Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto...sorry, couldn't think of anything clever. Maybe I'll make a songfic in the story to make up for it (I'm kidding, don't scream in terror)...than again, I have always wanted to do a scene of Naruto singing Eric Clapton's 'Change The World' to Sakura in some little night club while strumming on a guitar...you know what...I think I might just do it!
Chap.17: Recovery
(Naruto's P.O.V)
I looked at the person standing in front of me inside my mindscape. I person that I had watched die...a person that I had killed...
"S-Sasuke??" I said again as I slowly got up, not taking my eyes off the figure for a second
"Hn, score one for Naruto. Glad you still recognize me." spoke my deceased comrade and rival.
I slowly rubbed my eyes. I looked at Kyuubi, who for the first time in years looked...confused. The last time he gave such a look was when I first asked for chakra from the great demon-fox.
"Sasuke, is that really you?" I asked, walking over to my long dead friend. He hadn't changed a bit since I last saw him...three years ago, if not longer. He still had the Otogakure sound wardrobe on, and still had his sword strapped to his back. However, I smiled upon seeing a major part of him missing...he was free of a curse mark on his left shoulder.
Sasuke smirked, "What's the matter, this too much for you to take in at once?"
I frowned, "Well, aside from this being the second time I find you inside my mind, no." I replied sarcastically.
He sighed, then looked up at his surroundings, "I see it hasn't changed much. I don't remember those two fox statues being there though..."
"Huh?" I turned to the cage where Kyuubi was,then smiled as I noticed the two stone statues that depicted nine-tailed foxes howling, "Oh...a little gift to Kyuubi when I became an ANBU. He trained me in some ways, so I gave him those in return...they make the place seem a bit more like a shrine I guess. I figured I might as well give him some respect for what he's done for me."
Kyuubi rolled his eyes, then sent a look of anger towards the Uchiha, "Uchiha...why are you here?"
Uchiha stood straight before the demon fox and nodded, "Right...well, when we fought all those years back, I used more jutsus then you probably saw. This..." he paused to refer to himself, "...is the result of a soul transfer technique I learned from reading one of Orochimaru's scrolls..." He turned to me, and seeing that I understood, continued, "Originally, I was going to use it against Orochimaru before he planned on taking my body. I would have destroyed him from the inside out...but then I learned it had other uses as well, like this one you see being used. I'm communicating with you even after I 'died'...so to speak."
"So...you're not dead?" I asked him, and he shook his head.
"No, no, I am dead...but my soul is staying contained inside of your body instead of 'passing away' as the call it. I can scan your memories, and provide some of my strength as well. That's why I used this jutsu on you; my work isn't finished..."
"Not finished? So, you plan to take over Naruto then?" growled Kyuubi as he let some chakra begin to leak out.
"Easy, easy...I never intended for that...besides, I can't possess my opponents while I'm in this state. If I were alive, that would be a different story. I could actually kill someone if my body was still alive. I won't go into specifics, but just know that the technique is complicated and I can only do the things that I said before..." Sasuke said as he backed away from an approaching claw of chakra.
Kyuubi leered at the boy, but nodded, drawing his chakra back into the cage.
"What do you mean by 'my work isn't finished'?" I asked as Sasuke turned to me.
"I'm going to help you defeat Akatsuki." he replied with a shrug, "That's the main reason I'm here right now, I made it so this jutsu would be triggered by another jutsu when I transferred my soul into you."
"What would that trigger be?" I asked.
Kyuubi however, let out a growl of understanding, "Hmmm...Tsukuyomi..."
"Precisely. This jutsu can break apart the genjutsu enough for a victim to release themselves from the illusion's bind on the mind. It looks like you two already had that covered though." Sasuke said with a nod.
"Yeah, it wasn't pretty though...say, you were the other force that Kyuubi sensed when he broke through the Tsukuyomi, weren't you?" I added, realizing just how deep all of this was.
"Correct...and I know what you mean with the whole breaking through thing...you're lucky to be stable right now...you are as of right now the only person I know of that has broken the Tsukuyomi." answered the Uchiha, "That's why I'm here."
"What would that be?" I inquired.
Sasuke smirked again, "I'm going to teach you how to fight against the Sharingan...while maintaining eye contact...and not being beaten."
"I still don't trust you entirely." Kyuubi said with a swishing of his tails.
"Well, I hope to change that then, because I'll be in here until this crisis is stopped...however..." Sasuke's voice grew deadly serious as he turned to me, "Naruto, you must not let anyone know I'm inside you. If that information somehow finds a way to Akatsuki, we'll be in for even more trouble than you're already in.
"What do you mean by that, Sasuke?" I asked. This was starting to give me a headache.
