Chapter 45 The legendary Jiraiya...
Not far from where Senchi saw the group stop, Ronan and Thomas patiently waited for Mangetsu to return. They had been trailing this group of Konoha nin since they received word from Danzou that a team had returned to Konoha with the injured Suna contact. It was the only solid lead they had, since searching from place to place would only get them so far. Mangetsu's task was to investigate the sight for clarification that the jinkuriki actually being at the location and then report back. Both shinobi's senses made them turn on impulse to their side to see said swordsman walking casually towards them with his hands resting in his jacket's pockets.
"Report."
"The jinkuriki was not there, we were mislead to walk into an ambush."
Ronan's ears perked at the news, "Who was there?"
"Jiraiya the toad sannin, along with four kids, I assume were chuunin's."
'So that means Hatake is in charge of the jinkuriki's group of only four.'
Ronan mused while nodding in acceptance, "What happened to the sannin and the others?"
Mangetsu grew a shark like smirk, "Jiraiya is no longer a factor. Unfortunately the brats bailed."
"We have received a message from Claara-san and Deidara-san."
Ronan turned expectantly to Thomas who was reading the scroll, "They are en route to Swamp country, they still have had no success either."
The Uchiha sighed in frustration and turned back to Mangetsu, "Since its clear they were aware of Senchi, we cannot risk following them to simply be mislead again."
Mangetsu nodded in agreement, "Let's continue our search then."
The light blue glow from the full moon above in the night sky did not exactly make keeping lookout all that easy, the chilling breeze only made it intolerable, even with her long sleeved white shirt underneath her vest. Perhaps she should have accepted Naruto's jacket he firmly protested for before she was assigned this duty. Putting that aside, she decided to recall what happened today while still keeping watch.
They were still making arguably snail paced progress with the suiton element training, with only Naruto's efforts showing the signs of now catching up to her own mark. The idea of making their chakra form a current seemed to help them accumulate the water in their hands faster, but otherwise it held minimal effects to draining more from the leaves.
Outside the suiton training, her two jutsu exercises were so far met with failure, in relation to medical jutsu. She was improving more with the rasengan's, but her medical jutsu to try and revive two fish at once, was practically like burning chakra with no purpose.
"Hey Sakura-chan." A low but cheerful voice spoke over the night's silence, making her to pull out of her musing and address the person with a smile.
"Hey Naruto."The blond pestered her beforehand that they should take a shift between the night, although she knew it was because he didn't want her freezing for the entire night.
To confirm, she glanced at the moon and estimated it was past midnight, "Nothing exciting happen?"
"You're kidding right baka? Only an idiot would be out here."
"...Neh? did you just call yourself an idi-GAH!"
Her quick elbow to his gut interrupted him, "Think carefully if you really want to finish that sentence."
After a short exchange of chuckles and a momentary stare off, Sakura spoke her thoughts, "You don't mind if I stay around a while then?"
"Huh?"
"What? I want to spend some time alone with my baka...it's a pleasant night too, despite the cold."
She giggled softly, at his blush forming which was even was visible in the night, but however, at least he wasn't shy enough to answer back, "I-I guess that's ok with me."
"Good, because you have no say in the matter." Seeming to forget they were meant to be keeping watch, both teens sat next to each other on the rough flat rooftop of the building.
Snuggling her head in on his shoulder made her grin at the familiar tenseness she was becoming used to from him, "You are such a wimp Naruto."
Ignoring his incoherent mutters, she looked up at the night sky, she was not paying attention to before. She always had fantasies of doing something like this as a child. Just sitting comfortably with someone special, and looking up to see the sky littered with sparkling stars that could make pictures if you allowed your imagination to roam. She never thought she would be living out her dream with the loudest person she knew though.
"...This is boring datte-"
"Shut up baka."
Perhaps reality wasn't as perfect as her twelve year old fantasy once pictured, but it still was as dreamy as she once imagined. Lifting her head up, she brought her hand to cup his cheek while smiling and pulling it into her soft gaze. Only one thing was needed to complete the fantasy she dreamed up so many times as a child. While cerulean met emerald, his warming breaths were tickling her face as she brought their noses to touching, feeling the static electricity practically spark between them from this gesture.
She froze though when a rush of warmth cupped her cheek back, making her heart skip beats, as she saw his lids hide his blue eyes from her. She then was gently pulled in by his hand to meet the source of the warmth now radiating against her lips. Her imaginations as a pre teenager were completely wrong when it came to the conclusion of her fantasy. Her mind never even scratched the surface of the so many qualities bundled together in a single warming, and affectionate filled interaction.
Reluctantly pulling away, she rested her light headed forehead against his own, almost shivering at the contact of the cold steel of his forehead protector, "Now what was that for?" she whispered.
"Hehe...Do I really need a reason?"
"...No."
"So am I still a wimp now Sakura-chan?"
She smirked while studying his eyes, "Yep."
She restrained herself to suppress giggles at his eyes practically forming a pout, "Sakura-chan!"
She continued to laugh quietly while stroking his face, "You are so much fun to tease you know that?"
"...I blame Ero-sennin for this."
"What was that Naruto?"
"Err, never mind."
Deciding to end their discussion there, Sakura snuggled her head on his shoulder again while resuming looking up at the starry night sky. Her smile never leaving her when she felt the rush of warmth of his hand slithering behind her back and resting on her waist. Naruto just gave in and looked up at the sky the kunoichi was so allured to.
"What is so grand about looking at a bunch of lights in the sky anyway?"
"...You have never read even one romance novel before, have you?"
