Naruto Hikikaeru

Naruto slowly opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling above him. He wasn't in much of a mood for excitement as the scene of Yui being killed replayed itself over and over within his head. Then when he had tapped into Kurama's chakra for the first time in this life time. It was different than before, his reasoning had been slipping away as the fight dragged on. His blood l.u.s.t was overwhelming and the only thing that he felt could satisfy it was if he could tear apart Higachi. But then he was trapped within that dome and he started feeling powerless again. Despite all his hard training that he'd done, he failed to save anyone. If it weren't for Kakashi and Jiraiya showing up when they did, Ai would've probably died as well.

Naruto closed his eyes again and grit his teeth as silent tears fell from his closed eyelids. He felt weak, truly and utterly weak, so much so, it was funny to him. Somehow, he had gotten it into his head that everything would work out for him. That this time, no one had to die, and that he would be able to save anyone that he wanted to save. He placed his hands over his eyes as his grief began to grow stronger. What was the point of it all? Naruto couldn't help but wonder. Kakashi was sitting beside Naruto's bed and was silently watching him. He knew Naruto was a kind and caring person, and he could relate to the pain Naruto felt at this moment. He felt the same pain and had the same feeling of weakness when he witnessed Obito die before him.

"I understand what you're feeling Naruto." Kakashi suddenly said.

Naruto removed his hands as he looked up at Kakashi, and waited for him to continue.

"That feeling of helplessness and weakness, and all the doubt it creates within you. It eats away at you and makes you feel that everything you did was pointless." Kakashi continued.

Naruto was silent as he listened to Kakashi.

"But even though you didn't save everyone, you did manage to save one of those girls." Kakashi said looking at Naruto with a thoughtful eye.

Naruto was silent before he sighed and shook his head. "I didn't do anything, it was you and Pervy-Sage who saved her." Naruto said bitterly.

"No, by the time we arrived, whatever was harming that girl had already stopped. After I inspected her, I noticed the curse mark and the lack of chakra she had. So I can assume that the curse mark forcefully drew her chakra out." Kakashi explained.

"I figured that when you began fighting Higachi, he no longer had the ability to divert his attention to maintaining the curse mark's effect. So you did manage to save her." Kakashi finished.

Naruto stared at Kakashi, trying to see if he was lying to him to make him feel better. But there was no lie in Kakashi's eye, and so Naruto leaned back onto his bed as he stared up at the ceiling.

"Does it ever get easier?" Naruto asked.

"No, it doesn't, but we find ways to keep moving forward." Kakashi answered.

Naruto closed his eyes in thought, then he opened them again and looked back at Kakashi.

"Thank you." He uttered at almost a whisper.

Kakashi smiled as he closed his eye. "How could I consider myself your sensei if I didn't help you in your time of need."

Naruto smiled at Kakashi's remark and looked back at the ceiling.

"Where's Ai now?" Naruto suddenly asked.

"She's resting in Sakura's room." Kakashi answered.

"What's going to happen to her?" Naruto questioned.

"That's to be decided. Focus on getting rest and recovering." Kakashi replied.

Naruto nodded his head and closed his eyes and slept. He truly felt drained of energy, after everything he'd gone through, he felt like he could sleep for a week.

...

...

...

Kakashi left the room after Naruto went back to sleep and saw Jiraiya standing just outside of the room. Jiraiya looked at Kakashi with a serious expression on his face.

"Is something wrong?" Kakashi asked.

"I just finished interrogating our little prisoner, and I've learned a few interesting things." Jiraiya answered.

"What did you learn?"

"He couldn't provide any specific information, but he did provide me with information on his basic whereabouts. It's the Hidden Leaf, Orochimaru has gone back to the village. But I don't know what his goals are, though I have a few guesses." Jiraiya explained.

"Uchiha Sasuke." Kakashi replied.

"That's one likely reason for his sudden return, there's also the possibility that he's return to get revenge on Lord Third." Jiraiya said.

"What will you do?" Kakashi asked.

"For now, I'll return to the village with you and your team. I'm also thinking of taking Naruto under me and training him." Jiraiya replied.

Kakashi looked at him with slight surprise but sighed in relief.

"To be honest, I was hoping you would, and I can rest easy knowing Naruto's under your care." Kakashi said.

Jiraiya nodded his head, and the two walked down stairs to the main lobby of the inn. Sasuke and Sakura were sitting at a nearby table waiting for them.

"How's Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"He's fine, just needs rest." Kakashi answered.

Sasuke had perked up to hear as well, but still remained silent. He thought back to when Kakashi told them about what had happened. Sasuke couldn't help but feel frustrated at the thought of Naruto getting further ahead of him. So he was determined to train even harder once they got back so that he could become stronger than him.

