Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ A Life for a Life ❯ Encounter Part 1 ( Chapter 16 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

I do now own Naruto

Rasengan86…Thank you. Considering Konoha has had only Four Hokages before Tsunade. I had a theory that something like that had to have happened. Power to alter a bloodline skill simply can not happen overnight…or at least not without a lot of help.

Chapter 16

It has been one week, since they were in the Uchiha compound, Tsunade thought quietly. Seven days since her, Arashi, Hiashi and Kakashi, found out how the Sharingan came about. The Copy Ninja has all but disappeared for three days since the discovery, and Arashi, who is normally talkative and loud like his son…

Was solemn and quiet…the only times he smiled, was when he practiced fighting with Hinata and Ino during his therapy sessions.

When Kakashi had returned, she watched quietly as both the blonde and his former student talked. She doesn't know what was said, but according to the kind eyes on Arashi's face. She knew that everything was forgiven…and all right.

Still…they still have to face what this revelation is going to do to Konoha.

And how it won't be pretty should the people find out. Hence everyone, who has read that letter was sworn to secrecy unless absolutely needed to tell.

“Tsunade-sama?” Shizune whispered softly as she entered the office. The elder blonde turning to her, with a quiet sense of despair…

“What happened? The council and others are worried about you. They say even the Hyuuga is not his usual pensive self.”

The blonde woman gives a soft little wry laugh. It is one that frightens Shizune, for never before has Tsunade been known to sound like that. Even when she was at her worst, Tsunade had always had the quiet, yet determined expression. This one was like she had given up hope…

“Tell me please…” Shizune whispered.

Tsunade looks at her with sad eyes. “Shizune not right now…just not right now.” She replied slowly. “Those of us that know agreed to keep what we discovered quiet. It would not do us any good, if somehow we get him back, for him to be ostracized even worse then Naruto.”

Looking puzzled for a moment, Shizune knows her teacher is referring to Sasuke Uchiha. But he is a loved ninja in Konoha…despite the fact she thinks he personally doesn't deserve it. Not that she will ever let Naruto or any of Team Kakashi know her thoughts. They still feel he can be redeemed…

Shizune wasn't so sure anymore…

Still, for Tsunade to say something like that?

“That bad?”

“Worse…”

Gazing down at the floor, the two women are startled, as a loud boisterous yell enters the room.

“OH BAA-CHAN! WE'RE BACK!”

Not able to resist the urge to smile, Shizune hastily backs away as the Fifth gains an angry tick. “Naruto…what did I say about calling me that?” Tsunade growled out. Her voice calm, she can't help but crack a smile at the youth's comments.

“I know I know not to do that anymore Baa-Chan.” Chuckles the youth, who does it again deliberately, as he ducks a fist in the nick of time. The others can't help but smile as somehow the Fox child, always seems to diffuse a sad situation with a smile or a promise.

“Report…” The Godaime states with a warm smile. It is one, that goes serious and thoughtful once more as the disappointed looks on both Sakura and Naruto suggest the outcome.

“So…you failed?”

“We didn't fail in finding out that the traitor in Orichamaru's camp was…Kabuto.” Sakura said softly as Naruto says nothing. It is Sai who decides to speak on behalf of his new found friends. “It seems according to what I understand; Kabuto had worked for Akatsuki all along. Apparently, he was placed under a seal by one of them to dissipate his memories until it either wore off. Or was broken by the one who placed it….”

“I see…anything else?'

“I chose to follow Kabuto alongside Captain Yamato, Naruto, and Sakura. We went into the Snake Sannin's lair. Where Sasuke Uchiha was apparently located…”

Her heart going out to Sakura and Naruto, both of whom look crestfallen, she studies the one who reminds her of her lost family. He looks so sad, so lonely…

She remembers his words to her, Sakura, and Shikamaru. That he swore he was going to get Sasuke back. Right now he needs to believe in something…her decision made, she hopes that she will not regret this….

“I have a new mission for you Naruto.”

“All ready…?”

“Yes…go see Kakashi.”

Sakura's eyes widen at what her teacher is implying, as does Shizune's. Catching her questioning gaze, Tsunade nods her head…

“All right…where is he…still in the hospital?”

“I am not to sure. Sakura, Yamato, Sai…go with him…”

“I regret, I can not at this moment Godaime, I have something I must do. Will it be all right if Sakura and Captain Yamato went only?”

“Yes…”

As the team leaves, Shizune looks to her teacher with a worried look. “Do you honestly think that they are ready to face each other Tsunade-sama?”

“To be honest…no…but considering what both of them have gone through. It might be what they need.” The elder blonde states softly. Her words reaching the brunette, who understands what they mean….

“Let's pray that everything turns out all right…” Shizune whispers.

“Yes…”

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Naruto sighed as he headed towards the hospital grounds. Sakura was running ahead to find out what room the Copy Ninja was in. He felt dejected and a little bit sorry for failing his friend again…

“Sasuke…why…why can't you realize that he's going to kill you?”

Yamato, having heard the quiet words, wisely says nothing. He knows the young man feels guilty over events that were far beyond his control. The Uchiha youth had caught all of them off guard with his speed and abilities.