"Eh? You mean Ero-sennin's henta-"
The sharp nudge to his gut and one eyed glare dared him to finish, but he corrected himself, "-I-I mean those...touching stories?"
"Oh why am I even wasting my breath? You mean you don't find the stars pretty to look at with me?"
"...Are you turning into Shikama-"
"Again, I wasted my breath...do you enjoy at least spending time together alone with me?"
"Of course!"
"Well that at least is a start...what is your idea of a romantic time then?...and I will hit you if I hear an Ero-sennin like suggestion."
"...Eating a nice, fresh, steaming hot bowl of ramen together I gue-" T
he sound of a hand meeting a forehead was heard from next to him, "Great, I've fallen in love with a rock."
"Huh?!"
She giggled through her hand, "Nothing...Your idea of romance is just very...'unique'."
'More like near non existent...'
Time itself flew by for what made an hour feel like minutes, but Naruto was thrown out of his affixed gaze by Sakura's shifting in his hold, making him look in interest. He was then greeted by a low glimmering teal light stick glowing after a sharp 'crack', breaking the serene silence.
"Neh? What are you doing Sakura-chan?" She shifted in his warming embrace again as if reaching for something behind her, and on success pulled herself in again revealing a new item. He didn't even need the glow of the light stick to see what it was, since its bright orange cover practically glowed in the dark.
"You have got to be joking?!"
"What? I want to make a start."
"W-What happened to spending time with me?!"
She raised an eyebrow now lifting her head off his shoulder in question, "...Well you are here, aren't you?"
The blond just went agape as he felt his sweat drop, "E-Ermm, Well yeah, bu-"
She ignored his mutters and flicked the book open with interest on her face, while resting on his shoulder again, which silenced him.
His eye twitched, while forming a pout at her rejection, and sighed, looking elsewhere. Her giggle which made him shiver, got him to look back at 'that' book she was blushing at, and reluctantly read a single line...and that was more than enough for him. He tried to shift away by reclaiming his arm, and went to stand, but her sudden glare that practically said 'where do you think you are going' made him freeze. The blond gulped while sitting down and restoring his embracing arm. So this was how he was going to spend his night keeping lookout, he figured. Sitting next to Sakura who was reading and giggling oddly at hentai, while he was forced to sit next to her and act as a cushion...something told him he was in for one hell of a long night.
The sudden soft contact into his neck made him gasp and look in surprise to see her smiling at her book. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he made it sound after all.
One day later....
"Is that so Kabuto?" Orochimaru asked rhetorically to his right hand man. Kabuto felt it was best to report to Orochimaru about the news he had discovered.
The snake sannin's slit eyes narrowed on Kabuto, "I instructed you to 'entice him' Kabuto."
"We situated Sasuke-kun in an outpost close to where we believe Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan are. To even add more convenience for Sasuke-kun we, instructed Karin-chan to leave her outpost to join him...how much further could we have enticed him?"
Orochimaru gave a loud 'Hmmph' to show his little care for Kabuto's excuses. "So Sasuke-kun is trying to show defiance to his avenger nature. How interesting."
Kabuto nodded while lifting his glasses, "I think his mind has been made up, Orochimaru-sama-"
"When I think it has, then so be it Kabuto!" The sannin sharply cut in with his killer intent rolling out of his snake like tongue.
"Of course Orochimaru-sama, but even you have commented on how strong Sasuke-kun's will can be. What could we possibly do to change that?"
"His ambition of course Kabuto."
The henchmen's right eyebrow perking made the sannin smirk knowing he always was ahead of Kabuto in thought, "Sasuke-kun has only ever broken his word when his ambition becomes a factor. At the same time, he makes claims based upon his ambition to kill Itachi...exploit that and Sasuke-kun will effectively be our puppet."
"So you wish for me to lie to Sasuke-kun and inform him that Itachi-san has been seen nearby? Do you strongly believe Sasuke-kun could be so gullible Orochimaru-sama?"
"Your questioning a lot of things today aren't you Kabuto? Perhaps I should consider someone more loyal as a replacement?"
Kabuto suppressed his frown and bowed respectfully, "If that is what you wish Orochimaru-sama, then I will leave to inform Sasuke-kun immediately. How was your progress with Suigetsu-kun?"
The sannin gave a teeth revealing smile to his henchman, "I am afraid I have not been able to perfect his transformation."
"So constant exposure to water is still a requirement for his survival?"
"While we succeeded in changing an individual's chakra nature, unfortunately because ones chakra nature is within the bloodlines, it unintentionally morphed Suigetsu-kun's entire body into the near pure element itself. Just like what happens when a puddle of water is exposed to heat, the water will eventually evaporate away until there is nothing left behind. I estimate by the amount of water within his body, if he was not to come in contact with a water supply, he would die within a day's time, and within three days, evaporate into thin air."
Kabuto nodded in understanding, "While that sounds quite unpleasant for Suigetsu-kun, the benefits he has gained by his transformation surely outweighs that aside."
Orochimaru chuckled, "The ability to not be killed by conventional attacks alone pushes that one set back aside Kabuto. I also have discovered Suigetsu-kun can build up more water within a part of his body to grant him greater strength...I will be eager to see if our next subject will be as successful as Suigetsu-kun."
As if to promote his pride, the sannin turned and looked into a tank with large tubes pumping water within the cylinder. Once satisfied, the sannin turned back, "Now go Kabuto, and this time do not come back until you are certain Sasuke-kun has gone out to search for them. The mangekyou sharingan is something I would greatly desire Sasuke-kun to have in his possession...it would make him all the more perfect vessel. Kukuku."
