Hey everyone, Dan back with another update. Like promised this is a much longer so this'll at least give you a more direct idea of how this story will play out. Without further ado, let's get into the chapter!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Rosario + Vampire.
Chapter 2: The Betrayal
"Why?" Was the only question naruto could ask as he continued to look at sasuke's moveless form. They were currently in one of the Konoha hospitals, after their battle. It was a hard fought battle, after the clash both naruto and sasuke were injured with sasuke receiving the far worse of the two. Sasuke ended up with multiple rib fractures as well as a completely broken arm. He was near death and would require far more medical treatment and healing to save his life.
The guilt alone ate at Naruto. He looked like he was ready to burst out in tears. Kakashi, who was sitting next to him, could only look at naruto before looking back at sasuke. Unsure of what to say, both him and naruto could only sit in solemn silence before it was broken by Naruto, who could only repeat the same question. "Why Sasuke? Why couldn't you just see reason? I never meant to take it this far, not even a little bit…" He said as he could only look down, unable to bring himself to face sasuke's state.
"Hmm?" Kakashi questioned, as he finally turned his full attention to Naruto.
Naruto didn't say anything for a few moments before he somehow found his voice once more. "All I wanted was to convince sasuke to come home...and show him he still had friends and family to help him along the way...i never met for this, to nearly kill him in the process." He said as he finally looked at Sasuke, the damage he had done to his best friend.
Kakashi put a hand firmly on Naruto, in an effort to comfort him before finally speaking up. "Naruto...believe it or not I understand how you feel completely...i know you're ashamed of your actions, but you have to understand that sasuke has been so distant from everyone, that he doesn't know what it means to have a real comrade, someone to call a friend..." He paused as naruto looked back at kakashi, as if he was processing what was said before his gaze went back to sasuke with a somewhat understanding look.
Kakashi continued further. "Sasuke's mind has been clouded and filled with revenge, something that will bring out the worst out of you, so it was unlikely he would just listen to anyone that would just tell him to come back, he left the village with an intent. So no matter what you did, what WE did, this would have ended badly in some way." Kakashi finished as he closed his eyes, in hopes he reached out to naruto. That he knows this wasn't his fault and that you did all that you could.
It seemed to have worked, as Naruto looked slightly less upset than he originally. "I see...thank Kakashi-Sensei."
Kakashi nodded, thankful he got through to Naruto even a little bit. He got up and began walking out. "I have to go now...i'm supposed to meet up with the Hokage regarding this whole mess. Hopefully, it's nothing serious to write home."
Naruto turned to Kakashi and put his head up in what looked like an attempt to wave goodbye. "Alright Kakashi-Sensei, I'll see you around then."
Kakashi simply nodded, as he appeared to be in deep thought as he walked out of the room. "I really hope this isn't serious, at least for you Naruto. Knowing how the counsel and Danzo specifically operate, I doubt he's just gonna let this go under the rog and let this situation go." Kakashi thought.
Naruto simply signed as he finally got up himself. "I need to get some fresh air...hopefully some ramen can cheer me up. I just need something to take my mind off of things." Naruto looks at Sasuke one more time, before walking out of the room.
Somewhere elsewhere in the village
Life in the village carried on as usual, the villagers walking along chatting among each other. Business was especially booming today, especially at a certain flower shop.
"Thank you for shopping at the yamanaka store! Hope to see ya again in the future!" A certain blonde yelled out to a leaving customer before letting out a sigh. Today had been a long and busy day for the young girl, more so than usual in fact. She felt exhausted, and couldn't wait to close down for the day. "Hang in there Ino girl, you only have a couple more hours left before you can finally close up, just gotta stay strong" Ino thought to herself before hearing the bell at the door go off, signaling that another customer had come in. She mentally readied herself before turning around to say her usual phrase. "Welcome to the yamanaka shop! How can i help-" She stopped in shock at the unlikely customer standing in front of her before speaking up again. "Sakura?...What are you doing here?"
Sakura merely put on a light smile in response to the question and laughed weakly. "What? I can't pick out a batch of flowers now just because we're rivals now?" Sakura mused.
