Topsy Turvy World
"Naruto why don't you come out and train with me?" Asked the teen Itachi wearing his civilan clothes with a warm smile on his lips causing Naruto's cheeks to burn with a soft pink. It had been a few days since he came back and he was in the academy with Sasuke and Gaara. But Naruto had been feeling...more depressed then anything. To see his old friends. To see them ignore him for a while. Well most of them. Shikamaru, Choji and Kiba still got in trouble with him. All his feelings were bottled up though when they partook in familiar pranks.
"I don't feel too well." Naruto glanced down to his feet becoming shy now. He wasn't ever shy but around Itachi it became a regular thing.
"That doesn't sound like you." Itachi looked down to the young teen that refused to meet his eyes.
"I don't...I don't even know who I am." Naruto shut his eyes closing his door quickly. He should be happy. He should be smiling because he saved his best friend from his life well so far stopping him from going to the snake. Yet he was lonely as ever. In his past life he had grown up with caring friends, teachers who taught him but at the same time he watched them die. That pain struck his heart.
"I can't lose them..." He whispered wiping his tears though it was futile. They kept leaking.
"Naru..." The soft voice made the blond boy look up and saw his raven hero. Naruto just couldn't hold it in. He cried. Days went since he was sent back. Days turned to months and months turned to years and not once had he cried as hard as he was crying now. All the pent up emotions just coming. He ran to Itachi burring his face into his chest as Itachi wrapped his arms around him as he fell against the wall sliding down as he held onto Naruto tightly.
His small body shaking against Itachi who only understood a small part of what Naruto was going through. He felt useless and helpless when it came to Naruto. His arms tightened a bit more as Naruto's cries grew harsher. "I'm sorry..." It was all he could say to the broken blond who couldn't find himself anymore.
"I can't disappear. I can't handle it again." But he had too. He was invisible when he was a child and it was hell. He came close to letting the villagers kill him but in the back in his mind he wanted to show them all. To show them that he was somebody to remember. He proved them right but now it was at the price of his sanity.
Itachi couldn't say anything. He just comforted his little angel as best he could. It wasn't much.
It seemed like hours before Naruto fell asleep against him and Itachi stood up carefully with Naruto his arms. He had cried himself when Naruto had begun to fall into a fitful sleep. "If only you knew Sasuke what...what type of friend you have before you." He whispered as he moved to Naruto's room putting him into bed. He ended up watching him sleep. Naruto looked as peaceful as he slept. Like he was never put through hell and back. Like he never saw war or saw his loved ones killed in front of him. Like he was perfect. So beautiful brokenly perfect.
When Gaara got home he had smelled the tears but he also smelled that Itachi was there and had left the two alone. He had been busy with his own training but he was concerned that Naruto had been so upset.
When Itachi emerged from Naruto's room Gaara was in the kitchen cooking.
"What's wrong with him?" Was the first think the red head asked. Itachi sighed sitting down in one the chairs. He didn't know what Gaara knew about Naruto or how much Naruto let him in. But in the past or should he saw future past Gaara was saved by Naruto who knew exactly what he was going through and though Gaara was older Naruto had been able to save him from the darkness. The one that Naruto managed to save Sasuke from.
"He's...lost. He doesn't know what to do. I believe it's just the stress. He should be fine soon. You two have a separate mission right? He just's a little nervous." Itachi explained coolly though he was worried himself.
Gaara didn't believe him from a second and Itachi knew this but the two didn't talk about it more. Both knew it wasn't in their place to talk about Naruto like he wasn't in the other room. Silently Gaara put food out from him and Itachi before sitting down across from him and both began to eat silently. Both listening to the soft breathing that was Naruto.