"As you wish then, Orochimaru-sama."
Naruto squinted when he could see the sun starting to rise, already feeling the effects of its sight, brushing warmth over him from the night. Not like he was cold anyway, or at least the right side of him wasn't. Looking to his sleeping, soundless source, made him smile.
'Sakura-chan fell asleep after reading that book for a couple of hours, I didn't bother waking her.' Naruto adjusted his warm jacket to ensure it fully covered her shoulders, and lost the will to not stroke her silk like hair.
The soft 'thud' of someone landing on the roof made him turn to see Kakashi, "Yo!...am I interrupting someth-"
"Oh not now Kakashi-sensei." Naruto whined at just above a whisper volume.
Kakashi gave an eye smile, while approaching, "Sorry. How are you this morning Naruto?"
Naruto stroked Sakura's hair again unconsciously while smiling, "Awesome Kakashi-sensei!"
The scare crow laughed at his expression and nodded while shifting back to his teasing voice, "I see. So is this how you both plan to keep your relationship a secret?"
"Give us a break sensei." To both men's surprise, Sakura said, not opening her eyes or lifting herself up.
"Alright then...when you are ready Sakura, can you go and get some more supplies from the town?"
"Hai, I will go a little later sensei." Kakashi accepted her response and jumped off the roof. Sakura then opened her eyes and shifted to feel the jacket covering half her body.
"If you catch a cold for this...don't expect any sympathy from me Naruto."
Naruto simply smiled as she sat up and handed him back his jacket, "Your welcome Sakura-chan."
He chirped, despite her words. While yawning, Sakura stretched, "I better go into town, or sensei won't stop pestering me for the whole day."
"I'll come with yo-"
"YOU on the other hand, are spending some time sleeping." She talked over him, looking to see the traces of tiredness in his eyes.
Standing up, she ran a hand through her hair while the blond stood up, "I am not that tire-"
"Spare it baka."
Giving in to her no room to argue tone, he shrugged, "Alright then Sakura-chan." Both jumping down and entered the building, only to see a wide awake Lee in the middle of the room, who appeared to be meditating.
"Good morning Lee-san...what are you doing?"
"I am trying this strange training exercise Kakashi-sensei suggested I do in the morning, instead of sprinting for a great one hundred laps worth. He says this exercise makes the mind more responsive and takes equally as much effort."
Both teens felt that familiar sweat drop forming while Naruto couldn't resist asking flatly, "And how is that going?"
Lee's closed eyes twitched in concentration, "It is so hard, but I feel its effects already."
Sakura slowly shook her head, 'Lee-san...' Naruto on the other hand was trying as best as he could not to snicker.
Deciding to move on, she grabbed her pack and walked past Naruto, "I will be back soon, see you both later." Watching Sakura leave, Naruto sighed and turned back only to go wide eyed at a glaring Lee standing before him.
"Eh? What's up fuzzy br-"
Naruto was sharply cut off when the spandex wearer pushed him up against the rotten walls, "W-What the hell fuzzy brow-"
"Naruto-kun! I know what has recently developed!" Naruto froze now in puzzlement as he watched the miniature Gai grip his jacket tightly while forming a trembling fist that was placed in front of his face.
"Naruto-kun you..."
Lee's eyes suddenly flickered as he exploded, "Have won Sakura-san's heart!"
Naruto went through a mixture of expressions, first there was agape shock, then there was a wash over of amusement, but it ended with him going neutral, remembering Sakura and his agreement.
"Neh? I don't know what you're talking about fuzzy brow-"
"GAH! Denying you and Sakura-san's passion and pure fondness for one another, you're so hip Naruto-kun!"
"No, we're-"
"I can see it in both your eyes when you look at each other Naruto-kun. You both are the spring time to each other's four seasons, and you have been for the past three days!"
'Why the hell did that sound so wrong?!'
Naruto shook his head clear and persisted, "I-I don't know what on earth your talking abou-"
"That gives you one point in our match of eternal rivalry!"
"No We're, Wait-WHAT?!"
"Yosh, Yosh! You may have won this round discretely, but next round Naruto-kun...prepare yourself for I will not hold back!"
Naruto just stared at the miniature Gai as if he was completely insane. Perhaps he should let Lee know the facts, since he feared Lee may follow similar traits of his sensei, and sing out his discovery to the world.
"Errmm, listen fuzzy brows-"
"You may have won the blessing and kindness of a woman's heart first Naruto-kun, but I will ensure to not be fooled-"
"Wait fuzzy brows, I-"
"-You will experience the foul taste of defeat from the genius of hard work when I-"
"LEE!"
Lee froze instantly at hearing Naruto shouting out his name in a deadly serious manner that he could see clear in the blonds' eyes, "Listen to me, please...Sakura-chan and me...we are keeping it a secret. It is too dangerous for Sakura-ch-...-for both of us, if everybody knows. The Akatsuki are after me, and I would rather die than see those bastards hurt Sakura-chan to get to me."
Lee released his clutch on Naruto's jacket and nodded slowly, "I see, so you are doing this for each other's protection."
Naruto nodded, but was taken aback when Lee exploded again with tears running down his face, "HAWW! What a beautiful declaration of your love for one another in this blossoming time of your youths!"
Naruto simply just stared again at Lee's antics going fully agape, 'Has he completely lost it?!'
"I swear on my honour that I will take your tender and blooming relationship to the grave, Naruto-kun!"
