Life
Naruto was outside the next morning enjoying the sunshine. Last night had soothed him and he was still feeling pretty damn good. He and Hinata had laughed in the dark, trying to be quiet as they kissed and touched. Luckily, they'd slipped their clothes back on before falling asleep or Shizune would have gotten an eyeful! It was bad enough that she found Hinata straddling him and his hand clutching her bottom while they were still asleep!
He laughed startling some birds that'd landed on the bench beside him. He refused to let any bad thoughts ruin his morning. Real life or at least the rest of his life would intrude all too soon so for now he would enjoy the sun, the birds, the wet grass and the warm breeze.
It didn't last; Naruto felt a presence near to him. He'd been dozing when he heard someone's footsteps. Naruto found himself wishing it were his mother or father but he just wasn't that lucky. One blue eye appeared then the lid closed on a quiet sigh. "Morning Sakura. Nice out isn't it?"
Sakura stared at him. It was still Naruto – blond hair, blue eyes, casual attitude but he was more. Much more. "Good morning Naruto and yes it is. Your arm! Did the fox do that?" She spoke in a hushed tone.
Naruto glanced at his left arm. "Yeah, it seems that Sasuke did me a favor by slicing it open. It's all healed now. Maybe you should find him so he can do the same for my leg." His face was smiling but his voice was hard.
"Naruto! He didn't mean it! Sasuke's just…confused." Sakura said without conviction. "I'm sure he'll apologize."
Naruto laughed harshly. "You don't know Sasuke very well do you? No, my friend Sasuke would say I deserved it for keeping MY secret! So does this mean you're choosing Sasuke? Obviously you love him and obviously you're not too comfortable with me anymore." Naruto's eyes raked her body then looked down at his slippers.
"Wh-what do you mean Naruto? I'm here with you – not Sasuke!" Sakura clenched her fists.
"Well I'm guessing you couldn't find Sasuke so you came back here looking for him. As for being here with me, you're not really." Naruto knew he shouldn't be so hard on her but the bitterness was closer to the surface than he'd thought and Sakura was going to get a healthy dose of it. "This bench is big enough for four people yet you're standing – standing a good five feet away from me! Your eyes can't even look at me for more than a minute at a time! I'm surprised you even noticed my arm!" Naruto sat forward suddenly not at all surprised to see her jump.
Breathing hard, Sakura looked at the bench and where she stood and felt shame. She hadn't even realized what she'd done. "I'm sorry but Naruto – you said you'd give me some time! I don't mean to be this way. Please don't be angry with me." Stiffly she moved until she was sitting on the bench but there was still room for at least two people between them.
"Oh for heaven's sake! Don't force yourself – I don't need that! If you can't be a real friend then you don't need to be here!" Naruto's gripped his cane so hard that it broke in two. "Dammit!" Naruto took a deep breath. "Look, I'm not in the best of moods right now Sakura. My best friend hates me and you're trying to be a friend but you're scared and can't see anything but the Nine-Tailed Fox! I know it's too much to expect after one day but I can not handle you looking at me like that! I've gotten that look from so many damned people and I can't take it from you too!" He threw the pieces of the cane as far as he could. "I'm out of here!" Naruto stood quickly then crumbled to all fours. He yelled in frustration.
Sakura cried for him and for herself. Standing she cautiously approached him only to have him stare kunai at her. "I can help you inside Naruto." She offered quietly.
"I don't need you Sakura. I'll crawl if I have to." Naruto's voice was just as quiet.
Just then a voice called down to them. "Hey kid, whatcha doing?!" Gamakichi said before shaking the ground as he landed. Then another voice, "Why are you on the ground?" Jiraiya asked landing before him.
Naruto blinked then smiled. Never had he been so glad to see the old man. "I was just about to crawl into a hole and hide." It was true. The sage and toad saw.
Jiraiya looked at Sakura; saw her tears and red face. "No holes around here. How about we go find someplace more pleasant?" He held out a hand for Naruto.
Trust shone in the boy's eyes as he gave the old man his hand. "Please." In a moment, Jiraiya supported him with an arm around his waist. Leaping, he and Naruto were quickly on Gamakichi's back. "Hey if anybody asks, the squirt's with me, 'kay?" Jiraiya asked of Sakura.
Sakura watched them. Naruto spoke quietly to the toad and leaned heavily on the Sannin. The hurt and frustration from a moment ago had faded at having been greeted by friends. Master Jiraiya said something that caused Naruto to laugh out loud. She felt such shame that she hadn't been able to give him what he needed.
"Good. Jiraiya will lift his sprits. Naruto's been locked up in the hospital too long." Kakashi said from beside her.
"Sensei!" Sakura said startled. She glanced up at him then away. How much had he seen?
"Maybe you should have waited Sakura. Naruto wants the new relationship you two forged not emotions you have to force. Until you feel truly comfortable around him, maybe you should just leave him alone." Kakashi said confirming her fears.
"But I want Naruto to know that I'm trying!" Sakura exclaimed her hands fisted beneath her chin.
"Trying not to be afraid? Trying not to see him as a monster?" Kakashi asked harshly. "Would you want people in your face trying to like you but failing miserably?"
Sakura's eyes widened then she shook her head. "No. I guess I'll just back off then." This situation was so awful for all of them. Sakura wasn't sure they'd ever work things out between them. "Kakashi sensei, what about Sasuke? Have you heard from him?"
"I know exactly where he is. Come on, I'll take you to him. First we'll need a medical kit." Kakashi turned abruptly and walked away leaving Sakura to hurry behind him.
A medical kit?! What happened to you Sasuke? Did you hurt yourself? Sakura was amazed at how badly the two of them were reacting to Naruto. Have you calmed down? Are you able to accept Naruto now or are you wary like me? Maybe we can help each other and get back to being friends again.
