Naruto Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Author's Note: Yo!
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Tree walking, upside down walking under tree branches, water walking with lots and lots of weights on, you name it! They've done it all. She swore she never was as tired as she was now, panting beside her crush, who was also panting.
Both were at their limits, Sakura a lot earlier than Sasuke.
The remaining teammate, Naruto, was still continuing the training Kakashi designed. Walking on water with your hands, while Kakashi himself was standing on Naruto's feet, reading Come Come Paradise.
To anyone, this would be absurd, but to Sakura and Sasuke, they were close to getting used to it.
"How... how can he be the dead-last? He's really much better in these things than us." Sakura whined as she saw how easy Naruto was carrying Kakashi with his feet.
Sasuke simply narrowed his eyes, slowly panting less. 'I have to get better than him...'
Suddenly, Kakashi jumped off of Naruto's feet and performed handseals. "Naruto, training spar!"
Naruto flipped on his feet and performed handseals as well.
After many hours of training and lecturing, Naruto finally complied with the idea of having training spars, instead of only having attempts at ending his life.
"Katon, Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" Too fast for the bystanders' eyes, Kakashi lowered his mask and breathed a big fireball towards Naruto.
"Suiton, Suijin Heki!" Naruto responded, easily negating the Fire Attack, although he was quite curious as to how much damage Kakashi's attack would do to his body.
Sasuke had his Sharingan activated; trying to comprehend the Jutsus that were being performed, hoping Kakashi would show a new Jutsu during this spar of theirs.
Sakura simply gaped. They had done hours of training and they still had enough energy to do big Jutsus like that? Even Sasuke-kun was too tired to stand up right now. How much Stamina did Naruto posses?!
After half an hour of Techniques being thrown at one another, Naruto and Kakashi stopped. Both were completely unharmed. "Not bad, Naruto." Kakashi said as he patted Naruto on the shoulder and walked over to Sasuke and Sakura. 'This is impossible, how can he not be tired?' Kakashi wondered as he had observed Naruto's neutral expression during the fight.
"Time to go back to Tazuna's place, guys." The Jounin relayed. "Who knows what might happen if we're not there?"
---
Melancholy's Smile
- Chapter 2: New Opportunities
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Sakura slowly walked downstairs the next day, to find Kakashi having breakfast with Tsunami, Tazuna's daughter. The pink-haired girl could have sworn she saw Kakashi without his mask on a split second ago, but seeing as Kakashi looked the same as always, she wondered if maybe her brains were playing tricks on her eyes. And was Tsunami blushing?
"Good morning, Kakashi-sensei." Sakura greeted as she took a seat.
"Good morning." Kakashi replied, getting ready to take a book out of one of his pockets as Tsunami rose from her chair at the same time announcing she was going to make Sakura some breakfast.
"Sasuke-kun and Naruto... are training again?" Sakura asked uncertainly, since she somehow thought Kakashi thought she should be training as well.
As if reading her mind, Kakashi responded. "Yup, although I think they're overdoing it. Too much training limits your body as well... But then again..." Kakashi paused. "So does too little."
Sakura winced. "I can't keep up with them, Kakashi-sensei."
Kakashi shrugged. "Well, actions are usually better than words, so... why don't you try and keep up with them?"
Sakura sighed. "Can you help me?"
"Your Chakra Control is higher than both Sasuke's and Naruto's, Sakura." Kakashi started. "You have talents for Genjutsu and quite possibly Medic Ninjutsu, but..." He scratched his head. "I'm not a great teacher in either of those things."
Sakura frowned. "But you can still help, right?"
Kakashi snorted. "I'm your sensei. Of course I can help."
---
Naruto was reading a scroll as he was seated on a sturdy tree branch. The scroll was about Lightning Techniques, something he had the most trouble with. He even wondered if it was even necessary to learn all these techniques.
"Ne, Kakashi-sensei." His too neutral voice spoke through the leafs above him. "These Raiton Jutsus... seem useless for me. Don't I know enough Jutsus already?" He questioned.
