Hey, I'm finally back. I'm sorry it took so long. With my MCAT exam only about a month away, I've been finding it hard to sneak a chapter out under my parents' noses (I'm in serious lockdown mode. I swear I'm busier during this summer than I ever am at school, irony, right?).
I hope I made this chapter right, considering the subject matter being addressed. It took me a good long while to feel satisfied with what I came up with. I have to thank Waterdog for helping me piece out things that could be addressed during Minato and Naruto's arguments. You really helped me out, and for that, I'm really thankful.
The last chapter got 43 reviews. I was really happy about that. None of my other stories have been as well-received as this one, I'd say. I'm glad you all are enjoying it.
You know I'm beginning to wonder just how much Naruto I have on my mind. Just the other day I saw the word 'sharing' and instantly thought Sharingan. Sad, isn't it? Ah well, that just means more ideas in the future for me, right? *snerk*
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, Naruto would have already kicked Sasuke's ass and humbled him.
Chapter 13: Dissonance
"So what is it that you wanted to talk with me about, Sensei?" Kakashi asked Minato as they stood in front of the Memorial Stone. He frowned as he saw the seriousness in Minato's eyes. Whatever Minato had to say, he had a feeling it was big.
"You ought to reconsider the nominations for the Chuunin Exams," the former Hokage finally spoke, startling the masked Jounin.
"Why?" he asked. That had been the last thing he had expected to hear from the Yondaime Hokage.
"It's too dangerous," Kakashi's former sensei stated gravely.
"There are always going to be the chance of danger in the Chuunin Exams, Sensei. You ought to know that as much as I do. I don't understand your worry. Naruto is more than ready for them. You've trained him that well," Kakashi protested.
"There are dangers in this Exam far greater than those normally faced," Minato grounded out. "Naruto's already caught the interest of an Iwa tea led by none other than Kyougyoku Jin."
Kakashi's eyes widened at the mention of the dangerous Iwa Jounin. Nevertheless, he didn't let that piece of information throw him off.
"I'm sure Sandaime-sama knows the risk. He won't let the Iwa nin get away with much. Naruto should be safe."
"They're in the Exam, Kakashi! What if they try something during it? They can justify any harm done to Naruto as being a part of the test!" Minato fretted.
Sighing, Kakashi ran a hand through his silver hair. "You're worrying over speculations, Sensei. This is Naruto that we're talking about. He'll be fine," he declared.
Minato was getting irritated by Kakashi's callousness. Couldn't he see that Team 7 was in over their heads?
"They're not ready," Minato insisted. "They hardly work as a team unit and that will be their downfall."
"They pull together when it counts, Sensei," Kakashi stated, eye narrowing. "You've seen that for yourself. Now are you going to stop looking at this through the eyes of an overprotective father and start looking at it through the eyes of a shinobi?"
The Yondaime Hokage didn't take those words very well. His eyes turned to chips of ice. "Are you telling me, Kakashi, that you think my ability to make judgments s flawed?"
"At this moment and time, yes," Kakashi responded bluntly. "I don't need you to tell me what my team is and is not capable of. I'm well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. I already used most of my energy showing Iruka that Team 7 is ready. I don't need to do the same thing with you."
"I can see just fine, Kakashi, and what I see is that Team 7 does not have what it takes to get through this Exam!" Minato yelled. It was a lie. The Exam itself wasn't the problem but Minato knew that if they participated, they would get stuck in the center of the entire Sound-Sand invasion and the Yondaime Hokage didn't want that. It was the war that Minato didn't think they were ready for.
Minato heard a gasp from behind him and turned to see Naruto staring at him with eyes full of hurt and betrayal.
'Shit… this is going to get messy,' Kakashi thought to himself, recalling some of Minato and Kushina's legendary arguments.
"We don't have what it takes," Naruto repeated Minato's words as anger overcame the hurt. "Is that really what you think, Tou-san? D you think us so weak that we can't stand up to the other Genin?"
