Chapter One – A New Step In Life
"I'm glad you have decided to return to Konoha, but you know your doings cannot go unpunished. I was not Hokage at the time of your defection, but I know the extent of your actions. Ibiki-san has been kind enough to offer a solution. You, Morino Idate, are a genin and will remain so for at least two years. During those two years you will provide any assistance you can at the hospital and will specifically be under the orders of my apprentice. Tomorrow, go to the hospital and ask for Haruno-san. They will help you." Tsunade patiently explained, writing in a scroll as she spoke.
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Idate replied, rigid and at full attention. He'd do anything to remain here, to be allowed back into his home. Hopefully, his brother, Ibiki, would one day fully forgive him. It had been eight years since Idate had last seen his brother, but he still believed it possible. And he was willing to make it so.
"You're lucky Ibiki brought back the scroll, as well as Naruto's explanation of the Raijin's whereabouts or should I say lack thereof? Well, no matter, I need you to sign this though." Tsunade said, sliding the scroll she had previously been writing on to the edge of her desk, now facing Idate.
With a sharp nod, Idate quickly wrote out the kanji of his name. "Arigato, Hokage-sama."
With a small smirk in place, Ibiki, who had entered the room as Idate signed, said, "It's good to see you back in Konoha, brother."
"Ni-san…"
"Well, Idate-san, I have things to tend to, please excuse me. Oh, and don't be late tomorrow. Be there at 7:00 am!"
Bowing, Idate left Tsunade's office, Ibiki, on the other hand, remained. Apparently he was involved with those "things to tend to."
Idate needed to get things situated. He'd lived by himself for far too long to stay with his brother, and besides, he wasn't quite sure how sincere Ibiki's welcome had been. It would be unwise to rush things. But that didn't eliminate the need for housing.
Who do you talk to in this town for that? Idate questioned himself, finding no answer. Great. Does this mean I'm going to have to ask ni-san? No, I can't show weakness; to ask for that would be a weakness. I have to be a strong shinobi. Of course, I won't really be considered a strong shinobi for another two years because of that contract. Perhaps…
"Ah! Arigato, arigato, old man!" Naruto sputtered through his mouthful of pork-flavored ramen that Teuchi had just given to him, free of charge.
Teuchi chuckled, "Anything for my favorite customer!"
Humming a noise of approval and satisfaction, Naruto continued to slurp the contents of the bowl into his mouth, not bothering to chew. After consuming two bowls of ramen, Naruto declined the third and told Teuchi he had to train, and that being overly full tending to cause him to slack off.
"Alright, well, make sure you come back and see us before your next mission, Naruto!"
"Definitely, old man! I'll be back before you know it!"
Striding out of Ichiraku, Naruto headed in the direction of the Uchiha complex. He didn't feel much like training today, really, so why not convince Sasuke to spar with him. That would surely make the task a little less monotonous.
While rounding a corner, Naruto, unfortunately, was staring at the clouds, having gained that fascination from Nara Shikamaru over the years. And, as Idate was busy with his own thoughts didn't think to look up. The impact wasn't enough to really hurt, but both were jarred out of their activities.
Looking up and shaking his head, Idate, eyes wide, sputtered, "Na-Naruto?"
"Eh?" Naruto had seen much more than Idate, and that included faces, and therefore was slightly confused. He couldn't remember this person. The problem, though, wasn't solely due to Naruto's lack of memory; Idate had changed his appearance over the eight years since Naruto's mission to the Tea Country. Although he did wear similar clothing still, his hair was a bit shorter and less spiky. And he was no longer a boy, he was twenty-four years old, and his face and body showed it, as well as the strenuous training he'd undergone before returning to the Leaf.
Deciding to give him some sort of hint, Idate said, "You never visited. How were we supposed to compete in that case?" Little did Idate know that Naruto issued that challenge to a great number of people he'd met on missions, but hearing Idate speak had triggered something in Naruto's head.
"But I thought shinobi were stupid, Idate." His mischievous grin ruined the effect, but Idate was just happy that Naruto had not completely forgotten him. He was, after all, the reason Idate was here now, the reason he had decided to come back to Konoha after Jirochou had passed away.
Nodding, he replied, "Things can change, Naruto."
"So, why are you here? And how's Jirochou-san?" Naruto asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Idate's grimace of pain wasn't missed by the blond shinobi. "Oh… I'm sorry…" Naruto wasn't much for words, but he understood Idate's pain; he'd liked the man himself even though he'd only seen him twice.
