Summary: After Naru failed and nearly died trying to stop Sasuke from leaving, she realized she needed to train. Requesting help from Jiraiya, they set out on a journey that changes them. What happened during their absence? Can it be reversed, or is it better this way?
One : Failed.
I stared at the darkness around me, it was so thick and heavy I couldn't even twitch my pinky. My whole body was freezing, if I could my teeth would be chattering. But instead my body was frozen. I had to be dead. But from what? How could I have died? I strained and struggled to recall what happened, it took all the energy I had, I had to stop it, stop him..
I let the exhaustion win as I pondered exactly who the he was.
I could hear the wind as it whipped past me making me all the more cold, a shiver coursed through me which sent my nerves in a frenzy of pure pain.
Open your eyes! Open them!
I did as it said, working slowly to open my heavy lids, this time instead of darkness though, I was greeted with the blur of trees and a deep gray sky. To the corner of my vision I could see a silver color and an olive green shape at the bottom.
As more senses came to me, I could smell the rain in the air, the nauseating smell the earth got after a solid rain storm. I could feel my wet clothes clinging to my body and the broad back of someone against my front with two strong hands under my thighs. I was riding on someone's back.
I shifted my vision to the silver which I could identify as hair. And there were only two that had that color, one was in jail and the other was my sensei. 'Kaka-sensei' I smiled in my head. As I laid content in his arms my memory slowly returned bit by bit, the news, the chase, the fight, the promise. It came back to me, Sasuke! He tried to leave the village and I chased him down and we fought, but what happened? Did I win? Was Sasuke taken back? I had to have my answer.
'Move body! Move! Where was Sasuke! I had to know!'
I guess I managed to twitch enough because Kakashi glanced back at me, relief filled his gray eye.
"Kaka-sensei," I rasped as he gave me a comforting smile through his blue mask. "Where's Sasuke?" I asked. He let out a sigh and looked down. My vision dropped to his shoulder instantly knowing I failed…
Three blurs caught my attention and I watched them as they fell in line with us, showing they were medical ninja from Konoha.
"Kakashi-san, how is Uzumaki Naru's condition?" The leader asked, looking at me as I stared ahead wallowing in my failure, I caught Kakashi looking at me before focusing forward.
"She's doing well enough." He replied.
"And Sasuke? What of Uchiha Sasuke?" Another asked, I glared at the forest and gripped Kakashi's vest tight in frustration, he simply shook his head and they fell into silence.
"What of the others?" Kakashi asked, breaking it.
"Tsunade-sama dispatched medic teams one and two, we found all the genin in various locations, administering quick first aid and returned them to Konoha." He replied.
"How are they?" Kakashi questioned again in that tone that signaled he was seriously aggravated at the vague answer, I knew that tone, I heard it enough times myself.
"R-right," He stuttered. "Well, Nara Shikamaru only had minor injuries, Inuzuka Kiba took some deep wounds but is in no serious danger." He paused. "Hyuuga Neji and Akimichi Chouji are seriously wounded, their fates and survival are unknown at this time."
I shook, gripping the vest tighter at the information, they put their lives on the line, nearly dying and I failed them.
A wave of pain slammed into my body and my head fell to Kakashi's shoulder and neck. I let out a shaky breath, which was almost impossible, I felt like I was drowning, my head spun and my body thrashed as if fighting to get above the imaginary water around me.
Kakashi turned his head, tightening his grip on me. "Naru? Naru?" He called, even though he was right against me, his voice echoed and sounded far away. My body continued to jerk as I slowly suffocated, I could feel that burning sensation of puke in my throat. I wanted to warn him but as I opened my mouth it flew out, not vomit but crimson blood. I grunted as we jerked to a stop and sensei pulled me in front of him calling my name over and over but I couldn't respond.
I used the last of my strength to roll to the side from his arms and began to cough as blood hit the tree under me. I felt the cooling sensation of the medics chakra spread through my body cooling the burning pain but I continued to suffocate on my blood. Kakashi's arms held me close as my body gave out and the last I saw was the blood covered tree. 'Why?'
POV
Kakashi let out a shaky breath as Naru collapsed into unconsciousness in his arms, he swallowed heavily and looked at the medic ninja as he pulled back looking shaken. "We need to get her to Konoha hospital, fast." He said, Kakashi gave a nod gently scooping Naru to the front of his chest, almost cuddling her cold body to his and took off quickly to get the girl the help she needed to not die.
