Sad departure Jiraiya slowly weaved his way through the crowded streets of Konoha. He was amazed how many came this year to watch the exam, nearly double than the previous year. Then again, everyone wanted to see how much the Uchiha kid grew. He was currently going to meet the blonde ninja named Naruto. He was impressed as he watched the kid beat the young Inuzuka. He wasn't very skilled, but he really knew how to think on his feet.
Jiraiya was honestly impressed by most of the Konoha genin. Shikamaru would be a great general one day, Hell, he was smarter than his dad was at that age. Sasuke was on a whole different level. Even compared to other Uchiha he was quite talented at that age. Both Hyuuga were strong fighters, but the princess needed the killer edge that her male counterpart contained.
Jiraiya hung his head low when thinking about the young student of Guy. He fought hard, but he just couldn't beat the sand ninja. Jiraiya was more than sure that he would have made quick work of any other genin. He was defeated mercilessly and Jiraiya could sense that some of his bones were crushed. The sand genin had an evil look in his eyes... and he looked angry that the fight was stopped. He'd have to keep his eyes on the young Jinchuuriki.
Jiraiya's train of thought was interrupted as he heard some ladies giggling. He looked up and saw that he was near the hot baths. His eyes were filled with lust as a creepy smiled filled his face. "Research is calling my name!"
Jiraiya nimbly jumped towards the bathhouse. He peeked around and made sure that no one was looking at him. He turned around and started peeking in through a hole he put in it a couple months ago. The Sannin giggled and drooled as he peeked.
"What are you doing, pervert!"
The voice caused Jiraiya to jump. Jiraiya turned in embarrassment slowly. "Just a little research..." Jiraiya opened his eyes and saw a mop of blonde in front of him. The orange outfit that he wore clearly gave off who the kid was.
"Research my butt, you were peeking in on th- mmmph!" Jiraiya shot his hand forward and covered Naruto's mouth as people started looking at the duo. Naruto spit on his hand, causing the Sannin to quickly move it. "Do that again and I'll kick your ass!"
"Please, you couldn't land a single punch on me," the Sannin muttered.
The blond ninja growled at the remark. "I could too!" he argued.
Jiraiya pointed at Naruto with a scowl on his face. "Could not!" he yelled immaturely.
Naruto mimicked his stance and facial expression. "Could too!"
"Could not!"
"Could too!"
"Could-" Jiraiya hung his head in shame. Why was he arguing with a twelve year old? He stood up and stretched. He then folded his arms. Jiraiya flashed a toothy smile as he stared at the kid. "Prove it."
Naruto growled at the old geezer. He smirked and lowered himself. "I hope your fast, old man!" Naruto jumped at Jiraiya. When he was inches from landing his attack, the ninja moved to the left causing the boy to crash to the ground.
Jiraiya smirked. He turned to the boy. "Told ya," he joked with his arms still folded.
Naruto jumped up. "That was practice," he said whilst blushing. "Now I got you!" He ran at the man, but he yawned and kindly jumped over Naruto. Naruto swung too hard and lost his balance. He fell forward, and Jiraiya landed in front of him. He knelt towards him until there nose were nearly touching.
"Wanna get strong like me?" Jiraiya whispered in his ear cooly. He heard about Naruto's obsession with cool, strong Shinobi and... Hell he definitely fit the description. Not to mention he was a total magnet for the ladies. And a writer of a best selling series. Not to mention the fact that he was a sage. That would make him much too cool. But then again, if you have the bosoms, don't hide them-
"Stop looking at me with that creepy face!" Jiraiya's train of thought was interrupted by the sudden outburst. He opened his eyes... when did they close? He saw Naruto stood pointing at him. His face looked angry. His features softened slightly and a fire shone in his eyes. "But will you really teach me?"
Jiraiya approached the kid and ruffled his hair. "Of course! I'll make you the strongest Shinobi that ever existed!"
Naruto was filled with excitement. He grinned and looked up at the old figure. Jiraiya stared into the blue eyes of the young Shinobi. Looking into his eyes filled Jiraiya with a mix of emotions, ranging from sad to hurt. He also felt regret. A lot of regret.
"When do we start? Right now?" Naruto excitedly stared at Jiraiya with a wide grin on his face.
Jiraiya flicked his hand at the boy. "No, kid we leave in an hour. Go pack a light bag, only with the necessities." Jiraiya hopped on the roof of a building as he spoke. "Go speak to your friends. You won't be returning until it's time for the exam. While I, have some research to do." Jiraiya hopped away from Naruto giggling and smiling.
"Man... he is soooo cool!"Naruto said happily. " I have to tell Sakura and Sasuke!" With that, Naruto created a clone. "You, go pack!" he told him as he ran in the opposite direction. XxxoxxX
Sakura and Ino sat on the edge of team seven's usual training field. They were watching Sasuke train. He was currently throwing kunai at targets spread across the field and hitting every mark. His Sharingan blazed wildly as he practiced.
Sakura sighed. All Sasuke ever did was train now. Getting beat so easily during the exams put a toll on his ego.
