WHY I'M SO STUPID
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, or its characters.
Kakashi is currently in the Hokage's office, with bits of yellow dye still stuck in his hair, wanting to have a little talk about what was discussed yesterday at the Uchiha compound, but first he needed to ask the hokage a question that was bothering him, "Can I ask you a personal question, Lady Hokage?" He asked.
Tsunade's face went from happy to serious, "You want to know why Naruto would have those he cares about the most hear about one of the most important secrets in his entire life instead of wanting to listen to it privately, is that it?" Tsunade asked only to receive a nod in return. 'The brat got it right again.' She thought, before explaining the story.
Flashback . . .
Tsunade was doing some paperwork, while Jiraiya was looking out the window, trying to keep his eyes away from the hot springs.
Naruto arrives at the office, wearing his new standard ninja uniform, which was mostly similar to the Yondaime's, the chunin vest being the exception, upon the Hokage's request. "So what is it that you need to discuss with me, Lady Hokage?" Naruto asked the elder blonde.
Tsunade looked at her former teammate and both gave a small sigh before she started to speak, "Naruto, with you achieving the rank of Chunin at such a young age, and proven yourself to be more than a capable ninja, what I'm going to tell you next might change all that. It involves your family."
"And judging by the way you're saying that, I'm guessing it's something I'm not going to be too pleased about." Naruto said.
"And nobody would blame you for it since some are starting to understand you better." Tsunade said, "Anyway, the person you looked up to as a hero, as well as the person who placed a terrible burden on you, is your father, Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime."
What surprised them the most was that Naruto was giving them a stoke look, and judging how cold his eyes were, he would even make people like Danzo and Itachi Uchiha more then jumpy, "Somehow, that doesn't seem so surprising to me, considering why he would pick me. Although it won't stop me from greeting him with either my fist or my foot." Naruto said, "And what about my mother."
"Your mother was Kushina Uzumaki, of what used to be the Whirlpool Village." Tsunade explained, "You were given your mother's name due to the fact that the Rock village would want revenge for what your father did during the last war we were in."
"And the Third didn't want to risk any unnecessary chaos when word spread that the Fourth had a son, especially those who still hold a deep grudge against my prisoner." Naruto said, "So now what?"
"I'll leave that up to you to decide since this mainly involves you." Tsunade said, only to notice that her fellow blonde was in deep thought, "What is it?"
"I would like to bring my team into this." Naruto said, "Right now, I was planning on telling them the truth about me," both Sannin's eyes went wide, knowing full well what secret he is referring to, "But with this new secret, I want to see for myself how they would react to such a thing before I decide to make this public. In a way, I want to test them to see if not only they are worthy enough to earn some of my trust again, but also to see what kind of response could come from the rest of the village when word spreads that the person they've been rejecting all these years is the son of the man they called a hero."
The two Sannin understood where he was going with this. Basically, this info, plus the info about him and the kyubi, would be a big turning point in the young chunin's life it could either make his life better, or ruin any chances for a decent life. "Okay, I'll agree to that. I'll also give your team a break from missions today so that way they won't be distracted from what they have learned today." Tsunade said.
"Yeah, although I do need you two to do one thing, and that's to act like this conversation didn't happen, because right now, I'm not too sure how to respond to all this and maybe seeing their faces when we're together for this news might help some." Naruto said, while standing up, "Anyway, I'll see you at noon, consider Kakashi's track record when it comes to his timing."
"Oh, and before I forget," Jiraiya said, getting his first say into this conversation, "I'm pretty sure your old man would want you to have this, not only to show people that he made the right choice on being the kyubi's container and to honor his memory, but also to make up for the burden he has placed upon you." He said, while tossing a white cloth at him.
Naruto caught it, and unraveled it to reveal that it was a white cape with red flames on the bottom the same one Minato Namikaze was famous for wearing. He put his arms into the sleeves, and rotated it so that it would land on his back. When he looked up, he could clearly see the jaws of two of Konoha's most respected ninja on the ground, "Let me guess, except for the whiskers . . ." he started off.
