Disclaimer:
I do not own Naruto or Star Wars.
Chapter 6: Lost and Found
It started out as a quiet day, for the villagers of the Hidden Leaf. Like all the years before, the villagers would try to slip back into their everyday routines after the wild drinking and partying of the Kyuubi festival. Many could be seen taking down decorations, cleaning up leftovers, dealing with massive hangovers, and getting on with their businesses and trades. Yes, it would appear that the village has returned to normal.
However, there were some villagers that were rather tense with the events that happened towards the end of the festival. The events in particular being the Fourth Hokage monument's face cracking and their Lady Hokage rounding up villagers for information on those responsible for the burning of the Uzumaki boy's home. Needless to say, it was a long night for them this year.
On a positive note it was revealed, by the Anbu, that there was no evidence that the Hokage monument incident was an attack by an enemy village or saboteurs. It appeared to be that the cracks formed naturally which was odd to some because they didn't recall feeling any earthquakes last night. While it did bring relief to most, there were still some that suspected there was more than what the Anbu were telling them. Nevertheless, both events did little to deter the villagers from getting on with their normal quiet peaceful lives.
However, that normalcy was interrupted by an unearthly roar and the sound of glass shattering from the center of the village!
Many villagers stopped what they were doing and looked towards the Hokage tower wondering what was going on. The tower was being basked in a very strange yet familiar red light. The children looked in awe at it and thought it was more fireworks and started feverishly clapping their hands in joy. The adults however recognized the light all too well and looked on in fear. Because that red light was similar to the color of the chakra that basked the great demonic beast that attacked them 12 years ago.
Suddenly screams of terror could be heard filling the air. Along with the sounds of buildings being smashed to pieces! They were all coming from near the Hokage tower!
A group of villagers in a nearby market square panicked as the sounds of the screams and smashing were getting closer to them! Some scrambled to get away while others grabbed hold of their children to find a safe place from whatever was approaching them! There were those that even tried to save their merchandise by stuffing them in their pockets or tried to push their heavy carts away!
One unfortunate man's cart was shattered to pieces by a black and orange object that barreled through it like it was nothing! The object was glowing red and suddenly shot into the air like a rocket before landing in the middle of the market square on all fours! The villagers' stopped their pandemonium for a moment when they realized that it wasn't some crazy black and orange rocket but Naruto Uzumaki!
The villagers gapped in fear of what they were witnessing. The young Uzumaki boy was hunched down on all fours with claws sticking out of his fingertips and fangs poking out of his mouth. His hair looked ruffled and wild while his whisker marks looked darker and more refined.
As fearsome as all of that was it wasn't what really had them terrified. No, what was really frightening to them were his eyes and the red chakra that was enveloping his body! They were exactly the same as the Kyuubi's all those years ago. Except Naruto's eyes were a bit different. While the Kyuubi's eyes were full of blood red murder, the young genin's eyes were yellow and red like fire!
Many of the villagers there succumbed to panicking again. Thinking the Kyuubi was breaking free and that they were all doomed! Others reacted by gripping their brooms, pots, cooking knives, and whatever else they had lying around thinking the time has come to put end to the demonic brat's life before he could strike first!
Naruto looked at the villagers that surrounded him. Feeling their gazes and thoughts of fear and hatred pierce through him like senbon needles. He shut his eyes and scrunched his face as he could sense everything from them!
'MY GOD, THE KYUUBI'S LOOSE! HE'LL KILL US ALL!'
'SOMEBODY'S GOTTA DO SOMETHING! SOMEBODY'S GOTTA KILL IT!'
'I'M NOT GONNA LET THAT MONSTER BRAT TAKE AWAY EVERTHING I HAVE!'
Naruto started to dig his claws into the ground.
'Stop it…'
'WE HAVE TO GET OUR CHILDREN AWAY BEFORE HE RIPS THEM APART!'
'I'LL FINALLY AVENGE THE DEATHS OF MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER!'
'THAT LITTLE BASTARD NEEDS TO BE PUT DOWN NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!'
Naruto grabbed hold of his ears trying to shut the thoughts out, but they just kept coursing into him like poison.
'Stop it!'
'AFTER I KILL HIM, I'LL BE THE VILLAGE'S NEW HERO WHO FINALLY PUT AN END TO THAT KYUUBI BRAT!'
'I'M NOT GOING TO LET THAT DEMON BOY HURT MY CHILD!'
'WHERE'S THE ANBU?! WHERE'S THE HOKAGE?! THEY SHOULD BE PROTECTING US FROM THAT DEMON!'
After what felt like an eternity of taking in their thoughts of fear and hatred, Naruto finally snapped.
"STOP IT!"
The jinchuriki raised his arms over his head and balled them into fists before a large and powerful shockwave exploded out from him!
Many carts and stands nearby were destroyed while the villagers were catapulted away! Some smashed into whatever carts or stands that still stood while others flew through and shattered windows! Most though just collided into walls or each other!
After the dust, from Naruto's attack, settled moans of pain filled the air as some of the villagers tried to pick themselves up from the rubble. The children, all of whom weren't affected by the attack, began to scramble to get to their parents to make sure they were alright!
One little boy unluckily tripped and fell right next to Naruto when trying to get across the square to reach his mother. The boy looked up as the genin stared down at him with his blazing eyes. The boy began to whimper in fear until he noticed that tears were coming out of the older boy's scary eyes.
"ARGH!"
Naruto roared at the boy, who responded by scrambling to his feet and making a break for it to find his mother!
Naruto growled and was about to leave until he felt something coming towards him fast! He leapt out of the way as ninja wire shot out of nowhere, closing around the empty space that he previously occupied! After landing a good distance away on all fours, he glared at his attacker which was a teenage girl that looked like she was a chuunin. The girl snapped her arm back, which pulled back the wire, before pulling out some senbon needles!
Suddenly two more Leaf shinobi appeared by her side. Both of whom were boys with one holding kunai knives and the other sporting a kusarigama that he was spinning around! The three were obviously a team that must've been assigned to patrol around the market area.
"You're going to pay for that, you little demon bastard!"
The girl tossed out her senbon needles while her comrade with the kusarigama threw the end of the chain with the blade out!
As their weapons were about to hit the little genin's body they suddenly stopped with one of the girl's senbon needles an inch from the Uzumaki boy's face!
The chuunin squad's eyes widened at the spectacle of their weapons floating in midair! Naruto lifted up his open palm and in response the weapons began to float higher! Naruto flexed his fingers and the weapons slowly turned around and were pointing right at their owners! Naruto shoved his hand out and the weapons were sent shooting back at the chuunin squad!
Recovering from the shock of the young genin's amazing ability, the squad leapt out of the way of their rebounded weapons! The girl however caught a few of her senbons in her leg and screamed in pain! The boy with the kunais grew enraged with his comrade getting injured and charged towards Naruto!
"BASTARD!"
He leapt into the air preparing to stab both of his knives into Naruto's skull! Before his attack could land, Naruto grabbed both of the chuunin boy's wrists tightly! Digging his claws into the older boy's flesh causing him to scream in agony!
"Leave me alone."
BAM!
The boy's loud wailing was cut off by Naruto headbutting him in the face; hard! Completely knocking him out! Naruto then picked the boy up with both arms and threw him into the girl like he was tossing a sack of flour!
Suddenly the boy with the kusarigama appeared behind Naruto and attempted to wrap the chain of his weapon around the rampaging jinchuriki!
That is until Naruto spun around and cut the chain with a glowing blue blade that emerged from out of the end of a strange metal device in his hand!
The older boy's eyes widened as pieces of his weapon fell to the ground. The pieces glowing and sizzling from the heat of the weapon. Taking the opportunity of his opponent being distracted, Naruto dashed forward and slashed the boys left arm! Leaving a burning cut on his bicep. The chuunin yelled in pain and clutched his arm before Naruto made another cut to his leg!
Losing his balance, the chuunin fell to the ground! Naruto wasn't done with him yet though, for after he deactivated his weapon he grabbed the collar of the boy's chuunin vest and proceeded to savagely punch his face! Roaring with fury with each blow he dealt to the rapidly deforming boy's face!
"ARRRRRGH! ARRRRRGH! ARRRRRGH! ARRRRRGH! ARRRRRGH! ARRRRRGH!"
After a few more punches, the chuunins face was a bloody massacre with his nose caved in, a black eye and cheeks that were red, purple and swollen. Naruto growled and threw him to his comrades. Practically tossing him right on top of them.
Naruto was about to have more company though as he could sense more shinobi approaching! And his senses were right as Kotetsu and Izumo landed down from the rooftops! Their eyes wide in shock at the massacred scene before them!
"NARUTO, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! STOP THIS RIGHT NOW!"
Naruto growled viciously at the new assailants that have come to challenge him. Flashing his ember eyes at them while curling his clawed fingers. The Kyuubi chakra flaring wildly around him!
"Leave. Me. Alone…..."
The veteran chuunins got into their battle stances.
"Fine, have it your way then!"
Izumo started to flash through hand signs before releasing his jutsu.
"Water Style, Starch Syrup Capturing Field Jutsu!"
A stream of water shot out of his arm and covered the ground around Naruto's feet! The boy growled again and tried to attack but found he couldn't move! Naruto looked down at his feet and saw that he was stuck to the water! It was almost like it was some kind of glue!
"That's high viscosity water. You won't be able to move for a while, so long as the jutsu holds or if I release it. By the time that happens though you'll already be knocked out and taken to the Hokage to answer for the damage you've caused!"
Naruto roared at the chuunin for pulling such an underhanded technique on him! The Kyuubi's chakra started to flare even more wildly causing the water around the boy to bubble up with steam sizzling out of it! The steam began to get thicker and thicker as the water really began to boil up. Izumo's eyes widened as he realized what was happening!
"Damn, if he keeps that up the water will completely evaporate into steam and disappear! Kotetsu!"
His partner grabbed hold of his Conch Shell Mace from his back.
"Right!"
Kotetsu charged forward and was instantly behind the berserk jinchuriki! Raising his mace preparing to knock out the boy! He was about to bring it down until suddenly he couldn't breathe! He dropped the giant conch shell weapon and grabbed his throat! Trying desperately to get some air!
Izumo saw the strange predicament his partner was in and tried to assist him until he collapsed to the ground and started choking too!
Both were being strangled by Naruto! Using the Force, he lifted both chuunins off the ground and held them at equal heights in the air before he brought his arms together and rammed both of them into each other! He wasn't done yet, as the genin lifted them up even higher into the air! After they were at least 20 feet high up he brought his arms down and with them the chuunins into the ground!
The sounds of earth and bone could be heard breaking as the two chuunins slammed hard into the earth! Causing craters with spider web like cracks forming around the center! After the dust finally settled the two chuunins were both lying in the crater! Both completely knocked out from the impact!
After a few seconds, enough of the water evaporated where Naruto could move again, but it wasn't over yet, as the raging jinchuriki could sense more shinobi on their way! Moments later he proved to be right when in the blink of an eye 10 Anbu body flickered into the square around Naruto! Their squad leader standing in front of the boy while the rest were preparing to unsheathe their tantos or other weaponry in order to take down the genin if necessary.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you are to be taken into custody immediately where the Hokage will decide your punishment. Come quietly, if you know what's good for you."
Naruto could feel the Anbus' thoughts. Many of them had complete control of their fear and anger but there were some that were not quite so skilled in that department. He could feel how these individuals shifted slightly in their stances or flexed their fingers a little while gripping their weapons. If those same individuals were to attack him now there would be no hesitation or mercy on their part.
"If you try to resist, know that we are prepared to take you down and restrain you if necessary. Either way you're coming with us whether you want to or not."
Naruto growled in response. He's had enough of this! Between the villagers and the shinobi that keep showing up to fight him, why couldn't any of these people understand that there was only one thing he wanted right now?
"I said…"
The red chakra of the Kyuubi started to act strangely. Its color began to turn darker red and it wasn't as wild as before. It looked more concentrated and focused. Almost like the flame of a candle. The Anbu all started to get a bad feeling as they waited for their squad commander to give the word to take the boy out.
Unfortunately, he would not get the chance.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Naruto spread his arms out and extended his fingers and without any warning the Anbu around him were blasted by blue lightning bolts that were shooting out of Naruto's hands and fingertips!
The Anbu all screamed from this torturous attack! Many of these veteran shinobi have felt the effects of lightning style jutsus before but none of those attacks have ever come even close to giving this kind of pain to them! It felt as if the attack wasn't just searing their skins but was also reaching down to their bones! Hell, it felt as if their very souls were being burned by this unnatural lightning attack!
Naruto didn't know how he managed to perform such a technique, but for some reason it felt instinctive to him. The jinchuriki roared out both in rage and pain while unleashing his new attack! The genin's fingers tips started to burn from the torrents of electricity that were shooting out of them! However, the pain meant nothing for he wanted to make sure these men would all stay down for good and leave him be!
He was in no mood for them; any of the villagers; the other shinobi or even dealing with that hag Tsunade and those other liars!
There was only one person the boy wanted to see more than anything, but he is gone forever.
Naruto began to scream even louder! The pain and loss he was feeling fueled his rage to the point where all the buildings in the vicinity began to crumble or topple over from his overwhelming power! Windows shattered instantly and the villagers, who were still around, began to run away in terror!
After a few seconds, Naruto began to cease his lightning barrage and letting the Force run rampant. Most of the Anbu lost consciousness while others were struggling to get back on their feet but were in too much pain to do so. There were no villagers or children around in the market square anymore, as they no doubt have fled the area by now, but not without most of the adults sustaining injuries from Naruto's previous attack.
Naruto looked at the damage and destruction he caused. There was a part of him deep down that was shocked and horrified that he committed such an act of terrorism against his own village. However, he was too preoccupied with dealing with the loss of the man he regarded as his most precious person to even care about his conscious and guilt right now.
Naruto roared again before hunching back on all fours and sprinted through the rest of the village! Smashing through carts; stands; stores even homes! He didn't care! He just wanted to get away from everyone! He just wanted to be left alone!
Unknown to him though he was being watched from the shadows by a cloaked individual who was cracking a sinister smile.
"Very good, Naruto. Unleash all of your hatred upon them and then your journey towards becoming my former apprentice's vessel and the Darkside will be complete!"
Elsewhere in the village
No matter what she tried, Sakura Haruno just couldn't stop worrying. Even though the Anbu last night reported that Naruto was not in his apartment, when it burned down, Sakura couldn't sleep a wink. No one has seen or heard from him all night, so until she found him safe and sound her mind refused to be at ease. That's where we currently find the Cherry Blossom kunoichi, as well as the two other kunoichi Ino and Hinata.
All of them were searching for Naruto together.
Sakura and Hinata spent most of the night searching for the boy. Ino spent only half the night before heading home to get some shut eye, but when she woke up and found out Naruto was still missing, she put even more effort into helping to find the little knucklehead.
Hinata sent her Hyuga body guards back to the Hyuga compound. She managed to convince them that she would be alright in Sakura's company while they searched for Naruto. She knew her father would not be happy with her, for sending them back, but she would deal with that later.
Each of them felt horrible for what happened to Naruto; especially Sakura. Between finding out what happened to him at the Kyuubi festival 4 years ago, that the terrible event happened on his birthday and his apartment burning down, she just wasn't sure how much more suffering her poor teammate could take from this festival anymore. It's almost as if the date was a curse for him.
But what if what she learned last night was only the beginning? What if Naruto hid other horrible things from her about himself and his life? Things that he's been keeping secret because they were too painful to be told to her or anyone else?
As more of these questions popped into her head, Sakura would just become more worried and determined to find him. She had a birthday present to give to him after all. They all did.
It was Hinata who suggested that they take his presents with them so that if they find him, they could try to cheer him up with them. Ino didn't think it would work after everything that's happened to the blonde boy, but Sakura said anything was worth a shot as long as it would help Naruto get through this terrible ordeal. Even if just a little.
They've been searching since six in the morning or at least all three of them have when Ino rejoined them. Yet, there was still no sign of the former hyperactive shinobi. They've checked just about everywhere in the village twice and still found nothing. More and more they were becoming frightened as to what could have happened to Naruto.
"Man, I never thought in a million years it would take this much work to give Naruto a birthday present!"
Ino of course was trying to lighten the mood a little, but it didn't really have any effect. She thought of trying to say something else to cheer everyone up, but at this point she figured it was best to just put her energy into keeping an eye out. Besides even she didn't feel her spirit uplifted from her light humorous comment.
"Um, I-I could t-t-try using m-my Byakugan if that w-would h-h-help."
Sakura and Ino turned to Hinata.
"That would definitely make things easier, but you still haven't regained enough strength yet; Hinata. You may be well enough to walk, but it's not a good idea to push yourself and use up chakra like that when you're still recovering."
Sakura was right of course. Hinata hasn't been able to recondition herself and her eyes yet, due to her injuries. If Hinata were to try to use her Byakugan now, she would likely only get half a minute or less with it before she would become too exhausted. Even if it was a Kekkei Genkai, her body still hasn't recuperated enough to use it effectively again.
Hinata felt saddened for feeling so useless. It was evidenced all over her face. Sakura and Ino noticed and didn't want the Hyuga heiress to feel discouraged.
"Well, if we don't find Naruto within the hour, you can try to use it as long as you don't push yourself too hard, okay?"
"Yeah, it's going to take all of us to find him and it would be kind of hard to do that if you get tired from using your eyes too long."
Hinata looked up and nodded at Sakura and Ino. Smiling at them for helping her feel like she wasn't being useless. One way or another they would find Naruto.
"Maybe he's at Ichiraku's. You guys want to check there again?"
Sakura and Hinata nodded and the three kunoichi started heading back to check the ramen stand again.
"If he's not already there then bringing him ramen might also be a good idea. What do you guys think?"
Ino and Hinata thought about it. Sakura had a point since the boy did love the stuff. They couldn't get him a cake because all the bakeries refused to sell them any if they were for him, but ramen might be the next best thing to help him feel better!
"I-I agree. We sh-should g-g-get him l-lots of ramen. I j-just hope w-w-w-we find h-him in t-time; before it gets too c-c-cold."
Ino looked at Hinata and smiled.
"I wouldn't worry too much about it. Knowing Naruto, he'll likely just eat it anyway. Right Sakura?"
"Sasuke?"
Ino and Hinata looked at Sakura in confusion until they followed her line of sight to find Sasuke Uchiha standing in their path!
"Sasuke! You're out of the hospital! Are you feel-"
"Where's Naruto?"
Sasuke cut off Sakura's inquiry with his own as he eyed the three kunoichi and the gifts in their arms. The three girls were a little surprised by Sasuke's abruptness and looked at each other. Ino spoke first to finish Sakura's previous question.
