I do not own 'Naruto'
Apology
After removing the seal from Naruto they stood outside of the hospital room. Inside was Naruto resting after the ordeal. The doctors had checked him over; they say he'll be up in the morning. He doesn't need this.
He had allowed his surrogate grand-child the secret. Hiruzen was always aware of Naruto's comfort spot. It had kept him sustained so he saw no reason he couldn't have it. It was out of the way so Naruto had all the peace he could want or need. Until now it was a good thing he made regular check-ups on him.
"Of all the irresponsible and stupid…" heranted. The four kunoichi stared at their village leader. They felt an immeasurable amount of shame from their action. "Do any of you have anything to say?" he asked
They each flinched at his cold tone. They were used to their kind and soft spoken leader's warm tone. Not this cold tone that could cut even steel. "I have never felt this disappointed in you three" he stated "you two especially." He pointed to Anko and Yugao.
"What do you…?" asked Hana but was stopped by his glare.
"Yugao you used to protect him as his personal Anbu guard when he was a child, the only one that would." He whispered the last part. "Why?"
It was true. All of the other Anbu would sit-back and let the civilian and ninja beat on Naruto. On many occasions they would often join in. she was the only one that would save him, both on and off duty.
"I-am sorry Hokage-Sama." Was all she could say
"You will turn in your mask, you are on suspended" he stated "You will return to regular duty as a jounin."
"I understand" she stated
"Anko, you know his pain." it was all he said causing her to reach for her neck.
It was all he needed to say.
Anko wasn't very well liked in the village thanks to her sensei. She was used by him blamed for all of his crimes. She even had a burden that…she never wanted. Now here was one of the few people that accepted her, now utterly ashamed of her. She couldn't feel lower.
"Hokage-Sama we…" they would start but never finished. They were too ashamed.
"Anko I was going push to let become a full jounin, but for now you will remain a special-jounin." He stated. "Hana you will be put on leave from the vet and your mother informed. Kurenai you and your genin team will be receiving the most humiliating D-ranked missions for half pay."
"How long Hokage-Sama?" asked Hana
The Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. He leaned back as disappointment replaced the anger. The years became visible on the powerful leader.
"Until Naruto forgives all four of you" He answered "not a moment sooner."
"Under stood Hokage-Sama" they stated in unison.
"Be in my office first thing in the morning."
With nothing left to say he left via shunshin.
They all walked home to wait for him to regain consciousness. They needed to find a good way to apologize. They planned and worked the remainder of the day away.
The next day Hiruzen made his way toward the hospital only to find Naruto asleep. He waited but not long. When he awoke he only asked
"Am I in heaven or hell?"
"Neither, you're alive" Hiruzen answered. "How do you feel?"
"…Okay"
"Good come with me." He grabbed Naruto shunshined to his office.
When Naruto looked around he found himself surrounded by his attackers. They expected him to shout out, attack or even panic. He did none of these he only looked at them.
"Who ordered you to kill me?" he asked so offhandedly it scared them.
"What?" asked Kurenai
"Don't play dumb was it the Shinobi or the civilian council?" he snapped
"Neither" Anko answered does it happen so often that he can be so casual. I would be out for blood.
"So you all just hate me as well." He simply stated
"NO!" shouted Yugao "none of us have anything against you at all. Right girls?" they all agreed.
"THEN WHY?" He growled "why attack me, why kill my only peace? Why kill them?"
"The foxes?" asked Hana
"Yes" he answered blankly
"They aren't dead" she stated "when I found them they were healed to near full health, I healed them the rest of the way." She added proudly.
"W-why?" he asked in shock "How?"
"We Inuzuka don't hurt canine if we can avoid it." What she had her companions did to the foxes have shamed her so much. Her mother was so angry that she took the triplets from her until the Hokage's punishment was over. She even made Hana go back to help the foxes, that's how she knew they were alive.
"She is telling the truth Naruto" stated their leader "It seems that when your blood fell onto them and has some healing properties, we will have to do some tests later. Please here them out."
"Thank you" he stated "they are very important to me."
When Hana took a discreet look at the Hokage she asked with her eyes did I do good. The glare he gave was all the answer of a Hell no!
"We don't hate you Naruto, not for the…your problem." Stated Kurenai, hoping to avoid mentioning the Kyuubi "That's why we're here to apologize for what we did."
