CHAPTER 3: Free Bird
Land of Fire, night, 0 days since Naruto's departure
It was a very quiet night. You could hear the wind blowing through the leaves, bugs chirping, owls hooting, the crackling and popping of fire. It should have been a peaceful affair, but it wasn't for either of the 2 sitting near the small inferno.
Jiraiya was looking at his new apprentice. Thinking about what he wanted to say after seeing that display earlier today. After a full hour of running, Naruto had finally started to slow down. His legs finally started to feel worse than his emotions. Jiraiya decided he would give Naruto the space he needed and would ask later that night. The two of them continued walking for the next few hours until night came. The two set up their camp for the night and once that was completed, they pulled out food from their packs and started preparing. At least Jiraiya did, Naruto decided he would just eat the dangos that Ino had given him, filling up his stomach and making him feel a lot better.
Naruto finally had time to just sit and think about all that had happened today. It had started off so well. He was so excited to finally begin his journey. He had already packed everything up the night before, so he could get going first thing in the morning. He had to say his goodbyes to some people he knew wouldn't be able to meet him at the gate and he was glad to see them one last time. The only goodbye from his morning that was awkward was the one with Sasuke. Sasuke didn't even say a word to him and eventually Naruto just left him as he was.
The next part of his morning also started out tremendously. Waiting at the main gates for him and Jiraiya were his sensei Kakashi and 3 of his newest friends. He had already known Kakashi for months now and was glad he was his sensei. Yes, his teaching and eccentricities were odd to say the least, but Naruto wouldn't be the shinobi he was now without his guiding hand.
Then came the next 3, who he had gotten to know very well in just a few short weeks. Shikamaru was the one he felt he knew the most about, given they had gone on a mission together. During that mission he came to know 2 things about Shikamaru above all else, He was the most intelligent shinobi Naruto had ever seen, and Shikamaru was as lazy as they come. Naruto greatly valued his ideas and strategies. They were the only reason everyone came back alive.
If you had told Naruto even just a month back that he would be friends with Ino Yamanaka very soon, he would have laughed at your face in the absurdity of that statement. If you would have also told Naruto that Ino would be teasing him, he would have taken you to the hospital for a checkup. Truth is stranger than fiction though. He had grown to like being with her, it was never a dull moment with her which he greatly enjoyed, and truth be told, a part of him liked the teasing.
Hinata was the last of the group to say goodbye to him. Truth be told, she was the one person he was going to miss the most. She was there when he needed her most and he will never forget that. Naruto needed to get stronger to protect all those he cared about, to protect Hinata.
Everything was perfect, yes, nothing could have ruined the day he had been having.
Until something did. The ONE person he didn't want to see had somehow found out when he was going to leave and the place he was departing from. He had thought he was recovering from her shattering of his soul the week prior. Hearing her voice undid all the healing the previous week had accomplished. Seeing her face made him remember just how much he loved her, and it obliterated him once again. Just being in her presence was too much for the boy. So, he ran. He ran for as long as he possibly could. He needed to get away from that place as fast as possible.
All throughout his run, the water works would not stop. The levee broke and there was nothing to do except to wait for the water to stop. He didn't know how long he ran for or for how long the moisture had been streaming down his cheeks, to him it felt like an eternity. Eventually his legs screamed at him to take a rest, and he obliged them. By that point the water had stopped, leaving him feeling empty and numb at that juncture. The Pendant gray.
Jiraiya decided it was time for this silence to end. "Tell me what happened back there." He said with an earnest tone. He set his eyes on his student, giving Naruto a warm but firm gaze. Jiraiya brought his knee to his chest, trying to get comfortable for this tale.
Naruto took a deep breath, his nerves no longer there. The void was his only companion. "She broke me, and she did it so quickly. All this time I thought we were friends. I thought I loved her. And she hurt me 1000 times more than what Sasuke did to me." Naruto uttered solemnly. He didn't bother to even look up. He just brought both his knees to his chest to make himself feel small. "I-I don't even know where to begin."
"How about from the beginning then. What made you first notice Sakura. How did your relationship evolve? How did she make you feel and what do you feel for her? And then you can end with how she hurt you." Jiraiya worded like a father to the genin.
"It's a long story, are you sure you want to hear it." Naruto muttered out in a soft voice. He didn't know why he was willing to speak to Jiraiya about this. Perhaps Naruto just wanted someone else to know everything he and her had gone through.
"We've got all night gaki, and I'm all ears." Jiraiya exclaimed to his God Son. Jiraiya took this momentary pause to put some more logs on the fire. He had a feeling this was going to be a long night.
Naruto followed the sage's advice and started from when he first met the girl. He told Jiraiya about how his feelings for her steadily grew over the years. He also mentioned his boneheaded attempts to woo her over, that often resulted in her giving him a lump on his head. He brought out the memory of being paired with Sasuke and her, and how that had been the happiest moment of his life. He then went on to tell all the missions they had went on, from the dredges of D-rank to their first C-rank that turned into an A-rank. It was during this time, he remarked, that he started to see that her infatuation for Sasuke might be the same as Naruto felt about her. This time also furthered his feelings for the pink-haired girl who was slowly maturing into a woman. The pendant had turned from its charcoal gray to bright orange.
Then came the Chūnin exams. It was at this point, he was telling Jiraiya, that he knew he didn't just care for her, he loved her. He loved her so much it hurt him. When fighting the One-tailed beast, he swore he would protect not Konohagakure. No, he would protect her! The pendant then turned to a cherry red upon remembering that statement. After he made that declaration is when he finally beat Gaara. From this point on Jiraiya knew most of the story, until it came to the point where Naruto returned to the village with Sasuke.
