Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; if you are enjoying it please keep on supporting me and my other stories. Ok now with nothing more to say let's begin.
Sabaku no Kitsune: Chapter 5
Kazekage mansion: With Gaara, Kankuro and Temari
The 3 sand siblings were all sitting at the dining room table looking at a sight that they were not expecting; Naruto Uzumaki was making breakfast with a smile on his swollen bandaged face while singing. (I do not own this song; Slipknot does)
And the rain will kill us all
Throw ourselves against the wall
But no one else can see
The preservation of the martyr in me
Psychosocial, psychosocial, psychosocial
Psychosocial, psychosocial, psychosocial
All 3 siblings were looking at him in confusion "Naruto" Temari spoke up "are you ok" she asked gently.
Naruto turned to her with a wide and creepy smile "of course Temari" he said sending chills down her spine "I'm fine, everything is fine; I appreciate your concern" he said and Temari smiled awkwardly and nodded. She then turned to her brothers.
"Ok what the hell" Temari whispered "when I woke up this morning, he was folding my cloths that I left in the dryer last night; then he asked me if I want a foot massage" she said and Kankuro leaned in.
"I think he's mental" Kankuro said in a whisper as well "I think after all the crap he's been through over the past month and the mission we got back from has taken it's toll on him" he said taking a look at Naruto in the kitchen. "I think he's pretty close to the edge" Kankuro said "so he's trying to act like everything is normal" he said. Just then all 3 siblings turned and looked over to Naruto to see him putting the food on plates and walk them over.
"I hope you all like pancakes" Naruto said in a sing song voice as he placed the plates of food in front of the 3 sand siblings; it consisted of 2 pancakes with blueberry eyes, banana nose and bacon smile. "I hope you all love it; I made it special" Naruto said keeping his smile on "and I love you all" he said.
"We love you too Naruto" Temari said patting his shoulder and smiling; Naruto began to eat his food and Temari shot a look at Gaara who immediately knew what the look was. 'Fix him damn it' Temari shouted with her eyes.
'Ok; I'll think of something' Gaara responded with a look of his own.
"Damn these are good pancakes" Kankuro said eating his food and receiving looks from Temari and Gaara "what; I'm hungry" he said as he shrugged it off.
With Jiraya
Jiraya was walking through the desert to Suna; as he did, he wiped the sweat from his brow and continued walking 'I'm sweating like a whore in church' Jiraya thought 'Naruto you better be in Suna; I'd hate to have walked all this way to find your long-lost brother' he thought. Just then he saw the stone walls of Suna.
"Finally," Jiraya said with relief "now then, let's dig up some info" he said as he walked to the front gates.
Kazekage office: With Gaara and Temari
"What the fuck" Temari shouted as he paced around the office "sending an emotionally damaged boy on an assassination mission; what the hell were we thinking" she said. Gaara behind his desk rubbed his temples.
"When you put it like that, I think I should have sent him on that mission to help the elderly" Gaara said with a sigh "well to late now; we need to salvage him Temari" Gaara said gaining her attention. "I rather not have Naruto confined to the mansion 24/7; or put him in a mental asylum" Gaara said "I just hope that Kankuro can keep him occupied while we try to figure out this mess" he said.
Just then the buzzer for the front desk came to life "lord Kazekage; you have a distinguished visitor here to see you" the secretary at the front desk said. Gaara pushed the buzzer and spoke.
"Send them up" Gaara said with a sigh "it's probably the Daimyo here to pay for the mission" he said. "At least Naruto will have more money in his pocket" Gaara said; just then the door opened up and came in Jiraya.
"Lord Gaara" Jiraya said making both Gaara and Temari go wide eyed "I'm here for business relating to a certain… issue; can we all talk in private" he said and Gaara nodded. Jiraya then went through hand signs and put up a privacy seal "ok this is going to sound a little strange so you need to hear me out" Jiraya said and both Gaara and Temari nodded.
"Very well what is it" Gaara asked not giving a hint of emotion.
Jiraya took in a deep breath "I have reason to believe Naruto is in Suna" he said; both Gaara and Temari got looks of surprise and Jiraya nodded.
'How did he find out' Temari wondered 'Kankuro left no trace in Konoha' she thought.
'This is bad' Gaara thought 'I can't let him leave Suna; he might just- 'he began until Jiraya spoke again.
"I believe that Naruto is working with some kind of criminal organization; and has been hiring himself out as a hitman" Jiraya said and both Temari and Gaara looked at him.