Itachi sighed as memories came to him. He had left Naruto a little while ago. He couldn't understand why Naruto was avoiding him like the plague. He couldn't help but let his mind be flooded by the memories that he and his angel shared together. The pain he witnessed the small one go through and Itachi unable to do anything. He wished the past/future didn't happen the way Naruto had experienced but now Naruto was worse. He was so intent on keeping the world right. To keep everyone who dislikes him safe. Itachi shook his head at the people who looked down on Naruto. Not even knowing what the boy was doing for them how much pain he was suffering all on his own. Pain no one would understand.
"How was your mission?" Itachi asked as Naruto came to visit him.
"I took notice of the small red-headed boy on the Sage's back." Itachi added seeing Naruto nod.
"He's Gaara from the sand." Itachi knew the name and who he was.
"He is a junchiruki." Naruto nodded confirming his words.
"We knew each other. He...tried to hurt us. I fought him until we couldn't move anymore. I was able to save him. Show him he wasn't alone. It took a long while but we became close. Another brother you could say." Naruto sighed as they reached the training grounds. Itachi sat against the tree and the smaller boy sat in front him both facing each other.
"Are you going to show me?" Itachi questioned and Naruto nodded.
"You wouldn't understand if you didn't feel or see it through my eyes." Itachi had learned that seeing things through Naruto's eyes was horror itself. How Naruto managed to survive as a child was an amazing feat. Every time Naruto showed him though Itachi just wanted to hug him but Naruto wasn't willing to get let him be that close. In certain aspects he could understand. After all Naruto was still working for a better future for the whole world.
The memories would seem like hours but in reality it was only a few minutes. Even now as Itachi held onto Naruto's hands as he opened their link he felt his body numb and Naruto's whole being became him. He watched as Gaara let the demon in him take over. How much strength Naruto had on him alone and how much he wasn't willing to give up. Only on the words of Sasuke having him promise to save Sakura if that was the last thing he does. How Naruto's words became his as he crawled to Gaara who yelled to keep him away.
Almost like a lightning strike the link was cut off. Itachi gazed down to the boy who was a little dizzy. He was still young and using so much energy wasn't really smart for him.
"Sleep for now Naru...I'll look after you." Itachi offered moving his hand to Naruto's head running them through the soft locks. Naruto gave a small smile before passing out on Itachi who smiled sadly.
"Sleep for now Naru...you just need some sleep." He looked up into the clouds as he held onto the boy still petting his head as if lulling him to sleep.
Itachi looked over to Sasuke as he practiced. Always trying to be the best even after their father was killed. He watched the younger push himself to be greater. If only he understood that it was alright to have help sometimes. "Sasuke never be scared to ask for help." Itachi had told him this plenty of times but the younger was just too suborned to ask for it. He couldn't blame him. Itachi looked back to the sky was he kept watched over Sasuke. He remembered the weeks that passed after their father was murdered. He had been honestly scared that Sasuke would try to avenge their father. Around that time he met Naruto again. Itachi had been following them both.
"Watch where you're going." An angry Sasuke growled out at Naruto who snorted softly.
"It's just you." That simple statement had caused Sasuke to tense. Naruto only stared at him with a blank stare like he had done so to others who spoke to him like he was nothing.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked still angry though only intensifying when the blond answered him.
"Just that. You're just another person. What? Am I supposed to treat you differently because your father and a few others were killed?" Sasuke's eyes widen and blazed with anger he never knew. You could even call it hate. Next thing Sasuke knew he was attacking the blond boy who was skillfully avoiding his fists and feet.
"You don't know anything!" Sasuke screamed as he kept attacking. Naruto narrowed his eyes before bringing his foot up and using little force to through Sasuke back a few feet. In a flash Naruto was in front of Sasuke.
"I know plenty. Why should I feel sad for you? Because you lost your dad? You still have your mom and brother. Who do I have? No one. You don't see me hating the whole fucking world for something I couldn't control. So to me. You're just another person. Someone who doesn't know what they have!" Naruto growled his hands fisting tightly that his palms were bleeding. Naruto after a few seconds gave a small smirk.
