Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Gift ❯ Chap 10 ( Chapter 10 )

Well for anyone who's reading this I really like to say thx for keeping w/ me, I've been really bogged down with a lot of things but the future is looking brighter, after I take my last SAT of course. Anyway for those of you wondering about Temari… she will come back but not now… she will be back in the end but for now you'll just have to wait. If you want to stop reading I understand… I also understand that there are many ppl who have already left me. Well here goes and sry cuz it's so short but hopefully I'll get another one out soon. And remember to check out my other stories, I'm gonna update those soon for those who are wondering, as well as start a new one with my brother.

 

 

 

Chap 10

 

A lone figure trudged into a clearing of the dense forest, his clothes drenched by the downpour. The man leaned his head against a massive tree while the rain soaked him to the bone but he ignored it. The man was numb all over, not from the cold but from the wound pulsing in his heart, the wound that said his whole soul was lost.

 

The blonde choked back a sob, hearing his love's voice echoing in his mind, “Are you some sort of cry baby? I thought you were a better man than that.” She stood in front of him, her blond hair kept in those bundles that she loved so much. The woman had her fist on her hips like all other women do when angry and was giving him a look that sent her enemies into terror. “Naruto go take a bath this instant!”

 

Naruto gripped his chest, the image of his fiancé flashing into his mind. `Why!? Why wasn't I there to help her? Why had I left her alone? Why didn't I just stay!? I could have done something. I could have saved her!'

 

Guilt plagued his whole being and Naruto fell to his knees, feeling all life drain from him. “I'm so sorry Temari-chan.” Naruto's hoarse voice spoke. Temari lay on a bed, a soft smile on her face as Naruto's hand went out to her. He reached for her warmth, her tender skin but when he touched her Temari dispersed into dust.

 

“Temari-chan…” Naruto was so immersed in his guilt that he didn't sense the figure looming near him.

 

“Naruto…” a soft feminine voice called to him. “Naruto…” the man stayed huddled against the tree. “Naruto” the woman said with more authority. “Naruto you can't stay out here all night.” Naruto made no action to move. “Naruto, you'll catch a cold if you stay out any longer.” The man shifted slightly, his mind racing. How many times did Temari worry about him? How many times did she tell him not to catch a cold?

 

Naruto looked up at the blonde woman as she sheltered him under her umbrella. “Ino?” the woman firmly took a hold of Naruto's hand. “We need to get out of here Naruto.”

 

Naruto continued to look at her puzzled, why was Ino here? “Ino?” Naruto asked again and the woman gave a grunt. “Yes. Now get up. We need to get you dry.” Naruto just stayed there. What would she know? How could Ino tell him what to do? What else did he have to live for?

 

The whole inside of Naruto seemed to gape open as a reminder of his loss. What other reason did he have for living? Was it not Temari who took him from the loneliness and darkness that surrounded him?

 

Naruto pulled his hand away from Ino. “Just leave.”

 

Ino stood in front of him, firmly planting herself in his vision. “Uzumaki Naruto. You will get up and come to get dry right now!”

 

Naruto smirked at her; did she think he was a little kid? “I said go Ino!”

 

The kunoichi made another grab at his hand, only to have Naruto keep his hand away from her. “I won't let you mope around Naruto. I-I know that you're hurting right now but… but you need to keep moving on.” Ino finally got a hold of his hand and Naruto glared fire at her.

 

“What do you know!? What do you know about getting hurt? What do you know about losing someone!?” The sound of a slap echoed in the forest and Naruto could clearly feel the sting of where Ino's hand had hit him.

 

“You're right! I don't know what it's like to have someone die on me but I know what it's like to be betrayed, I know what it's like to have someone I thought I loved do something so cruel that I would leave the village I loved to chase after a man. I know what it's like to watch as the man I fell for love another woman. I-I want to share you're pains Naruto. I want to be there for you. I want to be with you.”

 

“Ino…” Naruto whispered as tears streamed down the woman's face. `No! No. It's a lie. There's no way that she could like me. She's just trying to help me. But-but I don't need any help, I don't want any help, I just want to be alone.'