"You'd be a dead ringer for Minato." Tsunade finished.
"Well, see you at around noon." Naruto said.
"Or earlier, Kakashi might actually be early for once." Tsunade said.
"Wanna bet?" Naruto said, knowing full well how the Legendary Sucker could never resist the urge to gamble.
End Flashback
"So Naruto already knew, but he decided to make it look like that meeting from yesterday was the first time he heard about it." Kakashi said, only to receive a nod in return. He gave a small sigh, "Just how badly have I underestimated him?" He asked.
Tsunade looked at him with a little sympathy, "Relax Kakashi, you're not the only person to underestimate him, basically just about this entire village had just took one look at him and thought of him as nothing more than a nuisance, even going as far as badmouthing him, and now most of them are eating their words, mainly due to their own children opening their eyes to what their parents didn't bother trying to see in the brat."
Kakashi couldn't help but chuckle at this: His blonde student finally getting the kind of attention, Anyway, as for reason why I'm here . . ."
* * *
Sasuke, Sakura, and the rest of the Konoha 12 were currently at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, where they already got a section reserved for those of the Akimichi clan. Right now, they were strategizing on what to do next.
After Naruto left to go on his training trip, Sakura and Sasuke both told the rest about the real truth about the kyubi, and, except for Ino who already knew, the rest were shocked to find out the real reason behind the hate in this village.
Shikamaru, being the most observant, asked, "So are there any other secrets that you're not telling us?"
Sasuke was the one to answer, "There is, and we're not going to tell you because Naruto asked us not to." He said, getting an understanding nod from the rest, "And before you ask Ino," causing said girl to give a 'who me?' look, "It involves his family and that's something that he wants to tell everybody himself when he gets the chance."
"So what are we going to do with Naruto's other secret?" Kiba asked between bites of his food.
"He wants to keep it between us, since he doesn't want to risk coming back to a Konoha gone to hell because of things that should stay in the past." Sakura said, before noticing something different about two particular people, "Hinata, since when have you and Lee started going out?"
Said girl started to blush, making her face match Sakura's hair, "About a month ago. I wasn't paying much attention to where I was going and Lee accidentally tripped and crashed into me, and his lips happen to crash into mine, kind of like that 'incident' before we got assigned to our teams, except that something good actually came out of it."
When she brought up the 'incident,' there came two responses: A sick look on Sasuke, and a pair of guilty looks on Sakura and Ino's faces. The only ones that didn't have a clue what they were talking about were those of team Gai. Shino took one look at them and decided to explain, "The incident that she is talking about involves Sasuke's and Naruto's first kiss, unfortunately, due to the accident caused by another, with each other."
Tenten took a quick look at Sasuke, "I can understand the quick look," She started to say, before looking at the two girls, "but what would you two have to feel . . . guilty . . . about." She was about to ask until it dawn on her.
Shikamaru only said two words to confirm hers and Neji's thoughts, "Brutal retaliation."
Neji spoke first, "So because Naruto took away your chances of obtaining Sasuke's first kiss, you two decided to pound the living daylights out of him."
"Them and the entire Sasuke Fan Club," Kiba said, causing a small chill to go down every boy's spine, "And it's amazing how Naruto didn't end up like Gaara from all the torment we've put him through in the beginning."
Sakura was really feeling guilty, because she was no better then any of the other villagers who decided that Naruto was not worth having around. She jumped when she felt a finger poke her in the shoulder, and turned to Sasuke, who had a small smile on his face, "We need to talk." He said, before getting out of his chair. All Sakura could do is nod, and follow him out of the door.
Everyone watched the pair leave, before Kiba stood up, "Well, as much fun as this was, I'm going to go train. Right now, I don't want to be left behind when Naruto returns from his little trip."