"Sasuke, are you alright? You seem a bit…agitated."
Sasuke shot a cold steel look at Ino which shut her up before he answered her.
"I'm fine, now where is Naruto?"
The three kunoichi began to feel uneasy. Something felt off with Sasuke. For one thing his eyes had bags under them. He looked like he hasn't had any sleep last night. They also looked very angry and desperate. Like he was eager for a fight or something.
Sakura, out of the three was the most nervous and afraid. Sasuke felt so cold and dark. Like a shadow was constricting around him as if it were a snake. Whatever it was Sakura didn't like it and it made her feel too hesitant to answer his question.
It was the case with all of them which started to make the Uchiha feel impatient and more annoyed.
"I SAID, WHERE IS NARUTO!"
Sasuke then smacked Ino's present out of her hands! The girls were startled and scared by the Uchiha's action. Sasuke began to glare at Ino making her too frightened to respond. Luckily Hinata answered for her.
"W-we d-d-don't k-know w-w-where h-h-h-he is!"
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the Hyuga girl before grunting in agitation.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar screeched through the air! It sounded like it was coming from somewhere near the center of the village! It was so loud that everyone there was struggling not to fall to their knees! Whatever it was it sounded inhumane and extremely vicious! The buildings around them shook and several windows shattered causing some of them to shield themselves from the falling glass shards!
After a few seconds, the roaring finally stopped. The three kunoichis wouldn't stop shaking from the sheer volume of that beastly cry. A few moments passed before most of them were able to get a hold of themselves.
"W-What was that?"
Ino asked a good question. Hinata and Sasuke were also wondering what on earth could make such a roar like that. It felt like it was a force of nature.
The sound of something hitting the ground caught everyone's attention. They all saw that Sakura had dropped her present from how hard she was shaking. She had a look of pure dread on her face.
Seeing the horrible state of her friend, Ino rushed over to her! Grabbing Sakura by the shoulders to try to steady her so that she would stop trembling! What she didn't understand was that Sakura wasn't shaking from the roar. She was shaking because her body felt so deathly cold.
All the other times she felt this cold presence before were nothing compared to now. It felt like she was trapped in a large snow storm. Only this storm wasn't pure white like a normal snow storm would be. It was complete darkness.
A darkness full of rage and pain.
Sakura eventually snapped out of her shock to see Ino gripping her shoulders with a worried look on her face.
"Sakura, are you alright?!"
Sakura shook her head fast. She was not alright at all. Far from it.
"Something is wrong Ino. Something has…. something has happened. Something terrible has happened!"
Ino was about to ask what she was talking about until something exploded out of the building down the block! The sound of the building coming down was muffled by the roaring of whatever it was that burst out of it! Everyone's eyes widened when they saw who it was!
The boy leapt out with his arms stretched forward with claws on his fingers. His whisker marks along with his spiky blonde hair were rough and wild looking. His teeth were fangs. His eyes were like the flaming coals and embers of a fire! His entire body covered with what appeared to be dark red flaming chakra!
Despite all that though there was no mistaken that this beast like person was Naruto!
Naruto landed on all fours in the middle of the street! His eyes darting back and forth like a wild animal! The strange flame like chakra dancing around him as if his body were on fire!
Sakura's pupils dilated and she felt as if her very breathe was stolen away when she saw him in the state he was. She was so shocked she didn't event realize that she dropped his present. He looked so vicious and bloodthirsty. It was as if he was a raging beast! Sakura clutched hold of her heart. It was in pain again. That and the cold from before felt stronger now! Almost as if it were coming straight from Naruto!
It was then Sakura realized that it was coming from her teammate! All along, this whole time, this unnatural cold feeling was coming from Naruto! Why didn't she realize this sooner?! It made perfect sense since she only begun to feel this sensation after the Forest of Death which was when Naruto went berserk the first time!
Except now it was different. The storm of rage he had then was nothing compared to the fury she saw and felt from him now. It was almost elemental like. But it wasn't all she felt from him. At the core of the broiling shadow, that she sensed within him, there was something else. Something that she felt with his anger in the forest too and like it this too felt multiplied a thousand-fold!
It was suffering and pain.
Without warning Naruto suddenly sprinted and smashed through the building in front of him! Roaring out his lungs as he did! The building collapsed within seconds like it was nothing more than a pile of sticks!
"NARUTO, WAIT!"
Sakura tried calling out to him, but he was already gone. She prepared to chase after him until Sasuke shoved her out of the way and ran for Naruto himself! Crushing her present into pieces as he sprinted after their teammate!
Sakura looked in shock at what Sasuke did to the present she bought for Naruto. She knelt down and picked up the pieces in her hands. She spent a long-time last night picking it out, but now his birthday present was ruined.
Sakura stood up letting the pieces drop. It didn't matter now. What mattered now was finding her teammate and helping him with whatever was torturing him inside. Now to mention that the look Sasuke had on his face suggested that he has no intention of helping Naruto.
Sakura suddenly realized that Sasuke must be going after Naruto to fight him! It was the only explanation as to why he was so eager to find him and why he looked so amped up for a battle! If those two were to fight the way they are now, they could end up killing each other!
Sakura then took off after them! Determined to put a stop to this before things really got out of hand! As she did, she called out to Ino and Hinata!
"YOU GUYS, GO GET LADY TSUNADE AND KAKASHI SENSEI! I'M GOING AFTER SASUKE AND NARUTO!"
Ino didn't think it was such a good idea. Naruto and Sasuke both looked beyond normal and calm. Sakura might be putting herself in danger by going after them. However, if anyone could dissolve this situation, it had to be the Hokage and Team 7's sensei!
"BE CAREFUL, SAKURA! DON'T DO ANYTHING STUPID UNTIL I GET THEM HERE OKAY!"
Sakura nodded as she sprinted after he teammates! She didn't really care what would happen to her at this point. She was going to find Naruto. She was going to help him no matter what!
'I'll find you, Naruto! No matter what it takes! I'll find you!'
Elsewhere in the village
Naruto has smashed through building after building. Some he's even leapt right over with little effort! There were still those that were foolish enough to try get in his way such as those other chuunin squads, some jounin, and even a couple more Anbu. It didn't matter though since this all the boy cared about was to get away from everyone.
Naruto suddenly stopped as he could no longer sense anyone nearby. He looked at his surroundings and realized where he was. He somehow brought himself to the last place in the village where he wanted to be.
The Leaf Academy.
'Of all the places I had to run to, why did it have to be here? Why here?'
The Kyuubi's enhanced chakra began to shrink down until it was nothing but a thin outline around Naruto's body.
There were no classes today since the day after the Kyuubi festival was a given day off to allow the students time to rest after partying with their family and friends. Still, that brought Naruto little comfort as he stared at the building where he spent most of his childhood trying so hard to become a ninja.
The place where he met him.
Naruto slowly walked through the gates of the academy. He reached the main entrance which was no doubt locked, but with a wave of his hand the handle clicked. Moments later the door opened for him. As soon as he stepped through, it slowly closed and locked itself.
The boy walked slowly through the hallways of the academy with the only light coming from the windows. Memories of his time here flooding his mind. Painful memories of the rejection of most of his classmates. There were some good ones. Happy ones where he pulled a few pranks or cut classes with Shikamaru, Kiba, and Choji. Most of them though were with him. His teacher
Naruto eventually found himself standing in front of his old classroom's door. Waving his hand, he unlocked and opened it. He stepped inside the classroom. The place where his teacher constantly lectured, scolded, and helped Naruto throughout his time at the academy.
The boy in mourning walked over to his teacher's desk. Placing his hand on it. Suddenly Naruto could feel as if he was literally reliving all of his past experiences in this room! Seeing and feeling his teacher's presence over and over only to be reminded that he was no longer here and never will be!
It overwhelmed his mind to the point where he snapped his hand back and bolted out of the room! He ran through the hallways right to the main door! This time though he didn't bother using the Force to open it! Opening his hand, he concentrated and somehow produced a purple Rasengan without the assistance of a clone!
"RAAAAGH!"
Naruto shoved the dark spiraling sphere of chakra into the door and shattered it to pieces! Releasing him from the memories of this accursed place! However, as he stood outside panting and trying to catch his breath from the terror of his memories, he looked up and saw it.
Naruto stood with bewildered eyes at the small wooden plank swing set held by the tree that grew in front of the academy. His swing set where the teacher would always find him after classes ended and everyone else went home with their parents and families. Sad and alone with no one to come for him and take him home. The place where his most precious person would always offer to take Naruto out for ramen to try to cheer him up or just to hang out with the boy.
Tears begun to stream down Naruto's face as he walked painfully to the swing. Sitting down on it as he held his hands onto the rope while leaning his head against it. Crying hard as he remembered his teacher. His brother and father figure.
'Why Iruka sensei? Why did you have to leave me here, alone? Why? You promised that you would come back. Why did it have to be you?'
Flashback few weeks ago
Naruto sat at Ichiraku ramen with his friend Iruka Umino. The genin boy just returned from his mission to bring back Tsunade and had just finished telling Iruka everything that happened. How he mastered the Rasengan, saved Tsunade and even how he fought and bested Orochimaru.
The fact that Iruka had ramen noodles barely hanging out of his gaping mouth would say that he was surprised and shocked that his former pupil managed to accomplish so much on that short mission.
"Naruto that's unbelievable! But are you sure you're not over exaggerating just a bit though?"
Iruka cocked his eye at the kid he's come to view as a little brother. While he never believed Naruto would ever completely lie about such things, he did think that the Uzumaki boy wouldn't hesitate to add some embellishment to his tales. Though they were never this grand before now.
Naruto did a little pout at Iruka. He left out the details concerning him and the Force in the story since he promised Pervy Sage. Still it hurt a little that Iruka thought he was over exaggerating.
"But it's true! Pervy Sage and Granny were there and saw everything! Ask them!"
Iruka got a tick mark on his head which of course meant he was about to go into full lecture mode.
"Naruto, you shouldn't refer to two of the Sannin with those nicknames! Those two are living legends and great shinobi of this village! Treat them with respect!"
Naruto puffed his face before he answered back.
"But Pervy Sage is a pervert! I can't tell you how many times I saw him peeking on women at the baths! I had to use my Sexy Jutsu just to get him away long enough so that he could train me!"
Iruka started to choke on his ramen before another tick marked appeared on his head and his eyes became white saucers.
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STOP USING THAT TECHNIQUE!"
Naruto wasn't about to back down of course. He and Iruka have always had yelling matches like this. Naruto never kept score on whose won most of them though.
"IT'S NOT MY FAULT THE OLD GUY IS A PERVERT!"
Naruto's own eyes were wide white saucers as well and he and Iruka started having a stare down. At least until Naruto's next ramen bowl arrived. After that the boy lost focus and dug into it.
Iruka groaned and went back to eating his own bowl. Sometimes he didn't know what he was going to do with the Uzumaki boy. Not that he was no longer his student to handle anyway.
"And I only call Tsunade 'Granny' because of her age! She's an old lady who's just using a genjutsu to give herself a facelift!"
Iruka still had a stern look on his face.
"Even so that's no excuse to refer to her like that. You need to learn to respect your elders."
Naruto's face suddenly became saddened and he slumped a little on his stool.
"That's what you used to lecture me about with Old Man Third."
Iruka saw the depressed look of the boy and realized he opened a still fresh wound on the boy. He reached out and placed his hand on Naruto's back to comfort him. Knowing how he felt since the Third Hokage was a great personal lost for him as well.
"You miss him, don't you?"
Naruto nodded.
"He was supposed to watch me become Hokage, when I was ready."
Iruka fully understood. The Third Hokage was one of the many people that for a long time Naruto wanted to prove to that he could become Hokage. Now it's something the boy will never get to have because the old man gave his life for the village.
"I should've finished off Orochimaru when I had the chance! Now, that bastard is still out there tooting his own horn about killing off the old man, I bet!"
Iruka saw how the boy's expression turned to one of anger and pain and realized that perhaps Naruto wasn't exaggerating at all. The boy must've really come close to ending Orochimaru, for expressing that much regret of letting him get away. Iruka tried to think of something to cheer him up. Fortunately, it didn't take him long to figure out how to do it since he knows the boy so well.
"Hey, why don't you show me that new technique, Master Jiraiya taught you?"
Naruto looked wide eyed at his former teacher.
"Come on, you were just boasting about how you mastered a technique created by the Fourth Hokage and used it to save Lady Tsunade! Show it to me!"
Naruto smiled before he did a hand sign cross with his fingers.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
A shadow clone poofed next to Naruto, who held his hand out to it, and it began to construct something in his hand with its own hands. Suddenly a tiny blue orb appeared in the original's hand. The blue orb began to grow bigger and bigger until it was the size of a small ball in Naruto's hand! When the clone finished it poofed away leaving a blue swirling sphere of chakra in Naruto's hand!
Iruka's eyes widened with amazement at the feat of his former academy student! To think a boy his age could master an A rank jutsu of the Fourth Hokage! Iruka couldn't help but feel proud of the little knucklehead!
"Naruto that's…that's absolutely amazing!"
Naruto allowed the rasengan to disappear and he held his hands behind his head and gave Iruka a fox like grin and chuckled.
Naruto's grin vanished though when a group of villagers walked by. Some of them giving glares to the boy who glared right back at them and even growled a little. This of course didn't go unnoticed by Iruka.
"Naruto, you can't let people like them get to you. You're a shinobi. You need to have better control and restraint."
Naruto started to play with his noodles with his chopsticks. All the joy he had of showing Iruka his new jutsu and proving to him that everything he said about his trip being true was mostly gone at this point. While he heard what his former teacher said he still couldn't help but think that what Iruka suggested was something he just wasn't capable of anymore.
"Yeah, but most shinobi don't have to deal with their own villagers hating them because a demon was sealed inside their gut without anyone caring to ask them if they were alright with it in the first place!"
Iruka was about to lecture him further but he realized the kid did have a point. Most shinobi, around Naruto's age that is, do not have deal with this kind of responsibility and backlash for it from their own people. Hell, anyone in his predicament would've found it near impossible to keep their emotions in check for this long.
"Well, you got me there. But even so, how do you expect to be Hokage if you treat the villagers the same way they treat you?"
Naruto sighed and took a sip out of his tea before answering.
"But how can I expect to be Hokage, if no matter what I do for this village the villagers still hate me? Did you know that when I stopped Gaara from destroying the village people have been calling me a liar or said that I should've finished him off rather than show empathy for him because he's a jinchuriki whose suffered through being alone and hated like me?"
Iruka winced inside from that question. One because he did know about it and it really pissed him off that the people wouldn't recognize what Naruto did for them and this village during the invasion. Two because mentioning the villagers' lack of trust in the genin made Iruka feel even more guilty for not taking Naruto seriously for when he described what happened in his mission to bring Tsunade back.
He knows that the boy is having a difficult time, but he can't let that dampen the kid's hopes and dreams. They are what kept him going at the academy and will continue to do so throughout the rest of his shinobi career. Right up to the point where he becomes Hokage.
"Naruto, I know that things right now are difficult, but you can't give up now. You've come so far and done so much since you graduated. I'm really proud of you! That's why I believe that you'll become Hokage one day and win the hearts of everyone in this village!"
Naruto looked at Iruka with wide bewildering eyes. He knows that this isn't the first time Iruka has told him this, but it never ceased to amaze him just how much faith his old academy instructor had in him. More faith than he's heard from anyone with the exception of Old Man Palp.
Naruto, overcome by Iruka's words, embraced him in a hug. Iruka wasn't embarrassed or annoyed by the actions of the boy of course. He just needed some words of encouragement was all. It gave Iruka a warm happy feeling inside that he could still help Naruto out when he's having trouble with something.
Iruka gave Naruto a hug back before he broke it off and got up from his stool.
"Listen, I have to report to the Hokage about a mission to a hidden village in the Land of Bears called the Village Hidden in the Stars. The children in that village need an academy instructor, so I might be gone a long while."
Naruto was depressed that his older brother figure was going to be gone a long time. It was going to feel lonely without having him around. Even if Naruto kept busy with missions and training it would do little to take his mind of Iruka not being here.
"Can't Granny just get someone else to go?"
Iruka ignored Naruto's nickname for the Hokage and explained why it had to be him.
"The Hoshikage of that village actually requested that I'd be the one Lady Tsunade sends. He said that he's taken notice of my work at the academy here and wants me to be the one to educate the future shinobi of that village till they get a full-time instructor. I guess my reputation for my teaching skills are starting to precede me!"
Iruka stood proud at that remark and Naruto couldn't help but sweat drop a little. That and he still felt sad that Iruka had to be the one to go. Of course, it couldn't be helped since the leader of that village requested for him specifically.
Iruka placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder to try to cheer him up.
"Don't worry Naruto. I'll try to finish up and hurry back as fast as I can. Afterall I can't be away for too long because god knows what state the village will be in with you running amok! Just try not to pull any pranks okay?"
Iruka then ruffled Naruto's head before running off to the Hokage tower. The thought of painting the whole village and seeing Iruka's face when he gets back was enough to get Naruto to smile. Not one of evil or mischief but one a kid would have when playing around with his friend.
"I MAKE NO PROMISES, IRUKA-SENSEI!"
Iruka looked back over his shoulder and yelled back.
"THEN I'LL JUST HAVE TO CATCH YOU AND ASK LADY TSUNADE TO MAKE YOU CLEAN EVERYTHING UP WHEN I GET BACK!"
Naruto gave another fox like grin and held his hands behind his head.
"LIKE YOU CAN CATCH ME ANYMORE, OLD MAN!"
Iruka sported another tick mark on his head.
"HEY, I'M STILL YOUNG! YOU LITTLE SQUIRT!"
Naruto laughed before he waved at him.
"SURRRRE, YOU ARE! TAKE CARE AND KEEP YOUR PROMISE TO COME BACK AS FAST AS YOU CAN!"
Iruka smiled and waved back at the kid.
"I WILL! YOU TAKE CARE NARUTO! DON'T EVEN THINK OF BECOMING HOKAGE TILL I GET BACK!"
Naruto smiled and was about to turn back to his ramen, but he couldn't help but just watch as Iruka ran toward the Hokage tower as the sun was setting. For some strange reason Naruto had a horrible feeling that Iruka was never coming back.
Naruto shrugged off the feeling as nothing more than him just worrying too much and went back to his ramen. Iruka would keep his promise. No doubt about it.
Afterall he had to see Naruto become Hokage.