Jiraiya and Naruto looked down at the women playing in the water. They were at the top of the waterfall. Naruto smiled, he hadn't been back here since those days when he was learning the summoning jutsu. I was such a kid then. I thought knew it all at! Nothing was going to stop me but it took nearly the whole month to learn how to summon toads. Looking over his shoulder, he saw Gamakichi lounging in the shade of a tree with one foot playing in the water.
"So Sasuke's the reason your arm healed?" They said little on the way there but once they were sitting, Naruto told him everything. "And you were yelling at Sakura even though you want her friendship?" Jiraiya didn't look at Naruto but at the lovely beauties below.
"She showed up at the wrong time – I wasn't ready to deal with that fear, not from her." Naruto sighed. "I'll apologize later, if she comes back." Folding his arms, Naruto lay back trying to relax. "It's just been one thing after the other. Falling for Hinata, dealing with her father, Mama T and Dad, the mission, getting hurt and now everybody knowing about the fox," One hand went to his stomach. "Of course, Hinata, her dad and my parents," there was happy pride in his voice. "I wouldn't give up any of that or change a thing but the rest…I could do without."
"So you want to continue to live a lie?" Jiraiya asked.
"Yes, if I can live in peace! If it means I can have my friends back!" Naruto sat up again. "My own teammates either hate me or are scared of me. Who knows what the others are thinking." Naruto plucked at the grass. "I just don't want to deal with it. I wish I could just disappear for a while."
"You shouldn't run from your problems Naruto but I guess I can understand why you'd want to. Things are going to be strained for a while and the ceremony; ugh I doubt there's going to be much celebrating going on with all the tension." Jiraiya scratched his chin. "Maybe I'll just head out before then."
Naruto hadn't thought much about the Chunin festival. He should be excited but very few people were going to be happy about him being there. If I wasn't around, they'd at least feel more comfortable and I won't have to endure the suspicious looks. The sadness in his heart threatened to make an appearance but he tamped it down. "Want some company?"
"Huh? What?" Jiraiya jerked his eyes away from the girls to stare at Naruto. "It's your festival! Why would you want to miss it?" Naruto had to be kidding. "You worked just as hard as anyone else to become Chunin." And suffered more. "Go! Enjoy yourself and take pride in your accomplishment!"
Naruto was already shaking his head. "Enjoy myself? No way! I know all I've got to go on is Sasuke's and Sakura's reactions but I'm sure some of the others will be having similar feelings. How am I going to have any fun if I'm ruining the thing just by being there? No – no, I'm a Chunin whether not I go to this festival." He shifted and was reminded of his leg. "Ah damn, I can't believe I forgot. I can't go with my leg like this." He stared at if for a moment before sinking back down to the ground and turning on his right side away from Jiraiya.
The Sannin frowned. He didn't like this Naruto – sad and depressed. Truly he thought Naruto deserved this festival just as much as the rest of them but he didn't think he'd have fun and possibly make things difficult for the others. There were eleven new Chunin and possibly half of them weren't taking the news well. They could shun Naruto; make him stand out that much more even with Hinata, Iruka and the Hokage at his side. Maybe I should get him out of here for a while. He could live free of judgment and give the others time to get used to his news. It doesn't really solve anything but it's much better than Naruto hiding himself away in his own home because I'm sure that even if he was able to go – he would not.
"Okay so where do you want to go? We could hit some of those towns we did before when we were looking for Tsunade or some place new! As long as there are pretty ladies – I'm happy man!" Jiraiya laughed that stupid laugh of his when he was thinking of women.
Frowning Naruto rolled over to look up at him. "I just said I can't go. My leg isn't healed and Mama T's not going let me out of her sight until it is." A heavy sigh. "I'm sorry I even brought it up. Forget it Pervy Sage." Naruto started to roll over again then decided against it. "Can you take me back now? I'm tired."
Just like that he paled and looked worn to the bone. "No. So the only way you could take off is if that leg heals huh? Okay then let's heal it!" Jiraiya checked his pockets for something.
"Only time is going to heal it and the fox when it is good and ready. Quit fooling around Perv and take me back." Naruto was trying to stand without bending his left leg but he wasn't getting anywhere.
"Found one! Huh, I don't use them much so it took me a minute. Voila! The way to heal you!" Triumphantly the sage held up a kunai. "Just hold still and you'll be as good as new!" At Naruto's wide-eyed disbelief, Jiraiya looked from the kunai to the boy. "What? It's what Sasuke used right? He just slit open your arm and then – poof! – good as new, right?" Grinning manically Jiraiya inched closer to Naruto.
Even though he'd thought about trying it himself, Naruto hadn't but now here was the Pervy Sage coming at him with a knife in his hand. "Hey, hey, hey, hey! Stop that! Y-yeah it worked but that doesn't mean I want you to slice up my leg! What if it doesn't work this time?! Huh, did you think of that? It's just you and me up here! You cut me and I'm all bleeding and stuff – then what?!" Naruto had been scooting away from the old man the whole time. He was hoping to make it to Gamakichi and get the hell out of there before the crazy old man actually cut him.
"I think we should try it anyway." Jiraiya had thought about what Naruto said but it didn't matter. "Don't worry; we'll get you to help before you bleed to death. Promise!" He started to laugh as he knife raised and crawled closer to Naruto.
"You demented perv! Get away from me!" Naruto didn't know how he was going to get up but he had to get way from Jiraiya. He turned over and pushed up, used his good leg to balance and he was standing! Barely. Good enough! "Gamakichi! Help me!" Naruto took two steps dragging his left leg before it was caught in Jiraiya's grip. He looked down to see a huge smile on the man's face.
