Bang for your Buck

by Dailydour

Kyuubi wants revenge, not against the village, but those who wronged him. Naruto's sick of being mistreated and agrees to hunt down his enemies, but it won't be a walk in the park. Naru/Harem.

13. Taking Stock

"Speech"

'Thought'

"Demonic Voice"

'Bijuu thoughts'

Justu

(A/N: Author Note)

Flashback

Disclaimer: All rights reserved by the original creator this is a fan production.

Here is the next chapter of the story thankfully a lot faster than usual.

Chapter 13: Taking Stock

Naruto trudged forward slowly every step made harder by the fact that his legs felt like they were made of stone.

He looked ahead and saw what was making him walk forward. The red head was lying on her back struggling to get up; another failed attempt left the girl gasping for breath.

"Is this a new experience for you princess," Gaara's head turned to left so fast Naruto was surprised she didn't snap her neck, "having your ass handed to you I mean."

Fear filled Gaara as she attempted to crawl away but she could barely raise her hand let alone her arm.

"Stay away from me!" Gaara looked into Naruto's eyes as if trying to will him away. "Get back or I'll kill you."

"I can't do that," Naruto pulled out a kunai, "I can't let you hurt my friends."

"No I won't die," she glared at him hatefully, "MY EXISTENCE WILL NOT BE WIPED OUT!" Naruto stood above her, not saying a word, as Gaara kept shouting at him hysterically, "How-HOW ARE YOU SO STRONG, WHY CAN'T I KILL YOU, WHAT IS IT THAT DRIVES YOU!?"

"You want to know what drives me." Naruto said to her. "I believe, no, I know that when you have someone close to your heart and you want to protect them you would fight death itself for them, the people I keep close to my heart are what make me so strong."

"Is that why he is so strong because he fights for others," As Naruto raised the blade Gaara looked Naruto dead in the eyes. Looking into each other's eyes was like looking into a mirror. The same look of fear and pain was in each of their eyes, the same look that each saw as children, but Gaara's teal eyes shone darker, alone for so long he eyes could not hope to catch a glimpse of a brighter life.

Naruto sighed as he dropped the blade, "You're just like me."

"I am nothing like you," Gaara said as she tried once more to stand.

"It's hard isn't it being all alone," Naruto said to Gaara receiving a glare in return.

"You don't anything about being alone!" Gaara said taking comfort in the anger she was so used to. "I've seen you with your comrades all smiles and joy the people you hold dear to your heart, the ones you fight for!"

"I'm a jinchurriki like you," Naruto said to Gaara, "your village fears and hates you, like-"

"A bad memory they want to forget, they look right through you, ignoring you as if you are not even there, as is if you don't exist."

"Yeah like that," Naruto said looking down at her before extending his hand to her.

Confused by the action she looked up at Naruto for an answer, he just smiled and explained, "A long time ago someone pulled me out of that hell, they saved me from myself, they showed me a new road I could explore, if you want I could show it to you."

Once again Naruto extended his hand down to her, "Hi names Naruto Uzumaki."

How this fool confused her so, enemies one minute and friends the next, friends that word was nothing but a sweet lie. A false promise to lower her defense so they could hurt her again. No one but herself was to be held close; that is how she survived, that is how she lived, that is how she would die. And yet her heart grew warm and her spirit rose in hope, begging and pleading for her to take that hand and she hated her weakness. That hand offered so much, could give her so much, but could take even more. She gazed into his eyes once more and saw the pain, it hurt to remember that same pain in her own eyes, but no loneliness could she find in those depths driven away by something far stronger. From that gaze she knew her answer, knew that she wanted to find what made his eyes so much brighter than hers.

"I am Gaara of the Desert."

"Nice to meet you Gaara, do you wanna be friends?"

"Friends?"

"Yeah friends," Naruto said grinning, "Would you like that Gaara?"

Just a bit it seemed that the world around her brightened but to Gaara the change stirred something deep within her, "Yes I would like to be friends."

"Great," Naruto said as he fell on his back next to her, "So Gaara, tell me about yourself."

"What would I tell you?"