"What" Temari asked confused and Jiraya nodded.
"Yes" Jiraya said "I believe Naruto was responsible for a contract killing of a man in a village along the border; he and his accomplice both ran away and came here to Suna to hide" he said and the 2 sand siblings looked at him.
'Is he an idiot' Temari thought.
"Now I know this is a mighty big pill to swallow but it's true" Jiraya said "I need your help to find Naruto and stop him; he's a good kid and I don't need to see him go down this path" he said and Temari spoke up.
"And if he's here, what are you going to do" Temari asked "are you going to take him back to Konoha; I heard about how they celebrated his death" she said not giving Jiraya any indication.
"Fuck no" Jiraya said making their eyes go wide "I'm taking him to wave with me; he deserves a new life considering all the shit he's been through" he said. "I got it all planned out" Jiraya said taking out his note pad "we both move to a house in wave, we both become fishermen, I train Naruto to be able to protect himself, Naruto gets married to local girl and have kids, I grow old and die and Naruto buries me and tells his grandkids about me" Jiraya said closing his book and looking at the Temari and Gaara with a face that reads 'this can totally work'.
Gaara and Temari both looked at each other and both nod "Ok we will help you but on one condition" Temari said "you promise that nothing goes back to Konoha" she said and Jiraya nodded.
"Konoha is dead to me; you got my word" Jiraya said with complete honesty "now when do you want to begin" he said and Gaara sighed.
"Ok very well" Gaara said taking in a deep breath "Naruto is here in Suna, we took him from the hospital to save his life, he's living in our house, I sent him on the mission to kill that man and Naruto is back at the house having a mental break down" Gaara said with a straight face. Jiraya stood there stone faced for a few seconds.
"WHAT" Jiraya shouted nearly making Temari's ear drums burst "he's been here the whole time? Can I see him" Jiraya asked and Temari spoke up.
"I don't know" Temari said "he's in pretty bad shape; that last mission really took a toll on him" she said. "Before he had pretty bad depression and now…" Temari trailed off "I don't even know how to explain it now" she said and Jiraya began to pace.
"Shit I wasn't prepared for this" Jiraya said "I'm not a psychiatrist; I can't just- "Jiraya began until he paused and looked at Gaara.
"I have a idea" Jiraya said.
"What is it" Gaara said listening.
"It's 2-fold; although I will need help from someone in Konoha" Jiraya said and Temari squinted.
"Can we trust them" Temari asked and Jiraya smirked.
"She's the only person I know that can do it" Jiraya said.
In Konoha: Hokage tower
"Good job Kakashi, Sakura" Tsunade said handing them their payments "another mission done; your 2 are making stellar leaps" she said and Kakashi eye smiled.
"The more experience she gets the better shinobi she will be" Kakashi said patting Sakura's shoulder "she's a lot stronger than she was a month ago" he said and Sakura smiled.
"Thanks, Kakashi sensei" Sakura said "although it's not only for me" she said and Kakashi nodded.
"Well anyway I'm just glad that- "Tsunade began until a toad popped in front of her.
"Lady Tsunade; emergency" the toad said handing her a scroll; Tsunade took it and began reading it.
Tsunade then stood up with a serious look on her face "Jiraya is fighting Orochimaru" Tsunade said making both Sakura and Kakashi go wide eyed "I'm going to help Jiraya kill him" she said taking off her top cloths and changing in front of Kakashi who had a blush and Sakura who was looking on in envy. "I swore I'd never wear this thing again" Tsuande said as she began putting on her battle armor from her jounin days "but I might need it" she said. "Shizune" Tsunade shouted; Shizune then ran into the room.
"Yes, lady Tsunade" Shizune said and Tsunade went over and hugged her.
"You are temporary Hokage" Tsuande said "and if I die then Kakashi will be named the next one; I love you all" Tsunade said as she walked back over to the toad in full battle gear. "Let's do this" Tsunade said grabbing onto the toad and being reverse summoned.
Kakashi, Sakura and Shizune all stood there stunned at what just happened.
"Go get him Lady Tsunade" Sakura said balling up her fists "he deserves it; he is responsible for all of this" she said.
With Tsunade
Tsunade landed "Jiraya; where is- "Tsunade began until she looked around and saw Jiraya sitting on a couch with Temari and Gaara drinking some water.
"Good you made it" Jiraya said.
"Where is Orochimaru" Tsunade said and Jiraya spoke.
