Discovering Myself
Summary: Do you ever get that feeling where you might be missing something important? You know, it's on the tip of your tongue but it just won't come out? I get that feeling everyday. It's plagued me day in, day out for almost five years now…
Disclaimer: This is a Fan-fiction story of the Anime & Manga series; Naruto and the game; Final Fantasy VII and is in no way affiliated with the actual series. All characters and other materials related to the show that are used are not intended to infringe on any Copyrights. Elemental-Zer0 takes sole responsibility for any mistakes or offence that may be taken but truly not meant.
However, this story plot and all Characters not affiliated with the show are Copyright © 2010 to Elemental-Zer0.
Warnings: Welcome to the Zer0-Express line where action and adventure await. Step inside and take a seat as we journey to a place where the words may be harmful, the mysteries are hazardous and the potato chips just plain suck – sorry not a lot we can do, they're from our sponsor.
A/N: Ok, this is getting difficult to keep the chapters long enough to be chapters but still keeping the two worlds in separate chapters… Don't be alarmed if I suddenly write about both in the same chapter, peeps… I may have to revert to it if this keeps up.
As always, let me know what you think, but no flames please. If you have any criticism to make please do it politely otherwise I shall ignore your words. (It's happened before, I'm sorry to say, and I hadn't even posted any chapters…)
Chapter Three: Dare to dream again?
'It's possible that he did live… and still lives now.'
'…a rescue mission cannot be detailed.'
'…Ambassador team…'
Sasuke was slowly putting the details into place through his sluggish mind. The thought that Naruto might still be alive, having shocked his system into a state of slow motion. But he still picked up the underlined message before the others, except maybe Shikamaru.
"If Naruto's alive and in the Warrior lands… then why hasn't he made contact or tried to get home yet?" He voiced his thoughts aloud, letting Shikamaru know he'd finally found the hidden message. Sakura frowned as the thought hit her too.
"Are they keeping him prisoner?" Ino asked, slightly shocked at the sudden revelation. Sasuke scowled at the thought and silently vowed that he'd find and personally dissect the assholes who would even think about keeping his long lost friend prisoner in a foreign land.
"There is a possibility that he's being kept prisoner." Shikamaru confirmed, not letting his step falter. "But don't assume anything. It might be that he just didn't want to come home yet. The scrolls Jiraiya gave us didn't have a lot of information on Naruto's situation, only a few confirmed and reliable witnesses saying they'd seen someone of Naruto's description around the Warrior Lands." He finished just as he jumped off the last branch of the forest they'd used to travel out of Konoha. They were in Suna territory now and even though they were expected and welcome, he could still sense hidden eyes watching their every move. Such is the way of the Ninja life.
Sasuke scowled harder. "Someone of Naruto's description…? That doesn't prove it was Naruto they saw! This is just some wild goose chase!" The boy exclaimed, uncaring of who heard. His hopes had been tested and pushed too far this time. How dare they make him think he'd see his friend again after so many years of mourning his supposed death!
"The witnesses were shown a picture of Naruto, they confirmed it was him. 'No one else has a necklace like that in this area.' Did you not read the reports Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked, he was still not completely trustful of the boy who'd defected in order to avenge the deaths of his family, why Naruto –a treasured friend of his– would stand up for such a coward Shikamaru would never know. Sasuke knew that he blamed him for Naruto's 'death' and the boy knew he wasn't going to forgive him easily either. The tension between the two could be cut with a kunai.
Sakura frowned harder. The Shodaime's necklace was a one of its kind deal and Naruto was currently the owner of said necklace. She trusted Jiraiya to know when to believe and when to speculate too. If he truly believed Naruto was alive… She could too. But the thought still hurt; why hadn't he come home yet?
"Maybe he felt he could be of more use there." Ino spoke up, successfully breaking the tension and redirecting the conversation to a safer topic. Shikamaru took the hint and nodded his acknowledgement of the idea;
"The Warrior lands are in a state of fluctuation with regards to organised governing." He mused aloud. "It's also possible they're blackmailing him to remain. Whatever the situation, we're going there to help. Not make it worse understood?" He stated. Being the only one of Jounin rank he was the captain of the Konoha team.
The team replied in unison;
"Hai."
Sakura did not like the look of the two Ame nin that were to accompany them to the Warrior Lands. The two; Yokato, Hirade and Fukoto, Tomoyo of Ame-gakure, were the most abrasive people she'd ever met and that included Naruto who could be the most abrasive person alive at times. She took an instant dislike to them the second they looked at her friends and sneered.
Shikamaru had shook his head ever so slightly, imploring that his team ignore the contemptuous looks and continue as though they had done when entering the City of Sand; coolly and professionally. 'Be the bigger man,' Kakashi-sensei had used to say on missions like this. Her heart leapt for a moment as the memory took her in; Kakashi-sensei had been talking to Naruto that day, explaining how to be insulting without actually insulting anyone. She pictured her lost team mate's confused look and frustrated frown as he tried to understand what his sensei was trying to teach him but Naruto had never been one to beat around the bush, he was always so brash and direct. He wore his heart on his sleeve. A trait that could kill a Ninja but his will power and determination had always compensated for that loss of deception. Naruto was a class all of his own.
'Could he really still be alive? I want to believe he is but… why hasn't he contacted us? He's not the type to just sit tight and wait for a rescue… and what could they have over him to keep him quiet and remain with them?' She didn't understand. The Naruto she knew would have been home years ago… 'Dare I believe?'
"Sakura-chan?" She was woken from her thoughts by Temari who had noticed that she was lagging behind the group deep in thought. "Is something the matter?" She asked, genuinely concerned about the younger kunoichi.
"I'm just worried that this mission is going to be a big disappointment. I don't think I could cope with the heart ache if it is." She admitted, just as they reached Gaara's office.
"Naruto is strong. I've no doubt he is still alive." A monotonous voice stated from behind them. Sakura half jumped only to discover Gaara himself wearing his Kage robes with Kankarou behind him who would be minding the Kazekage's duties while Gaara was indisposed.
"I'm sure there's a good reason for it all, but if Gaara says he's alive, then Naruto-san is alive. You'll find out the why's and how's on the mission, ok?" The deputy Kazekage said with a smile. Sakura gave a small smile in return, but deep down inside she still wasn't convinced.
"We leave tomorrow at first light. Rest for now, we have a hard mission ahead of us." Gaara stated with little emotion behind his voice but if you looked closely, you could see his eyes brewing up a storm of emotions. Sakura closed her eyes; 'That's right,' she thought, 'I'm not the only one hoping for a miracle.'