"You're just a little kid." Naruto saw Sasuke glare once more and without Naruto left him as if nothing happened between them. Sasuke stood there dumbfounded on what to do. He wasn't too sure if he should be angry or sad or hell happy. He was just confused.
With what Naruto said in his mind playing over his head he couldn't help but question it all. Why didn't Naruto hate people? Why didn't he show he was angry or in pain? (If only he knew) He had no family yet Naruto still managed to smile. So how could Sasuke be so angry for losing one parent when the blond lost everyone? He saw how the villagers treated him. Yet Naruto ignored them and smiled. At the same time he felt like Naruto knew something. Deep down the blond knew what he was doing, what he was saying. His actions and the reactions it received.
This puzzled him for days. Until he left for school, Itachi walking with him. "Sasuke, are you alright? Mother is worried. You've been rather silent these past few days." Sasuke looked up his brother. Analyzing his face before looking down. His older brother looked so worn.
"I'm sorry." Itachi had to blink. He didn't expect that though he thought himself it had to do with what happened with Naruto a few days ago.
"I'm sorry for acting like I'm the only one hurting. I know you and mother are hurting too...I'm sorry for being selfish." Itachi tilted his head looking down at Sasuke who still looked at the dirt as both walked. He let out a soft smile before patting his head.
"It's fine Sasuke. We both know how much you cared for father. But he is gone. It's best to move forward. Only looking back to remember the good times." Itachi felt Sasuke nod and soon the two were at the academy.
The two ravens saw Naruto with Gaara who was trying so hard not to kill the girls flocking him. Itachi saw the amused look on Naruto's face when Gaara began to twitch uncontrollably. Though when Sasuke walked in it seemed the group of girls were torn between the raven and red head. But eventually all went to the raven. Gaara breathed out before glaring at Naruto who couldn't help but laugh.
"Sorry Gaara. It was just too funny." Naruto laughed harder when Gaara tackled him trying to strangle him. Now it was Itachi's turn to be amused. Here he was watching his blond crush be strangled by someone who was close as a brother. He watched though as Naruto managed to break free and the two boys began wrestling in the middle of class. That was until Iruka came in and pulled the two apart. This in turn got Gaara to try and strangle the poor teacher who was trying to pry the red head off of him. Naruto was on the floor laughing.
Itachi sighed the amusement still on his face. Moving he plucked Gaara from Iruka and then plucked Naruto from the floor the two now hanging from Itachi's arms like rag dolls.
"Hey!" Both boys cried out and Itachi shook his head.
"Settle down. It's not ideal to kill each other or your teacher." Naruto pouted and Gaara snorted.
"Thank you Itachi." Iruka thanked chuckling nervously. Itachi just nodded and let the two drop from his arms and they caught themselves before sitting down in their seats. Itachi looked them with the word practically screaming in his eyes. 'BEHAVE OR ELSE'.
Naruto once more pouted and dropped his head on his desk with a loud sigh. Gaara again snorted before looking out the window. Though a few seconds later Naruto was the floor with his chair next to him. Gaara had stretched out his leg and kicked him over. Gaara had started to laugh at him, his shoulders shaking and his arms raised. The kids in class were getting a little scared since Gaara looked a little evil and his laugh didn't help.
Soon Gaara was in the same position that Naruto had been in. Naruto now laughing.
Itachi rubbed his head. "How could these two have so much energy? The day has barely begun!" Iruka groaned sighing.
"Come on. Class will be taught outside for today." It was the only way to keep the two from destroying the class with their antics. "Training grounds everyone." The first two out were the blond and red head.
Sasuke had been watching the whole thing. Itachi watched as Sasuke viewed the two his eyes lingering on Naruto's form. He supposed he could assume what he was thinking. But he would wait for Sasuke to come to him first.
Itachi had never had as much fun with Naruto and Gaara. Normally he enjoyed the silence but with those two it was impossible. But he liked it. He thrived on it or at least it made him happy. "Itachi?" Said brother looked up seeing Sasuke sitting in front of him. His eyes rather telling him he was determined about something. This got him a little nervous.