End Flashback
Naruto continued to sob as he remembered what will be the last time ever that he spoke with Iruka. His hands were holding onto the rope of the swing like they were a lifeline. Rivers of tears were pouring down his face as he remembered every single detail of what was their last meeting together at Ichiraku.
Not being able to hold the pain of this unbearable loss in anymore, Naruto let out a howling scream of agony and despair to the heavens. Wishing for something to happen. Anything to take away all the pain inside him.
He stared at the sky expecting an answer. Some kind of sign of what he should do, but there was nothing. Absolutely nothing.
"Do something."
Still nothing.
"Do something."
No answer came.
"You phony; prick; lying; motherfucker! DO SOMETHING!"
Again, he received no response.
"COME ONE, PROVE IT! THE HELL WITH FAITH, EARN IT!"
His voice echoed around him and it was the only thing he could hear, for whoever or whatever he was screaming at still stayed silent.
"SHOW ME SOMETHING REAL! I NEED IT NOW! NO MORE WAITING, I NEED IT NOW!"
The Uzumaki boy's voice continued to echo and received nothing in return.
"SHOW ME AND I'LL…I'LL BELIEVE IN YOU FOREVER! NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS I'LL BELIEVE IN YOU UNTIL THE DAY I DIE! I swear, I'm calling on you. I'M CALLING ON YOU!"
(Little dialogue borrowed from Liam Neeson in The Grey)
Naruto slumped in defeat. His whole life he's received little to no refuge from this misery and curse and when he needs it now more than ever, what with finding out his identity; his apartment burning down and losing the person he cherished most in this world, there was still none to be given to him. If there was a god or some entity out there then he must truly hate the jinchuriki genin.
"Why? How did it ever come to this? I don't know what to do! It hurts! I hate this!"
Naruto began to clutch his head in pain. Trying so hard to keep himself from losing his mind to this torture. Unfortunately, this was one fight he just didn't know how to win, and he was losing.
"I don't know how to escape! What should I do?! I don't know anything anymore! Someone please help me! Give me an answer!"
'Destroy everything!'
Naruto opened his eyes and found himself once again within the sewer dungeon home of the Kyuubi.
It was different from before though. The entire sewer was enveloped in steam and the water was glowing orange rather than its usual green. It looked a little similar to lava only it wasn't nearly as hot.
The Uzumaki child looked up and saw that the giant fox's eyes were completely fixed on him. No anger; look of disgust or annoyance could be seen in the demon's eyes this time. There was a little of what looked like pity in them, but the beast's eyes looked more like that of ones seeking opportunity.
As to what kind of opportunity, Naruto had a pretty good guess.
"Erase anything that causes you pain! Give me your soul! Your spirit! Your vital essence! Give it to me! And in exchange I will rescue you from your pain!"
The fox Bijuu's eyes began to glow bright red as his offer sunk into the boy. Naruto responded by arching his upper body in pain as the claws on his fingers grew sharper along with his fangs. The boy's hair grew wilder and pointier. His eyes looking as if they were completely wreathed in flames.
"Yes, you're doing fine! Now, come here!"
Naruto slowly rose up from the water and walked towards the Kyuubi's cage.
"Yes, that's it! Come closer and rip this accursed seal off!"
Naruto continued to walk towards the cage. Obeying the Kyuubi's commands. At this point it didn't matter to him what would happen. Nothing mattered.
Not even death.
He stopped right in front of the cage and the water began to rise around and lift him up till he was perfectly level with the seal on the Kyuubi's prison. Naruto reached out and dug two of his fingers beneath the paper. Preparing to tear it off completely!
'Dobe!'
Naruto snapped out of his trance, as he heard the call of the nickname that only one person in this village has ever used for him. He turned away from the seal thinking that the teme was here. When he looked, he didn't see anyone.
'I'm talking to you, Dobe!'
Naruto's eyes widened as he realized that his teammate must be talking to him outside his mind in the real world! The boy started to simmer with rage that the teme would pick now of all times to bother him! The Kyuubi noticed this distraction and puffed steam out of his snout and mouth in annoyance!
"Fine! Go and deal with that Uchiha brat! I'll be waiting for you when you're finished!"
Naruto closed his eyes and when he opened them again, he found himself back on the swing set.
"Answer me, Dobe!"
Naruto still didn't see the teme and realized he must've been behind him. Naruto didn't bother to turn around though. No matter how much he wanted to beat his teammate into the ground for disturbing him, he just wanted to be left alone right now more than anything.
"Get lost and leave me alone, Sasuke."
Sasuke Uchiha refused to budge.
"I want you to fight me, Naruto. Right now."
Naruto looked back in the corner of his eye and saw that the raven-haired boy had a determined look on his face. One that suggested that it would take more than mere words to force him to leave. Naruto could also tell that Sasuke had a bit of shock in his eyes too. Probably from having to look upon Naruto's state with the Kyuubi's chakra influencing him but even that seemed to not hold enough sway over the Uchiha to make him leave the Uzumaki in peace.
"I'm not in the mood for this right now, Sasuke. So, go. Now…"
Naruto growled with that response. He really had no desire for any more fights right now. He's had his fill for the day and he rather spend the rest of it in mourning.
Unfortunately, Sasuke stood his ground. The Uchiha knew he had to get his teammate riled up enough to get him to fight. He had to fight him because Sasuke needed to know which of them was best. Sasuke needed to beat Naruto. He had to beat him.
"What's wrong, scaredy cat?"
It wasn't really Sasuke's style to use name calling but he was that desperate with getting Naruto on his feet to fight him. That and he already used it before when those two Mist ninjas ambushed them on their first mission, and it got Naruto fired up then. Maybe it will have the same effect now.
Naruto was grinding his teeth and gripping the rope tightly. The Uchiha was definitely starting to get to him! Naruto really wanted to beat Sasuke senseless for calling him, 'scaredy cat' again! The red outline of the Kyuubi's chakra, around his body, began to flareup a little.
It was only a matter of time before it would explode completely.
Even with all the rage and anger inside him, for some reason Naruto still didn't want to fight Sasuke. He wasn't sure if he could handle adding beating up his teammate onto the pile of what was already making a very bad day. He was going to give the teme one more chance to leave. If he didn't take it then whatever happens next would be on him!
"For the last time, Sasuke. I don't want to fight you. Now, leave me be or I will make you!"
With that comment, Sasuke's patience came at an end as he suddenly charged forward with his fist arched back!
"TRY AND MAKE ME LEAVE, DOBE!"
Sasuke's fist flew forward and collided with nothing but wood! He looked to the side and saw that his teammate had somehow dodged the attack! He didn't think Naruto had speed like that or could use it at the last second!
It didn't matter though. He was going to get the fight he wanted. Even if he had break Naruto to do it!
Naruto stared in shocking horror as the swing set, he sat in just moments ago, was completely destroyed now. The wooden plank was shattered, and the rope was torn. The only thing from his academy days that he had left that provided him with any sort of comfort was nothing now but broken wood shards and rope all over the ground.
And it was all because of that wretched Uchiha; Sasuke!
"YOU, BASTARD!"
The Kyuubi's chakra broiled and exploded out of Naruto! Making it look as if the 12-year-old genin's whole body was practically on fire! Pebbles and rocks around his feet began to float and spin around him violently! The boy let out an enormous roar that shook the very heavens! Just about everyone in the village could hear it! Including one pink haired kunoichi who was running with all her might to the source of this cry!
The girl struggled as the pain in her heart along with the cold felt stronger than before!
'Please, let me get there in time! Please, don't let me be too late to stop them!'
Sasuke had to admit that Naruto was pretty intimidating right now. The killer intent radiating from his chakra and his unnatural color slit eyes would make even the bravest of shinobi think twice before engaging him. But Sasuke wasn't afraid. The Uchiha closed his eyes and when he opened them again his sharingan was activated.
"Don't think that with that power of yours that you can act all high and mighty, Naruto! You're still a loser! No matter how much you train or improve you're still no m-"
Sasuke was cut off as Naruto's fist rammed him right in the gut! The Uchiha coughed up saliva and a little blood! Before he could get his guard back up or retaliate, Naruto opened his fist till his hand was flat against Sasuke's abdomen!
'What is he doin-'
Sasuke's train of thought was interrupted as he felt something slam into his body! The raven-haired boy flew through the air right into the tree Naruto was sitting under! There was a loud cracking sound as Sasuke collided into it! Sliding to the ground and staring daggers at Naruto!
The impact point on the tree began to crack and crunch up! The tree started to creak and moan before finally it broke where Sasuke's body slammed into it! The upper portion of the academy tree completely fell over! Its leaves fluttering in the air from when it hit the ground!
Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other as the leaves form the tree flew in between them. Neither one of them moved an inch or took their eyes off the other. It was as if they were waiting for something.
And just as the last leaf fell to the ground, they charged at each other!
Both Naruto and Sasuke each threw punches and kicks at each other! Some hits landed while others were parried or dodged! They both have come far in their combat skills since their academy days!
However, it was clearly obvious who had the advantage in the fight.
Sasuke grit his teeth as he struggled to land another blow on Naruto! He only managed to land a couple but now it was almost impossible to hit him! Like he almost knew where he was aiming his strikes! Meanwhile Naruto was the one who was getting through Sasuke's defenses! Sasuke knew he was going to have to re-strategize if he wanted to win this!
Sasuke did a leg sweep which Naruto dodged by leaping backwards!
'Got you!'
Sasuke took out some kunai knives and threw them at Naruto! The blonde boy was ready though and took out his own kunai which he used to deflect the incoming barrage! After he landed, he took a fighting stance with his weapon!
He was confused though as to why Sasuke was smirking until he saw Sasuke lift his hand up with something shiny. Naruto's eyes widened as he realized it was ninja wire!
Sasuke pulled the wire and Naruto's feet closed together in it's wrapping! The Uchiha leapt into the air and pulled out another kunai and landed on his teammate! Pinning his arms down with his left arm and right leg while holding the kunai to Naruto's throat!
"Give up, Naruto! You've lost!"
Naruto growled at Sasuke like an animal caught in a trap! The chakra pouring from his body grew wilder and hotter! Sasuke grit his teeth in pain as the chakra started to burn him fiercely! It felt as if it was like real fire!
Unable to withstand it anymore, Sasuke leapt away from his captive teammate! Rubbing the burn marks on his arm and leg! Despite the pain and the fact that Naruto already cut himself out of the wire with another kunai Sasuke couldn't help but be curious about the chakra Naruto was emitting.
'What is this chakra? How is he using it like that?'
Sasuke was also curious as to why Naruto's chakra was even visible? It is said that only shinobi of great skill and power could make their chakra's visible like that. But that was impossible! There was no way Naruto could be that strong!
'No! He's just a dobe! There's no way he's stronger than me!'
Naruto did a cross with his fingers that Sasuke was all too familiar with.
"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"
Five shadow clones appeared in puffs of smoke! Sasuke prepared to take a battle stance but he couldn't move! He struggled but he could only get some slight movements from his limbs! It felt as if he was caught in ninja wire now, but there was no way because he didn't see Naruto throw any at him!
He looked up and saw that one of the Narutos had his hand out with his fingers curled and realized he must be the reason why he couldn't move! Sasuke didn't have enough time to think of a plan of escape as the other four Narutos charged at him! Two of them kicked him hard into the air! The assault didn't stop there as all four continued to punch and kick him higher and higher upwards while each of them were yelling something!
"U-ZU-MA-KI!"
One of the Narutos, probably the real one, jumped up higher than the height Sasuke was currently at! The Uchiha's eyes widened as he recognized this attack of theirs! As well as what was about to be the final blow!
"BARRAGE!"
The real Naruto then performed a spinning heel drop right on top of Sasuke! Slamming the raven-haired boy down into the earth below! The Uchiha's impact caused a large cloud of dust! Obscuring Naruto's view of his opponent!
After Naruto landed, right in front of the school entrance, he dissipated his clones and kept his guard up.
"I have to admit, I didn't think you could copy and use one of my own moves against me like that. Combining my Lion's Barrage with your Shadow Clone Jutsu is pretty ingenious. Our sensei would be proud. Even so let's see if you can copy this one!"
As the dust started to clear Naruto could pick out the outline of Sasuke's body flashing through what looked like hand signs. Naruto could sense what was coming and readied himself. He had to time this just right.
"FIRE STYLE, FIRE BALL JUTSU!"
A large fireball shot out of the smoke; heading towards Naruto!
Naruto steadied himself and waited. Until at the last second, he jumped high into the air! He was so high up that the fire jutsu shot right past beneath him and collided into the school! The front of the building became engulfed in flames as a result of the Uchiha's misfire!
Sasuke didn't care about that though as he was busy trying to figure out how Naruto jumped so high! Even if he used chakra, it would've cost him a lot to have leapt to such an incredible height! Maybe not for a veteran shinobi but it would've certainly for a genin like Naruto!
Sasuke growled in annoyance as Naruto landed back softly on the ground. The Uzumaki boy looked back at the building's entrance that was in flames! Watching as the fire began to spread to the rest of the structure!
"I hope that building burns down to the ground!"
Sasuke's eyes widened in shock from Naruto's confession. He didn't expect something so dark and maliceful to come from who used to be the blonde bumbling happy idiot of Team 7! That and his voice sounded different too. It lacked any emotion behind it save for one that Sasuke himself was all too familiar with; rage.
Naruto turned his attention back to Sasuke and began to bend his knees and raise his arms up with his wrists and hands curved upwards.
"But if it refuses to fall then…"
Naruto's body shook and his face took more of a vicious expression! The Uchiha had no idea what the Uzumaki was up to. If Sasuke didn't know any better he'd say Naruto looked like he was struggling with holding up an invisible giant boulder or something.
Suddenly, the academy building began to creak and moan before cracks started to open up on the walls! Parts of the wooden roof began to crunch up into splinters! Sasuke didn't know what was happening! It was too soon for the building to be succumbing to the fire!
Without warning, a large chunk of the flaming part of the building broke off from the rest of the structure! Sasuke didn't have time to be shocked as another broke off! Then another! And another! Until the air was littered with large flaming parts of what was once the academy's entrance! Sasuke's eyes widened again for what felt like the millionth time as he looked down back at Naruto! Naruto had a deathly killer intent look in his eyes as he held his slightly trembling arms above his head!
"HOW ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"
"WHY DON'T YOU COME HERE AND FIND OUT!"
Naruto threw his right arm forward and one of the flaming chunks flew fast towards Sasuke! Sasuke leapt and avoided the fiery mass before it could hit him! The flaming substructure collided into the ground! Kicking up dirt, dust, and debris from it that were still in flames!
Before Sasuke could recompose himself, Naruto already threw his left arm forward and another flaming chunk headed towards Sasuke! Sasuke leapt out of the way and evaded this one too! Being extra careful though so that the flaming debris didn't hit him when his back was turned!
Naruto wasn't about to let up though and started to throw both of his arms out at a fast rate! Causing the floating chunks of the building, that looked to be flaming boulders at this point, to shoot towards the Uchiha!
Elsewhere close by
Sakura felt like she was running for hours! Even though she could tell where her teammates were, due to the intensity of the cold and the smoke bellowing from the direction of the academy, she felt like she wasn't getting any closer to them! It was as if her legs were wearing weights!
This was probably due to her stamina being nearly drained from running around most of the night and morning looking for Naruto. It wasn't the only thing slowing her down though for the closer she would get the more her heart would ache with pain! But even so she wasn't going to allow herself to rest! Not when she is so close to reaching them!
She had to get there before those two murdered each other! A possibility that was growing more likely with every second! Especially after seeing the raging blood lust look in both of their eyes earlier! It truly frightened her to see her own teammates like that. She knew without a doubt that if she didn't stop this, they would literally kill each another! That thought in mind kept her going until finally she could see the Academy ahead!
However, she was forced to stop in tracks as she looked on in horror of the building being consumed in flames!
"Oh my god!"
The academy building, that she attended as a child and had so many great memories and learning experiences, was nearly engulfed in a blazing inferno! But as shocking as that was for her, what she saw next was even worse! Sakura watched as Sasuke was dodging massive flaming structures that were being thrown at him! When she followed the line of fire of where they were soaring from, she couldn't believe her eyes as she saw that Naruto was the one somehow levitating and throwing them!
Sakura knew without a doubt that this was the same power Naruto used during the Chuunin Exams! Which means her worst fear has been realized! That Naruto and Sasuke are fighting each other to the death while Naruto is under the influence of this frightening power! She had to put an end to this now!
"STOP THIS!"
She screamed as loud as she could in hopes of getting their attention! Luckily she managed to catch Naruto's just as he was about to throw another part of the building. Unfortunately, Sasuke ignored her and used this distraction as an opportunity to go through some hand signs!
The sound of a thousand birds chirping filled the air as electricity cackled in Sasuke's right hand! After the jutsu was finished Sasuke jumped up on top of the flaming wreckage, that Naruto threw before he became distracted, and leapt from it! When he landed, he began to close the now short distance between him and Naruto! Arching his electrical bladed hand back in preparation of his strike!
Naruto turned just as Sasuke was only a few feet away, but the Uchiha knew that even with Naruto's new speed there was no way he could dodge him at this close range!
Sakura's eyes widened with absolute horror as she watched Sasuke about to stab through Naruto with his lightening blade!
"SASUKE, NO!"
"CHIDORI!"
Sasuke was already launching his chidori out towards Naruto's chest!
"CHURKIKIKIKKIKIKI!"
The sound of Sasuke's chidori hitting its target could be heard throughout the area. However, it wasn't the usual sound it made when plunging through the user's opponent. No, this was the never before heard sound of it being physically blocked. Not by a weapon, armor, or another jutsu but by something both Sasuke and Sakura still couldn't believe even with their own eyes.
They both stared astonished and frozen as Naruto stood there holding back Sasuke's chidori from his chest with his own bare hand!
A small light could be seen emanating from the contact of Sasuke's jutsu with Naruto's hand! Naruto showed no fear, surprise, or even pain on his face as he held the jutsu back. Just the same frightening look of rage as before!
Sakura didn't know what to make of this! Their sensei's technique is said to be one of the strongest and deadliest jutsus in the whole village! Yet, Naruto was barring it like it was nothing! Just how powerful was Naruto right now?
Sasuke also didn't understand what was happening! It was one thing if Naruto was able to dodge him but to use his own hand to catch and block his chidori like that without using any sort of jutsu?! It was unheard of! What's worse is that he practically just used his ace in the hole and it completely backfired on him!
Of course, Sasuke wouldn't realize how literal that notion was going to be.