But yet…when he had placed his arm around Naruto, for a brief second, the new leader of Team Kakashi had saw brief flicker of emotion.

Maybe, there was something left in him to save…and when Naruto had asked that question. It appears that as Sakura had told him, when they were exchanging watches when they made camp. The Fox is possibly the only one who can get through to the youth…because he reacts to Naruto's presence.

Pausing now in mid step alongside the blonde, both watch as Sakura has come back from inside the hospital. Her features flushed, the girl skids to a stop as she speaks in front of them.

“Sakura?” Naruto asks with a puzzled expression.

“Kakashi's not here Naruto-chan. Apparently he is with Ino and Hinata at the training grounds.”

“Which one?” The blonde smiled warmly. The term of affection that the pink-haired medic had given him, had helped to cheer him up. Smiling as she knew he had caught that term of affection, they both know that it would never be anything more then a friendly relationship between them.

“The one behind the hospital, number 22.” The medic said. As the youth headed towards it, he and Yamato are both puzzled as her hand reaches out to stop the orange and black clad youth.

“Naruto-chan…”

“Hmmmm?”

About to say something, the girl shakes her head and releases him. “Never mind…” But not before Yamato hears her say something odd that puzzles him… “I pray nothing happens…”

Continuing on and around the Hospital, Sakura was bickering lightly over various things with the youth. Hearing the sounds of what could only be a fight, the trio pause as Naruto hears his sensei yell from around the corner…

“Heh I forgot you still got that little trick Arashi-sensei!”

“How many times have I told you not to call me that Kakashi?!” An unfamiliar voice yells in return.

Running around the corner, puzzled by that statement, Naruto does not notice Sakura holding Yamato back. The older ninja's dark eyes puzzled. Sakura just shakes her head. “Trust me on this…this is something we don't want to interfere in.”

Gazing in her green eyes, somehow Yamato accepts what she says without knowing why. They quietly follow behind and avoid the youth as he stands still with a look of happiness as he observes the fight. Steadily the two walk towards two other girls on opposite end.

Naruto, on the other hand, finds Kakashi battling against another man whose back was to him, he just watches in awe as his own Sensei has to go out at what could only be full power to keep up with this man's abilities.

Taking no notice of the other man's blonde locks that looks so much like his own. He watches the fight with just a sheer amazed look on his features. He takes no heed of Hinata or Ino, who see him from their perspective. The dark haired girl trying rapidly to think of a way to get him out, she finds Sakura and someone else stopping both her and the other girl.

“Sakura….?” Hinata asks warily.

“Tsunade told him to find Kakashi…” The young woman stated quietly. Causing both girls to gasp in worry…

“I pray this doesn't go bad…” Ino whispers.

“I do to Ino…I do to…” Sakura replies. Both she and Hinata are looking at what could possibly be an explosive situation…

It takes Kakashi noticing Naruto for the fight to stop. His Sharingan registering the chakra inside the 17 year old, he is caught off guard and knocked to the ground hard from one of Arashi's kicks.

“First time I have ever seen you distracted Kakashi-sensei!” A voice that is familiar to both man eliciting different reactions.

To Kakashi, it is one of happiness to see his student returned and all right. The blue eyes amused at his teacher's situation, it then turns to one of worry as he looks up at the now still form of his former teacher.

For Arashi, as his hand is out to help his former student up. It is a voice of someone whom he longs to see. But now as close as he is to him…his son, he is almost afraid to turn around. His hand is slowly withdrawing as he stands up, he can hear the footsteps of his son behind him.

Light hearted and full of awe…Arashi hopes that his son will accept him…and that the warmth he feels from him. Does not turn to the cold bitterness of hate…

Turning around, Arashi looks upon his son for the first time in seventeen years…

Now contrary to what most of the villagers and those that know him. Naruto was not at all that unobservant. He had been wondering why more and more as of late. Why was he beginning to look like the Fourth Hokage. His only guide being the stone face in the monument compared to his own, in the mirror of his bathroom. The youth had found that odd…

Now seeing the man before him, so many odd statements concerning his looks, he has heard since his return begin to make sense. The villagers often wondering if the Hokage had a brother or a sister who had died….

But then they always remember he was an orphan…

Now…seeing his own features and coloring save the tanned skin. Mirrored in the man no more then sixty feet away from him, the youth goes into what could only be described as one word.

Denial….

Backing away, as the man tentatively approaches Naruto holds out a hand gesturing for him to stop.

“I must be the biggest idiot to not have noticed it before. Not only are you the Fourth Hokage…” The youth states chuckling in a way that's ens shivers down everyone's spine. Never had they heard so much sorrow and pain from their normally cheerful friend.

“Naruto…”

Ignoring the plea, Naruto glances up at him with blue eyes that try to hide a mixture of troubling emotions. Ones that make Arashi want to reach out and take his son into his arms…. “You're my father aren't you?”

Saying nothing, but looking away, it is slight but it is enough that when Arashi nods as he answers with one simple word.

“Yes…”

Needing to get away to think, Naruto flees, leaving Arashi alone.