"Your likes, dislikes, hobbies, dreams," Naruto said stifling a yawn, his exhaustion was catching up with him.

"I like salted tongue and gizzard and I dislike marron glace..."

—

"...so he's running around while his wife is chasing him around with cleaver shouting 'I'm cuttin off your balls' so I thought it best to steal the most expensive thing in there and get the hell outta there," Naruto said laughing as Gaara smiled as he told her one of his stories, his company much more enjoyable than his tales. How long, if ever, had it been since someone had taken a seat next to her and merely traded pleasant conversation.

This was the scene that Kankuro and Temari came upon as they came to grab Gaara and leave Konoha as quickly as possible before they become P. . They both looked incredulously at each other.

"Is Gaara smiling?" Kankuro asked his older sister the scene before him almost inconceivable yet there in his view it was happening. His sister, younger and more murderous than he could ever be, smiled and traded pleasant words with the enemy.

"We'll ask later right now let's grab and get the hell out of here," Temari said as she ran to her sister, "Gaara come on we have to get out here before we get captured!"

"Temari, Kankuro?" Gaara asked wondering what could be wrong, then memory struck and the world came rushing back to her mind. So long had it been since happiness had shined upon her that she had pushed the world and its troubles away. Her sister, Temari reached down and brought Gaara to her feet while her brother Kankuro approached Naruto a blade in hand most certainly to end his life.

"Kankuro what are you doing?" Gaara hissed at her brother giving him a withering glance. Even weak as she was Gaara's anger could still make her brother's knees quake.

"I'm killing the blond bastard for you Gaara," Kankuro replied courage coming back to him as he grabbed the one who brought his sister down by the scruff of his vest.

"No, enough fighting, this battle is over," Gaara said to her brother in her usual demeanor, not wanting to lose her new found friend, "Let us just leave here. At once."

"A-Alright Gaara," Kankuro said dropping Naruto roughly on the ground not a care if he hurt the leaf ninja further with his callous actions as he spoke similarly callous words, "count yourself luck Uzumaki."

"Luck had nothing to do with it, doll boy," Naruto commented grinning like a fool as he sat up, pain and weariness sapped his strength but he would use what little he had left to wish his friend farewell. Kankuro muttered under his breath as he placed one of Gaara's arms over his shoulder with Temari taking the other side to keep the girl on her feet on their trek home.

"Gaara," she looked over to Naruto who gave her a sincere, "Don't forget what I told ya, and stop by for a visit sometime we'll have another fight." With those last words the strong boy fell to his back, exhaustion finally taking hold, as sleep took him and granted well deserved rest.

"This guy is really odd," Temari spoke the recent events confounding her and this odd boy piling more queer thoughts on top of those.

"Hey I think I see Naruto!"

"Oh crap," Kankuro said looking at a group rushing over to them quickly to help their fallen comrade, "Let's get the hell out of here!"

"Right," Temari said as she and Kankuro took off across the small desert in the stadium. Gaara took one last over her shoulder at Naruto as the people surrounded him and checked him for injuries.

"Temari, Kankuro I'm sorry," the words spoken so softly that both siblings were unsure if they heard it.

It was Temari who spoke first breaking the silence, "It's fine Gaara."

"Yeah it's okay Gaara, let's go home," Kankuro added taking in the sight of his younger sister as they cleared the village wall with the rest of their forces, wondering what had changed his sister and grateful for it all the same. He smiled to himself as thought how long it had been since he thought of Gaara as a sister the fear that had gripped him tightly when he saw her brought down was not for the invasion or his own life but for hers.

Temari's mind was running along a similar course as she stared ahead wondering where this road would take them, smiling as she recalled the fool with a lion's heart, "Naruto Uzumaki you really are an odd one."

—

Kakashi looked down at his sleeping student while a medic-nin looked him over, next to him Haku and Sakura looked on anxiously, "Is Naruto going to be okay."

The medic made one last diagnostic scan before looking up at Kakashi, "The boy is suffering from chakra exhaustion and a few hairline fractions on his left arm and his rib cage, but he will be fine he just needs rest and this soldier pill should help with the chakra exhaustion."

