CHAPTER 2: THE BEGINNING OF A NEW JOURNEY
Hey Guys, PureAlien here. I have decided to update every friday from now on. Now there is the chance that I miss the update by a day sometimes, it depends on if I have other important things to do.
Anyway here is the new chapter. I know its not very long, but I do plan to start making them larger as the story develops and there is more to tell in each chapter.
By the way thanks for the comment: King of All Writers684. Also I would like to thank all of the people that liked and favorited my stories, I really appreciate that as well.
And to the guest reviewer and anyone else who wants to comment about how NaruSaku will never be cannon, I KNOW! I just write these stories to let my imagination flow. Its called FanFiction for a reason.
Naruto POV
So today is the day. I guess it came sooner than I thought it would. Three days ago the Hokage and the mysterious man with red tears painted on his face offered me a life changing opportunity. I feel like I am glad I took it, but at the same time I am still a little scared. I know it sounds funny but I am going to miss the village. I can't believe it myself, but the village is all I know.
Last night old man Teuchi told me I should go, he said it would do me good. I decided to believe him, he is a good man from what I can tell. He treats me fine compared to everyone else. Plus he makes delicious ramen and gives him some on the house sometimes.
Anyway like I was saying today is the day that I start my journey. I've already packed everything, although there wasn't much to pack. Just a few changes of clothes, but then again I don't have much. It's kind of hard to live a luxurious life when nobody wants to sell you anything. All my clothes came from the Hokage. He was also a very good man.
I was thinking of getting something to eat, but Ichiraku hasn't opened yet. However I do need to find someway to kill time, it is barely 9 in the morning and we leave until noon. For some reason noon felt very far away.
I thought about who I could say goodbye to, but I only felt let down when I realized that there was no one to say goodbye to. I had practically already bid my farewell to Teuchi last night, and the Hokage was going to send him off at the gates. The best thing to do was to take a walk in the park.
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The park always seemed to relax me. I had been walking around here for close to 2 hours and it felt like it had been 5 seconds. There was something about the breeze that ran through the trees, or maybe the way the lake seemed to soothe all of my nerves. It was really the perfect place to slow down and really appreciate life.
The park was also a really good place to think. It was like nature listened to what you were thinking even if you didn't speak it aloud. The responses it gave always seemed to help me in the past. I guess this is a place that I am going to miss. I wonder if there will be any parks along our journey?
My thoughts were interrupted by a faint cry that I heard in the distance. I still had some time to kill, so I thought I would look into it. It seemed to be coming out of the trees. It became harder to identify where the cry was coming from the deeper I got into the little forest that existed in the middle of the park.
Finally I found the source of the crying. To my surprise it was coming from a girl who looked my age. She had pink hair, green eyes, and an abnormally large forehead. She seemed to be awfully upset about something. Figuring that I could at least try and help her I decided to ask why she was crying.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked maybe a little too direct as she seemed startled when she heard my voice. "Why are you crying?"
She took a while to answer as her own crying wasn't letting her talk, but finally she seemed to calm down. "People keep making fun of me", she said before she started crying again.
"Making fun of you?" I asked. "What for"
Again she took some time to answer. "They make fun of my big forehead". He figured as much, she did have one abnormally large forehead.
"Really? I mean you do have a big forehead", I said only to find her response was to start crying harder. "But you shouldn't be ashamed about that, you know", I said.
She seemed surprised about what I said. "But, everyone says it makes me look ugly", she said wiping some tears of her cheeks.
"Well, then you shouldn't care what other people say", I told her and that seemed to surprise her even more. "I for one, think you look kind of pretty", I told her and I noticed her cheeks were starting to turn red, she must be getting sick after all it was cold outside. "If people say they don't like it, its only because there jealous", I told her, it seemed to help because she was beginning to stop her sobbing.
"Y-you really think that I look pr-pretty?" she asked me. Now she was really red, she must be getting sicker.
"Of course", I answered. Ok now she looked like a tomato. "By, the way some advice, people may keep trying to make you feel bad, but you have to stand up to them".
She seemed to have completely stopped crying, and she started to smile at me. "Thank You", she said to me. I smiled back and then I looked up, I could tell by where the sun was that mid day was close.
"What's your name?" she asked somewhat quietly, with a small smile still looking quite red and it she couldn't look at my face because she kept averting her eyes.
"Listen I have to go now, but maybe we can talk some other time", I said to her ignoring her question. She frowned and I felt bad, but I knew that I had to leave in order to leave with Jiraiya on schedule.
"O-oh well ok then", she said somewhat sad.
"Hey, cheer up", I told her as I was starting to turn around to leave. "I recommend that you try making some good friends, friends seem to help each other when they are sad", I told her once I had my back to her. "Well goodbye then, by the way you should head home, I think you're starting to get sick", that was the last thing I said before I left.
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After stopping by the apartment to get my stuff I headed towards the village gates ready to embark on my new journey. However there was one more thing I had to do before I left.