In Konohagakure Hospital
In the waiting hall outside one of the many operating rooms a young boy sat on the bench waiting silently. He wrung his hands tight as his leg bounced up and down quickly showing the nerves he wouldn't let show on his face. Across from him sat a girl watching him with a frown, her own heart beat quickly but she kept her outer image stoic.
Shikamaru POV
I let out another sigh looking at the double doors for the umpteenth time. I gnawed on my lip again as a million and one things raced through my mind. Wondering how Chouji was and if he'd make it out of this, I thought about the mission, the battle, Naru, Sasuke, what happened after? Did she stop him? Would she bring him home? Was she alive?
"Come on, it doesn't help anyone working yourself into a frenzy." I looked up at the annoying girl across from me. Temari of Sunagakure who came to my rescue and saved my sorry ass! She had a frown etched on her flawless face, her deep blue eyes bore into mine. "With missions come sacrifices, you've had psychological training," She commented, making me sigh.
"There is a difference between training and doing. I've been on missions before .. I thought I knew what it was to be a ninja, I - this was the first time I was named cell leader. It helped me realize…" I paused, letting out a shaky breath again. "I'm not fit to be a ninja." I accepted, I watched a harsh glare cross her face.
"Pshaw! Look at mister delicate, you call yourself a man?" She mocked me trying to get a rise out of me. But I didn't have the energy to do this right now, so I stood up and stared at the tile under my feet. "As leader all I could do was put my trust in them. I was too naive, I was unprepared for the task at hand, this is my fault."
"So you're afraid of getting hurt?" I let out another huff, this troublesome woman was getting on my last nerve! I walked away from her and mentally groaned as I saw my father leaning against the corner. Tsunade-sama called him due to our clan's knowledge and research of medicine, plus he was there in replacement for Chouji's status while Chouza was on a mission.
I glanced at him and took in the look, he was about to start his lecture too, just great!
"So Shikamaru, when a woman whips her tongue you turn tail?" He questioned, here we go…
"I just don't have the energy to argue, I'm not a girl alright?" I snipped at him, I glanced back seeing Temari watching us.
"Of course, but you're not much of a man either," He said. "You're just a coward!" He barked, I flinched ever so slightly. "Listen here, whether you're here or not, the missions will go on, and someone has to carry them out, they'll send your friends out again, just under someone else, it's the way things work." He said, "They'll be no less likely to die then too, but, maybe just maybe if you're their leader.. Your friends will survive." He said, I gulped down the sob that wanted to spill out. "You made it back, reflect on what happened this time and learn, then your next mission will be perfect, if you really care about your friends, then instead of running you should set your mind on improving yourself." He said straightening. "Isn't that the way friends act!? Milksop!" He barked, I stared at my feet in silence.
POV
The double doors opened from the operating room and Tsunade walked out sitting on the bench with a heavy sigh, Shikaku turned his attention from his son to his Hokage. "He's okay now, " She supplied them. "His pills were eating his cells away, but I was able to find the antidote, thank you Shikaku, your clan's sacred medicine guide was very helpful, it took a lot of effort to make, shows your work." She praised him.
"Thank you, really." He said, Shikamaru's body gave a small tremor at the news. From the other end a young medic ran down the hall huffing for air and stopped a few feet in front of Shikamaru.
"Tsunade-sama!" She huffed. "Hyuuga Neji is out of the danger zone," She said with a confident smile.
"Great job Shizune." Tsunade stood up with a smile at her apprentice.
"Also Hatake Kakashi and Uzumaki Naru have just returned, Naru is not doing good, she is severely hurt and they need you." She said, Tsunade took fast strides down the hall pausing at the chunin who was quietly crying, she gave a small smile.
"Well Shikamaru, we failed, but everyone is alive, so I couldn't ask for more." She said squeezing his shoulder before following Shizune out, Shikamaru let out a choked sob.
"Next time ….. The mission will be perfect." He sobbed, making his father smile.
