Chapter 16: Stand by Me
Chapter Summary: Naruto risks his wellbeing in a series of confessions.
Words: 3,969
Updated: 5/11/23
scotty26: I think there's always a lesson in what you do and I believe that you are on the right track no matter anyone else says otherwise…there's an upside to the negative reviews but you should take them with a grain of salt.. don't let the negative reviews get you down. It's never easy sitting down and trying to come up with a story or where to start. I like where this story is going.. it's a very different tske from all the naru/saku stories I've read here that keeps me coming back for more. So the curse mark is messing up with her hormones more or less? Ooooh saw Gusrdians of the Galaxy Vol 3.. very good movie and nice send off to most of them…I really like the way you writing naruto and Kin friendship…need more of that.
I appreciate your concern regarding negative reviews - it's no skin off my back. Regarding the curse mark, I think it's a fair assessment to say that it's messing with her hormones, it's a more scientific way to explain part of its effects. I'm hoping to see the next Guardians movie, too; Marvel and James Gunn have disappointed me lately (probably not intentionally... Probably :P), but I have hope. This chapter is actually named after a 1986 movie of the same name; granted, it's a coming of age story for boys and the content isn't exactly relatable to this story, but it's a good movie! It's got River Phoenix and Kiefer Sutherland in it, too :). Naruto and Kin's friendship is something I like to write, too. I view each and every interaction between any characters as an opportunity for them to blossom, as individuals and as people who interact with others; it allows for the creative juices to flow into them with strength backed by the power of the author's attention.
The Next Morning, in the Bathroom
By the time he had woken up, Naruto had resolved to tell the Sand genin about his amnesia.
In conjuction, he decided that he needed to tell Sakura about his other secret.
He splashed cold water on his face and stared at the mirror.
Not my face... Not my body... Not my mind... It's all been taken from me, so it's time that I at least got my dignity back.
He splashed his face again, turned off the faucet, and turned around to frantically dry himself off.
The creeps, the creeps, the damn creeps! Every time I'm sure of myself, they come back! Damn it!
He attempted to steel his resolve with heavy breaths, as he limped towards the doorknob. He gulped and inched closer, as he twisted the knob. The absence of any noise - no creaking from the door, no chatter outside, no knocking from other rooms - left him alone with his thoughts as the door opened, but he had, for once, nothing left to think about.
Naruto opened the door, turning off the light, and saw Sakura, for whom he had done the favor of letting get ready first, sitting on the bed, waiting for him.
He sighed and leaned against the bathroom door.
Now's a good as time as any, isn't it?
Sakura whisked her hair back and turned to the side, taking note of the boy standing there.
She beamed and beckoned, "You're done? Come on, let's go get breakfast!".
Before Naruto knew it, he was once again accosted by Sakura, who was ready to pull him across the tower.
However, he managed to stop her before she could even reach the door.
He begged, "Wait, Sakura! There's something you need to know - - something that I've kept secret thus far, even from you.".
Sakura's head tilted as she asked, "Oh? What is it?".
Naruto ran a hand through his hair, stopping midway as he tried to think of a way to get it out. He looked up at the girl sheepishly, and back down in his embarrassment. He then gently pulled her along and sat with her on the bed, before sighing.
He spoke, "It's about why I didn't want you to undo the seal that blinded me earlier...".
Sakura moved closer in, propping herself into the bed with her legs crossed, promoting Naruto to do the same.
"Yeah, why is that? I'm still confused.".
Naruto confessed, "There's another seal on my stomach - - this one, for some reason, somehow, seems to be invisible when I wanna hide it.".
Now curious, the girl lifted up the boy's shirt, finally eyeing the seal.
It's so intricate... Only an unparalleled master could have done this. But why?
She pulled the shirt back down and met Naruto's eyes, silently probing his mind further.
The blonde continued, "It's a secret that's as old as I am. It's been kept by every single person in the village who remembers, under threat of prosecution.".
"Wh-what? That's crazy...".
Naruto hopped up onto the bed, kneeling.
"I know, right? Old man hokage said it's to protect me.".
Sakura rotated to bring her own legs onto the bed.
"Well, what's the secret?".
"You remember, 12 years or whatever ago, the fourth hokage perished as he killed the nine-tailed demon fox?".
The girl scoffed.
"Everyone remembers. It's our generation's defining event.".
"Well, he didn't kill the demon at all...".