The electricity cackling in both teammates' hands began to take a darker blue tone before it suddenly shot up through Sasuke's arm and to the rest of his body! Sasuke screamed in tortuous pain as the electricity coursed through him! He's never felt such pain in all of his life! The only thing that was possibly worse than this was his brother's genjutsu! The attack was so intense that his own skeleton could be seen flashing through the short but painful bursts of this electrical onslaught!
Sakura didn't know what was happening! One-minute Naruto was holding back Sasuke's chidori and the next the lightning from that jutsu seemed to come alive and turn on Sasuke! It was insane!
Naruto released his grip on Sasuke's hand, and the lightning sent Sasuke flying away a few yards before slamming him to the ground! The lifelike bolts of lightning were no longer shooting through the Uchiha via his arm but were now streaking through the air straight from Naruto's fingertips!
It was then Sakura realized that Sasuke's jutsu wasn't reflected back at him at all! Naruto somehow overpowered it with his own lightning attack after he blocked it with his hand! But she didn't think Naruto had any lightning style jutsus! Then again, she wasn't even sure if this was a jutsu!
The one thing she did know was that it had a cold chilling feeling to it. She isn't even the one being shocked by it and yet the freezing sensation in her body just from sensing it was truly staggering! That and the fact that this same power was coming from the boy she used to know as a happy, prank loving, idiot made it feel even worse somehow.
She was clutching her heart which was in excruciating pain right now. Naruto felt so cold and dark! The rage within him was terrifying! Still like before in the forest there was something else inside him. At the center of all of this fury was a great deal of pain.
A pain she has never come close to feeling ever before in her whole life. There was so much pain and suffering inside him that it made it difficult for her to even stand while being in its presence! She didn't know what the cause of it was or how she was even feeling it out. She just wishes she knew how to put a stop to it and to this madness!
Naruto lowered his hand and ceased shocking Sasuke with any more bolts. Sasuke breathed hard from the pain as small strands of electricity, leftover from the barrage, could be seen coursing over his person. Sakura was about to breathe easier until she felt a tremendous rise in Naruto's rage!
She looked and saw Naruto fall down onto all fours as the red chakra burning from his body began to wildly whip around! It was almost as if it was alive! Not only that but this was the first time Sakura has even noticed this chakra since arriving! And what she sensed from it was something truly awful!
There was such hate; such malice within it that it made it very difficult for her to even be this close to it!
Naruto growled and groaned loudly as the chakra continued to grow and flip around until suddenly it stopped and disappeared altogether! Before relief could settle in something red and glowing began to bubble up out of Naruto's body! It started out small on his back before it began to grow! His bangs were wavering ominously as this strange substance spread around his body! Soon it enveloped every part of him and started to take shape! On Naruto's head, two long strands appeared that seemed to resemble ears and one big one at the end of his back that looked like a tail! The parts of it on his hands grew large into what looked like giant claws!
Sakura gasped at the sight! The chakra surrounding him appeared to look like a fox! But she had no idea why that would be. She's never heard of chakra taking on such an animalistic form before. Not only that but his claws and fangs grew out too! His lips were pure black, and his hair looked like it was part of a wild mane! But what was truly unnerving were his eyes! They were glowing with more red in them than the flames consuming the school! Despite the drastic changes to his appearance and this chakra, she didn't dwell on either that much though as more and more Naruto's mere presence was giving off a murderous intent! It was more than she could bear as her legs began to wobble from its sheer weight!
Naruto stood up from his crouching position and unclipped the strange metal hilt that he's been carrying around since he got back from his mission with Master Jiraiya. Sakura remembered asking him what it was, but all Naruto said was that it was a gift. Naruto pressed his thumb into what looked like a button.
SSSCHHHHHH!
Suddenly a brilliant blue glowing blade shot out from the small metal stick with a loud humming sound!
Sakura's never seen any weapon like it! It looked and sounded a little similar to the chakra blade, that belonged to the Second Hokage, that they encountered on their last mission, but this weapon was much different! It didn't look like it was made of chakra at all! The question was what was it?!
Sakura feared that her question was about to be answered as Naruto charged towards Sasuke! Sakura gasped in horror and she herself darted towards the down Uchiha! At the corner of her eye she could see that Naruto was getting closer to Sasuke! Raising the blue glowing blade above his head in readiness to strike down on their teammate when he reaches him! Sakura prayed that she would reach Sasuke before Naruto and stop this before Naruto did something she knew he would regret!
'Please, let me be faster! Please, let me get to him before he does! Please!'
Naruto didn't even notice that Sakura was running towards Sasuke too! He was too focused on putting an end to the smug insulting Uchiha once and for all! After finally getting close enough, Naruto brought down his blade towards Sasuke's head!
"NARUTO, STOP!"
Naruto's eyes widened with surprise and shock as Sakura somehow came out of nowhere with her arms stretched out to block him and was right in the path of his blade! Sakura closed her eyes and expected to be cleaved in two! When a few moments passed she opened her eyes and saw that the sword was about an inch from her face! Naruto managed to stop his strike in time!
Neither Sakura nor Naruto dared to move. Sakura stood where she was with a frightened yet determined look on her face to keep Naruto from killing their teammate. And Naruto stood where he was shocked and horrified that he almost killed the girl he loved.
After what felt like hours, even though it was only seconds, Naruto finally deactivated his sword. But his blank expression never left his face as he look towards the Academy; the village and then to Sasuke. The reality of everything that transpired sinking in.
"What have I done?"
Naruto stumbled backwards a few feet. Dropping his weapon in the process. Sakura realizing that Naruto has finally calmed down, so she began checking Sasuke for injuries. He had some severe burns and bruises but nothing that was too serious.
Still that did little to calm the storm that was flooding her mind right now from seeing her crush beaten and battered.
"NARUTO UZUMAKI, HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?! LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID TO SASUKE! CAN'T YOU CONTROL YOURSELF!? YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A-…... Naruto?"
Sakura couldn't finish her rant when she looked back at Naruto and gasped in horror of what she was seeing.
Naruto was on his knees staring up the sky. His eyes looking almost completely lifeless. While they weren't red anymore, his blue eyes didn't have any of their usual vibrancy and sparkle glow. That and his skin looked deathly pale. This was the most horrible state she's ever seen him in!
Sakura dropped her examination of Sasuke and ran to Naruto! Kneeling down and gently grabbing hold of his shoulders. Her face nearly level with his though looking down at him. Down into his broken soul crushed eyes.
"Naruto snap out of it! I didn't mean any of it, I'm sorry! Naruto, wake up! Please!"
Naruto didn't respond to any of her pleading or shaking. He just sat there in her soft gentle grip completely out of it. It was almost as if he were a doll being shaken by its owner.
Sakura didn't know what to do! He wasn't coming to at all! Suddenly his eyes began to be swallowed up by some ink like blackness! It felt like he was drowning in a cold shadow of death! If she didn't think of something fast, then Naruto would be completely consumed by it!
Not knowing of any other way to snap him out of it, she raised her hand up and squeezed her eyes!
'Sorry about this, Naruto!'
SLAP!
Sakura brought her hand down and slapped Naruto across the face; hard!
Naruto started to convulse before suddenly gasping for air! The ink like blackness in his eyes began to clear up revealing the normal color of his eyes again! Sakura held her grip on his shoulders to stable him better, so he didn't accidentally hurt himself.
After a few seconds of his eyes darting around they fell upon Sakura! Instantly his skin started to lose its color again and he began to shake with fear! Sakura saw his reaction and took his face in her hands gently.
"Naruto, I'm sorry! I'm sorry I yelled at you! I overreacted! Everything's going to be fine I promise! We just need to-"
"NOTHING WILL EVER BE FINE AGAIN, SAKURA!"
Sakura was shocked by Naruto's outburst. He's never shouted at her before. However, Sakura could tell from the tears pouring down his face and what she felt from him was that his outburst wasn't one out of rage or annoyance. No, it was out of pain and what seemed like loss.
"Naruto listen to me! I know what the villagers did to your apartment last night! It was terrible and wrong, but we can help you get through this! I can help you get through this! Please just-"
"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THAT MISERABLE HELLHOLE! I JUST WANT HIM BACK!"
Sakura was confused as to what Naruto was talking about. She thought he was doing all of this because he was upset about his apartment burning down. She started to get a really bad feeling, but she had to know what or who Naruto was referring to.
"Naruto what are you talking about? Who do you want back?"
Naruto's eyes widened and he lowered his head till his bangs covered his eyes.
"Don't make me say it! Please, I'm begging you! Don't make me say it!"
Even though he was only whispering his pleads did not fall on deaf ears. Sakura didn't understand why Naruto was so terrified of telling her who it was he wanted back. She knew she was going to have to push harder if she wanted to know the truth. She just hoped it wouldn't be too hard.
Sakura gently cupped her fingers under Naruto's chin and lifted his face up to look at her.
"Naruto look at me. Please tell me. I want to help you. Just let me help you! Please just…. just…...JUST LET ME HELP YOU!"
"IRUKA SENSEI IS DEAD!"
Sakura felt as if the temperature in the area, despite the heat from the school burning, just dropped a hundred below.
"What?"
It took a few seconds for her to register what Naruto just said. She looked down at him and it seemed like he just realized what he just said as well. His pupils dilated and the tears began to flow even harder down his face.
"Iruka sensei is…...is…is dead."
Naruto then started to scream and wail uncontrollably from his own revelation. His eyes like floodgates that were bursting open from heavy rainfall. He didn't even realize it at first when Sakura wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into a tight hug.
"I'm so sorry, Naruto! I'm so sorry!"
Sakura began to cry as well. Resting her chin on the back of Naruto's head as he sobbed into her red shinobi dress. Rocking him back and forth like a mother consoling her child.
"I'm here, Naruto. I'm right here. Just let it out. Let it all out."
Naruto began wrap his own arms around Sakura. Pulling himself closer into the soft warm embrace of her body. Unloading all the torment and pain he's suffered through the last couple of days.
Sasuke stared wide eyed at the Uzumaki boy, after having finally recuperated from his barrage, but the strength and hunger for battle he had earlier was practically gone now after hearing Naruto's confession.
He looked at the ground with a bit of a somber empathetic look. Everyone in their class knew how close Naruto was with their old Academy Instructor. In fact, he was the closest thing to a parent Naruto may have ever had. To Naruto, losing him must've felt like losing a parent. A pain Sasuke was more than familiar with.
Unknown to the young members of Team 7, Ino, Hinata, Kakashi, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Tsunade along with a squad of Anbu stood on roof nearby. Looking down at the emotional scene below them. Not one of them daring to disturb the genin.
That is until Kakashi leapt down and walked slowly to his students.
"Sensei!"
Sakura was relieved to see that their sensei has arrived! Even though she could've seriously used his help earlier with Naruto and Sasuke, she was still glad he showed up. She was going to need all the help she could get with Naruto.
Their sensei didn't respond to her though as he walked right past her and Naruto to Sasuke. She grew a little nervous as the look on their sensei's masked face suggested that he was not happy. It was confirmed when after he examined Sasuke's injuries he pulled him roughly to his feet.
"We need to have a talk, Sasuke."
Kakashi then grabbed Sasuke by the arm and started to pull him away. Sasuke resisted a little but ultimately went with their sensei since most of the fight was drained out of him. Before they left the area Kakashi looked regretfully at the Uzumaki boy, who was currently being caressed and cradled, in Sakura's arms.
"Naruto, I'm sorry. For everything."
A lone red eye could be seen glaring at Kakashi through the crook of Sakura's neck before it disappeared. Naruto then squeezed his arms tighter around Sakura's body. It hurt a little, but she paid it no mind because she was wondering what their sensei meant by that. Before she could ask though he and Sasuke were already gone.
Sakura then went back to comforting Naruto. Stroking his head while rocking him back and forth slowly. Ino and Hinata leapt down to them and looked down sorrowfully at Naruto. They both heard what happened to Iruka when Naruto screamed it and they were also full of tears at the loss of their academy teacher. They both knew though that Naruto was the one that was suffering the most with his passing.
Naruto's arms suddenly fell to their sides and Sakura pulled away to see what was wrong.
"Naruto?"
Sakura saw that he had fallen into a deep sleep. She could tell by his face that the poor boy was beyond exhausted. Not that she could blame him given everything that's happened.
She took Naruto's right arm around her neck and hoisted him up. Ino took his lift arm to help bear the rest of his weight. The only thing they needed to do now was figure out where to take Naruto.
"We're going to take Naruto to my place. Sound good Ino?"
Ino nodded and they were about to head out to Sakura's home until Shizune leapt down.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Your parents likely won't allow it. Especially given everything that Naruto's done today."
Sakura and Ino looked at her confusingly.
"What are you talking about? Naruto hasn't done anything, so why would you say my parents wouldn't want him in our house?!"
Sakura didn't understand why Shizune would say her parents would be against having Naruto in their house. It didn't make sense. Then again, her parents weren't too fond of the Uzumaki boy like most of the other villagers, but she was sure she could convince them.
Shizune looked down in the corner of her eyes before she closed them and proceeded to explain.
"Because Naruto attacked and severely injured many shinobi and villagers."
Sakura and Ino looked at Shizune like she just grew a second head. They both took glimpses at the sleeping boy in their arms and were astonished Naruto would do such a thing. Even though he's suffered through a great deal recently neither one thought that he would actually attack his own people.
"But who attacked and injured who first I wonder?"
All eyes fell upon an old man who entered the area. The same old man that they have seen eating and chatting with Naruto at Ichiraku ever since before the chuunin exams. The old man who lectured Sakura about treating Naruto poorly on their first meeting; Palpatine Sidosaki!
"Ever since I've met the boy, I've noticed just how astonishingly cruel the villagers have been to him. They have been relentless and merciless in their treatment of him. No matter how much he improved or how much he's done for them they only continued to horribly reject and ignore him. While the leaders of this village have done nothing but stood by and watched."
Palpatine looked at Tsunade when he said that last part and she couldn't help but flinch at that statement.
"There was only so much more torture the poor boy could take. Losing Iruka Umino was too much for him. Now, the only thing that can be done for him is too keep him safe while he mourns the loss of his old friend and mentor."
Palpatine looked back at Tsunade.
"My offer to allow Naruto to stay at the penthouse suite of my apartment complex still stands, Lady Hokage. It's very well guarded and if you wish you could assign your own Anbu to it to ensure that Naruto doesn't receive any unwanted visitors. Unless you prefer for him to stay at the hospital or some other building where no doubt the villagers will torture him further or even possibly try to take his life."
Shizune grit her teeth and stared daggers at the old man for making such an insinuation of her teacher!
"Hey! You have no idea what you're talking about! Lady Tsunade cares about Naruto more than you can imagine! She looks at him like he's her own! It's not her fault that-"
"That's enough, Shizune!"
Shizune looked back at her teacher wondering why she silenced her.
"But Lady Tsunade he-"
"I said that's enough!"
Shizune was about to protest further but her mentor looked like she was in no mood to argue. Her eyes were shadowed by her hair as she looked down. Not at Palpatine, Naruto, or anyone else below but just at nothing.
"Bear!"
The Anbu Commander stood at attention.
"Yes, Lady Hokage!"
"Escort Naruto and Palpatine back to his apartment complex. Make sure not a single villager or shinobi gets in their way. If they do, then knock them out or lock them up! I don't want anyone to lay a single threatening hand on this boy. Not. A. Single. One. Am I understood?"
She never once looked up as she gave her orders. Not that she needed to. Her Anbu would carry out her orders no matter what.
"Hai, Lady Hokage!"
The Anbu leapt down around the group. Shizune looked up at her mentor in surprise. She couldn't believe her sensei wasn't going to have Naruto at least taken to the hospital first to be examined for injuries or kept under observation. They didn't know if there was anything else that could be wrong with him.
"Lady Tsunade shouldn't we first-"
"No."
Tsunade turned around while her head was still kept low in shame.
"We've done enough."
As she said those words one of the Anbu attempted to reach for Naruto to take him to Palpatine's complex.
"Wait!"
The Anbu arched his hand back from Sakura's protest. He was about to reach again but Tsunade held her hand up to stop him. Taking the chance Sakura turned to Palpatine, who was curious as to what she had to say.
"Please let me take Naruto to your complex with you!"
Palpatine arched an eyebrow at the Cherry Blossom kunoichi.
"I don't believe that would be wise. Naruto is not in a very trusting mood and his mind is unbalanced from dealing with the loss of Iruka Umino. Your being there could worsen him rather than help him."
Palpatine made an excellent point. Naruto was not himself at all. Everyone there knew it. Still though, Sakura wanted to be there for him. Just like she was when not seconds ago she was holding him in his despair.
"Please, I beg you! I need to be there to help him through this! I'll do anything, please!"
Palpatine's expression didn't change. It didn't look like he was going to allow her to come no matter how much she pleaded. At least that's what everyone thought until a soft friendly smile graced his face.
"Very well. You may come. Naruto is lucky to have a teammate, who cares for him, like you."
Sakura smiled, as she and Ino then proceeded to carry Naruto while the Anbu accompanied them. Palpatine stood for a bit watching the trio. All while in reality was looking in the corner of his eye at Tsunade and Jiraiya. Both of whom stayed where they were. Jiraiya looking at Palpatine while Tsunade, while her back was turned, still stood as a statue.
Finally, both Sannin leapt away back to the Hokage tower. Palpatine then picked up the lightsaber he gave to Naruto and went to join the genin trio and the Anbu; smiling.
Nearby Alleyway
Kakashi dragged Sasuke a few blocks away into an alleyway before he released his arm. Sasuke didn't bother to rub it from how hard his sensei gripped him. In a way he sort of welcomed the soreness. Sasuke didn't bother to look up at his teacher. He didn't need to since he knew the look Kakashi had on his face right now.
"Sasuke, you don't ever attack your comrades like that! What were you thinking?!"
Sasuke turned his head to the side and scoffed. He wasn't in the mood to listen to Kakashi's lecturing. Kakashi paid it no mind though as he continued.
"Did you only challenge Naruto because you were afraid that he was growing stronger than you? Is that it?"
While Sasuke heard every word he still refused to look at his teacher, but he grit his teeth in response to his sensei's deduction.
"Sasuke, you need to let it go."
Sasuke's eyes widened as he knew what his sensei was referring to.
"You need to abandon your hatred and your quest for revenge. As well as this sense of superiority you have with your teammates and the others."
Sasuke lashed out his response.
"You will never understand what it's like! Not until the day when you lose everyone that's important to you! To have them taken away by someone else! Not you or anyone else in this village understands!"
Kakashi was a bit taken aback by Sasuke's outburst. His lone eye looking down on him in pity and also regret. For Sasuke didn't know that what he just proclaimed was far from true.