-o0o-
Kakashi POV
I stood in the corner of the private room looking at the seemingly peacefully sleeping Naru, the moonlight shone on her body from the window. I looked over her body, which wasn't much, she was bandaged from head to toe, I could only see her eyes which were closed with dark marks on the bottom, then her lips which were broken and bruised too. A breathing mask covered her lips pumping oxygen into her broken body, two different IV's took up places on her arm, one pumping fluids and medication in and the other supplying her with the lost blood from surgery.
I stepped slowly up and sat on the edge of the bed gently next to her and sighed quietly as I gently touched her hand. 'Don't you worry Naru, you did good, I know you fought your hardest.' I complimented her in my head before I looked out the window and to the distance. 'Do you even feel any regret for almost killing her, Sasuke?' I thought and looked back at Naru as I recalled earlier with Tsunade-sama.
-Flashback
"How is she?" I asked as Tsunade walked out of the double doors pulling the blood stained gown from her body.
"There was so much damage." She said shakily. "Her right lung has been punctured, straight through, it had to be a powerful hit to do that, she was lucky." She said, my stomach churned knowing it was a chidori that did that. "The wound was partially healed because of Kyuubi." She began. "She has third degree burns all over her body, a couple run-ins with his fire style no doubt. She had bruises on her neck, hand shaped, that will heal in time, I doubt she'll be able to fully speak for some time." I grit my teeth as we walked down the empty hall. "Speaking of her neck, she's very lucky she's not dead or paralyzed." I stopped in shock.
"What?!" I questioned.
"A section of her spinal cord was crushed, her skull had a couple cracks in it, most likely from a head first impact." I swallowed heavily to keep the vomit down. "Her right arm muscles are severely damaged, she'll need physical therapy to get it back up to her normal strength and movement, but I feel that her jutsu and chakra molding will be affected.
"What about the blood? I mean, why was she coughing so much of it up?" I questioned. "Stress was a big factor, but with that puncture to her lung, it was filled with blood and water, I had to drain her lungs, and am currently getting a blood transplant processed, thank you for your help." I stopped in my place gripping the wall in sorrow, I wanted to fall to my knees but they were locked in place. She put her hand on my shoulder looking in my eye.
"I - I didn't -"
"Kakashi, I know you feel like you were late, or you failed, but you didn't." She said, "If you hadn't gone after her when you did, she would have died out there, you were on time, you did right." She said, I let out a sigh. "Let's go see her." She said, leading me on.
Flashback-
I reached out brushing her bangs to the side and gently stroked her cheek with my thumb. I wanted to sob for her, I had stood here trying to figure out what I could say, what I could do to make it up to her, but there was nothing I could do. I stood up, I needed to talk to someone, and there was only one person that I could talk to freely. Obito. I walked out slowly shutting the door to her room and left quickly.
POV
Three Days Later
After the chaos of that mission and the news spread, the genin that were on that mission were awake and healing slowly under Tsunade and the medic team's watchful eyes. Shikamaru chuckled as he walked from Chouji's room who was complaining about his strict healing diet. Shikamaru spotted Tsunade and jogged up to her as she scribbled things on a clipboard, she smiled at him.
"I was thinking," He started. "Shouldn't all teams have a medic ninja on them, I mean so they could guarantee success?" He asked.
"Actually once years ago I proposed the same thing, but being a medic ninja isn't easy, you need top notch chakra control and it also calls for a special something." She smirked, Shikamaru cocked his head in confusion.
"Like what?"
"Don't worry about that, why don't you come see Naru with me, I'm heading there now."
"She woke up?" He asked.
"Yes, this morning, she needs cheering up, I'll be there in a few minutes." She said, Shikamaru gave a nod and walked to Naru's room and opened the door standing there watching her.
She sat slumped over staring at the blue hitai-ate that had a scratch through the Konohagakure village symbol which also was a way to state the wearer was a rogue ninja.
She didn't even notice Shikamaru standing there lost in the daze she was in until he snapped the door shut making her jolt.
"No rest for you huh?" He questioned, she blinked at me and let a phantom smile appear before fading as she mouthed his name still unable to speak easily.
-o0o-
At the front of the hospital two girls walked close together to the nurses desk questioning for the information on their friends and teammates who could finally have visitors.
"Sakura…. Who are you going to go see? I'm gonna go see Chouji." She said, hoping to subtly tell her friend to see her other teammate, not just Sasuke.