"What? So, what did he--...".
Sakura's eyes widened.
Naruto told her, "He sealed the demon within me, to keep the village safe.".
Naruto watched as Sakura's face shifted. Her breathing became shallow, as her eyes darted between the seal and the boy's face.
She questioned, "And it's safe, right? It's not hurting you or anything?".
Naruto blushed.
"Hurtin' me? Tha-at's what you're concerned about?...".
Sakura groaned.
"Obviously! A little guy like you holding a demon like that?! It's crazy!".
Naruto recoiled.
She's... Right. Why did the fourth hokage give me this burden? What made him choose a newborn baby? What was I even doing there? What's being hidden here?
Sudden snapping broke Naruto out of his spell, as Sakura stated, "Hey, you're spacing out.".
Naruto shook his head and replied, "Sorry...".
"No, it's-- it's fine. I know it can't have been easy to keep that secret inside; I'm glad you found it appropriate to confide in me...".
Naruto responded "Yeah, well, that's not the end of it, either.".
"What do you mean?".
"There's another secret I've been keeping; I know the cause of my amnesia.".
Sakura unconsciously held Naruto's hand as he continued to speak.
"Pervy Sage - - er, Jiraiya - - that's the guy I used to hang with, took me to some town or somethin' to chase a gang of thieves, called the Specter Thieves, and unknowingly left me in the guardianship of their leader, a woman - - a specter - - called Fuuka."
Sakura interjected, "Specter? I thought those were myths?".
"No, they're real, I should know! This bitch swapped our minds, wiped my memories, had a tussle with the fox, and then absorbed my - - well, her body into my own and combined 'em!".
Sakura questioned, "So, you're part boy and part woman?... So where does that leave your... You know?", and gestured at Naruto's pants.
Naruto stammered, "No, no, no! Naruto Junior is perfectly normal! It's just that my organs and stuff are infused with hers! And I don't have girl parts, I don't I don't I don't!".
Sakura joked, "Still, you might want to get it checked out...".
Naruto's face turned red with embarrassment as he leaned back and lied in the bed, muttering curses.
Sakura smiled, and gently pulled him back up. She embraced him and assured, "Look, I know it was hard to admit all that, so I want you to know that it doesn't make me think any less of you, and I'll stand by you, okay?...".
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Cafeteria, Breakfast
Once Naruto and Sakura had arrived, they took their seats the same as last night's dinner.
Once again, they were alone with Teams Dosu and Rasa - Sasuke still refused to mingle, and no other teams had arrived thus far.
It was Kin who teased, "You took your time getting here; we were wondering if you'd ever show up.".
Naruto blushed.
He told them, "I had some stuff to air out... And I think I should let you guys know, too.".
He silently scanned his fellow genin, making note of their expressions - chiefly, uncertainty. Neither of them had thought that Naruto would want to tell them a secret, nor had they thought that he had any meaningful secrets to tell.
The boy smirked - without humor.
He continued, "I want you all to know that I wouldn't be tellin' you any of this if I didn't trust you, so don't turn against me or nothin', okay? Especially you defectors-to-be.".
Kin scoffed. "Come on, out with it...".
Finally, Naruto admitted, "Four-odd years ago, I had a real encounter with a specter. Long story short, she wiped my memory and fused the two of us together.".
Kankuro jested, "So that makes two foreign spirits stuck in you, doesn't it?".
The Sand siblings froze as Kankuro immediately covered his own mouth.
Dosu pressed, "What do you mean, two spirits?".
Gaara dryly insisted, "Nothing. My brother is a fool and a daydreamer.".
Zaku was unconvinced. He retorted, "I don't doubt that he's a fool, but we know what we heard!".
Naruto sighed. "Alright, alright, since I really want you guys to know that I trust all of you, the truth is that I have a...". He eyed his peers.
This is a lot bigger than the specter thing. If I don't trust them... Our governments have sour relations. But these Sand kids seem pretty chummy with me, and this whole defecting thing with Team Dosu does seem legit, so...
"I have the nine-tailed fox - - the one that attacked the Hidden Leaf - - sealed inside me.".
Whereas Team Dosu were left with their mouths agape, the Sand siblings were unfazed.
It was Gaara who spoke, "Yeah, we know.".
Naruto stuttered, "Wh--h-- What do you mean, you know?!".
Gaara answered, "Well, I have one of those, too; not a fox, but a dog-demon. His name is Shukaku.".