"...Itachi isn't the only living Uchiha." replied Sasuke, "...if they find out my soul's inside of you, you'll be hunted down even more so than you already are."
I gave him a nod letting him know I understood.
"You can't even let Sakura know..." he added, with a hint of a smile.
"Hey, are you taunting me? I'll have you know I'm technically older than you!" It was true. I was staring at the body of a sixteen year old Sasuke while I was now eighteen and some odd months.
"Yeah, but I've matured mentally during those three years. Just because I never showed myself to you doesn't mean I was dormant inside of your mind...I just remained hidden, so to speak." he commented, "Oh, by the way, congratulations on having Sakura help you lose your virgi-"
"Enough!!!" I said, a blush crossing my face. Sasuke was actually laughing though, which was a complete surprise to me. I couldn't help but smile. He hardly laughed at all in the years I knew him.
"So, Uchiha, what exactly is your plan to help us defeat Akatsuki and your brother?
Sasuke looked to the fox, then to me, "It's not going to be fun...I'll be messing around with your thoughts, and you'll be combating against me in this state of mind, sort of like how you fight against Kyuubi when you 'spar'."
"That could be dangerous though, right?" I added.
"...do you think Itachi would care if it was?" Sasuke asked, rolling his eyes.
"He's got a point, Kit." Kyuubi said in agreement.
I looked at Sasuke, "Okay...I'll go with it...just how exactly will this work?"
Sasuke thought for a moment, "Well, I don't have the Mangekyou Sharingan, but since I'm already inside of your mind, I can probably pull off the same effects with my Sharingan. Half of the Tsukuyomi involves eye contact anyways."
"What about the Amaterasu?" I asked.
Sasuke gave another brief moment to think, then looked at me, "I'll think about that one...using it requires alot of charka...probably more than Tsukuyomi. However, I can give it a try."
"Well then, let's get to this training!" I said, getting into a battle stance.
Sasuke's eyes flared to their crimson red, and I saw the Sharingan swirl to life, "Heh, that's what I hoped for."
"Great to see you again, Sasuke..." I said as we charged at each other.
I awoke with a mild headache. Man, Sasuke really wasn't kidding about the training. I felt completely fine, but at the same time it felt real as can be. I looked to my side to see Hinata wrapping a strip of gauze around my shoulder.
"Hinata?"
The Hyuuga heiress jumped in surprise, "Oh, Naruto! S-sorry, hope I didn't wake you."
I sat up slowly, only to be pushed back down, "Hey, what gives, Hinata."
Hinata gave me a look that I was starting to get used to from the medics in the hospital, namely Sakura, Ino, Rin, Shizune, and Tsunade, "You know that you can't sit up in your current state."
"Hinata, Kyuubi completely healed the wound's interior. I'm fine..." I said with a frown.
Hinata tapped her foot, and gave me a grin that promised pain, "Naruto-kun, do you want to see just how strong my Byakugan's gotten?" she asked in a terrifingly quiet voice. Sakura had trained Hinata well in all aspects of the medical field, including getting the patient to cooperate.
I merely put my head back down on the pillow as she smiled happily. Poor Kiba...
After she finished filing the daily report on me, she sat down next to me in a chair, "Um...Naruto...can I ask you a question? It's about Kiba..."
"What did the moron do this time?" I asked.
She laughed, "Oh, nothing's wrong...well not in a horribly bad way at least."
I raised an eyebrow, "Oh...so what exactly do you need help with?" I smirked, seeing her blush.
"Well...um, I want advice...more or less..." she took in a deep breath, "Do you think I should propose to Kiba? I mean, usually the man will do that in a relationship, b-but...I just feel that I'm ready to ask. The only reason I haven't yet is well, you know how Kiba is with his pride. I don't want to offend him at all."
I soaked in all that Hinata had just said, and then thought about it. I felt honored that the heiress of the Hyuuga clan trusted me on such a personal level, and even happier to see that she wanted to share her life with someone. I smiled brightly at her, "Well, I don't see how that could be a bad thing to propose. I'm sure Kiba would be happy that you feel like that towards him, and I'm almost positive he feels the same towards you, Hinata." I said honestly. She gave me a hopeful look; wow, she really does love Kiba. My smile only grew, those two were made for each other.
"So...how's your family feel about Kiba?" I asked, hoping that things weren't shaky family-wise.
Hinata gave me a smile, "Father says that with me becoming the new head of the clan in the following years that he wishes for me to start exercising some authority. One aspect that he said I should start governing is my personal life."
"The clan council isn't bothered by it?" I asked, amazed by how easy it sounded.
Hinata continued to smile at me, "Well, if you must know, Father has changed his view on things over the past few years..."
"Really? In what ways?" I asked, now fully interested.