"How's the girl?" Kakashi asked Sakura.

Sakura looked up at Kakashi as she replied. "She's still sleeping.... what happened to her Kakashi-sensei?"

"Don't worry about it, as long as there is no change to their conditions, all we can do is wait for them to recover." Kakashi answered as he sat down at the table with them.

Jiraiya began heading out of the building as he called out to them. "For now, I'll be on my own, I'll be back when you guys are ready to head out again."

The three of them nodded and went back to discussing among themselves.

...

...

...

Naruto woke up again and found that the sun was beginning to rise into the sky. I wonder how long I was out. Naruto thought. He slowly got up and stretched before he started getting dressed. He walked downstairs and found Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, and Ai all sitting together at a table. Kakashi looked up as Naruto came down.

"Looks like you've finally recovered." Kakashi smiled.

Naruto nodded his head. "How long have I been out?"

Kakashi thought for a moment before responding again. "It's been two days since we last spoke. Ai woke up yesterday."

Ai looked up at Naruto and smiled weakly at him. Naruto couldn't help but feel his c.h.e.s.t tighten when he saw Ai. He looked down toward the ground as he didn't know what to say to her. Just as he was about to speak, she stopped him.

"You don't need to say anything.... I know you did your best to rescue us both... and if it weren't for you, we both would still be in that horrible situation." Ai said as she looked at him.

Naruto looked back down toward the ground as she spoke. Then she got up and walked over to him and pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you for saving my life, I'm sure my sister would say the same thing as well." Ai said gently.

Naruto closed his eyes and hugged her back and started to cry.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't strong enough!" Naruto sobbed.

Ai cried as soon as she heard his words and the two stood for a minute in each other's embrace. Sakura and Sasuke didn't know what to do in that situation as they hadn't been there. They silently looked toward the ground. Kakashi remained silent as well, allowing the Naruto and Ai a moment to let out their emotions.

Once Naruto calmed down he let go of her and took a step back and looked her in the eye.

"I promise, I'm going to get stronger so that something like this doesn't happen again!" He said with determination.

Ai smiled at his words and nodded.

"I know." She replied.

The two of them smiled at each other and then joined everyone else at the table. Kakashi cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention toward him.

"Well, now that we all are completely recovered, we should set out for the village. We still need to report back on finishing our mission in the Land of Waves." Kakashi suggested.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Naruto looked over at Ai before voicing his thought.

"What about Ai? Is she coming with us or is she staying here?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi looked at Naruto for a moment then he faced Ai.

"I think you should tell him." Kakashi said to Ai as she nodded her head.

Naruto looked over at her with a confused look.

"I've decided that I'll be going on my own journey, maybe we'll meet again in the future, but I still need to sort out my own feelings right now." Ai said.

Naruto was silent for a moment as he took in the words, then he looked back at Ai.

"I can't say I'm not a little disappointed, but I understand. I wish you luck on your journey and I hope we meet again." Naruto said with his usual sunny smile.

Ai smiled back as she nodded her head. Kakashi smiled as well, happy that Naruto was able to have a good resolution with this encounter. The group ate breakfast together, then Ai separated from team 7 as each went their own way. Jiraiya later joined up with team 7 as they traveled on the road. Finally, they made it back to The Hidden Leaf Village.

Naruto exhaled a breath as he looked up at the large gates. "It feels like it's been ages since we've been here!" He exclaimed.

The group nodded in agreement as well. They made their way to the training field and discussed what they were going to do tomorrow.

"Well, I have to report to the Hokage, the rest of you can go home, and we'll meet again tomorrow." Kakashi said as he began walking away.

"Have fun kids, and Naruto, come see me later today, I need to speak with you." Jiraiya said as he left as well.

The three remaining genin looked at each other for a moment.

"Well, I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Naruto said as he started to walk away as well.

"Wait!" Sasuke and Sakura said at the same time.

Naruto turned around and looked at the two. "What?"

Sakura hesitated for a moment as she tried figuring out what to say. But Sasuke suddenly took a step forward.

"Fight me Naruto!" Sasuke said.

"Eh? Why should I do that?" Naruto asked.

"If you won't make the first move, I will!" Sasuke exclaimed as he threw shurikens at Naruto.

"What the hell?" Naruto shouted as he jumped away and dodged the shurikens.

Sasuke appeared behind Naruto and pinned him to the ground. Then he placed a kunai against his neck.

"I know you're stronger than me Naruto, but if I can best you this easily then it means your head isn't where it needs to be!" Sasuke said.

Naruto looked at Sasuke as if he was crazy. "What the hell are you going on about?!"