This part was particularly tough for the boy. The moisture did not return to his eyes as he recanted, he didn't have any left. He told Jiraiya ever detail he could remember. From the moment she walked into the room, to when he fell asleep in Hinata's arms. The crystal hanging from his neck went from its red color to void black to a healthy green by the end of the tale.
Oh gaki, you are so like me when I was younger. Iff I didn't know better, I'd say you were a son I didn't know I had. I know what it's like to be rejected by the girl you love with all your heart. I also know he can't follow the same lonely road I've traveled. I need to get Naruto's mind off his love. He deserves a girl who respects him and knows him. Perhaps that other blonde or dark blue-haired girl would be good for him. They certainly seemed interested in him, and he seemed to get along with both pretty well.
Jiraiya's thoughts didn't show on his person. He simply stared at his young charge, letting him get it all out of his system. Once it seemed that Naruto was done giving voice to all his memories, that's when Jiraiya took his chance to speak. "You know, I too once had something similar happen to me. I know this pain well Naruto. I also know what path this could lead you down." Jiraiya muttered with a firm but warm voice. "I know what I'm about to say may be harsh, but I think it's best if you move on from your feelings for her. It will be best for her and you." It was better to get through the hurt now than to let it morph into a larger beast. Jiraiya would hate to see him go through this, but it was necessary.
"I don't know if I can sensei. Even now, despite what she did to me. I still feel I love her and it's eating away at me." Naruto vented out, finally admitting out loud these thoughts.
Jiraiya took a deep breath and exhaled. "She will always have a place in your heart. I can't deny that. But if you continue to pine for her after that rejection then you will end up like me. Alone in this world with no wife and kids to call his own." Jiraiya may be a pervert, but he would gladly have given up his ways if the woman he loved had returned his feelings. Sadly, Jiraiya never moved on and now had no hope things would change for him on this front.
For the first time since leaving the village, Naruto chuckled. He brought his knees down from his chest and stretched them out. "Oh please. You? A family man? Please tell me pigs haven't gained chakra and can somehow fly now. I can only take so much delusion!"
This got an irritated mark to appear on Jiraiya's head. "Hey, I'll have you know I would have made a great dad. My kids would have been the best around."
Again, Naruto could only chuckle at this assertion. "Whatever you say, pervy sage."
There's the boy I remember. I still don't like that nickname, but it seems that laugh is bringing him around. Jiraiya would have continued with this stream of thoughts, but Naruto continued from where he last left off.
"Do you really think I should move on from her. Even thinking about it is making the pit in my stomach grow." Naruto uttered out. He once again brought his knees to his chest. His laughter instantly stopped, and he changed his tone to a much darker place.
"I do gaki, and I know the perfect way to help you through this!" Jiraiya exclaimed with a toothy grin and a wink towards his charge. Hoping to get another chuckle from the boy.
In Konohagakure, a certain twin tailed blonde felt an urge to beat Jiraiya to a pulp.
Instead of a chuckle, Naruto gave Jiraiya a menacing glare after unfolding his legs once again. "I'm not a perv like you, I don't want 'help' that way."
Back in Konohagakure, that same woman from earlier now felt a rush of pride for the blonde genin Naruto. She still wanted to beat Jiraiya to a pulp though.
Jiraiya had a sweat drop form on the back of his head. "Alright, alright I understand. How about I help you move on by beginning your training tomorrow? I had originally planned to wait a few days till we got out of the land of fire, but I can tell you need something to focus on."
The rock around Naruto's neck was now a deep yellow. "Really!? Already!? YIPEE!" Naruto instantly leapt up from his seated was going to start his training early and he couldn't be happier at the news. A warmth then started to fill Jiraiya upon seeing how this news cheered up his God Son.
Jiraiya laughed at the outburst he just witnessed and said aloud. "Alright Naruto, if we want to start tomorrow, it's best if we get some shut eye now and begin bright and early in the morning." Naruto could only shake his head yes at this and immediately went to his tent to get some sleep, his thoughts going back to what his sensei said about the girl. Jiraiya followed suit and soon the camp was once again only filled with the sounds of the night.
The next morning, Naruto was the first up. He did a good stretch as he left his tent. The fire had burned itself out long ago, and all that surrounded him was the noises of nature. It would take Jiraiya only 20 minutes more to wake up. He left his tent, making sure to bring all the necessary equipment in his pack, and took him to a clearing in the trees close to their camp site
Naruto for his part was excited to finally begin training. "YIPEE! FINALLY, I'M GOING TO START TO LEARN COOL STUFF!" He shouted out while jumping in the air, not even bothering to hide what he was feeling. He was getting used to expressing himself it seemed.
"Slow down Naruto, before we begin, there are a few things I want to test with you." Jiraiya expressed in a firm voice. "And please be quieter, I don't want the whole Land of Fire knowing we are here."
"Oh, sorry pervy sage." Naruto sheepishly said as he started to calm down a bit and brought his hand behind his head and gave an embarrassed smile to the toad sannin. Jiraiya still hated that nickname.
Naruto brought his hand down and uttered out. "So, what did you want to test then?" Naruto questioned his new sensei. Jiraiya responded by taking something out of his pack and walking towards Naruto.
"This right here is a special paper, one that will determine your elemental affinity." Jiraiya exclaimed as he walked to Naruto. The paper was clearly visible in his hand. Once he got to Naruto, Jiraiya further said. "Stick out your hand, and when I put the paper in your hand, pour your chakra into it."
Naruto did as he was instructed and at first, nothing happened. He was about to question his sensei when he saw something happen to the paper. It cut itself into 2. That wasn't it though. The two halves then started to crinkle in his hand.
"Wow, that was cool! But what does it mean?" Naruto queried the sage
"It means you have 2 affinities gaki, wind and lightning, that's quite rare in shinobi." Jiraiya said, just slightly taken aback upon learning this information about the teenager. Interesting, he has both those affinities AND he's Minato's kid. I wonder...