"Damn it, Naruto, that's not it!" the Yondaime Hokage exclaimed, looking frazzled.
"Then tell me, what's going on in that head of yours. You told me ages ago that you thought we were ready for the Chuunin Exams, or was that all a lie to make me feel better? I thought you believed in me, Tou-san!" Naruto exclaimed. The last person he had ever expected to doubt his abilities was Minato. He'd always been Naruto's strongest believer, staying by his side and keeping Naruto's spirits high despite all of the adversity. Hearing him so vehemently say otherwise was a major blow.
"That was before I knew of all of the complications that come with this particular Exam!" the ex-Hokage admitted.
"So that gives you every right to try to dictate the way my life goes? Can't you just trust me? Whatever obstacle comes in our way, I'll crush it. You know I can do it, Tou-san, you know it," Naruto spoke, voice almost pleading. He was desperate for his father's reassurance. The thought that the older blonde didn't have faith in him… Naruto didn't want to accept it.
"Not this time," was the Yellow Flash's grave response.
Pain flared in Naruto's heart as he balled his hands up into fists. He looked down, trying to reign in his emotions without much luck.
"I see…" he finally spoke in a dull voice before turning away from Minato.
"Please understand, Naruto…" the Yondaime began, reaching out for the upset Jinchuuriki.
"I don't want to hear it," Naruto shot back coldly as he subconsciously suppressed the sea enough to draw Minato back in. He couldn't bear to look at his father right now. It hurt too much.
Kakashi watched all of this sadly. 'This time, you were wrong, Sensei. Your overprotective nature came with a price,' he thought as he reached out for his upset student. "Naruto…" he spoke aloud, clasping a comforting hand on the diminutive boy's shoulder.
Naruto turned to look at Kakashi, normally vibrant blue eyes dim with sadness. This was the closest the Copy Nin had ever seen Naruto get to tears.
Eye softening with compassion, Kakashi wrapped his arms around the boy, offering him the comfort he so desperately needed.
Naruto clung to Kakashi tightly, trembling ever so slightly. Kakashi didn't even make a comment when he felt Naruto's tears wet his jacket.
Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha, not caring about the fact that he was getting drenched by the heavy rain.
He had gone home after parting ways with Kakashi but the apartment had felt too quiet and empty. He'd been too accustomed to having Minato's presence beside him to quell the loneliness. Feeling stifled, Naruto had left it to wander the streets. Sakuya was following him silently, whimpering as she detected her 'mother's' negative emotions.
Naruto turned to her and gave her a small, half-hearted smile.
"You should go to Shikamaru right now, Sakuya-chan. I'm not a very good playmate right now," he told her, stroking her damp fur gently.
Sakuya just whined and jumped into Naruto's arms. The blonde looked surprised before the expression softened.
"So you want to keep me company, hm? I guess I can handle that," he mused, grateful for her companionship.
"Yare, yare, if it isn't Naru-chan," a voice rang out and Naruto turned to see the three Iwa Genin approaching him.
Clutching Sakuya a little tighter to him, he gave them a wary look. "What do you guys want?" he asked.
"Nothing, really," Daichi responded. "We just thought you looked like you needed some company. You look awfully lonely."
"Thanks for the concern, but I'm fine," Naruto shot back, starting to walk away. The Iwa nin followed.
"Don't be like that, Naru-chan. We just want to be friends," Osamu stated as they all flanked the small blonde.
"Don't call me that!" Naruto snapped angrily. Hearing that nickname made him think of Minato too much.
"Did we hit a nerve?" Michiru asked, not sounding all that repentant. She would have been pretty if it wasn't for the ugly smirk on her face.
"Shut up," Naruto shot back, growing more and more ill-tempered the more time he spent being hounded by the persistent foreigners. "What did I ever do to you guys anyways? You just won't stop bothering me."
"You fascinate us," Daichi remarked, eyeing Naruto in interest. "As I said before, you have very exotic features for a Konoha native."
"It's not that weird," Naruto protested. "Just look at the Yamanakas."
