Summary: Naruto's fight to be Hokage and the fight for Naruto's' heart begins. Sakura finally notices him and a shy girl will call upon her courage to stop her, this will be a long fan fic its going to start slow but get interesting and deeper around chapter 4 with the pairings and all.
Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine. It's his creators' property (Kishimoto Masashi). The only thing mine are my own made up characters.
A/N: This chapter was beta by Frost Fae, thank you for you're help.
And revised by Jiraiya.
"Hello" speech
Hello Thoughts
Hello Kyuubi
Hello Kyuubi's thoughts
(Hello) Inner Sakura
---------- Scene change
CHAPTER 4: SAKURA'S AND HINATA'S THOUGHTS
"Some body help meeee!!" Was heard by a pink-haired kunoichi that lay in her bed.
Looks like someone looked at an ANBU the wrong way, poor guy. she thought.
I'll try visiting Sasuke-kun again tomorrow, maybe this time they'll let me see him, she thought before going to sleep.
The next day the kunoichi woke up early in the morning, quickly took a bath, and did her morning rituals.
"Sakura! Breakfast is ready," a voice yelled.
"I'll be down in a minute," Sakura answered.
After her breakfast, Sakura took her leave, heading first to the flower shop.
"Hi Sakura, what can I do for you today?" asked Ino.
"You know why I came, Ino-pig." Sakura answered.
"Yeah, and I feel sorry for you. You still go to visit that traitor, even after what he did leaving the village and trying to kill his friends. And to make matters worse you never get to see him, they never let you in, you only waste a good flower," Ino said in a mad voice.
"Just give me two daffodils and I'll be on my way," Sakura said in a sad voice.
"Two?" Ino asked.
"Yes Ino-pig, two." Sakura said
"But why do you need two?" Ino asked again.
"Every time I go see Sasuke-kun they don't let me see him, so I go see Naruto instead, and I give him the flower I buy, but I feel guilty giving him Sasuke-kun's, so I'll buy one for him, too." Sakura said while smiling slightly.
"Do what ever you want…" Ino said, sighing
After buying the flowers she left the store heading for the hospital. On her way, she found an old friend.
"Hi Hinata, where are you going in such a hurry?" Sakura asked.
"I-I'm going to s-see N-Naruto-kun." She said while blushing.
What the-? I've seen Hinata a lot in the hospital, especially in Naruto's room... (Yeah, why the hell is she visiting Naruto?) Sakura thought.
"A-are you g-going to s-see Sasuke?" Hinata asked.
"Um yeah, I'm visiting Sasuke-kun, but I'm visiting Naruto, too. He's my teammate, after all" Sakura said with a smile on her face.
Hinata felt a small pain in her heart, the girl that Naruto always liked was visiting him a lot lately, and even taking him flowers. Hinata also took him flowers, but the violets that she took weren't as beautiful as the daffodils that Sakura gave him.
They walked in silence, each in their own little world.
I wonder if I'll get to see Sasuke-kun today… well, if I don't, I'll go see Naruto, I wish he would wake up already! It's been so quiet and boring with out him, I really wish I could see his stupid grin and hear those annoying 'I'll be a Hokage,' speeches. (Hell yeah!! I want to see that stupid grin! Sakura thought.
I hope Naruto-kun is better today, when he wakes up ill tell him about how I feel, then he's going to say… Hinata thought while blushing.
Man, Hinata blushes al lot. Sakura thought.
But when he finds out Sakura's been visiting him and taking him flowers he's going to run and ask her on a date… Hinata thought while looking at the ground.
"Hey Hinata, we're here, lets go see Sasuke-kun first," Sakura said
Hinata just nodded. They went in asking the receptionist if they could visit Sasuke.
"Excuse me, is Uchiha Sasuke taking visitors?" Sakura asked
"I'm sorry; Sasuke-kun isn't taking visitors, Hokage-sama's orders." The nurse said.