"Yes?"
"...Is it okay not to like girls?" Itachi felt himself start to blush though willed it to go away. This was not the conversation he wanted to have with his younger brother who was way too young. But then again Itachi knew it himself around the same age. But he had that talk with his father. His words were "if you are to be with a man then you will dominate. A real Seme. Nothing less from an Uchiha." To say the least that was the most embarrassing conversation he ever had with his father. How could he say this to Sasuke without tainting his young mind?
"I...believe so. It's natural." Itachi reasoned with himself that it was okay to tell him the truth about it. "So it's okay if I like guys?" Itachi felt himself nod. Though he felt this conversation was going to just as awkward for him yet again.
"Do you like someone Sasuke?" Itachi asked eying the now blushing boy in front of him. "Um...I actually like...a few people." Itachi tried to smile. Tried not to laugh. Tried real hard not to explode from holding his breath. So he coughed a few times.
"Who?" Sasuke by now was beet red.
Yet suddenly both felt overwhelming sadness. Both their eyes grew wide. Sasuke gasped as his hands went to his head and one to his heart suddenly feeling his heart stop and just drop. That was it felt like any ways. His mind growing a head ache. Itachi felt those similar things. Like a wave it passed and the two got a handle of themselves breathing heavily.
"What was that?" Sasuke asked breathlessly. Itachi wasn't too sure but everything alerted him that something was wrong. Very wrong.
"I don't know Sasuke. Let's go inside. Whatever that was took its toll." Itachi stood up carefully seeing as even small movement made him a dizzy. Both Uchiha's headed back home still thinking about what just happened.
What was it?
Time skip - Few Months (4)
Naruto had begun training for the exams that were coming up. Training meaning he was going on solo missions on and off. Going to see Madara when things appeared and trying to find Orochimaru. Though he knew where he would be in the end. He had hoped to try and find him before the exams but he wasn't at the sand. He was hiding. It made Naruto angry but he had time.
Currently he was walking around the village. Just thinking. His blond hair moving with the wind as he looked up to the sky. He missed the feeling of the necklace around his neck. He missed his friends. He hated being so alone. Sighing sadly he went to the training grounds ignoring the looks people gave him. He sat down against a tree and just looked out. Everything was so peaceful.
"Naruto." The blond blinked looking up to spot a familiar face walking towards him. It confused him why the other was walking towards him. In fact he hadn't spoken to the other after the whole deal with Hinita and the branches. He watched as he grew closer and closer.
"Yeah Neji?" For a moment Naruto saw a glimpse of the older Neji. His clothes changed and his build much stronger and taller. For a moment he saw his old friend. Pain stuck in his chest. God...why does it hurt so damn much?
The boy looked down missing the pain the flashed in his eyes. Truly he didn't know why he wanted to talk to Naruto. Or why he followed him from the village. But he just wanted...well something. It confused him but he just felt like he was meant to be close to Naruto. Ever since the talk all he thought was Naruto. Something was in him that made him wiser than he. Older then Fate perhaps? He wasn't too sure. The silence nerved Naruto slightly and caused him to frown.
"Are you going to keep staring at me?" He asked a little angry. Though he had no reason to be after all it wasn't Neji's fault that he was in silent pain.
"Sorry Naruto...would you train with me?" It was pretty much all he had left in his mind. That caught the blond off guard but he nodded slightly. Standing up Naruto took off his orange jacket knowing it was too hot to fight in it. But it struck him. Maybe...maybe he could start to close himself off with everyone before he grew to attached. For the second time that day he saw the Neji he knew in front of him and start to fade away.
I miss you guys...
Both stood silently across each other. Naruto was in a simple fighting stance and Neji doing the same. Both eyes locked on each other and suddenly Naruto was gone and Neji was surprised by the speed. He activated his eyes. Soon Naruto's leg came into view and Neji's arms went up quickly to block the blow but it did send him a few feet back. Naruto jumped back getting back in the same stance seeing that Neji was using his eyes. Biting his lip he made hand signs which Neji recognized causing his eyes to widen. "Water Style: Hidden mist." Naruto called out and soon the area was being covered with heavy fog. Neji couldn't tell where he was.