Kakashi let out a breath of relief glad his student was fine, "Thank you medic-san, can I trust you to get the boy out of here."

"Kakashi-sensei, Haku and I will get Naruto to one of the medical tents," Sakura said as she kneeled next to her friend or whatever it be that he is to her heart. As she looked down on him she tried to control the panic that seized her heart at the sad sight of his state beaten and bleeding, but still alive she told herself taking solace in that thought, "I'm sure the medic is needed elsewhere."

"The girl is right Kakashi, the medic forces are stretched thin as is," the medic stated as he stood up and dusted the sand of his pants, "I'm sure I'm needed elsewhere."

"Alright Sakura, Haku I leave Naruto in your care," Kakashi said seriously, before he gave them an eye smile, "Now don't take advantage of him you two."

The two girls just huffed in annoyance and picked Naruto up, grunting a bit, "I didn't think he was this heavy." With those words they headed off to the medic tents, intent on getting their more than friend the care he needed.

"Kakashi," Asuma's anxious voice came from behind him, "the barrier is coming down."

"Finally," Kakashi thought to himself as began running to towards the falling barrier, "Come on Lord Hokage might need help!"

Orochimaru looked angrily down at his dead sensei, as he shouted curses at his corpse.

"I will see you precious village burn, do you hear me Sarutobi this village will be nothing but ashes you hear me, ashes!"

The ANBU who had been watching the fight now jumped in front of Orochimaru, "Orochimaru prepare to die."

Like a switch had been flipped that anger bled from Orochimaru eyes to be placed with annoyance, "Kukuku, I may have lost but I won't be taken so easily, we're leaving."

At his words four people dropped down in front of him a large man with orange in a mohawk, a smaller gray haired with a lump on his back, another young man with his hair in a high pony tail and four arms, and the last shocked them all was an ANBU who removed his mask to reveal a whited haired boy wearing glasses.

"Kabuto Yakushi," the captain snarled, "so are suspicions of you were true."

"Now, now don't be so angry or you might do something stupid," as he spoke the large man picked up Orochimaru, "now if you gentlemen will excuse we have to be off."

They leapt away but not before an ANBU ninja pursued them. What they did not expect was for the four armed ninja to spit webbing at them, stopping their pursuit effectively.

At this point Kakashi along with the jonin teachers landed next to the ANBU captain. The captain quickly turned to Kakashi, "Hatake, Orochimaru and his minions have escaped Kabuto Yakushi along with them and Lord Hokage..."

Kakashi looked over to the still body of his village leader, moving over to Sarutobi he turned him over. The rest of the ninja moved next to Sarutobi and bowed their heads in respect for their fallen leader.

"At least he died with a smile on his face."

—

Naruto looked over the village the gray sky matching his mood. Three hours ago he woke up to find himself in a hospital room. Two hours he found out about the death of the Hokage. An hour and a half ago he knocked out the guards outside his door and left the hospital.

And for the last hour he sat atop the Hokage monument in nothing but a pair of pants and a cloak poached from a guard. The cold air chilled him as he looked over the village thinking of the man who he had thought of as family his whole life.

Looking over his shoulder he addressed the newcomer, "How'd you find me."

"Wasn't hard Lord Hokage used to have me keep tabs on you when you were a kid," the man said as he sat next to Naruto, "you were a handful always hiding, but most of us knew you liked to come here when you wanted to be alone."

"Alone is right, Kakashi-sensei."

"It alright Naruto," Kakashi said as he patted Naruto's shoulder, "He meant a lot to all of us."

"It's just a shock you know," Naruto quietly said looking down at the Hokage Tower, "I used to read about all his battles in the academy, the only lessons that could keep me awake were the battles, never thought anyone could beat him."

"No one's invincible Naruto, this line of work likes to remind you of that," Kakashi said looking at two men making repairs to a building.

"W-When's the funeral?"

"Tomorrow, the preparation were made while you were recovering, but," Kakashi looked at his student not wanting to be the one to inform his student of his predicament, "but the council has decided that you are to be placed under twenty for hour surveillance and placed on guard duty for one of the cells in the interrogation department so they know where to find you."