A sigh came from above him, but Naruto didn't bother to look up. Kakashi was probably reading his book again. "The more techniques you use against your enemy, the more vicious and powerful attacks your opponent will use to kill you. Chances of you getting killed will be a lot higher."
"You already said that." Naruto replied, almost dryly, Kakashi noted. "But these Lightning-based techniques don't seem to be suited... for me."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"I don't know." Naruto commented honestly. "They just don't."
Sasuke looked up from his own scroll, which was Wind-based. "Actually, I seem to have the same problems... These Wind Techniques simply won't work, none of them have worked."
Kakashi smirked as he heard a bit of frustration in Sasuke's voice, while Naruto's voice held nothing but indifference. "It seems we've hit something, hm? We know the Chaka Affinity the two of you possess; Electricity and Wind. It's difficult to learn Wind Techniques if your Chakra Affinity is that of Electricity, and vice versa." He held up a hand. "But it's not impossible."
He jumped down and landed next to Sasuke, who was seated on the ground, with his back leaning against the same tree Naruto and Kakashi were in. "I'm heading back to see how Sakura is doing. Keep trying you two!" He ordered as he vanished.
Sasuke continued reading for a few seconds, until his head moved up again. "Sakura? What is Sakura doing, anyway?"
Sasuke had turned back to his scroll when Naruto didn't respond after a few seconds.
"I don't know." Was what came twenty seconds later.
Sasuke was surprised Naruto didn't say 'I don't care', but the way Naruto said it did let him know there wasn't much of a difference...
---
After a small spar Naruto and Sasuke had, Sasuke went back to Tazuna's place and left Naruto to his training. Sasuke had said he was bored, but Naruto could see the Uchiha was exhausted.
Naruto didn't really care about things like that as he walked around the forest, secretly hoping he would come across someone who could kill him.
He had never bothered to let the Kyuubi's Chakra enhance his senses, but the Demon Fox had forced his Chakra to Naruto's senses anyway. Therefore, he could not help but recognise the scent he was smelling right now...
But he could not recall from where he knew the scent. This did encourage him to approach the one who seemed... familiar.
"Who are you?" The boy, no... the girl turned immediately towards him. Naruto narrowed his eyes a bit. It was a boy, after all. Women smelled differently, although his voice seemed a bit feminine.
"Uzumaki Naruto." The blonde Konoha-nin answered without caring. "And you? I've smelled you before."
Haku almost flinched. The kid was direct, that was for sure. "My name is Haku, nice to meet you."
Naruto didn't seem to understand the situation. "You smell like a Shinobi. I've never seen you before, but... your scent is familiar." He then shrugged. "But I don't care. You don't seem very strong, so I'll leave." Naruto then turned away.
Haku chuckled. "Strong? So you are strong?"
Naruto threw a glance over his shoulder and looked at Haku. "Not at all. But neither are you." He then turned, leaving Haku confused.
---
"Ne, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi looked up from his book to see a panting Sakura in front of him. They had been training for half a day already. "What can I help you with, Sakura?"
"It's about... Sasuke-kun and... Naruto." She slowly let out.
Kakashi didn't look surprised and motioned for her to continue.
"Why does Sasuke want to become stronger so badly? Who... does he want to kill?"
Kakashi seemed to ponder the question, before focusing his lazy eye on Sakura again. "Well... I am not at liberty to tell, but... Even if you ask him, he won't tell." He sighed. "It's important to know your teammates well, and my former teacher has told my former teammates about me as well, so..."
Sakura turned curious.
"Sasuke's entire family, his entire clan... has been done away with, by his own brother." Kakashi watched Sakura's eyes widen. "The only one who his brother spared was him. Uchiha Itachi was the name of Sasuke's brother. He has become a Missing-nin and Sasuke wants to kill him. But in order to do so, he has to become a lot stronger, because... Uchiha Itachi, is stronger than even me."
Sakura didn't respond for a few seconds, but Kakashi was surprised to hear her say "What about Naruto?"
Kakashi had to be careful with this one, now. "What do you want to know?"
"Why does he want to die so badly?" Sakura asked. "And how can he be so cheerful about it?"
