Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Re-learning ❯ Chapter 2

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Yamato glanced over to his traveling companion as he had done several times throughout the day. Uzumaki Naruto was a mystery to him. He knew of the boy as everyone in the village did. He was the boy who had the kuuybi sealed within him. Yamato had never harbored any ill feelings towards Naruto because he knew the Fourth did this to save the village, and Naruto never knew about it. He heard he found out becuase some shinobi, who was betraying the village, told Naruto about it in an attempt to escape. Naruto had had a hard life, even more so than normal shinobi but he always seemed to have that same goofy smile on his face. Though his smile was not as big right now, it was still there. How does he do it? He sees the same death and destruction every other ninja does. He carries out more missions than most and more often than not they wind up being more difficult than anyone thought. He has taken just as many lives as others have and he lives with the betrayl of his best friend.....but......he still smiles. He still makes friends so easily. Naruto had a gift in that sense. He showed it once again as he and Killer-Bee had become fast friends. Though the fact that they both housed demons within themselves had paved the road. Yamato was also once again impressed with Naruto's growth. He already knew it and Kakashi had said it aloud, Naruto had surpassed them both. His strength seemed never ending. Now, with Naruto having control over the Kuuybi, Yamato would no longer have to worry about him losing himself to it. Naruto would be able to fight at his full potential. He knew this would be a great assest to the village in the upcoming war with Madra. True, he was still very worried that Madra would be able to get to Naruto and extract the Kuuybi but he had faith in Naruto. He knew he had no desire to be hidden and allow his friends to get hurt or worse while he was safe. Though the hiding had not worked out so well either. Kisami was able to follow them while posing as his sword, the Samaheda. Though Kisami had taken his own life he was able to get information back to the other members of Akatsuki. It was for the best that Naruto return to the village. Now, if only there was something he could do to help Naruto about Saskue.

Naruto was thinking about Saskue at that moment as well. He was glad that he had been able to get control of the kuuybi. The mind set that Saskue was in Naruto had no doubts that he would try and take control of him using his Sharingan. He didn't know what else to do. He had spent so long thinking about how to help him but nothing came to him. Saskue was lost deep withing the hatred. He could understand... a little. When Madra told him the reason for the massacre, he instantly wanted to weep. Itachi had sacrificed everything for Konoha. He had murdered his entire family to keep peace within the village. Everyone except Saskue. He loved his brother too. Naruto also thought that Itachi wanted to die by Saskue's hand. Killing himself would not have been juctice. So he left Saskue with the words that would shape his entire life; and Itachi, who was actually a loyal shinobi of Konoha, left its' walls forever and lived with shame for his actions. Looking back, Naruto could now understand Itachi's words better from when he had met him in the forest alone. He knew Itachi had given him a porton of his power because he knew that Saskue was heading down a road that was almost impossible to return from. But Itachi seemed to put his faith in Naruto at that moment and take a gamble on the strength of his bond. Itachi's life was a lie and that more than anything made Naruto sad at the injustice of it. He didn't think he could ever do it. He couldn't kill the people he loved, especially his family, to keep the villiage safe. That's why he told Saskue what he did. He would not step aside and let Saskue destroy Konoha nor would he kill Saskue and be the hero. He would do the only thing he knew to do. Shoulder the pain with Saskue and die together. Naruto had always dreamed of being Hokage, of standing on the tower just as the others had done, just as his father had done but he could not leave his first and best friend behind suffering. He would destroy Madra and make it safe again then he would help Saskue in the only way he knew how.

