Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; if you are enjoying the story, please keep on supporting me and my other works. Now with nothing else to say let's begin.
Virtue and Venom: Chapter 30
Konoha hospital: with Naruto
Naruto opened his eyes with a groan as the light from the lights above him blinded him "damn" Naruto groaned.
"You're finally awake huh" came a voice from Naruto's side; Naruto turned to the side and saw Sasuke sitting in an adjacent hospital bed "welcome back loser" Sasuke said.
"Piss off bastard" Naruto said sitting up with a wince; Naruto had his arm wrapped up in a cast and he could feel all along his body his cracked bones and injuries stinging. "How long have I been out" Naruto asked.
"3 days" Sasuke said "I woke up a few hours after we got back" he said.
"How about Gaara" Naruto asked and Sasuke looked down.
"He's in the ICU; he got banged up pretty bad" Sasuke said.
With Hinata
Hinata was sitting next to Gaara as he laid still on his hospital bed; Gaara was hooked up to multiple machines tying to keep his stable. Hinata reached out and grabbed his hand.
'Gaara' Hinata thought sadly as a tear rolled down her cheek 'I'm so sorry; please pull through' she thought; over the past few days she's spent hours in Gaara's room hoping and praying for him to wake up.
The door to the room opened and Hiashi and Neji walked in; Neji had his hand bandaged from his wound and he walked up to Hinata.
"Anything Lady Hinata" Neji asked and Hinata shook her head.
"A cough here or a twitch there" Hinata said "I'm worried about him Neji" she said looking at her cousin.
"Let's go back to the compound Hinata" Hiashi said "he needs to rest; we can come back tomorrow" he said and Hinata nodded.
"Yes Father" Hinata said getting up; Hinata walked up to Gaara and planted a kiss on his cheek "I'll see you tomorrow Gaara" she said. Hinata turned around and walked out with her father and Neji.
Back with Naruto and Sasuke
"He's fighting for his life right now" Sasuke said and Naruto sighed.
"So, all 3 of us got our asses kicked" Naruto said "so if we got so messed up how are we still alive" he asked and Sasuke chuckled.
"Kakashi, Anko and Ino" Sasuke said making Naruto go wide eyed "yeah I had the same reaction; Ino entered Mamushi's mind while Kakashi used a seal to break her free from whoever was controlling her" Sasuke said. "Mamushi is back to her normal self; yesterday Lady Tsunade removed her implant" Sasuke said and Naruto frowned.
"And how is Mamushi" Naruto asked "is she ok" he asked and Sasuke let out a sigh.
"I don't know; they haven't told me anything" Sasuke said.
With Mamushi
Mamushi was sitting in a padded room wearing an all-white hospital uniform with multiple seals on her body; she reached up and felt the stitches on the side of her head where they removed her implant. Mamushi curled up into a ball as the guilt of everything that happened took a hold of her again.
Mamushi remembered everything that her alter ego did and it made her sick to her stomach; she killed multiple people, hurt her friends and nearly got them killed. She curled up into a ball and began to silently cry.
Outside the room Tsunade, Hiruzen, Jiraya, Ibiki, Anko and Kakashi looked in through the window.
"God this is painful" Tsunade said looking at the saddened girl "I can't imagine it; knowing you hurt people while not having control over any of it" she said.
"I sealed her chakra and did multiple tests on her" Jiraya said "so far her 'alter ego' is gone; but still…" Jiraya said looking at her. "She's never going to be the same again" Jiraya said sadly.
"What are we going to do" Anko said "if the village finds about what she did there will be a call for her head on a pike; I won't allow that to happen" Anko said.
"Maybe we can move her out of public" Kakashi said "until the heat dies down a little" Kakashi said.
"Me and Ibiki will need to perform tests on her and give her therapy" Inoichi said "god knows she could use it" he said.
"And I need to see if her 'other-half' did anything else we don't know about" Ibiki said.
Hiruzen didn't say anything as he turned around and began to walk away "sensei; where are you going" Tsunade asked and Hiruzen sighed.
"I'm going to see an old friend" Hiruzen said as he exited the room.
With Ino
Ino was walking through the hospital, making her way to see if Naruto had woken up; her injures during her fight with Mamushi's 'other-half' were not life threatening but still she was still having phantom pains. As Ino walked up the stairs to the second floor she felt a pain in her stomach and clutched the spot.