"Now hold still, you don't want me to cut anything else do you?" His laughter along with Naruto's scream drifted down the waterfall scaring away the women.
Gamakichi hid his face with his foot. "Humans…are so weird."
Confused Sakura followed Kakashi to Konoha jail. She'd never been inside it before. It was a busy place filled with civilian and ninja officers and what she supposed was the criminal element of their village. No one looked too dangerous. Is this where he's keeping Sasuke? We're treating him like a criminal? Well he did attack Naruto without cause but isn't this taking things too far? "Sensei?" Sakura wanted to question Kakashi but the look he threw her, silenced her.
They left the common areas and went down a long hall then down some stairs. All sounds were lost, not being able to penetrate the thick stone walls. Only their breathing and footsteps gave sign of any life. Two stories down – they had to be underground now – they finally came upon a small dark office where Kakashi picked up two keys from a sealed drawer. He also took away her weapons.
From the office they went down another long hall until they reached a steel door. Kakashi unlocked it and waved her through. With each step the medical kit felt heavier in her hands and dread filled her stomach. The prison walls, the silence seemed to be closing in on her. Hearing the door clang shut behind her, caused Sakura to jump and place a hand over her heart. Kakashi-sensei swept by her.
Cells lined this hall but they were all empty. Cots with rolled up mattresses filled each along with a sink and toilet. There were no windows to allow sunlight or fresh air. The walls were bare except for red and white fans painted on each. They walked for several minutes before finally reaching the very last cell.
"Sasuke!" She dropped the box of medical supplies and grabbed the bars. "Sasuke, what happened? Are you alright?" Sakura jerked on the door. "Kakashi-sensei! What's going on? Why is he here? Who did this to him?"
"I did. He deserved it. Actually he got off really easy considering what I'd like to do to him." Hands deep in his pockets, Kakashi stared at Sasuke lying on the floor. "You touched the bars didn't you? Were you trying to escape Sasuke?"
Sakura jerked her hands away and saw the seal on the door. In anger and worry she turned to face their sensei. "Why? Why is he here Kakashi-sensei?"
"He attacked a fellow ninja Sakura or did you forget that?! It was an unprovoked attack using a kunai. If it had been anyone other than Naruto – he would likely have killed them." Kakashi moved in closer to Sakura. "Don't you think that deserves some punishment?!" His voice echoed off the stone walls. "He's sentenced to stay here until the ceremony on bread and water."
"But, but he didn't mean it! It was a…accident." She said without conviction.
"So you want to set him free and what if his anger gets the better of him again Sakura? What then? I found Sasuke outside of Naruto's window last night. He watched Naruto with hate in his eyes! Thank God Hinata showed up or Sasuke might have tried something else!"
Gasping Sakura looked back at Sasuke. He still hadn't moved. One leg was raised, the other lying limply. His arms were outstretched, each hand and wrist jagged and bloody. There was blood as well as bruises on his face. He looked horrible. "Oh Sasuke, no!" She whispered then looked back at Kakashi. "But here? There must be cells upstairs. Why down here and all alone?" Could Sasuke survive being confined in such a place?
"Those are civilian cells upstairs. These are meant for ninjas." Kakashi waved a hand about. Sasuke despite his bid for more power is strong enough to escape a regular cell. Every stone here prevents him from being able to use his chakra and this seal keeps him from attempting to use ordinary methods to try and escape. It was the only place to keep him. You see his family stood for justice and abhorred ninjas who would use their strengths against a fellow ninja so they built this place. Some ninjas reformed – others didn't. It's up to Sasuke if he'll be able to change while he pays for his crimes." Kakashi had been removing the seal while he talked and now opened the door.
Sakura picked up the kit and rushed inside only to have Kakashi grab her by the shoulder. "Slowly. I can't leave you alone with him Sakura – he doesn't deserve my trust." She blinked when Kakashi revealed his Sharingan and stood only inches away while she knelt next to Sasuke.
Sasuke smiled at her but it wasn't a normal smile by any means. It wasn't happy or sad nor was it one of his sarcastic smiles. It was blank, empty of all emotion. "You came to visit. How nice." Sasuke winced as Sakura gently touched his wrist.
"It's okay Sasuke; I'll clean this up for you." Through her tears and his pain, she first cleaned the wounds then applied medicine and bandaged them. Sakura wiped the blood from his face and dabbed something on the cut on his lip. "Here swallow this, so these don't get infected." She had intended to hold Sasuke to give him the pills but Kakashi squatted down and lifted the teen by the shoulders preventing her from getting too close to him.
Once she was done, Kakashi roughly lifted the non-cooperative boy onto the cot and ushered Sakura out. "He's allowed a visitor once a day for an hour. You can stay for thirty more minutes if you wish. I'm going up to get his rations." Kakashi took the kit from her. "You'll be locked in Sakura and you should know that the seal can only be removed by a Jonin or higher rank." He knew her feelings about Sasuke and figured she'd be tempted to remove the seal to either be close to him or set him free.
Sakura dipped her head for she had been thinking of going back into the cell. The shame of what she'd been thinking filled her and it hurt to know that Kakashi didn't trust her either. "Yes, sensei." But Kakashi had already turned his back on her.
Laughter had her turning back to Sasuke. "He doesn't trust you Sakura! It seems Naruto is the only one he cares about. Naruto with the demon in his belly is more loveable and trustworthy than us! That's some fucked up irony, huh?" Sasuke sat up to lean back against the wall.
Sakura approached the cell slowly. "Why did you do it Sasuke? Yeah it was surprising news but to use a kunai on him…was that necessary?
