I know, I know… you guys didn't like that ending… but on the positive side that means more fights in the future YEAH! Also I want to know why people are not reviewing I want to know if you guys like the story and plot… the story will take a turn with the war and Akatsuki on the loose plus Sasuke… damn Konoha is fck up XD.
Disclaimer: don't own naruto
X.X.X
Chapter15: thank you
"NARUTO!!!" several voices yelled as the blonde knuckle-head fell to the ground.
"Crap" Naruto said weakly as he felt the injuries, they weren't too bad since the fox's chakra healed him but it still hurt especially the stab wounds. He felt five presences arrive behind him and was relieved when he heard a familiar voice at his side.
"Naruto you okay?" Yamato asked "Get Kakashi out of there and help Neji and Lee" the moukoton user said to the squad of shinobi he brought. The shinobi nodded and quickly darted to help their comrades, two shinobi helped to look for Lee who was below a pile of rubble and another shinobi helped Kakashi out of the boulder that pined him.
"H-Hey Yamato-taicho… I'm glad you're okay" Naruto whispered as he smiled at his temporary sensei relieved that he wasn't hurt. He was startled when they heard a scream and saw Neji struggling before panting like he ran fifty laps around the village.
"ARRGH…. Dammit … those things hurt" Neji said as he grabbed his shoulder where Pein stabbed him with the strange weapon. "That weapon didn't let me move… it damaged my chakra flow and I couldn't move" he explained as he was helped getting-up from the rubble.
"Sempai we found Lee and he's okay… but has two large gashes that are not life threatening but could become a problem if not treated immediately" one shinobi said as the other got the taijutsu enthusiast up. The gashes were bleeding profusely on the back and right leg.
"Okay, get them to the hospital as quickly as you can" Yamato said and the shinobi vanishe with Lee and Neji "You… what's Kakashi's condition?" he asked fearing the worst from his long time friend.
"He's fine… but seems like he used too much chakra… and his body isn't too good either" the shinobi said and was shocked when the masked jounin lifted his head.
"H-Hey… I'm not dead… yet… and Naruto… you've… improved" Kakashi struggled to say before losing consciousness. The shinobi present stared in awed as the copy-cat just wasn't going to die that easily. The one that carried Kakashi got Yamato's silent message and leapt away.
"Kakashi-sensei… thank you" Naruto said sincerely "Yamato you should rest… people are coming" he smiled at the thought of seeing his friends again.
The wood user just smiled and waited for the back-up "I still need to help the Anbu take down Root" he thought as he gazed at the horizon and again at the shinobi that he ground with his eyes closed "You've improved a lot… like no one else would've dreamed of" he thought as a smile crossed on his face and looked up to see a bunch of shinobi and the Hokage land.
"Yamato!" Tsunade exclaimed demanding answers and didn't notice Naruto's awakening start.
"Ma'am the enemy escaped and a group of shinobi carried the injure Neji, Lee and Kakashi to the hospital" Yamato said in report mode "If you excuse me my lady… the Anbu are expecting me" he said with a bow and vanished in smoke.
"B-Baa-chan… could you keep it down" whined the broken blonde on the ground and all eyes landed on him. Tsunades eyes held ferocity for calling her granny but they couldn't stay like that for long, the other shinobi's eyes softened at seeing Naruto in this state and still have the same personality.
"He saved the village… and he's so tired I can see him struggling to keep awake" the Hokage thought with concerned in her eyes "Naruto… thank you… you should rest please" Tsunade whispered on his ear.
"H-Hehehe… I will thanks… so Granny… there's a war?" Naruto asked intrigued and curious at how that came to happening in two weeks.
"Later brat" Tsunade said not wanting the headache that was about to come "You have to tell me how you came so strong" she said clearly curious as Naruto smiled.
"Later granny… hey did you noticed the beautiful crying angel behind you" Naruto whispered his eyes dropping, exhaustion claiming him and unconsciousness inevitable "Tell her… not to… she's too pretty to cry" as darkness came and knew no more.
"What?..." Tsunade asked and whirled around to find Hinata behind her crying softly at seeing the state her crush was in "Poor girl… it must devastate her seeing him like this… wait did Naruto said she was pretty?" she thought a grin forming on her face "This could be gold in the future" she thought on blackmail if he annoyed her too much
The others that stood gazing at their broken friend also had similar thoughts and wanted to know about Naruto's rapid growth. The amount of skill, tactics and not to mention power was outstanding… the only genin of their generation and was stronger than all of them put together. Kiba and Shino stood with a few bruises but okay and both were wondering how they were going to surpass him. Shikamaru and Chouji were glad that their friend was okay and sighted in relieve while Ino and Tenten thanked the heaves that the blonde was save and their village as well. Hinata on the other hand wouldn't take her eyes of him, she was too scared to look at him with her Byakugan and find irreparable injuries but at the same time she was curious. She was worried sick about his condition and was tearing up just seeing him like this.