"W-what about U-Uzumaki N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked behind Sakura.
"Oh yes, he's taking visitors now that he's woken up," the nurse said with a smile.
After hearing this, their eyes lit up and they smiled hugely, even Hinata couldn't help letting loose a big smile and a few tears.
Naruto-kun, you finally woke up. Hinata thought.
About time Naruto. (Hell yeah!) Sakura thought.
Both of them walked to Naruto's room in a fast pace, hoping to finally hear the blonde's voice again. They were surprised at the sight that met them outside of Naruto's room.
Two ANBU's were standing out side of his room. Sakura and Hinata were worried after seeing them; they tried to go into the room but were stopped by the masked men.
"No visitors." The ANBU wearing a cat shaped masked said.
"Why not? The nurse said we could see him!" Sakura said in an angry voice.
"His condition's gotten worse, it looks like the traitor hurt him worse that Hokage-sama thought," an ANBU wearing an ape-shaped mask said.
"No visitors, Hokage-sama's order." The one wearing the cat mask said.
"Leave or we'll have to make you leave, he needs to rest," the one wearing the ape mask said.
"I w-want to s-see N-Naruto-kun," Hinata said.
Sakura was shocked after seeing the shy girl stand up to an ANBU, after saying those words, Hinata took a step forward and even though the ANBU were impressed, to them orders where orders and she being a Hyuuga made no difference. One of the ANBU looked down at Hinata and took a step towards her.
He's going to hurt her, Sakura thought.
Maybe it wasn't a good idea saying that to them… Hinata thought.
After Sakura saw the ANBU take a step toward Hinata, she quickly grabbed the shy girl by the arm and pulled her towards her.
"Forgive my friend, she isn't feeling well," said Sakura to the ANBU just before running out of the hospital while dragging Hinata behind her.
Out side the hospital people looked in awe, as a pink hair girl was screaming to a small pale girl.
"What the hell is your major malfunction (Hell yeah)? What where you thinking when you said that to the ANBU? Where you trying to get yourself and ME killed (You BAKA!!)? Sakura said, screaming at Hinata.
Sakura kept yelling at the small girl for several minutes until she saw the girl's tears running down her face her head looking straight to the floor, and her hand pressing to her chest.
"G-gomen nasai, S-Sakura, I-I just w-wanted t-to…"
"What get us killed? (Yeah killed)" Sakura cut off Hinata.
"…S-see N-Naruto-kun..." Hinata said, while blushing and looking at the ground.
After hearing those words, Sakura was speechless.
All that just to see Naruto, even when he's not around me he some how make trouble for me, oh why? (Damn you Naruto, damn you!) Sakura thought
"Its okay Hinata, I'm sorry for screaming at you, I just don't like to be that close to death." Sakura said.
"I-its al r-right Sakura, I-it was m-my fault f-for saying t-that to t-the A-ANBU, I sh-shouldn't h-have said t-that." Hinata said while looking at the ground and twiddling her fingers.
Sakura just stared at the pale girl. Man, she doesn't have any self esteem, apologizing even when I said I was sorry. Sakura thought.
"Well Hinata, I have to get going, don't worry about Naruto I'm sure he'll be better tomorrow, I'll go see him tomorrow so I'll tell you how he's doing." Sakura said while smiling at Hinata.
"Um... O-okay S-Sakura… b-bye," Hinata said in a low voice.
Whit that each girl went on her way still thinking of the incident with the ANBU and that blond boy.
Damn you Naruto, getting my hopes up, but now I can't see Sasuke-kun or you. She thought while sighing
I wonder what happened in your fight, what did Sasuke-kun do to you? What's wrong with me? Worrying about Naruto when it's his fault… Sakura thought.
Suddenly she stopped walking, and stood in front of Ichiraku's, almost hoping she would see a blond boy gulping bowl after bowl of ramen like she'd seen so many times before.
