Chapter 56
Kakashi stood before the memorial stone, frustrated and angry. He came straight here after his dressing down and would just stare at the stone that held the names of those who were important to him. He kept his eyes on the stone, trying to come to terms with how badly he messed up. He wasn't ignorant in what he did. He favored one above the others and he did not apologize for that. Even if he could go back in time and do it differently, he would still do it the same way just not in the same matter. However, he wasn't going to get that chance and he knew that his punishment was just beginning.
What really frustrated him the most was Sasuke. While he had nothing good to say about either Naruto or Sakura, he felt betrayed by Sasuke. He did everything for him. He gave the highest level of training, he helped him gain his Sharingan, he taught him his original jutsu and for everything he gave, he received no thanks. In fact, the last conversation with Sasuke was something that enraged him every time he thought about it.
**Flashback**
Kakashi stared at Sasuke with disappointment as he glared at him from behind bars. He had received word about Sasuke's actions, and he couldn't believe that Sasuke attempted to kill Naruto just because Itachi focused on Naruto. He looked at him with his lone eye.
"I want an explanation Sasuke." Kakashi stated.
"I don't owe you a damn thing." Sasuke spat.
"Do you not realize that you could face serious punishment for what you did? They could strip you of your symbol." He spoke.
"I don't care about this stupid village! All they have done is hold me back for getting strong!" He shouted.
"You've done that yourself. You've allowed your inferior complex to hold you back from improving. There is not quick way to strength." The jonin lectured.
"Don't come to me and act like you care! The only reason you are facing me is because you will share the same punishment as me! I'm not stupid!" the Uchiha spat.
"This isn't about any punishment. I will gladly take any punishment to protect my student. All you have to do is show that you are sorry, and we both will come out better in the end." Kakashi said, trying to reason with him. Sasuke glared hard at the man.
"I take that back. I was stupid. I was stupid to think that I could trust you to make me strong. I should have done what other two did and dropped you for someone better." Sasuke stated, shocking Kakashi.
"Are you serious?" he asked stunned. This soon turned to anger, and he gave Sasuke a very harsh glare. "Do you realize that I have put everything I am toward you? I have put my skill, my jutsu and my reputation to make the ninja that you were SUPPOSED to be! I have given you everything and this is the thanks I get?!"
"You did NOTHING! Do you hear me Hatake, nothing! All your skill and jutsu didn't do squat! I should have been stronger than everyone, but I am the one catching up! I should not be behind those who are beneath me! The one constant in this whole thing is you! You're a fraud and it makes me sick to think that you carry my clan's power in your head!" Sasuke roared. Kakashi was furious at what was said to him. He had never been so insulted in his life. He glared hard at Sasuke before vanishing.
**Present**
Kakashi took a few breaths to calm himself before he destroyed something. He couldn't believe how ungrateful the brat was. He was mad at all of his former charges, but Sasuke's words cut deep. With a sigh, he turned away from the stone and walked away. He had some jutsu to give up. Once that was done, he could put this all behind him.
XXX
"I have to admit, I did not expect such a move." Orochimaru said with amusement. He sat on his throne with Kabuto standing in front of him.
"I am as well. I thought for sure that they would protect him. He does possess the Sharingan. I especially thought that your ally would jump at the chance at molding him." Kabuto said.
"He is no longer an ally. With how much the village has changed, he is content with the path that it is heading. It is not his way, but the village has grown stronger due to the changes. We have firsthand knowledge of that." The man said, gaining a frown from Kabuto. The young medic was still sore about being defeated by Naruto.
"So, what is our next move?" he asked.
"Heh, we shall keep our focus on Sasuke. Speak to our contacts in the Grass Country and see what you can learn about who runs Hozuki Castle. Perhaps we can learn something."
"And the Leaf Village?"
"Let our fellow villages deal with them. Their rise has caused a stir that cannot be ignored. Also, prepare a new body." This surprised Kabuto.
"Are you not going to wait for Sasuke?" he asked.
"No, I cannot wait. I need to gain my jutsu back if I am to face the Leaf again. We can no longer deal with them the same way. I refuse to be defeated once again because I underestimated them. Prepare the subjects." Orochimaru ordered. Kabuto bowed and vanished. Orochimaru eased back into his throne and just smiled. It looked like things were going his way finally.
XXX
Ino stood in the background as everyone got their awards. She had a hard look in her eyes as she watched, really wishing that she was somewhere else. She should be training but she was dragged here by Asuma just so she could watch people she didn't like to get awarded. It was like her sensei wanted to embarrass her further. She was especially not happy to see Sakura and Shikamaru get those awards. Seeing them get acknowledged, it was like a slap in the face.
She didn't enjoy seeing either one of them getting praised. Shikamaru was nothing more than a lazy bum who thought he was a bigger deal. Sakura got lucky with that ninja who helped her or else she would be nothing. She felt a boiling rage within whenever she heard about the two. They weren't that special, and it was starting to piss her off that people thought they were.
Her mood only worsens when the Hokage had Shikamaru, and Shino stay in front of her. That's when she brought out two flak vests. It wasn't just any vest, but it was a chunin vest. What the hell did that sloth and the bug boy do to deserve it? How was that fair? She wanted to get the hell out of here and fast.
