Mending Broken Pieces
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto...*sigh* Well I don't, it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. -.-
Author's Note: Heeey guys! See! I told you I would update by the end of this week! :D I'm awesome,right? Anyway, this chapter is much bigger than my previous ones and I hope you will enjoy it. I have spent many sleepless night glaring at my laptop and typing because I didn't have time during the day T_T Thank you soooo much for reviewing, following and adding this story to your favorites. It makes me so happy! :3 Well, enough of my rambling. On with the story! Enjoy!
Previosly
Naruto and Sakura, who slowly recovered from their shock, looked around and realised the Hokage's were helping them fight Obito and Juubi, while Sasuke fought Madara. However, before Naruto could feel happiness at the thought that they will surely win now, he saw something that made his blood run cold. One moment Sasuke was perfectly in control in his fight against Madara. In the next, he was on the ground, Madara getting ready to slice him up.
"Sasukeee!" yelled Naruto in terror.
As Naruto was frozen still by the shock, he could do nothing but watch as Madara implanted his katana in Sasuke's chest. Again…again…and again. Crimson blood bled through the wounds, spilling on his porcelain skin and soaking in his clothes.
Before Naruto could make a move, something soft but hard slammed into him, sending him to the ground. He groaned and turned around coming face to face with green, concerned eyes. She has been sent flying into him by one of Juubi's powerful blasts.
"Naruto! What are you doing? You're supposed to fight, not daydream." scolded Sakura as she got up, her hands glowing green and healing her wounds.
"Sorry. It's just…Sasuke…" Naruto's pained voice responded. He didn't dare look towards the sight that would surely give him nightmares.
"What? Are you worrying about Sasuke? Why don't you help him then?"
"Huh?" asked Naruto confused. He thought maybe Sakura didn't see what happened, but no, her eyes were directed behind Naruto, where Sasuke was. As he risked a glance behind him, he saw Sasuke, his body intact, fighting with the other Uchiha. What was once Sasuke's 'corpse' was now a pile of bloodied snakes on the ground. 'Damn you Sasuke' thought Naruto with a scowl on his face. He ran towards the two fighting Uchihas, deciding that even if Sasuke was strong, there was a better chance of winning if Naruto joined the battle. While Madara was blocking Sasuke's attacks, Naruto formed a Rasengan, running to Madara.
"Naruto! Don't get involved!" shouted Sasuke.
"Oh, just shut up and stop having a sissy fit Sasuke" replied Naruto with a dark expression on his face, still upset by what he saw earlier. "The quicker we finish, the more time I have to kick your ass."
"Once a dobe, always one." Sasuke smirked.
The boys didn't need to say anything else, their once renowned perfect teamwork flourishing yet again after such a long time, as if they had still trained together during all this years. Gradually, Madara became overwhelmed, with the two boys landing blow after blow on him, Sasuke's Sharingan stopping himself and Naruto from getting trapped in Madara's.
From not so far away, they could hear Obito's slightly panicked voice shouting. He was loosing control over Juubi, as well as his sanity, realizing that he might die.
Naruto and Sasuke finally cornered Madara, Sasuke getting ready to deliver the final blow.
"This one is for manipulating me, you sick bastard." spoke Sasule's low, deadly voice, driving his Chidori through Madara's chest, similar to what he's done to Naruto a few years ago. 'Sick bastard…says Sasuke' thought Naruto with a bemused expression on his face.
Behind them, Minato Namikaze ended Obito's life, a tear streaking down his face, pain ripping his heart at having to kill his student. Looking at Madara's body that started to dissolve in the wind, Naruto realised it was over. Madara couldn't come back, Obito being dead and cancelling the Edo Tensei. Glancing at Sasuke, he couldn't help but smile, thinking that Sasuke will finally come back home.
"So Sasuke…Now that it's all over, are you coming back? Or do we need yet another fight?" asked Naruto.
"If I will be accepted back…why not? responded Sasuke, not looking Naruto in the eye.
"So you want to fig-" Naruto stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. "You serious teme?" shrieked the blond. "Cause I swear, if you are trying to make some kind of sick joke, I'm going to Rasenshuriken your pale ass!" threatened Naruto.
"Yes dobe, I'm serious" responded Sasuke with a smirk. Behind his facade he ran through his plan. During his fight with Madara, he realised that however powerful he got, he wouldn't be able to get past all Konoha's ninja AND Naruto. With Orochimaru, Obito and Madara out of the equation, there was high chance of dying on his way to his targets. Infiltrating Konoha was the best way to reach his goal. He knew he would have to wait years until he could get his revenge, but it didn't matter. He would kill the two advisers if it was the last thing he did.
"Dear God!" shrieked Naruto, somehow managing to be heard over the cheering ninjas celebrating their victory. "What the hell took you so long, teme?!"
