Manicherryblossom33
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Oh man! This just might be MY longest chapter ever. To make it easier on your eyes, I will split it into two parts. Please feel free to take a break or two or three and finish it later if you start reading and it becomes too much for you. Excess computer time can make you go blind! Also, chapter 31's title was ruined, in case you are not one of the readers I VMed last week or didnt notice on your own. Here is the link to chapter 31 if you were confused and couldnt find it:
And the link to chapter 30, which has links to all previous chapters if you are new and would like to read the old ones:
I am hoping I can wrap up things in Uzushio and get on to the post-Uzushio chapters, which is when Naruto will regain his memories, which is why this chapter is SOOO long. I apologize! Please read and enjoy! I'm kind of getting tired of saying that. Maybe I should change it to "Please browse and be happy"?
Part A
Part B
You must be registered for see links
And the link to chapter 30, which has links to all previous chapters if you are new and would like to read the old ones:
You must be registered for see links
I am hoping I can wrap up things in Uzushio and get on to the post-Uzushio chapters, which is when Naruto will regain his memories, which is why this chapter is SOOO long. I apologize! Please read and enjoy! I'm kind of getting tired of saying that. Maybe I should change it to "Please browse and be happy"?
Part A
Naruto fanfic: A future without you
Chapter 32: in the past...
HINATA'S POV
FLASHBACK STARTS HERE
"Man!" Choji grinned, dropping another piece of fresh barbecue into his mouth. "This is the best! Thanks, Shikamaru!"
"Hey, I never said I was paying." He complained.
"We're all paying for ourselves, Choji!" Ino reminded him.
Team ten sat altogether, in that order, around the edge of the table.
"But wasn't this shikamaru's idea?" Choji asked.
"What are you talking about?" Kiba asked, tossing a piece of meat to Akamaru. "Hinata suggested we all go out for barbecue since we're finally all together."
"That's true, especially since one of us was away for so long." Shino said, causing everyone to stare pointedly at Sasuke, who was staring out the window after having only one slice of barbecue pork.
"Oh yeah! It was Hinata who suggested it! Does that mean she's paying?" Choji asked.
Ino waved her fist at him. "I already told you, we're paying for ourselves!"
Team Gai glared daggers at Choji, as if he were Madara instead of their close ally.
"Choji I hope you're not trying to take advantage of Lady Hinata's kindness." Neji accused, his tone full of hostility and warning.
"That's terrible! She's never been anything but kind to you!" Tenten reminded scoldingly.
"Yes! It is truly dishonorable to even consider taking money from her!" Lee stated, raising both fists with eyes of fire.
Choji gaped and dropped his food, raising his shaking, nervous hands.
"No! No! I wasn't- I mean- I'm sorry, Hinata! I'll pay for myself."
"It's okay, Choji." She said, smiling weakly before joining Sasuke and Sakura in looking out the window.
Everyone else from the group stared at the three of them questioningly.
"What's wrong with you three?" Tenten finally asked, sounding genuinely concerned. "You've hardly eaten. And you've been distracted this entire time!"
Sakura jumped, smiling nervously. "Oh, well um... It's just that we haven't seen Naruto in a while. I mean, he's been wandering around a lot lately, really busy. And he's always off on missions with council members."
"That's not surprising is it?" Shikamaru asked. "He's trying to become hokage. Whenever I get called up by lady Tsunade, he's usually there in the office with her. But I did get something out of my dad that I think is strange."
"What's that?" Sasuke asked.
Everyone's jaw dropped. Sasuke talked to somebody. That anti-social Sasuke who hadn't talked to anyone since having restraint jutsu placed on him, save for Sakura and Naruto and Sai (he never had nice things to say to Sai).
Shikamaru leaned back and folded his arms together.
"Well, my dad and Inoichi were summoned by the feudal lord the other day." Shikamaru recalled, frowning. "And when they got there, Naruto and the feaudal lord were leaning over a shogi board, yelling at each other. Stuff like, 'you're cheating!' and 'you're just really bad at shogi!' and so on. Apparently my dad had to be judge, and Inoichi had to be on standby just in case either one of them wanted the others mind read."
Everyone made some very surprised, and very comical expressions at that.
"He's playing SHOGI with the feudal lord?" Tenten asked. "Does he even know how?"
"No." Sasuke answered.
"Why would he do something like that?" Choji asked.
"Naruto hates to sit still!" Ino said.
"I don't know why, but I do know that all those older councilmen, including the feaudal lord, all love him now." Shikamaru said. "The other day, during the meeting, we were discussing Lady Tsunade's successor. I immediately nominated him, and you wouldn't believe how many heads nodded."
"What? Really!" Sakura jumped, amazed.
"Then does that mean it's official?" Sai asked politely, speaking up for the first time.
"No, there were two guys opposed to Naruto becoming hokage, ever."
Everyone tensed. It didn't take any thought to figure out who the two in question were.
"What is their issue?" Ino asked, frowning. "Why are they getting in his way? Don't they trust him?"
"Is it because of you?" Choji asked Sasuke boldly through a mouthful of barbecue, earning looks of panic from everyone present.
"I don't know. He won't tell me anything, no matter how much I ask." Sasuke replied, a hint of worry in his tone.
"Not that we've been able to find him." Sakura complained. "We went looking for him this morning, but couldn't find him anywhere! And his neighbor told us he hasn't been home for three nights!"
"Annnnnd... How did she know that?" Shikamaru asked, easily guessing which neighbor would notice and report to Naruto's closest friends that he hadn't been home for three nights. That is, the village girl around the same age as them who'd become the leader of the newly formed group of crazy Mrs. Uzumaki wannabes (just as, if not more, annoying, as the Mrs. Uchiha wannabes).
"We don't want to talk about it." Sakura said with a shudder.
Sasuke made a face like he was trying not to hurl.
Hinata shifted her feet uncomfortably. Not home for three nights. Should she be worried?
She had also gone looking for him. It was an exercise in futility, that she spent all her free time on. She would see the tip of an orange curtain fluttering in the breeze, or she would see a young boy with goggles (they'd become quite popular, those goggles), or she would see the balcony of his apartment, and she would think he was there.
But he never was. Just like with Sasuke and Sakura, no matter how much searching she did, she could never find him. He was still in the village somewhere, they just kept passing each other up.
"I saw him this morning."
Everyone glared at Sai, especially Sasuke who sat bolt upright and got in his face. Sai simply smiled back at him, but everyone leaned away. Was that lightning in the background?
"Didn't Sakura and I ask you this morning if you'd seen him, smiley?" Sasuke spat.
"Yes, but I only saw him after you'd asked that." Sai said. He seemed a little smug, but Hinata wished they would calm down. This situation was not one she wanted to be around for.
Sai might as well have poked a bear with a stick.
"You should have told us anyway, smiley." Sasuke spat.
"Stop calling me smiley, ravens butt." Sai said cheerfully. "I have a name. I am S-A-I. Sai."
"Stupid-And-Incompetent."
Everyone scooted as far away as possible, save for Sakura, who grabbed Sasuke's shoulder.
"Calm down! You can't fight HERE." She reminded, but both boys ignored her.
"Hey guys!"
Everyone jumped, turning to see Naruto standing at the short end of the table that faced the walkway and the entryway. He was grinning with his arms folded behind his back, looking very proud of himself. He was in uniform for once, too. In place of his usual black and orange jumpsuit was his jounin uniform.
After the war, on top of receiving an allied award he was promoted to Jounin, so he'd been on cloud nine. The others were bothered by his constant bragging, but really... He was so close to his dream now. Hinata was so happy for him.
"Naruto-kun." She said with a happy sigh.
"Where've you been?" Sakura asked, putting up an annoyed front. "Sasuke and I were looking everywhere for you."
"Eh? Sai, didn't you give them my message?" He asked.
"Ah, yes." Sai said, remembering. "Naruto has to meet with Lady Tsunade to discuss something he is not allowed to tell us about." Sai then turned to Naruto. "Message delivered."
