Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Shattered ❯ The Peace within the Sack ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. The genius known as Kishimoto owns it. I do hope to one day own Kakashi. muahahaha

 

 

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Chapter 3: The Peace within the sack

 

“What?”

 

“You heard me. Spar with me.” Naruto's tone left no room for argument.

 

“Naruto?” Sakura took a few steps toward the two. She didn't know what Naruto was thinking. When Naruto was like this it always meant trouble. The last time she saw him in this mood, he beat Kiba to a bloody pulp and all because he made a stupid comment that almost made Hinata cry. Things could get ugly if he faced Sasuke while in this mood. She reached out to grab his arm, “Naruto, please.”

 

“Sasuke, you told me once that the only way for first class ninja's to read inside each other's minds is for their fists to meet.” Sasuke stared at Naruto dumbfounded by what he had just heard. He remembered telling Naruto that, he just couldn't believe Naruto had just quoted him. “Spar with me.”

 

Sakura finally understood what Naruto was doing. She remembered Naruto telling her about that line. She looked over at Sasuke. He had a look of shock on his face. It was only there for a second until it turned into an all too familiar smirk. `I guess things are gonna be alright.'

 

Naruto returned the smirk that Sasuke was giving him. `That's the Sasuke I know.'

 

“Alright Naruto. I'll spar with you.” Sasuke reached out and took the kunai from Naruto's outstretched hand. Both of them took a few steps back. Sakura walked over to the side, making sure to give them enough room to spar. She was still a little apprehensive about Sasuke. `What if we're simply playing into his hands and tries to kill Naruto again?' Sakura decided that it was probably better if she was prepared so she began to gather chakra to her right hand.

 

“Sakura, there is no need for that.” Naruto turned to look at her, “If he tries anything I'll stop him.” Sakura heard the conviction in his voice. She released the chakra in her hand and nodded. Naruto turned to look at Sasuke again. Both stared at each other, waiting for some kind of signal. It wasn't until a bird fly past them that the two boys charged at each other.

 

Kunai met kunai. While still pushing against Sasuke's kunai, Naruto attempted to kick Sasuke in the ribs. Sasuke took advantage of Naruto's lack of leverage and pushed Naruto back. Naruto flipped in the air and landed gracefully. He took his kunai and stabbed the ground with it. Sasuke twirled the kunai he held for a while before he finally threw it at a tree.

 

`Always the show off.' Naruto glared at Sasuke. It was Sasuke who lunged at Naruto, fist aiming for his head. Naruto dodged the punch and attempted to kick Sasuke's feet out from under him. Sasuke flipped back, but had little time to recover as Naruto showered him with punches and kicks. Sasuke was able to block all of them. He was even able to throw a few punches and kicks Naruto's way, but they were all blocked as well.

 

Sakura watched the spar with a slight smile on her face. Watching them spar was like watching an old memory. It was as if nothing had ever happened. She knew Naruto wasn't trying to hurt Sasuke. He was holding back. She was almost certain Sasuke was holding back as well since he had yet to activate his Sharingan. She gasped suddenly as both boys were thrown back. Naruto reached up to touch his sore cheek and Sasuke put his hand on his now bruised ribs. The started at each other now, no smirks or sarcastic comments, just looks that meant business.

 

“You'll pay for that.” Naruto couldn't remember the last time anyone other then Jirayia had landed a punch on his face.

 

“As will you.” Even before the last word escaped Sasuke's lips he was already forming hands seals. “Katon Housenka no Jutsu!” Sasuke started blowing fire from his mouth. Naruto ran to the side only to have the fire follow him. Sasuke followed Naruto with the fire for as long as he could. Naruto knew he had to keep moving, but he also knew Sasuke would have to breath eventually. As soon as he dropped the ninjutsu, Naruto turned toward him and began forming seals. Sasuke's eyes went wide as he recognized the seals, `What?'

 

“Katon Housenka no Jutsu!” Sasuke jumped back having just enough time to dodge the fire. Naruto made the fireball bigger in hopes of catching Sasuke when he landed. Naruto managed to singe Sasuke's pants before he had to drop the ninjutsu.

 

Sasuke looked down at his singed pants then turned to look at Naruto. He had a look of both annoyance and shock.