Naruto drew a genuine smile at the thing he did understand in Lee's crazy talk, "Thanks fuzzy brows."
The miniature Gai gave a firm salute, "May I wish you best of luck to the both of you then. I know Sakura-san is in loving hands with you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto blinked several times at Lee's protective like tone, while returning his questioning gaze, "Neh, why do you make it sound like you like Sakura-"
"Because I do Naruto-kun!"
Naruto suddenly wondered where did all the noise from the birds outside go, or in fact where did everything go, as it suddenly became awkwardly silent between the two of them. Where did the air go? Why was he of all people suddenly completely at a loss for words?
'Fuzzy brows still likes Sakura-chan?!'
"U-Umm-..."
'What the hell do I say to that?!' Naruto inwardly cried, not knowing what to say that didn't sound like a slap in the face to Lee.
Lee held up a hand as if sensing the blonds' panic, "Relax Naruto-kun, I came to accept that Sakura-san felt nothing but comradeship for me long ago. I respect her as I would a devoted sibling."
"Y-You di-I mean, do?!"
"Hai! you see-"
Lee then went into a long story all the way back to the chuunin exams, and told Naruto about his proclamation about catching all twenty falling leaves, or it would be a one sided love forever.
It was safe to say Naruto wasn't feeling awkward anymore, but instead, held a raised eyebrow and jaw hanging expression. Once Lee's explanation was finished to conclude that he failed in catching all twenty leaves, Naruto could only say one thing that his mind had going in a loop.
"Fuzzy brows...you are completely crazy if that's really how you got over a girl!"
Sakura soon returned with the supplies and entered the outpost. Other than the lying Naruto on the left side of the room, there was no sign of the others. Disposing her pack, she approached him to see his blue eyes staring at the ceiling.
Recognising that look of deep thought, she grinned, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing really." He muttered.
Sliding down on the wall next to him, she shrugged, "Whatever you say then."
After a minute of silence from her sarcastic remark, Naruto finally gave in, "Fuzzy brows knows, about us."
Her surprise gasp didn't startle him, "O-Oh...Well, Lee-san is good for his word, I know he won't say anything to anybody...Did you tell him about us or..."
"No. He knew from the start."
"Really?...wow, maybe sensei is right, we really do a bad job at lying."
"Yeah..."
Seeing his deep thought expression still on his face, which was looking up at the roof, she leaned over to come into his view.
"Is there something else Naruto?"
Caught off guard, he stared partly agape in her eyes, but shook his head with too much effort to be genuine, "No."
"Naruto...Don't lie."
"...I am worried."
Leaning back against the wall, she sighed, "About what?"
"...You."
Looking back at the focused expression on the blond, she groaned, "Naruto, if this is about the Akatsuki using me-"
"I don't want anything to happen to you."
She clenched her hands in result to his feared tone, "You hypocrite!"
"H-Huh?!"
"You said to me that we cannot let danger run our lives...yet here you are, scared so much that something will happen to me, that you are letting it drive you again!"
She once again leaned over to glare into his wide eyes, "What happened to the carefree Naruto I used to know?!"
"I had nothing to lose." His whispered words made her gasp in surprise as he sat up, with his back now to her.
"I wanted attention, I wanted people to talk about me, I wanted to be acknowledged by everyone. I now have great friends and comrades that are like family, and that means everything to me. I don't want to lose any of them, I know I am being selfish and insulting to them now because of what Shikamaru said...You mean so much to me Sakura-chan..."
Her fist began to tremble at just how defeated and un-Naruto like he was sounding, "Naruto." The blond turned his dull head around by her call.
The last thing he expected though was his face to meet the trembling fist that belonged to her. The force was enough to knock him off the ground, and slide several feet across the room. Finally recovered, he opened his scrunched up eyes from the stinging numbness running all across his face. Naruto once again, didn't expect her to be towering over him already, constricting on his jackets collar, and lifting his head up to her own.
"Who the hell are you?! This is not the Naruto I know, or the baka I fell in love with! " She growled in a whisper.
She never let him have the chance to stutter a response, "I understand exactly what you are saying...But you don't think I am worried about YOU also?! Didn't Shikamaru tell you this already?!"
Fighting back her tears, she pressed on, "I know you Naruto...I know how important you see me, and the others. I also know you would give your life to save them, it is in your nature to do so. So how do you plan to not lose just me, but everyone?! By hiding your heart from the world?!"
The tears finally overwhelmed her, but she tried to ignore them, "Let me tell you what the Naruto I love would be thinking in here-"
She tapped his bare forehead for emphasise, "You would be aware of the dangers ahead...but you would not give a damn! You want to protect me and everyone? Then you do what Uzumaki Naruto has never failed in solving the matter...with your fists, not try and hide like a coward."
Shaking her head, she loosened her hold and spoke more normally, "We are trying to keep it quiet just to make our lives easier, but we cannot hide it forever Naruto. One day...everybody will know, and what do you suggest we do then?...Tell me...please." Naruto meanwhile was fully agape at just how hauntingly familiar Sakura's words were to something he recalled Jiraiya arguing with him about for so long...he was, handling the matter in the same way all over again.
Sakura was right, when did he change to this way? He was terrified of everybody knowing about the Kyuubi. However, fate, and the very rosette in front of him changed that. This was no different, and all he was doing, was now not only making things worse for him, but for Sakura as well. Finally feeling life in his body, he lifted his hand and covered her own that was loosely gripped on his jacket.
"When that day comes...I will scream it out for the entire world to hear, dattebayo!"