"YOU'RE A LITTLE LATE!" Naruto yelled back.
"Where's the flashy coat?" Sasuke asked, referring to the long red coat Naruto had received from the toads just before his battle with pain.
He wore it all the time now. Hinata believed it was because the coat was fashioned after his father's, and they had once again had to part ways one the war was won.
Naruto-kun didn't have any photos of his parents after all.
"Sennin Ji-chan took it away to some tailor on Mt. Myoboku." Naruto answered as he slid in next to Sakura. "Apparently it shrank or something."
Hinata chuckled. It didn't shrink. She knew this because she could tell that Naruto had gotten taller. Again. And his hair was longer too. Shaggier.
He was so handsome now...
She suppressed another happy sigh as Naruto leaned over the table.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! I almost forgot! Granny gave me something awesome today!" He told them, chuckling happily as he pulled out a seal scroll and unfurled it. A thin silver box popped into existence, and Naruto carefully lifted the lid off.
Everyone leaned over.
"How..." Neji began, when Naruto laughed.
"Apparently Konan was succeeded by this girl, Tsubasa!" He told them. "She's the one in charge of Ame now. She sent Granny a formal apology, and said that this washed up on shore a week ago."
He pointed at Master Jiraiya's headband, which was slightly rusted, with torn, somewhat missing, soggy and bloody cloth.
"This hardly makes up for anything." Shikamaru noted. "Are you alright?"
Naruto grinned. "I'm fine. Granny is too. We don't really need an apology, and we don't want revenge anymore."
Hinata smiled. That was good, revenge wasn't--
"That's good." Sasuke replied. "Revenge isn't your style."
Naruto laughed while Sakura smiled brightly, blushing.
"The great master Jiraiya's headband!" Lee cheered, excited. "He was so youthful, despite his age! How admirable!"
He then reached over and took the headband out.
"BUSHY BROWS!" Naruto screamed, making Lee jump. "Put it down now! Granny said it was really... Fragile... And... Not to... Mess with it..."
He trailed off as he and everyone else noticed the picture which had been hidden under the headband. It was of a young man with a shock of blond hair and a woman with long, dark, straight red hair pulled back in a ponytail. The picture was taken fairly close, since it only showed them from the waist up. Both were in uniform, green flak jacket and all, and stood together, their foreheads touching. The mans eyes were closed peacefully and his arms were around her waist, while the woman's eyes were open, and she was smiling while her arms were wrapped loosely over his shoulders and around his neck.
"Naruto! How could you!" Ino yelled.
Naruto flinched. "What? What I do?"
"We've been worrying about you, but this whole time you were off with some girl?!" Sakura yelled.
Naruto opened his mouth, as did Hinata, to explain, but they were both cut off.
"Who is she? She's pretty!" Lee asked, picking up the picture and putting the headband back.
"What's with the hair?" Kiba complained.
"What a strange color." Shikamaru commented.
"Ugly." Tenten agreed.
Naruto tried to get up, as if he were going to tackle them, but was pulled back down by Sakura who continued to chew him out while the others made their own comments.
"E-Everyone, please stop. You're being rude--" Hinata started to say.
"Whose side are you on, Hinata?" Tenten yelled. "I thought you'd be the most upset!"
"But--" Hinata began.
"So who is she?"
"What's her name?"
"Does she have a friend?"
Naruto slammed his fist down on the table and made the dishes and food jump.
"Would you guys shut up for five seconds?!" He screamed, highly irritated. Sakura looked angry like she was going to hit him, but Sasuke grabbed her fist.
She shot him a look, but he ignored it.
Naruto threw his arm out, pointing at the photo that everyone had been trying to grab.
"That's not me!" He said.
"... Huh?" Ino, who'd started the whole mess, asked.
"I said that's not me!" Naruto repeated. "That's pa and ma."
Everyone's eyebrows shot up, and they took a second look at the photo, noticing what Sasuke, Hinata, and apparently Sai had noticed. The man in the picture was making a very non-Naruto like expression, and his face was shaped a little differently, and he didn't have Naruto's birthmarks.
They looked a like, yes, but there were those key differences that made the group believe Naruto.
"You're all idiots." Sasuke said. "You even saw him during the war, and you still couldn't tell?"
"But he was an Edo tensei!" Choji argued. "His eyes were--"
"His eyes are closed in that picture." Sasuke said, making Choji frown.
"He's pretty young here," Shikamaru said. "Around my age."
"The yondaime... So what's your mothers name, Naruto?" Kiba asked.
Everyone looked to him, but he shrunk back, stone faced and silent.
"I... Can't tell you. Sorry."
"Huh? Why not?" Kiba asked.
"It's not good to keep secrets from your friends." Shino said, sounding just a little upset.
"Ah, well, I--I really can't tell you." Naruto reached up, rubbing the back of his hair.
Hinata looked at him, concerned. Why couldn't he say? It was a normal question. Just knowing her name... Where was the danger in that?
The others might have complained and questioned some more, but at that moment the two advisors entered the barbecue restaurant together, looking as serious as they always did. Sasuke wouldn't even look at them.
"Ahem." Lady Koharu said, earning an annoyed look from Naruto.
"Ya know, you could give me FIVE MINUTES before pestering me AGAIN." He complained.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Lord Homura said with a tone of authority, "we need to speak with you."
"Yeah, of course you do." Naruto complained as he took back the picture, put it in the box with the headband, and stored it in the scroll before sliding out of his seat and following the two advisors out of the restaurant.
All eyes unconsciously turned to Sasuke, who was glaring ahead through slit-narrow eyes.
This did not put Hinata at ease. If HE was concerned, then shouldn't she be?
FLASHBACK ENDS HERE
Chapter 32: in the past...
HINATA'S POV
FLASHBACK STARTS HERE
"Man!" Choji grinned, dropping another piece of fresh barbecue into his mouth. "This is the best! Thanks, Shikamaru!"
"Hey, I never said I was paying." He complained.
"We're all paying for ourselves, Choji!" Ino reminded him.
Team ten sat altogether, in that order, around the edge of the table.
"But wasn't this shikamaru's idea?" Choji asked.
"What are you talking about?" Kiba asked, tossing a piece of meat to Akamaru. "Hinata suggested we all go out for barbecue since we're finally all together."
"That's true, especially since one of us was away for so long." Shino said, causing everyone to stare pointedly at Sasuke, who was staring out the window after having only one slice of barbecue pork.
"Oh yeah! It was Hinata who suggested it! Does that mean she's paying?" Choji asked.
Ino waved her fist at him. "I already told you, we're paying for ourselves!"
Team Gai glared daggers at Choji, as if he were Madara instead of their close ally.
"Choji I hope you're not trying to take advantage of Lady Hinata's kindness." Neji accused, his tone full of hostility and warning.
"That's terrible! She's never been anything but kind to you!" Tenten reminded scoldingly.
"Yes! It is truly dishonorable to even consider taking money from her!" Lee stated, raising both fists with eyes of fire.
Choji gaped and dropped his food, raising his shaking, nervous hands.
"No! No! I wasn't- I mean- I'm sorry, Hinata! I'll pay for myself."
"It's okay, Choji." She said, smiling weakly before joining Sasuke and Sakura in looking out the window.
Everyone else from the group stared at the three of them questioningly.
"What's wrong with you three?" Tenten finally asked, sounding genuinely concerned. "You've hardly eaten. And you've been distracted this entire time!"
Sakura jumped, smiling nervously. "Oh, well um... It's just that we haven't seen Naruto in a while. I mean, he's been wandering around a lot lately, really busy. And he's always off on missions with council members."
"That's not surprising is it?" Shikamaru asked. "He's trying to become hokage. Whenever I get called up by lady Tsunade, he's usually there in the office with her. But I did get something out of my dad that I think is strange."
"What's that?" Sasuke asked.
Everyone's jaw dropped. Sasuke talked to somebody. That anti-social Sasuke who hadn't talked to anyone since having restraint jutsu placed on him, save for Sakura and Naruto and Sai (he never had nice things to say to Sai).