Jiraiya was brought out of his thoughts by the squeals of his student. The sheer joy on Naruto's face was infectious and Jiraiya couldn't help a smile spread on his face.
"Well knowing this, I'm going to have to adjust your training a bit." Jiraiya stated, bringing his hands to his face in a thinking pose.
"What was the second thing you wanted to test pervy sage?" Naruto wondered aloud. He was still riding the high of knowing he had 2 affinities, even though he didn't know why that was a good thing.
Jiraiya brough his hands back down and retorted. "Right, so you know how shadow clones send you back information when they go away right?" The answer Jiraiya got back was shocking to say the least.
"Uhhhh, no pervy sage, I didn't know that. I only ever used them in fights, so I never noticed." Naruto said, genuinely confused at what his teacher was getting at.
Jiraiya responded with a deadpan stare. How could he react any differently? That was one of first things Jiraiya learned when he learned about the shadow clone jutsu. It was practically impossible to miss. Naruto though, was known to make the impossible possible.
"What? Did I do something wrong?" Naruto got a little worried at the stare he was receiving. It was giving off serious 'I'm disappointed in you' vibes. He was just a kid when he learned the technique. How was he supposed to know the clones could do that.
Coming out of his thoughts, Jiraiya responded. "How about a little demonstration then. We will each make one shadow clone. We will then send them into the woods far away and have them do rock, paper, scissors, and when they are done, they will unsummon themselves." Jiraiya finished his long-winded explanation, looking to Naruto to see if he understood. When he nodded his head yes, they each summoned their own shadow clone and sent them out into the woods. A few minutes later, each suddenly knew who won the game.
"Ah man, I lost. Wait, how do I know that?" Naruto pouted and then questioned his mentor. Jiraiya could only give him another grin and replied with. "See what I mean? You now know what your clone did. This makes it extremely helpful in scouting missions. For our purposes, we will use them to speed up your training." Jiraiya quipped back.
It took a few seconds for Naruto to process this new information. When he finally came to the same conclusion that Jiraiya had in mind, Naruto put on the biggest smile he could and shouted to the heavens. "OH YA! I'M GOING TO LEARN SO MUCH JUTSU THIS WAY!" Jiraiya hated to burst the kid's bubble, but it had to be done.
"Slow down there gaki. There is a style I'm going to have you try. In order to even attempt it though, you need 3 things. 1 is massive chakra reserves which you already have." Jiraiya put in a finger to illustrate his point. "2, you need to have exceptional chakra control which you are poorly lacking in, even with the rasengan mastered." He then put up another finger. "And finally, your body needs to be able to handle the stresses of this style." Jiraiya put up his last finger to emphasis these 3 points.
Naruto was instantly deflated upon hearing he wouldn't be learning anything right off the bat. "Ah, come on pervy sage! I was looking forward to learning all kinds of jutsu. I don't want to wait too long!" Naruto folded his arms in front of him and once again pouted to the sannin.
"The release I want you to eventually try is extremely dangerous. If you slip up on your control or if your body isn't ready for the stresses it will put on you, you will die using it." Jiraiya vocalized the seriousness of this new style. This got Naruto to stop his pouting and even made him gulp when he heard it.
"Good, you understand now it seems. The first thing I want your clones to master will be for them to each complete the rasengan on their own, without help from other clones." This should keep him busy for a while, even with clones speeding up the process it should take him at least a month. That will buy me time to come up with more chakra control exercises.
Naruto reacted in horror. It had taken him a long time just to master the rasengan with clones helping him. How was he supposed to do it on his own? That would take forever! Feeling down but not defeated, Naruto said. "Ok, I'll make the clones and have us all start training."
"I never said anything about YOU doing chakra control training. Only your clones will be doing that." Jiraiya corrected his student. I'm going to have the real you doing strength training and physical conditioning."
"Why can't my clones also do that? Why does it have to be me?" Naruto pondered out loud to his sensei.
"Because, unlike memories and techniques, your clones don't transfer over anything physical that happens to them. Else you would feel ever stab and death your clones did." Jiraiya explained and Naruto could only shudder to think if he did feel all those 'deaths'.
Jiraiya continued. "We need your body to be in top physical condition for when we try the new release. I think one year's time should be enough for your body to handle the basics. By the end of 3 years, it should be able to handle it fully."
Taking only a moment to grasp what was said, Naruto again came up with another question. "Alright, so how am I going to go about doing this physical training."
Jiraiya responded with his trademark grin and uttered. "I'm glad you ask" As he brought out a storage scroll and released the jutsu on it. Once the smoke cleared, there were a set of dumb bells on the ground, a bench press bar with weights, and some more weights that can strap onto a person. "All of these are chakra weights, the more chakra you put into them, the heavier they become. The strap on weights I'm going to have you put on when we are traveling or working on your stamina." Jiraiya waited to let this all sink in for the kid. He needed to be ready for this mentally and hopefully being tired all the time will help him move on from the pink haired kunoichi.
Naruto moved his head up and down. This made sense to him, except there was one more thing he needed to know. "You keep talking about this new style I can possibly use. What's it called?" Naruto asked questioningly.
With the biggest shit eating grin a man could muster, Jiraiya uttered out, "Have you ever heard of Swift Release?"
XxX
UCHIHA COMPLEX, KONOHAGAKURE, Afternoon, 6 Days since Naruto's departure
Ok Sakura, you can do this. You've been seeing him a lot these last 2 weeks. Don't get cold feet now. You've made a lot of progress over these past few days. This should be easy!
Sakura was trying to psych herself up before meeting Sasuke for the first time at his place. Ever since he was released from the hospital almost a week ago, Sakura had failed to meet him. The haunting look in Naruto's eyes was still too fresh in her mind to think about anything else but the whisker faced boy. A look that was specifically for her. A look she caused.
