AN: Another chapter. So far, you're learning about Ryu. I really didn't want to reveal him this fast, but I have a lot planned for the next few chapters.

After the Storm

Pain stricken eyes scanned the area for any life forms. He couldn't buy food at any store. They'd see him fading and rush him to a hospital…soon to find out about being a Hokage and then causing a commotion. In truth, he looked like someone who was living on the streets for his whole life.

'Is this how Naruto feels…? To be alone when there are full of people surrounding him? How could he stand it? He has friends now, sure…but when he was younger, it must have hurt him…'

Arashi thought to himself. Finally, the blond Hokage had seen and felt almost what his son had felt…unwanted by the people surrounding him because of his appearance…lonely because of no one acknowledging him…it hurt…a lot…

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The water rippled around the boat as Naruto stared into the murky water. His father was barely alive…he was attacked by Akatsuki…that was why he was weak…

The rain pelted heavily on his head and sang out a simple, soothing rhythm that the blond did not use to his advantage of tranquility. He didn't want Jiraiya or Ryu beside him at the moment. He just wanted to be alone so that he could think.

Where was his dad at the moment…? Was he safe? Running? Hiding? How come he didn't return to Konoha? It wasn't fair to Naruto. He finally found out and now with almost his father within his grasp, he found his cloak flailing barely out of reach and a back turned against him. He had no one else to turn to for help. It was Kakashi, Yondaime and two ANBU that Naruto never knew that saved him from Akatsuki. He turned to them for help and knowledge but now they weren't here. That stupid Jiraiya always thinks of women, so how could a teenager look up to him for guidance? The only person who he could find condolence with was with Ryu, but Ryu never knew his parents. It wasn't the same. The lose something and then finally have it return only to have it then stolen is criminal in the eyes of a child.

The boat rocked back and forth, making water splash into the boat in large waves.

"Naruto, we have to go under deck. The storm is getting too out of hand for the boat to handle."
Ryu told Naruto, almost slipping on the floor because it was so wet.

"Are you listening? Naruto-"

A wave crashed against the side of the boat, Ryu pushing Naruto's head down as the rope on the side of the boat flew up in the air, threatening to wrap around the next unsuspecting victim to the bottom of the ocean. Naruto watched the hood fly off his blind friend's head, fluttering out behind him.

"Come on! Get up!"

Ryu yanked his arm to bring him to his feet.

"How did you know that there was rope!?"

Naruto shouted to Ryu. He pretended not to hear him. The blind teen turned his head to hear a large amount of water come in a large quantity.

"There's a big one!"

A man yelled, Naruto's eyes widening. He held on tighter to his friend's arm and pulled him down with him, bringing rope up to his hand and grasping onto it for dear life. The boat rocked back and forth violently. Naruto shut his eyes tightly, hoping the storm would pass by and quickly. As long as he could hear Ryu's grunts to try and hold on, he knew that the boy was there. He was right earlier. The storm would delay them a bit. But it was worth it. They wouldn't have to wait another day. They had to get to Lightning Country as soon as possible. His father's life was at stake and he had to go. No matter what happened along the way.

"Naruto!"

Ryu's voice cut the blonds' train of thought. He saw that his hand began slipping from the rope, his gloves slowly ripping apart from the palms because of the rope cutting it.

"Don't-"

The boat was set flying up in the air as a wave took it and then fell, Ryu joining the boat in its air dance and slashed in the water, a few men joining him in their journey to Davy Jone's locker. Naruto kicked off the boat and dived in, looking around for his new friend. He was trying to swim upwards, not knowing that a piece of the boat was quickly making its' descent to drag him down further in the water. Naruto swam faster towards him, the steel piece slicing right through Ryu's arm. Air bubbles escaped his mouth as if he cried in pain. He redirected his swimming angle, his face turning red. Naruto made it to him, grabbing his wrist and bringing him towards the surface.

A breath of fresh air was welcome as they clambered onto a piece of driftwood, looking around for Jiraiya. There were no signs of the toad sennin.

"Naruto…Jiraiya-sama…"

A life raft was heading towards land, a white haired man sat in the boat comforting two women.

"He's alright…"

Naruto sighed in relief. The piece of wood began to sink.

"Ryu…you have to take off your cloak."

"I'd rather die before I do that."

Naruto began to grab at it, only for Ryu to take it off and place it on another piece of wood, dragging it along with him.

"This is my only thing leftover from my father. I'd rather die than give it up."

Naruto saw that the raft wasn't coming back.

"Okay…so…now we're stuck here…"

"Why? What's happening?"

"The raft…it left us behind…"

Naruto saw Ryu grasping his shoulder and hanging onto the board at the same time. Blood tainted the water. Another wave crashed onto the two, Naruto swallowing a mouthful of water accidentally. He began coughing.

"Are you okay?"

A concerned voice asked him, Naruto gasped for air and saw the storm beginning to pass.

"Don't worry…hang on for a little longer…"

Ryu could only trust Naruto, feeling his wounded arm begin to go numb.

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Thunder and lighting was all that remained after the storm passed, Naruto feeling drained from using so much chakra to keep the piece of wood afloat with chakra. Ryu was lightheaded with so much blood lost.

"How far did we drift…?"

Ryu asked his weary friend, his head twisting in all directions.

"I can see land…I hope that's a good thing…"

Naruto groaned. Ryu held his cloak close to his chest, not wanting it to drift away. Naruto began to kick towards the land, Ryu following his actions and direction.

