WHY I'M SO STUPID

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or its characters, or Jiraiya would have been brought back alive along with the rest of the village by Pein's ability.

The walk through the village was anything but uneventful. While most of the children, including a few of the parents, came to respect Naruto a little more now that they heard how much he has accomplished during the chunin exams, the rest of the villagers were still carrying a big chip on their shoulder, especially the older generation who were just as stubborn as the council.

Seeing Naruto and Sasuke walking side by side, with their eyes closed, caused the villagers to glare harder since the person that they have been placing on a pedestal was now walking with the much hated kyubi-brat like they are friends. "Sasuke how can you be walking with that demon? I thought you two were supposed to be at each other's throat." Were among the things being said among the crowd, along with the names that Naruto was use to hearing while he was a child. Another thing going through were people accusing Naruto of brainwashing the Uchiha, that some of them were getting ready to go for the attack.

"I'd advice against that. You just might hurt your precious Uchiha, and knowing him he would hit back and he would get away with it too." Naruto said, stopping most of the crowd from taking any risks.

"And besides, compared to what you did to Naruto while he was growing up makes you more like demons than he does." Sasuke said along, "As for being at each other's throats, being each other's rival is different than being someone's enemy, especially when that person is on the same team as you, and is one of your best friends."

This caused a slight gasp among the crowd, "That monster doesn't deserve friends. He should have been killed . . ."

"For what, something he never asked for to begin with?" Kakashi asked out loud, getting almost everybody's attention while reading his little orange book, "From what I recall, sensei was hoping that Naruto would be a great help to this village, not a punching bag to take your frustrations out on."

Some of the villagers were looking down towards the ground, feeling a shamed, yet there were still those who were even sorer losers, so one of them was crazy enough to pickup a kunai and threw it at Naruto's head, only for it to be caught by Sasuke, "For somebody to keep accusing another of being a monster, you are worse than a monster since you keep using the tactics of a coward." Sasuke said, before dropping it on the ground.

Naruto just said "Wish you hadn't done that. It looked like a good one too." Sasuke and Kakashi looked at him like he was nuts, "What? How do you think I was able to get enough money to buy some of these clothes? Most of my weapons come from the morons that throw them, that all I need to do is spend just a little bit of money for other types of weapons like tags and stuff."

Sasuke couldn't help but grin at this, "You really are Konoha's most unpredictable ninja." He said, before both continued on towards their destination, with Kakashi joining them along the way.

They didn't even reach ten steps before some of the villagers started to throw rocks at the blonde, unfortunately all three flickered away, before the flying rocks started to hit a few people, and broke some glass, "What the hell!!" Including the windows to the weapon shop, when the owner came out with a bamboo sword, the only thing that was on the villagers minds were 'we're screwed' before making a break for it.

* * *

At the Uchiha compound . . .

"So Sasuke, what was it you want to tell me?" Naruto asked, "If I explain why we're here now, then the topic might make you forget what you want to say."

Sasuke nodded his head in agreement, understanding what Naruto was trying to explain to him, "I just wanted to apologize for all of the hell I put you through, especially the ones that I had to share with you. After hearing about why your life has sucked, and thinking back to all the times that I didn't take losing to you will at all. You becoming a Chunin before I did, our little duel on top of that hospital, I guess I let the whole 'I'm an Uchiha, I'm already the best,' go to my head due to the villagers treatment towards me, even to cause the horde of my so called fan girls to treat you like trash just to try and impress me."

"Unfortunately they decided to move on to me since I'm pretty sure the only thing they care about is improving their image. As for why the villagers were like that, will some of them were trying to act like the past never happened and wanted to gain my trust, but I told them where they can stick their apology and what they needed to do if they want my forgiveness. So far they don't like it when the person they tormented for so many years has grown strong enough to stand up to them without a hint of fear whatsoever."

"You were never afraid were you, Naruto?" Kakashi asked, "You were only wearing mask for most of your life so people will look down at you, and holding back so you don't show everybody your true capabilities. Care to explain why?"

"I'll tell all of you tomorrow before I leave for my trip. I just don't feel like repeating myself at least twice." Naruto answered before going towards the task at hand, "I know you don't want to talk about what happened that night that everything changed for you, but I need you to tell me what it was like before the massacre and when it happen because right now I asked Iruka and a few others about it and something didn't sound right with me. So please explain it to the best of your ability and try not to leave too much out."