After her failed apology almost a week ago. Sakura went home and stayed in her room for 3 days, crying and reflecting on her actions she did to Naruto. Her parents had done their best to comfort her, and it did help, if only slightly. It was only after all the pain she felt had become dull to her, did she finally leave her room and try to correct some of the wrongs she had made previously.
Kiba, Neji, and Chōji had all returned home the day after Naruto had left her life, and she made a point to go and visit each one of them and thank them for all they did in bringing Sasuke back. She also made it a point to reveal to them how sorry she felt for not visiting them sooner and in general how she acted.
Her second encounter with Naruto had really opened her eyes to how blinded by Sasuke she was, and she was determined to make a change in her life for the better. Each of the boys had quickly accepted her apology and she chatted with them a bit about the details of the mission. She only knew about the aftermath of the battle in the Valley of the End and was curious about how the others had fared.
She was a little horrified at some of the details she heard about the encounters. When she heard about what her teammates had managed to accomplish in their respective battles, she felt a rush of pride for her fellow rookie shinobi. The village's future was in good hands.
That was yesterday though, and now she stood in front of the place where the boy she was once completely blinded by was. He's still a powerful light in her life, His light had simply dimmed a bit and honestly, she was a little happy for that. This past week of recollection had really shown her just how obsessed she was with her crush and how she ignored virtually everything but him. She feared what her life may have become if she had stayed on that path. It gave her goosebumps and chills even now. Despite all this, she still really cared for the boy. She didn't think anything, short of him trying to kill her, would ever make her give up on the black-haired genin.
This time, she brought no gift for the boy. He clearly wasn't interested in all the other gifts she had brought to him in the hospital, so she saw no reason to continue buying things he didn't want. It also had the added benefit of giving her more time with Sasuke. Normally she would have Glee'd in delight at the possibility of that but now she only smiled to herself.
With that smile on her face, she walked through the gateway of the compound. It was a desolate place. Virtually all the buildings in the area were in a decrepit state and looked on the verge of collapse. The lone exception was the main building in the back. It was a big house, big enough to hold multiple families in it by Sakura's reckoning. She figured that he might be in there, and so strolled her way through the compound to the main building.
KNOCK
...
KNOCK
...
"Sasuke are you in there? I'm coming in." Sakura announced as she opened the door and walked inside. She immediately noticed all the dust in the place. There wasn't any trash, or anything broken in the house, just lots and lots of dust. She thought maybe she could start dusting up the place in the future, trying to think of something nice to do for the boy.
She continued walking through the place and only found more dust. The only places where there seemed to be no dust were in what she could only think would be his bedroom, the kitchen, and the hallway that connected the 2. Giving up her search in the home, she vacated it and searched around the compound more. Strangely, she felt as if she was being watched. She had felt this way as soon as she entered the compound but now it felt stronger.
Shrugging off this feeling, she continued searching for the Uchiha. It didn't take her long to find him in a clearing with a single giant tree in the middle. He had his back to the tree, and its shadow completely enveloped him. He appeared to be meditating to the kunoichi. Wordlessly, she approached the boy under tree, only stopping just short of the giant tree's shadow.
"Why are you here?" He questioned her, not moving a single muscle in his body but his mouth. A hint of irritation was in his voice. He did not want to be disturbed, especially at this hour.
"I heard you got out of the hospital, and I wanted to see how you were doing." Sakura said in a caring tone. Yes, she could feel her love for the boy had dropped slightly but it was there. Still, a seed of doubt had been planted in her during her final hospital visit to the sharigan user.
Trying to end this conversation as quickly as possible. "I don't want you here right now, you are distracting me. Leave." Sasuke almost shouted out, letting his displeasure be known to his former teammate. Again, he didn't move a muscle.
His words cut into her; her face did not betray the emotions she was feeling in that moment. "Oh...Ok I'll come back at a better time then. What time works for you?" she asked, almost pleading with him. She received no answer.
She waited there for a few minutes, hoping he might say more. He did not. Sadly, she turned around and headed for the front of the complex. Unknown to her or anyone else, the Uchiha was in his own little mindscape, training with a certain snake sannin.
Pouting as she reached the front, she was completely oblivious to the man who was leaning against the gate. He was rereading his book for the 20th time, and it was the same masterpiece every time. He gingerly put the book back in his pocket and spoke. "I see you have seen Sasuke already." He said as a matter of fact. He already knew though; he had already been at the compound watching over the boy. His ANBU skills coming in quite handy.
Startled by the sudden voice, Sakura turned her head to the man. "Oh, Kakashi-sensei. What are you doing here?" She quizzingly asked her teacher. She had not expected to meet him here. Maybe he too was checking in on Sasuke?
"If you are here to see Sasuke, he's not in the talkative mood." Sakura stated in a neutral manner. She was not feeling good about the meeting she just had with Sasuke and didn't have the usual energy in her voice.
"I see." Kakashi replied. He noticed the girl seemed to be down still. Was it from her meeting with Sasuke just now or was it more from what he saw last week. It was time for him to get some answers on that matter.
Sakura started to march away when Kakashi spoke up. "Actually Sakura, I wanted to talk to you about what happened when Naruto left." Kakashi saw the girl flinch at the mention of that name. Clearly, she was still being eaten up by the ordeal.
Shaking as she spoke. "It's a long story sensei. I'd like to talk about it in private if that's ok with you." Sakura stated. She knew this talk was going to happen, no way Kakashi wouldn't want to know what happened between his two students.
Kakashi thought for a second and came up with an idea. "How about we head to training ground 3, it's nearby and no one uses it but us." He said reassuring his student.
Training ground 3. That's where we first became a team. Where we finally became genin. Where my infatuation with Sasuke really soared. It's also the place I started to really learn who Naruto was.
