Lies and truths

Chapter 1

"You Baka, what were you thinking?" a pink-haired chunin fumed as she swatted her blonde teammate across the head. The brunet with his hair styled as a ducks ass, snorted in agreement. Their team leader too immersed into his book to care about the drama unfolding next to him.

"Mou Sakura-chan, it was an accident I swear." The blonde male rubbed the back of his head, wincing slightly at the pain his teammate inflicted.

Sakura scoffed and crossed her arms ." You're 15 Naruto! Grow up and stop trying to be so cool. No wonder you're still a genin." 

"Dobe" the recently returned Uchiha inputted.

Naruto scoffed and fell behind the group slowly. Leaving his leader to read his smut, Sakura to fawn over the teme and Sasuke to be a bastard. The three never seeing the pain and hurt flash across his blue orbs. 

Mentally sighing in defeat, Naruto mused. 'Why do I even bother anymore? I brought back the theme from Orochimaru-teme and I'm still being treated the same by them.'

The biju sealed in Naruto's gut heard his ranting and decided to calm his host. "Kit why don't you just leave?" "What do you mean Kyu-chan?" The Kyuubi sighed at his nickname. "I told you to call me Kurama. What I'm saying is, stop hiding yourself. Our senses are connected , remember? I can feel the sadness and anger this team brings you and that old monkey did say to you to be yourself, otherwise you could get hurt. I promised your mother that I would protect you, when your father sealed me into you; and a fox always keeps its word." 

Naruto's shoulders sagged in understanding. 'Ero-sennin and Baa-chan said the exact same thing. *sigh* I guess you're right. All of you. I'll talk to Baa-chan after the debiefing.' Kurama snorted in agreement and watched from his Jinchuuriki's eyes as he made his way through the Konaha's great gates and throught the village to the hokage's tower. Growling deep in his throat at his host's misery.

It took Team 7 a good fifteen minutes to debrief their mission with Sakura mostly complaining about Naruto's reclessness and performance, Sasuke grunting every now and then with Naruto whining and trying to justify his actions. Kakashi just handed in the written report after the ranting. Naruto was just glad his mentor was there. 

When Team 7 was prepared to leave, Naruto stood firmly in his spot. "Dobe are you coming?" Naruto rubbed his head sheepishly and said "I need to speak with Ero-sennin. I'll se you guys around." His teammates shrugged and left him be, not knowing that this would be the last time they would see the Naruto they know and love.

Hearing the door shut behind them, Tsunade immediately told the anbu in the room to leave and for the Jiriya to place the privacy seals. Both standing in front of the Hokage's desk with serious expressions, Tsunade finally saying, "Alright brat, speak up."

Naruto dropped his cheerful attitude and stood up straighter, his eyes more confident and powerful. The two Sannin seeing Naruto drop his mask and reflect the blonde Jinchuuriki's posture. "I want to request to be pulled off Team 7 and retain my old rank." Seeing their questioning looks, Naruto sighed sadly and continued. "As much as I hate to say this, but you were right. All of you.... and I don't think I can last any longer on Team 7, otherwise I might snap. Please Raiya and Nade-Nee; I'm tired of wearing this mask."

Tsunade and Jiraiya smiled softly at their true names Naruto dubbed them, both glancing to each other and nodded "Very well, if this is what you want Naruto..." seeing the blonde nod confidently, smiling brightly "Then I'll imform your old partners after this meeting, let me see the beautiful woman you are." Tsunade asked.

Until Next time