 

“You didn't honestly think I wouldn't have learned a fire technique over the past three years. Comes in handy when you want to make a camp fire.” Sakura giggled at the last comment. She remembered the first time Naruto had tried using the jutsu to make a campfire. He ended up burning not only their tents and supplies but also the whole clearing. She knew her laughing was inappropriate and probably distracting. “Sakura, shut up.” Naruto knew what she was laughing about, and it only helped to fuel his anger.

 

“I can tell you're still not as skilled with them as I am though.”

 

“True, I can't seem to get them to move like you can. But I have learned to control the size of the fire.”

 

Sasuke motioned to the hole in his pants, “I noticed.”

 

Naruto smiled at Sasuke's comment. `Looks like we're evenly matched.'

 

“Naruto, lets end this.”

 

“Yes, lets.” As Naruto took off running toward Sasuke he pulled out two shuriken and threw them at Sasuke. Sasuke had only enough time to throw two of his own shuriken when Naruto was suddenly in front of him. Sasuke felt something metallic and cold against his throat. He froze. The look in Naruto's eyes was something Sasuke had never seen before; he saw nothing. There was no emotion in the eyes before him. He had never seen Naruto's eyes look so cold and empty. It sent a shiver up his spine. Naruto's eyes aren't supposed to be cold. They're supposed to be bright, happy, and full of life and determination. They're supposed to be something that was totally and undeniably Naruto. But this, this wasn't Naruto. Sasuke knew what those eyes were; they were the eyes of someone determined to kill. So Sasuke stood there waiting for the eminent.

 

“I can't believe I was able to catch you like this.” Naruto smiled, even though there was no humor in his voice or eyes. “You were holding back on me, weren't you?”

 

“You were too.” Sasuke was rewarded with a threatening push on his throat.

 

“Why did you hold back?”

 

“I didn't come here to kill you Naruto.”

 

“Why did you come here then?”

 

“To give you something.” He motioned with his hand to the sack that had been left unattended. “Look in the bag.”

 

Naruto heard Sakura walk over to the sack. “What's in the sack Sakura?” Not once did Naruto turn his attention away from Sasuke.

 

Sakura picked up the sack. It was heavier then she expected it to be. She opened the sack and saw something black inside. She reached in and pulled it out. “Oh my god!”

 

“Sakura what's wrong? What's in the sack?” Naruto wanted nothing more then to turn to look at her, but he didn't want to drop his guard on Sasuke. “Sakura?”

 

“It's his head.”

 

“Whose head?”

 

“Orochimaru's.” Sakura turned to look at them. She couldn't believe it. “Did you kill him, Sasuke?”

 

“Yes I did.” He looked from Sakura to Naruto. “I will not be a pawn in his little game.” Sasuke couldn't tell if Naruto was mad that he had killed Orochimaru or happy about it. `He has such an emotionless expression.' It was then that he realized how much he had hurt Naruto. Sasuke remembered a time when Naruto was incapable of being emotionless. His eyes always betrayed him. They were always so warm and welcoming. Now they were dark and betrayed nothing.

 

“Sakura show me.” Naruto had to see the evidence for himself to believe it. Only when Sakura was right next to him did he look over to see the head she was holding. There was no doubt about it, that was Orochimaru. He looked back over at Sasuke, “Now why would I want that snake's head?”

 

“It's a peace offering.”

 

“Peace?” Sakura was getting more confused by the minute. She put the head back in the sack. Holding it made chills go up her spine. Sasuke looked over at her, being careful not to rub his neck against the sharp object Naruto still held to his throat.

 

“Yes peace.” He turned to look at Naruto, “I want the hostility to end between us.”

 

“So where's the bag with Itachi's head?”

 

“There will be no bag with his head.” Naruto raised his eyebrow at the statement.

 

“Has the great Uchiha, the avenger, given up on his goal?” Sasuke could almost feel the anger and contempt dripping off the words. `No doubt about it, he's going to kill me.'

 

“I have chosen a new path, one without Itachi. I killed Orochimaru so I can walk that path without him following me.” Sakura couldn't believe what she just heard. For as long as she could remember Sasuke was always obsessed with Itachi. It was true what he said about Orochimaru. He would follow Sasuke to the ends of the earth and back, tempting him all along the way. But still to give up on Itachi was something she was having a hard time believing. She wondered if Naruto was thinking the same thing. Looking at him she realized his face revealed nothing. She looked at the hand at Sasuke's throat. `What will you do Naruto?'