Finally, the ceremony was done and Ino was the first one out the door. She stormed her way to the exit, wanting to leave as fast as she could. Too bad things did not go her way. A hand grabbed her shoulder to stop her. She turned to see Asuma who was give her a disapproving look. Ino didn't care and shrugged his hand off her. She turned to face him, giving him a hard look.
"Can I help you sensei?" Ino said with a tone. Asuma just sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"You couldn't even congratulate your teammate?" he asked.
"We both know that my congratulations would mean nothing coming from me. We are not on the best of terms and before you say it, I don't think it's all on me." She stated.
"If you think that, then this makes my decision that much easier." Asuma said and handed her a form.
"What is this?" Ino asked. Asuma didn't say anything and let her read it. As Ino read the form, her eyes only got wider. "Probation? You're putting me on probation?"
"You gave me little choice. Your attitude and hostility have reached my limit. You continue to ignore my orders and continue to put yourself at risk. I can't have this continue. Lady Hokage agrees as does your father. So, you are being place on probation for six months. You either shape up or you're demoted to the remedial forces." Asuma explained.
"What the hell does that even mean?" Ino demanded.
"You won't be a genin anymore, but you will not be sent back into the academy. The council are creating a division when genin who fail are re-trained and reassigned." He explained.
"So, that's it? You're trying to get rid of me?" she spat.
"No but I must think of the team. Show me that you can be a team player and you might not be demoted. Continue on this path Ino and you will be replaced. It is just that simple." With that, Asuma turned away and made his way out. Ino just stood there, her fists balled up. She couldn't believe what just happened. Tears began to form up in her eyes, but she refused to cry here. She continued on her way before she got more frustrated.
XXX
Kin stood before Tsunade and the elders. She was now dressed in a green collared shirt that covered a mesh undershirt, a black mini-skirt, black biker shorts, fishnet stockings, two black forearm bracers and a blue head-tie that kept her hair out of eyes. She stood at attention, but she was nervous as hell. She wasn't nervous with the elders as she proved herself to them however, this would be the first time that she faced Tsunade. She heard about the female kunoichi and knew her reputation.
"So, you're Kin Tsuchi? The elders have been speaking about you as have your handlers. It seems that you are willing to be a kunoichi of the village." Tsunade said.
"Yes, I wish to be a shinobi of the village." Kin said.
"I am willing to allow it. The elders have informed you about their plans?" she asked.
"The probation program? Yes, they explained it."
"Good, so I don't have to go into it. Depending on how you do, you will be given your symbol. All that is needed is for you to be assigned to a jonin. Lucky for you, a jonin asked for you personally."
"Really? Who?" she asked. Tsunade knocked on her desk and the door opened to reveal a kunoichi. She was wearing a mesh body suit the covered her body all the way to her thighs. She wore an orange mini skirt, a tan trench coat, silver shin guards and a necklace. She had purple hair that was tied in a spiky ponytail and pupil-less brown eyes. She looked at Kin with a wide grin.
"So, you're my new pet?" Anko asked, surprising Kin.
"Behave Anko." Koharu said. "She's not a pet for you to torture." Kin looked at the three with a bit of worry. Tsunade sighed and looked at her.
"This is Anko Mitarashi, one of our Special Jonin. You will be assigned to her so you will be allowed to do missions. She will also be the one who determines if you become a ninja of the Leaf." Tsunade explained.
"Okay but why her?" Kin asked. That's when Anko put her arm around her and pulled her close.
"Oh, don't be like that. We are going to have some much fun together. Who knows, you might learn something from me." Anko said, rubbing her cheek to her. Kin tried to escape while the other three in the room just sighed. They were reconsidering this decision greatly.
XXX
Sasuke laid in his cell, holding his chest in pain. This damn seal that was placed on him burned when he got out of line. He was really starting to hate seals. He got to his bed and managed to roll to his back. He laid still and glared at the ceiling. Everything was not going his way and he hated it. He had been defeated, humiliated and his pride shattered. All his plans, all his ambitions were taken away from him and it was all the Leaf Village's fault, especially Naruto.
Thinking about that blond enraged him. He was nothing but a dead-last loser who no one cared about. It wasn't until that other loser Kiba decided to be friends with him. Then his family took him in and gave him people who cared. Then those other two losers joined them, and their families took him in as well. He found people who gave a damn, and he became better from it. While he got better, he didn't get anything of the sort. All he got were bootlickers and people who just wanted him for his name. He didn't need them and didn't want them. He wanted power and the Leaf didn't give it to him.
However, one man gave him power. It was power that he enjoyed. How it felt, it was incredible. It was the power that he needed. It would help him complete his objective. Then that bastard took it away. Naruto took it away from him with his damned seals. He would never forgive or forget what he did, and he would make Naruto pay for it.
Yes, he would make Naruto pay. The blond took away his ambition, so he would take way his dream. That he swore, that he promised.
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Author's Notes
So this took three re-writes to do before I got to this point. I am very happy with it and I have decided to end the story here. Now, before you all get in a rage, that does not mean I am not doing a sequel. I just need time to work out what i am going to do. I also do not like to do stories that are above sixty chapters, with the exception of my Ranma Story. I'm hoping for a hundred with that before I'm finished and yes, I am working on it. So, I need to gather my thoughts and plan out what I am going to do. So, this is the last chapter of The Losers and look out for the sequel. Enjoy everybody.