Shikamaru leaned back and folded his arms together.
"Well, my dad and Inoichi were summoned by the feudal lord the other day." Shikamaru recalled, frowning. "And when they got there, Naruto and the feaudal lord were leaning over a shogi board, yelling at each other. Stuff like, 'you're cheating!' and 'you're just really bad at shogi!' and so on. Apparently my dad had to be judge, and Inoichi had to be on standby just in case either one of them wanted the others mind read."
Everyone made some very surprised, and very comical expressions at that.
"He's playing SHOGI with the feudal lord?" Tenten asked. "Does he even know how?"
"No." Sasuke answered.
"Why would he do something like that?" Choji asked.
"Naruto hates to sit still!" Ino said.
"I don't know why, but I do know that all those older councilmen, including the feaudal lord, all love him now." Shikamaru said. "The other day, during the meeting, we were discussing Lady Tsunade's successor. I immediately nominated him, and you wouldn't believe how many heads nodded."
"What? Really!" Sakura jumped, amazed.
"Then does that mean it's official?" Sai asked politely, speaking up for the first time.
"No, there were two guys opposed to Naruto becoming hokage, ever."
Everyone tensed. It didn't take any thought to figure out who the two in question were.
"What is their issue?" Ino asked, frowning. "Why are they getting in his way? Don't they trust him?"
"Is it because of you?" Choji asked Sasuke boldly through a mouthful of barbecue, earning looks of panic from everyone present.
"I don't know. He won't tell me anything, no matter how much I ask." Sasuke replied, a hint of worry in his tone.
"Not that we've been able to find him." Sakura complained. "We went looking for him this morning, but couldn't find him anywhere! And his neighbor told us he hasn't been home for three nights!"
"Annnnnd... How did she know that?" Shikamaru asked, easily guessing which neighbor would notice and report to Naruto's closest friends that he hadn't been home for three nights. That is, the village girl around the same age as them who'd become the leader of the newly formed group of crazy Mrs. Uzumaki wannabes (just as, if not more, annoying, as the Mrs. Uchiha wannabes).
"We don't want to talk about it." Sakura said with a shudder.
Sasuke made a face like he was trying not to hurl.
Hinata shifted her feet uncomfortably. Not home for three nights. Should she be worried?
She had also gone looking for him. It was an exercise in futility, that she spent all her free time on. She would see the tip of an orange curtain fluttering in the breeze, or she would see a young boy with goggles (they'd become quite popular, those goggles), or she would see the balcony of his apartment, and she would think he was there.
But he never was. Just like with Sasuke and Sakura, no matter how much searching she did, she could never find him. He was still in the village somewhere, they just kept passing each other up.
"I saw him this morning."
Everyone glared at Sai, especially Sasuke who sat bolt upright and got in his face. Sai simply smiled back at him, but everyone leaned away. Was that lightning in the background?
"Didn't Sakura and I ask you this morning if you'd seen him, smiley?" Sasuke spat.
"Yes, but I only saw him after you'd asked that." Sai said. He seemed a little smug, but Hinata wished they would calm down. This situation was not one she wanted to be around for.
Sai might as well have poked a bear with a stick.
"You should have told us anyway, smiley." Sasuke spat.
"Stop calling me smiley, ravens butt." Sai said cheerfully. "I have a name. I am S-A-I. Sai."
"Stupid-And-Incompetent."
Everyone scooted as far away as possible, save for Sakura, who grabbed Sasuke's shoulder.
"Calm down! You can't fight HERE." She reminded, but both boys ignored her.
"Hey guys!"
Everyone jumped, turning to see Naruto standing at the short end of the table that faced the walkway and the entryway. He was grinning with his arms folded behind his back, looking very proud of himself. He was in uniform for once, too. In place of his usual black and orange jumpsuit was his jounin uniform.
After the war, on top of receiving an allied award he was promoted to Jounin, so he'd been on cloud nine. The others were bothered by his constant bragging, but really... He was so close to his dream now. Hinata was so happy for him.
"Naruto-kun." She said with a happy sigh.
"Where've you been?" Sakura asked, putting up an annoyed front. "Sasuke and I were looking everywhere for you."
"Eh? Sai, didn't you give them my message?" He asked.
"Ah, yes." Sai said, remembering. "Naruto has to meet with Lady Tsunade to discuss something he is not allowed to tell us about." Sai then turned to Naruto. "Message delivered."
"YOU'RE A LITTLE LATE!" Naruto yelled back.
"Where's the flashy coat?" Sasuke asked, referring to the long red coat Naruto had received from the toads just before his battle with pain.
He wore it all the time now. Hinata believed it was because the coat was fashioned after his father's, and they had once again had to part ways one the war was won.
Naruto-kun didn't have any photos of his parents after all.
"Sennin Ji-chan took it away to some tailor on Mt. Myoboku." Naruto answered as he slid in next to Sakura. "Apparently it shrank or something."
Hinata chuckled. It didn't shrink. She knew this because she could tell that Naruto had gotten taller. Again. And his hair was longer too. Shaggier.
He was so handsome now...
She suppressed another happy sigh as Naruto leaned over the table.
"Oh! Oh! Oh! I almost forgot! Granny gave me something awesome today!" He told them, chuckling happily as he pulled out a seal scroll and unfurled it. A thin silver box popped into existence, and Naruto carefully lifted the lid off.
Everyone leaned over.
"How..." Neji began, when Naruto laughed.
"Apparently Konan was succeeded by this girl, Tsubasa!" He told them. "She's the one in charge of Ame now. She sent Granny a formal apology, and said that this washed up on shore a week ago."
He pointed at Master Jiraiya's headband, which was slightly rusted, with torn, somewhat missing, soggy and bloody cloth.
"This hardly makes up for anything." Shikamaru noted. "Are you alright?"
Naruto grinned. "I'm fine. Granny is too. We don't really need an apology, and we don't want revenge anymore."
Hinata smiled. That was good, revenge wasn't--
"That's good." Sasuke replied. "Revenge isn't your style."
Naruto laughed while Sakura smiled brightly, blushing.
"The great master Jiraiya's headband!" Lee cheered, excited. "He was so youthful, despite his age! How admirable!"
He then reached over and took the headband out.
"BUSHY BROWS!" Naruto screamed, making Lee jump. "Put it down now! Granny said it was really... Fragile... And... Not to... Mess with it..."
He trailed off as he and everyone else noticed the picture which had been hidden under the headband. It was of a young man with a shock of blond hair and a woman with long, dark, straight red hair pulled back in a ponytail. The picture was taken fairly close, since it only showed them from the waist up. Both were in uniform, green flak jacket and all, and stood together, their foreheads touching. The mans eyes were closed peacefully and his arms were around her waist, while the woman's eyes were open, and she was smiling while her arms were wrapped loosely over his shoulders and around his neck.
"Naruto! How could you!" Ino yelled.
Naruto flinched. "What? What I do?"
"We've been worrying about you, but this whole time you were off with some girl?!" Sakura yelled.
Naruto opened his mouth, as did Hinata, to explain, but they were both cut off.
"Who is she? She's pretty!" Lee asked, picking up the picture and putting the headband back.
"What's with the hair?" Kiba complained.
"What a strange color." Shikamaru commented.
"Ugly." Tenten agreed.
Naruto tried to get up, as if he were going to tackle them, but was pulled back down by Sakura who continued to chew him out while the others made their own comments.
"E-Everyone, please stop. You're being rude--" Hinata started to say.
"Whose side are you on, Hinata?" Tenten yelled. "I thought you'd be the most upset!"
"But--" Hinata began.
"So who is she?"
"What's her name?"
"Does she have a friend?"
Naruto slammed his fist down on the table and made the dishes and food jump.
"Would you guys shut up for five seconds?!" He screamed, highly irritated. Sakura looked angry like she was going to hit him, but Sasuke grabbed her fist.
She shot him a look, but he ignored it.