'Ow' Ino thought 'who knew getting stabbed while inside someone else's mind would hurt so much' she thought. Ino them paused when she reached the top of the stairs 'huh…never thought I'd ever think that' Ino thought before shrugging.
Ino walked up to the hospital room and opened the door "Hey Sasuke, I brought you some- "Ino began until she realized Naruto was talking to Sasuke. Naruto turned and looked at Ino with a giant smile on his face.
"Hey Ino; you look great" Naruto said; the next thing Naruto knew he was basically tackled by Ino who ran over and grabbed him into a hug.
"Naruto; oh my god your awake" Ino cried as she hugged him; Naruto heard the worry and sadness in her voice and wrapped his arm around her to return the hug. Ino let go and wiped her tears "are you ok? Are you comfortable? Are you in pain" Ino asked at a rapid pace.
"Ino relax I'm fine" Naruto said with his smile not letting up "I'm alright; I'm not in any pain at all… god you look amazing" Naruto said and Ino looked at him confused.
"Umm Naruto… you're acting kind of weird" Ino said; Ino heard Sasuke clear his throat and she looked at him.
"A nurse came in about 20 minutes ago to give him a morphine drip" Sasuke said making Ino go slack jawed "he's been talking about anime, wrestling and ramen for the past 15 minutes" he said and Ino felt her hair being touched.
"Ino… have you always been blonde…did you dye it… you dyed it didn't you" Naruto said in a slow and slurred voice while playing with Ino's hair. Ino sweat dropped and pulled her hair away.
"Oh my god you are such an idiot" Ino said rolling her eyes; Ino then leaned in and kissed him on the cheek "but you're my idiot" Ino said making Naruto giggle.
A few hours later: With Naruto, Ino, Sasuke and Kakashi
Naruto was walking with the assistance of Ino while Sasuke was using crutches; all 3 were following Kakashi to go and see Mamushi who was in a separate wing of the hospital. The part of the hospital she was in was used to hold the mentally ill and the ninja who were a danger to themselves and others.
As they walked by the rooms they heard the screams of the patients and the banging of the walls and doors; Ino clutched onto Naruto from fear of the various noises.
"This place is a hell hole" Naruto said and Kakashi nodded.
"This is the only place to hold her for observations" Kakashi said as he led his team down the hallway "her chakra has been sealed and she has weight seals on her limbs; but still she is still a threat" Kakashi said and Sasuke looked at him with a spiteful glare.
"She wasn't in control" Sasuke said with a scowl "she is still our Mamushi" he said and Kakashi closed his eye.
"I'm glad you feel that way" Kakashi said "because she hasn't spoken the entire time she's been here; she completely shut down" Kakashi said making Naruto, Ino and Sasuke look at him. "Over the past 3 days memories of her past and what she did have been flooding back in" Kakashi said "and Kami above I don't want to even know what they are" he said.
Kakashi led all 3 of his students until they saw Tsunade, Jiraya and Anko looking at a window; Tsunade turned and saw Kakashi walking towards them and spoke "Kakashi" she said before looking over and seeing Naruo walking. "Naruto; sorry I've been busy… how're you doing" Tsunade asked and Naruto spoke.
"I feel like hammered shit" Naruto said as he walked up "but I'm a fast healer" he said.
Naruto, Ino and Sasuke walked up and looked through the window; there they all felt their hearts break at the sight. Mamushi was curled up into a ball in the corner of the room.
"Mamushi" Naruto said softly as he looked on.
"Oh my god" Ino said holding her hand to her mouth.
"How long has she been like that" Sasuke asked and Anko spoke.
"A day" Anko said "she hasn't eaten or slept since we got back to Konoha" she said.
"She let me put the seals on her" Jiraya said "she just… won't communicate with anyone" he said. Jiraya turned and looked at the 3 genin "so that's why I ordered Kakashi here when the 3 of you were available; we want to see if you can talk to her" he said.
All 3 looked at him and nodded; before they went in Naruto stopped them and looked to Anko.
"Hey Anko" Naruto said getting her attention "could you do me a quick favor" Naruto asked making Anko curious.
A few minutes later: With Mamushi
Mamushi was sitting in her corner with her arms folded and her head down on them; she hasn't spoken to anyone since she returned to Konoha and she didn't want to.
'They hate me' Mamushi thought sadly 'I know they do… they hate me… why would they want a monster like me' she thought. Mamushi was so caught up in her thoughts she almost missed the sound of the door opening; Mamushi looked up and saw Naruto, Ino and Sasuke standing in the door way.