"Where did he learn that?" Neji asked himself as he tried to search for the blond figure. But it was too late. Naruto had run right at him and his fist connected to his jaw. Neji recovered as best he could and was fighting blindly with Naruto. Blocking some attacks but the majority of them landing on him.
Soon though the mist was gone and Naruto stood there a little worse for wear. He had a few buries on his arms where Neji hand been able to land some blows. His shirt ripped on some places showing Neji's hand marks. Gentle fists...not so gentle on Naruto. Neji on the other hand looked like he was mugged. His hair all over the place his clothes bloodied and dirty. His skin that was once flawless before the fight was tainted. The fight itself had lasted well over an three hours though to them it felt like seconds. Both panted heavily.
"That...was a good fight." Neji had to admit. Naruto only grinned wide. Neji felt pain his chest for some reason. As if something was going to happen and it had to do with Naruto. Seeing him grin like that made things a little too real for him.
"Good-bye Neji. I'll see you soon." Those words just didn't sit well with Neji as he watched the blond grab his jacket and leave the area. The Hyugga looked down and around him seeing all the prints they left in their fight that was only meant to be a training session. Fixing himself as best he could he headed back to his home. His mind more troubled then he ever thought possible.
Naruto on the other hand didn't want to go home. He kept walking unsure where to go. He glanced around seeing the men of village scowl at him. He couldn't help but smile sadly. A small child was running and the little girl ended up bumping into Naruto who blinked. The little girl sniffled before looking up at Naruto.
"I can't find my mommy." Naruto didn't know whether to cry or laugh at the situation.
"I wish I could help kid. Your mom wouldn't like it if I helped. Sorry." Naruto did feel bad but he side stepped the little girl and kept walking. The people around them heard him talk and weren't too sure what to feel. Sure they knew it was only nice to help the girl out and find her mom but at the same time who wanted the demon child to help? The little girl only cried harder until her mother found her moments later.
"Hey! How dare you make my daughter cry!" Naruto stopped walking hearing her words. Turning around he saw a few men come out as if to 'help' the woman get her revenge. Naruto sighed looking up at the sky.
"I don't care." The three words seemed to cause the others to blink. Naruto only smiled admitingly a little mockingly.
"If I helped your kid you would have only spit the help right back in my face. I really could care less if she finds you or not. I never found my mother. So why should I give two shits about your kid finding you? You don't see me crying and asking where my mom and dad are. After all if I did you would only beat me. After all I killed your loved ones. Or better yet the demon in me killed them. I on the other hand hadn't done anything to you. So let me say this slowly. Words for you to understand." Naruto knew the crowd was only getting bigger as he spoke. People having mixed emotions.
"I don't give a shit about helping you people. I don't care about any of you. You treated me like a demon when I wasn't one. Now...well I guess now I should act like one. Now you have actual reason to chase me and hurt me. Well if you can." Naruto was taunting them the smirk on his face making his features darken. One the men in the group was angry and slightly drunk and through a rock at Naruto. The blond held his hand up catching the rock without much effort. Looking at the rock Naruto snorted softly before smirking and tossing it back at the drunk man who fell back.
"Pathetic. All of you." Naruto vanished from the group leaving in a puff of smoke.
In the privacy of his home Naruto laid on his bed. He looked out the window watching the night descend.
"You know you went too far with the villagers." A voice spoke from the shadows. Looking lazily up Naruto sighed.
"Shikaku Nara. To what pleasure do I owe for this visit?" Naruto sat up slowly as the other came out of the shadows a frown on his face.
"I saw your display." Naruto gave a shrug. The older Nara sighed shaking his head.