Sakura's tears increased, but she held a very genuine smile to his response, "Now there...is the baka I fell in love with."
Two days later...
The pure white flash of light blurred Sasuke's vision, as he continued to observe the furious strikes of vein like lightning flicker across the sky, in an instant. Satisfied with his short break, he stepped out from underneath his tree, walking into the open to feel the downpour of rain hit against his face. Upon the next blinding light of lightning, Sasuke unsheathed his sword, and began charging his raiton chakra within it. The sparkling display of similar appearing lightning flickered down the blade, as he pushed down hard off the slippery wet grass, and darted through the trees.
Eyeing the dummy with his glaring focused sharingan, he threw his sword, watching the trail of solid line electricity following. The limit in distance soon was reached, as the link broke, but did not flicker away. Sasuke had been training to retain the line of electricity once the object was outside of his chakra's limit, but was still struggling to physically create the line without the need of a weapon.
Satisfied that the line was stable, he slowly moved his glowing hand, and watched as his line of chakra followed on with it, as if the two were perfectly connected. He continued moving it to his left, quickly closing in to the base of a tree. He waited a moment, then continued moving it to his left, watching the sparks and smelling burning wood, as the line began to saw through the tree.
After several seconds though before he even sawed through a quarter of the way into the tree, the line broke with a whip lash of lightning. He frowned. when the sparks continued to happen in his hand, 'Shape manipulation is annoying, but when I nail this down, it will be indeed useful.'
Sasuke's senses perked when he detected not one, but two familiar presences, "What is it now Karin, and Ka-" Sasuke's voice went unheard when suddenly his entire vision went white, and he collapsed.
The loud vibration shook the ground as a wave of electricity flickered over a thirty meter radius from where Sasuke had fallen, along with the deafening clap of thunder.
"SASUKE!" Karin cried, once the thunders roar died down, running over to the fallen Uchiha who was violently twitching.
The other person soon followed and examined his sizzling and twitching hand. 'Lightning struck on Sasuke-kun's hand?' Putting aside his surprise, he began healing.
"They say it is dangerous to train in a lightning storm Sasuke-kun...I think I now tend to agree with them." Through gritting teeth, the Uchiha said nothing, as Kabuto continued to heal the burn.
"W-What happened to him?"
"You saw it Karin-chan...Lightning struck Sasuke-kun's hand. What was with that large shockwave though is beyond me."
Another roar of thunder from above made Karin jump, "C-Can we get the hell out of here?!"
"I think that would be wise." Ignoring the zap of electricity against his palms, Kabuto heaved the barely conscious Uchiha over his shoulder. Sasuke was more interested in staring at his hand, while he was carried away.
'Why did the lightning hit my hand...was it because of my raiton chakra?'
"...Hn."
The smell of burning fish made Naruto peg his nose, "I think I see why you say medical jutsu was a whole other ball game, Sakura-chan." Said kunoichi glared at her teammate who was sitting on the opposite side of the bench.
"You are not helping!" She growled, sheepishly cringing at the fish that was smoking out of its agape mouth.
"Ugh! fowl!" Focusing both her hands over the fried fish, she began to repair the internal damage she had done.
Naruto poked the other lifeless fish, "Medical jutsu is so strange."
Swatting away his poking finger at the other fish, she muttered, "Medical jutsu...is really complicated."
Naruto shrugged dismissively, "Meh, just means you will be all the more awesome when you get it right."
The kunoichi grew a smile, "Don't you have anything better to do?"
"Well...I already have my hands full, right guys?!" Naruto waved a hand over his head to the dozens of clones behind him. Naruto ignored the shouts of 'Screw you!' and 'You are doing nothing, you lazy bum!' and even a 'Why does he get to hang out with Sakura-chan, that teme!'.
Sakura giggled, "Sounds to me like they don't agree with you."
The blond sheepishly scratched his head, "They will get over i-OW!" Naruto was cut off by a water bottle being thrown behind him, making a bump form on his head.
The blond span his steaming head around, "W-What the hell?! Who threw that?!"
The innocent whistles succeeded in making Sakura struggle to not fall over from her laughter, "Y-You a-are s-such a b-baka Naruto!" She cackled, eventually recovering to rub away her tears that had fallen.
"If you really aren't bored watching me, then I am not fussed."
She replied, getting back on another attempt to revive both fish at the same time. "Anything I can do to help?"
She grinned at her teammate, "Well-"
"Sakura-san!" Both teens snapped their heads to see Lee drag his feet as he stopped from what looked like his fastest possible speeds outside of gates.
The look of concern on the miniature Gai's face made both teen's hold a puzzled expression, "It's Shikamaru-kun! Come as quick as you can!"
The fish were left forgotten, as both bolted from their seats and dashed with Lee through the streets. Turning the corner, both froze in shock for a moment at the state of Shikamaru's team. All were covered with bruises everywhere, some being more worse for wear, Kiba being one of them who was leaning on the panting Akamaru. What stuck them as very strange was how all of them tensed at the sight of them down the street, or more specifically, one blond.
Shaking off the shock, Sakura took lead and closed the distance between them and got started right away on Kiba, since he appeared the most injured.
"What the hell happened?!" Naruto cried out, only to be rewarded with Shikamaru and Hinata wincing.
"...We tried to ambush them." Shikamaru finally said dryly, while Hinata was biting down furiously on her lower lip.
Naruto looked around, realising one was missing, "Where is Ero-sennin?"
Sakura had to stop her healing, since she lost concentration when everything just went dead quiet. The sound of Hinata sniffling made Sakura go wide eyed.