"Naruto... He has an even bigger secret than Sasuke. He has been hated by the Village since he was a little child." Kakashi started. "People... tried to kill him when he was still a baby." Kakashi nodded his head as Sakura's eyes turned a bit watery while they were widened a great deal. "Naruto does not know the meaning of the word 'happiness', but he expresses it when there's a chance he can get killed."
Sakura shook her head in disbelief.
"He... has been through a lot of many near-death experiences, but he always recovered... always." Kakashi shuddered, it seemed, but Sakura wasn't sure. "I don't really understand Naruto completely, but I think he thinks his death is for the good of the Village. He lives for the Village and the villagers want him dead because they hate him. Therefore, he thinks he has to die but also thinks no one in the Village can pull it off."
Kakashi sighed as he couldn't look Sakura in the face anymore, since she had dropped her head. "He has had it rough. But I don't know if he still can be saved. Between Naruto and Sasuke... I think Naruto is the hopeless case."
The next question didn't come unexpected for Kakashi. "Why do the villagers hate Naruto?" She then paused. "Why do my parents hate him and... why do I hate him?"
Kakashi threw it back at her. "Why do you hate him?"
"Because my parents..." Sakura started and was ashamed to realize what a foolish reason that was. "I don't know."
Kakashi nodded his head. "I can not tell you why people hate him, Sakura. Perhaps he might answer that question if you ask him."
"But..." Sakura looked up at Kakashi with tears in her eyes. "He scares me."
They both turned silent for a few minutes after that.
"He scares me too..." Kakashi let out in a depressed tone.
---
Days later, Naruto was extremely bored. Ice Needles were piercing him from every direction, but they were simply not inflicting any damage on him. "You are the boy I saw a few days ago, right? I recognise the scent now." Naruto said as he was standing next to an unconscious Sasuke.
Naruto couldn't do anything, because Haku was too fast for his eyes. So he simply let Haku try and kill him, even though it seemed pretty pointless.
"You possess a very powerful skill, Uzumaki Naruto-san." Haku called out form every Ice Mirror around the blonde Shinobi.
The blonde didn't look at any mirror and instead focused on Sasuke. "You killed him, but not me? I wonder why you torture me like this." Naruto let out. "It hardly seems fair to kill him and not me!" He hissed.
Haku paused in a mirror. "Your wish is to die? Then simply let me kill you!"
Many Ice Needles followed and Naruto sighed as none of them came even close to killing him. "I'm trying to let you kill me, because you're moving too fast for me to... retaliate. But you are truly pathetic." Naruto shook his head. "I don't want to waste my time on someone who can't kill me. Your... teacher might be able to kill me?" he wondered as he started walking out of the mirrors.
"You won't get out of here!" Haku warned as he threw more Ice Needles at him. He was shocked to see Naruto simply walk out of the mirrors, his Ice Needles not affecting him at all. 'Damn, no one has defeated my ultimate technique this badly! Who is this boy!?'
Haku then cancelled his technique and stood in front of Naruto. Naruto frowned as the boy bowed his head. "My strongest technique has failed on you and I have no hope of defeating you. I have lost my purpose if I can not stop you. Please, kill me."
Naruto simply stared. "I don't care about you. I only care about me and people who can kill me. It's not important for me to kill you, because... you've never wanted to kill me, it seemed. Or maybe your techniques were simply... that weak?"
Haku wasn't offended. "You are powerful. I concede, please, kill me."
Naruto shook his head. "Perhaps you can kill me, if you try harder?"
Haku rose from his bowing form and took on a confused expression. "You really wish to be killed? Even though you are this powerful and still so full of purpose?"
Naruto frowned and seemed a bit annoyed. "Yes."
Haku then turned sad. "Your eyes... they carry a lot of pain, much more than even mine." He let out. "But I can not kill you, because I already used my strongest technique on you. And even then, I could not kill you, for you have won my respect."
Naruto sighed and nodded his head. "At least you are honest." He then turned away from Haku and walked towards the fighting Zabuza and Haku. Sakura was still guarding Tazuna. "I will not kill someone who is as honest as you." He called out as he left Haku, simply standing there.