Naruto threw his arm out, pointing at the photo that everyone had been trying to grab.
"That's not me!" He said.
"... Huh?" Ino, who'd started the whole mess, asked.
"I said that's not me!" Naruto repeated. "That's pa and ma."
Everyone's eyebrows shot up, and they took a second look at the photo, noticing what Sasuke, Hinata, and apparently Sai had noticed. The man in the picture was making a very non-Naruto like expression, and his face was shaped a little differently, and he didn't have Naruto's birthmarks.
They looked a like, yes, but there were those key differences that made the group believe Naruto.
"You're all idiots." Sasuke said. "You even saw him during the war, and you still couldn't tell?"
"But he was an Edo tensei!" Choji argued. "His eyes were--"
"His eyes are closed in that picture." Sasuke said, making Choji frown.
"He's pretty young here," Shikamaru said. "Around my age."
"The yondaime... So what's your mothers name, Naruto?" Kiba asked.
Everyone looked to him, but he shrunk back, stone faced and silent.
"I... Can't tell you. Sorry."
"Huh? Why not?" Kiba asked.
"It's not good to keep secrets from your friends." Shino said, sounding just a little upset.
"Ah, well, I--I really can't tell you." Naruto reached up, rubbing the back of his hair.
Hinata looked at him, concerned. Why couldn't he say? It was a normal question. Just knowing her name... Where was the danger in that?
The others might have complained and questioned some more, but at that moment the two advisors entered the barbecue restaurant together, looking as serious as they always did. Sasuke wouldn't even look at them.
"Ahem." Lady Koharu said, earning an annoyed look from Naruto.
"Ya know, you could give me FIVE MINUTES before pestering me AGAIN." He complained.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Lord Homura said with a tone of authority, "we need to speak with you."
"Yeah, of course you do." Naruto complained as he took back the picture, put it in the box with the headband, and stored it in the scroll before sliding out of his seat and following the two advisors out of the restaurant.
All eyes unconsciously turned to Sasuke, who was glaring ahead through slit-narrow eyes.
This did not put Hinata at ease. If HE was concerned, then shouldn't she be?
FLASHBACK ENDS HERE
Part B
PRESENT DAY-HINATAS POV [UZUSHIOGAKURE OUTER FOREST]
"Wait!" Hinata called to him. "Come back! Who are you?!"
The boy peered over his shoulder at her, but quickly turned away and continued to run.
"What are you doing here?!" Hinata screamed. "Why do you have that headband?!"
She was sure she had never seen him before, and she knew all the faces of every ninja in her village. She'd memorized every one, including anyone who'd passed the Chunin exams during the two years that Naruto had been missing.
But this person was a stranger.
How was that possible?
She jumped over a purple cacti oozing orange foam and followed the boy out of the outer forest. He leaped and ran with such agility and speed, she had trouble keeping up with him. With the speed he'd originally been going, she should have already lost him. But several times he slowed, or stopped and waited at a distance, and then the chase would resume.
Naruto was behind her for some reason, unable to catch up. Was it because of the toxic air of the outer forest? Whatever the reason, he was still yelling at her to stop. To turn around. To wait for him. To watch out for any poisonous plants, animals, and spirits.
Spirits...!
She broke through the trees into a large and rare opening. In the center, on a barren, rocky hill was a gigantic, widespread, ancient, and beautiful tree. The rocky, raised hill was surrounded by a deep and wide gorge, and a mote of red water.
The boy now stood at the edge of the rocky hill.
"The water is the antidote." He told her. "Take it quickly."
Her eyes flitted to the water, then back to the boy.
"Who are you?" She repeated.
Without answering, he turned away and ran up the hill running into the tree, passing through the bark, and disappearing.
"Hinata!"
She felt him take her hand, and pull her back. In moments, his hand gripped her shoulders, shaking her.
"What's wrong with you?!" He yelled. "You could have gotten hurt! Didn't you hear me, yelling at you to stop?!"
Hinata frowned. Her mind was still reeling from the boy and his sudden disappearance, but Naruto's eyes were full of fear and worry and anger at her recklessness. This made her smile. He didn't really have the right to criticize her over being rash, did he? But...
She placed one hand on his cheek.
"I'm sorry... For scaring you." She told him.
He stared hard at her for a few minutes, not releasing his grip on her shoulders. She smiled painfully at this. How stubborn he was! It took him a minute to accept her apology, drop his arms, and look at the ground.
"Just don't... run off again... Okay?" He said, clenching his fists.
She nodded.
"So..." He said, looking around. "Where'd he go?"
"He disappeared into that tree." She said, pointing up at it. Naruto looked up, his eyes widening when he saw the tree.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata called as he walked to the edge of the mote, smiling with relief.
"Kairi!" He gasped.
"Huh?"
"It's Kairi!" He told her, turning his head to look at her. "You found her! You found Kairi!"
He dashed back to her and threw his arms around her, grinning. In seconds, her face was full of his shirt and she could only see through one eye. She smiled up at him, happy for him.
But they needed to focus. He smelled good though. And his hair had been very soft when she ran her fingers through it earlier--
No, no! Focus, focus!
She pushed away reluctantly, his arms still around her.
"Thank you, but I didn't find her." She admitted. "He led me here. He told me the water was the antidote, and that we should take it quickly."
"Huh? Why would he do that? Who was he?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know." She answered, her eyes shaking. "But..."
But the sight of him... Had stirred something in her. As if she was supposed to know him. As if she should help him, and protect him from his enemies. As if she... Were prepared to kill anyone who harmed him.
"To tell you the truth, I get the feeling I'm supposed to know him." Naruto said.
She whipped her head up, shocked.
"Maybe... He's one of the important people I can't remember?" Naruto asked, making a curious, and disappointed face.
Hinata smiled at him. She doubted that was it.
"Maybe." She said.
He smiled sunnily at her, and looked at the mote of red water.
"So that's the antidote to the outer forests air?" He asked, pulling her over to the water. "Guess we'd better take it quickly then."
Even as he said that, there was some hesitation in his eyes. They both knelt next to the water, sitting on their knees. He wouldn't let go of her hand.
"What's wrong?" She asked. "Do you think it's really poison?"
"Nah, it's just... Something's telling me we shouldn't drink this stuff." He answered. "But we don't really have a choice. I don't think that guy lied to you. And anyway, Sakura might still be far away."
They nodded to each other, lifting their free hands and plunging them into the water.
Immediately, she felt like she was drowning. She gasped for air, but there was none. Shutting her eyes tightly, they snapped open a moment later to a new scene. One that made her want to close her eyes and never open them again.
She was above the village of Uzushio, during its destruction. The members of the Uzumaki clan were running frantically through the streets, trying to flee or fight back or hide from one man, who appeared to be an Uzumaki as well.
This man was dancing through the streets, killing his clan members one by one. Slicing or slashing them open, or piercing their vitals with his long sword.
The children sought protection, and hid behind their mothers and fathers who attacked the man. But this quickly led to death after death. Children, pregnant women, young ninja, all were assassinated. Betrayed by one of their own.
Hinata's thoughts drifted to Sasuke. Had he really seen this happen to his own family? How terrible.
The scene shifted, and. Hinata saw a young boy run desperately to a rocky ledge overlooking a rushing river. Was he planning to jump in? But the strength of that current... It could kill him!
He didn't look in good shape either. There was a deep gash in his elbow, bleeding heavily, and the arm it was on hung limp at his side. He gripped it, and breathed heavily as he turned, panicky as he looked around for a means of escape. His jaw length red hair flew as he turned his head. His face and clothes were spotted with blood, and his eyes were full of fear and tears.
He gasped as the man, the murderer with the long sword, appeared from the trees and slowly approached him.
"G-Grandfather... Please!" The young boy begged, backing up, his heel brushing the edge.
The man raised his sword, eyes empty yet determined.
The boy grit his teeth, and leapt backwards seconds before the sword would have sliced ended his life. He seemed to make a few hand signs before a ball of red chakra enveloped him. The ball had a preservation seal on it, and it disappeared into the water.