"Naruto-kun… please be okay… I can't… couldn't live with you gone" Hinata thought with misery and with that train of thought she missed Naruto's whisper. She stopped thinking those thoughts when she felt a firm hand on her shoulder.
"Hinata… don't worry he'll be okay" Tsunade's soft and caring voice said supporting the distraught girl who could any moment panic out. "You know Hinata… what would he think of you now if he saw you right now" she said a bit slyly.
"Huh?" Hinata stopped crying in that instant and wondered the same thing "Would he think I'm the same weak girl as before?... no… I'll prove that I've changed" the heiress thought wiping her eyes and setting them determinately to the Hokage.
"Hokage-sama… if there's anyway that I could help him…" Hinata said seriously and the Hokage laughed a bit at the sight of the girl that a second before she was crying.
"I knew you would say that… sure you can help… especially him" Tsunade teased and the serious girl's face turned red at the thought of helping her love.
"NARUTO!" someone yelled from a distance and in two seconds Sakura stood at Tsunades side, panting and panicking at the sight of her friend and teammate.
"It's okay Sakura… he's resting" Tsunade said comforting her apprentice. Seeing the other medical shinobi attending the injured, she scooped Naruto and handled him to Hinata "Hinata… take him to the hospital… Sakura please let Hinata help you stabilize him" she ordered and the two kunoichi's left "Bring on the headache" she whispered.
X.X.X
Two days later, the village was in terrible shape, houses, buildings, streets and monuments were destroyed. Shinobi were trying all they could to make the village feel save again, Anbu were looking everywhere for missing Root members, while others did S-rank missions to help the village economically. Construction workers were already taking action formulating plans and hiring additional workers to help rebuild the village. The Hokage, after taking a one day break cause injuries was already having a headache at the whole paperwork thing going on in her office.
"Naruto… please wake-up" Tsunade whispered, yesterday at every single hour she would go to his hospital room to check on him and to her disappointment he didn't change status.
In said building and same said room a dark haired kunoichi also was begging the heavens to let the love of her life wake-up. Hinata Hyuuga had permission to stay at his side at every hour after the long and heated discussion she had with another kunoichi… this one had pink hair. The two kunoichi were fighting because the two of the at the same time wanted to take care of Naruto but the hospital was in dire need of faculty and Sakura lost because she had more experience in the field while Hinata stayed with Naruto.
"Oh Naruto-kun" the Hyuuga heiress thought miserably "It's unbearable… this pain I feel seeing you like this" she said as she glanced at him. Naruto had bandages that covered almost all his body, his torso and left shoulder was covered in bandages as well as his right forearm all the way the bicep. His legs were covered as well but no need of a cast and half his face was covered as well on the right eye area and forehead, leaving a bit of blond hair coming out at the top.
Taking her gaze away from him and drown herself in thought she never noticed the object of her affections open his only visible eye and stared at her lifelessly.
X.X.X
Rain village
"The failure, not the pain but the failure is what hurt's the most… failing to capture the jinchuuriki with my power… what is he… what happened?" Pein mussed out loud as he watched his other surviving body being healed.
"We simply underestimated the boy Pein-sama" Konan said softly "I'm sure it would not happen again" she said trying to calm him down.
"Of course it would not happen again… Madara would kill me for my failure" Pein said and for the first time since childhood felt fear, the fear of dyeing.
"It seems the boy proved that you're no god" a chilling voice said from a corner making both 'Akatsuki' members jump slightly. "Failing… that's very uncharacteristic of you" Madara said while strolling gently to the room with his hood on.
"I'm very sorry Madara-sama… the boy appeared to have mastered one of Jiraiya's most powerful techniques" Pein said waiting some kind of punishment from the true leader of 'Akatsuki'. Not feeling or hearing anything the temporary leader glanced at the hooded figure which seemed to wait for something.
"Go on… I'm interested" Madara said simply "But know this… the two junchuuriki are still at large and I'm getting impatient" he finished coldly
"Of course… but what about Sasuke's mission?" Pein asked clearly interested as well. Is not everyday that you hear an Uchiha failed a task.
"That my friend will come in time… first tell me about Naruto" Madara said his intent clearly on discovering everything he could on the boy and getting his once formidable powers back.