"What's wrong Forehead?" Ino shoved Sakura's arm playfully. After their match in the exams, they rekindled their childhood friendship.
"It's just," Sakura sighed again, " He's always in the zone. He doesn't speak to me anymore or nothing. All he does is train.
"Ino glanced at him with a smirk. "I don't know about you, but I could do this all day." As if on cue, Sasuke stopped training and removed his shirt, causing both girls to shriek. Sasuke glared at the girls, but with his Sharingan and six pack abs was just too much for the duo. Both girls fell to the ground with hearts on their eyes.
Sasuke suddenly looked up from the girls. "What's the Dobe doing headed here?"Sasuke asked himself. He thought that Naruto was training with some Sensei he never heard of.
"Hey guys!" Naruto ran towards his companions waving. Sakura and Ino woke from their daze as they heard the loud boy.
"Hey Naruto!" Ino yelled as she waved. She actually liked the kid. He was nice, and their weren't much blondes that she knew so she felt he was like family.
"What do you want?" Sasuke spit at Naruto.
Naruto continued grinning. He hopped from foot to foot, looking very excited. "I have a new Sensei!" He yelled after trying to hold it in.
"Duh, I saw you with Ebisu-Sensei earlier," Sakura said in an annoyed tone.
Naruto rapidly shook his head. "Naw, he was weak. My new Sensei is way cooler." Naruto beamed widely, causing Ino to blush at his cute expression.
"Who is it?" Ino asked. Sasuke walked to were the girls were sitting and grabbed a water bottle. Although Sasuke didn't admit it, he wanted to hear as well. Both girls nearly had heart attacks as his sweat dripped. Kami must have blessed them as his sweat touched each girl on the cheek. They both fainted to the ground whilst sighing his name.
Naruto snickered for a few seconds, his eyes held shut. "His name is Jiraiya!"
Ino's face went from a smile to a look of shock. Sakura looked at him with disbelief, and Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Jiraiya the Sannin?" The two girls yelled as they sprung off the ground. Naruto nodded with his big goofy smile. "That is soo cool Naruto!" Ino yelled. "Can you get his autograph for me? Tell him to come by the shop sometime!" Naruto nodded. "I promise." He then turned to Sakura.
"I won't be back in a month." Naruto blushed slightly and pushed his fingers together, sort of like a certain Hyuuga that they knew. "Would you mind going on a date with me?"
Sakura looked at the boy with a disgusted frown plastered on her face. "I would never go on a date with you Naruto. I have my Sasuke." She turned away from Naruto and eyed 'her' Sasuke.
Naruto drooped for a few seconds. He suddenly straightened up. Naruto walked up to the raven haired genin. Sasuke watched each step that he made, getting more irritated with each click of his sandals.
When Naruto was a few feet away from him, he removed his shirt. Although Naruto wasn't skinny, he was not nearly as defined as Sasuke. His four pack was overshadowed by Sasuke's six abs. His arms were slimmer as well. S
asuke smirked at the kid. "Your finally coming out of the closet, huh?" he teased. The two girls giggled at the remark, causing Naruto to grow red in the face.
Naruto glared and pointed at Sasuke, stomping his left foot. "Shut it, cry baby!" Sasuke tensed as the boy called him that. Naruto flexed his right biced and grabbed it. "I'm just seeing how evenly matched we are. I promise that when I come, I'll be stronger than you!" Naruto flexed his muscles to prove a point.
Sasuke growled. "You want to see how far behind you are, huh?" Sasuke leaned back, to where his hair shadow was covering his eyes. He smiled wide, looking more like a wolf than a boy. " Come get your ass kicked." Sasuke slowly demanded.
Sasuke's Sharingan spun wildly as he taunted his rival. Naruto smirked at Sasuke. "You're on!" he said as he walked to the center of the training field. Sasuke's anger rose with each step. Once there, Naruto turned and faced Sasuke. He fell into a crouched, clumsy stance."You're going down!"
Naruto widened his eyes as his rival suddenly appeared in front of him. He felt his ramen from two days ago (his last meal now that he thought about it) turn as Sasuke punched him in the stomach. His jaw was clenched shut as Sasuke kicked him in the face. Before Naruto could prepare himself, Sasuke ran and grabbed him by his neck.
As Naruto stared into his eyes, he could only see death. Naruto clawed at Sasuke to no avail, as the boy seemed to not feel it. Sasuke reached back and punched Naruto in his face. He did it again and again, ruthlessly beating the kid and causing him to shriek in pain.
"S-Sasuke stop!" Sakura yelled as she saw her teammate brutally beating her other. She wanted to stop them, but she could see in Sasuke's eyes that he wasn't focused on anything but Naruto. Purple lightning phased around the duo lightly. Ino covered her ears and ran away after hearing Naruto yell out for the umpteenth time.
"Do you understand now, Naruto?" Sasuke yelled as he shoved the ninja to the ground. "You will never be as strong as me!" He kicked Naruto in the side, causing him to slide on the grass. "I am an Uchiha! The strongest of all clans!" Sasuke gripped Naruto by the neck and lifted him into the air again. Sasuke cocked a fist back. He let loose a mighty roar in tune with the lightning as he swung back at Naruto.