Sasuke just took a deep breathe and did as he was told, from what his family was like, his clan, the relationship with his brother, everything that came to mind and the more he told, he was starting to see where Naruto was heading with this, but wasn't sure where, "And that's about everything that I could tell you."

Naruto was just standing there, with one hand under his chin and the other supporting the arm it was on, listening to the whole thing, "Hey Kakashi-sensei, you were an ANBU captain before you became an instructor, did you ever get to meet, or even heard anything about Itachi before the massacre happened?"

Kakashi just stood there, in his usual calm manner, "I've met him a few times, and he was a complete opposite to just about every member of the clan. He was kinder, even with the Sharingan, and despite the fact that he was prodigy he was more about helping his friends instead of himself. He was even different from your father, Sasuke, since he didn't seem to care about the power that your clan had. Fugsasu was worse than the Hyugas ever were since not only didn't the Yondaime place the kyubi into Sasuke, but before he died, I don't know but he looked like somebody who was planning something that would have brought trouble."

Naruto thought for a bit, "Now that's where things seem a little off. What would cause somebody, a prodigy with a good heart, to wipe out most of his own clan in cold blood yet doesn't' even kill his own brother, unless there is more to this story than anybody realizes it." He said, getting the other two shinobi a chance to see the real him in a whole new light.

"What else could there be? My brother killed my entire clan in cold blood just so he could try out his new Mangeyko Sharingan." Sasuke said, "He even spared me so that I can come and fight him."

"Or so you can kill him." Naruto said, getting Sasuke's complete attention, "A cold blooded killer wouldn't leave any witnesses behind, even if they are family. What if Itachi didn't have much a choice, what if the massacre happened because somebody else was pulling the strings?"

"Why would anybody want my clan eliminated, especially when we were the most . . .? powerful . . ." Sasuke started to say until he started to remember something, "Wait, there was something going around the clan about what it would be like when they get an Uchiha into the Hokage's office. I didn't think about it at first since I always figured all of the big clans were like this, but if what you're saying is true, I pretty much doubt the Hokage would order the destruction on a clan."

Naruto just shook his head before saying "Not the Hokage, he would try to bring it to an end as peacefully as possible. But since your father was power hungry, and willing to use his own clan for his gain, then there is another person who would want them wiped out, or should I say some ones." Both Sasuke and Kakashi had their eyes opened wide at what he was indicating.

"The council," Kakashi said, "they've always been weary of the Third's choices as a Hokage, but this would be an all-time low if what you're saying is true, Naruto. Even if the Sadiame knew about the real reason . . ."

"Think about it Kakashi. The old man was not just known for knowing everything that happens, but like my father he has some of his own secrets and I'm pretty sure that if people found out the real truth about the Uchihas, then all hell would break loose." Naruto countered, reminding them why he and the Third were so close, "Plus I'm pretty sure that Itachi had one other solution to comply with the council's wishes . . ." He left hanging for Sasuke to finish.

"By becoming the scapegoat for protecting the village," Sasuke started to realize, "And by having me become powerful enough for me to put him out of his misery for the pain he caused me and for slaughter his own clan."

"Unfortunately since we don't have any proof, we can't do anything." Naruto said, "But if you work together with Tsunade and a few others while I'm gone, then by the time I get back, then we should be able to set things right."

"Agreed, and we also need to keep an eye on Danzo just to be safe." Kakashi said, now starting to realize how badly he has been underestimating the blonde.

Sasuke on the other hand looked like he want to strangle something, but he calmed down enough to realize that the person he thought of as a brother has just showed another one of his talents: Changing people for the better, "I'll see you tomorrow dope, and whatever you do, comeback stronger." He smiled before walking towards his house.

"You can count on that, bastard." Naruto said, "Now I better hurry home and get my things together for my trip."

Kakashi decided to walk with Naruto. Just as they reached his apartment door, Kakashi decided now would be a good time to make things right for himself, "Naruto, can I have a word with you?" He asked, in a tone that he hasn't used since he lost his sensei.

Naruto spotted the tone and decided to listen to what he has to say, "Sure, just be ready for anything okay." Naruto said, before disabling a seal.

"When did you learn about seals?" Kakashi asked as he walked in to see an apartment that is beyond clean compared to his own.