I had to eat one last bowl of Ichiraku Ramen. It is the perfect way to say goodbye in my opinion.
So I went to Ichiraku's ordered one large bowl and completely devoured it. Even I was impressed at the ferocity that I ate it with. I guess it kinda shows how much I am going to miss this place.
"See you in 5 years", I said to old man Teuchi as I started to walk out of the stand. I just caught them waving in the corner of my eye.
Now it was time to head for the village gates.
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JIraiya POV
"So today is the day huh", said Sarutobi Sensei to me as we stood bye the village gates.
"So it seems", I responded with a hint of worry on my face. "I can't help but feel a little nervous, I don't want to let Minato and Kushina down".
"I know, but I have confidence in you Jiraiya, you can change this boy's life", responded Sarutobi Sensei. "I know you will make him a great young man".
"Speak of the devil", I said as I saw Naruto walking towards us. He looked pretty excited.
"Good afternoon JIraiya", he told me.
"Are you ready?" I asked him. He smiled.
"Ready as I'll ever be", he said.
"Alright then, lets get going", I said to both Naruto and Sarutobi Sensei.
I turned around and started walking. I heard Naruto start walking behind me as well.
"See ya later old man", he said to the Hokage.
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After about 20 minutes of walking in silence, I decided to speak up.
"So do you want to know where were headed?" I asked Naruto.
He looked up at me and said, "Sure".
"Well first stop is the Village Hidden in the Sand", I said looking down at him.
"Why there?" he asked.
"Well it just so happens to be the closest village", I said. "Plus the women there are gorgeous".
"Old man Teuchi told me that you are supposed to be like a sage or something, well are you?" he asked me somewhat confused.
"Of course I am the legendary Toad Sage", I told him.
"Well you're more of a Pervy Sage, I think", he said to me with a grin.
"Don't call me that!" I yelled but that only made him laugh.
"Oh Pervy Sage, that's a good name you know", he told me. I frowned at his statement.
"So did you leave any broken hearted girls behind", I said teasing him, trying to get back at him. "You're a pretty handsome kid, it wouldn't surprise if you did".
"No, I mean I don't know, I don't really talk to a lot of people", he said a little sad. "I guess it just doesn't seem like it would be worth it, even if I try they would probably refuse to respond".
"I'm sorry kid, you don't' deserve that", I told him. I knew he was a good kid.
"Thanks Pervy Sage", he said.
"I told you to stop calling me that!" I yelled. He only laughed again.
"You are strange kid you know", I told him.
"You're a strange man you know", was his response.
"Touché", I said. He is pretty quick witted.
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It took a while but we finally made it to the Hidden Sand Village. We were immediately greeted by some friends I had there. After all the hellos and goodbyes we headed to an inn where we were going to be staying.
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Naruto POV
The first day of our journey was coming to an end and I have to admit I was pretty tired. Not only did we walk a long way to get here, but the mental stress was probably even worse. I guess I am still a little shell shocked considering that all of this happened so fast. It was only a few days ago that I was offered this journey.
Not to say that I regret it. Even though nothing big has happened yet, I have high expectations for this trip. Pervy Sage is a little weird, but I know for sure that he is strong. Old man Teuchi told me that he is one of the three legendary sannin, perhaps the most powerful too.
I have to admit that I am a little glad that Pervy Sage is like he is. It kind of makes this more enjoyable and it takes the edge off.
"Hey, Naruto, are you hungry?" asked Pervy Sage.
Before I could answer my stomach growled furiously. I hadn't eaten anything besides that ramen I had in the morning.
"I think that answers my question", he said with a little chuckle. "I know this barbeque place downtown, its pretty good".
"Alright then", I said before my stomach growled again.
"We better get there fast", Pervy Sage said
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Once we got to the BBQ place we decided to order a big meal, after all we were hungry. Me and Pervy Sage sat there in silence for a while. Then Pervy Sage decided to start a conversation.
"So, Naruto what are you going to miss most about the Leaf", he said to me.
After thinking about it for a while I finally came up with an answer. "The beauty of it", I said.
"The beauty of it?" he asked a little confused.
"Yeah, once in a while I would climb up the Hokage mountain and just stare at the village. I know it sounds weird but it is a very beautiful place. The buildings the parks, the people, its all a system, its all a perfect system. Even though the people don't like me, I can't help but admire how it all works. That's why my dream is to become Hokage, so that I can protect the beautiful system at work", these words I said, seemed to make Pervy Sage think.
After being silent for a while he finally looked at me in the eyes, almost as if trying to engrave something in my soul and said, "You would make one great Hokage".
I smiled and finally the food came and we ate it all up and returned to the inn to sleep.
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I was having a peaceful sleep when suddenly I received a pillow to the face and woke up screaming.
"Ahhhh!", I yelled at the top of my lungs.
"Wake up sunshine", said Pervy Sage.
"What was that for Pervy Sage, I was having such a good time sleeping", I told him disappointed that my peaceful rest was abruptly terminated.