"There's no dispute that blonde hair and blue eyes is a trend for the Yamanaka clan," Osamu agreed. "But you're not a Yamanaka. Besides, your hair is a much more vibrant compared to their platinum blonde color. You are unique."
"Well, I'm not some sort of freak show, so if you don't mind, buzz off!" Naruto scowled, fed up with all of their crap. He just wanted to be left alone. Was that too much to ask?
"Where's the fun in that?" Daichi quipped before glowering at Sakuya, who hadn't stopped growling at the three teammates since they'd begun to hound Naruto. "Your little pet fox is beginning to annoy me." He reached out a hand as if he was going to silence Sakuya himself.
Sakuya bit him, causing the Iwa nin to swear. "Son of a - !" he growled. "That fox of yours doesn't like anybody!"
"That's not true," Naruto huffed. "She just doesn't like people I don't like. She likes Shikamaru just fine."
"You mean that pony-tailed boy that the fox came with when we last met?" Michiru inquired. "He looked rather pathetic to me… you actually like the kid?"
"Shikamaru isn't pathetic!" Naruto defended his friend irately.
"You seem quite protective of him," Daichi mused with a malicious smile as he backed Naruto up into a corner. "Do you like him that much? I, frankly, don't think he's worth your attention."
"Oh? You think you are?" Naruto countered with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes," Daichi shot back as he invaded Naruto's personal space. "I do. I could do a whole lot more for you than that loser."
That was when a kunai shot out, grazing Daichi's cheek before lodging itself into the wall next to Naruto's head.
"Get away from the dobe. Now," a familiar voice growled out and the Iwa nin saw an irate Sasuke standing there.
Daichi sneered at Sasuke but he backed away obediently. The Uchiha looked ready to kill him right then and there.
Turning back to Naruto, he smirked. "I guess I'll be seeing you guys at the Chuunin Exams," he stated before he and his teammates made a hasty departure.
Naruto stared at Sasuke, stunned. He hadn't expected him of all people to come to his aid.
"Hn, wipe that look off your face. You look like an idiot," Sasuke told Naruto sharply. "What were you doing out in the rain all alone anyways?"
"I just needed time to think," Naruto admitted. "And I wasn't alone. I had Sakuya-chan with me."
"Like she's adequate protection," Sasuke stated sarcastically. "Those Iwa nin have fixated on your for some odd reason. You need to be careful."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Naruto huffed. "Why does it matter to you? It's not like you care about me."
Sasuke glared at Naruto. "You're my teammate, dobe. It's a given that I'd have to watch over you, stupid as you are. You couldn't do your thinking at home?"
"It was too… empty," Naruto remarked, a bit more sedate, ignoring the slight.
It didn't take much for Sasuke to understand Naruto's feelings. 'He was lonely,' Sasuke realized. It seemed that despite Naruto's optimistic bravado, his lack of a family to go home to did bother him every once in a while. Despite himself, Sasuke felt a slight bout of kinship with the Jinchuuriki because of that.
"Well, there's no point in you staying out here and catching a cold, usoratonkachi. That's the last thing we need with the Chuunin Exams right around the corner," he stated, beckoning for the blonde to follow him.
'This place is like a ghost town,' Naruto thought to himself as he followed Sasuke through the hauntingly empty streets of the Uchiha district. 'How does he handle living here without going insane? What do you think Tou-'
Naruto broke off that train of thought with a rapid shake of his head. He didn't want to think about his two-faced father at that moment and time.
"Is something wrong, dobe?" Sasuke asked, noticing his odd behavior.
"No," Naruto denied. "I was just thinking, that's all."
"That's a first," Sasuke snorted.
"Shut up!" Naruto retorted with a pout, causing Sasuke to chuckle in amusement. Naruto was so easy to rile up.
"We're here," he announced as they arrived at his home. "Wait here. I'll get you a towel and some dry clothes. You look like you need a hot shower, drenched as you are."