"That was a lie; Orochimaru is not here. We are in Suna by the way" Jiraya said and Tsunade began to look livid.
"I thought you were dying you fucking asshole" Tsunade shouted as she began to stomp forward shaking the whole building "you better have a good goddamn excuse for why you called me here; or I'll rip your fucking nuts off" she shouted. Jiraya put his hands up in defense.
"Naruto is alive and he's here in Suna" Jiraya said and Tsunade paused.
"What" Tsunade said in a soft voice "is this a joke" she asked; Temari stood up and walked over.
"We smuggled him out of Konoha" Temari said "he's at our house" she said and Tsunade began to tear up.
"Take me to him" Tsunade said and Jiraya flinched.
"Umm that's why we called you here" Jiraya said and Tsunade looked confused and Gaara interjected.
"I can explain" Gaara said.
15 Minutes later
Tsunade now wearing civilian cloths was walking at a fast pace to the mansion with scowl on her face "how can you be so stupid" Tsuande said to Gaara "you sent a mentally unstable shinobi on an assassination mission; he's only been gone a month. It should've taken months of therapy before he even goes on another combat mission" she said and Gaara looked sheepish.
"I thought it would be good for him" Gaara said "how was I to know he'd get beaten half to death, stabbed by a little girl and kill a man in a grocery store" Gaara said and Jiraya sweat dropped.
"When you put it like that it sounds even worse that how it looks on the mission report" Jiraya said; as they continued walking to the mansion, they saw Kankuro running towards them.
"Guys it's- what the fuck; why are they here" Kankuro said pointing at Jiraya and Tsunade.
"They're here to help Naruto" Temari said "where is he" she said and Kankuro rubbed the back of his head.
"Uhh that's why I was coming to get you" Kankuro said.
With Naruto
"Hahahaha" Naruto laughed as sat on a rock outside in the courtyard "that's pretty funny Kakashi sensei" Naruto said to one of Kankuro's puppets. Naruto dressed up and painted one of Kankuro's puppets to look like Kakashi; everything from the fake hair to the mask.
"Oh man that was a good story" Naruto said wiping his eye; he then turned with a scowl "ah shut it you emo bastard" Naruto said as he looked to a second puppet he dressed up as Sasuke with a drawn on face. "You are always so moody" Naruto said "can't you just crack a smile for once" Naruto said before he was hit in the back of the head.
"Oww Sakura what was that for" Naruto said as he looked to a third puppet painted red with pink hair; Naruto was holding the hand that hit him and he did not realize he was the one doing it.
Jiraya, Tsunade, Gaara, Temari and Kankuro all looked on in horror, sadness and confusion.
"What the hell" Jiraya said "is… is… I- "Jiraya tried to speak but couldn't find the words.
"I found him like this when I came back from using the bathroom" Kankuro said "he's been talking to my puppets for over an hour now; I think he finally lost it" he said.
"He's delusional" Tsunade said gaining all their attention "reality is beating him down; so, he's imagining that everything is perfect. To Naruto all of this is real; he's trying to cope with reality" Tsunade said.
"Ok so what do we do" Jiraya asked and Tsunade sighed.
"We have to bring him back to reality" Tsunade said "even if it hurts him" she said as she knew she was going to hate this next part.
Naruto was continuing his conversation with the puppets until he saw Jiraya and Tsunade start walking forward "woah" Naruto said as he got up walked towards them. Tsunade and Jiraya stopped and Naruto stood in front of them.
"Hello Naruto" Tsunade said softly.
"Hey kid" Jiraya said in a chipper tone.
"Damn Kankuro these look good" Naruto said to Kankuro making Jiraya and Tsunade confused "they look so real" he said grabbing and touching Jiraya. "I mean this puppet looks exactly like pervy sage" Naruto said and Jiraya began to feel his heart break.
"Naruto" Tsunade said and he turned his attention to her.
"Woah and you made one of Grandma Tsunade too" Naruto said walking up feeling and poking her "man you got nearly everything exactly right; you even got her big boobs here. That's attention to detail" Naruto said.
"Naruto" Tsunade said grabbing him "it's me, it's Tsunade" she said and Naruto looked at her wide eyed.
"W-wait y-your real; and that means" Naruto said as he turned to Jiraya.
"I'm real too kid" Jiraya said.
Naruto's happy demeanor was now gone as he started to walk back "but what about Kakashi and Sasuke and- "Naruto began as he turned around and looked at the puppets "guys, guys say something" Naruto said as he walked over and started shaking the puppets.
