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Chapter 17: Calm Before the Storm

Naruto's P.O.V.

(Same Day)

"Well Naruto, it looks like you're healing up nicely," Grandma Tsunade says while writing something down on my chart.

"What do you think caused the pain to shoot up my arm?"

"Well, it could be because of your new jutsu. Whenever a shinobi uses a jutsu that they haven't perfected yet too early, it can cause damage to the user. From what Kakashi and Yamato told me, you only created the Wind Rasengan almost right before you went to rescue Team 10. So, it is easy to say that you used your new jutsu before it was truly ready,"

"Makes sense,"

"Just be careful, Naruto. Even though you are healing up nicely, you're still healing. If you push yourself too far too soon, you'll end up right back here. Understand?"

"Yes… Hey grandma? Do you think I can go home now?" I ask while sitting in my hospital bed.

"Naruto, you just got her yesterday evening. Don't you think you want to stay here another night to make sure everything is ok?" she asks, chuckling.

"Nope! I'm fine!" I respond, smiling as I hold my arms up and flex them.

She shakes her head as she continues to chuckle. "I should have known. Fine. Let me finish up your paperwork and then you can go,"

I watch her until she heads for the door. "Grandma," She turns to look at me with one hand on the door. "How are the others?"

"Well, Team 10's Chunins are still recovering. Kakashi and Sai have finished their healing and have been released. Sakura is sleeping. She helped Shizune and I operate on Asuma, so you can only imagine how exhausted she is,"

"How is Asuma-sensei?"

"He's alive. That's about all I can say. But, he's still in ICU and will require a lot of monitoring and possibly a few more surgeries. But, all in all, he's alive,"

"That's good. Shikamaru did a good job of keeping them alive,"

"They all did their best to stay alive. I'll make sure to award them handsomely for their efforts on this mission. Your team will be rewarded greatly as well,"

"Thanks,"

She nods one last time before heading to the door. "I'll finish your paperwork and then you can go home,"

I watch her walk out of the room, leaving me to think in silence. A light breeze blows through the room. I look outside and see the sun shining bright. I get out of bed and walk towards the window. In the distance, I can see the Academy building.

"I wonder what Iruka-sensei is up to?"

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After I was released from the hospital, I went to visit Choji, Ino, and Shikamaru. They were still in pretty bad shape and need to build their chakra back up. I am just happy to see that they are ok for the most part. The most awkward moment for me was when they all thanked me for saving them. I just couldn't accept their thanks. They survived and held out my team got there. Team 10, on the other hand almost lost their lives by Hidan. My team only fought Kakuzu, but Team Asuma had to withstand the power duo. I told them that I didn't deserve their thanks, but they wouldn't leave it be.

"I'm starting to think that people are only thanking me just to thank me. I don't understand it. Maybe Iruka-sensei will be able to help me figure it out,"

I walk through the village, high-fiving and waving to a few of the villagers, until I finally reach the doors of the Academy. I walk through familiar halls until I reach a familiar door. The same door I pulled my first prank on Kakashi-sensei. I pull the door back to revile Iruka-sensei writing tomorrow's lesson on the chalk board.

"Oi, Iruka-sensei,"

He turns to look at me with a smile and a wave. "Oi Naruto. How are you?"

"I'm fine. Just got released from the hospital,"

"So I've heard from Kakashi. Sounds like my former student is becoming a hero after all," he says, chuckling. When I stop chuckling, he looks at me in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know if I can call myself a hero,"

"What do you mean? You're done some wonderful things, Naruto,"

"I know. Believe me I know. But… when it comes to Sasuke… I feel like a failure. I mean… how can I call myself a hero when Sasuke is still out there… lost…"

I turn my head when Iruka-sensei sighs. He silently offers for us to have a seat at the desks. After we sit down, he begins to sleep. "Naruto… have you ever thought about maybe… giving up on Sasuke?"

"How can you say that, Iruka-sensei? Have you been talking to Kakashi?"

"Well yes, but we both agree on this. We both know how much you love him, but how does he feel about you? Naruto, have you ever thought that you're chasing a shadow? Sasuke me be "under Orochimaru's control", but that doesn't excuse his behavior. He's a Missing-Nin. If he wanted to come back, he would have,"

I turn away from him and clench my fists, thinking about the other night when Sasuke spent the night with me.

"You don't know what you're talking about. Sasuke still has feelings for me. He may not show it openly, but I know he still loves me; somewhere in that cold heart of his,"

"What are you talking about, Naruto?"

I look around to make sure no one is listening in. I even get up to close both the door and windows to be extra safe.

"Can you keep a secret?"

"… Yes…?"

I look around the room one more time before telling him the truth. "Sasuke was in the village the other night,"

"What?! He was here?!"