"You're wrong. Everyone that I have ever even considered precious to me was killed. I've lost my father and many friends and comrades in my years as a shinobi. Every day I think about how they died, and I mourn for them. To the point where I even ignored a child in this village that desperately needed someone to help him as he struggled to survive the harsh realities of life. But I did nothing because I let the losses of my friends take hold of me."
Sasuke was shocked at his sensei's confession. He had no idea that his sensei knew the same pain he did of losing loved ones. Even so that still was not nearly enough to get Sasuke to abandon his goal.
"Listen to me, Sasuke. You never ever use the chidori against a comrade like that in a fight! That technique is only used as a last resort against your enemies; not your teammates! I didn't teach you my jutsu, so you could use it whenever you wanted! I taught it to you to better protect yourself and your comrades!"
Sasuke went back to looking to the side and pretending to ignore his sensei. Acting like Kakashi's lecturing didn't matter to him again in the slightest. Kakashi noticed but still pressed on.
"Sasuke you and I have lost so many precious people, but now we both have a chance to fill in the void with new friends. And right now, one of our friends is in a lot of pain. Naruto has suffered through a great deal lately. To top it off he's also lost someone precious to him. We need to be there for him, Sasuke. We need to let him know that he's not alone in this because we both know what it's like to lose people and feel alone for it."
Sasuke contemplated. It was true that Naruto now knew the pain of loss like he did. Despite that though that didn't mean that he fully understood it the way Sasuke did.
"He's lucky. He never knew his parents and never had any friends. The only one he's lost was an academy teacher. I lost my entire clan! He has no idea what real loss feels like!"
Kakashi was shocked that Sasuke would say something like that about Naruto. Especially after Naruto just lost someone precious to him. He understood that he and Naruto's rivalry were becoming more bitter lately, but this was taking it way too far!
He was not the only one. Sasuke was debating with himself as well over what he just said. Naruto was similar to him now more than ever. He not only knew the pain of solitude like Sasuke did but now he also knew the pain of the death of a loved one. Sasuke didn't know why he said that horrible claim.
Kakashi narrowed his lone eye at Sasuke. Almost like he was piercing through him with his stare. Sasuke still acted like it didn't bother him. Like nothing bothered him right now except Kakashi's pointless lecturing.
"Sasuke, tell me something. Are you that determined to become stronger and kill Itachi that you would be willing to fight Naruto and the others to the death to do it?"
Things were quiet for a bit. Sasuke's eyes were covered by his raven colored bangs. Neither one said a word till Sasuke looked up at Kakashi.
"I will never give up on my goal for vengeance! Killing Itachi is my purpose! I'm an avenger!"
Kakashi looked upon his pupil with such disappointment. He was hoping it wouldn't come to this, but to protect Naruto and Sakura right now he knew that now there was only one thing to do. He hopes that the end result will have Sasuke realizing how wrong he is.
"Fine, as of right now you're suspended from Team 7, Sasuke!"
Sasuke was stunned and speechless at Kakashi's words. Thinking that his sensei couldn't possibly be serious. However, before he could say anything to protest, Kakashi already turned his back and left him in the alleyway.
"I'd hoped you would've learned from our first lesson to never abandon your comrades, but it seems that you still have a lot to learn in that area. Until you do learn it and let go of your goal for vengeance, you are forbidden from training and engaging in missions with our team or any other team."
Sasuke should've been beyond outraged at his sensei's punishment, but he wasn't. In fact, it only convinced him more than ever of a single truth. A truth that was told to him last night that he didn't fully believe until now.
That he really was being held back.
Hokage's office couple hours later
Tsunade sat on her couch in her wrecked office, while Jiraiya stood in the corner, listening to the ranting of the two village elders; Homura and Koharu. They were demanding her to strip Naruto of his shinobi status and to lock him up for attacking and injuring various villagers and shinobi, as well as setting the academy on fire. They also insisted that his chakra be sealed away as well. The two old hardcases were obviously aiming for extreme punishments that were short of having Naruto executed.
They weren't the only ones who came in and demanded for Naruto to be severely punished. Many villagers and shinobi came in before them. All calling for Naruto to be either imprisoned or worse. Many of them left outraged when she flat out refused them. Even though Naruto injured many people there were no fatalities and most of the wounds while serious were manageable. That and no children were harmed which was extremely fortunate. There were a few though who were more adamant on staying to voice their volatile opinions, so she had her personal Anbu, 'escort', them out.
Unfortunately, she couldn't depend on her Anbu to send the village elders away since their political status allowed them to remain and lecture her on what she needed to do as the Hokage. Thus, she had to sit here and listen to their outrageous demands. The Slug Queen was barely holding it together at this point. Considering everything that's happened it was a miracle no one left her office with broken bones yet.
"That boy has caused trouble for this village long enough, Lady Tsunade! It's time you properly exercise your Hokage duties and protect this village from that Uzumaki brat!"
"If you won't do it then we will have no choice but to have it done ourselves for the good of the village!"
Tsunade grinded her teeth and curled her hands into fists so hard her knuckles could be heard cracking.
"Let me be perfectly clear. No one is to lay a finger on that boy! Anyone who would dare to do so would have to answer to me!"
Tsunade stood from the couch. A small gust of wind blowing from her speed. The killer intent in her eyes was enough to silence the two village elders as both were beginning to fear for their own lives!
"Perhaps you would settle for an alternative form of punishment, Lady Tsunade."
All eyes were drawn to the doorway where stood an old man with short brown spiky hair and was covered in bandages. He was supporting himself with a cane in his left hand while his right was hidden in a sling. All of that was a clear indication as to who the man was.
"Danzo, what are you doing here?"
Danzo payed no mind to Tsunade's growling inquisition but responded to her all the same.
"A pleasure to see you again too; Princess Tsunade."
There wasn't even a hint of respect in Danzo's response which only aggitated Tsunade more.
"Answer my question! Why are you here?!"
Tsunade didn't understand at all why this old warmongering hawk was walking around free! He should've still been under house arrest! He was placed in it by the Third Hokage, for reasons she still doesn't know why, so there's no way he should've been let out without her knowing!
Danzo smiled before answering her question.
"My old comrades here thought it prudent to have me released due to your lack of ability to control the village's jinchuriki."
Tsunade was definitely on the verge of ripping the old man to pieces for referring to the boy like that.
"His name is Naruto Uzumaki!"
Danzo of course didn't look like he cared at all what the boy's name was. There was only one thing he was interested in. It was hardly a mystery as to what it was and if Tsunade and Jiraiya's suspicions were correct, Naruto could be in more trouble than they realized.
"The Uzumaki child is too much of a threat to this village! He cannot control the power of the Kyuubi within him! That and word has reached to me that he possesses an unnatural power that does not consist of chakra and a strange weapon as well! Since you refuse to imprison him then the only course of action is to give him to me where he will be isolated and trained accordingly!"
Danzo couldn't fool Tsunade one bit. She knows the kind of training Danzo puts his Root soldiers through. He conditions them to have undying loyalty to him and to lack any kind of emotion at all! The training as he calls it practically turns them into his own slaves!
"The Leaf's weapon will be safe with me. I will bring the Uzumaki boy fully under control and ensure that he will never use his power except for when the village absolutely needs it."
"Don't you mean when you absolutely need it, Lord Danzo?"
Everyone's attention drew to the doorway where stood Palpatine Sidosaki.
The old man walked in and bowed before Tsunade. Earning him a growl from Danzo, who was obviously not happy about Palpatine intruding on their business. That and the fact that Palpatine was an outsider of the village only annoyed him further.
"Lady Hokage, I bring you news on Naruto's condition. He is currently resting comfortably under the watchful eye of his teammate, Sakura Haruno. He should awaken very soon. However, forgive me if I overstep my boundaries but I believe it would be wise to not allow anyone else other than the girl and myself to visit and keep the boy company while he is in mourning. It is clear that he does not hold most of the people in this village in high regards right now with the exception of myself and young Haruno. He will need time to grieve for his fallen companion first before we can allow anyone else to see him. That is my humble opinion anyway."
Tsunade thought about it. It seemed like a valid option. Punishing the boy was certainly far from the answer. Perhaps allowing him to be left in peace so he can recuperate from this ordeal may be the best thing they could do for him, right now.
Of course, before she could give her answer, Danzo cut her off with his own.
"You have no business coming here and making proposals on what should be done; Sidosaki! The boy is none of your concern! This is a private matter of the village not for foreigners like you! I suggest that you leave now before-"
"Before you take Naruto into some dreadful dark underground facility of yours where you will no doubt try to strip him of everything he is? Try to turn him into your personal pawn? Not to mention that by doing so you run the risk of having Naruto break and possibly forever losing his mind. It is clear that you care more about Naruto's abilities than his welfare so you are the one who should have no say in the matter, Lord Danzo!"
Danzo's lone eye was staring daggers at Palpatine for talking to him like that! Who does this fool think he is? Just because he's helping rebuild the village doesn't mean he has the right to talk to one of its elders like that! That and his plan was outrageous! Like he would agree to allow a foreigner and a genin with limited to no experience to keep an eye on the village's greatest weapon! He'd sooner go with the original notion of having him imprisoned!
"I agree with Palpatine."
Jiraiya spoke up for the first time during this debate. Standing in the corner of the room keeping silent until now. Danzo glared at the Toad Sannin while Homura and Koharu were surprised.
"Jiraiya, you would side with him?! You would entrust our greatest weapon in the hands of some outsider?! He can't be trusted! The jinchuriki should be handled by-"
Jiraiya suddenly body flickered right to Danzo. A gust of wind, greater than Tsunade's, blew from his speed. The Toad Sannin stared down viciously at the old war hawk.
"That boy is my student and his name is Naruto Uzumaki! He is under my tutelage and protection not yours, Danzo!"
The killer intent in Jiraiya's eyes and chakra was enough to make even Tsunade speechless. She's never seen her old teammate this infuriated before. Sure, he's had his moments of outbursts and tantrums but never anything close to this.
Danzo wasn't backing down however and glared right back at Jiraiya. Almost like he was daring the Toad Sannin to attack him. An act while would have been treasonous would've been done without hesitation if Jiraiya was so inclined.
"Jiraiya be reasonable. The boy attacked our people. He must be punished or else it could set a bad example for the rest of our shinobi."
Jiraiya drew his glare to Homura which forced the old council member to shut his trap.
"Don't pretend that's the reason why you want him punished and his shinobi career terminated! You old fools have always been biased towards him! In fact, one of the many reasons why he's been mistreated constantly in this village is because you always turned a blind eye!"
This time it was Tsunade who spoke up this time. She wasn't going to let Jiraiya be the only one to defend Naruto against these old Leaf shinobi relics. They were not going to have their way with deciding what to do with the child. Not this time.
"I'll take full responsibility for the damages and injuries that Naruto caused. I'm good for it. In the meantime, we'll go with Palpatine's proposal of allowing Naruto the time he needs to get through this personal loss he's suffered with amongst...other things."
Jiraiya and Tsunade looked down in shame from Jiraiya's comment.
"But let me be straight with you three on one thing. If you even think about doing anything to harm my apprentice or anything that causes him to suffer, then Orochimaru won't be the only rogue Sannin this village will have to deal with! And with my spy network I guarantee you that I'll cause more damage than he ever will!"
Homura and Koharu's faces turned blue out of fear of Jiraiya's threat. Even Danzo was shocked from it. All three of them knew that if Jiraiya turned against them it could cause disastrous problems.
"Very well, we shall leave the boy be in Sidosaki's care for now. We're done here."
With Koharu's words she and Homura walked out of the wrecked office. Danzo still stood where he was glaring at all three of these aggravating stubborn nuisances. Moments later he scoffed and proceeded out the door too.
"I assure you that I will provide whatever Naruto will need to feel comfortable through this terrible situation."
Palpatine bowed to Tsunade and headed out the room as well; smiling.
After the old man was out of sight Tsunade went to her shattered desk and dug through it to find her sake bottle that luckily survived the destruction of her office. She didn't bother to find a cup this time as she flicked the bottle open with her thumb and started drinking from it heavily.
Tsunade got through half the bottle before she, without warning, threw it at the wall. Shattering it. She began to tremble and placed her hand over her mouth. Fighting back tears that began to sting her eyes.
Jiraiya walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders before turning her around gently and wrapped his arms around her.
Tsunade didn't fight back but instead hugged her teammate back and cried into his chest.
Minutes passed before she spoke.
"That look on his face, Jiraiya! It didn't just have hate, it also had pain as well! Pain that we caused! It's our fault that he's like this! It's our fault that this happened to him!"
Jiraiya hugged her tightly to try to comfort her.
"I know, Tsunade. I know."
Tsunade shoved Jiraiya away and pointed at him accusingly.
"WHY THE HELL WEREN'T YOU THERE FOR HIM! YOU'RE HIS GODFATHER! YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN RAISING AND HELPING HIM! INSTEAD YOU ALLOWED HIM TO GROW UP WITHOUT ANYONE TAKING CARE OF HIM IN A VILLAGE THAT HATES HIM! WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!"
"Tsunade calm down and lower your voice! Someone might hear!"
Tsunade was furious for being told to keep her voice down, but Jiraiya had a point. They couldn't risk allowing anyone to overhear for there was still the danger of Naruto's true identity being revealed. However, now that Naruto knows who he really is that danger is more apparent now than ever.
"And you damn well know why I had to keep away!"
Tsunade looked down at the corner of eyes while gritting her teeth.
"I couldn't risk it! Not after what happened to his father and Yahiko and the others. I didn't want him to have the same fate!"
Tsunade begrudgingly nodded. She knew what Jiraiya was talking about. It was a semi-valid reason for keeping away from Naruto.
"Even so, now I see that it was a mistake and you're right. I should've been there for him."
"I should've as well."
Jiraiya and Tsunade looked and saw Kakashi leaning against the doorway.
"I let my grief and misery keep me from seeing how much he needed someone there for him. Anyone to help him with this burden. I thought when he met Iruka that he would be enough to ease his pain and troubles but clearly he wasn't."
Kakashi walked in and sat on the couch.
"Did you talk to Sasuke?"
Kakashi looked up at Jiraiya.
"Yes, he's still hellbent on pursuing his brother and getting revenge. I tried to talk him into letting it go and accepting the friends he's made but he refused to listen. He made it clear that he would be even willing to put his teammates and others in danger to get to his brother, so I suspended him."
"Hmmm."
Jiraiya closed his eyes as he contemplated Kakashi's actions. It seemed the most appropriate course of action given Sasuke's unacceptable behavior and attack on Naruto. If Sasuke was fighting him to defend the village it would be understandable, but it was obviously not his motivation and reason for doing so.
"That's all well and good but what are we going to do about Naruto? Even if he pulls through Iruka's death he still won't trust us and the village's growing hatred for him will likely end up with him being imprisoned or dead if we don't do something!"
Tsunade had an excellent point. They had to act fast if they wanted to keep Naruto safe. It would be hard to do now though since the boy is beyond angry with them and likely doesn't trust them anymore.
"I've been thinking about it and I might have a solution."
Kakashi and Tsunade both leaned in a little with eagerness to hear Jiraiya's suggestion.
"I've been planning for awhile now to take Naruto on a training trip. I've been getting word that the Akatsuki has been on the move, so I thought taking Naruto with me would make it difficult for them to find him. I planned for the trip to take about 2 to 3 years so that Naruto's skills would've progressed enough where he should be able to handle being on his own better. It's going to be difficult to get him to come with me. I'm not gonna to lie. As you both now he doesn't trust any of us now, but I'll just have to convince him somehow. When I do, we'll have to leave right away. Hopefully while we're gone the villagers will calm down enough where they won't try to murder him on sight. I'll wait a day or two before I try to see Naruto and convince him then we'll leave later that night."
Kakashi and Tsunade looked at each other and then back at the Toad Hermit.
"All due respect, Master Jiraiya, that plan doesn't leave Naruto much time to grieve for Iruka."
Tsunade folded her arms over her bosom and nodded.
"I agree. I understand that time is of the essence because of the villagers, but we should give him a bit more than that for grieving, Jiraiya. I can post more guards to make sure he's safe until he's ready."
Jiraiya shook his head.
"We can't wait any longer than that. First of all, Naruto's abilities have grown far beyond than what we initially thought they were. Like the Yamanaka clan he's now capable of sensing others' thoughts but unlike them he doesn't need a jutsu or hand signs. That and from what the Anbu, he attacked, told us he can now produce lightning out of his fingertips. Lightning that doesn't require hand signs or even chakra to use. If I can get him out of here fast, I can help him study these powers of his to learn more of what they are, so that I can help him get better at controlling them. From what I've seen and heard Naruto seems to use these abilities at their maximum effect when his anger rises. And it seems when that happens he's somehow able to use a new ability of this 'Force' power we've never heard of."
Both Kakashi and Tsunade thought that to be a sound reasoning for getting Naruto out of the village fast. Even now they still know next to nothing about the Force. They knew enough that Naruto was so powerful with it that none of them could move when he restrained them earlier. If they didn't get a firm understanding of it soon then they would likely be nowhere near prepared for any other abilities that Naruto may gain from it.
"Second is that it's not just the villagers that have me wanting to get Naruto out of here fast for his safety. It's also Palpatine."
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya with confusion while Tsunade looked at him with expectance of an explanation that she's been wanting to hear of the old man for weeks.
"I've been doing digging on him but I haven't found anything yet that would suggest he's with the Akatsuki, Orochimaru or any of the other enemies of the Leaf. What I have found in his records to be strange though was that there wasn't anything on him owning any buildings in other countries. It turns out that he owns many in his home of the Land of Demons, but a man of his vast wealth would've had buildings and properties in many other villages and towns in the other nations. Instead he only has them here and in his home country. I asked some of my contacts in the Land of Demons if it were true of the many buildings there being owned by him and so far, not a single one is but they're still looking. I also requested that they ask around about Palpatine Sidosaki there too, but they haven't gotten back to me on that yet."
Kakashi and Tsunade looked at each other. They too thought it was strange. For a wealthy business man to not have many buildings that are easy to find in his home country, it was very peculiar.
"Even though I haven't found anything to suggest he's dangerous or a spy, I agree with you Tsunade that there's something seriously off about him. I can tell he's hiding something. I don't know what, but I keep getting a bad feeling when I think about it. That and with his keen interest in Naruto, I think it would be best to get Naruto out of here fast until more can be found out about Sidosaki. The reason why I agreed to allow Naruto to stay in his building was because I didn't want Sidosaki to catch on that I don't trust him, but once the next two days pass, I'm getting Naruto out of here and away from him."