Minato cheered up considerably seeing how the war was finally over. But before he could go, he had to talk to his son.
Naruto, who was elated from winning the war and getting Sasuke back, thought he might pass out of happiness when he saw his father coming towards him.
"Daaaad! yelled Naruto as he ran towards his father. "We did it! We won! And Sasuke! You know, THE Sasuke Uchiha…" blabbered on Naruto while Minato focused on the young powerful man in front of him, feeling overwhelmed by the pride he felt, once again wishing his wife was there with them.
"Naruto." Minato's strong but gentle voice said. "I am so proud of you. I am glad Orochimaru brought me back, cause after all, how many parents have the chance to come back to life and see their children,eh?" Minato laughed as he rested his hand on his son's shoulder. Naruto smiled and felt a strong feeling that started from his heart and spread through his body and soul. The feeling only a parent can give you, that soothes and somehow heals the wound and scars you get in your young life.
Sasuke looked away, scarcely remembering the same feeling he once upon a time felt. Now, they were a distant memory, maybe from another lifetime…
The father-son moment was disturbed by Hashirama and the other Hokages stepping towards the two blonds.
"From what the Second just told us, I get he is your son?" Hashirama asked with a smile on his face.
"Yes." answered Minato, his grin radiating pride.
"Well, I have to say, you left someone very valuable to the village and the ninja world. Also, from what I was told, you died defending the village. I am glad I had the chance to meet all the leaders of our village. Though Tsunade as a Hokage…Anyway, Forth, we have to go now. We did our job here."
"Dad…" Naruto's strangely quiet voice interrupted. "Could you not stay for a little longer?"
"I'm sorry son, but I can't do that. I am supposed to be dead. Me just walking around would raise some questions, don't you think? And also disrupt the ninja world. We already did. Now that the war is over, things have to go back to normal, I am very sorry." Minato said, his expression truly pained.
"No, I understand." responded the young shinobi, looking in his father's eyes. "Just…just tell mum I love her." continued Naruto.
Through this exchange, the Hokages just watched. Hashirama however, was in deep thought…
"Of course I will. She loves you too. We wish you a wonderful life. Now that the most dangerous men are gone and you got your best friend back, I am sure you will achieve all your dreams." Minato said as he pulled his son in a warm hug.
"Thank you dad." whispered Naruto as he hugged his father back.
After a few seconds, they pulled apart, Minato going with the other Hokages. They planned on taking Orochimaru from where they hid him and kill him, so the Edo Tensei would be dispelled. Naruto looked at his father's retreating back and felt a tear slip down his cheeck. He quickly rubbed it off and turned towards his friend, who was currently being tackled by a crying Sakura.
"Sasuke! I am so happy you are back!" exclaimed Sakura with a wide grin on her face. Despite what she believed and said to herself before, she couldn't hate Sasuke because she loved him too much. His actions were also justified by the people who manipulated and used him. His mind had been obstructed by revenge and anger, acting on these two powerful emotions…Right? Well, she let herself believe that as she squeezed the life out of him.
"You really think I will be able to come back?" inquired Sasuke.
"Of course Sasuke! You just killed Madara! I mean, help kill him." corrected Sakura after seeing Naruto's pout. "Plus, we know your reasons now. Don't worry; Tsunade-sama is just and understanding. You will probably be under surveillance for a few years and won't be able to go on mission for awhile. After that, its going to be fine!" concluded Sakura with a wide grin.
"Hn." replied Sasuke.
Two weeks after the war ended, and all the Kages were back to their respective nations. The alliance was over, though the nations still sent supplies or ninja to each other if needed. Back in Konoha, Tsunade has fully healed and was now busier than ever with funerals and memorials for the dead ninjas who died heroically in the war and tons of paperwork.
Sasuke's trial would be held in two days and there were many different opinions on what should happen to the young Uchiha. The Raikage still didn't like him at all despite killing Madara. The other Kages thought the best idea would be to let Tsunade decide. Because of all this factors, the 'trial' would be run and led by Tsunade alone. Nobody was allowed in the room with them, not even Naruto. The one who was known by so many people in the ninja world. He was a hero, the only one who could fully control the Kyuubi and who contributed so much to the war. The villagers simply adored him, and he couldn't be happier.
Two days later and Naruto, the rest of his friends and a few teachers were all waiting for Tsunade to come out of the Hokage Tower with her decision. She had talked with Sasuke in the morning, got all the information she needed, after which she retreated in the Tower. It was 2pm now and she was supposed to come out.