"Hinata!"
She blinked her eyes open to see Naruto leaning over her, holding her in his arms while sitting cross legged on the ground. The sunlight was much brighter now, with plenty of red and orange in the clouds above. Sunset.
"Naruto-kun..." She said, meeting his eyes.
He sighed in relief. "Are you okay? You touched the water and just hit the ground! Scared me to death! I didn't know WHAT to do."
She bit her lip, remembering the scene she saw.
"The water... It showed me the past." She said sadly, a single tear escaping as she told him what she had seen.
"Really? All that happened while you were out of it?" He asked in disbelief as she sat up.
"I couldn't believe my eyes! It was awful!" She sobbed. "There were women and children being murdered, blood everywhere--!"
"Hinata!"
He took her hand and locked eyes with her.
"Calm down, okay?"
She looked back at him and sniffled, pausing before drying her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Why didn't I get... You know... Showed the same thing?" He asked.
"Maybe because you're not... An outsider." Hinata replied.
He looked at the water, as if wanting to question it, then up at the Sacred Tree.
"We've gotta get to Kairi!" He said. "Hinata, do you feel better? Can you stand?"
Her legs were shaking uncontrollably, but she took a few deep breaths, and pushed herself up. Naruto smiled proudly at her, and looked over at the gorge.
"This thing is way too wide!" He complained. "Where'd it come from? This wasn't in Seto's memories! It's not on the map either!"
Hinata's eyes scanned the gorge. "I don't think this was created naturally. Look at the walls. They're smooth, like polished wood... Strange."
"Yeah. Weird." Naruto agreed. "If we're gonna get to Kairi, we need to find a way to cross this thing."
They both jumped as they heard a shrill, terrified scream coming from the other side of the gorge, behind the tree.
"That's--!" Naruto gasped, already taking off with Hinata at his heels.
"Sakura-chan's voice!" Hinata finished.
"We gotta hurry!"
"Right!"
FLASHBACK STARTS HERE--SASUKES POV
"Do you even know where we are?" Kiba complained.
"Quiet." Sasuke ordered. "I need to concentrate."
Sakura sat quietly atop their resting spot: a fallen building, half flooded with water from an overflowing river. After successfully finding a crudely drawn map in the little girls room, they had been able to navigate through the village ruins without much difficulty. However, they'd reached a point that was immersed in Genjutsu not unlike the kind that had snared them and Kabuto in their first Chunin exams.
But they'd had no choice but to press through. According to the map, they should be right on top of the Sacred Tree.
His sharingan were having trouble seeing through this genjutsu. Each time he came close to solving the puzzle of this forest, it would morph into a scenery so real he could touch it.
He rolled up the map and put it away, earning questioning looks from Sakura, Kiba , and Akamaru.
"Um... Sasuke?" Sakura called to him. "What are you doing?"
"Just trust me." He told her, before approaching one of the trees and placing both hands on the trunk.
He leaned forward, bowing his head, shutting his eyes, and concentrating.
Everything here was alive, with an immeasurable amount of chakra running through it. It was alive, and watching him, creating this genjutsu. It was connected to Kairi, and it would tell him where she was.
IM TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE. He said. THE SACRED TREE, KAIRI, WHERE IS SHE?
He waited patiently, feeling a cool wind blow his hair out of his face, and the chakra within the tree began to stir.
I KNOW YOU USED TO BE ALIVE ONCE. He said. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOUR CLAN WAS SLAUGHTERED?
The chakra became cold and angry, and he felt heat gather in the pit of his belly. That was probably the wrong question to ask, but he had to. It would awaken whoever the tree used to be.
MY NAME IS UCHIHA SASUKE. He introduced himself. I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN MY CLAN WAS SLAUGHTERED BY MY OLDER BROTHER, ITACHI.
Painfully, he recalled everything about that night, and shared it. The memory of seeing his people, his loved ones, dead in the streets. The dread that built up in him as he dashed home, the horror and denial that nearly tore his brain in two at the sight of his parents lying, murdered, one on top of the other.
The choking fear, the pain, the unbearable anxiety and stress that would swell inside his heart every day after whenever he thought of Itachi, who had killed them all.
The desire for revenge, and self preservation until he could make it a reality. The numbness of aching limbs from training, how his clothes would be soaked in sweat at the end of every day, the annoyance he had felt when it had been decided he would be on the same team as some hormone crazed, pink haired stalker and her idiot in shining armor: the class clown and loser, Naruto.
He remembered how his stress and rage slowly quieted, how he would be able to smile and even laugh. How he could think of other things besides that night, besides Itachi, besides his loyalty and love for his family, and not feel guilty.
The still-growing desire to protect his precious people, his teammates, was what he focused on. He let this memory fill the tree, to the tips of its branches, and the veins in its leaves.
The chakra within the tree became much warmer, kinder, and cooperative.
PLEASE. MY FREIND MIGHT BE THERE. Sasuke pleaded. HE DISAPPEARED FOR TWO YEARS, AND HAS AMNESIA. I NEED TO FIND HIM. SAKURA AND I NEED HIM...
In the past...
Sasuke gasped. Voices...! In his head...! Hundreds of them...!
in the past, this was a peaceful village. Our people were understanding, and respected the different cultures of the world! We supported world peace by sending our own to foreign nations, large and small, to act as minor jinchuuriki hosts!
Sasuke grit his teeth as images flashed before his eyes: red haired men, women, children, and infants appeared to be engulfed by flames.
but they were all worked to death by their new villages leaders, and died cursing their fate! There was one major jinchuuriki who survived this by marrying the village leader! Lady Mito Uzumaki, wife of the first hokage, the first Kyuubi jinchuuriki of Konoha!
Sasuke winced. The first's wife? She was Jinchuuriki...?
That couldn't be. Naruto was the first Kyuubi jinchuuriki of Konoha.
We're not lying! She married the hokage, and survived! But she grew old quickly, and needed a successor! So she summoned the heiress, blessed with the sacred name of our clan, Kushina!
There was another image, of a little girl being carried off by hidden leaf Anbu. Sasuke couldn't tell what she was saying, but she was screaming. She looked terrified, and lonely, and hurt as she fought to wriggle out of the anbu's grasp.
We all watched her go! We were helpless! Our treaty with Konoha and our ties with the Senju kept us silent! Kushina became Konoha's sacrificial lamb by taking over the job of being jinchuuriki! In exchange, Konoha promised us protection throughout the third great ninja war! BUT! THEY! LIED!
Horror and blood filled his vision. Butchered mothers, mutilated children, slaughtered Uzushio ninja. All were screaming and begging for their lives, pleading with the murderer, another of their clan, for mercy.
We were all killed. Any survivors were either kidnapped, murdered, or hid like animals in the dirt! Their bodies were autopsied by Orochimaru and others like him! Our women were sold, or became harlots! Our children starved to death! Our men fought dearly to protect us but died in the process. Those who survived still found each other, and searched out for our other members. They hid, trained diligently, gained connections in the black market and POWER! However, it wasn't enough. The war continued, and we were pushed to Amegakure, a poor nation. Our numbers dwindled ever further, and our food and medical supplies ran low. We thought it was over. But the savior came!
SAVIOR...? Sasuke asked, his head pounding.
Yes! He bonded with Tsubasa, and made Ame an ally of the land of fire! Ame flourished under his protection. There was food, and water, and defense against rogues and invaders. Our surrounding enemies became our allies! We were at ease! But then IT interfered, by using the space to kidnap him! And when he finally resurfaced, he was empty of both memories and conciousness. Defenseless. But Uri protected him, and he regained consciousness. The memory seal that binds him could not hide everything, and his desire to remember his past, even if only pain was there, made cracks appear in the seal. The cracks allowed minuscule memories to leak, and unless he gave them form, these fragments would disappear. Unable to put them to words, he made use of them in battle.
What am I hearing? Sasuke wondered. He remembers us?
the solidification jutsu--an incomplete seal stone--and the memory of Gaara.