 

“Stop it Ino. Just stop it and go away.” Passion returned to the woman's eyes as she stood tall again. “No. I won't go without you Naruto. I won't let you hide yourself. You can't Naruto. You can't blame yourself for what happened.”

 

“I said go away…” the man said, but this time there was little force behind it. “I already said I wouldn't. I won't leave you Naruto, not ever.”

 

“Why are you trying so hard? Why are you trying so hard for me?” a weak smile formed on Ino's face and she took a hold of his hand. “I already told you that too; I love you. I don't want to see you just give up. I want to see the real you Naruto, the one that gives everyone hope, and the one that took my heart.”

 

“I-I can't love you Ino.” Naruto answered, lowering his head. “That's ok… lets just get out off this rain before you catch a cold.” The two walked back into the village where they found the inn which Ino and Hinata had decided to stay in before they went out to look for Naruto.

 

XXXXX

 

Naruto was now sitting on the bed of room seven after he had taken a shower and gotten into a dry robe. A knock came from the door and a voice from the other side called. “Can I come in?”

 

“Ya.” Ino walked in through the door and Naruto was surprised to see her in a robe with her hair in a towel to dry. “I just wanted to see how you were doing.” A weak smile appeared on her lips and she sat down next to the man. Naruto quickly shifted away to avoid any unnecessary contact.

 

“I'm ok Ino.”

 

Ino could tell by the look in Naruto's eyes that he was not ok; no he was far from that. The blonde didn't know all too much about the man but what she did know was that he was not one to spill his emotions or his feelings, especially to those who knew him. “No you're not all right Naruto. Now talk to me.”

 

“Why? I said I'm ok and that's enough.”

 

“Not for me it isn't. I know you're hurting Naruto, so just tell me. Trust me, it helps to talk.”

 

“I don't want to talk, just leave me alone.” Naruto looked to the floor, a flood of different emotions hitting him.

 

“I won't go, I already said I won't and that's that.” She stated mater-of-factly.

 

Naruto shook his head in disbelief. “Why are you trying so hard?”

 

Ino let out a sigh. “You may have gotten older but you don't seem much smarter do you?” Naruto looked at her with questioning eyes and she smiled. “I already said that I love you, ya big idiot.”

 

Naruto dropped his head again, “Why do you love me? How can you love me?”

 

Ino blushed, putting a finger on her chin pensively. “Let's see…. When was it… I think it first stared when…”

 

“The threat of the sound is fast approaching and as ninja's it is our duty to stop their advance! In order to advance the ninjas we have at this moment we will be in three man teams, half of which are to be in intense training. Each team will consist of two chuunins and one Jounin. Please proceed to the front to find your assigned teams and I wish you luck.” A tired and worn Tsunade spoke, a rising fire in her eyes.

 

The mass of shinobi surged forward but one sixteen year old woman stood in the back, forming a peculiar hand seal for her family's jutsu. Her consciousness slowly floated forward and took hold of one of those ninja in the front. `hmmmm' Her eyes scanned the list for her name, `Here I am…. Yamanka Ino… Hyuuga Hinata and …. Oh shit not Naruto!'

 

She snapped back into her body and her eyes traced over the tall golden haired figure before her. `What's with people and standing in the doorway, don't they know people have to get in and out?' “Hey move it will ya! I got places to go and people to see.” The man turned around slowly and the only thoughts running through Ino's mind were `Oh shit' and `DAMN'.

 

She was stunned, to say the least, by the man's well toned figure, striking blue eyes, and well… his whiskered cheeks.

 

Hours later

 

“Ok… well it's been awhile since I've been on a team but I know we'll do ok.” The golden haired man stated while the two kunoichi stood away from him in a rather large clearing.

 

“Wait! Naruto you're a Jounin?!” Ino yelled after getting over her previous shock. “You haven't even passed the exams yet right? They haven't even been going on for like three years.”

 

Naruto just smiled, melting the two, though they tried to hide it. “Times of war call for action Ino-chan.”

 

A sudden spike of suspicion ran through Ino, since when was Naruto this serious? “Just who the hell are you and what do you want?”