"Ah, it's alright Naruto; he went peacefully in his sleep. As for me, I'm home. And… I'm going to start training to be a shinobi again." Idate grinned, helping to ease the conversation away from the sad news.
"Really! Well, I'm glad to see shinobi are no longer 'stupid.' So, where are you staying? With Ibiki-san? Somewhere else?"
"Um, actually, I don't know yet. Konoha's changed quite a bit since I was last here and I'm not quite sure who to talk to about getting an apartment or-"
"You can stay with us! Sasuke won't mind and there is plenty of room at the complex! And that way you can take your time on finding a place, unless you decide you want to stay." Naruto chimed in, being as generous as always.
Hesitating, Idate protested, "Well, I don't know, Naruto. I don't want to intrude or anything. I-"
"I insist!" His determination was unfaltering. He even threw his arm around Idate's shoulders, continuing on his way to Sasuke's home, only now he was guiding someone as well.
Chuckling, Naruto semi-gloated, "I bet Sasuke won't even recognize you, I barely did myself! But Sakura-chan will; Sakura-chan is damn near a genius! She's even trained under Tsunade oba-chan, err, Hokage-sama!"
"Ah, but if I've heard correctly, you trained under Jiraiya-sama as well didn't you? They are both of the legendary three, correct?"
Naruto grinned wickedly, enjoying their little chat, "Come on, it's not far."
Sakura panted lightly, having just reached a stopping point more than halfway between Konoha and the Hidden Village of Sand. Recently a rare virus had spread throughout the village infecting both humans and animals alike; a number of the villagers and livestock had died and they had even lost a few shinobi. Gaara, the Kazekage, had called upon Konoha, whom were known for their amazing medical studies and skills. Tsunade was more than happy to send a team, including Sakura to Sunagakure.
The team consisted of Inuzuka Hana, who was to treat the animals; Yamanaka Ino, ordered to aid Sakura in any way she could; Shiranui Genma, meant more for protection than anything; and Sakura herself, to heal first the shinobi and then the citizens of Sunagakure.
They hadn't run into any problems, despite Genma getting bit once while assisting Hana in holding down a rather large dog. Sakura had spent a grueling two weeks removing the virus from ailing bodies and creating the medicine to prevent it from reinstating itself in those same bodies. Overall, it was a successful B-class mission. And now they were on their way home, Sakura having already summoned a slug to announce such to Tsunade.
Honestly, Sakura could have kept going; she just wanted to get home and see Naruto and Sasuke.
I hope they haven't destroyed the house. She needlessly thought. Sasuke would never let their house get truly messy.
After Sasuke had left Orochimaru, fully intact and himself, to destroy Itachi, which he had, he'd returned to Konoha with Sakura and Naruto, after the incidents in Rain. Sakura and Naruto had consistently fought for his allowance as a Leaf shinobi once again. In the end, Tsunade had caved and declared him a shinobi, but only of genin level. Of course, that had been three years ago; since then Sasuke had worked his way up to a jonin, and was currently debating ANBU. Naruto on the other hand, refused to join ANBU, knowing about some of their more shady activities. He could become the best shinobi without that; future Hokages just shouldn't be involved in dubious events. Sakura though was a member of ANBU; her fierce desire to protect her teammates had overwhelmed her. Medics weren't common in ANBU and that was something Sakura was greatly opposed to, so she'd gone through the trials put to her for entry. And when she'd received the summon all she could think was how lucky she was that Kakashi had only recently reinstated himself in ANBU and thus he wasn't the one to decide if she was qualified for the job.
Sasuke had more than regretted leaving, excluding the strength he'd gained, and was relieved that his friends, although greatly matured, had still greeted him with open arms. So, he'd asked if they wanted to live with him; partly, he needed the companionship, as there was a great lack of it in Sound, but, he also felt like he'd needed to repay his two friends somehow. Over time he'd gathered that Sakura was looking to move out of her parent's house, and Naruto still lived alone. Basically, he was fairly sure they wouldn't disagree with the idea.
So, although he couldn't persuade them to leave all the bills to him, they did move in. First Sakura's belongings, then Naruto's, the three of them all helping. They had only grown closer in their friendship by living together, something none of them were opposed to.
"Sakura, don't you think we should continue?" Hana asked, looking through the foliage at the darkening sky.