Sasuke remembered the other night, when he'd seen Naruto ride red, grainy clouds of chakra into the sky. He had thought it resembled Gaara's sand, but--
His sealing Justus--the memory of the yondaime and his wife. The synchronization jutsu, matching up his chakra with the nine tails to create a more focused personality with advanced intellect and observational skills--the memory of Sakura... And Sasuke.
Sasuke knit his brow. AND HINATA?
Another memory flashed before his eyes. It was a young man, around his age, with jaw length, spiky red hair and green eyes. He seemed to be yelling furiously at Seto, who was slumped down in a large chair, his cheek resting on his fist. It was the kind of position a smug king might use on the throne.
Quickly, he got up, raising a long sword, which Sasuke recognized was the same blade, and made like he was about to kill the man. Shocked, the younger man backed away, tripping over his own feet and landing in the dirt. Seto raised the sword, emotionless, and slashed through the air.
The door was thrown open, and fierce winds made the dust scatter to the air. In the dirt was the younger man, coughing into his arm and looking up in awe. Above him was Seto, staring down in a way that made him look exactly like Danzo. And between them...
Was Naruto! Having caught the blade, his hand was bleeding, and he met Seto eyeball for eyeball, completely defiant.
the desire to protect, the will to fight--the memory of Hinata.
Sasuke let this sink in, but in the end decided to reply:
THATS NOT A JUTSU.
The tree ignored him.
He is near. Find him quickly, Uchiha Sasuke, and stay away from the gorge. We will not help you a second time.
The voices ceased, and Sasuke blinked his eyes open to see Sakura at his side.
"What happened?" She asked. "You're covered in sweat! And your ears and nose are bleeding!"
He pushed off the tree and brushed a hand under his nose, it came away bloody. That little conversation was too taxing.
"Here." She handed him a handful of gauze, which he pressed under his nose. Placing her hands on both of his ears, she started to heal him.
"Um... Guys?" Kiba asked, sounding amazed.
"Not now Kiba!" Sakura snapped, turning back to Sasuke. "What just happened? One second you touch the tree, and the next you--"
"Not now." He decided. "I'll tell you later. Right now, we--"
"Guys!"
"Kiba! Shut up, and go look for the Sacred Tree!" Sakura ordered.
"I think I already found it!" He yelled, flinging one arm up to point forward.
Sakura and Sasuke looked up in amazement. There, upon a rocky hill surrounded by a wide gorge and a mote of red water, was the tallest, widest, largest tree they had ever seen. It's limbs spread out over the entire clearing, yet still let sun through the bountiful red leaves. It really was Huge! The Sacred Tree... How had they not found it before?
Then again, this place was probably not easily found for good reason.
"We made it!" Sakura cheered. "Sasuke, you did it!"
"C'mon! Let's get closer!" Kiba shouted, practically jumping for joy as he and Akamaru took off for the tree. "Hinata! You here!? It's me, Kiba! Naruto?! Sociopath?! Whatever-Sasuke-Says-guy?"
"Is he talking about Jugo?" Sasuke asked with a sigh.
"I guess so!" Sakura laughed. "Let's go after him before he does something stupid, okay?"
She threw one of his arms over her shoulders to help him walk, heading towards the tree. This reminded him of the Chunin exams, when he'd tired himself out in the fight against the collectors and she had helped him walk to the tower.
"Hmmm." He hummed thoughtfully.
"What's wrong now?" She asked.
"I really have to talk to you later."
She laughed light heartedly at him. "Well you can talk to me whenever you want, Sasuke! But first let's track down that bonehead, okay?"
"Yeah..."
They said he was nearby, but Sasuke couldn't see him anywhere. And he couldn't sense him with all this other chakra getting in the way. Having Karin around probably wouldn't have helped, even with her superior sensory skills.
"Hey guys?! You here?!" Kiba shouted.
Sasuke froze. Kiba was a little too close to the water.
"Kiba! Keep away from there!" He warned, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Whaaat?!"
"I said to get away from there!" Sasuke shouted at the top of his lungs. "It's dangerous! Now, MOVE!"
STAY AWAY FROM THE GORGE. WE WONT HELP YOU A SECOND TIME.
Sasuke's eyes shot to the ground as it began to rumble, shaking uncontrollably. The nearby trees rustled, dropping leaves and sparkling shards.
Seal stones.
"Kiba, run!" Sakura ordered, catching on.
Too late. A huge creature shot out of the ground, taller than the Sacred Tree. It glowed blue and green, and didn't resemble animal or man. It was a monster, with over a billion limbs, all skinny and long like baby tree branches, and each of these limbs had sprouted more limbs, all equally as long. It had no eyes, no claws, no solid shape. It was transparent, like water, it's insides boiling when it leaned over, casting it's shadow over Kiba.
Kiba froze, his eyes wide, with Akamaru, Sakura, and Sasuke equally as stunned.
What on earth was that thing? A guardian? It didn't really look like one (not that they truly knew what they looked like).
Beside him, Sakura's eyes were bugging out like a fish. Her mouth slowly trembled open, and let out the most terrified screech of terror she could manage.
"Wait!" Hinata called to him. "Come back! Who are you?!"
The boy peered over his shoulder at her, but quickly turned away and continued to run.
"What are you doing here?!" Hinata screamed. "Why do you have that headband?!"
She was sure she had never seen him before, and she knew all the faces of every ninja in her village. She'd memorized every one, including anyone who'd passed the Chunin exams during the two years that Naruto had been missing.
But this person was a stranger.
How was that possible?
She jumped over a purple cacti oozing orange foam and followed the boy out of the outer forest. He leaped and ran with such agility and speed, she had trouble keeping up with him. With the speed he'd originally been going, she should have already lost him. But several times he slowed, or stopped and waited at a distance, and then the chase would resume.
Naruto was behind her for some reason, unable to catch up. Was it because of the toxic air of the outer forest? Whatever the reason, he was still yelling at her to stop. To turn around. To wait for him. To watch out for any poisonous plants, animals, and spirits.
Spirits...!
She broke through the trees into a large and rare opening. In the center, on a barren, rocky hill was a gigantic, widespread, ancient, and beautiful tree. The rocky, raised hill was surrounded by a deep and wide gorge, and a mote of red water.
The boy now stood at the edge of the rocky hill.
"The water is the antidote." He told her. "Take it quickly."
Her eyes flitted to the water, then back to the boy.
"Who are you?" She repeated.
Without answering, he turned away and ran up the hill running into the tree, passing through the bark, and disappearing.
"Hinata!"
She felt him take her hand, and pull her back. In moments, his hand gripped her shoulders, shaking her.
"What's wrong with you?!" He yelled. "You could have gotten hurt! Didn't you hear me, yelling at you to stop?!"
Hinata frowned. Her mind was still reeling from the boy and his sudden disappearance, but Naruto's eyes were full of fear and worry and anger at her recklessness. This made her smile. He didn't really have the right to criticize her over being rash, did he? But...
She placed one hand on his cheek.
"I'm sorry... For scaring you." She told him.
He stared hard at her for a few minutes, not releasing his grip on her shoulders. She smiled painfully at this. How stubborn he was! It took him a minute to accept her apology, drop his arms, and look at the ground.
"Just don't... run off again... Okay?" He said, clenching his fists.
She nodded.
"So..." He said, looking around. "Where'd he go?"
"He disappeared into that tree." She said, pointing up at it. Naruto looked up, his eyes widening when he saw the tree.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata called as he walked to the edge of the mote, smiling with relief.
"Kairi!" He gasped.
"Huh?"
"It's Kairi!" He told her, turning his head to look at her. "You found her! You found Kairi!"
He dashed back to her and threw his arms around her, grinning. In seconds, her face was full of his shirt and she could only see through one eye. She smiled up at him, happy for him.
But they needed to focus. He smelled good though. And his hair had been very soft when she ran her fingers through it earlier--
No, no! Focus, focus!
She pushed away reluctantly, his arms still around her.