Naruto and Sakura were anxious, not liking that they hadn't been able to see Sasuke for the past two weeks. Hell, they weren't even able to see Tsunade! They were simply and utterly desperate to see or have a word about the raven. The two worried ninja perked up when they heard steps nearing the door. As the steps got closer, every ninja waiting around came and made a semicircle around the door. Tsunade stepped out, keeping her focus on some sheets of paper in her hands. She looked up as she sensed the heavy presence of the ninja, straightened up and asked:
"Is there a specific reason for all of you being gathered up here?"
"We want to know about Sasuke, Tsunade…sama." added Naruto, thinking that he might have a higher chance of getting information from her if he didn't call her 'baa-chan'.
"Ah, the Uchiha, of course." sighted Tsunade. "He will be in jail for three months. When he gets out, he will have to live with someone for a year, will be under surveillance for three years and he also won't be able to go on missions for six months." finished the busty woman.
For a moment, Naruto was speechless and gaping, thinking it was too much. After Tsunade raised her blond eyebrow at him, he remembered that Sasuke had a big chance of getting sentenced to death, instead of coming out of this alive. His face brightened up and split in the patented Uzumaki grin. Everyone around them cheered, and Sakura happily hugged Naruto.
"Nee…Tsunade baa-chan…Will we be able to visit him?" asked Naruto, his cerulean eyes sparkling in hope.
"Hn, I guess you can now." grumbled Tsunade, knowing that the blond ninja will try to visit Sasuke every waking hour.
And that's exactly what Naruto did. It's been one week since Sasuke's sentence has been announced, and the blond Jinchuuriki visited him every day. They talked, they argued, but mainly tried to catch up on each other's three lost years.
One day, as the sun was setting, Naruto was making his way home after having visited his incarcerated friend. The setting sun left pink, orange and yellow streaks along the sky, villagers making their way home before it got dark. Naruto walked with his hands behind his head, a content smile on his face.
In a few minutes, he reached his apartment and even before opening his door, he knew someone was inside. Naruto didn't cover his chakra. The intruder was waiting for him, so who was Naruto to disappoint? He walked in his living room, the sight practically making him lose his jaw. How could he be HERE, when he was supposed to be…
There, sitting on his sofa with a calm expression, was none other than Naruto's older replica.
"D-dad? What are you doing here? Are the rest of the Hokage around?" asked Naruto in a rush.
"Naruto. Sit down. I have to tell you some things." replied Minato with a warm smile.
Naruto sat down next to his father, after which Minato continued:
"You see, after you made your request for me to stay longer, well…Hashirama-san considered it. He said that you deserved this, after all the things you went through." finished Minato.
"Wait. So does that mean all the other Hokages are around as well?" asked Naruto eyeing his apartment as if expecting them to pop out of somewhere.
"No, son. The First knew how to release the Edo Tensei only for them. So, when I go back, all I have to do is kill Orochimaru."
"Oh, alright." said Naruto as he processed the information he just received. "So..umm…how long are you going to stay?"
"Two weeks." replied the Fourth . "That's the most I can stay without getting noticed, even if I'm going to have to disguise."
"Well then, these two weeks are going to be the best weeks of my life!" announced Naruto with a happy grin on his face.
Naruto and his father spent the entirety of the two weeks together; either sparring, talking, or pulling pranks on each other. Sometimes, when Naruto went to bed at the end of a great day, he couldn't help but think how unfair life was. Now, he could clearly imagine how life with his parents would have been. And who knows, maybe the Uchiha massacre wouldn't have happened if Minato was still alive and leading the village. Then, maybe he and Sasuke could have been two normal best friends…
The two weeks were over too quickly in Naruto's opinion. On the last day, Minato gave him a gift: photos of him and Kushina. When Naruto asked how he got them, Minato didn't answer. Both father and son cried before they parted ways.
"Thank you Naruto for being who you are and becoming this great person despite how much hardship you went through. Kushina and I love you so much and we wish you all the luck and happiness in the future."
"Thank you for giving me these two weeks, and please tell mum that I love and miss her. Thank you for giving me my life." retorted Naruto, tears streaming down his scarred cheeks as he hugged his father tightly.
They broke apart and Minato turned away, getting ready to run through the thick forest outside of Konoha.
"Bye dad." whispered Naruto , as he watched his father disappear in the trees.
After awhile, he also turned away and made his way towards home. When he opened the door to his apartment, he got an empty feeling in his stomach, already missing his father that had waited for him every day after he visited Sasuke. He immediately went and took the photos from his father and stuck them on the wall above his bed.
Next chapter…the PRESENT! Yes you heard right ScarletRockstar! Well, I really hope you enjoyed this, and that it wasn't too bad. I might not have time to write or update next week, as I'm going to be SO busy, but please bear with me. If you are enjoying this story…rate and review please! If not, thanks for giving me a try anyway. :3 Bye bye!