"Oh, yes. Let's go," she replied, waving the small group forward with a hand, before focusing chakra on her feet and leaping into the trees.
"Sasuke!" Naruto shouted as he opened the door to the main house, "Sasuke, where are you?"
"Hn, Naruto," a slightly peeved voice could be heard from the kitchen. "Do you have to yell?" Sasuke asked, walking through the doorway and drying his hands on a dishtowel. "Oh…" he paused, seeing the new arrival. "Morino Idate." He said, having already recalled the vaguely familiar face. "What are you doing in Konoha?"
Although slightly peeved by Sasuke's impeccable memory, Naruto held himself in check. "He's come back to be a shinobi. And he's going to stay with us for awhile, if that's okay?" Naruto eagerly told Sasuke, his most convincing smile in place. Usually Sakura was the one that persuaded Sasuke, but, she was still out on a mission, so he figured it was only fair that he take a turn at it.
"Hn, sure," he replied; it was highly unlikely Naruto would take no for an answer anyways, and besides what harm could come from it. Upon first meeting Idate, Sasuke hadn't liked him, that was obvious. First he'd insulted the shinobi ways and then he'd accosted Sakura. But, after a bit of a beating from the betrayer, Aoi and an explanation the guy really couldn't be faulted.
"Alright! Which room should he stay in, Sasuke?" Naruto asked, glancing towards the central hallway.
Sasuke shrugged, "Ah, I don't care." He slid his gaze to Idate, "You can pick a room if you'd like."
"Thank you, Sasuke-san," Idate replied, bowing slightly. In the years spent with Jirochou, Idate had been taught proper etiquette for all situations. Some of it just seemed to stick with him more than others, as was obvious with his frequent bowing.
Following Naruto down the hall, Idate slipped his rather heavy pack from his shoulders. "Are you sure this is okay, Naruto?"
"Oh, yeah," Naruto said, nonchalantly waving off Idate's concern, "You've already got Sasuke's approval, and he's the hard one to sway. I'm glad you're here, and I doubt Sakura-chan will care if you stay with us; she's too sweet… well, until you make her angry. Don't do that by the way, she packs quite a punch," he added, snickering and opening a door in the hallway.
"Sa-Sakura lives here, too?" Eyes wide, Idate recalled the pink-haired girl he had met all those years ago. And who he'd dreamed about during those years since. How much of a woman had she grown into? Did she remember him? Had he left as much of an impact on her as she had on him? He doubted it, wholly doubted it. The only thing he might have done to impress her had been to finish and win the race… that he had been all too ready to give up.
He owned Naruto so much, Idate thought, looking up at the still grinning shinobi busying himself flipping on the two lamps occupying the room. Naruto was one of the major reasons Idate had returned to Konoha
"Oh, yeah, since Sasuke returned people are hard-pressed to find them apart, except of course, when they go on missions… Speaking of which, she should be returning from her mission tonight, so don't be startled or anything if you hear something." Gesturing to the closet and free standing armoire, Naruto added, "You can put your stuff in either of those; oh and that door there leads to the bathroom,"
Ambling to stand in the hallway, Naruto said, "Well, I'll give you some time to get settled. Uh, if you need anything, just ask Sasuke or me. Whenever you're done come on into the kitchen. I'm cooking tonight!" With that Naruto was gone having completely forgotten his training and leaving Idate to the silent, yet oddly inviting room.
Alright, so I must admit, this little plot bunny (as well as a Kiba and Sakura one) has been slowing me down on Chakra Block. Terribly sorry for that, because I'm getting excited myself on what's to come in Chakra Block. But, I figured, what the heck, I'll throw this one out there and get some feedback on it. First off, if you haven't watched the anime Naruto, you aren't going to have any idea as to who Idate is. He's Morino Ibiki (the examiner from the chunnin exams) little brother, which Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke aid during a race in episodes, oh, 102-106... or something like that. This plot bunny hit me hard when I finally started watching the anime myself, thus, I had to write it... I mean, how could this not be cute? He asks her to marry him when he first sees her! (this is where the fangirl squeal goes) for those of you who are watching out for more Chakra Block, don't worry, it will come, other stories slow me down, but I'll never quit on a story! If you have any ideas or suggestions of where this one should go, leave a review; I enjoy hearing others opinions!
(Edited Sept 25, 2007 for small typos as well as a slight contradiction in plot.)