Ino quickly found her composure before answering. "Ah no, not at all. You just surprised me is all, you've never really bothered to visit the store." She said before walking from around the counter to assist sakura. "I can help if you want, what are you looking for?"
Sakura, who was currently looking around, turned her attention back to ino to thank the rival before asking. "Hmmm, well I'm looking for a batch of pink roses, have you got anything like that?"
Ino simply pointed to her left as she caught sight of a few remaining batches of pink roses. "Definitely, they're always in the far back so they're pretty difficult to spot for most casual visitors." She said as Sakura went over to pick her out one.
Sakura, now having spotted them, picked one out. "Ah thanks! Just what I was looking for." She then walks back over to the counter before putting the batch of flowers down and reaching for her wallet.
Ino rings the batch of flowers up before asking Sakura a few questions, in hopes of sparking some small conversation. "Out of curiosity, who are those for? Someone special I'd hope?" Sakura in response slightly looked downcast as she paused in thought for a moment.
Sakura managed to regain a bit of her cheery composure before answering. "Oh nothing like that. They're for sasuke...Naruto managed to do it, he brought him back like he said he would but from what i hear the aftermath wasn't good. Sasuke's in bad shape.
Ino was in shock from the announcement, not just from sasuke's condition but naruto managing to overcome sasuke. "What?! Naruto actually did it? He somehow beat Sasuke and brought him back?"
Sakura nodded her head in response. "Yeah but...from what I hear he's quite injured himself and there's been a rumor floating around that the leaf counsel caught word of what happened. I think Naruto might be in trouble."
Ino was not alone taken aback, but slightly anger at this. "What the hell?! It was a rescue mission! Naruto volunteered of his own free will and did as he was told by Lady Hokage. He brought sasuke back, alive at that! Why the hell are the counsel getting involved?" Ino finished. It didn't make sense to her, she suddenly had a gut feeling that something was about to go down.
Sakura shook her head, unsure herself what all of this meant. "I wish I knew ino, I really did. I just know it won't be good." Something had soon occured to Sakura however, as a question of her had came up. "By the way Ino, why aren't you arguing with me about how sasuke is yours and i'll win his heart? I mean, this is the first civil conversation we've had in a while. You usually would have said something by now but you kind of just...i don't know, brushed sasuke off?" Sakura finished as ino leaned in thought, before gathering her thoughts.
"Well honestly? I mainly kept going at it with you for principle reasons, but I gave up on Sasuke a while ago. I realized that there are better guys out there and that he'll never see me as more than a friend, if even that. He's all yours for all I care." Ino stated, and it was true. She no longer felt that way about sasuke, and realized that sasuke would never see herself in that way. She figured Sakura would have a better chance considering they were teammates.
Sakura, looked at ino with the first real smile she's shown since being here. She finally paid and handed the money to ino for the batch of flowers before grabbing them "Heh, suit yourself then ino, i'll see you around then! I'm heading to the hospital to check on sasuke. She said as she quickly spirited out the store.
"I'll see ya around Sakura!" Ino shouted before leaning back in thought as to what Sakura told her earlier. "Although, I still can't shake this bad feeling I have about this. What the hell could the council possibly want? With Naruto of all people?!" Ino thought before another customer came in. Knowing she couldn't do much and worrying about it wouldn't help, she greeted the customer and went back to finishing her shift.
To The Hokage Mansion
Tsunade was currently brushing through and sorting paperwork, on kami she hated it. Being Hokage had its benefits, but the mere mention of paperwork was enough to ruin any good mood she had. In fact, Lady Hokage was in a very foul mood today. Anyone unlucky enough to be caught in her wrath would be a poor fool.
Jiraya, who was leaning against a wall across from her, decided to finally make his presence known. "Tsunade, what are we going to do regarding Naruto's situation?" Jiraya had daringly asked.
Tsunade in response was brushing through and sorting her paperwork even further. It was frustrating to say the least. She knew well about Naruto's situation, Danzo himself had a chat with her regarding it. It pissed her off, not because she thought it was stupid considering it was a direct order from herself to rescue and bring back sasuke. No, it was because there was little she could do in regards to the events that were soon about to unfold.