"Fur-ball has brought me a lot of hate do I'm used to it" He stated "I do want to know why though."
"We thought you were a pervert" Stated Anko "We have a history of being violent with perverts."
It's true thought Hiruzen some of those poor souls never made it home; however the ones that did never peeked again. Except Jiraiya, not even Tsunade could stop him.
"That's a relief and I agree whole heartedly with your actions" stated Naruto cheerfully shocking the kunoichi "hey old man can I go now?"
The kunoichi were shocked at the complete emotion change. Even more so that he had forgiven them.
"Are you saying you forgive us?" asked Yugao
"Yep"
Just like that, he forgave us just like that?
He's so different from what the reports say. Thought Kurenai before realization hit He's wearing a mask. She looked toward her friend Anko just like Anko
"Wait I have something for you" reaching into this desk drawer he pulled out a few sheets of paper. "This is the deed to three acres of land so you are now the sole owner of that area" he held up a second sheet "this is a copy just in case. Can you guess the center of those three acres?"
The happiness in Naruto was indescribable. He was being given the land that had been like a home to him and more, so much more. There was only one way he could properly thank his leader.
"Thank you Hokage-Sama" spoke Naruto through a deep bow.
To say that Sarutobi was shocked was an understatement. Naruto, as in Naruto Uzumaki, had been respectful. He quickly recomposed himself before sadly asking "This isn't going to happen often is it."
"No way old man" shouted Naruto "just on special occasions."
It was good to dream, mused the leader but I'll get him to give me proper respect one of these days. The aged leader swore.
"Well I'll see you later"
Opening a window the blond boy jumped out. His shouts of happiness could still be heard from inside.
The leader turned back toward the kunoichi.
"Well?" he asked "Get out there and apologize!" he ordered.
"But he…" she was stopped by his glare
"Not. Good. Enough."His tone ran them right out of the window behind Naruto. "I meant through the door." He whispered to himself.
Reaching into his desk he pulled out his crystal ball. He would make sure that they properly did as he ordered. If it happens to get me out of doing paper work then it's that much better.
Naruto couldn't be happier, even the glares from the villagers couldn't bring him down. He finally had something that was his and couldn't be taken by the villagers.
He saw his team mates come into view, even their sensei was there. I must be late. He decided to hide the deed to his sanctuary, better safe than sorry. He thought as he placed it in his pouch.
"Hello Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-Chan, Teme." He greeted
"Baka you're late" she screeched as she punched Naruto in the head "and don't talk about Sasuke-kun like that."
That is starting to get annoying. He thought.
"Why are you late dobe" asked the Uchiha "Because of you I couldn't get a mission."
"You also missed team practice" Spoke their sensei never looking from his book "It's not good for a Shinobi to be late Naruto."
Now that is the pot calling the kettle black.
"Answer me dobe" ordered the Uchiha.
"If you must know teme…"
"Baka" punch
"…I was in the hospital"
"Well since you missed the mission and training the day is over."
"Hm. Probably tripped and fell on your own kunai." He spoke before walking off missing Naruto's smirk.
"I got into a fight with a few jounin" he retorted much to Sasuke's ire
"There is no way a dead-last like you could fight anyone" he snapped
"Yeah Naruto-baka" screeched the howler monkey "only Sasuke-kun can fight a jounin so stop lying."
"Actually" a calm voice intoned "he worked us over pretty good. Even if we were holding ourselves back"
"Hm." was the Uchiha's reply
"Why are you four here" asked Kakashi putting his book away. He'd read in front of one or even two of them, but not all four.
"We want the boy." Stated Kurenai with a bit of an edge after seeing the book
"More training" spoke the Uchiha stepping forward "Perfect"
"Not you, we want Naruto-kun." Stated Hana
Why are they calling him–Kun?
"Why would you want that baka?" screeched Sakura "Sasuke-Kun is so much better in every way. BUT HE'S MINE!"
"AHH shut her up before I go death" begged Hana. Her enhance hearing were driving her crazy.
"Let's go Naruto-Kun" called Yugao
"I demand to know what you want with that dobe instead of me, an Uchiha, an elite." Ordered an arrogant Uchiha
He froze when he felt a cold steel of a kunai against his neck.
"You think you can give us demands eh?" asked Anko as she cut his cheek and licked his blood before spitting it out. "Oh that is the foulest blood I've ever tasted."