Tsunade and Kakashi now understood Jiraiya's eagerness to get Naruto out of the village fast, but there was still a few things that bothered them about the plan
"Jiraiya, if your worried about him being around Naruto as much as I am then why did you also agree that only him and Sakura would be allowed to see Naruto while he stays at Palpatine's building? During that time there's no telling what he might do to Naruto if he's after him."
Jiraiya raised his hand.
"As I said before I had to make it look like I trusted him. As for the other concern I already took care of it. I did a summon earlier at Palpatine's complex. The toad will keep an eye on Naruto and if he thinks that Palpatine will attempt anything he'll summon me right to that building."
Tsunade closed her eyes. This could work. However, there was still one issue she felt they weren't considering.
"You know that if Naruto finds out we're trying to keep him away from Palpatine he may hate and distrust us even further. It could make it more difficult or even impossible to convince him to leave the village with you, Jiraiya. Palpatine is the only one left in the village that Naruto trusts and considers a precious friend."
Jiraiya looked up at Tsunade.
"No, there is another."
Meanwhile outside
The old war veteran Danzo was coming down from the Hokage tower. Walking down an empty street heading towards his secret Root headquarters. After reaching the halfway point of the paved area he stopped.
"You are to head to Sidosaki's apartment complex. Keep an eye on him and the jinchuriki. Report to me at the top of every hour on anything that's said or goes on in that building between those two."
"Hai, Lord Danzo!"
A cloaked figure, wearing an Anbu mask, flew across the rooftops while Danzo proceeded on his way like just nothing happened.
Palpatine's complex
Naruto felt cold. Far colder than when he went on the mission to the Snow Country. More so than any other point in his life. And he was falling.
How and where he did not know. He couldn't see anything. There was nothing but darkness in the void he was falling in. That and laughing. Evil laughter of a being that he was more than familiar with.
'Splendid! Splendid, indeed Naruto!'
Naruto tried to open his eyes, but he couldn't. He couldn't move any muscle in his body as he continued to fall. The only thing he could do was continue to listen to the Kyuubi. All while falling into this cold dark abyss.
'Destroy it! Destroy everything! Destroy…THE WHOLE WORLD!'
Naruto felt sharp pain throughout his body! The stinging cold now felt mixed with what felt like the burning touch of flames! He didn't know whether he was going to freeze or burn to death! His senses felt like they were taken away completely! There was nothing he could see! Nothing he could hear! Nothing he could touch!
It was nothing but the pain!
Finally, the torture ended when he felt his body splash into water! Naruto didn't move after his body finally settled on its surface. He was in too much pain to move. However, he was finally able to open his eyes only to see that he was back in his mindscape in the prison of the Kyuubi.
He once again heard the Kyuubi's laughter. The waves of the sewer sloshing around Naruto's body from the echoing and power of the demon's amusement. Naruto couldn't even turn his head to look at the giant beastly fox. The boy's body was in so much pain, and he was too confused.
He felt completely lost.
"Accept it, Naruto. It's your true nature. It is unavoidable. You and I are one mind, one body!"
Naruto felt his body burn again. He could see out of the corner of his eyes that there was steam coming out of him. Unnatural blue steam. It looked as if his very will and soul were being stripped away from him by the Kyuubi!
"Abandon this pointless defiance! Give in to me! Free me, and you shall have all the power that you'll ever need!"
Naruto felt another sharp pain through his body and new steam began to sizzle only from the water this time! Naruto found he could move again as he clutched his head in pain! The blue energy like steam, that was pouring out of his body, faded away as the steam from the water surrounded him! It was almost like he was trapped in another mist jutsu except the steaming mist surrounding him began to turn blood red!
"WHAT'S THIS?! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
Naruto was confused. He thought what was happening right now was the Kyuubi's doing! He didn't have time to ponder though as the pain in his head worsened! It felt like his skull was being split open!
Suddenly Naruto began to see things both in his mind and in the steaming mist around him! Horrific images that were worse than any nightmare! He grabbed his head harder to try to block them out and to suppress the searing pain!
"KYUUBI! WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
He didn't hear any response from the demonic fox. All he could hear was a sinister cackling that somehow sounded even worse than the Kyuubi's own evil laughter! Naruto tried not to look and to block out the sound, but he couldn't! He was helpless as these terrible images flooded into him!
"The Force is strong with you!"
Naruto turned around to see a hooded figure with sickly pale, vein bulging, hands shooting lightning out of his fingertips right at him! The lightning passed through his body, but his head felt like it was being fried by the energetic bolts! He didn't know who this cloaked figure was! He couldn't make out his face because of the hood but he could definitely see his eyes! They had a glowing yellow orange color to them. They were almost like Orochimaru's only they weren't snake like and were far more unnerving and sadistic looking! Despite the eyes and the pain though Naruto couldn't help but feel that something was very familiar about this mysterious figure.
Before he could think further on his identity, the image of the cloaked man faded away into smoke and was replaced with another that filled Naruto with absolute horror!
"NARUTO, PLEASE-!"
It was Sakura! She was backing away from him with a look of terror on her face! Suddenly she grasped her throat and began choking! Naruto rushed over to try get her, but she faded away too! He didn't understand what was happening!
"NARUTOOOOOOOOO!"
Naruto turned around and saw what looked like him and Sasuke fighting in some kind of valley with two giant statues! Both him and Sasuke looked barely human! They were charging at each other with what looked like the other him using a purple rasengan and Sasuke having a black chidori!
"SASUKEEEEEEEEE!"
Their attacks collided and caused a blinding flash of light that caused the real Naruto to shut his eyes! When he opened them again that image faded as well! He didn't understand why any of this was happening or what was even happening!
"A powerful Sith, you will become!"
It was that hooded figure's voice again! It sounded so familiar! But Naruto still couldn't concentrate on where he's heard it before or even what a Sith was due to the pain in his head!
Soon enough another image appeared! It was of the Hokage monument! It was different than when he last saw it though! The repairs on the Fourth Hokage's face looked old and there was a monument of Tsunade now! Naruto still didn't understand but time was not on his side to allow him to make sense of any of this as the monument began to crack! Spiderweb like tendrils snaked their away across the faces of all the previous Hokages including Tsunade's before it was ripped apart! Naruto gasped in horror of the sight but was even worse was the voice he heard screaming!
"I HATE YOU!"
It was his voice! Only it sounded different! It sounded so full of malice and rage! He clutched his head further as more images surrounded him! They were full of people that he's never seen or met before and most of them didn't look human, but they all had the same terrified looks on their faces as they were suddenly lifted into the air and began choking just like Sakura was moments ago!
Naruto wished he knew how to make these images and the pain stop! It was becoming unbearable to the point where he fell to his knees! He couldn't take it anymore!
"No! No!...NO!"
Suddenly the walls of the red steam collapsed but didn't dissipate. Instead it gathered in front Naruto and began to take form! He didn't know what it was turning into until when it finished it looked like it was some kind of face! Judging by the head's shape and dimensions he would say it was some kind of helmet, but he's never seen one quite like it before! It had two-pointed tusk like protrusions on both sides of a triangular box like mouth! When he looked at the eyes, there was absolutely nothing! Nothing but coal blackness in them! He didn't know why but the image terrified him! It was more frightening than anything else in his entire life combined!
HOOOOOOOOPUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR.
The sound that echoed from the mask sent a cold chill down Naruto's spine and the pain inside his head became unbearable to the point where he screamed in terror and agony!
'NARUTO, WAKE UP!'
Naruto all of a sudden found himself no longer facing that terrifying masked figure in the Kyuubi's sewer but on a couch with Sakura leaning over him with her hands on his cheeks!
"S-Sakura-san?"
Sakura breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank god, you're awake!"
She then removed something wet from Naruto's head. It was a wash cloth. She put it down on what looked to be a fancy coffee table before she turned back to him.
"You were burning up earlier so I-oof!"
Sakura was cut off as Naruto suddenly collided into her! Wrapping his arms around her like he was trying to keep her from going anywhere! Not that she was currently planning to.
"I'm so relieved that nothing has happened to you!"
Sakura looked down at Naruto and blushed at the tender act of contact the boy was making with her.
"Naruto, what you are talking about?"
Naruto looked up at her and realized what he just said and pulled away.
"Oh, um nothing. I just had a nightmare….is all."
He looked in the corner of his eye and could tell Sakura wasn't buying it, so he tried to change the subject.
"Where are we?"
He looked around the room they were in. It was huge and expensive looking. His old apartment could practically fit in it.
"This is the penthouse in Palpatine Sidosaki's apartment complex. He said that you could stay here free of charge, so me and Ino brought you here since…...well your old one burned down."
Sakura saw Naruto's face sadden a bit. She's been to his apartment once. It was old and dingy, and she never understood why Naruto would live there. Perhaps it was to get away from the villagers which would certainly make sense.
Naruto was indeed depressed about his old apartment. He had a lot of memories of that place. A few were good but most of them were of him being alone in it. Despite that though it was his home, but now it's gone. Just like him.
"Iruka-sensei…"
Naruto's eyes began to fill with tears as he remembered that his most precious person was dead. He'll never see him at Ichiraku again; never feel him ruffling up his hair and never hear him say how proud he is of him ever again. He was gone and Naruto feels more alone now than ever.
That is until he felt two slender arms wrap around him and pull him into a soft warm hug. Naruto cried into the crook of Sakura's neck. Cried for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
"It's not fair! It's not fair, Sakura-san! Why? Why did he have to go? Why did it have to be him? It's not fair!"
"Shhhhhhhh."
Sakura tried calming Naruto down while rocking him back and forth.
"I don't know, Naruto. I don't know the details of what happened on his mission. I just know that I'll miss him too."
Naruto cried harder into Sakura as he just had a terrible realization.
"He would be so ashamed of me, right now."
Sakura held Naruto back so that she could look him in the face.
"What are you talking about Naruto? He's never been ashamed of you."
Naruto looked down and scrunched his face. He was bracing himself for how Sakura will react to what he did. What he knows Iruka would be ashamed of him for doing.
"I attacked and hurt people today, Sakura-san. Villagers and shinobi. I hurt them badly. I couldn't control myself. Iruka has always told me to ignore them and to work hard at winning their admiration and acknowledgement for when I become Hokage and I failed! They hate me now more than ever!"
Sakura felt so disheartened for Naruto. Despite the fact that he did attack the villagers and fellow shinobi he couldn't really be blamed considering he's been through so much trauma in the last couple of days. Luckily it turns out there were no casualties from today, but still she wished she knew the right words to say to cheer him up, but perhaps there weren't any for this situation.
Nevertheless, she was going to try.
"Naruto, I've seen Iruka and you together when you two were hanging out. You guys were closer than brothers. Believe me when I say that Iruka wouldn't believe that you failed."
Naruto shook his head.
"You're wrong."
He looked up at her and saw her confused expression.
"Because I hate them too!"
Sakura was stunned. She felt that she shouldn't be surprised but still to hear Naruto say that out loud? It felt so wrong. She didn't know how to respond.
"I hated every single one of them there, Sakura-san. The villagers and the shinobi. Not only just the men but the women and the children there too! This one boy looked at me like I was a monster and I didn't even care because I hated him! They've always treated me like an animal, so I fought them like an animal! I HATE THEM!"
Naruto started to cry again while Sakura still remained shocked to his confession.
"That's why I failed Iruka! Because a true Hokage could never hate his own people!"
Sakura once again didn't know what to say. She felt that it was her duty as his teammate and a shinobi to lecture him about how he shouldn't allow himself to have these feelings of hatred towards the very people that they swore to protect but how could she? How could she after what she found out about his past and his apartment? Naruto was only human after all and it was impossible for even shinobi to ignore their feelings.
"I just wish I knew what to do."
Sakura thought more about what to say to him. What to say to help uplift his spirits and to get him back to the way he used to be. After a few seconds of hard thinking she knew what to say.
"Naruto, are you giving up on your dream?"
Naruto looked at her.
"What?"
Sakura took a breath as she prepared to ask again. Hoping that Naruto would the give the answer she was hoping for. Because if he didn't then she wouldn't know what to do.
"Are you giving up on your dream of becoming Hokage?"
Naruto's eyes widened as he fully understood the question. He looked down as he pondered. He never really thought about it since finding out about Iruka.
"I don't know."
Sakura looked at the corner of her eyes as she thought about what to say next.
"Naruto, I understand why you hate the villagers and I also want to apologize for asking you out to the Kyuubi festival without knowing the real reason why you didn't want to go."
Naruto's face suddenly turned to one of fear and he began to tremble in Sakura's grip!
'NO! NO! NO! NO!'
"It's because of what the villagers did to you at the festival four years ago. When they hunted you down and almost beat you to death because someone cheated you at the fish stall and you called them out on it. That and Lord Third didn't even punish them for their cruelty. That's why you hate it and never went back."
Naruto relaxed a little even though his body was still tense.
"Oh, so you found out about that, huh?"
Sakura nodded.
"Hinata told me and Ino."
Naruto was breathing easier on the inside since it was clear that Sakura didn't find out about the main reason why he hated the festival.
"Naruto, even though the things they did back then and last night were wrong you can't let them and what happened today drive you away from your goal! If you let them then you really will have failed Iruka-sensei!"
Naruto's eyes widened again as he realized that he hadn't considered that at all. Maybe Sakura was right, and he didn't fail Iruka yet. Perhaps there was still a chance to achieve his dream.
"Iruka would still believe in you, Naruto! Just like Kakashi sensei; Master Jiraiya; Lady Tsunade and even m-"
"THOSE LYING BASTARDS NEVER BELIEVED IN ME!"
Sakura was startled by Naruto's outburst. The look of pain and anger in his eyes was also shocking. She didn't understand why Naruto snapped at the mere mention of their sensei and the two Sannin or what Naruto meant by them being liars.
Naruto looked down at the floor indicating he didn't want to talk about it, but Sakura needed to know what he meant.
"Naruto, I don't understand. What's going on? What do you mean they're liars?"
Naruto looked at her after taking a deep breath.
"They lied to me about my parents, Sakura-san. They knew them. Hatake and Jiraiya were close friends with them, but they did nothing to help me when they died. They all abandoned me; the scum!"
Sakura gasped at what she just heard.
"They knew your parents?!"
Naruto nodded.
Sakura's mind went into overload with trying to make sense of the information Naruto just told her.
"B-But why didn't they tell you about them?"
Naruto scoffed and looked back at the floor.
"They claimed it was to protect me, but I don't believe it for a second! If they really wanted to protect me they would've been there for me while I was growing up in this hellhole!"
Sakura should've taken offense that Naruto called their village that, but she figured that that's what it may have practically been for Naruto.
Sakura realized something then.
"Naruto, do you know who your parents are now?"
Naruto looked back at her. The anger in his eyes was still there only there was more hate and pain in them than there was just mere seconds ago. He swallowed some dried spit in his mouth before he answered her.
"Yes."
Sakura pressed further.
"So, who were they?"
Sakura couldn't help asking as she's always been a little curious as to the identity of Naruto's parents.
"I can't tell you."
Sakura stammered a bit.
"W-Why not?"
Naruto took another deep breath as he prepared to answer her.
"It's an S-class secret, Sakura-san. If I were to tell you and people found out you knew, you could be in danger. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Sakura was touched that Naruto was trying to protect her and she even blushed from it. That and she respected and was proud that he was being diligent about keeping an S-class secret, so she decided to not press further on the topic. Yet, there was still something that still confused her.
Why did Kakashi and the others leave Naruto to grow up alone if they knew his parents? It didn't make sense. Their sensei has never abandoned them and has even lectured them about never abandoning comrades. And if everything she has heard about the two Sannin were true then neither would they. There had to be more to it. Perhaps they did do it to protect Naruto.
"Naruto, I don't think that they would leave you to grow up like that unless it was for a good reason. There has to be one. Don't you think?"
Naruto scoffed again.
"No, there isn't"
Of course, Naruto would be stubborn about acknowledging that there might be one. Sakura wasn't going to let up though. She knew shinobi as great as those three wouldn't do things like that without reason. They were well respected Leaf shinobi after all.
"Naruto, come on. I know you're angry with them, but do you really think our sensei; Master Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade are the kind of people that would just abandon the child of their friends without-"
"Sakura-san, why are you here?"
Sakura was caught off guard with that question. She knew Naruto was trying to change the subject. She would've ignored his attempt but the look in his eyes more than suggested he no longer wished to discuss the topic further, so she decided to answer his question.
"I told you. Ino and I brought you here. You were still unconscious, so I stayed."
While the reasoning was sound, it wasn't the answer to Naruto's question.
"Sakura-san I mean why did you choose to bring me here and stay with me rather than go with Sasuke?"
Sakura was stumped with that one. She looked in the corner of her eyes. Wondering whether she should tell him or not.
"B-Because I've been very worried about you lately."
Sakura looked and saw that Naruto clearly didn't understand. She realized she was going to have to tell him about her worry and concern for him these past few months. Something she didn't expect she was going to have to do and felt nervous about. Nevertheless, Sakura took a deep breath as she began to tell him.
"Naruto, ever since the chuunin exams you've been acting differently. You've been avoiding and barely talking to anyone; including me. You don't even smile anymore when I see you. You always have this hateful look whenever we're around the villagers. That and you've been getting into fights with Sasuke more and even with our own sensei! Whenever you and Sasuke glare at each other and when you two argue I get scared to death! And today I was sure that you two were going to kill each other and I nearly died when you two almost did! And…. And…. AND LAST NIGHT I THOUGHT YOU WERE KILLED WHEN YOUR APARTMENT BURNED DOWN! I SPENT ALMOST THE WHOLE NIGHT SEARCHING FOR YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE ALRIGHT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE ALRIGHT BECAUSE YOU WON'T TELL ME AND LET ME HELP YOU!"
Sakura immediately broke down and started crying. Naruto didn't know what to do at first. Until he did what felt natural and wrap his own arms around Sakura. Sakura hugged Naruto back and squeezed him tightly as she herself cried into his neck.
Naruto had no idea that Sakura was carrying this kind of worry for him all this time. He thought the fear he sensed from her was of him when it turns out it was for him. She was actually worried for the blonde knucklehead! How could he have been so stupid!
"Sakura-san, I'm sorry."
Sakura pulled away from the hug and proceeded to bang on him lightly.
"DON'T EVER DO THAT TO ME, AGAIN!"
Naruto gently grabbed her arms and pulled her back into his embrace. Stroking her back to try to calm her down. Sakura wrapped her arms around him again and whispered.