Sasuke looked away from her. "Seemed like it at the time." He answered quietly. "So," He asked loudly. "Have you been to see the fox-boy? You two buddy-buddy again? You promised to go back and have a heartfelt talk with him." Inside his chest envy scratched at his ribs.
"I tried but I handled it badly. Naruto – he yelled at me for being afraid of him." Sakura sighed and knelt on the stone floor. "I guess I can't blame him. I was treating him like other people have always treated him. I know its Naruto. I know that but when I remember him as he was that day – I shiver." Sakura hung her head. That vision was holding her back from her friend. "Then I think of how angry he was when he thought I was confronting Hinata. He might have…" She folded her arms then jerked to hear Sasuke sneer at her.
"You're more pitiful than I am! I'm angry! I'm jealous but afraid of Naruto? Never!" Sasuke chuckled. "He was nowhere near angry enough to hurt you Sakura, you idiot! Naruto was just a boyfriend looking out for his girlfriend! If you can't tell the difference then there's no hope for you at all! Kiss your friendship with Naruto goodbye!" Sasuke stood warming to his topic. "Join me in hating him! He has too much power for one person and no ability to use it! Poor bastard! Even his family is made up of misfits! Naruto's life was screwed from the beginning and he's just going to screw it up even more trying to use the fox's chakra with his half assed attempts!" The laughing continued but there was no humor only the sounds of someone manic.
"I think you should go home now Sakura. Sasuke's not fit to be around." Kakashi appeared silently with several pieces of bread and a pitcher of water.
Sasuke's laughter stopped abruptly and he turned back to his cot, lay down and closed his eyes. Around Kakashi he showed nothing – no emotion.
Sakura felt as if her stomach was tied in knots. Naruto had yelled and pushed her away. Sasuke was defending Naruto and cursing him at the same time. There was so much going on and she was right in the middle of it all! She stumbled once before standing.
"Sasuke? I'll come back, okay?" She didn't get an answer. Sakura walked away while Kakashi-sensei gave Sasuke his food. As the two went upstairs and back out into the world, Sakura reflected how alive everything was after leaving Sasuke's cold cell. "Can we come back from this? Will we ever be a team again?" She asked of her sensei.
Kakashi looked down into her tortured green eyes. "That's up to the three of you. Naruto will have to get used to you guys looking at him differently because you no longer see your friend. Sasuke has to get over wanting Naruto's power and seeking revenge but that doesn't seem possible. You Sakura are so rooted in normal that you can't see or help your teammates because their lives are not the least bit normal. As a ninja you've seen so much but when these strange things hit so close to home, you can't handle it." Kakashi pointed a finger at her.
The sun seemed overly bright as they exited the jail. "I believe in my team but if you guys can't or won't work together, I guess this is the end of Squad 7." Stuffing his hands in his pockets and looking tired, Kakashi walked away from the girl.
Hinata was humming as she put away her things and straightened her room. Neji stopped to watch her. She didn't look worried or upset but smiling and happy.
She knew he was there but didn't acknowledge him. Neji would talk when he was ready to. The day before when she'd come home to tell her father what had happened, Neji hadn't been home so this was the first time they'd seen each other since the news about Naruto. Hinata looked around once more but there was nothing else she needed to do so she turned, held her arms behind her back and tilted her head at him.
"Afternoon Brother."
Neji had to smile. In this way she never changed. "Afternoon Little Sister." He was glad his reply had her laughing in delight.
She went to him and enclosed him in a warm hug. After a moment, Neji pressed her head to his shoulder and held on tightly. "Would you like to take a walk with me? Out in the garden." He suggested knowing that Hanabi was around and it wasn't her time to know these facts yet.
"I'd love to." Hinata hooked her arm through his and allowed him to lead them outside. Their home and land was quite large so one could spend an hour or more walking the garden and still not see it all.
The walk began silently. Choosing to go barefoot, their feet was tickled by the grass and whatever dew that hadn't been burned off by the high sun. Pausing by a small tree, Neji picked a flower and gifted it to Hinata.
"Thank you." She breathed deeply of the flower. "I may take some with me when I go see Naruto this afternoon. Flowers aren't necessarily what he'd prefer but they will brighten up his room. Will you be visiting him soon Neji?" Hinata finally spoke up. Neji was being unusually hesitant.
He jerked and his eyes flew to hers. "You're truly happy? There is no fear of the fox within him? And if the horrible should happen and this village must kill him?" Neji unashamedly used his Byakugan on her.
Hinata laughed to see those eyes. "I used those same eyes on Naruto to fall in love with him. I'm happy Neji and I'd be lying if I said there was no fear but not the kind you mean. I fear for him, for his life and happiness. That fox is apart of him and because I love Naruto and believe in him, I know it will never control him. Kill Naruto?" Hinata's eyes darkened at the prospect. "I won't know until or if that will ever happen. And Neji no one knows the future. Why worry about something that may never happen? I choose to live and be with Naruto now. We love each other and I won't deny either of us that because of what ifs." Their gazes held for the longest time before Neji released the jutsu. "So you have your answer, now tell me brother, are you still Naruto's friend? Can you see him or only the fox?" It was her turn to use the Byakugan. Hinata had to know for sure. Like Naruto, she wanted what was real and not sympathy or pity. If Neji couldn't accept Naruto then things would change between them. They would still be family but she wouldn't be able to share part of her life with him anymore.
Neji wanted to turn from her eyes but didn't. "I believe that I will see Naruto again but just now, the fox keeps appearing before me." He saw her disappointment and quickly told her the rest. "I do not fear Naruto! I know who he is and I know the power of the fox's chakra and that Naruto already has great control over it." Neji took her hands. "It's new information sister. Let me adjust to it. I'm not in love with Naruto but I do still consider him a friend." He got the laugh he was looking for. Suddenly Neji made up his mind. "I've yet to see Naruto; maybe if I did – see him being the same guy, the fox will disappear. I want to be just as honest with him as I am now with you. Would that be acceptable?" Even as he asked the question, the Naruto in his mind – the one surrounded by red chakra and viciously attacking men – changed. Once again he could see the kid who had annoyed him to no end.