'...Jiraiya-sama...No...'
Naruto went agape in puzzlement, "W-What's wrong Hinata?" Shaking her head she turned to rub her eyes, while Shikamaru looked at Naruto straight in the eye to show the lack of emotion within his onyx orbs.
"I am sorry, Naruto."
Naruto didn't even know when it got dark, but for some bizarre reason, he welcomed the darkness and the cold of the night...It at least gave him the dignity to hide his tears. He still refused to accept what he was told. There had to be some mistake, or this was all a genjutsu, or something had to be wrong. Surely Hinata must have overlooked with her byakugan, there had to be something remaining to actually confirm it than just blind assumption. He could not have just completely disappeared, that not even Kiba and Akamaru's scent of smell could find not even the faintest traces of his strong sake odour. Shino's female bugs that were implanted on each team member may have fallen off...there were too many 'what if's' to make a conclusion!
How could anything have happened? He told Naruto he was one of the legendary sannin over and over again like an endless loop whenever he feared the worst. He always said to Naruto that so few could top him...then why were Shikamaru and the others trying to tell him otherwise? How could the legendary super pervert, Jiraiya...be gone?
Shaking his head rapidly, he recollected his previous actions. Why did he have to yell at them? Why did he feel so angered at Shikamaru, or anybody, for that matter. They were not the ones to be blamed, they were all just trying to do the same thing...they were trying to protect him. It only made matters worse when he stormed off, ignoring Sakura's repeated shouts for him to come back. Naruto still didn't even know why he marched straight back to the abandoned school, and sat underneath the great tree they had been training under for the past few days.
Nothing made sense anymore, as all that was flashing through his mind was countless memories of the sannin that just would not stop, no matter how much he begged his already baffled mind to do so.
-
Flashback - Konoha hot springs, Two and a half years ago
-
'I am starting to get a grip on this!' Naruto inwardly mused, as he struggled to balance his half sunken feet in the steaming hot water. Ebisu was standing in front of him, watching him while appearing in deep thought.
'Damn it, how did that closet pervert make this look so easy?!' Naruto pondered, as he continued his struggle, until a giggle that ran down his spine made him look behind the silent Ebisu.
Naruto didn't know who the crouching man was, with his long pure white hair, red coat, and that strange scroll on his back. Naruto knew one thing though, that man was giggling furiously at a wall that he knew was the barrier to the women's section of the hot springs. Naruto tried to point an accusing finger at the felon, but resulted in him losing his balance and dunking into the hot water.
'AGH SO HOT!' He inwardly shouted, bursting out of the water to try and breathe in cool air. He never expected to see Ebisu raised in the sky though, by the giant pink tongue that belonged to a huge toad.
"Don't make a ruckus. Geez, what's going to happen if I get caught?!" Naruto heard the man say through a smirk, while Naruto stared wide eyed in shock.
'W-who is that open pervert?!'
Naruto being himself, just had to ask in his usual loud and hyperactive manner. He never expected to receive a flashy introduction. From what he was able to understand out of it all, was the man was a hermit...and a pervert at that. Glancing once more at the unconscious Ebisu, marked Naruto's new found determination, to learn under the perverted hermit.
-
Present time
-
Naruto felt a shiver, as he crossed his arms in a constricting knot, as another memory struck him.
-
Flashback - Konoha front gates, Two years ago
-
"Please watch me." Naruto whispered to himself, as he held his fist up to his role model on the hokage mountain, the Yondaime.
"What are you doing?! I'm going to leave you behind, Naruto!" Came the frustrated voice of Jiraiya from down the street, breaking Naruto out of his musing. When he saw the sannin walking away, he bolted.
"W-W-Wait up!" Naruto cried, catching up to the sannin who didn't acknowledge him as he made it to his side.
Together, they walked through the gates of Konoha, with Naruto's goal and promise in mind, 'I will bring you back to us, Sasuke.'
"So when do we start Ero-sennin?" Naruto beamed, his gaze focused on the long path ahead.
The sannin's sigh made him look in question, "We just left Konoha, and you want to make a start, ALREADY?!"
"W-Well yeah!"
"Oh, two years with you is going to be such a risk factor to my research."
Naruto pointed an accusing finger, "Deal with it Ero-sennin! When I come back to Konoha, I am going to drag Sasuke back, and then I am taking Baa-chan's position, dattebayo!"
The sannin ran a hand through his head, "Your training can wait unti-"
"Oiroke no jutsu!" Naruto over talked the sannin, as a cloud of smoke covered him. The sannin looked dully in question, but then went fully agape as a tickle of blood ran down his nose. The reason being that a blond, near naked, and whiskered female, that if it wasn't for the smoke cloud 'ruining' the 'view', Jiraiya would have given it a solid ten out of ten...but an eight still was more than enough.
"OHHH!!!"
"Please Jiraiya-'kun', can we do a little training on the way?" The female chirped, covering her blushing face with her hand.
Jiraiya was beginning to spin loosely on his feet, but his eyes were practically popping out of their sockets, "ABSOLUTLY, NOW COME HERE YOU-"
"Good!" Naruto's normal voice stated, while 'poofing' back to his normal self to receive the sannin's scowl.
"...Damn it Gaki! That's low!"
-
Present time
-
Naruto let out a small chuckle, as he felt a warm liquid run down his cheek, While he started to tremble. He was not given any mercy though, as his memories continued their bombardment on his already aching heart.
-
Flash back - Outside Fire Countries Border Town, One year ago
-
"So I can make a super kage bunshin?!"