Mamushi tried to back away but she was already up against the wall; Ino walked forward with her hands behind her back. Mamushi thinking she had a weapon behind her back put her hands in front of her to protect herself; however she was surprised when she felt something soft touch her hands.
Mamushi opened her eyes and saw her smiling stuffed banana looking at her "Kiiro" Mamushi said softly as she took hold of the toy and held it to her chest; Mamushi looked up and saw Ino smiling at her.
"Naruto thought you were missing him" Ino said softly; Mamushi smiled briefly before turning away making Ino's smile vanish as well "Mamushi" Ino said worriedly.
"I-Ino" Mamushi said softly "d-do you hate me" she asked worried; Ino's eyes widened in shock and she grabbed Mamushi into a hug.
"Mamushi! How could you ask that; of course, I don't" Ino said pulling Mamushi into the hug "you are not at fault, you are a victim" she said. Mamushi recoiled at this and looked at Naruto.
"I could never hate you Mamushi" Naruto said with a small smile "I love you like a little sister; ever since I found you in the woods all those months ago" he said. Mamushi looked at Sasuke who smiled as well.
"You were the first person in a long time I could even consider a friend" Sasuke said "you were not some noble trying to buy my favor, or some brain-dead fan girl fawning over me" he said gesturing to Ino.
"Hey" Ino shouted turning to Sasuke who just rolled his eyes.
"When we first met you had no other intentions than becoming my friend" Sasuke said walking forward "over time you became my closest friend" he said as he sat down on her bed. "We went on missions together, trained together and even went on a date together" Sasuke said before looking at Mamushi "I could never hate you" he said.
Mamushi started to tear up and began to cry; Ino pulled Mamushi into a hug and began to comfort her; while outside the room Kakashi, Anko, Tsunade and Jiraya looked on and smiled at the scene.
"She's lucky to have friends like them" Tsunade said with a small smile before turning to Jiraya "so when do you intend to take Naruto on this training trip of yours" she said and Jiraya spoke.
"2 weeks from now" Jiraya said "enough time for him to heal enough to travel and to spend time with his friends" he said and Tsunade nodded.
"Ok fine" Tsunade said before looking back at Mamushi who got up and walked over to her bed to sit down next to Sasuke "but we can't forget about the others; Sasuke and Mamushi need to increase their combat skills and Ino needs to master her clan jutsu and brush up on her other skills" she said.
"I have already taken care of that" came the voice of Hiruzen walking up "Kakashi, Anko; you 2 will be dual sensei to a Sasuke, Mamushi and Gaara when he recuperates" he said. "Mamushi and Gaara are special cases; so, it would be best if they were kept off the grid" Hiruzen said and both Anko and Kakashi went wide eyed.
"You don't mean-" Kakashi asked and Hiruzen nodded.
"Yes Kakashi; both you and Anko will be reassigned to the Anbu along with Sasuke, Gaara and Mamushi" Hiruzen said and both Kakashi and Anko nodded "along with that there will be… further assistance… from a secondary source" Hiruzen said cryptically.
"Very well then Lord Hokage" Kakashi said.
"I'm thinking of restarting the ninja medic program sensei" Tsunade said "I think Ino will be a great fit; along with that she could train with Anko and Mamushi" she said and Hiruzen nodded.
"Sounds good; get to it" Hiruzen said Tsunade nodded.
Everyone then turned back and looked at Naruto, Sasuke and Ino talking to Mamushi, who for the first time in a while seems to have genuine happiness on her face.
2 weeks later
Naruto was at the front gate of the village standing with Jiraya ready to leave on the training trip; Naruto was currently hugging Ino who didn't want to let go. The group consisting of Kakashi, Sasuke, Tsunade and Hiruzen looked on with small smiles at the scene.
"You promise to write to me every week right" Ino said and Naruto nodded.
"I'll send back a toad every Friday; I guarantee it" Naruto said hugging her in return; Ino nodded and pulled away.
"Ok, you better keep that promise" Ino said and Naruto nodded; Ino then reached into her pouch and took out 3 pictures "for you to keep" Ino said. Naruto took the pictures and looked at them; one was of him, Ino, Sasuke and Kakashi for their team photo, the next was one of him and Ino on their first date at a restaurant, the last was one of him and Mamushi when he took her fishing for the first time.
Naruto smiled and put the pictures in his pocket "thanks Ino; I love you" Naruto said; Naruto went in and kissed Ino on the lips and she returned it. They broke the kiss and Ino smiled.
