.
The same expression as the rest of them.
Sasuke saw someone lurking in the shadows as he shouted scared "WH-Who is th-there?"
The response was instantaneous as he saw a pair of glowing red eyes.
His brother's eyes.
Sasuke fell to the floor as he cried "It-Itachi? He-Help me. Wh-What hap-happened?"
Itachi came out of the shadows, blood all over his uniform.
"It-Itachi?"
The older brother replied coldly "I did it."
Sasuke's eyes widened at that statement as he realised what his brother had said.
"Wha-What? It-Itachi, th-this is no t-time to b-be pl-playing jo-jokes." Sasuke cried out while trying to wipe his tears away.
"Oh? But who said I was joking , Sasuke?" Itachi said as he pulled out his sword and stabbed it into their father's corpse and twisted it.
"I killed them all Sasuke. I did." Itachi said, as if he was stating facts that he had learned for a test.
"Wh-why? No. It ca-can't be y-you?" Sasuke said as he crawled away from his brother, trembling in fear.
"Believe it Sasuke. I killed them all. But don't worry, I won't kill you. No, you are too far weak, however your friend. Naruto was it? I think the village is long overdue for another attack. Maybe this time Naruto will die instead of it being sealed within him?" Itachi said with a small grin at the end.
'NO! NOT NARUTO!' Sasuke thought as he stood up to face his older brother.
"N-No! I won-won't al-allow you to hurt my friends!" Sasuke yelled.
Itachi smiled coldly at his brother as he disappeared before Sasuke's eyes.
Sasuke looked around to find his brother, before he turned around and saw Itachi standing behind him with his sword out ready to kill.
"And you think you can stop me? The Uchiha who trembled before his brother's might? Just give up already, you are ruining the Uchiha family name."
Sasuke whimpered as he thought it was the end of the line for him. But he remembered something. A line Naruto said earlier:
"Hey Sasuke, friends don't give up on each other right?" Even though it was said by Naruto for Sasuke to help him, he still remembered it. Because it was true. He didn't give up on Naruto when he found out he had the Kyuubi inside him, no matter how scary it was.
Nor did he allow other people to question his friendship with the blonde boy.
And he sure as hell wasn't going to allow another person he cared about to be taken away from him. Like his cousins, his aunts and uncles and his parents.
Sasuke clenched his fist as he replied to his brother with tears in his eyes "Friends don't give up on each other. I won't allow you to hurt my friends, ever Itachi! I promise!"
Itachi sheathed his sword as he replied "Very well. I'll take you up on that promise, grow strong and maybe you won't be weak enough to let those you care about die. Farewell, little brother..." Itachi said.
And for a split second, Sasuke could have sworn that he saw his brother crying.
Not tears of happiness. Tears of sadness.
Anguish.
That was the last thing Sasuke saw before he blacked out.
Hiruzen sighed as he looked over at the mountain of paperwork that was currently sitting on his desk.
'Oh Kami, why did I ever think of becoming Hokage again? This paperwork was too much to handle when I was young, let alone when I'm old.' He pondered while staring at the letter currently in front of him.
'Oh? The crazy cat has gone loose again? Eh, will be a fun mission for the newly graduated Gennin.' He thought as he signed it off , ready for tomorrow morning.
He yawned as he smoked from his pipe.
Maybe it was time to get some rest?
That line of thought was interrupted when an out of breath Asuma ran into his room, sweat dripping down his face.
"Dad. The Uchiha's, they have been wiped out completely!"
Hiruzen put on a fake mask towards his son. 'Regretfully I had a helping hand in doing this. Maybe one day, the sins of my past will catch up to me. Until then I can only pray.'
"How many dead Asuma?"
Asuma replied "All the Uchiha, barring for the boy. Sasuke I think his name is?"
Hiruzen nodded. As Itachi said, he would spare his brother's life.
"But that's not all father, a civilian was killed as well. Haruno Kizashi was stabbed at the front gate!"
Hiruzen dropped his pipe in shock.
'Haruno Kizashi?! What the hell was he doing there? Wait, he was an ex member of ROOT wasn't he? Danzo... you bastard!'