"Naruto stop; please" Tsunade said; Naruto stopped and turned around.
"Is this all real" Naruto said as tears began to form in his eyes; Tsunade and Jiraya both nodded their heads "oh god" Naruto said falling to the ground and curling up into a ball. Jiraya and Tsunade along with Gaara, Temari and Kankuro all ran towards him as he began sobbing uncontrollably.
"I just wanted to fix it" Naruto sobbed out "I just wanted it all back to the way it was; I want to bring Sasuke back, I want to be hokage, I want to be Naruto Uzumaki again" he sobbed out on the ground. "But I can't fix it; I killed Sasuke, I killed that guy during the mission leaving his daughter all alone" Naruto sobbed "every time I try to fix things, I just make it worse; why can't I fix it" he cried out.
Everyone looking at Naruto felt their hearts break; Naruto has been trying to hold himself together and now it's all crumbling down around him. Naruto then felt his head being lifted up and then pressed into something soft.
Tsunade placed Naruto's head on her breasts and began to stroke his hair lovingly. "I'm sorry Naruto" Tsunade said as tears began to run down her cheeks "I'm sorry that you suffered how you did, I'm sorry I wasn't able to protect you like how I should have, I'm sorry that you lost your dream" she said.
"I'm sorry too kid" Jiraya said looking down "if only I was there, if only I was a better teacher; I could've helped you. I failed you Naruto" Jiraya said the regret evident on his face. Naruto after a few more minutes of crying spoke.
"It's not your fault" Naruto said to both Jiraya and Tsunade "it's the villagers; they always hated me and they always will hate me, I was an idiot for believing it could be different" Naruto said.
"It can be different Naruto" Temari said kneeling down "you're no longer in Konoha; you are in Suna, you can start over here, be who you always wanted to be" she said and Kankuro walked forward.
"You may not be a Konoha ninja anymore" Kankuro said "but you are still Naruto Uzumaki; that's one thing that no one can take away from you" he said.
"I was able to change Naruto" Gaara said "you helped me change my ways and become who I was to blind to be; and I'm willing to help you find your way too" Gaara said with a smile on his usually stoic face.
Naruto sniffled and wiped his tears away "thank *hic* you" Naruto said "thank you all" he said with the first genuine smile he had in a long time.
"Now then kid" Jiraya said picking Naruto up "enough tears; lets go and talk, we have a lot to catch up on" Jiraya said.
In the Kazekage mansion
Over the next few hours Naruto told Jiraya and Tsunade all that he's been up to since he left Konoha which wasn't much; mostly of him training with Temari and Kankuro.
"I've been making some progress with these fans" Naruto said taking out his 2 small fans "I'm not a master by any sense of the word but I'm making progress; also, I've been training with this gauntlet blade that Kankuro made for me" Naruto said showing his blade to the 2 sanin.
Both Tsunade and Jiraya were glad to see Naruto acting kind of normal again; Tsunade knew that Naruto's mental health was far from fixed but this was a good step in the right direction. Jiraya smiled and then spoke.
"Naruto" Jiraya said gaining his attention "there is something I have to tell you… about your parents" he said and Naruto froze.
"What about them" Naruto asked a little worried.
"Sarutobi sensei made it a law to not talk about your parents to keep you safe" Jiraya said "they were very important people and frankly it would've shook Konoha to the core" he said and Naruto grew wide eyed. Jiraya then took out a 2 scrolls "I have one scroll of your father and one of your mother; I want you to have them in order to have some closure" he said.
Naruto took both scrolls and looked at them; one was blank and another said Kushina. Naruto looked at the 2 scrolls in his hands as they began to tremble. "How big is this" Naruto asked and Jiraya got a solemn look on his face.
"It's pretty damn big kid; your mother was important but your father is only known by me, Tsunade, Kakashi and Sarutobi sensei" Jiraya said; Naruto looked at the scrolls and put his fingers on the edge of the blank one.
'My father' Naruto thought; Naruto tried to summon up the courage to open it but he couldn't do it "I can't" Naruto said putting the scroll down. "I don't think I can; not yet" Naruto said in a shaky voice.
"It's ok Naruto" Jiraya said picking up the scroll "you don't have to until you are ready; I'll hold onto it until you are" Jiraya said and Naruto nodded.
"At least read your mothers" Tsunade said "at least see who she was" she said; Naruto nodded.
