Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Road Less Travelled By ❯ 'Fears and Discussions! Sasuke Leaves Konoha' ( Chapter 7 )

'Fears and Discussions! Sasuke Leaves Konoha'

 

Sakura had never been one to try to sneak around her parents. For one thing, sneaking anywhere in a ninja village such as Konoha was something of an exercise in futility. For another, while she might complain at her parents for always nagging her, Sakura really did care about them. In the end it was the fact that she seemed to be trying to avoid them that caused her to be caught when she returned home.

She could only stand, looking at her feet as her mother fussed over her, worrying over her daughter's now much shorter hair. Sakura just shuffled from foot to foot, before excusing herself, pleading exhaustion. Her mother let her go only reluctantly.

Sakura fled to the upstairs part of the house, and into the bathroom. She cranked on the hot water, filling the bath with warm soapy water while she stripped out of her dirt and sweat stained clothes.

The hot water did much to relieve the dull aches in her limbs, and helped to ease her muscles out of their tense state. Having been in a state of fighting readiness for six days had taken its toll on both her body and her stamina, and she felt herself starting to doze in the warm water. As she did, her thoughts turned back, almost unwillingly to the argument with Sasuke before his fight.

He was just so stupid, going ahead when that mark was still there, hurting him. Stupid and stubborn and pig-headed. Why didn't he listen to me? I was worried. She let her head sink under the water, enjoying the feel of the dirt matted into her hair loosening. He's just so obsessed with getting stronger, and I don't know why. I don't know why he'd accept that influence so meekly. Her head broke the surface of the water again, and she dragged her fingers through her hair roughly. I'm scared that he'll do just what Orochimaru said, seek him out for power. Sasuke-kun isn't really like that I'm sure. He's kind and noble, and works hard. What I saw was just a demon with his face.

She paused as a memory rose in her mind. Sasuke, with cruel eyes and a contented smirk on his face, pulling the arms of the sound ninja she had later found was called Zaku, bending the enemy ninja's spine at an unnatural angle. `You seem proud of your arms,' he said. I never thought that he'd go so far. He should've stopped himself. He can't have wanted it to go that far.

But you know he's capable of worse countered a little voice in the back of her mind, unbidden. You heard what he said, there's someone he wants to kill.

Sakura shook herself. Don't be so silly. I've said that I want to kill Naruto sometimes. Doesn't mean I really mean it.

But he did, countered the little worrying voice. Sasuke-kun wanted to hurt that Zaku person. And however much you like to pretend, you know that what you saw wasn't some demon, but just Sasuke-kun.

Sakura shook her head, the tips of her hair flicking water about. “No!”

Her mother tapped on the door lightly. “Sakura? Are you okay?”

Sakura blushed at her outburst. “I'm fine, mother. Just fell asleep in the bath.”

“If you're doing that, you should hurry up and get to bed, Sakura.”

Sakura heard the floorboards creak a little as her mother shifted nervously in front of the door before hurrying off. This is all such a mess. How am I going to help Sasuke-kun if he leaves to train? She started washing her hair, lost in thought. I know Sasuke-kun has always had something dark under the surface, but that's why I love him, want to help him. If he's letting that darkness in him spread because of the mark, then… She stopped her train of thought forcibly, and rinsed the shampoo from her hair. Thinking about this now will do no good.

She rose from the bath, wrapping herself in a robe, and moved into her bedroom, rubbing her hair with a towel. While her bed seemed to almost call to her, she paused at her desk, looking at the framed picture there. The image of Sasuke glared out at her from behind glass smudged by countless passes of her lips and fingers on his portion of the photo. Naruto's and Kakashi's images both grinned into the room, and her own image still stood between that of Naruto's and Sasuke's, making an attempt at a demure smile. They're going on without me, she thought mournfully. I can't seem to keep up with them, so I'm damn well going to make sure that I'm there for them doing what I'm good at. Being someone to talk to who cares about them. She moved away from her desk, and laid down on her bed, figuring that the scolding for sleeping with wet hair would be skipped for once.