…Even if it's his fault, I can't see Sasuke-kun but I'm happy he kept his promise and came back with Sasuke-kun, that baka all he did just for me… Sakura thought. After smiling a bit, she started walking again.
While Sakura walked home, Hinata sat in a beach in the park where she first saw Naruto.
"Naruto-kun… why…?" Hinata struggled to hold back incoming tears.
What did Sasuke do to you? All the times I've watched you, you never got this hurt, you'd always be in a fight but then be back so happy and full of energy like before, I hope Sasuke gets what he deserves… Hinata thought, not caring that she wished something bad on some one.
After that, Hinata stood up and started walking toward the Hyuuga resident, still thinking of the blond boy.
Please Naruto-kun be okay, I want to tell you so much, when I saw you leave after Sasuke I was so afraid! I thought I would never have the chance to tell you that I love you... Hinata thought while walking.
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"But Ero-Sennin, why did we have to leave trough the window?" Asked Naruto with a confused face.
"Don't ask me, I'm only following orders, I was told to take you to Tsunade with out anybody knowing." Jiraiya stated.
After a few minutes of jumping from roof top to roof top, they got to Tsunade's office, which they easily entered through the window so nobody would know they were visiting her.
Once inside, Naruto was shocked at the sight; Jiraiya was just amused but not surprised. In front of them, laid over all the papers surrounded by bottles of sake, and a news paper open in the race horse section, lay a sleeping Tsunade.
Naruto took a deep breath and was about to yell when he was stopped by Jiraiya.
"Nobody is supposed to know we're here, remember?" Jiraiya said.
"Oh, yeah, right," Naruto said while scratching his head.
Naruto just went up to Tsunade and started to poke her on the head.
"Hey, obaa-chan wake up, obaa-chan, and come on wake up, obaa… "Before Naruto could finish a punch sent him crashing into a wall.
Jiraiya sweat-dropped. Man, and he just got out of the hospital... he thought.
A drowsy Tsunade looked up at a smiling Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya, what are you doing here?" She asked drearily.
Jiraiya just pointed to the ground where Naruto was. "I told you to bring him when he was awake". She said
"He WAS awake... 'til you punched him out cold again," Jiraiya said.
"Did I? Well, that doesn't matter, let me see him." She said
After a few healing jutsu later, they were ready to start their chat.
"So Tsunade Obaa-chan, why did I have to leave the hospital through a window and not the door?" Naruto asked.
"Well Naruto, the thing is that you still haven't fully recovered." Tsunade said in a serious voice.
"What are you talking about, Tsunade Obaa-chan? I'm good as new," Naruto said.
"No you're not, you're very unstable right now, I'll prove it to you, lift up your shirt," Tsunade said.
"Ha-ha... come on, Tsunade obaa-chan, you're kidding right?" Naruto said in a nervous voice.
"Try molding some chakra," Tsunade said.
After hearing this Naruto nodded, he started to mold some chakra which resulted in the seal appearing, but something caught Naruto's attention, red chakra was leaking out of the seal.
"Ero-sennin, Tsunade Obaa-chan, what's happening? I haven't asked the fox for its chakra." A worried Naruto said.
"That's what Tsunade wanted to speak to you about," Jiraiya said.
"Naruto, since you fainted, you've been releasing a lot of the Kyuubi's chakra while you were unconscious, and we believe the seal may break any time now." Tsunade told him softly.
This shocked Naruto, he didn't know what to say, but he remembered what the Kyuubi told him.
Flash back
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"CHAKRA!" Said the Kyuubi.
"Chakra?" said Naruto.
"Yes child, chakra," Said the Kyuubi.
"The chakra I gave you this time was much more than any time before, it was more than enough to match the power of the one you call Jiraiya," the Kyuubi said.
"So what?" Said Naruto with a spark of anger in his face.
"Listen, that chakra I gave you was more than enough to make a hole in the seal, but not enough for me to escape, the only things I can do are give you more of my chakra and talk to you," Kyuubi said.