---
Minutes later, Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura and Tazuna stood in front of Zabuza and Haku, both still alive. Gatou had been killed by Haku, who was protecting Zabuza. Naruto had become jealous at how easily Gatou had been killed.
Sasuke was draped over Kakashi's shoulder. He was still alive as well.
"Uzumaki Naruto-san." Haku started. "We will part ways. But... I hope we will meet each other again. Your existence is based on ending it. Perhaps next time, I can fulfil your wish."
Both expected, but more unexpected, Naruto grinned at Haku. "Perhaps, Haku-san. I can only hope." Haku then held out his hand, but Naruto didn't understand and simply turned away.
Despite that, it seemed Haku understood Naruto's character a bit, and smiled at his back as he walked away. "Perhaps I can help you, yes."
Again, Kakashi shuddered at the weird friendship Naruto had created, while Sakura seemed to try and understand Naruto more.
---
Back in Konoha, Team 7 got assigned to more D-Ranked Missions and thing went back to normal for a while, until one day, Kakashi arrived on time with three forms in his hands.
"My students, I have signed you in for the Chuunin Exams." Kakashi started. "You can decide whether to take these or not." He handed each of his students a form. "It can be a very dangerous Exam, this one. You can get killed, even." Kakashi said, hoping it would make Naruto take it, but also hoping Sakura wouldn't get discouraged.
Sakura cringed only a little bit, but didn't seem as nervous as Kakashi thought she'd be. Sasuke and Naruto were both grinning, as Kakashi had expected them to be. 'This will be good.' Kakashi thought. "Well, I'm off! We won't be having a mission today and we won't be training either. Today is a day-off. You can find all the information about the Exams on the forms... Later!" With the all-too familiar sound of a smoke cloud, Kakashi was gone.
"This will be good." Sasuke said as he was walking away from team 7's meeting point, actually following Naruto, who always simply walked away when he wanted to. Sakura followed as well.
"Chuunin Exam." Naruto whispered. "Chuunins are weak, too." Naruto said as he remembered how easily he had defeated Mizuki. "I hope I won't be disappointed."
"Ah, Sasuke-kun! Want to get something to eat?" Sakura asked in between. "We can talk about this Chuunin Exam and-"
"No." Sasuke cut her off.
Sakura dropped her head in sadness as Sasuke took a look at her and Naruto. "I'm going home. Tomorrow is the first day of the Exam, I expect to see you there." With that, the Uchiha was gone as well.
"Hey... Uhm, how about you, Naruto?"
Naruto was reading the form in his hands and didn't respond.
"Naruto?" Sakura asked cautiously. "Want to get something to eat?"
---
"You seem rather worried about this, Kakashi."
Kakashi shrugged. "It's something pretty important, after all. Chuunins can pull it off and he is rather... unstable."
The Third Hokage chuckled shortly. "You don't have to worry, Kakashi. His mental state is more powerful than anything I have encountered before."
Kakashi didn't seem all that convinced. "How come you are so sure, Hokage-sama? He has to keep the Kyuubi under control while he wants to die so badly... Who knows when he goes... berserk. How can you be so certain?"
"Morino Ibiki." Was his reply, on which Kakashi's eye widened.
"What... did he do?"
The Third chuckled again. "No need to worry, Kakashi. We've put simple Genjutsus on Naruto, but it seems his mind is too broken to respond to mind games... The only ones capable of doing more... disastrous Genjutsus on a person are Mitarashi Anko and Yuuhi Kurenai. They both have put some Genjutsus on Naruto as well in the past, during his sessions with Ibiki."
Kakashi didn't seem satisfied with this at all. "What did you do to him?"
The Sandaime sighed sadly. "I didn't do anything... Naruto had challenged Ibiki into a fight and Ibiki had immediately cast a Genjutsu on the boy. Naruto didn't even seem to notice as he continued demanding Ibiki to kill him. Ibiki, being the sadistic bastard that he is, had found the perfect lab rat... too perfect. Not even one of his Genjutsu Techniques worked, and I forbid him to use any Torture techniques on the boy. Ibiki simply didn't understand and asked for Anko's support."