Thoughts of the Uchiha boy hurt her, but the thoughts of the Uzumaki boy hurt her even more. At least with Sasuke she had a chance to help him and herself since he was here. Naruto though, she had no way of showing how truly sorry she was for how she treated him, and she wouldn't get a chance for 3 years. She could feel herself starting to get sick at the thought.
"Hai, that's fine sensei." Sakura uttered aloud. Even though the memories of that place still clung to her, it would at least be a private place. Kakashi secretly signaled to the hidden ANBU to take over watch duties of Sasuke for now. Receiving an acknowledgement, he turned back to the pink-haired kunoichi.
"Then, lets get going, shall we?" He said, giving her his trademark eye smile. They both then set out, hoping through the trees to get to their destination. It didn't take them long to see the familiar clearing with 3 stumps in the middle next to a stream. Kakashi was the first to arrive, followed shortly by Sakura. Kakashi trotted to the center stump and sat down, facing her in the process.
"You can start whenever you are ready Sakura." He announced to comfort the girl. This wasn't going to be easy for her and he knew it. He knew there was even more pain between Sakura and Naruto than what he had already seen.
Sakura took a full minute to gather all her recollections of what happened prior to and after the retrieval mission. She didn't want to leave out a single detail. Once she was done collecting, she started her tale. She talked about how she tried to stop Sasuke herself, even going as far as to join him if he would be with her. This did get a small rise out of Kakashi, but he kept himself in check, there was more to come. She then spoke about the promise Naruto made to her to bring her Sasuke back.
Now came the part she most dreaded, the lowest point in her life. She could feel her face getting wet as she hung her head now, and told Kakashi what she did at the hospital after Naruto got the Uchiha boy back. How she repaid Naruto with 2 slaps to the face, and throwing every insecurity he ever felt right into his face, utterly devastating the poor boy. She recounted how Naruto didn't respond in anger but as a broken man. A man whose purpose was taken from him and had no idea what to do. She was still silently sobbing throughout this part of the tale, but she kept her voice as steady as she could. She finally ended things by going over some more details about when Naruto left and what she saw in his eyes.
Kakashi HAD to take a moment to take all that in. It was no wonder why his 2 students acted the way they did. He really wanted to scold Sakura for what she did, but it was obvious that she severely regretted her actions and was suffering a lot with the guilt. He chooses to get up from his stump and walk over to his crying kunoichi and put a hand on her shoulder.
"There, there Sakura, let it all out." Kakashi was not good at emotional situations like this. He had no idea how to help Sakura except just by letting her get it all out. Sakura didn't want a hand on her shoulder. She needed more.
Quicker than she had ever moved before, she put her arms behind her sensei and put her head to his chest and squeezed. The primal desire for a hug fueled her and would not stop. The waterworks did not cease.
"I fucked up sensei. I truly fucked everything up. How can I possibly seek his forgiveness? I'm not worthy of it! I mean, just look at where I am! I'm still seeing the boy who killed Naruto! What's wrong with me!?"
Kakashi was once again in unfamiliar territory. This time though, he had an idea of what to do. It just felt so natural to do. He put his arms behind his young student and returned her embrace. "There is nothing wrong with you Sakura, you just made a mistake. We all do. The question you have to ask yourself now is, what do I do from here?"
Sakura at first didn't have any idea how to answer this question. Where did she go from here? She had spent the past few weeks so far into the past that she had not even thought of her future. Her mind then started to formulate a plan.
"I need to show Naruto I've changed when he gets back. I need to show him I truly seek his forgiveness and want to start our friendship over again. I need to get stronger as well, so I won't be a burden on him." she said into Kakashi's chest. She meant every word she said from the bottom of her heart. For the first time in her life, all her thoughts were solely on the blond knucklehead, the Uchiha boy was nowhere to be seen.
Both released the hug. Sakura was still sniffling when they parted but the tears had mostly stopped now. "I'm your sensei Sakura. It's my job to train you to be the best kunoichi you can be." Kakashi said in a warm tone. "However, I think you should train with another teacher in addition to myself."
"Another teacher? Who did you have in mind? Kurenai? Asuma?" Sakura was puzzled at who Kakashi could be referring to.
Kakashi chuckled at himself when she said those names. While Kurenai and Asuma were both excellent Jōnin, He had a different person in mind.
"Not either of those 2, It's someone you are quite familiar with though."
XxX
Nara compound, late afternoon, 7 days since Naruto's departure
"Your move son." Shikaku said, seated across the board from Shikamaru.
"mmmmm." Shikamaru only hummed to himself. He was deep in thought. His father was a shogi master and not once had Shikamaru ever beat his father at this game. Shikamaru was improving though. It used to take his father only 10 minutes to beat him, now it took 30. Measuredly, he moves his pawn forward.
"Interesting." Shikaku responded. He took 30 seconds before he too moved a pawn forward. "Your skills at this game are improving Shikamaru." Shikaku said flatly but with a hint of pride.
"I may be improving, but I'm still no match for you." Shikamaru replied, now moving his knight into position. "I wonder how long it will be before I finally take a game off you."
"Well, at the rate you are going, I'd give it only a few years before that will happen." Shikaku muttered out as he moved his pawn up to block Shikamaru's plan.
"Tsk." Shikamaru was not happy with that move. He needed to rethink his strategy again. His father always seemed to be 3 steps ahead of him. After taking a full minute to ponder his options, he moved his bishop.
"I see." Shikaku stated, as he immediately moved his left side silver general. This brought a raised eyebrow out of Shikamaru. The move made no sense to him. Maybe his father was going easy on him? If he was, Shikamaru would make him pay for underestimating his son. Shikamaru decided his best move was to move his lance up and promote it.
