Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Little Things In Life ❯ Reflections ( Chapter 5 )

Alright, before I start, something came to my attention while I was brainstorming this chapter; my story is very skewed in comparison to the actual Naruto story line. So, just to be clear, this story takes place after the attack on Kohona, the only difference being that Sasuke obviously never went with Orochimaru. I might make him later, but I'm still debating that. Oh, and if you guys would like to see any other pairs in this fic, please say so.

I would also like to thank all the reviewers who helped me with correct spellings of names. Many thanks to you guys! Anyway, let's start chapter 5!

 

~DD~

 

This is bad. Kakashi thought as he looked at the hastily scrawled note he had found on Naruto's bedside table. The note itself was short and almost illegible, like he had been shaking when he wrote it. The Jonin scanned the strange note once more.

Kakashi Sensei,

I have decided to take a long leave of absence, In the time I'm gone, please make sure Tsunade knows that I'm fine. Also, make sure Sakura's safe, okay?

Thanks,

Naruto Uzumaki

 

The Jonin slid the note into his pocket, knowing that the Hokage would want to see it later. Kakashi's attention now turned to the rest of Naruto's bedroom. It was in rather good shape, considering the numerous past cases of vandalism on the place. True, there was the occasional dirty sock or empty ramen cup on the floor, but aside from a few meager possessions, the room was all but empty. The copy ninja walked out of Naruto's room and into the rest of his apartment. It followed the same barren character as the bedroom, holding only a few things that weren't nailed to the floor. One item that caught Kakashi's eye in particular was a small framed picture. As he came closer, he realized that it was the picture of team seven that they had all taken when they had first become a team. As he picked up the picture, a grin became visible from behind his mask. There, frozen in the picture, was his team. Suddenly, Kakashi felt a twinge of unease. His team had been broken apart, and with Naruto gone for who knows how long, things were going to be…weird without him. The silver haired ninja walked out of his student's apartment, squinting as his revealed eye adjusted to the light. Things were definitely not going to be as interesting without Naruto around.

 

Naruto groggily trudged through the forest, not really caring where he was going. Right now, all he really wanted to do was be alone. Which was becoming increasingly difficult with the Kyuubi hounding him every other minute. Listen to me, you idiot! The demon screamed within him. You can't just run away from this! Sooner or later, you'll have to go back an-

 

“Why do you care so much?!” Naruto yelled out loud. “It's not like you care about me.” Naruto could feel the Kyuubi soften. Aw, now that's not true kid. Sure, I think you're annoying…well, most of the time, but I'd rather be sealed in you than with Akatsuki. Naruto laughed dryly. “You need some work on your compliments, you know that?” Look, all I'm saying is that if you like this girl as much as I think you do, you can't let this Uchiha brat steal her away.Naruto stopped walking, his eyes hidden underneath his blonde bangs. “Kyuubi, she doesn't love me, and she probably never will. So what's the point?” from within him, the demon fox let out a pulse of rage so intense that it made Naruto's eyes water. LISTEN TO ME, you ignorant gut bag! I've spent a good 13 years in your body, and never ONCE have you gotten rid of that stupid determination of yours! I mean you made it your “Ninja Way” for god sakes! Now, you mean to tell me that it means nothing, just because you hit a bump in the road? I'll not have it, boy! I'm taking us back. Naruto was shocked. He had never known the Kyuubi cared this much. His thoughts were soon postponed as he felt the Kyuubi summoning it's charka to attempt a teleportation back to Kohona. The yellow haired ninja crossed his arms. “Listen fox, I'm not ready to go back, and you can't make me.” The demon's charka began to fade. Fine. The demon snorted, Then you can look forward to dreams of that annoying bushy eye browed sensei in a Speedo until you go back! Naruto grumbled, knowing that this would spell very little sleep for him.

 

“I wonder what this is about…” Sakura thought out loud as she held the small notice to come to Tsunade's immediately. “What do you think, Sasuke-kun?” The Uchiha prodigy walking beside her simply snorted.