 

“If you must know my name is Uzumaki Naruto, though you already knew that, and I am supposed to be training you as well as myself, which I suggest we do.”

 

“Wait the hell up! Naruto can never be this serious! Who are you?”

 

“I-I've changed Ino-chan… I know I can't be a kid anymore.”

 

“So you put up this formal bullshit!? Com'on and lighten up.”

 

Naruto just shrugged his shoulders and let himself relax, as much as a demon fox can relax.

 

“Any way I've see you two in battle and you need to work on a few things.”

 

“WAIT! When have you seen us, when we were twelve? We've gotten better you know. I can probably-”

 

“I've seen you fight alright, don't ask questions. I'm your superior officer so just listen.” Ino snapped straight, a mock saluting position. All the while the two were having a conversation Hinata was standing in the background, quietly taking it all it, although she felt she would faint in Naruto's presence.

 

Naruto explained both their weaknesses and the two kunoichis obediently followed his instructions. “Ino, you're pretty good with long ranged jutus but when someone comes in close you're screwed so you really need to work on your taijutsu. You just need to be quick on your feet and stop them from chasing you so you can hide and use you jutus.” Naruto stated while overseeing her training.

 

“And just how do I do that Sir.” She emphasized the title, still not happy about having to be under him.

 

“First it's the basics of keeping on your toes, it may not seem like a big deal but it will increase overall speed drastically.”

 

“Ya. Whatever you say.”

 

Ino stood onto her toes but Naruto shook his head. “No… anyone can do that. I mean whenever you're moving, you gotta keep on your toes for the best speed… here, do a jump kick and I'll show you.”

 

Ino did as she was told, leaping into the air and throwing a powerful kick. When she landed Naruto imitated her, leaping into the air but when he landed his feet hardly touched the ground before he was springing forward.

 

“Your landing too hard, you need to think light, use a little chakra to cushion it and when you land try to stay on your toes and spring forward.”

 

After countless tries Ino still didn't have it. “This is dumb. If I wanted to run I could just go.”

 

“Fine. Leap from that tree there and we'll race to the other side.” The course would hardly be a few steps from where they would land, which would make the person who got the better start the winner.

 

The two lined up and fell to the forest floor from the massive tree. Ino smirked as she reached the ground well before Naruto did but she soon found herself looking at his back. Ino resigned herself to defeat because she knew no one, not even Rock Lee, could have made up the distance in such a small distance.

 

“Fine. I give. But that doesn't help anything. I still can't do it.”

 

Naruto smiled at her, walking up close. “Here, I'll help.” He let his hands grab onto her slim waist and he leapt into the air. They began to fall, but this time it was as though she was a feather getting slowed by the wind.

 

Naruto ran one hand down her leg, lifting and positioning. His words fell on deaf ears as Ino enjoyed his touch…

 

So sue her if it was just physical attraction at first! Hell she could say it, she wanted him, and not in the lovey-dovey way. So what if she was a bit kinky, she was a woman too damnit! Those words rang out in justification of her lust and Ino quickly shut out that part of her mind, needing to focus on helping the man in front of her.

 

“Well… the fact is that I love you Uzumaki Naruto, I mean… it not just because you're handsome or anything like that, that kind of crush was on Sasuke. And it's also not just because I admire you, like Shikamaru. But it's the whole package, I love you because you're kind, because you're so strong, both physically and emotionally, I love you for being you Naruto.”

 

Her hand crept onto his. “I just want you to know that I'm here for you.” she smiled when he didn't move his hand away but there was still that sorrow in his eyes.

 

“I know Ino-chan. But I just wanna be by myself right now.” The kunoichi sighed, gently squeezing his hand and standing.

 

“I understand Naruto-kun. But if you need me, for anything, and I mean anything, I'll be here for you.” she walked outside, her heart beating rapidly, but at least she had accomplished one thing, get Uzumaki Naruto to notice her.

 

Standing outside room seven a blue haired woman listened to the voices inside, her insides torn apart as though a butcher had gotten to her. She knew he had just lost someone, someone dear to him but even when she too mourned she saw it as a chance, a chance she now knew she had lost. Slowly the woman turned, unshed tears held by the wall of her mind. “There's nothing for me now.”