Hiruzen walked with his son as he was telling him Sasuke's condition.
"Lock up the gates, whoever is behind this might be still around. Quickly go and make sure Uchiha Sasuke is with a guard at all times, even after he wakes up. And bring Shimura Danzo to me right now!" He roared to his son.
Hiruzen waited patiently as Danzo finally entered his office.
Danzo was the same as always, only this time covered in bandages across his face.
"Yes Hiruzen? What do you require at this time of night? Some of us have to actually sleep." Danzo said as he sat down opposite Hiruzen.
Hiruzen flipped his office table as he couldn't keep his anger in check, however this didn't faze Danzo.
"Oh? What happened Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen saw red as he hit Danzo with the strongest punch he could muster. While it was nothing compared to his hay day, it was strong enough to draw blood from Danzo.
"Don't play games with me Danzo. Tell me why you employed Haruno Kizashi?"
Danzo's sole unbandaged eye lit up in surprise as he replied "You knew?"
Hiruzen laughed as he coldly replied "Knew? He's dead now. Because of you. Now you sent him towards the compound tonight, but why? Did you not trust Itachi?"
Danzo nodded as he responded "The younger Uchiha befriended our little Nine Tails, you don't think I can't see what this means? Itachi would have done more than that tonight, which was what I proved as he killed Kizashi."
Hiruzen shook his head as he couldn't think straight. "They are seven Danzo, seven! You just killed an innocent man for no reason, and now I have to lie to his family and their wounds will never heal! What is this , a game?" Hiruzen shouted at the man.
Danzo sat up as he spat blood on the floor of the office.
"Game? You misunderstand me Hiruzen. All I have done is for the benefit of the Leaf, and the possibility that Itachi could have stolen our Jinchuriki and given it to Iwagakure, or even Kumogakure is very real. Kizashi knew the risks when I told him about this." Danzo said as he shook his head ; disappointed that Hiruzen saw him as a tactless fool .
Hiruzen had to physically stop himself from attacking Danzo.
"Why. Don't. You. Understand. Danzo? You killed an innocent man, for something you have no proof over."
Danzo snorted. "Proof? Who do you think controlled the Nine Tails all those years ago, huh? An Uchiha. It has to be."
Hiruzen threw his hands up in the air as he couldn't formulate a reply.
"So you told Kizashi to spy on the massacre to ensure it happened properly, and that Itachi didn't overstep his bounds, correct?"
Danzo nodded.
"Leave Danzo. Leave, now!"
Danzo stood up as he nodded and went to walk out of the Hokage's office.
"No, that isn't the exit. I meant the village Danzo."
Danzo stopped walking as he turned around to face Hiruzen confused.
"As of now I declare you a traitor to the Hidden Leaf. Go, somewhere else that is far from here. If you are still in my office in the next minute, Kami knows what I'll do to you old friend."
Danzo laughed as he replied "Out of the Leaf? You surely lost it Hiruzen"
The Third Hokage shook his head as he let his Killing Intent be known to Danzo.
"You will leave. You will never speak to any members of ROOT, past or present and your influence will no longer exist in this village."
Danzo protested "This village will not be able to survive without me! I'm the one that keeps it safe, we are at war Hiruzen can't you see-"
"I SAID LEAVE THE VILLAGE DANZO!" Hiruzen bellowed.
Danzo nodded as he bid his goodbye to his old friend and left his office. He didn't dare to go to ROOT's headquarters, he would upset Hiruzen further.
However Danzi did make a trip to the Uchiha compound and managed to take a few eyes for later.
As he left the village he saw Itachi overlooking Konoha with his watchful eyes.
"Da-Danzo-sama?" Itachi said in shock.
"Yes Itachi. It is me, Danzo. Come, quickly. We must move. Alas our worst fears have happened, Hiruzen has gone senile and has driven me to exile. But our plans will come to fruition, we will save Konohakagure together , Itachi."
Itachi nodded as he jumped down from the branch and followed the elder Shinobi.
'Remember Sasuke, remember your promise to me!' Itachi thought as he and Danzo walked down the main road, eventually being unable to spot Konoha.