"Well," she started while pulling the sheets over me and fluffing my pillow, "he actually had the council 'reformed'."
"Meaning..." I said, not sure what was meant by 'reformed'.
"He pretty much let go of half of its members that he saw as bent on the old ways of 'superiority' and all the snobbish behavior of the clan. He then kept those supporting reform in the council, and replaced the other half with new members...some even from the cadet branch." she replied with joy present in her voice.
"He can do that??" I asked. This certainly made things easier for when I became Hokage, seeing as I told Neji I would personally see that the Hyuuga clan was changed.
Hinata nodded, "Father's starting to change for the better. After the Chunin exams all those years back when he saw me fight Neji, then you beat Neji in the finals later, Father began to realize that times were indeed changing. His opinion of me also began to change after that. He let Neji train with me, and taught me as well. He now feels comfortable with the fact that I will be inheriting his place in the clan."
"How does he feel about Kiba though?"
Hinata laughed at this, "He said, and I quote, 'The boy could use a strong woman like you with such intelligence. He's a great shinobi, but I think you can get him to be an honorable man.' He basically said that Kiba is hopeless without me as his wife. Don't get me wrong, my father and Kiba have much respect for each other, the two talk regularly when Kiba visits, and the same goes for his mother and sister and myself. However, Kiba isn't always careful of what he does..."
"I'll second that statement." I said as Hinata laughed, "So...what does this mean for Kiba and his family?"
Hinata put a finger under her chin, "To be truthful, we're not entirely sure...Kiba's destined to be head of the Inuzuka clan not much longer from now when his mother is done with active duty, that is unless he passes the position over to Hana. He told me that he's more concerned for me than himself." she paused to shake her head, "I was touched when he told me that even if his family didn't agree with the marriage, he would immediately give up his clan name to spend his life with me."
"Wow...that's quite alot to say coming from a guy like Kiba..."
"I agree, luckily my family and his have had a mutual respect for each other, so he'll still be a member of the clan. He would just be living at the Hyuuga compound." she added.
I just couldn't believe how much Hinata had changed in the last couple years. She used to be the quiet, reserved noble girl who had little faith in her abilities. Now though, she was the second most powerful member of her clan, if you exclude her father. Only Neji was above her in talent.
"I can't wait to see the day when you become head of the clan, Hinata. Hopefully you create some new moves and stuff. I still can remember the day I decided to train with you, and all I have to say is that you really pack a punch with that Gentle Fist style." I grinned, earning a blush from the Hyuuga.
"Sakura was having a fit when I brought you in after that day, heheh..."
Flashback
"Um...Naruto, a-are you sure about this? I-I'm still not as good as Neji at the technique..." Hinata said as we stood in one of the many courtyards of the Hyuuga compound.
"Aw, come on Hinata-chan, you're strong too! Now, show me how good you are at the technique." I said. From the background I noticed Hanabi, Neji, and Hiashi watching intently. I wasn't going to make Hinata look bad, but I wouldn't let her get off easy in the training.
Hinata quickly activated her kekkai genkai and ran at me. I dodged a few of her palm thrusts, and tried to counter her barrage of chakra-crippling blows. She managed to smack me into the gut, and sent me reeling into a nearby post.
"Oh! Naruto-kun, are you okay??" I heard Hinata call out as I got up.
"Oh yeah! Never felt better!!" I said with a laugh. Man that hurt!
I noticed Hinata standing still for a few seconds, and then she spoke, "Naruto...you're standing in the zone of my Eight Trigrams..." she then crouched into the Hyuuga style battle stance. Uh oh...
"Eight Trigrams, two palms...four palms...eight palms!!!"
I was sure that my shoulder did not bend that way...
"...sixteen palms...oh, sorry Naruto!"
I merely grinned, gritting my teeth.
"...thirty-two palms..."
Well, onto the grand finale...
I felt several seconds pass by in hours as Hinata came in for the final strike...er strikes...
"...Eight Trigrams Sixty-four palms!!!"
I fell to the ground, and I swore I heard a girl saying, "Nee-san, why did you beat him up so bad?! He's super-cute!!" Then I remember seeing the faces of a worried Hinata and a Neji on the verge of laughing as Hanabi was ready to shed tears while saying, "He's Konohamaru's idol, and if he finds out about this, what will I say??"
"Hanabi, go get some ice, the boy will be fine. He survived Neji's assault, he'll be fine now too." came the voice of Hiashi.
"Heh...great work Hinata...I expected nothing less from the Hyuuga heiress herself." I smiled, then blacked out. I probably could have summoned the fox, but I figured that would be going too far with the spar we had.
End of Flashback
"Father apparantly felt sorry for you, but he did admit that you definitely are strong. He also was glad to hear that you believe I would make a fine leader." Hinata said after we recalled that day, and laughed at how that day had turned out.