"More like corner me?" Naruto rose to his feet shaking with anger, "Why, what did I do to make them so suspicious?"

"Naruto," Kakashi's tone taking a hard edge as he stood, "you used the Kyuubi's chakra."

"So?"

"You were in control of it Naruto," said Kakashi as he crossed his arm over his chest, "the council, as do I, find it suspicious that you were able to use that chakra proficiently when no one has record of anyone teaching you or you being given authorization for that kind of training."

Naruto huffed in annoyance, "What does it matter if I can use the Kyuubi's chakra I helped save the village doesn't that matter?"

"It's the only reason why you're not in stocks chained to the ground in a cell," Kakashi said making Naruto realized the severity of his situation, "Don't worry Naruto most of the council is on your side but with the Hokage dead, and the village in disarray the need to make sure you're not a threat."

Naruto's shoulder slumped as he gazed at his village. When would it be enough, when would he finally be trusted, when would the village see him as one of its people and not as a dog to be put down if it became rabid.

"What do you think I should do Kakashi-sensei?"

"Just follow the orders given to you, and everything should work itself out," Kakashi said giving him an eye smile, "oh, and no more running from your guards."

Naruto laughed as Kakashi said his piece, Naruto's mood brightening.

"Come on, I persuaded the guards to not report you but eventually someone will find out you're not in your room."

"Right behind you, oh and Kakashi."

"Hmm?"

"Thanks."

"No problem Naruto."

—

Asuma looked into the sky, the gray crowds looking ready to burst. Looking around he took in the looks of every shinobi, emotionless masks that covered the sadness and anger boiling beneath them.

Every shinobi in attendance looked on somberly as at the photo and names of their fallen comrades. In the center sat a picture of the Sandaime Hokage. One by one shinobi of every rank stepped forward to pay their respect to their leader.

As the funeral went on it began to rain soaking them all, but no one paid it any mind and continued to walk forward and pay their respects.

Naruto looked down at Konohamaru who was crying Iruka trying to comfort the poor boy. Then he looked up at Kakashi the only member of his squad who was here. Haku had volunteered to help with the relief effort and Kakashi had told him that Sakura was not feeling well, a lie if he ever heard one. Forgetting about his missing team mates Naruto stepped forward in front of Sarutobi's photo.

"I'll miss you old man, and don't worry I'm not going anywhere I'll stay here and guard the village for you," with that thought Naruto said a prayer for his grandfather in all but blood and went back to his place, but not before a picture caught his eye. The photo was one of a woman with long pink locks, brown eyes and wearing glasses, the small name under the photo reading Tamaki Haruno.

Naruto bowed his head and said a prayer for the woman knowing it to be Sakura's mother as she had mentioned the name once or twice, "Don't worry I will look after your daughter." Taking his place by the other genin Naruto stood respectfully as the last of the people paid their respects, his thoughts focused on his team mate.

As the funeral ended Naruto went up to Kakashi, "Why didn't you tell me Sakura's mother was killed."

"Because you have enough to worry about, Sakura's a big girl she can handle this," Kakashi said nodding towards a group of ANBU ninja, "more importantly the council wants to see you. Now."

"You're the one always beating it into our skulls that are team mates are the most important people to us, so I'm going to check up on her," Naruto said as he tried to push past Kakashi, but the tight grip Kakashi placed on his shoulder stopped him, "get your hand off me, right now."

Kakashi sighed, "Naruto you're in a tight spot right now, I'll look after Sakura, worry about yourself."

Naruto's reply was to slap away Kakashi's hand and walk away, "The council can shove it up their ass right now I'm going to check on my team mate."

"Uungh, these kids are going to get me get killed."

—

The rain had stopped and the sun began to break through the clouds. Knocking on Sakura's door he waited patiently for her to answer, when she didn't answer he tried knocking again. From the other side door he heard someone curse as they stumbled and bumped into the door.

"What do you wan-" Sakura said until she saw who it was, "Oh Naruto your here, come in!"

Naruto followed her in watching her sway unsteadily into the living room, "Sakura are you all right?"

"Yup I'm doing really great," Sakura said joyfully before she stumbled and fell to the floor.