Jiraya, worried about his student and frustrated himself pressed on with his questioning further. "We have to do something! He's gonna be in a shitload of trouble if-". Jiraya was cut off as Tsunade slammed her fist on her desk before slowly taking deep breaths, in an effort to calm down the perverted sage deduced.
Tsunade, now calm, looked Jiraya in the eyes and sighed before speaking her mind. "I know, Jiraya...I'm trying to figure this out myself but as it stands this is already FRUSTRATING as it is, I can't do much about it. I'd have to get through to the council to do anything about this trial, but they've already made their stand. It's why I summoned Kakashi, maybe he could help out somehow. He should be here any minute." Tsunade finished as she took a cup of nearby tea, and drank it.
Jiraya processed what Tsunade had said. He should have known she wasn't taking this any easier than he was. If anything, she was probably taking it harder, since Naruto saved her by helping her get through her trauma. He knew she had grown fond of him, and considered the kid a nephew. He sighed and looked at Tsunade once more. This whole situation was just a mess, and smelt funny. "Right, I hope you're right Tsunade. As things stand right now, Naruto isn't exactly on good terms with the majority of the village, so he doesn't have the most support if this trial goes through."
Tsunade closed her eyes and was about to respond before a knock at the door interrupted her. Both Sannin looked at the door before Tsunade finally made her presence known to the stranger behind the door. "Come in, it's open."
Now granted the okay to come in, Kakashi opens the door and comes in. "Hello Lady Tsunade, long time no see. You summoned me?" Kakashi asked.
Tsunade composured her demeanor and spoke up. "Yes kakashi, i've come here to discuss very important information about-" Tsunade was quickly cut off
"A sentence trial regarding Naruto, right?" Kakashi finished, as he looked at both Tsunade and Jiraya who looked slightly surprised.
Tsunade simply looked at Kakashi before pausing momentarily to gather herself. "Yes but...how did you know?" She asked the copy ninja. She already had a feeling but she wanted Kakashi to confirm it.
Kakashi spoke up. "Believe it or not...The information has already been leaked. It's been passing down the village like a hurricane. It was only a matter of time before the higher up ninja caught wind of it." Kakashi said.
Tsunade could merely rub her temple in frustration at this new piece of info."Damn it all!" She cursed, this situation was already a mess. Now that the general public knows about this, it has made the situation go from a mess to a cesspool.
Jiraya finally decided to break the ice and get to the real discussion. "I guess we should start discussing what our plan of action is then? The trial is going to happen in a couple hours, so we need to come up with something fast."
Tsunade breathed in to compose herself for what felt like the 7th time today. She needed to stay focused and level headed. "You're right Jiraya, we've wasted enough time as it is. Besides Kakashi, you may be the only one right now who could help Naruto in this trial." Tsunade said.
Kakashi raised his eyes in curiosity and anticipation. "Hmm? How so?" He asked, as he failed to see where he fitted into all of this, unless…
Jiraya was the first to add on, as he had a pretty good idea of what Tsunade meant. "Tsunade, don't tell me you mean…"
It would potentially help Naruto's case, but the move is overall risky, Tsunade reasoned. It was all or nothing at this point. "Well, I have an idea…" Tsunade started as she went into great detail explaining how Kakashi could help bring the favor into Naruto at this, both men were simply flabbergasted to say the least.
Back To Sakura
The streets had calmed down since her walk to the hospital, there were hardly any villagers left in the streets and the sun was beginning to set. Sakura didn't mind however, it was a lot quieter and it gave her time to think about everything. Team 7s adventures, the Chunin exams, and Naruto. Yes, Naruto. She had thought back on the blonde haired hyperactive ninja. How much of an annoyance and nuisance she had considered him at first, how she thought back on how much of a joke his dream of becoming Hokage had been. Even after everything Naruto had been through, how she had treated him, He still looked at her as a comrade, a friend, and made a promise to her. He had brought back Sasuke, and had done what she had thought was impossible. "I really am behind those two, well no more. I have to catch up, become stronger too! And maybe I can re-adjust how I treat Naruto. He deserves better" She had thought. She was so deep in thought she didn't pay enough attention to her surroundings and ended up bumping into someone.