The rest of the group decided to depart, except for Choji who got stuck with the check.
* * *
Sasuke and Sakura both were quiet when they reached Team 7's usual meeting place. Right now Sakura was feeling a little nervous, because the fan girl in her was currently driving her crazy with some of the fantasies she never got over. What happened next killed the fan girl part completely.
"Sakura, I don't want you to pursue me anymore." Sasuke said, catching the girl by surprise, "Right now, you're my teammate, and a friend, just having you as a girlfriend is something that will never happen."
Sakura look down for a bit, but for some reason, she felt relieved, "I understand. You don't' like fan girls, and like Naruto, I never gave up on asking you out on a date, and like you, I rejected him badly." She said.
Sasuke just shook his head little, "Not quite like either one of us. When I reject you, I just tell you so you back off. When you reject Naruto, yours is more harsh because you pound him, berate him, insult him, even when he is just saying hi, thinking that would please me. All that ever did was given me a reason to despise you even more because you thought that would please me for acting like a coward for attacking when somebody is defenseless." He said, "And as it comes to asking for a date or whatever, Naruto was different because when you reject him, he keeps training to make himself a better ninja, while you on the other hand just keep bugging me to spend time with you, and I'm guessing that even though you are alone, you are still thinking of ways to impress me."
Sakura felt even guiltier when Sasuke hit her with every single point he made, and knew that he was right. When she felt a hand on her shoulder, she was surprised again when she looked up to see Sasuke giving her a sincere smile, "But you do have a chance at being with Naruto. The way you've been looking at him these past couple of months, I could tell that the way you're looking at him shows that you are moving away from the crowd, and listen to your heart, because compared to your feelings towards me, those towards Naruto is more real."
Sakura just nodded and said "Thank you for setting me straight Sasuke and you're right, my feelings towards you were a fake, the only reason I felt that way was because I just wanted to fit in. After the Chunin exams, I think Naruto finally made me open my eyes and start to see what the real world is like, and I know now that I really have to make it up to him for all the grief that I've caused him." She placed her hand on his, and gave him a small smile saying that she will be okay.
Sasuke took his hand back, and started to leave. "I'm going to go find Kakashi and have him help me with my training. I suggest you take this moment and think about where you want to be right now, because I'm pretty sure that even Naruto would want you to decide if you want to take your career as a ninja seriously or resign and find something that matches your abilities." He said.
Sakura just stood there for a bit, and did just that, 'what do I really want to do?'
* * *
When Kakashi finished what needed to be said, he looked at the Hokage and knew what it meant when she pulled out a sake bottle, and drunk out of it, she now has a migraine and needs to drown it out. "Now if it's okay with you, I need to make some arrangements on Sasuke's training." He said.
Tsunade just waved him off. Before he reached the door, "Kakashi," She yelled out, getting his attention, "I need to confirm something before you leave. Are you absolutely, 100% certain that Naruto might actually be right about this, and not blowing smoke?" She asked.
"Lady Tsunade, the one thing I have learned about this original Naruto is that he is not to be underestimated. From what I can tell, I think this is his way of showing the people, especially those in the main council, who wronged him for most of his life that they've been screwing the wrong guy for the last thirteen years. Later." He said, before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
Tsunade couldn't help but chuckle at that part. The person she thought of as a little brother was giving some of people a good hard look at what they chose to turn their backs on because they can't let go of the past. A small knock on her door caught her attention, "Come in." She said. When the door open to reveal the pink haired kunoichi, "Ah, Sakura, how may I help you?"
Sakura found the floor somewhat interesting, "I was wondering if you could train me to become a medic-nin, Lady Hokage?" She asked, catching the village a little bit off guard.
Tsunade just sat there for a bit before saying "I could, but first I need to know what the reason would be for asking such a thing. Is it to impress the Uchiha?"