"Is that why I got that very large fruit basket saying 'Thanks and Sorry, from the Hyuuga Clan'?"
Hinata giggled. The girl had become a Special Jonin with Chunin-ranked medical jutsu under her belt. She was still more of a fighter and scout, but also had the need to help heal people.
"Well, I'm glad things are turning out well for you and your family...and soon to be family." I added the last part with a wink.
She smiled as she headed towards the door, "Well, I'll be back to check on you in a few hours..." she then turned back to me as she exited, "Oh, and if you think of escaping, keep in mind that I'll have my Byakugan activated for periods of time." She gave me a cheery smile as she shut the door. Oh yeah, Sakura had trained Hinata very well...
A half hour passed, and I was feeling better. Kyuubi decided to slow down his healing, most likely so I wouldn't be so tempted to leave. He knew better than to have me get on Tsunade, Sakura, and now Hinata's bad side.
I heard a tapping at the window, and turned to see the smiling face of Lee. I signaled for him to enter and he jumped into the room, only to be followed by Shikamaru and Neji.
"Good afternoon, Naruto, you look amazingly youthful considering what has happened to you recently." Lee complimented, giving me his trademark grin.
"Thanks guys, I appreciate it...I take it this isn't just a social call though, right." I said with a frown.
"You are correct Naruto. We have come to see how you are fairing, and to see if you could give us any details." Lee continued.
"So, is it true that Akatsuki's in Fire Country?" Shikamaru asked, taking a seat and shoving his hands in his pocket in a typical Shika-fashion.
"Well, Kisame and Itachi are at least. They were in the same part of the forest as we were, and attacked some Rock-nin we were tracking down on our mission. Apparantly they didn't plan on running into us. They did mention though that they were going to try and find me in Konoha." I replied.
"You're lucky you escaped, Naruto. Tenten told me about your condition, and that you may have very well broken through the Tsukuyomi. Is that true?" Neji inquired. This recieved a look from Lee and Shikamaru as well.
"Yeah...I guess."
Shikamaru was now inches from my face, "Do you realize how lucky you are? You could have very well been captured, and then we would all be for a world of trouble...you can be so troublesome..."
"Well, from what I heard from Rin, they planned on attacking around this time. So, looks like we just managed to slow them down a little." I said with shrug.
Shikamaru shook his head and sighed, "I guess we better gather up the Niju Shotai and raise the alert level for Konoha, hopefully Akatsuki won't do anything drastic like attack Konoha directly."
Lee spoke up upon hearing this, "Well, I do recall from some travelers that the Land of Waves has been experiencing some very unusual events lately. Events that could be linked to shinobi."
"You don't think that the Akatsuki's hiding in the Land of Waves...do you, Lee? I mean, isn't there a Ninja village there now?" I asked. However, Shikamaru decided to answer this.
"Naruto, the Land of Waves does have a ninja village, but it's forces are only in the mere hundreds. They're seeking an alliance with us, Hidden Sand, and the Hidden Mist. This could also further strengthen our ties with Kirigakure if we go through with it."
Neji nodded, "We actually are going to a meeting to arrange the forces we'll be sending to negotiate. I believe Gaara is sending Temari on his behalf though, from what I understand."
"Well, perhaps it's time I pay the Land of Waves a visit. It's been almost seven years since I last saw the place." I stated as I tried to get up.
"Hold on, Naruto, you can't go anywhere until you're cleared." Shikamaru said, "Don't worry, we'll be sure to throw in you for the mission."
"Fine...but I really hate sitting here and doing nothing."
Neji sighed, "Trust me, Naruto, Hinata-sama is not as soft as she used to be when it comes to stubborn shinobi patients. I'm not kidding when I say that she will knock you out if you leave..."
"Allright, just make sure that I get in this mission."
They nodded, and with that, left as quietly as they came. Great, now what is there to do?
I really hate hospitals...
end of chap.17: And so ends another chapter on this heartpounding journey of Naruto's. I've got more chapters written up, but I'll wait awhile before I update again. Anyways, I hope you like where all of this is going. Again, please let me know what you think. Too much action? Not enough romance? Too much romance? More Lee? Well, until we meet again, later!
Shout-out no Jutsu!: Ratchet McCloud (Thanks, I'm glad you like the plot twist there. Hope this chapters helped you a bit, though I'm sure you've got ideas formulating now on what's going to happen. Hehe, you just can't handle that can you? Yeah, and I tried to make it where Naruto managed to escape the psychological breakdown that would have occured, but that doesn't mean he wasn't affected at all by it. Thanks for reviewing!)
and to all of you reviewing and reading my story, I appreciate it!