"Oh sorry, I was just…" Sakura's sentence died down as she ran into a familiar face, Naruto. "Wait, Naruto?!
Naruto was a bit shaken up, just coming from Ichiraku Ramen. He looked at Sakura as he got up. "Oh, Sakura? What are you doing here?" He had asked, he knew what she was here for but he honestly didn't expect her to see her so soon.
Sakura looked to the side before answering Naruto. "I came to check on you and Sasuke…do you know what room he-" She looked at naruto and saw his left arm was covered in bandages, presumably from his injuries from his fight with sasuke. "Are you okay?" She had asked?
Naruto looked at where Sakura's gaze was held and saw his injured left arm. He smiled a little as he turned his own gaze back at Sakura. "Oh this? I'll live. If anything you should really be more worried about Sasuke, he's in pretty bad shape. Room 309 if you want to see him." Naruto said. He could see the worry on Sakura's face plain as day.
"Why? Is he injured that badly?" Sakura had asked with worry clearly in his voice.
Naruto balled up his right fist, as he started to struggle seeing Sakura worry like this. "Sakura i...I don't know how to tell you this exactly but with the state sasuke is in he may not-" Naruto couldn't even finish as Sakura ran past him straight into the hospital. He looks at her sadly until he sees her form disappear inside the hospital. "Sakura I...I brought him back for you...that's all that mattered to you, right?" He asked himself.
Sakura was currently running through the hallways, rushing towards sasuke's room. Her mind was going through a rush as she tried thinking of what went wrong, what state sasuke was in, and why? These were all questions that rang through her head . She had finally reached her destination, Room 309. She took a deep breath to prepare herself for what she may possibly see of her crush. She opened the door and began walking in. "Sasuke, are you-" She dropped her flowers at the sight in front of her and all she could get out was. "What...is...this?"
She took in sasuke's form which was a bloody mess. His face was bruised up tremendously, his nose was busted and both his eyes were currently covered with bandages, presumably from overuse of his eyes. She looked and his body and his entire abdomen was covered with bandages as well.
Soon enough, Naruto enters the room and walks behind Sakura, as he takes a look once more upon Sasuke's unconscious form. "I'm sorry Sakura, I really am. I never expected it to go this far…" Naruto said sorrowly.
Sakura didn't say anything, she simply stood and looked at Sasuke's injured and unmoving body, Trying to process everything.
Naruto continued on as he hoped to snap Sakura out of her shock. "Sakura I...I know it hurts to see him in this state...But it all just escalated! He wouldn't leave me any other choice, I hope you can understand that." Naruto knew how much Sasuke meant to Sakura, and was hopeful she would understand that he would never willing to do this to one of his best friends. She of all people would get that.
Of course, he was about to find out how wrong he was. Something inside Sakura broke, and she was about to do something she would soon regret later. A loud sound had filled the room as a deadly silence soon followed after. Sakura had slapped Naruto.
To say Naruto was shocked would be an understatement. He was hurt, not just by the slap itself but the fact it was Sakura had cut him deep. He was confused, but all he could manage to get out was one word. "...Sakura?"
Sakura was not only hurt, but pissed and it showed on her face. "Just shut the hell up Naruto...This is all your fault!" She yelled accusingly.
Naruto, not one to take crap lying down, defendingly asked. "My fault? Sakura, i didn't mean to take it this far...i tried talking to sasuke, talking some sense into him but he wouldn't-" He was cut off once more as sakura.
"Enough with the crap! Just admit it, you were probably jealous of Sasuke and saw this as an opportunity to get rid of him? LOOK AT HIM NARUTO! Who does this to their own teammate?! Sakura ranted on, she wanted to stop, wanted to just break down before she said something she would regret.
Naruto was getting visibly upset now, especially being accused of purposely trying to kill his own best friend. He argued back once more. "What the hell?! That's a load of bullshit and you know it Sakura, I tried to save him, to bring back without killing him. You think I wanted any of this to happen?!" Naruto balled his left hand in frustration as he went on. "It just...it didn't work out that way, he wouldn't listen to reason, and it escalated further than it should have. You think I'm proud of this? You think this is the outcome I wanted?! Sasuke is like the brother I never had...I could never bring myself to intentionally kill him even if I wanted to. I not only brought him back for myself and because he's a ninja of Konoha, but because I...I wanted to make you happy as well Sakura." Naruto finished, hoping that Sakura would see reason.