"Sakura!" immediately Naruto was by her side sitting her up and he scrunched his nose as realized what was wrong.

"I'm fine, I'm fine, shuper fine," Sakura said to him pushing his hands away, but Naruto held her hands tightly.

"Sakura are you- have you been drinking?"

"Yup, yup," Sakura said getting out of his arms, "it tashte bad at firsht but it makes you feelsh good, do you want some?" She said happily with a drunken sway picking up a glass bottle off a coffee table half full of brown liquid and taking a swig, "My mother ushed to have a drink every now and then, I can shee why, hehehe, come on Na-ru-to have a drink with me!"

As she was about to take another swig Naruto gently but firmly took the bottle out of her hands. The tipsy girl tried to reach for the bottle but it was kept out of hands. Naruto set down the bottle and took Sakura by the arms placing her on the couch.

Sakura once again reached for the liquid that she needed, and once again Naruto stopped her.

"Sakura sit down," his gentle voice stopped her but then Sakura took his hands in her own. Sakura placed his palms on her cheeks and nuzzled them. She looked up flashing him a sultry smile.

"Oh Naruto what a devioush mind you have," Sakura said as she began to kiss and nibble along his neck. Moving up to his ear she whispered into it, "but I'm sure this'll make me happy too."

Naruto sighed as he pushed her away and held her still, "Sakura I know you sad about your mother's death but this isn't the answer."

"No you're wrong I'm not sad, I'm happy, so right now let's be happy together Naruto," Sakura said to him her drunken words followed by more attempts to plant her lips on his own.

"Sakura, you can't drink this problem away," Naruto replied stopping her once more. Sakura however just shoved him away, fed up with his attitude, and she was half way across the room bottle already at her lip. "Sakura give me that!"

"No!" Sakura shout clutching the bottle tightly to her chest, "I-I want to keep feeling happy!" When Naruto tried once more to take it from her grasp she slapped his hands away, anger in her eyes, "If you don't want to be happy then leave! Just get out!"

Naruto ran his hand through his hair, his own exasperation bubbling to the service. He pleaded with her once more, but she shook her head and clutched the bottle even tighter.

He grabbed her roughly by the arm and tore the bottle from her hand, throwing it against the wall. She cried out as he pulled her towards the couch, and sat her down on it. Her arm still in his painful grasp began to bruise as she tried to free herself.

"Let me go!"

"Not until you come to your damn senses!"

"No," Sakura said tears welling up in her eyes, "just let me be happy you bastard!" Thrashing wildly she kept trying to free herself to get away from him and find another bottle to drown her sorrows with.

"You're not happy, you're drunk," Naruto said trying to stop her from moving so much. "You can't hide from this Sakura."

"I can, I can and we can," came her hysteric reply as she ran her hands down her face her eyes pleading, "Just let me go and we can have a drink, we don't have to think Naruto, just stay here with me and be happy."

The day had been long and draining, any person would have impatient, but Naruto still hated himself for what he did next.

"Sakura your mother is dead!"

SLAP

"Shut the hell up!" Sakura shouted as she slapped him again, "Just shut the fuck up!" Tears began to fall from her eyes as he grabbed her other arm. "I hate you, I hate you," she wailed as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Just like he broke her wall, her happy little wall that she had tried to build so futile

"Mamaaaa!" she cried into her chest, "Whyyyy! Why mama!"

"Hey, hey it's all right," Naruto gently said to her, stroking her, "it okay Sakura let it all out."

"Aaaaauunngh, it not fair!"

"No it's not, it isn't just let it out."

"MAMAAAAA!"

And so through the night the wails and sobs of his friend who he held close tore and broke Naruto's heart.

"Please bring her back. Please I want her back!"

That cry tore at him the most as she begged him to bring her mother back from the dead. What good was all his strength when here, in his own arms; he could not protect Sakura from the most terrible wound.

"I'm sorry I can't, I can't Sakura."

"Plea-e-ease, please Mama-a-a comeback, I'll do anything just please Mama come home, PLEASE MAMAAAA!"

—

Please read and review this chapter I want to get some honest feedback.