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End flash back
"Hey Naruto, wake up," Said Jiraiya
"What happened kid? You zoned out there for a minute," Tsunade said
"Um… nothing, I was just thinking" said Naruto.
Both of the sennin looked at each other, like they were communicating without words.
It looks like it was too much of a shock for the boy, maybe I should have been a little more subtle about the matter, Tsunade thought
"Well kid, we have a few options, first we can make a new seal over the Yondaime's, if we do that you wont be able to call upon the Kyuubi's chakra…" she said.
Naruto's eyes opened wide. What? I won't be able to use the Kyuubi's chakra! He thought.
"The other thing we can do is train you more, so you can control the Kyuubi's chakra, but if you can't do it, we'll have no choice but to put a seal over the other one," Jiraiya said.
Naruto sat down in front of Tsunade's desk and started to think deeply.
What should I do if the seal might break; if they seal it again I won't be able to use its chakra,
But if it breaks the Kyuubi might escape... Naruto thought.
Foolish child, you already forgot our chat? Said a voice in Naruto's head.
Suddenly Naruto was standing in a dark corridor, walking towards a light.
Man I'm back here again. Naruto thought.
Naruto kept walking until he entered a room where a jail cell with a seal was laid. Naruto saw the cell and was about to say something when he notice the jail cell was missing one of its bars.
"So stupid fox, it looks like your cage is bigger," Naruto said in a taunting voice.
"Yes it is boy, but that's not the reason I called you here," Kyuubi said
"Then what do you want you dumb fox?" Naruto asked.
"I just want you to remember our talk, if you take the offer of a new seal you'll be breaking our agreement, remember I can't break free, only speak and give you my chakra, it will be as before only this time I can talk to you." The Kyuubi said.
"Agreement?" Naruto asked sticking out his lower lip.
"Stupid child, I'll refresh your dumb mind, I'll give you more of my chakra, and help you be acknowledged by the people in this tiny village, in return you'll become a worthy container for ME, the greatest Youma in all the world, kyahahahaha," the Kyuubi said.
"Oh that's right, but remember you dumb fox, if you try to pull a fast one I'll put enough seals on top of this one so you won't know if it's day or night!" Naruto said.
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He's out of it again, Tsunade thought.
"Hey!!! Naruto wake up," Jiraiya said.
"Um… Sorry, I was just thinking. But I've decide to keep the seal the way it is, I'm sure I will be able to control the extra chakra," Naruto said with another one of those foxy grins.
"That's not the problem kid, the thing is we can easily sense the Kyuubi's chakra, this can give away your secret," Tsunade said.
"And why should I care about that, every body knows the Kyuubi's seal is inside of me," Naruto said in an angry tone.
"Are you sure? What about the kids your age, are you ready for them to know?" Jiraiya asked in a cold voice.
Damn! I forgot about them. What should I do? I can't tell them about it. Don't worry, I'll help you control my extra chakra. Naruto heard while thinking.
I hope you're right you dumb fox. Naruto thought.
"That's my decision; I'll train and control the chakra. A little demon chakra shouldn't be any problem for the future Hokage!" Naruto said while flashing his foxy grin.
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So Jiraiya and Naruto went to train (A/N: same spot as where he learned to summon frogs), so he could hide and control the extra Kyuubi chakra, he redid all of his chakra control exercises, this with the Kyuubi's help maintaining control over his chakra, so it wouldn't be released with out Naruto's knowledge.
Although it was much easier than Jiraiya had imagined, it still took many days, but while Naruto was training, the life in Konoha kept moving forward.
Every morning, a pair of girls would visit the hospital just to be stopped by a pair of masked men.
"Sorry, no visitors today," a masked man said.
"B-but I h-haven't seen N-Naruto-kun in d-days, p-please let m-me see him." A pale girl said in a very low and nervous tone.
"No! Now leave." The man said.