Sakura didn't, and his explanation only seemed to upset her even further. She spat out with disgust "Well you did a piss poor ass job of it then." She then pointed towards Sasuke's form once more. "Take a good look at him, Naruto. You did this to him. YOU DID! NO ONE ELSE! Just when I thought you were beginning to change you failed me just like everyone else. No fucking wonder your parents abandoned you! You're a fucking disgrace and failure at life!" Sakura finished as she panted, catching her breath, her anger finally subduing it. It wasn't until she looked at Naruto once more that she felt her heart stop.
Naruto was in shock, so much that all he could do was just stand there with a very unreadable expression as Sakura's words were being processed. Soon enough tears started to form at the side of Naruto's eyes. Sakura's words had cut deep, deeper than any blade or kunai possibly could.
Sakura had calmed down and felt immediate regret. What had she done? She stepped forward in an attempt to console Naruto. "Naruto...Wait...I didn't mean what I said, any of it I just-" She was cut off as Naruto had spoken up with a tone that scared her, a tone full of hate.
Tears began rolling down his face as he cut Sakura off, unwilling to hear anything she further had to say. "No, obviously you did...I mean, why else would you say that right? I'm the only one who was stupid enough to not realize that's how you truly felt about me sooner…" He turns around without wasting a moment and opens the door to walk out of the room.
Sakura quickly grabs on to Naruto's uninjured arm. She wouldn't let him walk away, not like this. She began tearing up. "Naruto please...I'm sorry I...I can't lose you too." the pink kunoichi said in a last effort to get through Naruto.
Naruto was silent for a moment, but to Sakura it felt like an eternity. After what felt like whatever, Naruto who still had tears streaming down his face turned around to face Sakura. "Sakura…" Naruto said with a surprising amount of calmness to his voice, it even surprised Sakura.
Sakura, who was now hopefully, responded. "Y-yes, Naruto?"
Naruto then snatched his arm away and looked at Sakura with a look of pure anger and disgust. She could have sworn she saw Naruto's pupils change from blue to a bright red with slits before he said something that would forever stick with the young kunoichi. "Fuck off and stay the hell out of my life, the others were right. I was a fool to ever love you." He said with such venom and hatred in his voice it scared the pink haired kunoichi. He slowly walked out of the room and slammed the door in Sakura's face.
Sakura did it, she knew she messed up. She drove away the only person who genuinely cared about her regardless of all her faults. She finally broke down and put her head down as she cried her eyes out. "Naruto...I'm such an idiot! What have I done?" She asked herself, the only response she was met with was silence.
Someplace else.
Small chatter was currently being converse with among the jury, as well as the small number of villagers who had recently arrived and taken a seat in the Konoha Court of the law. The trial was currently being set up that would change the fate of the Konoha Village itself, but also the fate of a certain Jinchuriki. An individual was sitting in an upper chair in front of a desk, with a gavel beside him. He had talked it over with council and this was concluded to be the necessary course of action for the host of the nine tails. The man could only smirk in anticipation for what was to come.
"Young Naruto, I must wonder...how will you try to justify your actions this time?" Said Danzo, who had simply crossed his fingers for what was soon to come.
That's it for today, just as promised I would have this one out soon and it would be much longer. I apologize if this one felt a bit slow and boring, but this is all necessary in order to build the next chapter up. For those curious about when moka and the crew will make an appearance, it will be either during Chapter 3 or Chapter 4. :P
Another thing is this may look like Sakura hating but it isn't. I actually don't mind her too much as a character. I'm sure we've all said something in the past that we wish we hadn't or didn't mean to. The same applies to sakura here.
In any case, all things considered, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Things are gonna pick up soon enough. I cant promise when the next chapter will be out, as it's gonna be longer than this one, but i won't be too long hopefully lol See y'all in the next Update :D Chris out!