 

The walk back home was draped in silence that no one wished to break. The gates loomed on the horizon and as they began to draw nearer and nearer Naruto's heart began to sink lower and lower. How was he going to talk to the sand males? How was he going to talk to Gaara?

 

The group suddenly crossed the threshold of the village, greeted by the smiling faces of the villagers. The lively spirits of the children only tightened the knot in his stomach. Slowly he scanned the crowed, his eyes falling on the only one that mattered at that moment, the red haired demon vessel. Naruto suddenly vanished, reappearing next to the other demon vessel.

 

“Gaara…” he spoke, his voice cracking. “I-I need to talk to you.” both disappeared, showing up in a distant tree high above the earth. “Gaara I-”

 

“It's my sister isn't it?”

 

Naruto nodded, his eyes focused below him, forcing himself not to come to tears. “I'm sorry… I couldn't protect her… I wasn't there Gaara-I-” the blond fell to his knees, a pleading look plastered on his face.

 

Gaara simply placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder, a rare smile gracing his face. “It's ok Naruto-I understand. And… I'm sure she's watching you right now… telling you to keep on going… to get your ass in gear.” Gaara's smile widened, thinking about his sister. “She was truly happy with you… she wanted to be with you always. If she had any regrets I'm sure they are not being there for you.” he laughed, thinking of how his sister would beat the crap out of Naruto if she saw him now. “She wouldn't want you to give up… after all, that's your nindo right? So don't… just know that she's happy, and would want you to be too.”

 

Naruto stared at his brother, knowing full well that it took a lot to make him speak so much and suddenly he couldn't help but hug the other demon container. Gaara went ridged like steel, not knowing what to make of the blond. “Hey… stop it… you've still got a village to run remember? So let's get this thing moving… let's make this the greatest village possible.”

 

Naruto stood, attempting to gain as much dignity as possible. “Ya… I'm gonna make this place safe… so no one has to die. I'll protect everyone. And I'll give those people back their lives, I'll never let anyone be lonely again… in this Village of Hope.”

 

Only two days had passed since he returned but Naruto could already feel that hole in his soul pulsing with each waking moment. He felt it when he turned, hoping to see that crooked smile held by his most beloved only to see nothing but air, when he woke up, hoping to see her sleeping form next to him but all he felt was the cold air blasting him while children occupied that space she had belonged in, or even when he washed himself, hoping to hear some comment or a laugh but only silence greeted him.

 

He knew, however, that he had to be strong, that he couldn't let the others suffer because he did. Like any normal day Naruto walked along the streets of his village, the Village of Hope. The adults greeted him and the children mobbed him like any normal day but then something completely out of the ordinary occurred. With the speed of a shuriken something darted out towards him from above the roof tops, colliding into the kunai he held at the ready. With a great thud of metal against wood Naruto realized exactly what had “attacked” him.

 

He ripped his weapon from the lifeless body and opened the jaw of the wooden human-like messenger that Kankurou had devised. Naruto took one look at the note that sprung from its mouth and disappeared in an instant.

 

At the very top of the central command center was a room filled with monitors and complex surveillance machinery. “What's wrong?”

 

The face-painted ninja pointed to a buzzing monitor, receiving no signal from its puppet camera. “Intruder.” Naruto scanned the monitors, noting that there were quiet a few offline, which could have meant multiple enemies. “What's the location?”

 

“North east, about one-” Naruto already left before he heard the rest. Using as much speed as he possibly could without risking a missed sign, Naruto raced out of the village and into the surrounding forest. His hands came to his chest and out popped hundreds of clones, all leaping in every direction to surround the village. It was his duty to protect everyone, his duty to make sure no harm came to his village, and he would be damned if anyone believed they could get past him with their life still in hand.

 

His eyes worked furiously to search for signs of intrusion but he didn't need to, seeing how the lifeless dolls were thrown straight at him. “Che. Pretty good Dobe.”

 

 

Leave me something, anything! Tell me who's reading and who's stopping! Anyway until next time… see ya