The Battles Within
It was like nothing they had seen before, like a small sun fell to earth from the sky & everybody noticed it, especially the Hokage. In an odd twist of fate, it landed nearby & she knew she had to investigate before anybody else could. Tsunade, along with Shizune & their pet pig Tonton, run down the stairs & quickly head for the still flaming crater left in the ground near the Hokage Residence. They come to see that they weren't the only ones who saw it, & somehow they weren't the 1st to arrive as several other ninja & a herd of civilians crowd around the mysterious flames out of curiousity.
As Tsunade approaches, the flames start to recede. Most of the people step back, except for a few civilians whose curiousity is clouding their judgment. "Shizune, retrieve some water to put out this flame.", she orders. She does as she is told & runs off, coming back quickly with a pair of buckets full of water. Together, Tsunade & Shizune extinguish the flames & find a horrible sight. The civilians who are there either turn away in disgust or are frozen in shock. The lower ranked ninja start to try to move people away. Shizune is speechless, while Tsunade summons all her strength to react. It's difficult, because her eyes, along with everybody elses, are on the bloody, lifeless bodies of Sakura Haruno & Naruto Uzumaki.
She hadn't known how long it had been, thoughts sweeping through her mind's eye as she tries to figure it out. Had it been days, or weeks? Could she really have been in the hospital for months at a time? The sunlight was hurting her eyes, & they weren't even open, so she knew it had to have been for awhile. The familiar smell of antiseptic was ever present, but there was something else. Something different yet familiar all the same, the smell of cherry blossoms. Smelling that sent her mind into a frenzy, thought after thought crashing like a series of never ending waves before the chaos ended & Sakura's eyes shot open. "Naruto...", she remarked softly, her voice slightly trembling & weak from not being used.
She looked around for somebody, anybody that could tell her where Naruto was. For a moment, she saw nobody but then she heard a voice. "Hello?", she called out hoarsely. Sasuke Uchiha walked in & gave her a warm smile. Before he could say anything she asks, "Where's Naruto? Is he alright?", the small yet warm smile he had quickly faded when Sasuke heard Naruto's name. He watched as she sunk into the bed, tears swelling as she inquires, "Is...is he alive? Did...did he...did he make it?". She looks up at him, the look in her eyes silently begging him to tell her Naruto is at very least alive, to give her some shred of hope.
Sasuke sits next to her & states, "The Hokage...Tsunade says he is definitely alive. He's in a coma though, Tsunade says his chakra is wildly erratic & not even she understands why.". Sakura sits up a little, somewhat relieved but at the same time feeling as if she can't open her mouth without her insides being pushed out like her toothpaste through its tube. She breathes through her nose & nods, her lips pressed tightly together. "Relax Sakura, just relax. I'll tell Tsunade you woke up, that might give her something to smile about.", Sasuke says before patting her hand softly & leaving.
As she sits there, the same thoughts run through her mind. "It's all my fault. I should have done better. I should have done more. Now Naruto could die & it's my fault, my fault, MY FUCKING FAULT!". It repeats in her mind over & over again, seemingly forever, until she hears a knock on her door. Her head flies up in anticipation, but sinks down slightly when she sees it's Tsunade & Shizune. "Not happy to see us Sakura? We could come back another time.", the Hokage states as Shizune moves another chair near the hospital bed.
"No Lady Tsunade, I'm glad you're here.", Sakura says softly. After a long pause the 5th Hokage inquires, "But you wish we were Naruto, don't you?". Sakura nods quietly in agreement, getting the feeling again that if she talks her insides while erupt. "Medical-nin are constantly with him, working on finding out what's wrong with Naruto. There's not much more than can be done. The best thing you can do Sakura is relax & focus on getting better.". Sakura goes to talk, but before a word can come out she vomits, the smelly mess covering her bed. Without a word, Shizune runs off to get a nurse while Tsunade takes her student's hand. "I know you Sakura, & I am fairly sure you are blaming yourself for Naruto's situation. Don't, because I have no doubts that you did all you could for him. You risked your very life to bring him back here as quickly as possible. It is not your fault.".
As the nurse enters, Tsunade motions to Shizune that it is time to go. She waves goodbye to Sakura before following the Hokage out. All the while, Sakura doesn't know what to think. Is it her fault, or is Tsunade right when she says it isn't?
1 moment it is dark, the next it's bright. The blazing red versus the cool blue, each striking out against the other & neither backing down. Every blow dealt, every blast that's made, they send shockwaves through Naruto Uzumaki's being; all the way down to his very soul. The medical-nin don't know it, they can't see it & to them it is just an erratic chakra flow. The truth of the matter is that inside Naruto, there is a battle that has waged on for a long time. The 9-Tailed Demon Fox is not very happy with his new "companion", & even behind the seal created by Minato Namikaze he is able & more than willing to strike again the Sacred Spirit of Water, The Diamond Tortoise. The impact of every blow is felt by Naruto though, which adds to his suffering since he had already been run through by Sasori of the Red Sand.