Naruto stared blankly as his breathing shallowed.
Gaara added, "This must have been before you lost your memory; Naruto, we fought when you visited the Hidden Sand. I had... Lost myself in hatred. I was about to level the Village using Shukaku's power, but you brought out Kurama to fend him off.".
Naruto exhaled. "Kurama?".
"That's the fox's name. You told me after defeating me.".
Naruto was dumbfounded. He turned away from Gaara, and looked down at his feet.
I used the fox's power way back when? To save people?...
He cleared his throat, and turned his attention to Team Dosu.
He teased, "You guys better be serious about defectin', you don't want two demons mad at you, do ya?".
With his teammates frozen in fear, Dosu coolly replied, "Wouldn't even dream of it...".
A brief silence followed.
It was broken when Temari commented, "It kinda sucks you don't remember anything, you really did the whole village a solid, Kid.".
Naruto responded, "Yeah? Tell me about it...".
All ears were open as the older blonde answered, "Well, back then, neither of us - - me, Gaara, and Kankuro - - were particularly close. Gaara was a depressive insomniac, and honestly kinda scary, Kankuro wasn't much of a brother, and I was a real sour grape. But, you came along, and Rasa - - yes, I call my dad by his first name - - told us to play with you. We wanted none of it, but you kept pestering us the whole month because, and I quote, 'it wouldn't be wise to wander too far from Jiraiya'. Long story short, I eventually gave in and decided you weren't too bad. I'd finally convinced Kankuro to hang out with us when Gaara just... snapped. Shukaku's influence had gotten over him, and he rose as the demon itself, ready to destroy the village. Then you went crazy, and showed off that giant fox for a second before beating the crap out of Gaara. You left like, a week after.".
Naruto furrowed his brow. "And everything's been... Fine for you guys since then?".
"Well, it's been better, that's for sure. We three have gotten closer, and our village has a parade every year on Gaara's birthday now.".
"Why Gaara's birthday?".
"Well, that's the day you stopped Shukaku from leveling the village - - Gaara's 8th birthday.".
"Oh...".
Naruto looked down again.
That one month seems to have been more eventful than... The last four years. All that comes close is that stuff in the Land of Waves, and Orochimaru runnin' around the Forest. And that's just because I'm shinobi now. What else am I missing? I should fess up to Jiraiya... When I find that son of a bitch.
Temari placed a soft hand on Naruto's shoulder - - inadvertently eliciting an angry blush from Sakura, who went ignored.
"I can't imagine how tough it is to not remember anything, Kid. Just know that we're always good to hang out, if you want. You can even bring your girlfriend if you'd like.".
Feeling abashed, Naruto promptly suggested, "Le-e-e-et's talk about somethin' else now!".
Temari chuckled and questioned, "Yeah? What?".
As if to answer the question, the P.A. system blared once more:
Teams 8, 9, and 10 have arrived.
Naruto stood up as best he could and commanded, "C'mon, let's greet 'em!".
Naruto and Sakura got up to go to the entrance hall.
The Sand siblings, bearing no bonds with the arrivals, did not budge.
On the same note, and because Zaku and Kin were still frozen, Dosu opted to stay in the cafeteria.
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Main Hall
Upon noticing Naruto, the entire group scowled - - all except the ever-so-shy Hinata Hyuuga, who buried her face in her sweater and looked away.
The blonde questioned, "What's with the sour faces?".
The other genin all shouted over each other, with reasons ranging from thievery, to wounded pride, to unmet expectations, all of which utterly confused the boy.
Sounds like they've all got a reason to hate me. I didn't even do anything to them! Well, besides Team 10... This is retarded. Am I being set up?
As the hall quieted down, it was Sakura who inquired, "So, did you guys team up to pass this part of the exam?".
In response, Ino freed her ponytail and gloated, "I used my feminine charm to win everyone over!".
Neji facepalmed and stated, "If you must know, we did indeed form an alliance to help each other obtain the scrolls we needed. No feminine wiles were involved, it was just level-headedness and teamwork.".
Naruto pouted.
I don't like these attitudes.
He mocked, "Sounds to me like you're all jealous that we got here first...".
Neji scolded, "It's not our fault that you're so concerned with your own needs that you'd disregard your home's people!".
Naruto yawned. "Skill issue. Cry about it.".
The older Hyuuga muttered, "You little--", and gave chase.