X.X.X
Iwagakure
The Tsuchikage was in an incredible mood, the attacks have been going well, except for a few wounded up shinobi and the one where that exchanging point was blown up and he lost many shinobi. The attacks of last week where Suna and Konaha shinobi had to be deployed to help each other was good news to the man He launched two more attacks yesterday and only one had been stopped to a degree… those filthy leaf ninja and it seems that Suna didn't think we would look at their side either.
"And to top it all of… 'Akatsuki' attacked Konoha… hehehe" the Tsuchikage laughed "The attacks will rain on that village and completely destroying for good" he looked to his right as he sensed someone coming at the door.
"Tsuchikage-sama… the attack on that village near Suna succeeded without any problems" one shinobi said kneel down and reporting to his leader.
"More good news… we'll end Konoha at the end of the week and destroy Suna a few days later" the Tsuchikage said joyously "Send a battalion to Konoha… seeing as they're weak we should take the opportunity" he commanded the shinobi who nodded and vanished to look for free ninja to take the 'challenge'
"The tree will burn to the ground which will also engulf the leafs" the Iwa leader thought evilly imagining honors with his name on them and being declared the strongest Tsuchikage who ever lived.
X.X.X
Konoha hospital
Sensing someone watching her she glanced to her side where the boy of her dreams was asleep soundly… except he wasn't asleep anymore. Hinat stood completely frozen at the look the blond gave her… his eye was cold, lifeless but with each passing second the life, the happiness and innocence came back and smiled weakly to the girl in front of him.
"N-Naruto-k-kun!!!" Hinata yelped in surprise and embarrassment, she couldn't believe she'd zone out like that… and he watched. "W-When… d-did y-you woke-up?" she asked still flustered at being the sight of that blue orb she loved so.
"I've been watching you for almost ten minutes according to the clock" Naruto said simply in a weak tone "You're very cute when you're thinking" he smiled at her and noticed that she swayed. "I wonder why"
"I-I-I n-ne-ed to tell H-Hokage-s-sama t-that you h-have a-awoken" Hinata said in a stuttering frenzy while dashing to the door. "One second more in that room with him and I would have fainted" she thought as she ran through the halls
On the other side of the village a busty blonde twenty-something looking woman was having a hard time with paperwork, missions and the constant reports the construction crew told her about the buildings. Taking a bottle of sake and uncorking it she thought before being stopped by her assistant, Shizune.
"Tsunade-sama!!... you're under medications… you should know better" Shizune scolded the Hokage like she was child "Not setting a good example you know… I'm helping you as much as I can but the hospital is short on staff" she said as well "I'll be going there later for any additional help"
"Sure and while you're there tell me how's Naruto doing" Tsunade said to her long time friend and assistant "I'm not allowed to leave the office… almost every five minutes someone new arrives with more amazing news" she added the last part in sarcasm.
"Hokage-sama!!!!!" Hinata yelled like never before and blushed when she realized what she'd done "but who cares Naruto's okay" she thought "Naruto… he has awoken" and faster than you can say 'what the fck' the Hokage and her assistant were on their way to the hospital.
"Naruto…" thought the Hokage racing hastily to the hospital to see her sel proclaimed little brother. "And getting out of that office never hurts either" They arrived at the hospital, climbed the stairs to get to his room and were surprised to see a bunch of people waiting outside the room and a whole bunch more inside.
"What's the meaning of this?" Tsunade said raising her voice slightly with anger "This id supposed to be a hospital room not clearance sale" she waited for an answer.
"My Lady… we just wanted to cheer Naruto-san up and give our thanks for stopping the attack" a mildly damaged chuunin said while several others nodded.
"Either way couldn't you just waited for him to recover…" the Hokage didn't finished because she saw Naruto walking out of the hospital room. "Naruto!... what are you doing out of bed?" she asked outraged
"Please Baa-chan… I want to say a few things… I'm… very grateful to all of you… you didn't ratted me out" Naruto said with tears forming on his eye "Thank you…" he said and let his tears flow, a happy moment for him.
"Oh chucks Naruto… you don't have to thank us… you have done so much for this village than any of us at your age" a shinobi said from his wheelchair smiling at the blond.
"He's right… at first some of us didn't want you to become a ninja because of your… burden… but now I realize that if you hadn't become one we would be dead" another shinobi said as he smiled even though he had a scar going over his mouth.
"The reason we didn't ratted you out Naruto… is because you're an important part of the village and its ranks" Chouza said being supported by his son who smiled at Naruto in gratitude. Everyone in the room and hallway nodded and gave the blonde a smile that radiated respect and gratefulness.
"T-Thanks guys" Naruto sobbed and tried to hastily wipe the tears that formed on his face. "I-I don't know what to say" he said looking at all of them with gratitude as well.