Shikaku just sat there silently, contemplating the move without a hint of his thought process on his face. Eventually, he responded by taking a pawn with his knight. "You are too defensive son; you need to be the one pushing the initiative. You will never win a battle if all you do is fight defensively. At best you will end up in a stalemate."
"You've told me this already. Once I come up with a strategy to counter you, I will finally win a game." Shikamaru stated. Truth be told, he had come up with multiple strategies in this game, but they all had flaws in them that Shikamaru knew his father would exploit. So, he kept coming up with new strategies. Not liking the strategy he came up with, but knowing he had taken too much time to make his move, Shikamaru moved his gold general to the right.
"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan next week Shikamaru." Shikaku articulated trying to pass some more wisdom onto his son. Letting his words sink in, Shikaku moved his pawn and promoted it.
"Man, where do you learn these quotes from Dad?" Shikamaru queried his father, as he too moved a pawn to promote it.
"That one, you can attribute to a general from the warring states period. Long before the birth of the first Hokage." Seeing as his bishop was safe now, Shikaku took advantage of the situation and used it to take his son's knight.
"Tsk." Again, Shikamaru thought this was annoying. He just couldn't counterattack against his father's aggression. Shikamaru was always on the back foot. He took his newly promoted pawn and moved it back.
This is exactly what Shikaku expected Shikamaru to do, and he pounced. Making his final move of the game, Shikaku dropped the rook he captured earlier into the perfect place. "I do believe that's the game son." Shikaku announced. Now all that needed to be done was to wait for Shikamaru to analyze the board and see his king had nowhere to go.
Shikamaru grumbled to himself. There was no way out, his dad had caught him in a perfect trap. Looking up to find his father's knowing gaze, he uttered out. "I concede, you have won this match." Shikamaru felt a little dejected. He thought he had a chance this time to finally win a game against his father. Shikaku was still leagues ahead of him it seemed.
With a half grin, Shikaku retorted. "You did well this time son, better than any other time you have played. This time it took me 45 minutes to beat you instead of the normal 30."
"Maybe, it's still a lose though." Shikamaru said, rubbing his temple. Both Nara's just sat there, letting the silence permeate the area. Finally, the silence was broken by Shikamaru. "Father, I'd like you to train me."
These words gave him a curious glance from his father. "Asuma is your sensei, you can go ask him for training." Shikaku stated to the boy.
"Asuma is a great teacher, and I know I will learn a lot from him." Shikamaru responded, giving high praise for his Jōnin instructor. Before Shikaku could interject, Shikamaru continued, "But he's not as intelligent as you, nor does he know of our clans' secret techniques. Those I need to learn from you."
Shikaku brought his hand up and stroked his beard in a thinking manner. "I see, that's why you were especially prepared today for our shogi match. I was wondering why it seemed you were so driven. I started to think you were not my son seeing that drive." Shikaku said in a joking manner. His son took after him in the laziness department.
"I've changed since my first mission as a team leader. Or at the least I'm trying too. It's really troublesome at times." Shikamaru admitted to himself. He was still fighting against his nature, but he knew it had to be done.
"Yes, I have seen the change in you. How your mission turned out really has motivated you." Shikaku said with pride in his voice. His son was finally starting to see that there are more important things in the world than to be lazy. Still be lazy when you can though he thought.
Not hearing a response from his son, Shikaku unfolded his legs and stood up from the ground. "Alright then, I guess when I'm not bothered, I can teach you a few things. I had wanted to wait a little before I taught you some of the clans more advanced techniques. I can see though you are ready now."
Shikamaru mirrored his father and stood up. "When do you want to begin father?" Shikamaru was hoping he would say tomorrow. Old habits die hard. He wasn't disappointed with the answer he received.
"Let's start tomorrow late afternoon. That should be enough time for me wake up." Shikaku spoke. It would also give him time to think about how he could help his son as best he could.
"Doesn't sound too troublesome. I'll see you tomorrow then." Shikamaru declared this and walked away. He was glad his dad accepted his training request as easily as he did. Maybe Kami was looking out for him at times.
XxX
Streets of Konohagakure, afternoon, 10 days since Naruto's departure
Sakura was barely aware of her surroundings. She was too busy rehearsing what she wanted to tell her potential future sensei. Going over every possible point they would make against her and coming up with a rebuttal in kind. She almost bumped into a few people walking the streets.
Her talk with Kakashi was really needed. For these past few weeks, she was directionless. She was wallowing in her own self-pity and doing nothing of substance. The only real positive thing she did was to thank the boys, who retrieved Sasuke, how thankful she was for them. Even her visit to Sasuke only made her feel hollower. In the past, going to see Sasuke would have filled her life with joy and rainbows. Today though, for some reason it just wasn't doing it for her.
Kakashi gave her direction. He gave her the best advice she thinks she had ever received. It's what was driving her current actions. She wasn't walking aimlessly through the streets of Konohagakure. She was marching with a purpose.
One step, two steps, three steps. Everything was planned in her mind. This just had to work. She was prepared to do anything to seek training, even if it meant reliving her darkest moment again.
Eventually, she found herself in front of the building where her hopeful future master resided. This was it; she had finally gotten the courage over the past few days to finally say what she needed to say. It was now time to put these thoughts into action. She made her way through the entrance. The person at the front desk was too busy to notice the fluff of pink hair going past them and up the stairs.
Up she went. Heading to the office of the person who would help her become a better woman. Sakura would show Naruto she had changed and was worthy to stand by his side again. She reached her floor and stepped out. One woman she wasn't surprised to see there. The other girl though, Sakura was taken aback by.
"Ino? What are you doing here?" Sakura asked as she approached the platinum blonde standing next to the desk.
"Oh, hey Sakura. I didn't expect to see you to be up here as well." Ino answered back, moving the hair from her eye to get a better look at her friend. "To answer your question, I've come here to request her" she then gestured to the door beside her, "to take me on as her apprentice.