Though Naruto intended to run his own way, he was accosted by Sakura, who pulled him across the tower by his hand.
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Hallway, a Few Hours Later
Although it was nearly lunchtime, Naruto and Sakura were still running from Neji. He was in hot pursuit, moving elegantly with no wasted motions, with his eyes dead-set on Naruto.
However, Naruto and Sakura were able to keep safe distance from the boy, always being removed from him by at least one room. The few instances in which Neji could see them from one end of the hallway, he received a disrespectful gesture - - ranging from a middle finger to a raspberry - - from Naruto, who would promptly speed up.
In order to throw Neji off the trail, Naruto and Sakura had also begun backtracking and hiding near places they had already gone through for a few minutes, disorienting the Hyuuga's search, before coming out and mocking him, just to run again.
At one point, the pair zoomed past a room, and once they'd reached the next one, they heard a loud thud and crashing.
They turned around and saw that Sasuke had walked out of the room and knocked heads with Neji.
They stopped running, and approached the fallen boys.
As Naruto reluctantly offered to help Sasuke up, the Uchiha scoffed and harshly rejected the offer. "You stupid morons! I'm training all day to fight, and you're just running around without a care in the world?!".
Naruto argued, "Hey, we get our stretches in at night...".
Sasuke groaned. "I won't even dignify that with a response. I'm leaving.".
As the boy turned, the blonde shouted, "Hey, dumbass, letting us know that you have no response is still a type of response!".
Sasuke cursed as he swung the next door open to leave.
Sakura watched the whole thing in embarrassment.
Jeez, what's up with him? He needs to learn to have fun.
Neji, who had risen by now, beckoned, "Uzumaki! Fight me!", and began to approach.
Sakura slid in front of Naruto and spread her arms out. She challenged, "If you want Naruto, you gotta get through me first.".
Neji scoffed. "Fine.".
He activated his byakugan, and before Sakura could even react, Neji had used his fingers to stab at her abdomen, the inside of her elbows, and her forehead.
The girl's eyes went blank as she went limp and fell, being caught by Naruto.
His eyes shot up to Neji in anger, as he yelled, "You didn't need to do that, Asshole!".
Neji hesitated before responding. "Whatever. Just take her to the infirmary and make sure she's okay, just in case. But don't forget that you still need a lesson in proper conduct.".
The boy walked away, with his head down, his fists clenched, and his brow furrowed, as Naruto watched.
What a stupid, sanctimonious, anal retentive, stuck-up, stupid son of a whore! Who does he think he is?
He lifted Sakura reverse-piggyback-style - - the best he could do with his small frame - - and began to waddle in the other direction towards the infirmary.
She's heavier than I expected... Better not tell her, though.
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Infirmary
The infirmary, like every other room in the tower, had plenty of sunlight pouring in from the windows. The warm turquoise walls, the decorated bed frames, and the bright face of the doctor provided a level of welcomeness more akin to a bedroom than a hospital.
The doctor tending to Sakura was a slim, young, tall, redheaded woman named Kimiko.
Dr. Kimiko had allowed Naruto to sit and watch the examination of the disoriented Sakura, and turned to him once she had finished.
She informed, "Your friend's okay, just make sure she she eats right and drinks something with plenty of electrolytes to get replenished.".
She pressed some buttons on the bed to put Sakura in a sitting position, and handed her a sliced piece of a sandwich with a quarter-filled sippy cup in a small tray. "This is from my lunch, but it's fine; as a doctor, my patients come first.".
Sakura readily took the food, and ate it silently.
This is actually a good opportunity...
Once done, she requested, "Dr. Kimiko, could you please run some tests on my friend, Naruto? I'm concerned that he might have some imbalances...".
Dr. Kimiko turned to Naruto with a sweet smile and asked, "Well, what about it, Naruto? Would that be okay with you?".
Naruto looked at the woman, then back at Sakura, who gestured as if she were urging him to take the offer.
Naruto turned back to the doctor and said, "Yeah, sure...".
Naruto was guided to the bed, and Sakura made room for him to sit comfortably.
A small plastic stick was inserted into the boy's mouth to rest on his tongue, as the doctor wiped the inside of his elbow.
She asked, "Just nod or shake your head - - are you ready for the needle?".
The boy nonchalantly nodded.
He was warned, "You might want to look away...", as Kimiko brought the clear, empty vial and needle to his vein.