"How about you accept their generosity so can leave you alone?" Tsunade said and ended in question loud enough for everyone present to hear "All of you are out of your beds and if you don't get back to them in five minutes I'll end your carriers" the medical expert threaten and everyone hurried to their respective rooms before angering the blonde woman.
Smiling and wiping the tear that strolled silently on his cheek he headed back to his room and knew that Tsunade was going to kill him for getting up and to actually fight one of the most dangerous shinobi in the world alone. Hopping to the bed, he turned and faced the Hokage and was startled to see a fist coming right at him and in a blink of an eye he ducked and the fist grazed his hair.
"What the hell?!" Naruto yelped as he tried to no avail to get out of the woman's fury. "I know you're angry with me by leaving the room but those shinobi had come to see me to say thanks… besides… I was going to escape anyway" he said with an added chuckle at the end.
"Oh yeah…" Tsunade said threatenly as she walked slowly to him with teeth clenched "His reflexes are amazing… before he would've taken the hit square in the face… he has improved" she thought with amazement as she cracked her knuckles.
"Tsunade-sama… please wait until he's healed… and then you can hit him" Shizune said with a sigh "This two…" she thought a bit annoyed at their antics.
"I'm proud of you Naruto" Tsunade said softly as she hugged him, surprising the other three in the room. Shizune widened her eyes at the sudden change of tone and Hinata felt pride in her heart at seeing her Naruto getting what he always wanted… recognition.
"Thanks Baa-chan" Naruto mumbled as he hugged her back "You think Ero-sennin would… be proud of me?... I mean I let his killer get away" he asked with uncertainty and trying to make reason with himself.
"You kidding me… he would be in the clouds dancing seeing that his pupil mastered all those techniques" Tsunade said "I for one would say that I so proud of you gaki… Thank you" she whispered with such motherly love that Naruto couldn't contain it anymore and burst crying of happiness.
Seeing the boy they all had close to their hearts crying the three women in the room went to hug him. Kakashi who was being supported by Gai arrived at the touching scene and a tear rolled on his cheek to be absorbed by his mask. Signaling his friend to stay quiet, Kkashi wanted to watch this a bit longer since Naruto didn't had this much attention, he waited until the moment was over. A minute of hugging and all of them broke off and they all heard a cough… turning they saw Kakashi and Gai at the door.
"Well that was a touching moment… how are you Naruto" Kakashi said in a lazy tone "I hope you're doing better than me" he said with his eye turning into an U.
"Hi sensei… I'm doing great… the nature chakra helped me heal in those tight spots from the battle" Naruto said stretching and hearing several 'plops' "Hehe… that felt good" he smiled in satisfaction.
"Hehe that's good… you better heal up good… the one eye covered is my thing" the masked jounin said with a smile making the blond genin laugh as well.
"Naruto you better heal soon Lee and me want to spar with you to see your youth" Gai said in a striking pose, teeth shining and thumbs up. Everyone in the room except Naruto sweat dropped at the taijutsu extremist.
"Sure thing Bushy-brow sensei" Naruto said grinning while Tsunade looked mad at the jounin's.
"Okay everyone out the boy is going to sleep… come back tomorrow" Tsunade said hushing everyone out of the room "Hinata get your thing you have worked well this passed two days… thank you for taking care of him" she added with asmile and Naruto looked at her in a different light.
"Hinata… you stayed here the whole time?" Naruto asked a bit taken aback at the new found knowledge "She cares if she didn't she wouldn't have stayed, right?"
"Y-Yes…" Hinata stuttered not knoeing what Naruto was trying to say.
"Wow you must care for me right?... no one would've done that if they didn't" Naruto stated in a sage like tone and watche as the Hyuuga girl turned severa; shades of red before swaying again "Humm again" he thought noticing the swaying again.
"I-I-It was no p-p-problem… and of course I-I-I-I c-c-c-care about you" Hinata said she was at her limit one more question like that and…
"The question is why… why do you care about me like that… do you… like me?" Naruto asked slyly grinning like a fox cornering its prey but his smile vanished when said girl fainted. "What the…"
"What did you do now?" Tsunade said as she entered the door and saw the Hyuuga girl on the floor unconscious.
"Nothing I tried to tease her a bit and she fainted" Naruto said innocently "Well that was interesting… Hinata what do you hide?" he thought while he looked at Tsunade taking her out of the room and closing the door at the same time. Looking outside the window he saw a stormy looking sky and lighting was nearly visible "I've got a bad feeling" he got the feeling something horrible was going to happen... but he was there and he would protect everyone.
X.X.X
I know the chapter was a bit boring but some have to reach the good parts… anyway I want you to review… please I want to know how I'm doing and I want to thanks Hektols for recommending my both stories to his already readers… THANKS MAN XD
Next: for a rank?