Hinata watched his face go from solemn to smiling. "What is it?"
Neji just shook his head, "I just remembered why I admire Naruto so much. May I go with you? I think I'd like to tell Naruto my thoughts. Hinata?" She had thrown her arms around his neck.
"Thank you." Was all she could say. Neji would remain Naruto's friend and she would be able to keep him close as a beloved big brother.
"You're welcome but I think I should be saying that to you. Uncle was able to see this situation so clearly while I wavered. Talking with you cleared my thoughts." Neji hugged her tight.
Hinata returned the hug then wiped away a few tears. She took his face then kissed each cheek. "I love you Neji. She laughed to see him blush. Come, help pick some flowers for Naruto then we can go. I can't wait for you two to talk!"
Neji smilingly followed her as she danced among the flowers picking some for her boyfriend. Looking up he saw his uncle watching from the second floor and bowed his head to him. "I guess it was easy after all." He said on a laugh.
Jiraiya held up his empty purse and sighed. He looked over at Naruto's satisfied smile as the boy patted his extended stomach. "You didn't have to eat so damn much!"
Naruto glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. "You owed me Pervy Sage. Cutting up my leg like that!" He looked down at his leg. The bandages were gone except for the few that were holding the left leg of his pajama bottoms together. There was even tell-tale blood staining the white fabric. "For the pain alone, you had to buy me ramen." Naruto shrugged, it seemed fair to him.
"But TEN BOWLS?!" Jiraiya found it hard to believe any one kid could eat so much! "That's elder abuse!" He said trying to make Naruto feel guilty.
Naruto's laughter drew everyone's gaze. They were walking back to the hospital having said goodbye to Gamakichi back at the falls. He was too happy to let the looks bother him. "E-elder abuse! That's a good one!" Naruto laughed for another block before finally only laughing every other step. "Nope, you see for buying all that ramen, I'll protect you from Mama T. She'll want to kill you for cutting me." He chuckled some more as Jiraiya turned pale and shivered.
"Oh yeah, yeah." Jiraiya put his arm around Naruto. "I'm counting on you kid, I got lots more females to woo and that won't happen if Tsunade kills me. Smart thinking kid, you got enough to eat right?" The sage wanted very much to survive.
The two of them laughed and talked all the way back to the hospital. Both had lost track of time back at the waterfall. After his leg had healed, Jiraiya had put Naruto through his paces. They'd spared and while he tired easily, Naruto's leg was fine. It was now mid-afternoon as they entered the hospital. People quit talking and stared at them. Neither paid them any mind since that happened normally for both of them but the expectant hush made them wonder if something was going on – an accident maybe.
Naruto entered his room first and stopped in surprise. Tsunade stood before him with her hands on her hips, face so red it should have been steaming. Hinata was beside her wringing her hands. Iruka behind them arms crossed, glaring. Neji and Shikamaru sat at the table playing Go. Both looked like they were about laugh but were trying hard to hold it in.
"Hey Ma, Dad, Sweetheart. What's up?" Naruto asked in a tiny voice with a little wave of his hand. Neji and Shikamaru lost it and fell over the table laughing. Iruka and Hinata started questioning him about where he'd been without telling anybody where he was going and staying away so long. They wanted to know how he could worry them so what with everything going on.
Tsunade hurried forward and caught Naruto's ear then Jiraiya's ponytail as he tried to escape. She led Naruto to the bed then pushed him on it. "STAY!" Next she wound white hair around her fist until she had a good grip then slammed Jiraiya face first into the wall beside Naruto's bed. "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIS LEG?!" Her healer's eyes had immediately seen that Naruto's leg was completely healed and the blood that stained his pants.
"Naruto! Your leg's better!" Hinata forgot everything else and rushed to his side. Her face glowed as she leaned in for a quick kiss.
"Yeah, yeah it is. Thanks Babe." He spared a quick smile for her but looked back up at his mother. He had to keep her from taking apart the perv 'cause it looked like she was going to pull out his hair! "Hey Mama take it easy. He meant…no harm..." Naruto trailed off when her hurt angry eyes turned his way. "I'm sorry." His little boy voice had the guys holding their stomachs as they laughed even harder.
"Just shut up Naruto until this old buzzard tells me what he did to you!" Tsunade pulled back on Jiraiya's hair then pushed him once more into the wall making it crack.
"Tsunade…" Iruka said trying to calm her down. Shikamaru's and Neji's laughter plus Naruto's meekness and the relief of his healed leg had taken away his anger and worry. "He won't be able to talk if you fill his mouth with drywall." Gently he touched her shoulder.
Jiraiya had been groaning and moaning in pain from the grip she had on his hair and even lost the ability to do that when the breath was forced from him when he forcefully met the wall. "Listen to the man Tsunade." He squeaked.
"Come on Tsunade, Naruto's back safe and sound. Let Master Jiraiya go." Iruka dared to try unwinding the hair but not before she yanked on it a few more times.
"Aspirin! I need aspirin!" Before turning around, Jiraiya gathered up his hair and stuffed it inside his clothes away from Tsunade. Slowly he turned then slid down the wall glaring at her the whole time. "Crazy woman. You'd think she'd really given birth the way her hormones are acting! Hey!" He'd muttered then had to scoot to one side to avoid being kicked by her high-heeled shoes.
"You'd better start talking before we skip the hospital bed and just dig you a grave!" Tsunade let Iruka pull her away from him. Huffing she went to Naruto who cowered into his pillows. "So talk!" She yelled at the old man.