"Hey you get away from my Sasuke-kun" screeched Sakura "and his blood is not foul it's amazing."
"I wonder what yours is like" she spoke freezing Sakura "let's find out." She said taking a threatening step forward.
"W-what?" she looked around to see her sensei wouldn't help and Sasuke frozen. Only the Baka smirking inwardly she put on her most pitiful face "You w-wouldn't let them hurt me, would you Naruto-kun?"
He only stared at her.
Save me already you baka. Tell these hussies to get loss.
"Please leave Sasuke and Sakura alone" Kakashi finally spoke "I need my best students in full health." He said ignoring Naruto's feelings.
"Fine" sighed a mock depressed Anko "but I'll get her blood." She vowed to herself.
Yugao grabbed onto Naruto and the four kunoichi shunshined away. They arrived inside an empty training area.
"Whoa, what was that can you teach me?" he asked
The kunoichi stared at him, even through his mask they could see he wanted to learn. A kid will always be a kid.
"Drop the mask gaki" ordered Anko
"Anko that's-" Yugao started
"I'll drop mine if you drop yours." He stated gaining a shocked glare from Anko. Not many could see through hers but her friends and those with a similar mask
"Naruto-kun, we as in Anko, Yugao, Hana and I feel awful about yesterday." Kurenai motioned to each "so we want to make it up to you, each of us."
"If it's out of pity then save it" he stated coldly "I don't need pity from anyone."
"It's not gaki" stated Anko "we don't do anything out of pity." That earned her a smile, a real smile.
"Were shall we …" Hana was cut off by a deep rumble sound. It seemed to echo from Naruto and cause him to shake.
"W-was tha- WAS THAT YOUR STOMACH?" Anko asked in disbelief.
Naruto had actually blushed from it.
"Well I haven't eaten since yesterday." He answered sheepishly. "How about buying me some food?"
He missed Anko's smirk. Here is a perfect chance for me to pay him off. I'll be a full jounin in no time.
"Well gaki if you're hungry let me introduce you to the greatest food ever made." She said with stars in her eyes.
"But I already know about ramen."
"Ramen, I'm talking about dango" her mouth watered "the food of the gods."
"Ramen is the broth of truth and the noodles of hope."
"You poor misguided soul" she said with a shake of his head. Reaching into her trench coat she pulled out a hissing snake. "Allow me to convert you with pain."
The three remain kunoichi watched in amusement as they went back and forth. They were a bit upset at the fact that Anko took the first chance of forgiveness. But the show mostly made up for it.
They decided to stop things before they escalated to another brawl.
"Anko put the snake away, Naruto no clones." Ordered Yugao
"How about we eat the ramen" offered Kurenai receiving a betrayed glare from Anko "we eat dango so often, we need a change." She then gained a mischievous smile "you did say you were paying."
"To Ichiraku!" shouted Naruto dragging the four kunoichi.
Eighteen bowls of ramen later Anko was crying over her wallet. He's still going! She mentally shouted. Where is he putting it all? It also didn't help that she was paying for her friends as well.
"Yep, another bowl Nee-Chan" He froze when he saw the look in her eyes. "The crazy-snake lady is paying."
"Let me guess, you offered to pay for the whole meal didn't you?" asked Ayame, the ramen cooks daughter.
"Yes" she answered ignoring the snake lady name
Naru-chan, you aren't going to break this nice lady's wallet are you?"
He froze at the accusation. Crap, I've been found out. As the sweat poured down he remained silent. "N-no nothing like that at all."
"That's good to hear." Teuchi spoke in his usual cheerful tone. "It's good to see him with some friends and such beautiful ones at that" He eyed Naruto "I'd hate to ban him for being ungentlemanly."
"It's okay, gaki here earned it" Grinned Anko leaning her impressive bust onto his head.
"Surely Naruto-kun brings team atleast?" asked Hana noticing him tence
"Naruto-Kun huh? When did my #1 customer become a player?" Teuchi asked ignoring the question
"I-it's not like that, they're just treating me as an apology for a… misunderstanding" He answered.
"What happened?" he asked interested?
"We accused him without any evidence and were punished for it." Yugao answered causing the four kunoichi to away ashamed.
"How would you ladies like to know a secret about Naru-Chan's whiskers?" Ayame asked in a mischievous way. This gained the interest of all the kunoichi.