"Oh why did I even use that word in my explanation? Yes gaki! you can create a kage bunshin that can withstand numerous physical damage."
"Yosha!...how?"
Jiraiya groaned, "I just spent the last ten minutes telling you how!"
Once he had again explained how it worked, Naruto furiously nodded, "Yosha! Kage bunshin no jutsu!" An explosion of 'poof's' went all around the pair, as Jiraiya saw hundreds of doppelgangers all appear.
Sighing, he looked down to his scratching head apprentice, "You...are hopeless."
"BAH! IT WAS MY FIRST TRY ERO-SENNIN!"
Several attempts later, a lone clone 'poofed' next to Naruto, who rubbed the sweat from his forehead. Jiraiya knelt down and scrutinized the clone with neutral eyes.
That was until he groaned and reeled his hand back, "WRONG!" He shouted, while slapping the clone across the face, which made it disperse.
The real Naruto sheepishly frowned, "I am getting closer."
"No gaki, you are getting NOWHERE!"
Ignoring the sannin, Naruto formed his seal again, "Why can't this work?! I want to create one kage bunshin, but with the chakra of hundreds poured into it."
"You are rushing it."
"Eh?"
"You are not slowly building up the clone with your chakra before creating it, instead you are either picturing one clone, or one clone amongst hundreds...why do you think every attempt so far has been either hundreds of clones or just one?"
The blond scratched his head, dropping his seal in the process, "So what should I do?"
"Slow down for starters, or do you want to keep wasting loads of chakra with every failure?"
Naruto pouted and nodded, "Well what do I try then to create it?"
"Beats me."
Naruto stumbled on his spot, "W-What the hell!? You don't even know if this works?!"
"In THEORY it works."
"Meh, nobody uses this modification of kage bunshin anyway-"
"That's because 'nobody' is you, gaki!"
Naruto looked up wide eyed at the sannin who continued, "Nobody can create thousands of kage bunshins, and still actually be alive afterwards. Nobody has taken kage bunshin's as far as you have. You are possibly the only person that can achieve this 'super' kage bunshin as you put it. Now stop bitching and keep trying!"
Naruto held surprise at his words, but slowly nodded with a forming smirk, "Yosha! I will keep at it then!"
The blond raised an eyebrow though when Jiraiya got up and started to walk away, "W-Where are you going?"
"Well it seems you are not going to get it for a while...so I am going to go do some, 'research'."
"NEH?!"
While he sulked to Jiraiya leaving him alone, Naruto continued his attempts all the way until just before nightfall.
'Stupid thing!' Naruto inwardly sulked, while rubbing his head from the sweat that was running down his face. Frustrated with his efforts, he decided to have a short break, sitting by a tree, so he could overlook the border country.
Naruto could make out in the distance a building that was being constructed, 'What did Ero-sennin mean by building up my chakra? Why can't I just picture a single clone with just hundreds worth of chakra in them?'
Naruto sighed, as he continued looking over the city, when something clicked.
'Maybe...It is like how buildings go up. I need to start at the bottom first, and work my way to the top?' Shaking his head, he stood up and faced the other way, while forming a seal in immense concentration.
After several seconds he opened his eyes, "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" Naruto could already feel the huge drainage of his chakra, as he saw a lone clone 'poof' into existence in front of him.
Ignoring his laboured breaths, Naruto reeled his fist back, and punched the clone in the face, only to be surprised when instead of dispersing, it tumbled.
"Did you have to hit me in the face, teme!?" The clone grumbled, until both went wide eyed.
The two identical blonds stared at each other in shock, "...I DID IT DATTEBAYO!" Naruto exploded, while the clone 'poofed' away.
Still jumping, he spun around in joy, only to meet a shadow over him that made him stop. It was Jiraiya, holding a split in half ice pop, with one stick being gestured for him to take.
"Now that's what I expect from my gaki!"
-
present time
-
Naruto closed his stinging eyes, to feel more of the warm stream of liquid run down his face, as he let out a pained, and shaken moan.
"He can't be..."
-
Flashback - The border of Taki, One year ago
-
Nothing beat kicking back after some training, to relax his tense muscles by dunking in to the steaming hot water of the hot springs.
It was always the reason why it beat a simple hot shower, or to some people, there was another reason, "Hehehe."
It was ideal to 'peek' at the oblivious women's section that was divided by a bamboo wall, which through the persistence of a well trained 'researcher', could be picked away with his finger to open up an eye hole.
Naruto turned to the blushing and smirking sannin that was next to him in the spa.
"Do you not have any shame Ero-sennin!?"
"Shhh gaki! do you have any idea how dangerous it will be if we are caught?"
"W-We?! I am not looking into the-" The sannin muffled his mouth before he could finish his growing loud claim. The sannin instead of forming a scowl, had a plotting grin on his face.
"Whatever you say then gaki." Jiraiya then stood out of the spa and whipped around a towel and made for the exit.
"Where are you going?!"
"Nature calls gaki, be back soon."
Naruto blinked at that 'innocent' chuckle at the end, and folded his arms to look over the empty hot spring area. Eyeing the corrupt viewing hole, he scowled at it.
'Stupid Ero-sennin.'
Despite his scolding muse, he suddenly felt his conscience meet a new inner battle...temptation, bundled with curiosity.
Staring wide eyed at the hole, he shook his head clear and slapped his face, 'No way!' He told himself, while looking around to confirm nobody was around.
Creeping himself closer, he swallowed the heavy lump at the back of his throat, '...One peek won't hurt anyone.'
