The Cost
of Vengeance
By Ami-Chan
At the crack of dawn, Sakura woke up and found a letter next to her pillow. She was curious who it was from and she started to read it. The words played in her mind with the author’s voice:
Dear Sakura-chan,
I’m going to the Wave Country now so that I can find the person to heal Sasuke. I know that you’ll miss me, but I promise you that I’ll come back. Take care of Sasuke until I return, ok? Tell him where I went and that I’ll be home soon. It might take me a few days, maybe a week, but I’ll definitely come back!
Yours truly,
Uzumaki Naruto
She dropped the letter and lain her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She blinked only hearing her own breath in her silent sleeping home. Sakura was scared. Would Naruto come back after Sasuke left so willingly despite so many risks? She was overcome with fear, doubt, and suspicion. If Naruto was going to leave her, then who else was there? Although she lusted for Sasuke, it wasn’t the same feeling. He never gave the same acknowledgement. Meanwhile, Naruto had reached the border between the Leaf and Wave countries. He looked back for just a moment and then he looked forward again and sighed. This was it; the moment of truth. Right now, everything was about to fall in to place of one thing; Sasuke’s fate.
“I hope they’re still here. Sennin move around a lot.” Naruto thought as he looked around the crowded streets.
“Oi, Naruto!” A familiar voice called to him.
“Inari, how’ve you been?” Naruto smiled as he turned around.
“I’m fine.” Inari replied. “I’m sure you are too.”
“Yeah…” he answered. “Listen, do you know if a person named Jiraiya lives here?”
“Sorry. I’ve never heard of him.” Inari shook his head.
“It’s ok. I’m sure I’ll find him. He’s a legendary artist.” Naruto replied keeping his head high. “I’ll go deeper into the city.”
“That’s why I don’t know him…” Inari thought as he watched Naruto leave. “Mother tells me that he’s the famous author of the “Make out Paradise” novels.”
The inner city was lively and crowded. There was only one in a million chance of Naruto actually finding this “Jiraiya” anywhere. There were dozens of people with white hair that were painting pictures. Out of all the hopeless things he dared challenge, this was the most impossible. The thoughts of giving up came closer to actions, but he fought to keep searching and be persistent. It just wasn’t him to give up, and this wasn’t even for him. This was for someone else, and he couldn’t just let him down. Sasuke was depending on him. Naruto was Sasuke’s last ray of hope, and he wasn’t about to go dim. Somehow his heroism escaped him though when hearing his stomach growl. Naruto had to face the facts; he was going to find no one on an empty stomach.
“I should have eaten some of Iruka-sensei’s oatmeal before I left. I’m starving!” Naruto complained in his mind as he walked the streets without paying attention to anything.
The smell of fresh cooked food leaked into Naruto’s nose and it stopped him dead in his tracks. Rather than walking down the path aimlessly, he started to follow the trail with his nose. His face lit up like a rising sun and all his despair turned into happiness. They had one in the Wave country now; an Ichiraku Ramen. He rushed and took the seat before someone else could. He was ambitious, energetic, but most of all, famished. There was no happier moment in his life though. He was about to gorge himself.
“I want…” He blinked at the menu. All they had was one flavor. “Fish…”
After gorging about four bowls of ramen, Naruto was stuffed. Food, however, wasn’t the only thing that distracted him. His very appearance struck joy into the Wave country’s people. They crowded around him and asked for autographs. By the time the people stopped ambushing him with hero’s praise, it was already past sunset. He found a nice hiding place within the watchtower. Naruto yawned. He was exhausted…being a hero was tough. The streets were bare. Right now would be a perfect time to check into Inari’s house and call it a day.
“It’s not that far. Without my little fans worshipping me, I’ll get there fine.” Naruto thought as he jumped onto a roof.
Naruto jumped off the roof and landed perfectly on the ground. He just took one step, when a hand covered his nose and mouth. He felt himself jerk back into the shadows, and the cold sharp steel of a shuriken pressed against his neck. A mist shinobi waked into the moonlight. He smirked as he watched Naruto struggle.