The poison had been neutralized by Tsunade, & what could be done as far as repairing the physical damage had been done as well by Sakura, Shizune & Tsunade. Yet they all were still unsure as to why Naruto was as bad as he was. The Hokage had returned from another errand & came to discover that no progress had been made with Naruto. She turns to Shizune & asks, "How is Tsachi doing?", the Hokage's assistant & probably her best friend answers, "Well, when I saw him earlier he looked alright. He isn't 100% yet though, that much is sure.". Tsunade thinks quietly for a moment before commanding, "Bring Tsachi here, & get Sasuke as well Shizune. We need to talk.".
Awhile later; Tsunade, Tsachi & Sasuke are standing outside of Naruto's room. The Hokage doesn't look pleased with either of them. "Now, I waited for several reasons but I feel it is time to address what happened. So, Tsachi, care to explain why Naruto was with you when I expressly ordered him to stay?", she inquired coldly. Tsachi nods softly & takes a breath before answering, "I thought we would need him. While Naruto may be a target, he is an asset & one that we need against the Akatsuki.", Tsunade's lips purse together as she glares at him then replies, "That is not your call to make Tsachi! You are a Jonin, & you went not only over my head but you exceeded the authority of the Leaf Council & the Fire Lord himself! Do you realize that what you did could be construed as treason!".
Tsachi sighs & after a moment of silence responds, "Yes, I fully understand what I did. If you wish to execute me, lock me up, go ahead. I had my reasons though, & I stand beside them. However, it could just as easily been Sakura in that room, or Sasuke, or me. It could have been any of the 3 of us & you know it. It isn't though, it's Naruto, the 1 person out of any of us who could survive that. If it was Sakura, or Sasuke, or even me would we be alive right now?". Tsunade looks at Tsachi, his blue eyes sparkling like a bright flame as she answers, "I honestly do not know.". He steps closer to the Hokage & continues, "Neither do I, but if you could bet on any of the 4 of us to live, you'd put it all on Naruto every damn time. I would too, as would anybody who knows him. That is why he was there & if anybody has a problem with that, screw them.".
Tsachi turns to leave, Sasuke following him, before Tsunade grabs his arm & stops him. "We aren't done here yet Tsachi. You still need to tell me what happened during your fight with the Akatsuki". Tsachi sits down, & both Tsachi & Sasuke recount the epic battle between them & the Akatsuki member known simply as Deidara. "So that's what happened. Anything else Lady Hokage?", Tsachi inquires. As they get up again, Tsunade states, "Yes, there is something else. Come with me.".
The 3 of them walk into the room, their eyes falling onto Naruto rather quickly. "I need you to use your eyes. See if you can find something we have missed.", Tsunade urges sadly, failing to hide her emotion. Tsachi puts his hand on the shoulder of the Slug Princess & rubs it slowly, "Gladly Lady Tsunade.", he replies quietly. He activates his Rinnegan & steps toward Naruto, unable to believe what he sees.
A flash of red, a flash of blue, each colliding into the other. At first that is all Tsachi sees, until he is drawn in. The flashes take shapes, & soon he sees the 9-Tailed Demon Fox fighting the Diamond Tortoise. Claws flying at the shining blue shell before seeing it spin & crash into the Demon Fox. As he watches in amazement, at first he doesn't hear the cries of pain. When he does though, he looks down & sees Naruto doubled over in the fetal position, holding himself like he's being torn apart from the inside out. "it...it hurts...make it stop...", he moans painfully, almost unable to speak. Tsachi's hands start to glow with chakra & he touches Naruto on the back of his neck & his forehead, knocking him out.
Tsachi takes a deep breath & runs at the 2 captivating spirits, determined to help his friend & comrade no matter what. As he fights to separate them, Tsachi sees why Naruto was doubled over. The pain is excrutiating, practically unbareable. Tsunade, Sasuke & the medical-nin watch on from the outside; seeing Tsachi's intense focus on Naruto worrying them. They know whatever is happening isn't good. A moment later, Tsachi collapses, his head smacking against the bed & before he crumples onto the floor. Sasuke rushes over to him, while Tsunade is in a state of total disbelief.
Naruto sits up, but he's different; very different. His short, spiky blonde hair grew much longer & flowed down his back. His eyes were no longer blue, but a sparkling shade of green. The very shape of his body changed from fit & muscular to toned & curvy. The male medics became enchanted, so much so that they forgot that just a moment ago a teenage boy was in that bed. Now though, a stunning girl was there. She looked down & noticed she was naked, quickly covering herself with the blanket that's on her. She turns & looks around, her eyes falling onto Tsunade, Naruto's pronounced, cat like whiskers faded yet still noticable as she begs, "Help me, please tell me where I am! Tell me who I am!".
Oh you thought there was going to be more facts? Well sorry, but it's time for the much more awesome Naruto Trivia!
Which of these isn't an alternative name for Naruto's Sexy Jutsu?
A. Oiroke no Jutsu
B. Art of Eros
C. Ninja Centerfold
D. Naughy Jutsu
Hmmm, which could it be?
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& BINGO was his name-o! Wait... nevermind.
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*looks around, hoping nobody saw me*
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Damn! *flies away*
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Naruto: HEY! WHO'S GONNA ANSWER THE QUESTION NOW?
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Naruto: Well, I guess I'll havta tell ya! Drumroll please!
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*cue overdramatic drumroll*
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The answer is B...no. Is it C? God how can he do this? Ok, the answer is D. Naughty Jutsu, apparently. Lots of papers here explaining how but I'm not sure & I don't wanna go through it so...BYE!