Lowering his head, he could already feel the guilt building up, with the only barrier to his 'innocence' now being his shut tight eye. Reluctantly he slowly opened them, but spun around when hearing a splash next to him.
The last person he wanted to see was now back in the spa with an ear to ear smirk, "Do YOU have no shame gaki?!"
The sannin chirped in amusement to seeing the blond paling, "I-I-I-I-I-"
"-Oho gaki! you actually have interest in women after all!"
Jiraiya tackled the blond to give him a teeth gritting nuggy, "And I was starting to fear the worst gaki."
"L-Let me go Ero-sennin! I didn't look-"
"Do not hide the truth Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Y-You pulled me away before I had the chance!" The sound of girls suddenly screaming a sound Jiraiya recognised as the scream of exposure made both freeze.
"Gaki...how fast can you get dressed?"
-
Present time
-
The soft sounds of footsteps approaching pulled him out of his merciless musing, as he looked up to see soothing emerald eyes looking at him.
Shaking his head, he rubbed his eyes with his sleeve, and tried to bottle up his ache, "How are the others doing?"
Sakura held a sad smile while kneeling in front of him, "They are a little exhausted, but most of their injuries have been taken care of."
"...Is Shikamaru ok?"
"Your yelling did not sit well with him...but don't worry, he is ok."
"...I didn't mean to yell at him, really I-"
"Naruto...you're upset. Nobody is angry at you." Naruto's gaze fell again, as he battled the stinging pain in his eyes, as one lone tear escaped.
"...I-I'd like to stay out here for a while-"
'Alone.'
"-...please." He murmured, only to have an open hand come into his sight.
He looked up again to see her smile, "I am fine with that...You have another thing coming though if you really think I am going to leave you alone like this, baka."
The blond let a sniffle escape, while reaching out and taking her delicate hand as his trembling increased. She heaved him up to his feet and brought him into to a firm hug, "Naruto...I can see how much pain you are in, despite how badly you are trying to hide it from me, for whatever stupid reason you have. Stop trying to act tough...let me in." She whispered, as she felt what was left of Naruto's strength shatter apart in her hold.
She felt his tears dampen on her shoulder, along with his shaking making him almost lose his balance, which was why she brought them down to their knees, when she heard him start to cry. She tightened her embrace while patting his trembling back, while his sobbing grew frantic...she was not going to let go until he stopped.
"H-H-He c-can't be!" She heard him cackle through his sobs, as she stroked the back of his head.
"I know Naruto, I know." Naruto dug his head into her shoulder, while his sniffles sped up to the point he was choking.
More memories rushed behind his jammed shut eyes, and he could no longer suppress his heart's bleeding agony, "E-Ero-sennin!"
Sakura didn't know how long they stayed in each other's arms, however when she finally heard Naruto's even and paced breaths against her, she was relieved.
'Naruto..I am so sorry about Jiraiya-sama.'
She had her own pain for what strange bond she had developed for the sannin, but she had to remain tough for Naruto's sake.
Reluctantly, she softly shook him to wake him up, "Naruto?"
A pause in his breaths made her understand he was awake, "Are you ready to go back?"
"...I guess so." Pulling away, she finally got to see his puffy, blood shot eyes, that alone were making her feel the pain he was in.
Naruto emitted a trembled sigh, while reaching for his jackets zip, "Here Sakura-chan, you loo-"
"No, don't worry about me." She interrupted lightly, taking his hands and dragging him over to sit under the tree.
'I can't let him come back like this..I have to try and make it better somehow first.' Sitting side by side with their nearest hands intertwined, she rubbed his tensed cheek with her free hand.
"Come on Naruto..I know you are hurt, you have every right to be...but Jiraiya-sama would never forgive himself if he saw you in this state."
Her hand could easily determine the sudden twitch like motion by his face when she whispered the sannin's name, but she persisted, "He was annoying, he was a pervert...but I also know he took pride in you. I could see it in him, he was as proud of you almost as like a father is to their son Naruto. Jiraiya-sama wouldn't want you like this, he would want you to press on."
She whipped away a tear that was trailing down his face, "B-But p-press on to what?-"
"Your dream silly. To become the Hokage, to receive the acknowledgement of others that you have long deserved. Jiraiya-sama wanted to help you reach that dream, and I know his efforts have not been wasted."
She tightened her grip on his hand when he sniffled, but no tears fell, "I wanted him to be there..."
"I know...but he still will be there to see you when you succeed. He will be there for you when you need him the most."
Naruto sniffled, but grew a very energetic smile, "Thanks Sakura-chan."
Happy to see life in him again, she ruffled his hair and then went to stand, "Come on Naruto, let's go back."
"Wait." She turned in question to see he still hadn't let go of her hand.
"Can we umm...stay? For a little longer?"
"What for?"
She could make out the traces of a blush forming on his warm grin, "W-Well, it's a nice night, despite the cold. The stars look pretty... it would be good to not look at them alone." Sakura held a surprised, but happy expression, while chuckling and sitting down again.
"Taking my lines...how unoriginal baka."
"Hehe, well I guess you like it better than my ramen idea?"
"...Possibly. But didn't you say this was boring?"
Her question was answered by a kiss to her forehead, "Spending time with you will always make anything amazing, Sakura-chan."
She felt her cheeks flare to his words, but she didn't care to hide it,"Baka."
Still holding hands, they looked through the nest of leaves to make out the sparks of some of the brightest stars in the night.
'I won't let you down, Ero-sennin.'