"Are you okay?"

Naruto asked Ryu, whom gave him a half hearted smile.

"Yeah, you?"

"Never better."

He smiled back.

They finally reached the land, collapsing on the beach. Panting, they managed to drag their bodies further up shore so that it was further away from the incoming tide wouldn't reach them. Naruto looked behind them to see a trail of blood coming from his rusty haired friend whereas Ryu noted Naruto's extreme fatigue and lungs full of water. They had no words to exchange to each other; just faint smiles and the knowledge of having to keep on going if they wanted to survive the rest of the day. The dappled sunlight broke through the parting clouds. The aqua sea seemed calm and harmless now that the storm was over. Ryu took his cloak and draped it over his shoulders, wincing slightly but welcomed the pressure that eased some pain in shoulder. Naruto shook his head. He refused to give up his prized cloak no matter what—even if it cost him his life.

"I smell food…"

Ryu stated all of a sudden, clutching his stomach as hunger pangs took over. Naruto felt the same way.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah…it's that way…"

He pointed westwards.

"It smells like stew…"

"I don't care what it smells like! At least we're not on some uncharted island!"

Naruto exclaimed, smiling brightly. After what they've been through, all the hard things that they had to try to overcome because of the storm, he was still this excited…?

"Let's go before anything else happens…"

The smarter one of the two stated. Naruto nodded, wanting to run up the steep hill, only to find himself fall flat on his face from exhaustion.

"Just muster a little more chakra…I'm sure we could rest for a bit wherever we are…"

Even Ryu began to feel sleep make him move a little more sluggishly.

They managed their way up, finding a field of rice with workers already up and hard at work, planting their crops. Naruto's legs finally gave way, plummeting face first towards the ground. Ryu's hand reached out and caught him by his chest, feeling himself being pulled down as well. All it took was a last blink from the two of them and they were out like a light. Collapsing from the recent events combined.

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"Come; now…time to wake up."

Naruto groaned as his eyes opened, blinking a few times before looking beside him to see Ryu's teeth clenched in pain as someone stitched up his shoulder. It was worse than it had looked.

"Oh, my! Naruto-chan! It seems like you've gotten yourself in some trouble! Whatever happened!?"

He felt his head being pressed in between two mushy breasts. He pulled away, recognizing the familiar dress and make-up…and…oh kami…

"B-Bara-san…"

"That's right! What are you doing in the rural area of Kumo?!"

"K-Kumo!? I thought we-"

"Oh, don't be silly! I'm visiting relatives here!"

She began laughing in a high pitched voice. A cry of pain escaped Ryu's lips as the needle inserted into his skin again.

"Oh, the poor little boy! Hachi, do you have to be so rough on the little dear?"

"The 'poor boy' needs twenty stitches. I don't see why he cannot be allowed to be in pain."

"Ooooh…"

She huffed her cheeks, beginning to pout. She crossed her arms.

'So that's a way to deal with Bara, eh…?'

Naruto thought to himself. He wanted to sit up, but Hachi stopped him.

"Chakra exhaustion. Move one muscle and I sew you to that bed."

He pointed a needle at Naruto, threatening him.

"And may I point out how many of your muscles are pulled?! What exactly did you do!? Swim through a storm!?"

"Heh…you'd be surprised."

He replied, scratching the back of his head.

"Now, Bara-san, I'll have to ask you to leave the room. These boys need their rest and you're not helping them at all with that high pitched voice of yours."

Bara gasped.

"Well, I've never been that much of a nuisance before, have I!? Besides, I just want to see these boys get well!"

"Bara-san, please, get out of the room. Naruto was not even meant to be woken up at the moment."

Hachi cursed to himself, finishing up Ryo and then escorting Bara out of the room.

"Hey, you awake?"

Naruto asked his friend beside him. Naruto saw a strained nod.

"This woman is crazy. It's better if you pretend to be asleep for as long as you can."

"I was awake a few hours ago…she hurt me more than helped…"

He feigned a smile. Hachi came back into the room.

"I know that she is worried, but really, all she is doing is getting in the way."

He explained to them. Naruto laughed.

"I understand."

"Are you boys hungry? Ryu, I know that you're awake."

"Never pretended I wasn't."

He replied, smiling.

"Okay. I'll get you something solid in your stomachs."

Naruto began to salivate and watched Hachi leave for a second time.

"Naruto, we're a day's walk from Kumo village itself! We made it here so soon!"

"Yeah! Now we can find my dad!"

They nodded. But they were on the rural area still…that could give Arashi some time to wander to find new places…

"Hey, Naruto, I saw someone here a few days ago. He was much taller than you though and he had a white and red cloak on….do you happen to know him?"

Naruto's heart jumped in his throat.

"NANI!?"

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Arashi followed the smell of simmering stew. There was nothing more he wanted to do than settle down and stuff his face with food. But he had no money…how would he be able to pay for anything? Besides, with his fading body parts, how could he even walk into a store and not be recognized?

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Ryu's head snapped to one side.

"Naruto…"

He pointed outside. Instantly, Naruto's face lifted. That was his father. Stumbling along the path with almost his entire lower body missing was his father…He jumped out of the bed and sped out the window, running towards him and jumping on him, hugging the older blond with as much strength as he could before passing out.

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AN: Yeah yeah, he found his dad early because I have crap planned out in my mind and I don't want this to turn out to be a mystery story. Besides, hasn't Naruto waited long enough to see his father again after 2 years?