“It’s no use.” He mocked. “You’re the key to striking despair into the Wave country once again. Once their hero is slain, then they will have no choice but to accept our rule.”
“Mist shinobi?” a voice called. “What pushovers!”
“It’s him!” both mist shinobi exclaimed.
“Say your prayers!” The man smirked as a perfect chakra sphere formed in his hand. “Not that it will do you any good!”
One mist shinobi immediately took off while the other threw Naruto face first on the ground and ran after him. The mysterious white-haired man caught up to them, and ignited the chakra sphere in between them. It exploded like a bomb, and they flew in opposite directions; dead on impact. Naruto was scared speechless. This man was strong, whoever he was. He nearly jumped three feet in the air when the man walked close to him. Naruto’s reactions were all locked up when the man’s face met his. This was it, he was done for.
“Are you all right?” He asked out of the blue. His tone seemed a little softer now.
“Um…yeah…” Naruto replied. He now stood up and dusted himself off. “Thanks.”
“You’ve got to be careful. Those mist shinobi come out at this time of night…” he warned. “Why don’t you come and stay at my house?”
“I don’t even know who you are!” Naruto shook his head wildly in obvious denial. “How do I know what you’ll do to me?”
“What are you, raised on a farm, son?” the white-haired main snorted. He was holding in his laugh.
“No, I just don’t happen to know every single person.” Naruto retaliated.
“I’m the legendary artist, Kamizuka Jiraiya!” he winked. “And exactly who are you?”
“Uzumaki Naruto…” he replied awkwardly.
“You’re THE Uzumaki Naruto?” Jiraiya seemed to be quite surprised. “You’re kidding me! You’re like an urban legend around here!”
“What kind of urban legend?” Naruto was afraid to ask. Kakashi knew him after all…
“Well, I heard you did this genjutsu that could even make me squirm. It’s called the Harem no Jutsu.” Jiraiya answered with a perverted grin.
“I knew it!” Naruto pointed his finger accusingly at Jiraiya. “I knew that since he couldn’t tell me much about you, that you were just an ero-sennin!”
“You called me that when I just saved your life?” Jiraiya glared at him with slight hostility.
“I can’t believe I let myself be rescued by the likes of you!” Naruto said scornfully as he turned his head away.
“I could let you stay out here…” Jiraiya smiled. “Then, those mist shinobi will come again and do whatever they please with you.”
After that comment, Naruto fell silent. There was no way he could drag this fight on any longer. His memories of Kakashi’s orders were starting to fade. He remembered he had to find Jiraiya, but what was the other piece of the puzzle? He couldn’t recall it. It was too late at night, and he was too exhausted. He would remember in the morning, when this day would be behind him. Naruto looked around Jiraiya’s house. It wasn’t all that glamorous, but it wasn’t that bad either. He plopped on the first couch he could find. Naruto’s eyes closed, and he was instantly asleep. Jiraiya knelt at Naruto’s side, just studying him for a while. He blinked. Naruto reminded him of someone…It finally came to him. Again, after twelve year of doubt, a thought he gave up on was born again. Maybe this one was Yondaime. It was a legend that a brave shinobi in ancient times performed a similar seal, and he died like Yondaime. Afterwards, it was confirmed that he was re-born within the one he sealed because he gave his life so nobly and so willingly.
“Maybe…” Jiraiya thought. “Maybe this gaki is Yondaime…why’d he come to me? What does he want? Maybe I have something back home I must take care of.”
Jiraiya walked up the stairs and opened his door. He began to draw. Meanwhile, Naruto tossed and turned in his sleep. He was dreaming. He was home, in his room. He looked at himself in the mirror. He was much taller, his hair was slicked back, and he was in a tuxedo. Shikamaru walked in.
“Hey, man. Are you ready to go?” he said.
“Where am I going?” Naruto was hoping it wasn’t what he thought it was.
“What do you mean, where?” Shikamaru almost fell off his feet. “You’re going to get hitched with Sakura!”
“I guess I’m just nervous.” Naruto played it off. “If I screw up here, it’s over.”
“Don’t worry, man.” Shikamaru patted his back. “You’ll be great!”