 

“Are you ready for me to pass judgment on you?”

 

“Yes.” Sasuke raised his chin, exposing more of neck. Suddenly the object on his neck was gone. He looked at Naruto, surprised.

 

“Did you really think I was going to kill you?” He held out his hand to reveal a forehead protector with the Konoha emblem on it. “I had yours repaired.” Sasuke looked from the forehead protector to Naruto and then Sakura. She smiled at him and nodded. Sasuke was about to take the protector from Naruto's hand when Sakura said, “How long have you been watching?”

 

This caught both Naruto's and Sasuke's attention. It was only then they realized the presence of someone. All three turned to see Kakashi walking out from behind a bush. He looked exactly as Sasuke remembered him. The only difference was that now Kakashi was reading the latest volume of Icha Icha Violence.

 

“So should I welcome you home, or should I kill you?” He reached down to his holster and put away his book. Sasuke knew Kakashi was now holding a kunai.

 

“I am not the one you should be asking.” Sasuke looked over at Naruto. Naruto took a step toward Sasuke and proceeded to tie the protector around Sasuke's head. When Naruto finally took a step back, Sasuke bowed his head. `I'm home.' When he looked back at Naruto he saw that Sakura was now at his side and both of them were smiling warmly at him.

 

“So how many exams do I have to take, one or two?”

 

Naruto and Sakura shared a confused look. Sakura turned to Sasuke and asked, “What do you mean?”

 

“Are you guys chuunins or jounins?”

 

Naruto reached up and started to scratch the back of his head, “Ha, well actually we're still genins.”

 

“What? Why?”

 

“We didn't want to take the exams without you. Team 7 is supposed to take the exams, and without you there is no Team 7. Naruto and I decided to wait for your return.” Sasuke was speechless. They had waited for him to come back. After all he had done, they had waited.

 

“Naruto, you know the Hokage can't be a genin.”

 

“I know. It was my punishment for breaking the promise I made to Sakura. Besides, how can I be Hokage if I can't even save my friend from the darkness.” Naruto gave Sasuke a friendly punch in the shoulder. But Sasuke was stunned at Naruto's words. `He's matured so much.' Sasuke then did something he hadn't done in years; he smiled.

 

Kakashi stood there watching his students when he whispered, “So what do you two think?”

 

“It's about time. He'd ruin my reputation if he stayed a genin forever.” Jirayia was quickly rewarded with a smack to his head.

 

“Baka!”

 

“Ow! That hurt Tsunade.”

 

“I know it did.” She then turned to look at the three genins who were sharing a quiet moment.

 

“Hokage-sama?”

 

“Yes, Kakashi.”

 

“What is the official standing of Team 7?”

 

Tsunade laughed slightly at the question. She turned to look over at Kakashi, a smile on her face. “I don't think it was my decision to make.” Kakashi simply nodded. She could tell he was smiling under his mask.

 

“I think we should leave them alone. They have a lot of catching up to do.” With that Jirayia turned and walked away. Tsunade started to follow him when she noticed Kakashi hadn't moved from his spot. She put her hand on his shoulder.

 

“It's just nice to see him smile again.” Kakashi felt a weight had been lifted off of him when he looked at how Naruto was smiling. When Sasuke had left, Kakashi blamed himself for not being able to stop him from hurting Naruto. He had seen all the warning signs. Yet he felt like he did nothing. He had let his comrades down, and he hated that more then anything. But now things would be better. He turned and walked toward the village with Tsunade, `Yes, things will be better now.'

 

--

 

It was Sakura who finally broke the silence, “How about we go home?”

 

 

 

Okay so how was the action?? Weird, confusing, not enough?? I've never written action before, so it's all new territory for me.

 

About Sasuke's return. I don't plan on healing all the wounds in one chapter, that would be way too hard. I'm gonna make him earn their full trust once again, so don't think I just brought him back and everything is going to be sunshine and butterflies.

 

About Naruto's sudden attitude change. I strongly that Naruto likes to make people think he's gonna do one thing and then he goes and does something completely different. If you've read the most recent manga chapters then you know what I mean.

 

So leave comments, reviews, death threats……it's all good as long as I know someone's reading the damn thing.