"What happened?" Kakashi asked.
"Anko pulled Kurenai along and the three of them investigated Naruto's state of mind."
"And?"
The Third turned in his chair to look out the window. "Naruto's state of mind or... Lack of state of mind... He wants nothing else but to die for this Village. And since he has the Kyuubi torturing him about how he can never die... he has already landed in the worst case scenario for him. It isn't the matter of being tortured or feeling pain anymore... and that's what Genjutsu is all about. Naruto is completely immune for Genjutsu, simply... because he doesn't care about what happens to him."
Kakashi's look hardened. "What has Konoha done to him?"
The Third nodded. "Indeed."
---
Sasuke was reading a scroll in the Uchiha Mansion. With this, perhaps he can become ultimately stronger. But, it might take a while.
To gain the Mangekyou Sharingan, you have to break the bonds of your precious persons and lose everything. Can he do this? He wondered if he even had precious persons left.
The only one who he could call a friend was probably... Uzumaki Naruto. And even with that, Naruto would not call him his friend. Simply someone who held the capability to kill him in the future.
Sasuke wondered if Naruto can be killed. His regeneration skills were just too good. Even a good swipe with Zabuza's sword at his neck was futile. Could he kill Naruto when the time was there?
"I have to." Sasuke said to himself, full of determination. "Before I can kill Itachi, I have to kill Naruto..."
---
Two Shinobis were walking through Konoha, on some kind of recon mission, only to find that this Village was extremely peaceful. Completely unlike their own Village.
"Kankurou, do you know where he has gone?"
"I don't even want to know." Kankurou spoke back to his sister. "I feel sorry for the people who are in his way right now."
Temari nodded her head. "Still, we should be keeping in touch with each other."
Kankurou snorted. "Why don't you tell him that?"
And suddenly, behind them, they felt a sudden spike in Chakra Presences. Both turned to see Gaara talking with a blonde-haired and a pink-haired Konoha Shinobi?
"Naruto, we should go home, we just got back from Ichiraku Ramen!" The pink-haired one said.
Gaara simply glared at Naruto, while Naruto spoke up. "You seem strong." Naruto started. "Can you kill me?"
Gaara's eyes twitched. There was something really strange with this blonde kid.
Temari and Kankurou hastily approached them. "Gaara!" Kankurou yelled. "They are Konoha-ni-"
"Shut up."
Kankurou, Sakura and Temari all froze as Gaara AND Naruto said those two words in a very creepy fashion at the same time. Gaara's Killer Intent was freezing them, except Naruto, who couldn't experience fear.
Gaara and Naruto glanced at each other. "I am Sabaku no Gaara. Who are you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Gaara grinned. "You seem strong as well." The red-haired Suna-nin then glared at him. "I will kill you during the Chuunin Exam, Uzumaki Naruto." Then, Gaara walked past Naruto. "Let's go." He ordered Temari and Kankurou.
Naruto looked at Gaara's back. "I'm excited." He spoke to Sakura.
Sakura simply shivered. 'That guy is just as scary as Naruto...'
---
TBC!!
Whoa!! Naruto and Sakura went to the Ramen Stand and I didn't write about it?! The next chapter will start with that little date between the pink and the blonde as a flashback and after that, how Gaara and Naruto met up in the first place...
I also know that the fight between Haku and Naruto seems rushed, but that's because I didn't want to focus too much on how pointless Haku's attacks were on him. Their dialogue might seem a tad bit rushed too, but again... I can be a lazy person at times... Sorry!
I usually write a new chapter in one go so it might look rushed overall. I wrote this chap in one hour, a bit more, I think. I was so freaking thirsty, I went for a drink every seven minutes, man!!
In the next chapter there will be a confrontation between Lee and Naruto, instead of Lee and Sasuke... Because...
I'm really pissed at how easily Lee dealt with Naruto in the manga/anime/canon. One-Kick KO my ass!
Seeya later!