"No nee-Chan" he begged
"Just give them a rub." Spoke Teuchi before walking into the back ignoring Naruto's call of 'traitor'.
"Wait, if you don't do it I'll pay for my own meal." He pleaded
"Not happening gaki, Hana hold him down." Anko ordered sadistically.
"Wait Anko I think you should take him up on that." Reasoned Hana "Just look at how much he ate."
As she looked at the piles of ramen bowls her wallet started to feel very small. He had somehow eaten another nineteen bowls.
"WHEN DID YOU…? HOW DID YOU…?" She looked him in the eyes "why?"
"You shouldn't turn your back on me" he chided "remember I'm 'The Prankster from Hell' for a reason."
"Fine then" she growled "Pay for your own meal." Look like I'll be a special jounin for a little longer.
After an extra two bowls, Naruto paid for himself and the kunoichi.
Kurenai's turn
"Since you are a genin we've decided to take you shopping for proper clothes. A real Shinobi would never be caught dead in that…monstrosity."
They heard him mumble something under his voice.
"Could you please speak up, we can't hear you." Yugao requested.
"It's all the villagers let me buy." He repeated "They either sell me out of date or ruined stuff for over double the price, usually both."
Anko lowered her head in understanding. She went through the same thing when her sensei left the village. No one wanted to do business for the 'snake whore'.
His mask jumped back on "It's not all bad, I actually like orange.
"I know a place that will sell to you it's where I persuaded Anko to go. It's a Shinobi only store so you can get clothes and weapons, but not food or house hold items." Spoke Kurenai
"Where is it? What's it called? Can you show me?" he asked almost desperately.
"Come on." Grabbing his arm she shunshined them away.
They reappeared in front of the shop. It was a wide one story building with several wide windows. A symbol of a Chinese dragon coiling around a leaf sat on the center of the roof. There was one thing that really caught Naruto's attention. One of the windows were boarded and it looked as if had been boarded several times.
"This is the Leaf Dragon." Stated Anko "you can get anything for a Shinobi here or have it custom made. Be it clothes and weapons to fighting styles and low-mid level jutsu."
Walking inside they were greeted by the owner standing behind a counter. He was a tall man with strong looking hands and arms. He seemed to be going grey but gave off the power of a man in his prime. He watched each customer with a calculative eye. There was a long scar running down his cheek."
"A new customer huh?" he asked "Who are you and what can I get you?"
"Cough demon cough brat" one of the customer hinted not too subtly.
Instantly Naruto turned to leave but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. Surprisingly it wasn't from either of the kunoichi. The hand was from the owner.
"Excuse me a second sir." He spoke kindly
"This is going to be good." Giggled Anko
The owner calmly reached over the counter to the one that had broken the Third's law. Grabbing him by the scruff of his neck he hurled the man out the boarded window. Reaching under his counter he easily pulled out a large twin-headed axe.
"Does anyone else want to insult my customer?" he asked menacingly "I have plenty of windows."
Silence, no one was crazy enough to say anything. A few people did leave quietly. They'll be back, they always come back. He ran one of the best Shinobi stores in the village.
"Naruto, this is Daiki, he did the same for me the first day." Spoke Anko "perfect shot"
"Doesn't look like it" spoke Hana "you missed the center."
"Wasn't aiming for the center, there was a rusty nail sticking out." He grinned
"Like I said," gloated Anko "perfect shot."
"Now what can I get you?" he asked Naruto
Naruto was in a state of shock. Not only was this man allowing him to shop here, he had protected him.
"We want to get rid of this" she motioned to his jumpsuit "and make him look like a proper Shinobi."
"But leave some orange, he seems to like it."
"Alright kid" he spoke "strip and spread" he ordered in a serious but slightly dark and sadistic tone.
"WHAT?" cried Naruto, ready to jump out the newly opened window
"Wait Naruto" shouted Yugao over Daiki and Anko's laughter
"I need to take proper measurements" he said after calming down from his laughing fit. "Your jumpsuit is too bulky."
"That's just how he pranks new customers" spoke Kurenai before sending him a glare "and speaks to his long time customers."
"You think you would have learned after all of the people you've run off or the kunoichi who've attacked you." Chastised Hana
"This means war." Spoke Naruto low and sinisterly. He was the king of all pranksters in Konoha. He would not be a prank victim without retribution. "No one pranks 'The Prankster from Hell' and gets away with it."