"I love you too" Ino said as she walked back; Kakashi walked up next and spoke.
"Naruto; you have grown a lot since I became your sensei" Kakashi began with an eye smile "and I cannot wait to see what a splendid shinobi you will be when you return" Kakashi said. Kakashi reached into his pocket and took out a scroll "it's not much but here are some wind style jutsu that will be very useful to you down the road" he said.
"Thanks, Kakashi sensei" Naruto said taking the scroll "and I can't wait to come back and show you how awesome I will become" he said with his foxy grin and Kakashi chuckled before walking back.
Sasuke walked up next and presented a letter to Naruto "Mamushi couldn't be here in person so she wrote you a letter" Sasuke said before turning around and walking away "don't fall behind loser" Sasuke said and Naruto got a tick mark.
"Sasuke you asshole; at least say bye" Naruto shouted; Sasuke without turning around flipped Naruto off before walking away. Unseen by Naruto but seen by everyone else Sasuke smiled as he walked back into the village "god he's such a dick" Naruto said.
Tsunade walked up next and spoke "well brat; looks like this is good bye for now" she said "make sure you keep an eye on this pervert; if I know him at all he'll be distracted by the first pair of tits he sees" Tsunade said.
"Hey" Jiraya shouted and Tsunade chuckled.
"Sure, thing Granny Tsunade" Naruto said; Tsunade then lifted Naruto head band and kissed his fore head making him blush. Tsunade walked away and Hiruzen came up last.
"Naruto my boy; I'm so happy to see you go out into the world and begin the next big step of your shinobi journey" Hiruzen said; Hiruzen took out a scroll from his sleeve and presented it to Naruto "here you go Naruto" he said and Naruto looked at it confused.
"What is it" Naruto asked and Hiruzen smiled.
"An invitation from one of Asuma's old friends in the guardian 12" Hiruzen said making both Naruto and Jiraya's eyes widen "when I informed him of Asuma's death I told him about Naruto here; upon me telling him Naruto was the new wilder of Asuma's blades he said that if the opportunity arose for Naruto to go to the fire temple" he said. "He knew Asuma's fighting style very well; so, he can help you train" Hiruzen said.
"No way that's awesome" Naruto said before looking at Jiraya "hey pervy sage; can we go there, please, please, please" Naruto begged and Jiraya though about it.
"Hmmm… well I don't see the harm in it" Jiraya said "all right; we'll go there for the firs year of the trip" Jiraya said and Naruto jumped in joy.
"Alright; thanks Ji-ji, thanks pervy sage" Naruto said and both me smiled.
"Ok we are burning day light; let's go Naruto" Jiraya said and Naruto nodded.
"Bye everyone; see you soon" Naruto said as he and Jiraya walked down the road; Ino looked on as Naruto walked away until he was no longer in sight.
Ino turned around and headed home to begin her training with her father 'good luck Naruto; I believe in you' Ino thought.
Mean while Hiruzen wasn't thinking about Naruto; he was thinking about something he did 2 weeks ago.
Flashback, 2 weeks prior: Konoha forest
Hiruzen was standing in the middle of the forest at night seemingly alone; suddenly a figure appeared out of the darkness and spoke.
"Hello Sarutobi; how may I help your old friend" said the figure said.
"We are not friends Danzo" Hiruzen said turning around to face his old teammate Danzo Shimura "I am here to ask for a favor" he said.
"Is this about Mamushi" Danzo said and Hiruzen scoffed.
"I had no doubt you knew about her; it was wise to keep away, otherwise- "Hiruzen began letting the threat hang "but yes, it is about Mamushi" he said. "While I find your training methods deplorable; I cannot doubt its effectiveness" Hiruzen said "so I was wondering if you could…advise and instruct… along with Kakashi and Anko; to ensure she reaches her full potential" Hiruzen said and Danzo nodded.
"I see no harm in that" Danzo sad turning around and beginning to walk away.
"Danzo" Hiruzen said stopping him "if you try anything; anything at all… I'll kill you and your root ninja personally" he said leaking some killing intent. "Mark my words; I have very little to lose and a lot more to gain than you" he said.
Danzo did not respond as he began to walk away once more; Hiruzen sighed as he looked up at the night sky 'kami guide me' he thought as he began to walk back to the village.
Ok another chapter done; I hope you all enjoyed it. If you did please like comment and share with your friends. And until next time bye.