Naruto tilted his head back and looked at the sky. They had been traveling for a few days now. They were walking through the forest, taking a break from the difficult pace they had origionally been travelling at. Killer-bee and his friends had already left for Konoha. It was decided that they would stay in one village so their defense would be that much stronger. Yamato received word from the hokage that she would be traveling to Suna to speak with Gaara in person about some details of the war. When Naruto heard this he wanted to meet them in Suna as well. It had been a few months since he had last seen Gaara and he was anxious to see his friend again. Gaara was doing a great job as the kazakage and he was becoming more open with people. Naruto was gald he had met him. They could truly understand each other. He was excited to see Sakura-chan again as well. He smiled at the thought of her. His little sister. He had long since gotten over his "crush" on her. It was sometime when he was out training with Jiraya. When he came back he did ask her out for a date but by then it was nothing more than habit. He was very proud of her. She had come so far in her training and had turned into a fine kunochi. He thought back to the time when she so-called "confessed" to him. He knew immediately she was lying he just didn't know why. Her heart belonged to Saskue even though the teme didn't deserve it and they may never be able to be together. Especially now. He remembered the sight of Saskue holding Sakura up by her throat about to plunge that kunai into her chest. His own heart had come to a complete stop the instant he saw that. That's when he knew he may never be able to bring Saskue back. He hated having to go back on his promise but for once he realized something may be impossible. Well, he thought, I may never be hokage but at least I am being recognized by the villagers. I don't see the looks of hate in their faces anymore. I'm so glad for that. I've also made a lot of friends. Too bad I never got to go on a date.... That thought made him almost stop walking entirely. One name went through his head. Hinata. He remembered her face when she jumped in between him and Pain. She was so determined then. Hinata had always been a little weird to him. She was always so quite and nervous around him. At first he thought she hated him but now.... now looking back on her behavior he knew he had been a blind fool. "I love you Naruto." He knew she was not lying when she said that. He had not spoken to her since she confessed to him. He was not avoiding her but there had simply been no opportunity. Naruto let that sentence roll around in his mind for awhile. He had never heard those words before and honestly thought he would never be able to. He just didn't understand. She was a Huuyga for goodness sake! And the next in line to be clan leader! She was sweet, kind, and perfect with her manners. What could she possibly love about him? He didn't know what to say to her. He also didn't know his own feelings. She had always been one of his precious people. Someone he would gladly risk everything for. And, man had she grown up! It didn't help when your two sensei's were the biggest perverts around but Naruto tried very hard not to follow that path of theirs. Yet, he would be dead not to notice her now. Her skin was flawless. She had such long beautiful hair. A soft voice that came from her full, pouty lips. Though she still wore a jacket it did not completely hide her curves. He could tell she was, well, gifted. He had glanced her way more than once. He never gave it to much thought cause he knew he would never have a chance with her. Not to mention the ever present Akatsuki. Even now he would not allow himself to think on it. He knew his death would come soon. It was something he had to do to save his best friend. He could not allow himself to waver from that path. No matter what he may feel for Hinata it would not be fair to her if something were to happen and he would have to leave her. Life never did turn out fair for him.
He allowed himself only a moment of self pity before he pulled himself out of that and focused on the fact that he would be seeing his friends in just a few days time. He could not wait to show them how he had gained control of the kuuybi. With thought his large smile returned to his face.

What was that?

Naruto came to a stop as did Yamato. They glanced at one another and slowly retreived a kunai from their pouches. They both remained motionless. Naruto looked over to his right. He knew he had felt someone's chakra flare just a moment before. He could see nothing. Since he was waiting for them he gave a slight nod to Yamato-taicho and began gathering natrual energy so he could enter sage mode.

Yamato scanned the trees but could find nothing. He knew, just as Naruto did, that someone's chakra flared for a moment. He remained on guard as Naruto gathered his chakra for sage mode. He glanced at Naruto. He had never watched him do this. Naruto was perfectly still (something he thought could never happen as hyperactive as he was). He could feel the energy wrapping itself around Naruto. He knew from what Naruto told him this would take a few minutes that's why he could not enter sage mode if he was battling an enemy by himself. Yamato kept guard. He heard Naruto take a deep breath and when he looked at him again Naruto had the orange markings around his eyes signaling he had entered sage mode. He watched as Naruto's eyes grow wide and he spoke only one word, "Saskue". Yamato's own eyes grew wide and he turned to the direction Naruto was looking.

Walking out from behind a large tree was the Uchiha prodigy; sharingan already activated.
Converting /tmp/phpYWQsQC to /dev/stdout