"B-but-?" The girl managed to squeak out.
"Leave now, or I will make you leave," the ANBU said.
After those words, the pale girl let out a few tears, and started to walk away from Naruto's room, on her way out she found a girl she had seen every day coming and seeing the fox boy.
"Hi, Hinata what happened? Why are you crying?" Sakura asked.
"Naruto-kun i-is s-still…" Hinata said, while crying.
"What? They still won't let anyone see him?" Sakura said.
Hinata simply nodded and started to walk away, next to her Sakura walked with her, this surprised Hinata.
"Aren't y-you g-going to s-see Sasuke?" Hinata asked.
"I went to see Hokage-sama yesterday; I asked her if she would let me see Sasuke-kun..." Sakura looked at the floor.
"She told me no, that nobody would be able to see him until she says so, so I should forget about visiting him and get back to my training and stuff," Sakura said in a very low voice.
This answer actually worried the already insecure Hinata.
She only wanted to see Naruto-kun today; I wonder if- Hinata's thoughts were interrupted.
"Hey Hinata, how're Neji and Kiba?" Sakura asked while smiling.
After Hinata heard this she froze.
"Um… I d-don't know I-I haven't s-seen th-them" Hinata said.
After hearing this, Sakura's eyes flew wide open. What? She's only been visiting Naruto; no… she can't have a thing for Naruto can she? I thought she was into Kiba, if she is... what can she see in him, I know he's nice, brave and does his best to help you… Sakura thought.
"Otou-san t-told me th-they w-were better thing to d-do a-and I shouldn't w-waste my time seeing th-them and I sh-should k-keep tr-training," Hinata interrupted Sakura's thoughts.
"But then why did you visit Naruto? Isn't that the same as visiting the others?" Sakura asked.
This is bad, she can't find out about my feelings… she just can't... Hinata thought wildly.
"W-well... um… y-you s-see…"
"Onee-chan." A voice interrupted Hinata.
"Onee-chan, Otou-san is still waiting for you." The small white-eyed girl said.
"H-Hanabi, s-sorry I f-forgot about th-the Hyuuga m-meeting t-today, I'm s-sorry, I'll be right there," Hinata said, turning to Sakura, she continued. "I'm s-sorry Sakura, b-but I m-must be g-going". Hinata said.
Moments after her farewell, the sisters started to walk, leaving an angry Sakura.
She didn't answer my question, I wonder if she does have a thing for him… No, she just can't … wait, I'm I jealous! Nah… why should I be? Sakura thought.
Why is Sakura so interested in why I visit Naruto-kun? She can't be jealous, can she? No... she has that Sasuke… Hinata thought.
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Night came and each girl put her thoughts in order, each thinking of the same thing.
Naruto…… What can Hinata possibly see in you? I know you're nice, you care about other people, you never give up, you try you're best, and some times you're even cute… (Hell yeah!) What? I don't think Naruto's cute! Do I? (Hell yeah!) What? (I mean, hell NO!) That's better... No, I don't like Naruto; I like Sasuke-kun... Don't I? Sakura thought deeply, even with those words she still felt that doubt she had been feeling every time she visited Naruto.
In another place in Konoha, pale eyes stared at the ceiling.
Sakura wouldn't care about Naruto-kun… Not now, not after all they went through to bring back Sasuke for her! Yeah, she doesn't care about Naruto-kun, she just feels guilty for making Naruto-kun promise her to bring back Sasuke. She feels guilty for what Sasuke did… Yeah that's it... That's got to be… I hope that's it… Hinata thought, trying with all her might to hold back her tears.
Even though their thoughts were the same, they both felt the same doubt.
While the girls were restless because of their fears and hopes, a raven-haired boy was restless for other reasons.
I'll kill you...
I'll kill you...
Because you're my closest friend...
Closest friend...
Friend...
My friend...
His eyes shot open.
"Nooooo! What have I done…?"
End chapter 4