Naruto elected to watch as the prick of the needle penetrated his skin, as blood began to spill into the vial, filling it up all the way, and as the needle was removed and the wound was rubbed with alcohol and bandaged.
He was then handed a small plastic cup with a yellow lid attached, and Kimiko ordered, "Go to the bathroom and pee in this - - only pee, please.".
Naruto obliged.
What else would someone do in this thing?
When Naruto had left, Sakura struck up conversation with Kimiko.
The girl asked, "Dr. Kimiko, what's it like - - the job?".
Kimiko admitted, "The easy parts are very easy, and the harder parts can be very hard. When it's easy, I thank God that I can do this job with ease. When it's tough, I remember that the same way I use my instruments, I am His instrument in helping people with their medical issues. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.".
Sakhda told her, "That's good to hear... The main reason I became shinobi is to gain experience as a medic; I was told it makes it easier, and that's it's a smoother transition, to becoming a doctor.".
The woman replied, "Well... That's right. I became a shinobi for the same reason - - though, my generation wasn't as pressured towards shinobi work as yours has been.".
"Yeah, ever since..."
The bathroom door opened as Naruto presented the cup to Kimiko. "I'm all done!".
Kimiko then ordered, "Come back here tonight for another blood test, and then again tomorrow, and I'll give you the results. For now, go enjoy the downtime.".
With that, Naruto and Sakura left the infirmary, to stop by the cafeteria once more.
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Midnight
As Naruto and Sakura lied in bed, Naruto poked Sakura in the side.
"Hey, Sakura...".
"Hm? What is it?".
"Y'know, we've kinda been talkin' a lot about my problems lately, but...".
"But?...".
"What about yours?".
"My problems?".
"Yeah...".
"Well, I don't really have many.". She gestured to the curse mark. "Tch. Besides this. And how I'm going to explain it to my parents. They've always been wary about my path as a shinobi.".
"Can't you, like, just not tell them?".
"What-- Well, of course I can, but I wouldn't do that.".
"Why not?".
Sakura sighed.
That's right. He doesn't have parents...
"Because it would be a betrayal of their trust; they're good parents, and I know that they wouldn't do something bad if I were to tell them.".
"Oh. Right. Sorry for askin'. Dumb question.".
"It's not dumb, Naruto.".
"Really?".
"I understand why you're not so keen as to how families should work.".
"I'm not dumb...".
"Did I say that you are? I meant it's because you've always been an orphan.". She winced at her own words.
Way to keep it gentle, Sakura. Real smart.
She stammered, "I-I didn't mean it in a negative way.".
"There's a positive way?".
"You know what I meant. I didn't mean to insult you. I just want you to know that if you have any questions about family, you can ask me.".
Naruto nodded. "Sakura?".
"Yes?".
"Do families go to the bathroom together?".
"...".
"...".
"No.".
"Okay.".
"Okay.".
"Do families go everywhere else together?".
"Naruto; you live with Anko. Isn't she family to you?".
"But... We're not related.".
"You don't have to be related to be family.".
"We're not married, either.".
"I meant 'family' in a broader sense. Family is someone who's more than just a friend - - someone you can trust, who you love as a significant part of your life. They might not be blood, but they're similar to how blood should be, like a father figure or a sister.".
"Does family only make you feel nice?".
"What do you mean?".
"Well... There's some stuff Anko does that I don't like. Some of it creeps me out, some of it's gross...".
"Well, if you love her the way family should, you could tell her, or simply accept those parts of her.".
"What do you mean, 'accept' those parts?".
"I mean, if they're not detrimental to your relationship, don't make an issue of it. That's not to say that you should pretend everything's perfectly fine, if it isn't.".
"Family's hard.".
"It can be... But the easy parts, rather, the good parts, make you appreciate what you have, if you're aware.".
"The good parts? Like, havin' fun and stuff?".
"Yeah, 'having fun and stuff'. With good family, anything can be fun, though; even working hard.".
"Oh.".
"Oh.".
"...".
"...".
"So...".
"Naruto, I hate to interrupt, but could you please ask me later? I just want to sleep right now...".
As I was proofreading this chapter, I began to feel that Naruto's attitude towards Sakura in the last conversation resemble the dynamic between Frank Whaley and Jennifer Connelly in the film Career Opportunities, though I only watched that film last night, whereas I've had this conversation ready for long before then. Can anyone who's seen the movie confirm?
I love reviews.