"You have no idea how worried I was, last night. Don't you ever frighten me like that again!"
Naruto was actually deeply touched that Sakura spent so long last night looking for him. He's never known any of his classmates to do such a thing for him. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't surprised Sakura did it. He thought without a doubt she would do something like that for Sasuke but never in a million years for him.
Sakura gently broke off the hug and rubbed her tears off her face before she looked at Naruto seriously.
"Naruto, promise me you will never fight Sasuke like that again! Promise me!"
Naruto looked at her shocked and then turned back to staring at the ground. He wanted to make that promise but he knew it would be damn near impossible! The reason why is because of Sasuke's new attitude and aggression towards him. He could still feel it now though it was mixed with some regret and empathy.
If he made that promise and Sasuke were to attack him again he would be totally defenseless because his word to Sakura would prohibit him from fighting back.
Sakura could tell that Naruto was struggling to make this promise. She knew the reason was because of Sasuke. The ravened haired Uchiha hasn't been himself lately like Naruto.
Sakura began to think that maybe if Naruto learned the truth about what happened to Sasuke it could help restore some stability between her two teammates and convince Naruto to take the promise.
"Naruto, there's something I need to tell you about Sasuke. Kakashi sensei told me not to tell anyone but I'm going to tell you because you need to understand."
Naruto looked at Sakura wondering what on earth was it that their sensei had to keep her from telling him or anyone else about Sasuke? That and inside he was stewing that Kakashi kept another secret from him. He would deal with that later but now he was going to listen to what Sakura has to say about their Uchiha teammate.
"During the chuunin exams when we were attacked by that Grass Genin, he placed a weird seal on Sasuke's neck. It's apparently called a curse mark. It enhances Sasuke's strength and speed in combat as well as his chakra but at the same time it…..it changes him. It makes him more violent and aggressive. If that wasn't bad enough it turns out that Grass Genin was in reality-"
"Orochimaru."
Sakura looked at Naruto with shock as to how he deduced that already. Her sensei made her swear to not tell anyone that Orochimaru attacked them and gave Sasuke that curse mark. She could understand if some of the other team leaders and the Hokage knew but it didn't make sense how Naruto found out.
"How did you know?"
Naruto crossed his arms and closed his eyes as he remembered his mission to bring back Tsunade.
"When I fought him, during my mission to bring back Tsunade, I figured it out. It's a miracle we all survived when he ambushed us in the forest. That guy is no joke."
Sakura suddenly grabbed Naruto by the shoulders.
"YOU FOUGHT OROCHIMARU?!"
Naruto sweat dropped and nodded his head.
"Y-Yeah."
Sakura immediately began checking his neck, arms and other parts of his body.
"Uhhhhh Sakura-san, what are you doing?"
Sakura responded while still looking him over.
"I'm checking to make sure that snake bastard didn't put any curse marks on you too!"
Sakura began to lift up his jacket. Naruto started to panic that she might accidentally find the Kyuubi's seal with the way she was searching his body and grabbed her arms! Trying to stop her from finding out his secret!
"Sakura-san, I don't have any marks, I swear!"
Sakura didn't listen as she tried to break free of Naruto's grip so that she could see for herself.
"I'll be the judge of that! Now, let go of me!"
The two struggled against each other until Naruto lost balance and fell off the couch! As he did he accidentally pulled Sakura down with him! The two genin landed on the floor where they proceeded to roll around wrestling with each other!
It looked like Naruto had the advantage until Sakura flipped him over! When he landed on his back she broke free of his grip and proceeded to pin his arms down with her own! Sitting on his waist so that her weight would keep him from escaping!
"Ha! Got you now!"
Naruto struggled a bit beneath Sakura to free himself before finally submitting in defeat.
Both genins panted hard from that little scuffle. Sakura however didn't resume her search for curse marks on Naruto's body as she was too busy staring into Naruto's eyes. She wasn't the only one as Naruto was staring right back into hers. Seconds went by as they stared contently at each other and without either one even knowing it their faces began to slowly get closer and closer to each other. Too lost in each other's eyes to even notice their lips were just inches apart.
Before their lips could make contact a loud growling sound erupted in the room. Snapping both genins out of their trances. The growling sound erupted again, and Sakura bolted upright. Her face crimson with embarrassment as she looked down when her stomach growled again.
She looked at Naruto with a horrified and humiliated expression. That is until Naruto's own stomach released a deeper growl. Forcing the young jinchuriki's own face to turn bright red.
Both embarrassed genins looked each before chuckling and giggling at their predicament.
Yakiniku BBQ restaurant
Word of Naruto's rampage spread fast throughout the village. Many were calling for the jinchuriki to be imprisoned. Others wanted the young Uzumaki boy's head on a plate. And there were some who didn't know what to make of the situation.
The few that had the latter feeling could be found with the other genins of the Konoha 12; where right now they were arguing about Naruto's actions.
"I'm telling you, there's no excuse for what he did!"
Kiba of course was the one ranting his head off. The young Inuzuka pup was barking as usual about his opinions. Little did he know that his constant yelling and accusing was causing a few tick marks to appear on some of the other genins.
"You don't go around hurting random villagers just because a few burned down your home! It's messed up! Naruto has gone nuts I tell you!"
"SHUT UP, KIBA!"
Ino Yamanaka suddenly rose to her feet.
"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!"
Kiba suddenly pressed his face into Ino's. His eyes white wide saucers; the same as hers. Not backing down.
"DON'T TELL ME TO SHUT UP, PIG!"
"WHAT YOU CALL ME?!"
Now, Ino was furious. She only allows Sakura to get away with calling her that. Anyone else who would dare to do it she wouldn't take sitting down!
"I have to agree with Kiba! Naruto has to be held accountable and punished severely for what he did! He could've killed someone!"
It was Tenten that spoke up this time. The twin bun brown haired girl also thought that Naruto shouldn't be let off easy. Of course, she wasn't going to get away with saying those words without starting an argument herself.
"Come on, TenTen! He didn't kill anyone! The Lady Hokage herself said that no one suffered any permanent injuries! Naruto held back! He was just upset about his apartment! Wouldn't you be too?"
Tenten rose to her feet at Choji Akimichi's words.
"OF COURSE, I WOULD BUT I WOULDN'T GO AROUND HURTING EVERY SINGLE PERSON I SEE! AND WHY ARE YOU DEFENDING HIM FOR ATTACKING INNOCENT MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN AND SHINOBI?!"
Choji of course was stuffing himself with BBQ meat that just finished cooking on the grill in front of them.
"I'm not and he didn't attack children either! I'm just saying-"
"WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU SAYING, FATTY?!"
Choji's face grew furious and steamed came out of his nose at Tenten's insult. He jumped to his feet himself. Screaming at Tenten's face.
"I'M NOT FAT! I'M PLEASENTLY PLUMP!"
The atmosphere started to get really tense for those of the Leaf 12 there who weren't arguing until a soft voice spoke up
"T-There's m-more to Naruto's pain than what happened l-last night!"
All eyes fell on Hinata. The Hyuga girl became nervous with all the attention, but she steeled herself to not pass out or get too nervous to talk. She wasn't going to stay quiet without explaining Naruto's reasoning to those that didn't know.
"Seriously? You too Hinata?! What is wrong with you?! Naruto is-"
"Let Hinata speak, Kiba."
Shino spoke up for the first time. Kiba looked at the insect handler and was about to protest but he knew it would prove no use since Shino was even more stubborn than he was. Ino put her hands on her hips before turning to Hinata.
"Go on Hinata. Tell them what you told me and Sakura last night!"
Kiba and the others looked at Ino confused before looking at Hinata and back at her again.
"Tell us what?"
Tenten asked a good question. Even Shikamaru, lazy as he is, wanted to know what the Hyuga heiress was talking about. The four genins sat back down as Hinata prepared to tell the tale of when Naruto last attended the Kyuubi festival.
As she told the story the faces of the genins present turned from ones of confusion to those of shock. When Hinata finished their faces were full of horror. No one there, save for Ino, ever knew the villagers did that to Naruto.
"So, no one was punished for doing that to him?"
Ino nodded to Tenten's question and the weapons mistress's face became even more horrified and disgusted. Choji even dropped a piece of meat on the floor from how stunned he was that the villagers did such a horrible thing to their classmate. Shikamaru was already aware of the cruelty of the villagers towards Naruto, but he never thought that it went as far as a public beating. Shino's expression was a mystery but given how he was slumped and looking down at the table's surface it seemed as if he too felt sympathy for Naruto.
Kiba was too shocked for words to describe. He never suspected anything so horrible to have happened to Naruto what with that goofy idiotic smile he always wore on his face. It was crazy as was the villagers chasing him down and trying to kill him.
"Still, though it doesn't make sense for Naruto to have suddenly snapped and go on a rampage like that for something that happened 4 years ago. And even with his apartment burning down I feel like that it still wouldn't be enough to push him over the edge like that. There has to be something else were missing."
"There is."
Shikamaru turned to Ino.
"Iruka sensei is…...dead."
Everyone gasped at Ino's revelation.
"Iruka sensei is dead?!"
Ino turned to Choji and nodded while wiping away some tears that were forming in her eyes. The Akimichi dropped another piece of meat and at this point put down his chopsticks as he no longer had an appetite after everything he just heard. He wasn't the only one beyond shocked as the other genin's faces were frozen from it. Of all the horrible revelations that they just learned that one had to be the worst.
They all looked down solemnly at the news that their beloved academy instructor was now deceased.
"How did it happen?"
Shino spoke up again and this time a few tears could be seen streaking down from beneath his shades. Ino looked at the Aburame and shook her head while shrugging her shoulders. Indicating that she doesn't know.
"I only just found out a little while ago when Naruto screamed it out. I was going to ask Lady Tsunade, but she had this awful look on her face, so I didn't bother her with it."
Shino understood and nodded. Still that did little to ease the genins' desire for wanting to know how Iruka died. Akamaru whined on top of Kiba's head. Making him stroke the little pup.
"It make sense when you put it all together. Between yesterday being the anniversary of when he was brutally beaten, his apartment being set on fire and finding out about Iruka sensei's death it shouldn't be any surprise that Naruto would go ballistic. He and Iruka were close. In fact, he was the only shinobi in the village other than the Hokage that I've ever seen treat Naruto kindly. I can't imagine what Naruto must be going through."
"I can."
Everyone turned to see Neji and Lee standing before them. Lee was on crutches since he was still recovering from the operation Tsunade did on him. Neji stood there stoic as usual but it was clearly obvious he had something to say.
"Neji-kun."
Neji turned to Hinata and bowed to her.
"Lady Hinata."
Neji then turned back to the rest of the group.
"I know exactly the hardship and hell that Naruto is going through right now."
Some of the genins were confused while others there knew what the Hyuga prodigy was getting at.
"As a member of the branch house of the Hyuga clan I had to endure putting up with the cruelty and self-entitlement of the members of the main house. If I or another member of the branch house ever spoke or rose up against them they put us through horrible pain with a jutsu."
Hinata looked down in shame of that which didn't go unnoticed by her cousin.
"I thought it couldn't get any worse until the main house members had my father stand in for Lord Hiashi to be executed for killing a shinobi from another village who tried to kidnap Lady Hinata."
Hinata flinched at that which again didn't go unnoticed.
"Ever since then I hated the main branch members. I began to be consumed with believing that everything was decided by fate. That there was no escape from it. Like there was no escape for my father and there was none for me."
Neji looked down as he remembered the pain he had to endure throughout most of his childhood over the loss of his father.
"I knew and believed it until I met Naruto. A genin who I thought was fated to lose in our battle, but instead actually won. He told me that fate has no control over you but that you have control over it. Later this was proven to me by Lord Hiashi when he told me that my father chose to stand in for him even when he was against it. My father took hold of his fate. While most of the main members still agreed and suggested it the fact is that my father chose it rather than was forced into it."
Neji turned to Hinata.
"Lady Hinata, I've been cold and cruel to you for something that was neither you nor Lord Hiashi's fault. Please forgive me."
Neji bowed to Hinata, who was shocked to hear the Hyuga prodigy apologize to her.
"There's nothing to forgive Neji-kun. Anyone would've done the same thing if they were in your situation."
Neji stood up and nodded.
"And that situation is pretty much where Naruto is."
Neji turned back to the rest of the group, who were deep in thought. Indeed, they all would've done the same thing if they went through the same torture that both Neji and Naruto suffered through. It was hard for any of them to imagine Naruto ever smiling or goofing off again.
"At this point I can't really judge him anymore for what happened today."
Tenten nodded in agreement with Kiba. She couldn't judge the blonde former knucklehead on his actions anymore either. None of them could.
"But there's one thing that doesn't make sense to me. Why did Sasuke attack Naruto like that?"
Everyone looked at Lee.
"Because he thought Naruto was going crazy, I would think."
Tenten had a good point, but Lee wasn't convinced.
"But they are teammates. Teammates would never attack one another when one is suffering through great hardship and Sasuke lost his entire clan, so he should've understood what Naruto was going through and tried to reason with him."
Everyone was surprised that Lee actually gave a very deductive reasoned explanation without once mentioning anything about the power of youth.
"AS GAI SENSEI WOULD SAY, IT IS NOT WHAT SOMEONE WITH THE POWER OF YOUTH SHOULD DO TO A COMRADE!"
A background of a sunset and waves splashing behind Lee made everyone sweat drop with swirly lines behind them when they realized they should've known better.
"Well, Sasuke may not have known about Iruka. He looked just as surprised as me, Hinata, and Sakura were when Naruto said he was dead."
Shikamaru cupped his chin as he pondered the Uchiha's actions.
"Even so, Lee is right. It does seem off that Sasuke wouldn't try to calm Naruto down first before engaging him. Given that they're teammates and everything."
Kiba thought about that and spoke up.
"Yeah, but those two are always fighting. Maybe when Naruto went all rampaging it gave Sasuke an excuse to fight him."
Kiba might've been right. They all knew the Uzumaki and the Uchiha hated each other's guts most of the time. Least from what they saw during their academy days.
"Sakura did say that they were fighting more often than usual."
"Hey, where is Sakura?"
Ino turned to Choji and answered him.
"She's with Naruto at Sidosaki's apartment building."
Choji and most of the others were surprised.
"Really? I thought she would've stayed with Sasuke. She has a crush on him after all."
Choji was not wrong. Everyone there pretty much knew how bad Sakura was in love with Sasuke. It was borderline obsessive like with Ino and most of the other girls in the village, but no one would dare say that to Sakura or Ino's faces.
"Maybe Sakura's falling for Naruto, now."
Kiba could tell by the look on everyone's faces that they were practically telling him to shut up with his jokes since it was not the time.
"Regardless it's a good thing she's there to watch to him. I don't know what kind of punishment Naruto's going to be facing from the council or the villagers but for now our orders are that starting tomorrow we're to help with the damages and to make sure no one tries anything at the apartment building he's staying at. We're also not to make contact with Naruto until he's deemed ready to have more visitors. These orders are straight from the Hokage."
Everyone nodded in understanding of what they are to do. Some of them wished that they could see him to offer their condolences but perhaps it is best for Naruto to not be bothered by too many visitors. They just hoped that after some heads cooled things will go back to normal.
Little did they know that things would never be normal again.
Palpatine's complex
Naruto and Sakura both sat while eating Ichiraku ramen that Sakura went out and brought back earlier. Given how both genin's had nothing to eat since last night, they both scarfed down the first few bowls in a matter of seconds. After that though they ate at a much slower pace considering that both still had a lot on their minds.
During that time Naruto told Sakura about how he fought and almost killed Orochimaru. To say that the Cherry Blossom kunoichi was shocked was an understatement. There were a few times where she thought he was lying but she could feel that he wasn't.
"I still can't believe you fought and bested Orochimaru. It's incredible, Naruto!"
Sakura didn't know whether to feel very proud that Naruto beat Orochimaru or to beat the ever-living shit out of him for doing something so foolish and dangerous! She had to remind herself that is was Naruto and he didn't know the meaning of the word, "danger", but she still felt the urge to knock his head loose! She's glad she wasn't there when he did fight Orochimaru or else she might've done just that!
"Yeah, but I still let the evil bastard get away. Mark my words if I ever see him again, I'm going to destroy him!"
Sakura felt a sudden chill throughout her body. She tried to ignore it, as she reached over and took hold of Naruto's hand. Squeezing it affectionately while rubbing it with her thumb.
Naruto looked at her and was surprised by her act of tenderness.
"Naruto, I know that you're eager to make him pay for what he did to the village but promise me you won't fight him alone again. Orochimaru is not an opponent you can just fight all by yourself. Look at what he did to Lord Third. I don't want the same thing to happen to you! Please?"
Naruto sighed. He couldn't refuse Sakura. He just couldn't. Especially with that cute kitten look she had on her face.
"Alright, Sakura. You win. I won't fight him without backup next time."
Naruto smiled and she smiled back. She looked at the window as the sun began setting. Realizing that it was getting late.
"It's getting late so I better get going."
Sakura put her bowl down and started heading to the door. She sat down and started putting her shinobi sandals back on. As she was doing that, Naruto came up behind her.
"Hey, Sakura-san. What we had just now…. was it a date?"
Sakura stopped adjusting her sandal. She thought about it for a bit and smiled. Deciding to tease the Uzumaki boy a little. Just enough to get him to smile at her again. She stood up and turned around while placing her hands on her hips. She motioned with her finger for Naruto to step down.
Naruto for some reason began to feel nervous. Swallowing some dry spit and ramen broth in his mouth as he did what she wanted. Sakura placed her hand back on her hip as she looked down at him since she was a little taller than him. It was one of things that always made Naruto nervous when talking to her. Like a mouse looking up at a cat.
Sakura bent down a little as she spoke.
"What would you do if I were to say it was a date~? Hmmm?"
Naruto began to shake more. He felt so terrified of her right now! Sakura noticed it and thought it was adorable. Despite his nerves acting up, Naruto breathed in and out slowly to steel them. That and what he was about to say next was going to be the hardest thing he's ever said in his life, but for her he'll do it.
"I would promise you that I will never fight Sasuke ever again!"
Sakura was taken by surprise with Naruto's words. Once again he has proven without a doubt that he really is the most unpredictable ninja in the Leaf! Sakura began to blush, and her heart started beating faster!
"Really? You'd really do that for me?"
Naruto nodded slowly.
"Yes, I would Sakura-san."
Sakura clasped her hands behind her back, and she fidgeted with her feet.
"Then I guess it was a date."
Naruto would've smiled but Sakura still looked anxious about something. He wasn't wrong as she was looking down at her sandal clad feet while still blushing, as there was something else she wanted to ask of him. Though she was afraid of his answer.