"Thanks," Naruto remarked. It looked like Sasuke had a nice side under all of that arrogance.
Twenty minutes later, Naruto walked out of the bathroom, completely dry and looking like he was drowning in Sasuke's clothes.
He flushed in embarrassment at the amused smirk on Sasuke's face.
"Stop looking at me like that. It's not my fault that your clothes are too big," Naruto sulked.
"You're just very small," Sasuke shot back. "You're one of the tiniest Genin in the village."
"Shut up," the Jinchuuriki complained with a pout. He didn't know why he was so short. It certainly wasn't through Minato's side. His Tou-san was pretty tall.
Naruto faltered once more.
'Stop thinking about him!' he reprimanded himself. He hated how much of his life his father seemed to consume.
"You're sulking again," Sasuke commented with a raised eyebrow.
"No I'm not," Naruto denied, looking away from his teammate. Sasuke rolled his eyes at the childish display.
"Just tell me what's bugging you already," Sasuke demanded. "it's getting irritating watching you space out like that for no reason."
Naruto stewed for a moment before finally speaking. "Do you think Kakashi-sensei is right?" he inquired.
"Right about what?" Sasuke replied, sounding confused.
"That we're ready for the Chuunin Exams," Naruto elaborated.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow in incredulity. "I never thought I'd see the day that the ever optimistic Uzumaki Naruto would lose faith in himself."
"It's not that," Naruto denied the seeds of doubt that had been planted by his father's words. "I was just wondering, that's all."
"Then stop wondering," Sasuke stated simply. "Whoever made you think that we weren't ready is an idiot. You know we are."
"I guess you're right," Naruto agreed, letting his doubts fade for the time being. Then he chuckled. "You know something? This is the first time I've heard you talk so much."
"Don't get used to it," Sasuke snorted. "Somebody had to knock some sense back into you, usoratonkachi."
Naruto gave out a dry laugh, looking down at Sakuya, who was currently napping in his lap. "Yeah, I guess you've got a point there."
"Just cheer up, dobe, and leave the brooding to me," Sasuke informed the sedate blonde, causing Naruto to quirk a small, amused smile.
"I can do that," he stated. Maybe Sasuke didn't have a stick up his ass… well, maybe not as big as the one Naruto had imagined at least.
"It's getting late. I'll show you to a guest room," Sasuke declared before the two pre-teen Genin settled for the night.
As Sasuke lay in bed, he couldn't help but smirk. It looked like he'd just taken the first successful step in earning Naruto's trust. If things progressed like he wanted, Naruto would be his in no time…
A/N: Tell me what you think. I tried my best with it, hope I didn't disappoint.
I've got a few plot bunnies. I wanted to know what you guys think of them (debating which ones I should shelve for the time being and which one I can perhaps start bringing to life):
Crossover: Naruto and Digimon Tamers.
13-years ago (around time of the Kyuubi attack) in the Tamers world, Takato gets attacked (after defeating Parasimon) and sent into a different dimension where the Hazard plays interference and changes him into one Umino Iruka
During the Chuunin Exams, Takato gets his memories back
How will he handle being both a Tamer and a shinobi while trying to find a balance between his two identities
Pairing: KakaIru
Crossover: Harry Potter and Naruto
Minato and James Potter were friends in the past
During Harry's fifth year, Minato gets resurrected by Orochimaru and Voldemort's joint efforts; he has no memory and is like their puppet
Naruto and Jiraiya put training mission on hold to go to wizard world and deal with situation
During encounter with Minato, Minato kidnaps Naruto (recognizing his importance to him)
Naruto story
Pairing: NejiNaru
Neji and Naruto go on a mission together to investigate a crime syndicate (or something)
Turns out leader likes blondes (so Naruto disguises himself as Naruko)
Leader ends up being more dangerous than expected, leaving Naruto at his mercy
Neji has to find and save Naruto
So I've got a bit of a rough sketch of them. Tell me what you think. (hoping that at least a couple of them are worth actually writing…)