Sasuke was shocked as his fist stopped moving. He looked to the left and saw Naruto was gripping his fist with his hand. Naruto's hand shook as he held Sasuke's fist in place. He and Sasuke glared at each other, one face full of sadness, the other full of hate.
"What the..." Sasuke looked into Naruto's eyes and froze. In place of the usual blue eyes, he saw a pair of feline eyes staring back at him. his eyes were filled of water, yet Sasuke felt as if he were the one in danger. The ferocity of the boys expression was enough to scare a seasoned Jonin. A light cloak of red slowly crept around his figure. After a minute of silence, Naruto finally spoke. "Why do you hate me so much?" Naruto asked in a low whisper.
Both Sasuke and Sakura flinched as they heard a darker, deadlier tone over his voice. His eyes were full of tears as he stared into the eyes of Sasuke. It was almost as if Sasuke was looking past him.
Sasuke watched amazed as he saw the wounds of Naruto slowly healing. The flesh sizzled slightly as they closed, leaving not even a scar. 'What the hell is he?' He silently wondered.
Sasuke slowly loosened his grip on Naruto. The blonde ninja fell to the ground with a thud. Naruto gripped onto the grass and his cloak dispersed as he gasped for air. Sasuke turned and swiftly walked away from Naruto, his eyes still spinning.
"Naruto..." Sakura whispered. She looked between Naruto and Sasuke. Tears fell down her face as she watched the scene unfold. "S-Sasuke!" Sakura then took off running behind the raven haired Shinobi.
This stung Naruto, he felt his heart tear apart. Naruto was left sitting alone in the middle of the training field, sobbing and coughing harder than ever. He was leaving and this is how his friends treat him? He cried and cried, not even realizing that his new Sensei sat in the tree and watched the scenario unfold. His heart was heavy as he sternly glared at his apprentice.
"Oh Naruto... Minato... I'm so sorry..."
XxxoxxX
Jiraya sat at the gates of Konoha. He was a few minutes early waiting for his new pupil. He watched a butterfly dance in the air as he waited. The purple and blue insect was a beautiful rare breed indeed. He couldn't remember their name, but he knew that they were very protective of their young. Their saliva contains a poisonous mixture that stuns insects. The saliva touching a human would only result in a slight sting, as well as a temporary scar. It is believed that an individual stung between the eyes amass a great power. Coincidentally, he and his two former teammates each were stung in the spot when he accidentally knocked a tree down while training, disturbing a frenzy of sleeping parents.
"So, you're training Naruto?"
Jiraiya turned towards the voice. He saw Kakashi Hatake looking at him with his hands in his pockets. Kakashi stared at the man with a lazy look.
"Yep. You should be happy, you never seemed to care about him anyways." Kakashi visually flinched. He looked to the ground as he thought about his Sensei.
"At least I was there for him." It was Jiraiya's turn to flinch. He also looked to the ground in thought of his favorite student.
Kakashi sighed. He turned away from Jiraiya. He leaned to the left foot and glanced slightly over his shoulder. "Orochimaru did something to his seal, his chakra isn't flowing right. I'm sure that you can fix it."
Jiraiya nodded. "Will do. I'll see you in a month, Kakashi."
Kakashi simply jumped away, preferring not to respond. Jiraiya sighed. Would Kakashi ever accept him? The cold shoulder was really getting annoying. "Damn Kakashi... Always gotta ruin the mood..." Jiraiya grumbled as he glared to the side at nothing. He patted up and down his outfit. "Him and his lazy ..." Jiraiya brightened as he felt what he was looking for. He smiled as he withdrew a small silver flask. He giggled as he clumsily unscrewed it. "But sake can always brighten it!"
Jiraiya paused as he saw Naruto approaching him with his travel pack on his back. He jumped, causing the flask to fly into the air. He panicked and tried to catch it, but it kept slipping. After a few seconds, he caught it and stuffed it in his pockets. "Heheh, sorry about that buddy."Jiraiya appologized nervously at his student. Naruto slowly trudged past him, as if Jiraiya wasn't there.
"Well that's rude..." Jiraiya noticed that the boy seemed to be in a trance. His eyes were red and puffy, his steps slow and steady. "The hell is his pro-" Jiraiya felt like slapping himself. He almost forgot about the encounter with Naruto's teammates.
Naruto stopped walking and slowly turned towards Jiraiya. "I'm ready when you are," he drawled out quietly.
Jiraiya sighed. He wasn't that good at cheering people up, unless it was a woman that needed to be taken care of. "I'm ready to go kid. Follow me." Jiraiya said as he took to the trees.
Naruto turned and looked at his hometown. He fixed his face into a determined expression. "You will acknowledge me..." He grumbled as he followed his teacher into the trees.
XxxoxxX
Man... It took me a looong time to update it seems. I'm working on two other Naruto stories and I'm getting my ass kicked. But I hope to keep my fans happy, so hopefully I'll update soon. Also, I'm going to jump forward a couple days. What happens during those days will be seen in flashbacks. Special thanks to gamelover41592 for correcting my error. You're the best!