"Don't worry Ino, I'm gonna go see Naru … and Sasuke." The girl said walking quickly down the hall, Ino let out a sigh shaking her head at her friend / enemy.
Sakura got to Naru's room and paused hearing the voice in the room.
"Everyone survived, that's the only thing you should worry about," Shikamaru's voice said. "Even though Sasuke wouldn't come back, don't feel bad, you did your best." He said Sakura stopped and looked at the ground in utter sadness standing outside her teammates room.
Tsunade POV
I walked down the hall looking over the vital tests of Naru's, it would take a lot but she could pull through, nothing could stop that girl. I stopped as I looked at the girl standing outside Naru's closed door, Sakura, her teammate, who looked like she had witnessed a puppy being kicked. I heard much about the girl from Kakashi and others. She was a talented ninja, but sadly had her head in the clouds revolving around Sasuke only. So that's what she was devastated about, she must have heard the Uchiha did leave the village. I felt my temper try to explode that she couldn't even be bothered to check on her other teammate! The one that nearly died trying to get the Uchiha back, was she going to stand outside sulking? No, she wouldn't get off that easily.
I walked up making her look at me. "Are you here to see a patient? You're Haruno Sakura correct? Naru's teammate." I said, "The word travels fast," I said and opened the door before she could walk away. I watched Naru give a jump in shock and look at us before grief covered her face seeing Sakura.
"Someone is looking much better." I said giving a gentle bump to Sakura into the room, Shikamaru looked between both girls then to me.
"Naru." Sakura whispered.
Sakura POV
I looked at her, the way she couldn't look at me, the way she gripped the blanket, the hitai-ate with a slashed plaque laid in her lap, I knew it was true Sasuke was gone.
"...rry." I blinked hearing that, it was barely audible but I knew it was from Naru the way she gulped heavily.
"Sorry for what?" I laughed walking to the windows pulling them open looking at the sky. "You're so weird sometimes." I teased. "You look like a mummy wrapped up like that," I chuckled.
"S...sorry." She tried again with a cracked voice.
"You should have your blinds open! It's beautiful out!"
"Sakura I'm sorry ! I'll eep - keep my promise!" She yelped with a voice that was holding back tears like I was myself.
"It's okay Naru, don't worry about it, forget it, actually." I said looking at her, it hurt, it hurt so much to say that.
Shikamaru glared at me. "Sakura! She's trying-" He started.
"Never … go back on my word." She rasped, before letting her fake smile grace her face. I looked at her with the others, my throat burned at the sobs I was holding back, I looked at the hitai-ate in her lap, the bandages covering her body, some stained with her blood, the IV's, the machines, the bruises I could see, the brace that was around her neck, that grin. Kami, that grin!
"Naru, this is a request of a lifetime, please bring Sasuke-kun back to me." My plea echoed in my mind.
"Don't you worry Sakura! I promise to bring Sasuke back, no matter what!" Her promise echoed in my ears, I continued to look at the grin, it was killing me. I looked down and walked to the door opening it.
"I'm sorry Naru, but you'll have to wait." I said, glancing back at her, she blinked in confusion. "Cause next time, I'm coming with you." I said with a smile and walked out, shutting the door quickly.
Naru POV
I blinked as Sakura left the room, I looked back down at Sasuke's hitai-ate in my lap and I swallowed which was very painful. I blinked as Baa-chan moved it from my lap, I blinked at her while she smiled at me. "I need to check on you." She said and began to examine my neck pouring chakra into me which took the burning in my throat away.
She untied my gown examining my spine, Shikamaru watched as she prodded at my spine with chakra making me wince in pain.
"At least your nerves aren't dead, it'll take therapy but you'll be ok." She said, "I want you to keep your spine as straight as you can, lying down or sitting up." She said, I straightened up as much as possible as she examined the other wounds. "You'll be okay, but you're going to be here for quite some time." She said, I reached out to Sasuke's hitai-ate which she promptly yanked out of my reach, I let out a squeak of protest. "I want you to focus on your healing, not this." She said, I was ready to protest again.
"She's right Naru, forget Sasuke, focus on yourself for once." Shikamaru said.
My lip quivered before I gently laid down and looked at the window before closing my eyes tightly. I wanted to open my eyes and all of this was a horrible dream! I would wake up and meet Sasuke at the red bridge with Sakura, and we'd yell at Kakashi-sensei for being late then go on missions and be happy. Kami let this just be a horrible dream.