Wait, Ino wants to be her apprentice too? This was NOT planned for. What if she would only take on one apprentice? How can I show her that I'm the right candidate over Ino.
"So, why are you here forehead?" Ino questioned her friend with the nickname Ino knew she hated. This got an irritated mark to appear on Sakura's previously mentioned forehead.
"For you information Ino-pig. I'm also seeking to become an apprentice of her." She said also gesturing to the door next to Ino. This got the attention of the black-haired secretary at the desk. She knew her master had only ever taken her as an apprentice over these nearly 2 decades. Would she really take on 2 at the same time now?
The platinum kunoichi also got an irritated mark to appear on her forehead. She really hated that name Sakura came up for her. She was going to reply to her friend sarcastically, but she thought better of it. She knew Sakura was still feeling the aftermath of Naruto leaving as only 10 days had passed. Ino had already started missing the blonde idiot. There was never a dull moment with him around and she found that she enjoyed his company quite a lot.
Ino finally let out a long sigh and got off the wall she was leaning on to face Sakura, her arms no longer folded in front of her. "I hope she will take us both then. I'd hate for either of us to fall behind our teammates."
Ino's tone was hopeful. She knew this, along with her clan's secret techniques, would give her the best chance to become a kunoichi her team would be proud of. Sakura didn't have the luxury of a clan to fall back on, this might be Sakura's best and only chance to catch up.
Sakura's irritation was gone, replaced by a small amount of dread. She could feel all her plans start to crumble away that she spent so long preparing for. She tried her best to keep everything under control in her stream of consciousness. Unfortunately for the pink-haired kunoichi, she didn't have that long, as a man opened the door next to Ino and walked out down the hall.
"Well, Ino, I wish you the best of luck in there." Sakura smiled at her friend. Ino gave Sakura a nod of approval and started to enter the office.
"Actually, why don't you both go in and ask? Might be easier to convince her to take on both of you as apprentices if you are both in there at the same time. "The black-haired secretary said aloud. She hoped her master would take them both. They were deserving kunoichi.
Sakura was thrilled to hear this. It did make sense, and it would probably be her best chance to be accepted. Sakura looked at Ino again, who gave Sakura a shrug of approval. Tentatively, Sakura took a spot right next to Ino and then they stepped into the office.
No matter how many times Ino set foot in this place. She was in awe at how big it was. The mountains of paper forms piled high made her feel small in comparison. Seated at a desk near the back of the room was the most powerful person in Konohagakure and the strongest Woman on the planet, Tsunade.
"Ah, Sakura, Ino. I wasn't expecting you today." She looked up at the 2 kunoichi as they entered the office, shutting the door behind them. Looking at the clock and then turning her head back to the genin, she continued. "I have about 30 minutes before my next appointment so please make this quick. I have a lot of documents to review and sign."
The atmosphere in the room wasn't tense per say. It was more like a muggy feeling. Everyone felt a little uncomfortable, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. What felt like ages passed by between the three. Tsunade was about to dismiss them if they were just going to waste her time when Sakura gave her most polite bow in her life. "Please Hokage, we wish you to take us both as your apprentices." Sakura said with as much confidence as her voice could muster. Seeing Sakura prostrate herself like this, Ino followed suit.
Seconds passed by. The only sounds that could be heard was the wind blowing through the trees. Neither Sakura nor Ino knew what was going through Tsunade's head, they were too busy staring at the floor with anxious looks on their faces. The gears in Tsunade's head started turning. She needed to know why they decided to ask her this.
"Why are you asking me this? You know how busy I am as Hokage. I don't have time to train any genin, let alone 2." Tsunade announced as a matter of fact. Depending on their reasons, she might very well take them both. Unless it was to impress that brat Sasuke, then she would just kick them out.
Still staring at the floor, Ino decided she should be the one to answer this. "Your skills are legendary. You are the strongest shinobi in the village. We both have looked up to you all our lives and we know we will become the best we can be under your tutelage." Ino uttered out as professionally as her small body could.
Not a bad start. Flattery DOES get you places. I'm surprised no other genin has asked me to become my apprentice since I got here. I won't say yes to the 2 of them yet. I still need to know why they are asking.
"I see, so what has brought this initiative from the both of you? Was it how bad your teammates got hurt during their last mission?" Tsunade had her guess that this was the case. She needed to make sure though. The 2 kunoichi in front of her desk nodded their heads, eyes still glued to the floor. "You can both stand up now, I know how sincere you are with this request." Tsunade commented to them.
Both the platinum blonde and pink-haired girls rose from their prostration, meeting the gaze of their Hokage. Ino decided to elaborate on her reasons. "When I saw Chōji and the others in the hospital with their injuries. I never felt more useless in my life. My friends were out there ready to die for the mission, and I was stuck in the village twiddling my thumbs." She recalled those memories vividly. Nothing about that day would ever leave her.
"If I had spent my free time training like my teammates instead of my looks, trying to impress boys, I might have been able to join them and prevented what happened. That's why I'm asking you Hokage to take me as an apprentice. Please, I need to get better for teams' sake, for my sake." For Naruto's sake.
Tsunade was impressed with the impassioned pleas of Ino. She was clearly asking this for the right reason, and she had the perfect motivation. She turned her head to Sakura directly and spat out. "And what about you? Do you care to elaborate?"
"Hai, Hokage, I will." Sakura paused to collect herself before she went further on. "Ever since I was a part of team 7, I was always behind. It didn't help that I too was boy obsessed and didn't take the training as seriously as I should have."
At least they both admit what was holding them back. Tsunade thought to herself.