"You're feeling guilty about that girl's death and you feel responsible for it!" Sasuke spoke.

Naruto stared at him quietly.

"But even if that is the case, what about your promise to the other girl? Are you going to let your guilt get in the way of you getting stronger?" Sasuke asked.

"I don't see how this is any of your business." Naruto said through gritted teeth.

"Because one day, I'm going to defeat you at your best. But if you're still like this, then it won't mean anything!" Sasuke declared.

Naruto looked at the ground in thought. Then he vanished and was replaced by a log. Sasuke's eyes widened before he suddenly felt something poking his back, when he turned, he saw Naruto holding his bo staff out toward him.

"Man, I can't believe you're the one cheering me up." Naruto sighed.

"Well, if you're going to be like this, then I guess I better get my act together!" Naruto grinned.

Sasuke smirked back as he put his kunai away while Naruto put his bo staff back into his scroll.

"Don't get too full of yourself, I'm going to catch up to you and defeat you!" Sasuke said as he left.

Naruto folded his arms as he watched Sasuke leave. Then he looked over at Sakura.

"I guess you were in on it as well?" Naruto asked.

Sakura nodded her head.

Naruto sighed as he looked up to the sky and scratched his head. He thought of Ai somewhere out there figuring things out on her own.

"I swear, I'll never be helpless again!" Naruto said as he clenched his fists tightly. He turned and looked at Sakura. "Thanks for helping out!"

Naruto took off running after he spoke leaving Sakura behind.

Sakura watched Naruto run off and looked down at the ground. But I didn't really do anything, she thought to herself, just like last time too. She smiled bitterly to herself, then looked up at Naruto's shrinking figure in the distance, I won't let you two leave me behind in the dust. I'll get strong too, Naruto, next time, I'll be able to help you when you need it. She started running to her home shortly after making that declaration with herself.

...

...

...

Kakashi was walking down the street while reading his book, suddenly he saw something fly above him. That is? He thought before rushing to the Hokage's office.

When he arrived, there were several other jonin already assembled there. After a few more minutes, the rest showed up. The Hokage looked up after exhaling some smoke from his pipe.

"I am announcing the start of the chunin exams!" He declared.

"Eh? So soon?" One jonin exclaimed.

Several other jonins joined in the discussion before the Hokage coughed, gathering everyone's attention again.

"Before I go any further.... Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai. You three are the jonin in charge of the most recent genin rookies. Do you recommend any of them for the chunin exams?" The Hokage asked.

"I Sarutobi Asuma, recommend Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino to take the chunin exams!" Asuma responded.

"I Yuhi Kurenai, recommend Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata, and Aburame Shino to take the chunin exams!" Kurenai replied.

"I Hatake Kakashi, recommend Haruno Sakura, Uchiha Sasuke, and Uzumaki Naruto to take the chunin exams!" Kakashi spoke.

The Hokage nodded his head, however, Iruka spoke up.

"Hold on, all of those genin were in my class, and I feel that it is far too soon for any of them to be taking the chunin exams, especially Uzumaki Naruto, he's not ready!" Iruka exclaimed.

Kakashi glared at Iruka for a moment before taking a step forward.

"Iruka, I understand they were your students back in the academy. However, Uzumaki Naruto is in my squad now. I understand best their current capabilities now, and I deemed them to be ready. Especially Uzumaki Naruto!" Kakashi said.

Suddenly, Guy stepped forward.

"I understand your pride in your students Kakashi, but I have to agree with Iruka, even I held my own team back a year to gain more experience first." Guy said.

Iruka was about to speak but was interrupted by Kakashi.

"But they are not your team Guy, they are mine, and even if you were not confident in your team's ability, I am more than confident in mine!" Kakashi replied.

"Enough! Only the jonin in charge of their respective team may decide if they will put them forward. Iruka, stand down." The Hokage interrupted, ending the discussion.

The jonin stepped back as they listened to The Hokage.

"Now, I shall explain this year's chunin exams!" The Hokage exclaimed.

-End of Chapter 22-

Author's Notes: Hey guys, Volume two is here, and with Volume 2, comes a new cover, hope you guys like it. Also, we're getting into the chunin exams, so I hope you all enjoy what I have in store for you. Should I bring Karin in? I've been thinking about it, but I'm undecided, so I'll leave it up to you guys. Anyways, not a whole lot happened in this chapter, but it was mainly a resolution chapter to the previous mini arc and a preparation chapter for the incoming chunin arc. Anyways, today was painful, I ran two miles and then did some sprints, and I finished off with doing over 250 push ups, my arms felt dead. Oh well, see you guys next chapter. Peace!