"That pink-haired girl knew he was with me! I told her to tell someone the kid was with me! Right?" He looked up at Naruto.
"Uh yeah he did but we'd kinda had a fight. Sakura might've forgot. It was just a mistake Mama T. Dad, tell her – mistakes happen all the time!" Naruto appealed to Iruka but they all paused at hearing that he and Sakura had had words with each other.
"…Okay I can accept that but dear," She leaned down smiling a scary smile at Naruto. "How did your leg heal? It was still in bandages this morning." Now she framed his body and spoke slowly. "Did it by any chance heal the same way your arm did?"
Naruto didn't move, frozen in place by the threat of his mother. He'd dealt with her anger before but she was the Hokage then. He hadn't been that afraid of her but as his mother – she was scaring the shit out of him. He flinched when she cupped his jaw and forced him to look at her.
"Answer me Naruto."
"Yes ma'am!"
"It happened the same way?" Again he nodded and she looked at Jiraiya who suddenly sat still. He'd been inching closer to the door the whole time. "Let me guess, it was his brilliant idea?"
"Master Jiraiya! You didn't?!" It was Iruka this time that prevented the Sannin from leaving by blocking his path. "You actually –!" Iruka broke off because not everyone there knew what Sasuke had done to Naruto.
Jiraiya surged to his feet. "Look, it worked didn't it? His leg is as good as new! We even fought a little bit and except for getting a little tired – he's fine. I even - Iruka!" The Sannin's head flew back and he blinked at the man in shock and so did everybody else.
Iruka had punched him in the face! Fist still clenched, he worked hard at not doing it again. "You deserved that!" He said with quiet fury. "Bad enough you did it too but then to fight with him instead of bringing him back here so his mother can check him out? You're a Sannin! Supposedly you hold a great deal of knowledge! Where's your good sense?! Dammit man!" Iruka turned and punched the wall because he had to hit something.
Silence as they stared at Iruka. The tension was thick and nobody was quite sure what say until a loud burp sounded in the room. Now every eye went to Naruto who was bright red. "Excuse me." He laughed nervously and just that simply everything was normal again. Heads were shaken, anger was released and the laughter came back.
Tsunade sat on the bed just a little tired. Slowly she opened the ruined pajamas to check his leg. There wasn't a mark on it. She raised and lowered it and had him bend and flex it. Closing her eyes to concentrate her chakra, she ran her hands down the length of it checking his muscles and bones. "It's healed but shouldn't have been fighting with that idiot! As punishment for scaring and worrying us, you'll spend the rest of the week in the hospital – until you get your strength back!" That last part she said loudly when Naruto opened his mouth to protest.
"But I'm sick of being in the hospital!" Naruto huffed and folded his arms.
"Naruto." Hinata waited until he looked at her. "You'll do as you're told and be happy about it. You worried me as well." She let him see the fear she'd been feeling.
All the defiance left him. Naruto sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry. Okay, yeah I'll stay."
Everyone watched them for a moment then Tsunade looked at Jiraiya. "Now what to do with you."
"Me?! You've already hurt me! Pulling on my beautiful hair! Slamming me into the wall and Iruka hit me too! I've been punished enough!" Jiraiya moved closer to the bed. "You were supposed to protect me Naruto! That's why I bought all that damned ramen!"
Naruto looked sheepish and shrugged. "She's my mother! I didn't know she could be so scary!"
"You said a mouth full Naruto." Shikamaru spoke up. "I don't want to be anywhere near my mother when she get's angry!" He got up and went to him. "I expected and invalid but you're all better now, good." The two of them shook hands.
"Shikamaru," Naruto smiled. "Thanks man."
"For what?" He looked puzzled.
"For you know – treating me the same after you found out. It's just nice to know I don't scare you." Naruto looked down briefly at his stomach.
"Oh you scare me plenty but not because of that!" Shikamaru laughed. "Hey, I know who you are Naruto. You just got a little something extra that's all."
Tsunade, Iruka and Jiraiya backed off a little to watch them. Shikamaru's total acceptance of Naruto and fox was a very big deal to Naruto. Just then Neji joined the three friends.
"Naruto." Neji looked him up and down. His injuries had been the stuff of nightmares but now he looked as if they'd never happened at all. "I did wonder about you – your strength and finding out there was a fox in your belly was indeed a surprise. It worried me for Hinata's sake." He reached out a hand to smooth his cousin's hair. "But she loves you and has no worries. I've seen you use the fox's chakra twice now and I'm impressed with your control over it." Neji moved until he was in front of Naruto. "You're ability to fight for what you believe in made a deep impression on me, as well as your vow to never give up." He held out his hand. "I'll stand by you in battle gladly and I accept you as my friend and as part of my family. Nice to know you Naruto."
Hinata was trying not to cry as Naruto took Neji's hand, stood and they hugged briefly as men do. She looked to Iruka and the others, saw how happy and proud they looked. It was only two people but Hinata didn't care. Naruto had two true friends; he'd feared that he would have none.
"Well to make this even more mushy, you should know that Shino came and talked to me. I get the impression that he's able to deal with you having the fox and Choji didn't seem too upset about it either so you may be seeing both of them soon too." Shikamaru told Naruto.
"Oh and Lee as well." Neji added. "He would be here now but Guy-sensei had some weird training thing that Lee didn't want to miss. He said he'd be here tomorrow."
Naruto nodded and smiled. It was nice to hear but he also noticed the people they didn't name. All things considered though, it was more than he expected.
Iruka moved to the bed and sat down so he could lean over and tousle Naruto's hair. "See son, everything's going to work out. You made some really great friends."