Now Daiki paled. He had heard how Naruto pranked people for revenge. They would always be remembered for their high degree of humiliation. No one shakes a bee's nest without getting stung he thought.
"Wait, I'm sure we can reach an agreement." Daiki spoke sweating heavily.
"I'm listening."
"I have an elite set of training weights in the back" He hurried "they only need chakra so you won't have to take them off during battle." He explained "They're yours…for half off." I need to eat too.
Naruto's mouth was watering at the prospect of those training weights. He could train at all times while doing the simplest of tasks. I'll get stronger in no time believe it.
"Deal" he spoke with his best poker face
As Naruto had his measurements taken a thought occurred to him. It had been bugging him since they had picked him up from his team. They had given him an answer, but now he wanted the whole truth.
Once the measurements were finished Daiki went to the back. He chose that moment to ask.
"Why are you all doing this for me?" he asked "I told you that I forgave each of you in the old man's office, so I want the real reason."
"We told you, its-"
"You're lying" he stated "I know when I'm being lied to."
"We…felt sorry for you" Anko answered before mentally kicking herself. It was half true but if he is anything like me he'll…
Not even getting a chance to finish her thought he start speaking
"Pity, you did this all out of PITY." He was already walking put the door before he was pulled back.
"Naruto I think you should know the whole truth" stated Yugao.
They told him everything. How the Third Hokage ordered an apology. How he demoted them until was fulfilled. Everything.
"I see" he stated calmly "I'll tell him I forgive you and you can go back to your lives. You won't have to bother with me again" he whispered the last part sadly.
"No." stated Anko
"What?" he asked confused isn't this what they want?
"I said no" she repeated "I am going to apologize properly, tell me what you want."
"You don't need to." He stated
"I SAID TELL ME" she hissed "do you want money, Jutsus, do you want someone dead" she thought "do you want me to sleep with you?"
"No, no, maybe and no." he stated "I don't want you to do something out of…" he was stopped by a hard slap across the face.
Daiki who had returned thought that WILL leave a mark. He had no idea what was happening, he just knew it would be best to stay out of sight.
"You asked me to drop my mask right well here" she stated "Look at me."
He did, he looked her in the eyes. He saw everything, her pain and regret. There was the fear that it would never end. It was all being held on a small line of hope.
"Your eyes are just like mine" he stated
"Yeah" she admitted "just not as intense as yours."
"Not far behind."
"Naruto, I ask you again, what do you want?"
He knew what he wanted. It something he had been denied since the academy.
"Do you all feel this way?" he asked receiving a 'yes' from them "train me in your arts, so that I can be powerful."
"That's all gaki?" she asked "we can get plenty of jutsu scrolls for you."
"No, I want you all to train me, not buy me off. Can you do that?" he asked "Do this for me and we're even, if not I'll still tell the old man I forgive you."
"There aren't many ninjutsu or Taijutsu we can teach you." Spoke Yugao
"I know" he said "I want to be trained by you in your, all of your, arts."
The kunoichi looked at each other. There was someone who wanted to learn their skills from them. He was even offering them a way out if they decided not to.
"What about your sensei?" asked Yugao "He must have taught you something?"
"My sensei hasn't taught me anything. All he does is go on and on about teamwork and needing better chakra control, which he hasn't taught me, then focuses on the Uchiha."
They frowned at the obvious favoritism. He hadn't even seemed to care that they were taking Naruto. They shared a smile; he had shown great potential in there scuffle.
"We've warned you that we couldn't teach you a lot of flashy jutsu." Hana warned "If we do this you have to give us full commitment. The minute you start slacking we stop and are even."
"Deal" he answered "But I have one request."
"Depends"
"We keep this secret from everyone on my team."
"Deal"
They gave Naruto an encouraging smile. It was quickly replaced by a look of true sadistic pleasure.
"Well then Naruto, welcome to hell."
SHOULD KYUUBI BE MALE OR FEMALE, I CAN WORK EITHER WAY THAT I'M SURE YOU'D ALL LIKE. I NEED YOUR VOTES BEFORE NEXT CHAPTER.
SHOULD NARUTO HAVE 1 OR 2 SWORDS?
HOW SHOULD I BASH SAKURA, SASUKE AND KAKASHI? I WANT THEM TO FEEL THE PAIN.
VOTE IN YOUR REVIEWS OR PM ME MY FOLLOWERS.