"Hey Naruto-kun, do you think you could start calling me, 'Sakura-Chan', again?"
Now, Naruto was the one stumped. It was surprising that Sakura wanted him to start calling her that again but what was even more so was that she called him "Naruto-kun"! Something he's always wanted to hear her call him. Maybe he was dreaming? If he was then he didn't want this dream to ever end.
"I think I can do just that Sakura-Chan. Believe it!"
Sakura's heart leaped at Naruto's words and she suddenly snatched him into another hug! Hugging him so hard she was on the verge of crushing him! Naruto didn't care though as he hugged her back with everything he had!
After a few minutes, Sakura started to pull away until she looked into his eyes again. Into those bright blue ocean eyes sparkling with the joy and happiness that she's missed seeing for so long. She couldn't help but feel entranced by them.
It was the same for Naruto as he stared into her beautiful emerald green eyes. Eyes that looked like green fields on a perfect sunny day. He could get lost in them forever.
Once again neither one knew how close their faces were getting to each other. They kept getting closer and closer till they stopped with just a few centimeters of distance between them. Their lips were so close that they could literally feel the heat off of them and their breathes.
Finally, they closed their eyes and kissed.
The kiss started off clumsy since Sakura was bigger than him and neither one had experience at this but gradually it started to become more natural. Sakura's lips felt more soft and wet than anything Naruto has ever tasted. For Sakura; Naruto's lips felt so rough and chipped but at the same time so gentle and caring. One thing they both felt from each other's lips though was warmth.
Tender loving warmth.
Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck as she tried pressing her lips harder against Naruto's to deepen the kiss. Naruto did the same as he placed one hand on her back and the other behind her head. Neither one was getting enough though as Naruto pressed Sakura against the door while Sakura wrapped her right leg around his left.
They both began to moan in pleasure from the kiss and the way their bodies pressed against each other until Sakura's eyes snapped open and she pushed Naruto away. While it wasn't roughly Naruto still looked at her bewildered as to why she stopped. Sakura herself also looked confused as to why she did that, but still kept him at arm's length.
"No, I shouldn't have done that! Naruto, I'm sorry, but I-I-I have to go! We'll talk later, okay!"
Sakura then bolted out the door! Slamming it shut before Naruto could say anything to stop her. The young genin didn't understand what was going on. He started to panic and think maybe he did something wrong and frightened her off! That or she was mad at him for making a move on her! He began to get frantic at the thought that he might've drove Sakura away by kissing her without her permission!
The nerve wreck boy began to pull at his hair for being such a hopelessly in love idiot until he heard a knock at the door. Hoping it was Sakura he rushed to the door and nearly tore it open! Only to find not Sakura but Palpatine!
"Old Man Palp?"
Palpatine bowed to Naruto.
"Good evening Naruto, may I?"
Palpatine gestured with his hand indicating he wanted to enter which Naruto of course allowed.
Unknown to Naruto though as Palpatine walked in was that one of Jiraiya's toad summons laid unconscious in a corner at the end of the hall.
Palpatine walked over and sat on the couch in the living room while Naruto of course preferred to stand as he was curious to the nature of Palpatine's visit.
"First and foremost, my condolences for your loss, Naruto. It is beyond tragic for you to have lost such a dear friend."
Naruto offered Palpatine a sad smile.
"Thank you, Old Man Palp. It means a lot coming from you."
Palpatine smiled back.
"How are you taking it, Naruto?"
Naruto smile grew bigger.
"I think I'm handling it better now! Thanks for asking!"
Palpatine nodded.
"And how are you really feeling about it, Naruto?"
Naruto's smile diminished completely as Palpatine once again saw through his mask. He looked down at the floor. His bangs covering his eyes.
"Like someone knocked me down and kicked me in the stomach over and over till I puked my guts out!"
Palpatine nodded again as that was the kind of answer he was expecting.
"I noticed Sakura running out of the building on my way in. Is everything alright between you two?"
Naruto shrugged and started to pace back and forth.
"I don't know. One minute everything was pretty good between us and the next we started kissing and then she ran out! I feel like I did something to upset her!"
Palpatine nodded in understanding.
"It is certainly possible. Sakura has shown to have been easily provoked by your harmless antics in the past. Though I find it rather unexpected and odd as to how she suddenly came to show considerable care for you and an uncanny desire to remain in your presence when she brought you here."
Naruto looked at the old man with confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Palpatine explained.
"Well, it's as I just previously stated where she has always shown considerable annoyance of you in the past to the point where she has verbally and physically abused you. Along with that she always preferred Sasuke Uchiha's cold uninviting company as opposed to your own. For her behavior to just suddenly change like that is unprecedented. Almost suspicious. I believe Sakura Haruno is hiding something."
Naruto's eyes widened and his fists tightened a bit.
"That's not true! Sakura-Chan can be trusted! I'm sure of it!"
Palpatine looked at the boy with sympathy.
"Or perhaps you don't want to admit it. There is much confusion in you, Naruto."
Naruto turned and looked at the door. He didn't want to acknowledge it more than anything but Palpatine was right. It was very unnatural for Sakura to suddenly show great care for him and to add the affectionate, "kun", suffix to his name when, for as long as he knew her, she's always treated him harshly while caring more for Sasuke and used the suffix with his name.
Not to mention how strange it was when she ran out in the middle of their kiss. If she didn't want to kiss him she could've just smacked him on the head or told him no. Instead she kissed him too and they even made out a little until she freaked out and left. It was all very strange indeed.
"I feel that she is hiding something from you just as Lady Tsunade and the Leaf elders are hiding something from you. It is also upsetting to me to see that Lady Tsunade and the council still don't seem to fully appreciate your talents and sacrifices. Don't you wonder why they won't make you a chuunin?"
Naruto started pacing again.
"I wish I knew. More and more I get the feeling that they're doing everything they can to exclude me from being promoted to a chuunin. Despite what they said about the Fourth Hokage not wanting me to know about him till I was a jounin it's becoming more like they never intended for me to ever reach that rank or chuunin."
Naruto looked at Palpatine, who was listening intently.
"I know that there's still things about my parents and my purpose that they're not telling me."
Palpatine nodded again.
"They don't trust you, Naruto."
Palpatine rose up and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"They believe that they see your future and they think they know that your powers with the Force and the Kyuubi will be too strong to control. You must completely break through the fog of lies that Tsunade, the council, and the village have created around you. Naruto, let me to help you learn more about the Force."
Naruto looked at Palpatine confused.
"How are you going to help me learn more about the Force?"
Palpatine smiled as he explained.
"My mentor taught me everything about the Force. Even the nature of the Darkside."
The confused look on Naruto turned to one of unbelieving shock.
"You know how to use the Force and the Darkside?"
Palpatine removed his hand from Naruto and stood in front of him.
"Naruto, if one is to understand a great mystery and power, such as the Force, one must study and learn all its aspects not just the dogmatic narrow view that shinobi have with their power of chakra. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader of tremendous power, you must embrace a larger and greater view of the Force."
Palpatine began to walk around Naruto as he continued his speech.
"Be careful of Tsunade and the shinobi of this world, Naruto. Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any ninja! Learn to fully know the Darkside of the Force and you will be able to finally free yourself from this village."
Palpatine smiled at the boy while Naruto just stood there staring shockingly at him.
"W-What did you say?"
Naruto fumbled a bit at Palpatine's proclamation. Did the Darkside really have the means to help release him from the suffering that this village inflicts on him? Did he really have a chance to be free?
"Use my knowledge! I beg you! Join me, Naruto! Leave this village! Leave this world with me! Be free of the burden your parents have placed on you! It's what you want isn't it? To have the life of freedom and acknowledgment, you deserve!"
Naruto didn't know why but he started to feel uneasy around Palpatine. The old man's calm kind presence felt cold, unnatural and dark. Why did he want Naruto to come with him and learn more about the Darkside? Does he really care that much for the boy that he would divulge to him secrets of power no one else knows about? Also, what did he mean by leaving the world? Naruto was having a hard time grasping all of this.
"I don't understand."
Palpatine started circling him again.
"I know what's been troubling you. Listen to me. Don't continue to be a pawn for Tsunade and the council!"
He stopped in front of Naruto again.
"Ever since I met you months ago you've been searching for a life greater than that of an ordinary ninja. A life of significance; of acceptance! I can give that to you, Naruto!"
Naruto was struggling inside. Palpatine's offer sounded too good to be true. Even though he trusts the old man he didn't think what he was offering was possible!
"But I can't leave the village, even if I wanted to! I'll be labeled as a rogue ninja and they'll hunt me down! Besides it's impossible to be rid of this curse! My parents made sure of that!"
Palpatine cocked a brow at the boy.
"Remember what you told Neji when you fought him during the chuunin exams? That fate does not decide everything for you. That it was possible to change it. There are infinite paths and infinite possibilities. And to attain the one you wish to take, you must choose to make it so."
It was true. Naruto didn't believe that fate couldn't be changed. Perhaps the same could be said of his curse and suffering. Still, it all seemed a bit too farfetched.
"There is something I must show you, Naruto."
Palpatine closed his eyes and suddenly his face began to morph! The old man's kindhearted, pleasant looking face faded away and became more wrinkly and deformed! The skin around his now deep-set eyes became red, as if he hasn't slept in ages. Finally, when the transformation was complete, he opened his eyes. Naruto gasped when he realized Palpatine's eyes were the same as that hooded figure's was from the vision he had earlier!
"Forgive me for not showing you my true face sooner. I did not wish to frighten you nor attract too much attention from the villagers as I'm sure you can understand why."
Naruto began to tremble, and his hands closed into fists. Palpatine didn't need to see with his eyes to know something was disturbing the boy since he could sense it. He turned away from Naruto and took a few steps forward to put some distance between them.
"Are you angry with me for not telling you?"
Naruto answered with a serious tone.
"I certainly am disappointed and furious that you've been lying to me too!"
Palpatine smiled.
"I know you are. I can feel your anger. It gives you focus. Makes you stronger with the Darkside!"
Palpatine turned around.
"That is why you must come with me, Naruto. Before it's too late. After what happened today, it is only a matter of time before Tsunade and the council start to believe that they have no control over you and decide to lock you up forever! Cutting you off from everyone and everything that you have left or worse…"
Palpatine closed his eyes and opened them again.
"They may decide to execute you!"
Naruto gasped and stumbled back. Would Tsunade and the others really allow him to be imprisoned or even executed?! They definitely allowed him to suffer through the torment of the villagers and without ever knowing about his parents. Maybe Palpatine was right. Then again he was lying to the boy too. Maybe he was even lying now. Naruto didn't know. His mind was so chaotic right now that he can't even think straight!
"I think you should leave now."
Palpatine nodded and his face began to regress to the way it was before.
"Of course, I shall. But your still not sure of Tsunade, Kakashi and Jiraiya's intentions are you? Or of the council's? Or even of Sakura's?"
Naruto stepped forward to Palpatine.
"I promise you that I will find out the truth about everything! About all of this!"
Palpatine nodded in understanding and approval.
"You have great wisdom; Naruto. Know the power of the Darkside. The power to free yourself from this curse."
Elsewhere in the village
Walking through the empty streets of the village at twilight was young Sakura Haruno, whose mind was currently reeling back and forth with the kiss she and Naruto had.
'What the hell were you thinking?! You just gave away your first kiss to Naruto! What's the matter with you?!'
Sakura made it to her home 20 minutes ago but because she was so focused on her current predicament, she walked right passed it. Wrestling with herself nonstop. Thinking that she might've ruined her chances of being with Sasuke; forever.
'Now Sasuke will never be your first kiss and he'll never go out with you when he finds out you kissed Naruto!'
Indeed, Sakura was in a tight spot. She kept trying to convince herself that what she did was wrong and that she's only supposed to be in love with Sasuke. The young Cherry Blossom was having a hard time with that logic though.
'Was it really so bad though? It felt so good to kiss Naruto like that! And he's been having such a hard time lately. Maybe it's okay to-NO! NO! What are you saying?! It doesn't matter whether or not he's having it tough you're in love with Sasuke and no one else! Aren't you?!'
Sakura grabbed her head with this difficult dilemma. She couldn't be falling for Naruto while being in love with Sasuke! It was insane! Yet, she couldn't help but think how it felt so right kissing Naruto like that, and it wasn't like Sasuke has ever been affectionate with her. That and Naruto has always treated her with respect and kindness while Sasuke has always been cold to her.
Sakura stopped grabbing her head when she realized that it almost seemed like she was falling in love with Naruto and forgetting about Sasuke! Only that was impossible! She's always been in love with the Uchiha! She and all the other kunoichi girls loved him!
Sakura then decided that she was going to prove it to herself once and for all by finding Sasuke and telling him her feelings. The problem was she didn't know where her Uchiha teammate was. She hasn't seen him since their sensei dragged him off earlier.
She began to think of all the possible places Sasuke could be right now and what he would be doing. She had no doubt that he would probably be infuriated about his fight with Naruto. She still kept shaking whenever she thought about that fight. She was just glad that his curse mark didn't activate during it.
'His curse mark…'
Sakura stopped in her tracks.
"Oh, no."
The Cherry Blossom girl realized what her teammate might be planning to do right now.
Main road of the village
Sasuke Uchiha was walking with his pack strapped to his back. After the lecture he received, from his now former sensei, he's made up his mind. He has chosen the path of revenge over friendship.
And to take that path he was going to need Orochimaru's help.
The Uchiha knew that Orochimaru was just going to take his body after he's helped him become powerful enough, but he didn't care. When the time comes, after he's received all the knowledge and training from the snake, he'll end him. However, there was one thing he had to try to do when meeting the Snake Sannin.
Bargain for Naruto's life.
He knew Orochimaru wanted Naruto's head as a part of the deal for training Sasuke but the Uchiha didn't have the will to take his teammate's life. Maybe earlier he did but not after learning that Naruto has now lost someone too. Sasuke felt empathy for the Uzumaki boy. He imagines that it shouldn't be too difficult to persuade Orochimaru since he was obsessed with having the raven-haired boy regardless.
Sasuke knew he would be labeled a traitor and a rogue ninja and that his fellow shinobi will come after him, but he didn't care. All that mattered was killing Itachi. Though he did hope that Naruto will come after him too. He wanted a rematch and to prove once and for all that he was better!
Sasuke stopped in his tracks as he sensed a certain someone nearby.
"What are you doing here?"
Stepping out of the shadows was his other teammate; Sakura Haruno.
"This is the only way in and out of the village."
Unknown to the two genins a small metallic creature with multiple legs and a large red eye was watching them nearby. Some antennae began protruding from it's head as it started sending out a signal. The signal travelled quite a distance to a hidden base outside the village.
Where Palpatine sat on his throne watching a hologram of the two genin.
The dark emperor smiled as he watched the unfolding conversation and confessions between Naruto's two teammates.
"Young fool, even now at the end she fails to truly understand herself."
The Sith Lord cackled and laughed, for before dawn Naruto Uzumaki will belong to him forever!
Wow! Finally, finished! This chapter took much longer than I expected! Every time I was in the middle of it I would get a new idea of what to add to make it better and longer! It's the longest chapter yet! Which I'm sure will please quite a few of you out there since the feedback of my last chapter was filled with requests for continuing to do long chapters.
I also had many requests to make Naruto's rampage dark and violent. Having him do to the villagers what Anakin did to the Tusken Raiders. I know that people are disappointed that I didn't have him kill anyone but one of the points I wanted to make in this chapter was that even when Naruto was going completely ballistic and he had every right to make the villagers pay, he still held back and didn't truly act like the monster they all expected him to be. He was what any boy would be in his situation. Broken hearted and wanting to be left alone. That and if he did kill anyone I thought it would make it too difficult for Sakura and the other genins to sympathize and understand why he did what he did.
Speaking of Sakura, I know that many of you out there are annoyed or even hate that I've made this a NaruSaku story. I can understand that since I too think it's a bit put off. I mean Sakura is just an annoying abusing bitch to Naruto throughout the whole series while treating Sasuke like a fucking prince all the way to the point where he was planning to kill Tsunade her teacher! It drives me nuts!
That and how she never gave Naruto a chance! I mean the guy saved her ass how many times?! But never so much as a thank you?! It's like toss the kid a bone once and awhile! With all the missions and adventures, they had, I thought that she would at least treat him better!
And don't get me started on when she lied to Naruto about her feelings!
Despite that though I couldn't help but root for Naruto to capture her heart. The whole underdog boy going for the cute emerald eyed pink haired girl who has a crush on the jerk cool guy just made me hope that he would win her heart. And there were times where I thought Sakura was pretty nice and hot myself. The nice part though was only a few times.
Don't get me wrong I like Hinata and thought she might've been better for Naruto since she understood and treated him better than Sakura but there just wasn't enough development between the two of them. Maybe if they went on more missions together during shippuden and had more interaction after Pein's attack then it would make more sense than NaruSaku. That and Sakura's whole explanation about Naruto being in love with her just to compete with Sasuke was BS! Not to mention it contradicted Naruto's whole never give up persona when he gave Sakura up and chose Hinata.
Now, I know that NaruSaku fans and other readers are probably steaming that I'm doing what Kishimoto did in terms of character development with Sakura but let me explain. Sakura doesn't know she's already in love with Naruto and not Sasuke. She's being the stupid selfish 12-year-old girl we've known her to be in the anime and manga. Will that change in the next chapter? Sorry, no spoilers here!
Also, I'm sure there are those wandering why the hell didn't I have Naruto fight the other members of the Leaf 12 and why he didn't meet Minato's chakra spirit in his mindscape. The Minato one is easy, Sasuke beat Minato to the punch and I want Minato's chakra to meet Naruto when after he becomes Vader.
For the genins that's a little trickier to explain but the main reason is that I don't really want the rest of the them to know about Naruto's powers yet. That and it would be more of a stretch and difficult to have Naruto join them on the Sasuke retrieval mission after he had a deathmatch with a few of them. It would make things too awkward and it would interfere with what I plan to do in the next chapter for them during that mission.
Speaking of the next chapter we've finally come upon where Naruto will finally turn to the Darkside and finally become Darth Vader! I'm not going to lie this chapter is going to take a lot of time for planning and typing. This is likely going to take months, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. I know that there are those that have no patience but unfortunately I'm not a fast writer. I do appreciate those of you that have remained patient with me and my endeavors.
Anyway, that's all for now folks! I apologize for the extremely long wait for this chapter, but I hope it pleases all of you! Till next time!
And Happy Memorial Day to our brave veterans that have done so much for our country!