"Since I was about five and I first moved in here. The first week I lived here was a living nightmare. Basically every time I came back, I find the place ransacked, vandalized, you name it. Some even started to throw bricks and rocks at my window. I just got tired of it and asked the Third if he teach me about using seals. I guess I impressed him because according to him I was on par with my father, except that he was a few years older than me when he started out. After learning everything I needed to know, I came back and started to place a couple seals on the door to keep both villagers and ninjas out, even by flickering in, and I also placed seals on the windows to keep them from getting smashed along with a twist to that it sends whatever objects thrown at my apartment will be returned to the sender, and nobody brave enough to complain about it to the hokage since that would be like confessing to their crimes and the Third would be more than glad to teach them a lesson." Naruto explained, while both he and his jounin leader took a seat, "Now what did you want to talk to me about?"

* * *

At the Haruno residence . . .

Sakura was on her bed thinking about everything that she just learned throughout the day. Not only was her friend and teammate the container for the kyubi, the most powerful demon that ever was, yet he was also the son of the Fourth Hokage and she couldn't help but feel bad for all the things that she put him through. He has been treating her like a friend, doing everything he could to please her, even risking his life to protect hers and all she did was beat him, berate him, and give all the credit to Sasuke only for him to give her his back in return.

After Naruto made it out on top during the chunin exams, and became the only chunin in their team, she was slowly starting to wake up to reality since Naruto just changed into his other self. When he told her that the other him was just a mask, she thought just to hide his true feelings, now she's not so sure. When she left the Hokage's office, she started to have the same thoughts for Naruto as she did with Sasuke, except that this time she recovered in time to realize what she was doing: Wanting to treat Naruto the same way she does with Sasuke, just because he is the son of a hokage. She already realized during the exams what her crush on Sasuke has really cost her, and if she followed through with Naruto, he would stop considering her as a friend since he is already having fan girl problems.

A knock on the door snapped her out of her thoughts, "Come in, mom." Sakura called out.

The door opened to reveal an older version of Sakura, "Sakura, honey, you seemed a little confused when you came home today, is this about a boy, perhaps Sasuke?" Her mother asked, although this time causing her daughter to give a slight flinch.

"No it's not Sasuke, Mom. It's about Naruto." Sakura answered back, "I think he's starting to make me realize what I've been missing out on since I've been busy ogling for Sasuke's affection for so long. Compared to him, Naruto was always a true friend while I didn't care as long as Sasuke would just give me his attention. After everything that has happen during these past couple of months, and finding out the truth about why his life started out so bad, makes me want to actually know him better." She stated, not noticing the look on her mother's face.

"Why would you want to know about that demon brat since all he ever does is bring trouble? He doesn't even deserve to live." Her mother said with venom in her voice.

Sakura looked at her mother with anger, "Just because he has a demon sealed inside of him doesn't make him a demon." She yelled out, catching her mother off guard, "Naruto told me everything, like why the person that the Fourth asked to be treated like a hero, but instead got treated badly for something that he had no choice on. Its amazing that he didn't end up like Gaara."

Her mother can't believe that her daughter was actually defending the boy. "It doesn't matter. The Kyubi killed so many people, including your grandparents. That boy should have died the day he got that beast."

"Can you listen to yourself. You act like everything that happens is Naruto's fault, just like a lot of people in this village. Did you know that everyone that Naruto meets always end up changing for the better? Did you know that if it wasn't for Naruto, that Gaara would never have changed into a decent person?" Sakura argued back, "It was even because of Naruto that we managed to get a new Hokage. He even saved my life more than once. You would notice if you weren't so blinded by your anger towards him!"

That did it, without even thinking, the mother gave her daughter a loud slap. After seeing the shocked look on her daughter's face, she realized how far she took this argument, "Do you see why I say that boy is nothing but trouble?! Look at what he made me do!" She shouted out, with tears in her eyes.

This only infuriated Sakura even more, "Naruto didn't make you do anything. That boy is more kind than trouble, so take responsibility with your actions!" Sakura yelled back, before getting some of her things into her bag, "I'm going to spend the night at Ino's until you finally realize that Naruto is anything but what you claim him to be."

All the mother could do was cry because now her daughter was moving on with her life and she just ruined her chances of being apart of it.

Well, here's the latest chapter. The next chapter is when the journey really begins, so be patient about it. Read and Review.