"Yeah I did." Naruto looked at the guys then back at Iruka. "…But I still lost my best friend and I made things worse with Sakura this morning. Knowing how she feels about Sasuke, she may just give up on me altogether." Happiness warred with sadness in his blue eyes. "I think I destroyed my squad dad."
Iruka dropped his forehead against Naruto's and they just sat there. Neji and Shikamaru exchanged glances wondering just how badly Sasuke had taken the news.
"You don't know that Naruto! Sakura said she just needed time." Hinata chimed in hoping this would cheer him.
Naruto pulled back glanced at everyone then down at his father's large hand. It had scars and calluses but it was always open and ready should he need it. "That was yesterday. When she showed up this morning, Sakura couldn't really look at me or get near me. There was at least five feet between us and…and I lost it. Seeing her brought back what Sasuke did and I said I didn't want her around if she couldn't see it was me!" He heaved a shaky sigh.
Tsunade opened her mouth but wasn't sure what to say. She looked up at Jiraiya who was nodding. "What? What's with that look?"
Naruto looked at Jiraiya and wished the old man would wait. He wanted to talk to his parents and Hinata alone first but the Pervy Sage didn't always have common sense like Iruka had said.
"Hmm, well it's good that Naruto knows he has some good friends but I think I should take him away for a while. Listen," He spoke before anyone else could. "The kid here deserves a break don't you think? He just got over his injuries but instead of things going back to normal, there are some people – people he's close to who are having a problem dealing with the news of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Why not give them and Naruto some time to deal with it all? He won't have to see the cautious looks from people he cares about." Jiraiya's tone was reasonable, trying not to upset them.
Tsunade looked from him to Neji and Shikamaru. "Do you two know how any of the others feel?" She saw Naruto stiffen then look down, not wanting to see their reactions. Both boys frowned. "I see. Iruka, what do you think?" She didn't want him to. This was Naruto's home; he shouldn't have to leave it because of some silly young people.
"Naruto? Do you want to go?" Iruka asked raising the boy's head.
"I do. That's why Pervy Sage fixed my leg, so I could go. I kinda feel like I have to hide so I don't offend anyone and I hate it! I just want to forget it for a little while that's all."
"For how long?" Hinata asked frowning.
"Hey, not you! Never want to forget you!" Naruto said taking her hand. "It'd be just a little field trip, maybe do some training. I was thinking two weeks, three tops."
"Three weeks but Naruto what if they don't change their minds in that time?" Tsunade was on the bed now too, the three of them discussing his future.
Naruto shrugged. "Then I have less friends but their minds should be made up and I won't have to wonder anymore." He looked at his mother. "It may make assigning missions difficult. Sorry Mama T." Naruto gave her a weak smile.
Tsunade waved away that concern and looked to Iruka who nodded. "Okay then, you can leave right after the ceremony."
He froze and sat up straight readying himself for the storm. "I want to go before the ceremony." As expected, only he and Jiraiya were silent. He let them get out their questions and waited until they'd stopped to speak again. "It'll be easier for everyone if I'm not there. Those that…fear me will be able to relax and enjoy themselves."
"But Naruto you worked hard to become Chunin too. This ceremony is for all of us!" Neji protested.
"Yeah, I mean come on Naruto. It's going to be a big festival. You won't have to see them or them you. Well for the majority of it." Shikamaru couldn't imagine the ceremony or the festival without Naruto.
Naruto smiled at them for a moment then turned serious. "I don't need it. I am a Chunin – that's all that matters. No one can take that away from me." He looked to Hinata. "The only thing I'll really miss is seeing you proudly take your place among the other Chunins. All that hard work really paid off!" He smiled again. "You'll have your dad, Hanabi and Neji with you."
"But I want you there with me! Please Naruto! Lady Tsunade already said it -come at least to the ceremony and leave after that!" Hinata got on the bed to plead with him.
"She has a point son. Get that acknowledgement from your peers and then go with Master Jiraiya." Iruka urged.
"Why not Naruto? The ceremony only lasts a short while." Neji wanted both of them happy and he couldn't see why Naruto showing up would be a problem.
Naruto appeared to be thinking it over when he asked a question. "Neji will it bother Tenten if I show up?" Silence then Neji shrugged unable to answer. He turned to Shikamaru. "Ino?"
He grimaced remembering how she thought Naruto should have been killed. "Uh yeah, knowing Ino – she'd have a real problem. But I can handle Ino! I'll keep her calm!"
Naruto laughed harshly. "You would try and fail. I know that much about Ino! You see," He looked at Hinata and his parents. "If I'm there, I'll cause friction between squad members. There'll already be talk by the villagers as to why I was allowed to become a ninja at all." At their curious looks he explained. "They talk like I'm not there or that I can't hear them. They did it when you guys graduated from the academy. It would be a bad situation all around. I'd feel miserable being watched constantly and feeling like my life was threatened - I don't want that! Everyone else will be watching for signs of the fox, ready to bolt or attack! Mama, Dad, Hinata – I don't want any of that!" He hopped off the bed and walked to the window breathing deeply. "Just let me go – please…"
Neji went to comfort Hinata while Shikamaru kicked the wall. Jiraiya moved to go stand by him. "It's not that bad kid. You forget the many ninja who've watched you over the years. They neither fear nor hate you, in fact I think many are proud of how you've grown and everything you've done to protect this village. But at the same time, you more than anyone, know what the villagers think." He gripped Naruto's shoulder then looked to Iruka and Tsunade.
"It's a big day for any proud parent but let Naruto have his way on this one, huh? We can do something private before or after we return. Won't be as big as a festival but we can still show the kid how many people care about him and want him around. Tsunade…" Jiraiya appealed to his old friend.