Sakura shook her head, "No, we've talked about it and confirmed that we could be nothing more then friends and teammates. I want to do this because I still want to be a ninja, and I'm tired of being the scared, helpless little girl who needs to be protected from her teammates because she was too busy neglecting her training for a boy that was never meant to be in the first place." She explained, although she lowered her head more, with some of her hair falling in front of her face to cover the slight blush making itself known all over her face, "Plus I owe it to Naruto since I've never been acting like a ninja, a teammate, a friend . . ."
"Or, in your case, a girlfriend." Tsunade said, reading between the lines, causing the girl's entire head, even her hair, to go red with embarrassment, causing the Hokage to give a light chuckle, "You've convinced me, so make sure you show up early tomorrow and we can start your training."
Sakura gave a quick thanks before heading out the door, "Oh and Sakura," Tsunade's voice rang out to get her attention, "You might want to make sure that you keep as much focus as possible because compared to Kakashi, I'm not afraid to make things a living hell if you're not careful." Sakura's entire body became as pale as a ghost when she stepped out of the door.
* * *
Somewhere near the wind country border
Naruto and Jiraiya were currently having lunch at a Chinese restaurant, Naruto having a little chicken chow mien and Jiraiya having some sweet and sour pork. Right now Naruto was the only one eating while Jiraiya was busy ogling the girls that were either working there or eating with their friends. Right now, considering some of the glares pointing at his teacher's direction, he decided to help give the girls a little payback. He intercepted a waitress walking by, and had her bend over so he could whisper something in her ear.
Jiraiya was busy looking around until he caught his student whispering something into a waitress's ear, and judging the blush on her face while she was nodding her head a few times, she was enjoying being this close to the blonde. When they were done, the waitress whispered something back and gave him a quick peck on the check and she hurried off towards the kitchen, "What was that about?" He asked.
"Oh I had her agree into giving us a discount on dessert if we could give her something in return, and she said she might if we ate all our food like proper gentlemen." Naruto explained, while the older man had a perverted look on his face before Naruto smacked him upside the head, "Well what are you waiting for? It's rather insulting to the woman who cooked these delicious meals if we don't eat." Not noticing that the other girls had there eyes glued to him, except in a happy way, he gave the waitress a quick wink from his eye, causing her girl in his line of sight to blush madly.
Jiraiya, who was busy eating his food like there was no tomorrow, did notice and the only words that came to his mind were 'Lucky bastard' just as he ate the last bite.
When Naruto saw that both plates were empty, he signals the waitress to do her thing. She grabbed the plates while another one came by with a hot fudge sundae for Jiraiya and a banana split for Naruto, "Thank you." He said with a smile, placing the girls around him dangerously close to fainting from blood loss alone.
When both finished their meal, they stood up to pay at register, Naruto started to count down from ten when he saw smoke started to come out of his sensei's ears and nose, when he got to one, flames started to come out of his mouth, "I think I saw what looked like a river or creek on the other side of that one weapons store." Naruto said which caused the Sannin to disappear as soon as he heard the word creek. When he left, Naruto just chuckled before asking "Just what did you put into his ice cream?"
The cook came out and said "Oh just a combination of Tabasco and horseradish sauces." With a big, amusing grin on her face, "Thanks for giving us a chance to get even with that annoying pervert."
"Thanks for helping me pull his head out of his ass." Naruto said, causing the entire room to laugh their butts off while Naruto gave a generous tip to the waitress, "And thanks for the good food." He said before walking out of the door.
Just as he stepped out the door, words like 'did you see that cutie?!' and 'I wonder if that guy is available?'
Here is the latest chapter. The next couple of chapters will take place during the time skip, and those of you who were hoping for a SasuHina or a KibaHina, sorry to disappoint you, but I like to mix and match every now and then, and since there are so few LeeHina, I decided to go for it, plus it gives me an excuse to give Neji a hard time. Read and Review.
This would have been up a couple of days ago, unfortunately the website decided to be a pain that time.