"Well now you will have a good time waking up", he said.
"Well did you really have to throw a pillow at my face?" I asked still mad.
"Oh Naruto, as a ninja you have to get used to these sort of wakeups, it could have been worse", he told me chuckling.
"Whatever Pervy Sage", I told him.
"I told you to stop calling me that!" he yelled. "Anyway today you are going to explore the village on your own".
"On my own?" I asked, I was surprised.
"Yup, if you are going to be Hokage, you have to get to know other villages as well", he told me.
"I guess you're right", I said still a little unconvinced with what he was saying.
"Of course I'm right!" he yelled.
"Alright, alright Pervy Sage, just stop screaming", I told him.
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I got ready and I headed outside. One thing I noticed since yesterday is how different the architecture is. The dome shaped buildings and the materials that they are made of seemed to fit the geography of this village perfectly.
As I was walking I noticed how the people didn't treat me badly. No one hurt me, no one screamed at me, no one neglected me, I kind of wished the people of the leaf were like me.
Then I saw something out of the corner of my eye.
A young boy, my age it seems. He had dark reddish hair and a red tattoo on his forehead. The most bizarre thing were the black rings he had around his eyes.
I noticed how everyone stayed clear of him when they saw him. Not out of hate, but of fear. Finally someone yelled at him, "Get out of here you freak!"
He turned to face him and his eyes shut him up. He kept walking in my direction and finally he got to where I was and he stared at me.
He looked into my eyes while I looked into his. I saw something that gave me chills, I saw loneliness and pain, the same type that I felt. I could also tell he saw it too because he looked surprised.
"What's your name?" I asked him. He still looked surprised and he wouldn't speak. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto".
Finally he regained his composure and said, "My name is Gaara".
I extended my hand to him and said, "Nice to meet you Gaara".
He stood there even more surprised than before, but finally he shook my hand. "Nice to meet you Uzumaki Naruto", he told me.
After introducing myself we both walked around not saying a word. I guess we were both still shocked to find that there was someone like us out there.
To my surprise he was the one who spoke up this time. "Where are you from?" he asked.
"I am from the Leaf", I told him, and he analyzed what I said.
"Interesting, I've never met anyone from the Leaf before", he said.
"And I've never met anyone from the Sand before", I said with a smile.
We walked some more again and silence. Then finally he spoke once more.
"Why are you out here in the Sand", he asked.
"I'm on a journey", I told him.
"A journey, where too?" he asked.
"To be honest I don't know, it's a bit of an adventure", I told him.
"That is interesting", he said.
We walked and we talked for a bit longer until finally I realized that it was night already. I told him that I needed to head back to the inn where I was staying and we said our goodbyes.
Once I got back to the inn I went to our room only to find it empty. On Pervy Sage's bed I found a note that read, 'Out doing research don't wait up'. I wonder what kind of research he is doing?
Anyway I got into my bed and realized that I couldn't sleep. Gaara, I kept thinking to myself. What an interesting experience. Never did I think that I would meet someone like me. Deep down I am kind of happy that I did.
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I woke up the next morning without any pillows to the face. I got read and decided that I was going to head out into the village. I turned to Pervy Sage's bed and realized that he was still asleep. Legendary ninja my ass.
I hurried down the stairs and made it outside only to be surprised to find Gaara there.
He turned to look at me and said, "Good morning Uzumaki Naruto".
"Good morning Gaara", I said still surprised.
Once more we walked all day and we talked not much but we did.
As days went by we both opened up to each other a bit more and we began to understand each other. We weren't so different after all. Were starting to become friends.
We learned of each other's pasts and what our future was going to be.
I told him of my dream to become Hokage and he seemed confused. "How can you protect the people that hate you?" he asked.
I explained to him what I saw when I looked over the village and he seemed to become happier.
"If you are going to be Hokage, then I will be Kazekage", he said to me, and I couldn't help but smile.
"That's a promise then", I told him and he nodded back with a small grin.
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Finally one day Pervy Sage said that it was time that we leave this village and move on with our journey.
Gaara and me said goodbye and said that we would meet again.
As we headed out the gates of the Sand Village Pervy Sage turned look at me and said, "It seems that you made a good friend here".
I smiled, and said, "I guess so".
"That's good", Pervy Sage said.
"Having friends is always a good thing", he told me.
After hearing what he said I looked at the road in front of us and couldn't help but think how excited I was to keep going on my journey.
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Well thats it for this time. Like I said previously I will be working hard to include more content in each chapter. It will become easier as the story progresses, so bear with me. It is a slower story and I want to make sure that I don't rush anything, neither the plot or the romance between Naruto and Sakura.
Notice the cliche of having Naruto be the one to tell Sakura to have confidence instead of Ino. I know that it is a little overdone, but it is critical to Sakura's development. I also wanted to show Naruto's social awkwardness but his good intentions as well.
Until Next Week, Thanks for Reading!