She wiped her face then got off the bed. Seeing the hole in the wall, she went to it and added another needing to release her frustration and anger. Feeling slightly better, Tsunade first went to Hinata. The girl had also been crying so Tsunade wiped her face. "Okay?" At Hinata's nod, Tsunade leaned down to hug her.
Iruka stood and walked slowly around the bed so that he and Tsunade could go to Naruto together. They stopped directly behind him and waited for him to turn around.
Naruto felt them and their love. He could feel it! It was so nice to have that – no it was extraordinary! Turning he walked until the three of them formed a circle. "Sorry for being such a pain."
"Why, you do it so well?" Iruka said dryly making them all laugh. "You can go but how about I tag along? I could use a little vacation and we could spend some time as father, son and grandpa." He looked at Jiraiya.
"GRANDPA!" He yelled causing smiles all around.
Tsunade looked surprised for a moment then nodded. Jiraiya was fine but he cared more about women. This way Naruto would have his father there to support him should he get depressed. "Yes, your father will keep him from getting you into trouble!"
"Try to do the kid a favor and I get beat up then ridiculed! You people are sooooo wrong!" Jiraiya complained.
Naruto hugged them both for long minutes before looking for Hinata. "Hinata?"
She'd already calmed her tears. Her heart wanted nothing more than to go with him but he'd said it before, she wanted her father to see her there getting the praise she'd worked so hard for. "I'll expect you to bring me back something and you'd better work hard to get in shape. We've got some plans to keep remember?" Hinata winked at him thinking of their skinny-dipping picnic they'd planned. "Also I'll be planning your party so you should tell me what you want besides ramen to eat. Whoa!" Her laughter filled the room as Naruto picked her up and spun them around.
"Is she the best girlfriend or what?!" He asked them. Naruto put her down, framed her face and kissed her gently. "I love you." He didn't care who was in the room.
Hinata blushed. "I love you too." This time she kissed him.
Tsunade placed her hands on her hips, "Okay now go to bed!"
They all looked at her and blinked. What did she just say? She did not just tell Naruto and Hinata to go to bed? Together?!
This time she blushed and her voice got really loud. "Get your minds out of the gutter! Naruto – to bed with you! You still need your rest! You're on punishment, remember? Once I think you're okay, the three of you can hit the road! Bed, bed – go to bed!" She said when Naruto stole another kiss. Once he was in bed, she tucked him in. "Geez, you're going to turn me into an old woman." She muttered and dared Jiraiya to say something with a sharp look. "I'm half a day behind in my work and now I've got to find a replacement for Iruka. Promise me no more surprises today, hmm?"
"Now that's a tall order." Neji said.
"Especially for Naruto." Shikamaru chimed in.
Tsunade laughed "You know him so well! Okay then, I'm charging both of you to keep him out of trouble while you're here." She kissed his cheek and received one in return. "I'll be back tonight. Love you."
"I love you too Mama T." Naruto returned with a smile.
Iruka soon took his leave as well saying he had to prepare some lesson plans for his replacement. Jiraiya took off too looking for some female company to soothe his aches and pains.
"Never a dull moment around you is there Naruto?" Shikamaru asked as the four of them settled down. "You lucked out though, the Hokage and Iruka-sensei – they're great."
"Yep! Don't know what I did to get them, especially since I've been a screw up and a brat most of my life. They knew about everything and they love me any way!" He looked amazed at that then grew thoughtful. "You know, the fox killed Iruka's parents? Both of them, he lost them that night and he never blamed me." They could hear the awe in Naruto's voice.
"Because he knew that it wasn't you. The fox had yet to be sealed in you when that happened." Hinata pointed out.
"True but many hate the fox and Iruka-sensei could have hated him just for having the thing that drastically changed his life in Naruto's belly but he didn't. He was always an excellent teacher but knowing this, I see he's an exceptional man." The truth left Neji's lips.
Naruto folded his arms. "There's been much in my life that I've hated. Sometimes wished I'd never…" He didn't say 'never been born' but they heard it nevertheless. "But then I got Dad as my teacher and spent some time hanging out with you guys. There's so much I would love to change but at the same time, as bad as it's been – some things couldn't be more perfect." He reached for Hinata's hand.
They sat silently for a moment before Shikamaru dared to ask. "And Sasuke? I get the impression that he just didn't get angry or scared. He did something didn't he?"
Naruto's frown darkened and his hand went to his left arm. "He was jealous and wanted the fox's chakra for himself. Sasuke…said some things then took off. Sakura chased after him but she still hadn't found him when she came by this morning." He didn't tell them of the attack. The depth of Sasuke's hate for him was still too fresh to share.
A long look at each other and both Neji and Shikamaru knew there was more to the story. From all they'd heard and seen today it wasn't hard to figure out. Sasuke had attacked Naruto. Neither said a word. They were friends, the twelve of them or were. Seconds, minutes and hours – it took so little to change a person's world. In admiration for all Naruto's had to endure, both teens promised themselves to be the best men they could be and follow Naruto's example to never give up and always move forward. Naruto's life is his testimony.
"So you got any games around here besides Go? Something we can all play? That should be enough to keep our promise to Lady Tsunade, huh Neji?" Shikamaru leaned forward with a smile.
"Yes, we should do our best or she might do to us what she did to Master Jiraiya. Her strength is amazing. Naruto – maybe you're just following in her footsteps!" Neji teased.
Naruto blinked, they'd changed the subject and he was grateful. It would be hard but he needed to try and forget about Sasuke. Thinking on Neji's words, he laughed, "Of course, Mama T's just holding the Hokage title for me! Didn't you know?" Eyes bright he asked with a big smile.
The boast was expected, it was Naruto after all but somehow to those three people the words not only rang true but they wanted it to be true.