"Thank you, but I didn't find her." She admitted. "He led me here. He told me the water was the antidote, and that we should take it quickly."
"Huh? Why would he do that? Who was he?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know." She answered, her eyes shaking. "But..."
But the sight of him... Had stirred something in her. As if she was supposed to know him. As if she should help him, and protect him from his enemies. As if she... Were prepared to kill anyone who harmed him.
"To tell you the truth, I get the feeling I'm supposed to know him." Naruto said.
She whipped her head up, shocked.
"Maybe... He's one of the important people I can't remember?" Naruto asked, making a curious, and disappointed face.
Hinata smiled at him. She doubted that was it.
"Maybe." She said.
He smiled sunnily at her, and looked at the mote of red water.
"So that's the antidote to the outer forests air?" He asked, pulling her over to the water. "Guess we'd better take it quickly then."
Even as he said that, there was some hesitation in his eyes. They both knelt next to the water, sitting on their knees. He wouldn't let go of her hand.
"What's wrong?" She asked. "Do you think it's really poison?"
"Nah, it's just... Something's telling me we shouldn't drink this stuff." He answered. "But we don't really have a choice. I don't think that guy lied to you. And anyway, Sakura might still be far away."
They nodded to each other, lifting their free hands and plunging them into the water.
Immediately, she felt like she was drowning. She gasped for air, but there was none. Shutting her eyes tightly, they snapped open a moment later to a new scene. One that made her want to close her eyes and never open them again.
She was above the village of Uzushio, during its destruction. The members of the Uzumaki clan were running frantically through the streets, trying to flee or fight back or hide from one man, who appeared to be an Uzumaki as well.
This man was dancing through the streets, killing his clan members one by one. Slicing or slashing them open, or piercing their vitals with his long sword.
The children sought protection, and hid behind their mothers and fathers who attacked the man. But this quickly led to death after death. Children, pregnant women, young ninja, all were assassinated. Betrayed by one of their own.
Hinata's thoughts drifted to Sasuke. Had he really seen this happen to his own family? How terrible.
The scene shifted, and. Hinata saw a young boy run desperately to a rocky ledge overlooking a rushing river. Was he planning to jump in? But the strength of that current... It could kill him!
He didn't look in good shape either. There was a deep gash in his elbow, bleeding heavily, and the arm it was on hung limp at his side. He gripped it, and breathed heavily as he turned, panicky as he looked around for a means of escape. His jaw length red hair flew as he turned his head. His face and clothes were spotted with blood, and his eyes were full of fear and tears.
He gasped as the man, the murderer with the long sword, appeared from the trees and slowly approached him.
"G-Grandfather... Please!" The young boy begged, backing up, his heel brushing the edge.
The man raised his sword, eyes empty yet determined.
The boy grit his teeth, and leapt backwards seconds before the sword would have sliced ended his life. He seemed to make a few hand signs before a ball of red chakra enveloped him. The ball had a preservation seal on it, and it disappeared into the water.
"Hinata!"
She blinked her eyes open to see Naruto leaning over her, holding her in his arms while sitting cross legged on the ground. The sunlight was much brighter now, with plenty of red and orange in the clouds above. Sunset.
"Naruto-kun..." She said, meeting his eyes.
He sighed in relief. "Are you okay? You touched the water and just hit the ground! Scared me to death! I didn't know WHAT to do."
She bit her lip, remembering the scene she saw.
"The water... It showed me the past." She said sadly, a single tear escaping as she told him what she had seen.
"Really? All that happened while you were out of it?" He asked in disbelief as she sat up.
"I couldn't believe my eyes! It was awful!" She sobbed. "There were women and children being murdered, blood everywhere--!"
"Hinata!"
He took her hand and locked eyes with her.
"Calm down, okay?"
She looked back at him and sniffled, pausing before drying her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Why didn't I get... You know... Showed the same thing?" He asked.
"Maybe because you're not... An outsider." Hinata replied.
He looked at the water, as if wanting to question it, then up at the Sacred Tree.
"We've gotta get to Kairi!" He said. "Hinata, do you feel better? Can you stand?"
Her legs were shaking uncontrollably, but she took a few deep breaths, and pushed herself up. Naruto smiled proudly at her, and looked over at the gorge.
"This thing is way too wide!" He complained. "Where'd it come from? This wasn't in Seto's memories! It's not on the map either!"
Hinata's eyes scanned the gorge. "I don't think this was created naturally. Look at the walls. They're smooth, like polished wood... Strange."
"Yeah. Weird." Naruto agreed. "If we're gonna get to Kairi, we need to find a way to cross this thing."
They both jumped as they heard a shrill, terrified scream coming from the other side of the gorge, behind the tree.
"That's--!" Naruto gasped, already taking off with Hinata at his heels.
"Sakura-chan's voice!" Hinata finished.
"We gotta hurry!"
"Right!"
FLASHBACK STARTS HERE--SASUKES POV
"Do you even know where we are?" Kiba complained.
"Quiet." Sasuke ordered. "I need to concentrate."
Sakura sat quietly atop their resting spot: a fallen building, half flooded with water from an overflowing river. After successfully finding a crudely drawn map in the little girls room, they had been able to navigate through the village ruins without much difficulty. However, they'd reached a point that was immersed in Genjutsu not unlike the kind that had snared them and Kabuto in their first Chunin exams.
But they'd had no choice but to press through. According to the map, they should be right on top of the Sacred Tree.
His sharingan were having trouble seeing through this genjutsu. Each time he came close to solving the puzzle of this forest, it would morph into a scenery so real he could touch it.
He rolled up the map and put it away, earning questioning looks from Sakura, Kiba , and Akamaru.
"Um... Sasuke?" Sakura called to him. "What are you doing?"
"Just trust me." He told her, before approaching one of the trees and placing both hands on the trunk.
He leaned forward, bowing his head, shutting his eyes, and concentrating.
Everything here was alive, with an immeasurable amount of chakra running through it. It was alive, and watching him, creating this genjutsu. It was connected to Kairi, and it would tell him where she was.
IM TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE. He said. THE SACRED TREE, KAIRI, WHERE IS SHE?
He waited patiently, feeling a cool wind blow his hair out of his face, and the chakra within the tree began to stir.
I KNOW YOU USED TO BE ALIVE ONCE. He said. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOUR CLAN WAS SLAUGHTERED?
The chakra became cold and angry, and he felt heat gather in the pit of his belly. That was probably the wrong question to ask, but he had to. It would awaken whoever the tree used to be.
MY NAME IS UCHIHA SASUKE. He introduced himself. I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN MY CLAN WAS SLAUGHTERED BY MY OLDER BROTHER, ITACHI.
Painfully, he recalled everything about that night, and shared it. The memory of seeing his people, his loved ones, dead in the streets. The dread that built up in him as he dashed home, the horror and denial that nearly tore his brain in two at the sight of his parents lying, murdered, one on top of the other.
The choking fear, the pain, the unbearable anxiety and stress that would swell inside his heart every day after whenever he thought of Itachi, who had killed them all.
The desire for revenge, and self preservation until he could make it a reality. The numbness of aching limbs from training, how his clothes would be soaked in sweat at the end of every day, the annoyance he had felt when it had been decided he would be on the same team as some hormone crazed, pink haired stalker and her idiot in shining armor: the class clown and loser, Naruto.
He remembered how his stress and rage slowly quieted, how he would be able to smile and even laugh. How he could think of other things besides that night, besides Itachi, besides his loyalty and love for his family, and not feel guilty.
The still-growing desire to protect his precious people, his teammates, was what he focused on. He let this memory fill the tree, to the tips of its branches, and the veins in its leaves.
The chakra within the tree became much warmer, kinder, and cooperative.
PLEASE. MY FREIND MIGHT BE THERE. Sasuke pleaded. HE DISAPPEARED FOR TWO YEARS, AND HAS AMNESIA. I NEED TO FIND HIM. SAKURA AND I NEED HIM...
In the past...