 

“It's probably something stupid.” Sakura sighed to herself. Even thought she really didn't want to admit it, being Sasuke's girlfriend wasn't at all what she had expected. When she had dreamed of it in her head, she had been able to be herself around Sasuke, she was able to tell him anything, and he could make her laugh. Part of the reason she had chased Sasuke for so long was because she could visualize those things so clearly, almost as if she'd had them before. The Kunoichi was so deep in her thoughts that she almost ran face first into the large double doors leading into the Hokage's Tower. The turned on her heel and glared at Sasuke.

 

“Why didn't you tell me I was about to run into the door?” she snapped. Sasuke merely shrugged and smirked, earning him a smack on the back of the head before Sakura stormed into the tower. When the two members of team seven entered the Hokage's office, they found that they were not alone. Already inhabiting the spacious office was Jiraiya, Kakashi and of course, Tsunade. Sakura felt a twinge of worry when she saw that they all wore serious faces. Looking around the office, she noticed the absence of their last teammate.

 

“Where's Naruto?” she asked, both confusion and worry evident in her voice.

 

“That's actually why we've called you here.” Tsunade replied as she rose from her chair. “Naruto left Kohona last night leaving us only a note. Did he say anything to either of you about this?” Sakura's memory rewound to last night when Naruto had disrupted her and Sasuke's date. Even though he had been angry, he seemed like the same old Naruto…until she had said she hated him. With every passing second, the memory became more vivid in her mind. She remembered the words leaving her mouth, then watching Naruto. She remembered his eyes, how they seemed to loose some of their color, like something had died. Sakura's feelings of worry turned into those of guilt.

 

“I-I think I know why he left, Tsunade sensei.” Sakura hung her head. “Last night, when Sasuke and I were on a date, Naruto came and interrupted us. I said…I said I hated him, and he ran off.” Kakashi raised an eyebrow at this.

 

“You and Sasuke are dating?” Sakura nodded, while Sasuke continued to stare off into space. Tsunade cleared her throat loudly, getting everyone's attention.

 

“Sakura, stay here. Everyone else is free to go.” The ninja filed out of the room, until only Sakura and The Hokage remained. When the door finally shut, Tsunade let out a sigh and sat behind her desk once again.

 

“Sakura, there's something I think you need to know.” The pink haired Kunoichi looked at her sensei intently, waiting for her to continue. Tsunade motioned toward the window behind her. “look out that window, what do you see?” Sakura glanced out the window, seeing nothing of real interest.

 

“I don't know, the edge of the village, and the southern training grounds.” The Hokage nodded solemnly.

 

“I saw the same thing a couple of nights ago, except you and that Uchiha boy were at that training ground.” Sakura thought back to her rather disheartening encounter with Sasuke there, and sighed.

 

“Yeah, he was training really hard, and I interrupted him…”

 

“Do you know what I saw after you ran off?” The blonde interrupted. Sakura merely shook her head. “Naruto came and gave Sasuke a beating. I think he was sticking up for you, Sakura-chan.” the pink haired girl thought about it for a moment.

 

“That does sound like Naruto, but what does this have to do with him running away?” to her surprise, Tsunade seemed to become irritated with her question.

 

“Sakura, do you know the old saying `It's the little things in life you take for granted'?”

 

“Yes but-”

 

“Sakura, you're smart. One of the smartest, in fact. But sometimes I don't think you'd know a wonderful thing if it came up and bit you in the face.” She dismissed Sakura before she could respond to the odd statement, leaving her even more confused. As she left the tower, Sakura thought about what her sensei had said. What wonderful thing is she talking about? She thought to herself. And why did she bring up that old saying, anyway? Sometimes she really does act like a grandmother…The usage of Naruto's little nickname for the Hokage made her laugh a little. Naruto isn't even here and he's making me laugh. Suddenly, a little thing hiding in the back of her head hit her consciousness with the force of an atom bomb. “Wait…Naruto…” Sakura whispered. Suddenly, Tsunade's saying didn't seem so ridiculous, because she had taken something for granted, and now that it was gone…she missed it. She missed him more than anything.

 

DA DA DA! (evil music plays in the background) another evil cliffhanger! Feel It's evil radiate through you! Bwahahaha! Anyway look for next chapter where…well…um…JUST WAIT AND FIND OUT!!!