"Shhhhhhhhh! Keep it down. No one else but you knows,"

"What was he doing here?" he whispers.

"I don't exactly know. I think he said he was sent here by one of his clansman to find out the truth about his brother Itachi,"

"His clansman? I thought Itachi killed all of the Uchiha except Sasuke?"

"Yes, but apparently there are three of them officially left, including Sasuke,"

"You mean Itachi and Sasuke?"

I shake my head. "No. Itachi is dead. Sasuke killed him,"

"Sasuke took down Itachi?"

"Well, actually Itachi was already dying of hemoptysis. But, I guess he wanted to fight Sasuke in his weakened state to make Sasuke feel like he obtained his revenge on him. He even gave me some of his remaining power,"

"Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You mean to tell me that Itachi was already dying from a terminal disease, let Sasuke "kill" him, gave you some of his remaining power, just to satisfy Sasuke's revenge?"

"Pretty much," I say, shrugging my shoulders.

"When did all of this happen?"

I think about the answer for a little bit before finally answering. "A little while ago. I mean the last time I met with Itachi was at the Training Fields so… a couple of weeks ago maybe,"

"What the~ Itachi was here? And no one knew it or you didn't fight him?"

"I tried to, but he just wanted to talk,"

Iruka shakes his head before massaging his temples. "I have a headache now. Alright, what did the two of you talk about?"

"He told me the story of how his clan was responsible for the night of the Nine-Tails attack when I was born. He was a double spy for both the Uchiha and Konoha by his father and the Elders. Their other two clansman. His plan to let Sasuke kill him in hopes that Sasuke will return to the village and continue living his life. Everything that leads up this moment right here,"

"So, since Sasuke isn't back, I take it his plan didn't work?"

"I guess not. Itachi was telling me to keep Sasuke away from their clansmen, but I guess they got to him first. Now, I'm worried that he's on a rampage to get vengeance against the Hidden Leaf,"

"How do you figure?"

"Well, from what Sasuke told me, he was sent her to retrieve some old Uchiha records that has the truth about the Nine-Tails' attack and how the Elders planned to annihilate his clan from the beginning,"

"Wait. You said the Uchiha were responsible for the night you were born? The same night where I lost my parents, you lost yours, we lost the Fourth Hokage, and you became a Jinchūriki?"

"Yes. And from the night we spent together, I could tell he was emotional about it,"

"He spent the night? Did anything happen between you two?"

I feel a blush heat up my cheeks as I turn away. "We… talked… about his emotions… on the situation…"

"You slept with him, didn't you?"

I turn back to him, my cheeks heating up more. "I didn't~ We didn't~ Nothing happened, ok,"

He looks at me with a knowingly smirk on his face.

"Naruto, do you honestly think you can tell me that your former lover, who you're still in love with, came to your house and you guys just "talked". Nonsense,"

"Ok fine. We did talk, but it ended with us… having sex… and falling asleep,"

"Ok. So, you guys talked about what he's learned. Where is he at in his head?"

"He's upset. That's for sure. But, now I think he is developing a hatred for the village,"

"Yeah, I guess I can't blame him. But, what about you guys? How does he feel about you?"

"… I don't know… I know he still has some feelings for me or else that night would not have happened. Now… I just think he's lost and needs someone to snap him out of it,"

"Alright… so what are you going to do?"

"He's gonna keep training, that's what!"

We both jump when we hear someone in the room. We turn towards the window to see Jiraiya trying to sneak into the window,"

"Pervy-sage! Where did you come from?!"

"The window…?"

"No, I mean have you been there this whole time?"

"No. I actually was looking for you and someone said they say you go in here. Why, what are you guys talking about?"

I look at Iruka who just laughs and places a hand on my shoulder. "Nothing other than how this knuckle head doesn't like to stay out of the hospital," I grunt as he grabs my head and rubs his knuckles into it. When he lets me up, I look at him in confusion. He gives me a secret wink and I nod. "So, what can we do for you, Master Jiraiya?"

"Well I wanted to collect my student because I have a special surprise for him,"

"A surprise?! For me?! What is it?!" I ask in excitement.

"You'll just have to follow me to find out. Now come on. I'll meet you at the front doors and we'll get your stuff packed,"

"Alright! Let's get going!"

Jiraiya smiles back before hoping out the window. I run towards the door but stop and turn back towards Iruka. I go to open my mouth, but he shuts me up with a smile.

"Your secret is safe with me,"

I walk back to him and give him a tight hug. "Thank you," I whisper in his ear before turning to run out of the door. I meet Pervy-sage at the front door and try to persuade him to tell me his surprise.

"Don't worry, Naruto, you'll find out soon enough. I even got clearance from Tsunade. I promise thought that you'll love what my surprise is and it might even give you an extra tail,"

"Really? What or where is this place?"

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To Be Continued…