Naruto looked at the scroll and with shaky hands opened it and began to read the letter.
"Dear Naruto; If you are reading this then I most likely died in the line of duty. It's ironic I'm writing about my death when you are not even born yet; I hope that when you do read this that it will be when I'm old and rotting on my death bed, but in the world of the shinobi nothing is certain. I'm currently 8 months pregnant with you and waiting for you to arrive any day now. I am here to give you the words you probably heard hundreds of times before but there is no harm in repeating them. When I was told I was pregnant with you I was over the moon; I knew from the first moment I would be bringing into this world not only a strong ninja but a strong man. The world of the shinobi is never certain but what is certain is those you have beside you; me, your father, Jiraya and all the future friends you will have is what truly matters in this world. You will have a lot of great challenges in your life; this is a sad reality of this crazy world. But what make this bearable is how you deal with it; lots of people believe you become powerful by learning jutsu or by gaining wealth. But there is no greater power then protecting those you love. So here is what I have to say; find someone or something to protect with all your heart. Make plenty of friends, find the love of your life and never let her go; and whatever you do, do it for the right reasons. Make sure you abide by the shinobi prohibitions; god knows Jiraya will not follow them. And remember this Naruto; no matter where you go or what you do with your life, know that me and your father will love you unconditionally until our final breaths. I look forward to seeing the fine man you turn into and I hope that you never have to read this but remember this; I love you my with all my heart and soul. I can't wait to see you in a few weeks Naruto. Your loving mother; Kushina Uzumaki"
Naruto's tears began to drip onto the scroll as he finished reading the message out loud "she loves me" Naruto said clutching the scroll to his heart "my mother actually loved me" he said as he looked to the five people in front of him. Tsunade and Temari both wiped their tears as they began to hold and comfort the crying Naruto while Jiraya looked over to Gaara.
"Tsunade may not be able to stay here long but that's not a problem for me" Jiraya whispered to Gaara "I can do this; 3 months here and 3 months out running my spy network" he said and Gaara nodded.
"I think that will be most beneficial to Naruto" Gaara said "I'll also take into account what kind of missions he'll do; he has a long way to go" Gaara said and Jiraya nodded.
"But for right now lets just give him some time" Jiraya said looking at Naruto "he's been through enough" he said.
The next day Konoha
Tsunade returned to Konoha wearing torn and damaged battle armor; as she walked to the kage tower she saw Sakura running towards her.
"Lady Tsunade" Sakura said running up to her "did you kill him, is Orochimaru dead" she asked and Tsunade looked at her.
"Slippery bastard got away again" Tsunade said with a scowl "he went back to whatever hole he was hiding in" she said and Sakura scowled.
"Don't worry lady Tsunade" Sakura said "we'll get him next time; for Naruto" Sakura said as she turned around and began to walk off. Tsunade felt a pang in her heart as she had to lie to her apprentice.
'Sorry Sakura' Tsunade thought 'it looks like I'm continuing sensei's legacy of keeping secrets; as much as I hate to do so' she thought as she began her walk back to her tower to resume her kage duties.
Root secret lair
Danzo was sitting in a candle lit room behind his desk "you have made a lot of progress since you joined root" he said "now it's time to see if you are ready for the next step" he said taking out a scroll and placing it on his desk. "In order to achieve change in this world you have to take it" Danzo said "and in order for that to happen we will need soldiers; I will be giving you 2 squads to fulfill your mission, do not fail me" he said. Just then a had reached out and picked up the scroll.
Ino Yamanaka held looked at the scroll and then to her teammate Sai "we will complete the mission without fail Lord Danzo" she said with a scowl on her face "lets go Sai" she said as she began to walk out of the room leaving Danzo alone.
'Soon Tsunade' Danzo thought 'soon you will be a footnote in history and I will ascend Konoha to it's rightful glory; how it was always supposed to be' he thought as he began scheming and planning his next move.
Ok another chapter done; some of you may be wondering why I had Naruto act the way he did in this chapter. My sergeant when he was deployed had a soldier snap after a particularly nasty ambush in Iraq; the soldier began to act as though his friends were not dead and talking to their bloody and torn up armor as though they were still wearing them. During a very traumatic incident someone may disconnect from reality and begin to hallucinate. Naruto after being beaten down and having so much shit thrown at him had a mental break down; in the military world they would try to help them in order to not have them go ballistic or paint the walls red. Ok then if you liked this chapter please like, comment and share with your friends and please check out my other stories. Until next time bye.