Sasuke-kun… Don't let that mark have a hold on you any more.

 

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Jiraiya knew that nights like this were good on occasion. While spending an evening in the company of women and sake would always be more inviting, he understood that it was only on peaceful nights like this that he could think alone and undisturbed.

Across from the rooftop he stood on, he watched Naruto sigh softly in his sleep and turn to sprawl half in and half out of the inn bed. It had been at Jiraiya's insistence that Naruto had stayed in this village, rather than returning to Konoha, but in truth it made more sense to stay where they could train in secret than to always be returning to a place Jiraiya had no real wish to return to yet.

Plus the women in Konoha knew of his reputations, both as Sannin, and as enjoying female company.

No, it's better that I stay here. Less dangerous all round. Jiraiya watched Naruto mutter something in his sleep, and was again struck by the similar appearance of Naruto to his former apprentice. I wonder what he would make of his gift to Naruto being the very thing now placing him in danger. He paused in his thoughts as he heard footsteps approaching.

Looking up he saw a ninja dressed all in black, including his forehead protector, and whose eyes were guarded by small round sunglasses. It took Jiraiya a moment to remember the identity of the man stood before him. “Sorry, Ebisu.”

Ebisu moved to the lip of the building's roof, and seemed to contemplate Naruto's sleeping state.

Jiraiya continued. “I stole one of your students.”

Ebisu shook his head. “Not at all.” He looked back at Jiraiya. “But I am surprised. Hokage-sama has been searching for you, but he could not determine your location. It turns out that you were here, in this village after all. He'll be pleased.”

Jiraiya shook his head. “I have no wish for the third to learn of my presence here just yet. I have things I must do before I can return to Konoha.”

Ebisu turned to face him worriedly. “Has this to do with Orochimaru?”

Jiraiya snorted. Figures. After all these years, he's still the one foremost in everyone's minds. “I'm sorry, Ebisu, but it doesn't. I stopped here to get ideas for my next novel, I'm only passing through. I don't like to get involved in other people's affairs.”

“But we need you!” exclaimed Ebisu, annoyed. “The only person who can defeat Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, is another member. In other words, you, Jiraiya-sama!”

Does he really think that trying to praise me will work? “I have other business to deal with, Ebisu.” He turned to look back at Naruto. “This boy is troublesome, but reminds me of my own childhood. He needs someone who understands him, not some authority figure that he will rebel against.”

Ebisu nodded. “Naruto-kun is indeed… unique.” He paused. “If you wish to take custody of his training, I will permit it, however, you should know of arrangements made without Naruto's knowledge.”

Jiraiya nodded slowly. What is there that is secret from him? He already knows of the Kyuubi within him, the second set of chakra which I was going to help him learn about. What other manipulations can be going on behind his back?

Ebisu explained. “Kakashi-kun has requested that Naruto be back in Konoha three evenings from now. While he admits it will disrupt Naruto's training, and that of his own pupil, he seems to believe that in the long run this will be more important than the chuunin exam.”

“Oh? And what can be so important?”

Ebisu looked at him carefully. “Just as I am sure you have noticed how in some ways Naruto-kun is similar to yourself, Orochimaru has taken an interest in another from Naruto-kun's team.”

“The Uchiha brat.” Jiraiya was pleased to see Ebisu's confusion at his knowledge. “Ebisu, when you travel as much as I do, you tend to listen out for gossip. In this case, word of a group of ninjas who protected a village in the Wave country spread, as did the name of the bridge.” He sighed. “So why is it so important that Naruto gets back there?”

Ebisu pushed his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “Because Naruto-kun and `The Uchiha brat' as you called him are starting to fight more than they get on. Kakashi wants to stop the separation that a whole month training in isolation might cause, even if it affects their performance in the exam.”

“Hmph. If they've no interest in being friends forcing them together will hardly help.”

Ebisu pushed his glasses up again, in what Jiraiya was starting to recognise as a nervous gesture. “Kakashi-kun seemed to have faith in his scheme. If you and Naruto return to Konoha, you could ask him what his reasoning is. I, quite frankly, don't know.”