It was a rainy day.
Many classmates had come and visited Sakura, but she hadn't seen them. No one answered the door, not even her mother who usually answered it.
Sakura's mother hadn't left her room since the funeral which was two days ago.
And Sakura herself?
She stopped crying on the first day.
According to the Hokage, her father was killed while Itachi was trying to escape after murdering his clan.
But it didn't add up, her father was shopping? What business did he have at the Uchiha compound?
While she wasn't all knowledgeable, she could piece two and two together.
Her father had another story that wasn't being told, and it was hurting her mother, and herself.
She threw her pillow across her room as she started to cry.
"I-I-promise you dad! I'll find out the truth by becoming a stronger Ninja than you could have ever imagined! And I will find out what happened! For mother's sake!" She said as she got on the floor and started to do the same exercises her father had taught her.
"I will become strong!"
It had been nearly seven weeks and Sasuke still hadn't come back to the academy. Naruto frowned as Iruka was talking about an exam they were going to have next week, detailing how we should revise and what not.
'I hope he is doing better than before.' Naruto thought to himself.
Sasuke frowned as he still couldn't walk straight.
It had been four months since that happened, and he was only now discharged from the hospital.
They did many checks on his mental health and only now was he admitted outside finally.
First thing he was going to do was check up on Naruto. His friend. The one he had sworn to protect.
And he wasn't going to fail!
Sakura sighed as she woke up and made herself breakfast.
It had been almost a year, and while some aspects of life had returned to normal for Sasuke.
Sakura wasn't as lucky as he was to have a friend like Naruto.
Not only did Naruto and Sasuke train thrice as hard, but Naruto started to skip lessons with Sasuke.
No matter how much Iruka got annoyed, he never penalised them.
She scoffed as she started to eat her bacon and eggs.
She had set aside a plate for her mother, but chances are that she wasn't going to eat it until Sakura would have to force it down her throat when she got back from school.
Sakura saw another late rent payment letter on the table as she sighed.
"Mother, get out of bed now! Daughters shouldn't have to look after their own mothers you know!" She screamed.
"Come on Sasuke, it's just to watch a theatre production? It's nothing dangerous." Naruto complained to his best friend.
"NO Naruto you don't understand, I'll protect you until we are Gennin. That bastard could come back at any time, and we need to be prepared. I won't allow him to take away another person I care about."
Naruto sighed as he said "So you are going to kill him?"
Sasuke shook his head as he replied "If it comes down to it, I don't know Naruto. He's-He's still my brother. And he never told me why he killed them? But I know he's been killing other people. I can see it on the news, and one day. One day I'll get strong enough and I'll bring him to justice for everyone he has wronged , myself included."
It was night time as two boys stood on top of the Hokage's monument.
The blonde boy was grinning as he was clutching his newly acquired headband, while his friend was staring at the village.
"So Sasuke, we are Gennin now huh?" Naruto said.
It had been a few years and he was twelve years old, nearly thirteen as he showed off his headband to the world.
"See this? This is my one way ticket to becoming the greatest Hokage ever!" He said while waving it around.
Sasuke gave a small smile as he held onto his headband with one hand.
"...yeah. And I'm one step closer to achieving my goals." He said while staring at the starry night. "I'll make sure Itachi is locked up, for the crimes he has committed not only against me, but against everyone else."
Naruto grinned as he asked "Why don't we shout it out? On top of the monument?"
Sasuke stared at the blonde boy confused.
"Oh , come on Sasuke, it would be cool!"
Sasuke laughed as he replied "Ok, ok. If you say so Naruto. On three?"
The blonde boy nodded.
"I'M GOING TO BE HOKAGE!"
"I'M GOING TO BRING JUSTICE!"
They both smiled as they heard it echo.
Tomorrow was a big day, they would be sorted into their Genin teams.
Naruto grinned as he thought to himself 'Are you proud yet dad? Just watch, I'll make you and mum even prouder!'
Fin
End of this chapter. Very lengthy, defiantly the longest I have written by far.
Anyway I'll se ya'll for the next chapter (Why did i write ya'll?)
Peace
Papireaz :)
THANKS PK!