Naruto could feel his nerves build up. He was shaking all over, and he hid his face. At the corner of his eye, he saw Kakashi and Iruka saluting him with two fingers while winking. Sakura walked in front of him. He could feel his cheeks burn up as he blushed. Sakura blushed too with a weak smile. At the same time, Jiraiya finished his sketch. He was kind of worried about Naruto. Why didn’t he come up here and bug him? Jiraiya slowly walked downstairs. He knelt at the side of the couch where Naruto was again. What Jiraiya didn’t know was how far Naruto was into his dream…
“You may kiss the bride.” Sasuke uttered the classic best man’s last words.
Naruto’s hand reached out and folded Sakura’s veil back. In reality, he petted Jiraiya’s hair.
“Does he think I’m a dog or something?” he thought.
Before Jiraiya could react, Naruto’s lips puckered up and kissed his. Jiraiya’s eyes bulged and he jumped back, hitting his head on a coffee table. Soon after, Naruto woke up oblivious.
“Why are you looking at me like that, ero-sennin?” Naruto said wearily.
“That’s it!” Jiraiya yelled, standing up and pointed his finger scornfully at Naruto. “I was wrong! You are definitely not the re-incarnation of Yondaime!”
“Wait a second…did I just…” Naruto didn’t want to complete his sentence. “Gross!”
Naruto ran into the bathroom and started to repeatedly wash his face. He couldn’t believe his own dirty dreams led him to such humiliation. He tried rigorously to erase the image of kissing the ero-sennin. It was just an accident anyway. It would soon be forgotten. Jiraiya stomped up the stairs and slammed the door. He hadn’t been this angry in twenty years. He sat in his chair, once again speculating.
“I was such a fool…Yondaime’s never coming back, especially not as some gaki. I’m kicking him out tomorrow. He’s got to go.” Jiraiya thought without sympathy.
“I remember now! I need to ask that ero-sennin where “Tsunade” is! I guess since he’s probably going to kick me out, I better say it now…” Naruto’s mind clicked. This wasn’t the best time, but it was the only time.
Jiraiya turned around when his door opened. He turned back forward when he saw it was just Naruto. In the meantime, Naruto saw some of the sketches and almost clubbed Jiraiya over the head. How could he get into it so much? Some of the images burned his eyes to see. He tapped the Sennin on the shoulder.
“What, gaki?” Jiraiya still wasn’t willing to turn around.
“I remembered why I came here. Jiraiya, do you know a “Tsunade” by any chance?” Naruto asked.
“Tsunade…” Jiraiya uttered remorsefully. “She’s lost to us.”
“She’s dead?” Naruto’s eyes softened. “Sorry.”
“She’s not dead. She joined the Akatsuki after Orochimaru left us and Yondaime died.”
“I don’t care if she’s in Akatsuki or not!” Naruto burst into flames of anger. “I need her to save my friend.”
“You’re a fool!” Jiraiya exploded without notice. “If she’s in Akatsuki, she won’t help anyone! I’d just give up, rather than having an idiot’s ambitions.”
“I’d rather be a fool than to abandon Sasuke.” Naruto retorted fiercely. “Those who don’t take care of their friends are lower than dirt.”
Jiraiya gasped and shook his head in awe and denial. He took some steps back. A ghostly image of his old friend appeared in front of Naruto. He had said those exact words once…
“Yondaime…” he whispered to himself. He then looked into Naruto’s eyes. “All right, we’re ambushing Akatsuki’s headquarters. I believe they’re only using Tsunade…and perhaps we can make her see the light.”
“Just you wait ero-sennin. I’ve got yet to show off my moves!” Naruto smirked up at him.
“I’ll assure you…” Jiraiya smirked back. “My little trick on those mist shinobi wasn’t the limit of my power!”
With their paths set for them, Naruto and Jiraiya set out on a mission that would decide the fate for more than one person. With their ambition, determination, and bright hopes shining, they were bound to win Tsunade back to where she rightfully belonged, and also to get Sasuke back on his feet. The two’s courage was one thing equal, and that for sure would triumph over the evil of Akatsuki.