POV
Tsunade yawned as she filled out the last of her papers before she could head home and sleep finally. A quick knock sounded, making her frown. "Enter." She called and watched as Sakura came in with a determined look on her face. "Yes?" She questioned.
"I came to request something, Please take me on as your apprentice!" She said, Tsunade gave a jolt of shock before looking into Sakura's emerald eyes, almost seeing Naru and Sasuke behind her, knowing well that she was pushing herself to catch up to her teammates.
"I'm told by Kakashi that you are a gifted student, clear headed most of the time and you can persevere." She gave a blink, obviously shocked at the reports. "Alright, I will take you on but this will not be easy."
"Ye.. yes ma'am!" She said with a smile.
Hospital.
Naru laid on the bed staring at the ceiling that was painted orange from the setting sun. She continued to replay the fight over and over in her mind.
'All this time … I thought I was better than him, that I was strong enough but now I know, I'm not. I'm nowhere close to his level. I really am just a child.' She berated herself. A loud boom sounded making her jump in her bed and sit up quickly flinching in pain, the window opened and she smiled as her temporary sensei Jiraiya sat on the window sill.
"Hey there kiddo." He smiled looking at her, and she gave a nod to him.
Jiraiya POV
I looked at her, after I got Tsunade's letter about Naru's battle, I rushed back, my own memory of doing the exact same thing with Orochimaru years and years ago came rushing back. The wounds on her body, the brokenness in her eyes, it was history repeating itself again.
"How are ya?" I asked, she gave a tiny shrug, I could see the bruises on her neck and sighed.
"Well, this isn't just a friendly hello, I have some news-"
"-raiya." She rasped before swallowing heavily. "I need training, please train me." She said, "I'm not good enough-" She said coughing.
I chuckled while walking in and grabbing the pitcher of water and helped her take a sip of water. "I want serious.."
"Way to ruin my speech kid!" I teased. "I was coming here to tell you, once you're out of the hospital, you and I will set off on a journey where I will train and get you prepared for life. True training." I said, "Tsunade already gave me the green light, of course once you get the green light." I said sitting on her bed. "My sources tell me the Akatsuki won't be coming for you for at least three years." She nodded and sighed.
"I need to be stronger.. Really train me.. Promise?" She asked.
"Naru, it was destined to happen, nothing you could have done or said to him would have stopped him. His mind was made up when he walked from those gates, it is highly unlikely he will ever change."
"Please." She pleaded, gripping her blanket. I gently raised her head looking into those watery blue eyes.
"I promise." She smiled at me. "Get some rest, I'll come check on you later." I said and left the same way I came.
-o0o- Three Months Later-o0o-
After weeks of working slowly Naru was able to start her therapy again, getting her movement back, her voice and her spirit back as well. And finally she got the green light from Tsunade that she was deemed okay to start her journey.
After she packed up and entrusted her apartment and plants to Konohamaru, who accepted it, she met up with Iruka for a lunch of Ichiraku ramen before she left.
"So, you're going to be gone for a while?" Iruka questioned as Naru drank her ramen broth.
"Yeah, a few years I think." She said, he smiled at her as she sighed, the flap lifted and Jiraiya poked his head in.
"Hey, we need to head out now if we wanna stay on schedule." Naru nodded at him and stood up. Iruka paid and followed them out as Naru pulled her pack on and sighed smiling at him.
"I'll see ya when I get back Iruka-sensei, and I promise I'll pay ya back for all the ramen." She said with a chuckle, he smiled and yanked her close giving her a hug, she blinked in shock before returning it with a smile.
"Come home soon." He said, she smiled up at him, he gently knocked on her hitai-ate plaque that once belonged to him. "You can do it, I know you'll prove to them all what you can do." He winked, she smiled fighting back tears.
"Thank you Iruka-sensei!" She called while running down the road to Jiraiya who was waiting. She looked at the Hokage mountain, most specifically at the Yondaime's face and straightened her back. 'I swear, I will get stronger! Just you watch me!' She thought and looked at Jiraiya who gave a smirk looking between the two before beckoning her on.
Naru turned walking backwards looking at her village ready for the journey that awaited her.