Sakura carried on despite Tsunade's thoughts. "Like Ino, I felt helpless when Sasuke defected. I could only use words to try and stop them and it failed miserably. Seeing what the team went through made me realize I too could have made a difference If I had been serious from the start about training." Sakura paused to catch her breath. She could feel confidence grow in her as she continued her speech.
"I don't want to be the same girl I used to be. I want to become a better Sakura Haruno. One who my team can rely on and not be a burden to!" Sakura finished speaking with more passion than she had ever said before.
Tsunade sat there silently. Her hands under her chin in a thinking pose, taking everything the two brave kunoichi had just told her. Outwardly, she was completely calm and collected. Inwardly, she had a shit eating grin on her face. This was the passion she wanted to see from the shinobi of Konohagakure. This passion will lead them all into a brighter tomorrow.
Tsunade rose to her feet. The 2 kunoichi stood at attention even harder now. "Alright, I've heard your reasonings. I want to say even just asking your Hokage for training took guts. Most people are too intimidated to ask for help, let alone from the most powerful person in the village." Tsunade could see a look of hope start to fill their eyes as she spoke to them.
Turning her attention to Ino, Tsunade uttered. "Ino, I will take you on as an apprentice of mine." While Ino was elated at the news, Sakura was not
She only said Ino. Am I too much of a lost cause to save? This can't be! I need this training! It's how I will become a better person, have a purpose in life. If I don't get this chance, I don't know what I'll do with my life!
"As for you Sakura, I can't take you on as an apprentice." Tsunade said seriously.
Sakura felt her life starting to shatter. This was it. This was her one big hope, and now it was gone. She felt hopeless. She was willing to completely change herself and it still wasn't enough in Tsunade's eyes. The color started to drain from the face of Sakura, her body reacting to how she was feeling in this moment.
"...Unless you tell me what happened between you and Naruto."
Sakura gave her Hokage a startled look. A look pleading with her to not have this be a joke. Color started to return to the Sakura's face. Her hands were no longer shaking. The goosebumps on her skin fading away.
"How do you know something happened between Naruto and I?" Sakura questioned her leader. The only people who were present during either of her last encounters already knew the full story. Wait, the leader of a mission always has file a report on their mission. It must have been...
"Shikamaru told me at the end of his mission report that the two of you needed to be separated for a bit. I was going to press him for the details, but he insisted it come from you or Naruto." Tsunade replied. This was information she needed for future mission planning. To see if the 2 of them plus Kakashi can work together or if she would need to send a 4th member along with them.
Hearing silence from the pink-haired genin, Tsunade thought that maybe Sakura would be willing to share her story in private. "Ino, you are dismissed. I think Sakura wants to do this in private." She gave the order to the platinum blonde.
"Actually Tsunade, Ino knows. She knows everything I did. It might be easier if she was here actually." Sakura retorted. She wanted Ino there to be with her. Ino saw the pain and damage firsthand and would be a good witness to corroborate her story.
Tsunade softened her gaze upon hearing this from Sakura. She then went back to her desk and sat down in her chair. "Very well then. Tell me everything that happened between you and the brat."
Sakura then once again recanted her history with Naruto much like she did with Kakashi. This time though the tears did not come. She had already told this story once, which made things a lot easier for her. Her anguish though didn't fade in the slightest.
She went through every gut-wrenching detail of the hospital scene with Ino nodding along in agreement the whole time. She even included Naruto's departure and how she had attempted to apologize for her actions. Only for her to rebuked upon finally understanding just what he felt for her and how her actions cut into him deeply.
Once Sakura was finished, another silence filled the room. This time an uncomfortable one. It started to eat at Sakura. Yes, she didn't cry this time recounting her deeds, but it still hurt like hell. Now Tsunade wasn't saying a thing to her, only judging her. She started to believe that she would never become Tsunade's apprentice.
"You really did screw up you brat. That might have been one of the most selfish acts I have ever heard of! And to do it to Naruto of all people! I have half a mind to just kick you out of my office and never see me again except for official business." The Hokage's words were not unwarranted. Sakura knew Tsunade wouldn't hear this tale and not be angry. Who would do such a thing to a good friend and teammate?
"The other half though, can clearly see you regret your actions and want to atone for them. As much as my other half just wants to have you leave my sight, I know taking you on as an apprentice will not only help you, but Naruto as well." Tsunade finally spoke what Sakura had been hoping for this whole time. She couldn't contain her excitement.
"THANK YOU TSUNADE! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
Tsunade and Ino had to cover their ears due to Sakura's squeals. "Not so loud Sakura, geez. I get you are happy, but this won't be a picknick for you, for either of you." Tsunade said as she gestured to her 2 new apprentices. "I expect you both to be here at 8 AM sharp tomorrow. We will then begin both of your training in earnest. Are we clear on that?"
Ino and Sakura both replied with. "Yes Ma'am"
"Very well, you are both dismissed. Get some good rest tonight, it will be your last good one for a while I can promise you that." Sakura and Ino both felt a chill crawl up their spine when they heard their future sensei say that line. She had meant it.
It dawned on them now just truly what they had signed up for.
XxX
AUTHORS NOTES
Chapter 3 is here yall. This took me a little longer to write than the first 2 because I had the first 2 in my head for a long time. I had only started to plan for chapters 3, 4 and 5 about a week ago and so very little time compared to chapter 1 and 2.
I currently plan on only having the next chapter cover the 3 year time skip. I didn't like how the manga never really showed us what Jiraiya taught Naruto. In fact it seems Naruto didn't learn a whole lot from Jiraiya during there time together. In my fic I want to actually show Jiraiya teaching Naruto something.
As for the physical training Naruto will go through, I do plan on him developing a muscular physique. It will be needed for what I have planned for swift release. His body right now can't handle it and he needs AT LEAST one year of physical training his body to handle the stresses. As always, feedback in reviews is much appreciated! Until next time yall.