Sasuke gasped. Voices...! In his head...! Hundreds of them...!
in the past, this was a peaceful village. Our people were understanding, and respected the different cultures of the world! We supported world peace by sending our own to foreign nations, large and small, to act as minor jinchuuriki hosts!
Sasuke grit his teeth as images flashed before his eyes: red haired men, women, children, and infants appeared to be engulfed by flames.
but they were all worked to death by their new villages leaders, and died cursing their fate! There was one major jinchuuriki who survived this by marrying the village leader! Lady Mito Uzumaki, wife of the first hokage, the first Kyuubi jinchuuriki of Konoha!
Sasuke winced. The first's wife? She was Jinchuuriki...?
That couldn't be. Naruto was the first Kyuubi jinchuuriki of Konoha.
We're not lying! She married the hokage, and survived! But she grew old quickly, and needed a successor! So she summoned the heiress, blessed with the sacred name of our clan, Kushina!
There was another image, of a little girl being carried off by hidden leaf Anbu. Sasuke couldn't tell what she was saying, but she was screaming. She looked terrified, and lonely, and hurt as she fought to wriggle out of the anbu's grasp.
We all watched her go! We were helpless! Our treaty with Konoha and our ties with the Senju kept us silent! Kushina became Konoha's sacrificial lamb by taking over the job of being jinchuuriki! In exchange, Konoha promised us protection throughout the third great ninja war! BUT! THEY! LIED!
Horror and blood filled his vision. Butchered mothers, mutilated children, slaughtered Uzushio ninja. All were screaming and begging for their lives, pleading with the murderer, another of their clan, for mercy.
We were all killed. Any survivors were either kidnapped, murdered, or hid like animals in the dirt! Their bodies were autopsied by Orochimaru and others like him! Our women were sold, or became harlots! Our children starved to death! Our men fought dearly to protect us but died in the process. Those who survived still found each other, and searched out for our other members. They hid, trained diligently, gained connections in the black market and POWER! However, it wasn't enough. The war continued, and we were pushed to Amegakure, a poor nation. Our numbers dwindled ever further, and our food and medical supplies ran low. We thought it was over. But the savior came!
SAVIOR...? Sasuke asked, his head pounding.
Yes! He bonded with Tsubasa, and made Ame an ally of the land of fire! Ame flourished under his protection. There was food, and water, and defense against rogues and invaders. Our surrounding enemies became our allies! We were at ease! But then IT interfered, by using the space to kidnap him! And when he finally resurfaced, he was empty of both memories and conciousness. Defenseless. But Uri protected him, and he regained consciousness. The memory seal that binds him could not hide everything, and his desire to remember his past, even if only pain was there, made cracks appear in the seal. The cracks allowed minuscule memories to leak, and unless he gave them form, these fragments would disappear. Unable to put them to words, he made use of them in battle.
What am I hearing? Sasuke wondered. He remembers us?
the solidification jutsu--an incomplete seal stone--and the memory of Gaara.
Sasuke remembered the other night, when he'd seen Naruto ride red, grainy clouds of chakra into the sky. He had thought it resembled Gaara's sand, but--
His sealing Justus--the memory of the yondaime and his wife. The synchronization jutsu, matching up his chakra with the nine tails to create a more focused personality with advanced intellect and observational skills--the memory of Sakura... And Sasuke.
Sasuke knit his brow. AND HINATA?
Another memory flashed before his eyes. It was a young man, around his age, with jaw length, spiky red hair and green eyes. He seemed to be yelling furiously at Seto, who was slumped down in a large chair, his cheek resting on his fist. It was the kind of position a smug king might use on the throne.
Quickly, he got up, raising a long sword, which Sasuke recognized was the same blade, and made like he was about to kill the man. Shocked, the younger man backed away, tripping over his own feet and landing in the dirt. Seto raised the sword, emotionless, and slashed through the air.
The door was thrown open, and fierce winds made the dust scatter to the air. In the dirt was the younger man, coughing into his arm and looking up in awe. Above him was Seto, staring down in a way that made him look exactly like Danzo. And between them...
Was Naruto! Having caught the blade, his hand was bleeding, and he met Seto eyeball for eyeball, completely defiant.
the desire to protect, the will to fight--the memory of Hinata.
Sasuke let this sink in, but in the end decided to reply:
THATS NOT A JUTSU.
The tree ignored him.
He is near. Find him quickly, Uchiha Sasuke, and stay away from the gorge. We will not help you a second time.
The voices ceased, and Sasuke blinked his eyes open to see Sakura at his side.
"What happened?" She asked. "You're covered in sweat! And your ears and nose are bleeding!"
He pushed off the tree and brushed a hand under his nose, it came away bloody. That little conversation was too taxing.
"Here." She handed him a handful of gauze, which he pressed under his nose. Placing her hands on both of his ears, she started to heal him.
"Um... Guys?" Kiba asked, sounding amazed.
"Not now Kiba!" Sakura snapped, turning back to Sasuke. "What just happened? One second you touch the tree, and the next you--"
"Not now." He decided. "I'll tell you later. Right now, we--"
"Guys!"
"Kiba! Shut up, and go look for the Sacred Tree!" Sakura ordered.
"I think I already found it!" He yelled, flinging one arm up to point forward.
Sakura and Sasuke looked up in amazement. There, upon a rocky hill surrounded by a wide gorge and a mote of red water, was the tallest, widest, largest tree they had ever seen. It's limbs spread out over the entire clearing, yet still let sun through the bountiful red leaves. It really was Huge! The Sacred Tree... How had they not found it before?
Then again, this place was probably not easily found for good reason.
"We made it!" Sakura cheered. "Sasuke, you did it!"
"C'mon! Let's get closer!" Kiba shouted, practically jumping for joy as he and Akamaru took off for the tree. "Hinata! You here!? It's me, Kiba! Naruto?! Sociopath?! Whatever-Sasuke-Says-guy?"
"Is he talking about Jugo?" Sasuke asked with a sigh.
"I guess so!" Sakura laughed. "Let's go after him before he does something stupid, okay?"
She threw one of his arms over her shoulders to help him walk, heading towards the tree. This reminded him of the Chunin exams, when he'd tired himself out in the fight against the collectors and she had helped him walk to the tower.
"Hmmm." He hummed thoughtfully.
"What's wrong now?" She asked.
"I really have to talk to you later."
She laughed light heartedly at him. "Well you can talk to me whenever you want, Sasuke! But first let's track down that bonehead, okay?"
"Yeah..."
They said he was nearby, but Sasuke couldn't see him anywhere. And he couldn't sense him with all this other chakra getting in the way. Having Karin around probably wouldn't have helped, even with her superior sensory skills.
"Hey guys?! You here?!" Kiba shouted.
Sasuke froze. Kiba was a little too close to the water.
"Kiba! Keep away from there!" He warned, screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Whaaat?!"
"I said to get away from there!" Sasuke shouted at the top of his lungs. "It's dangerous! Now, MOVE!"
STAY AWAY FROM THE GORGE. WE WONT HELP YOU A SECOND TIME.
Sasuke's eyes shot to the ground as it began to rumble, shaking uncontrollably. The nearby trees rustled, dropping leaves and sparkling shards.
Seal stones.
"Kiba, run!" Sakura ordered, catching on.
Too late. A huge creature shot out of the ground, taller than the Sacred Tree. It glowed blue and green, and didn't resemble animal or man. It was a monster, with over a billion limbs, all skinny and long like baby tree branches, and each of these limbs had sprouted more limbs, all equally as long. It had no eyes, no claws, no solid shape. It was transparent, like water, it's insides boiling when it leaned over, casting it's shadow over Kiba.
Kiba froze, his eyes wide, with Akamaru, Sakura, and Sasuke equally as stunned.
What on earth was that thing? A guardian? It didn't really look like one (not that they truly knew what they looked like).
Beside him, Sakura's eyes were bugging out like a fish. Her mouth slowly trembled open, and let out the most terrified screech of terror she could manage.