"The hokage wants to know if it is a good idea for you to go through with the exams. You are stronger than most ANBU and he believes it would be better to have you already take a test separately for that." Naruto considered it. He could still go to the exams as a look out. If he was ANBU he would be able to conceal his face. Many things played in his head before he looked up the shadow user.
"Alright. I'll see him tomorrow." Shikaku nodded and left silently. Naruto fell back down on the bed. If he was ANBU still at young age things could work out for his benefit.
When morning came the older Hokage wasn't surprised to see Naruto in his office. From there they went underground where Naruto was tested. They tested his intelligence. His speed. Accuracy. Response time. His knowledge of jutsu's which they all knew Naruto more then he led on. Inoichi, Ino's father was brought in to take a look into his mind to make sure he wasn't a traitor. By then he knew the older blond would know what he was hiding.
When he began Naruto had decided to show himself. "Oi. Inoichi. I warn you now...what you're about to see will hurt. But say nothing to no one. The hokage knows. If you would like to speak then we will afterwards." That had surprised the older blond seeing Naruto have so much power to talk to through it. But soon after Inoichi began to go through his memories. What he saw made him go numb. But what made him step back from Naruto and fall to his knees was the memory of seeing his daughter die.
Ino was shouting and yelling at everyone to get the children out of the way and make sure everyone was still breathing. She was fighting off other ninjas who was trying to kill the weak and innocent. She was so pale and dirty. Her hair a once pure blond/white was dirtied and soiled with blood and dirt. Her clothes the same. She was older but she still had the fire burning in her. She wasn't going to give up.
"Ino!" It was Shikamaru's voice that yelled at the blond. The voice sounded so desperate. A scream came right after and the same voice was filled with agony. "No...Ino..."
The blond was lying on her side blood coming out of her mouth and a whole in her chest. Her eyes closed as she choked on her own blood. Yet again there was no time to morn over the loss of the blond as soon they were fighting yet again.
Naruto looked down and to side. Inoichi couldn't believe his eyes but no one could fake memories. Not ones like that. "H-He's not a traitor." It was hard to say those words but he remembered what Naruto told him. He wanted answers.
The others just nodded realizing Naruto from the container. After all that Naruto was given his name and his new clothes. "The irony of it all. I'm the demon fox and you give me a mask a white tailed fox." After putting the clothes and mask away in his new bag he watched everyone leave except for Inoichi and the old man.
"I saw his mind and memories." The older blond stated to the hokage who nodded with a deep sigh.
"Then you know what has happened." A small nod.
"I saw the necklace he wore and he was sent back in time. But...everything went white and another set of memories began. Of this life. I don't understand." Naruto sighed before looking out the window.
"I was sent back because I had the faith. I wanted to go back and make sure everything didn't turn out the way it did. I didn't want to see my friends dying all around me. I hated seeing them die. I felt so...hopeless. Your reaction of your own daughter's death was something we couldn't do. We had no time. The enemy kept attacking. I lost many of my friends because of that war. When I was sent back we were still fighting. I just wanted the death to stop...the war seemed endless." Naruto wasn't crying. He just felt so tired again.
"I was there when Ino was killed. Not soon after Shikamaru was killed because his emotions went rampaged. He saw his father killed and soon saw his comrade fall right before him...you, Inoichi, died in battle. You were ambushed. I tried to save you but it was to late." Naruto sighed before looking at the two.
"You must know what's coming next then?" Another nod. Naruto shook his head before stretching.
"Don't tell anyone. Sorry old man but he can't tell you. It isn't safe." Inoichi looked torn but Naruto shook his head.
"If you tell then you will only die again. Ino will die again. Everyone will die for nothing." Both men watched as Naruto left the office.
"You aren't going to tell me are you?" Inoichi gave him a reproachful look before looking out the window.
"I know it is selfish but I want my daughter to outlive me with a beautiful family." The hokage nodded with a deep sigh and dismissed the other.
I am a little proud of this chapter. Hopefully you will like it as well.