“I'll consider it, Ebisu.” Going back to Konoha is not something that I want to do lightly if the Hokage is after me. Jiraiya moved to look at Naruto again, turning his back on Ebisu and effectively ending the conversation.

“I have faith that you'll do the right thing, Jiraiya-sama.”

 

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Really, I should have known better, thought Sasuke idly. The bridge rail he was leaning on was starting to dig uncomfortably into his shoulders, but he knew better than to let his discomfort show on his face anymore than his irritation at Kakashi. Guess it was just foolish pride that he'd be on time to deal with me rather than with Naruto and Sakura. He gave in to the discomfort of his shoulders and turned to lean with his elbows propped on the rail, looking into the river. How pathetic is it that I miss their prattling? Naruto drawing her attention away from trying to talk to me, and Sakura getting annoyed at his attempts to impress. He sighed slightly, watching as his reflection on the water's surface did the same. Figures. The moment I finally get some peace from them, I find it less appealing than I thought. His eyes caught the movement of fish under the surface. Fish… Naruto never did thank me for helping him catch them. Idiot. The thought felt familiar to Sasuke, so he repeated it with more vehemence. Idiot. Idiot idiot idiot.

He felt a smile tug at his lips as he imagined Naruto's spluttering response to that. Okay, maybe only sometimes an idiot. He did help with a plan that let us pass the second exam, and he must've had a good plan to get past Kiba in the prelims. Sasuke frowned as he remembered the fight against the rain ninjas. He made copies of us, and kept them up for hours. I'm just standing still compared to him. He defeats Haku, he stops Orochimaru's snake, he covers for me when the cursed seal stopped me fighting, and passes the preliminary round. He's a threat for the third exam, I'll have to watch out for him. He paused slightly and blinked, finding the idea of Naruto being a threat unable to match with his view of Naruto as a cheerful fool. Something else lurked beneath that clash of images, but before Sasuke could consider it further, he sensed a familiar presence on the arch over the bridge.

“Good morning, Sasuke-kun. I had to help a little old lady with her grocery shopping today, so…” Kakashi trailed off as Sasuke turned to face him. I suppose he's not interested in excuses, just training. Only to be expected. He jumped down, watching Sasuke as he picked up a bag of what Kakashi supposed was weapons, although he could hear no tell-tale clink of metal from within. Probably using clothes and other supplies to muffle sounds. He watched Sasuke settle the load onto his shoulders, before smiling. “Okay, Sasuke. Now the hard work begins.”

Sasuke nodded sharply in understanding, preferring not to speak.

Kakashi started to walk off towards the village gates, trusting Sasuke to follow. “Konoha isn't the kind of place that's suitable for your training. We'll be heading west to the mountains. Less chance of you destroying something valuable there.” And less chance of Orochimaru managing to keep tabs on your movements. He heard Sasuke's grunted assent, and tried not to smile. Quite quiet without Naruto and Sakura, isn't it, Sasuke? Maybe after a few days you'll be ready to admit you miss them. He smiled as he remembered his discussion with Ebisu. Then maybe we can work on your attitude.

They walked in silence to the gates, each thinking their own thoughts, where Kakashi turned to face Sasuke.

“Time for your first set of training. Improving your stamina.” He looked out into the forest. “The mountains are a day and a half walk from here. I want us to get there in two hours.”

Sasuke nodded once.

He seems confident that he can do it. I expect by the time our month is up, he will be able to, but for now, maybe four or five hours is more likely, until he discovers the correct trick to it. And of course the river may slow us down considerably. He tried not to smile at the thought of Sasuke failing to walk on water and instead ending up soaked. A shame that he might succeed from the start, but learning to release chakra steadily into his eyes in order to use his sharingan will have started him onto the right path. “I see no more need for instruction. Tell me when you tire.” With that admonition, Kakashi leapt off into the trees, followed by Sasuke, heading for the training grounds.