Searing Love

Chapter VIII

Sorry for not updating as much! You know how my updating schedule has no rhythm and can be very flimsy. But I update sometimes, right?

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Tsunade and the present members of the Konoha Eleven stared at Gaara, who was sitting in front of the Hokage's desk, with an incapacitated Naruto wrapped up in a cocoon of sand.

The cocoon wasn't like his Sand Coffin Jutsu, but like a comforting blanket wrapped around a small child. Gaara had refused to allow Tsunade to take Naruto to the hospital, saying that he would wake up on his own...that was two hours ago. It was almost sundown, and Naruto had not stirred.

"Are you sure we can't let him simply rest in the hospital?" Tsunade asked. "No. The hospital did not aide Naruto when he was young, I do not see a reason why they would help now," Gaara said. "Maybe it will be different, considering that half of his body is missing?" Sakura suggested.

"Naruto went there when he was five years old, bloodied, bruised, and with a broken arm. He was not provided service. Quite frankly, I did not want to bring him back to this place, but Ukah convinced me otherwise," Gaara said. "Ukah? What did he have to do with anything?" Shino inquired.

"Svadhishthana," a hoarse voice whispered. Tsunade and the Konoha Eleven's eyes widened and turned to Naruto. Gaara nodded. "Ukah is Naruto's second chakra," he said. "Second chakra?" Neji asked interested.

"The seven shinobi that you met were not real. They were simply the physical representations of Naruto's chakras," Gaara said calmly. "You're being rather cryptic," Tsunade observed. "That is because he respects me. Unlike some people," a hoarse voice spoke up once more.

All eyes turned to Naruto instantly. "Finally up, are we?" Gaara inquired softly. Naruto's eyes slowly began to open, his eyes flashed different colors before they settled on their regular celestial blue. "Yes. Good morning," he said softly.

Gaara smiled softly before he turned back to the cocoon and lowered it onto the couch. "About time you formed back into one. I was starting to think that I wouldn't be able to see you again as one," he said gently. Naruto smiled softly. "Later, right now is business time," he said.

Gaara nodded in agreement before he turned back towards Tsunade and the Konoha Eleven. "Five years. I never thought I would ever enter Konoha again," Naruto said.

"Naruto, what happened to you?" Tsunade asked softly. Naruto snorted. "Oh, so now you care for me? Where the fuck were you when those old windbags decided to banish me from the village?" Naruto challenged with narrowed eyes.

"Please, Naruto, I just want to know what happened to you," Tsunade pleaded softly. Naruto huffed and glared at his former leader and his former friends. "Fine, you want to know what happened?" he asked and the Konoha shinobi nodded in unison. "It started back than. Five years ago," Naruto started.

~Flashback~

"Here's my resignation," Naruto said as he tossed his headband into the air and the Kyuubi appeared out of thin air. Mass chaos broke out, as everyone started to panic. Satisfied, Naruto walked away, humming merrily.

He continued to walk before it started to rain. Hard. As the rain fell, the gravitation of the situation finally settled onto his mind. Naruto slowly came to a stop and stared into the distance. "I-I'm alone," he whispered as he tilted his head upwards and slowly crumbled to the ground.

It might have been a crappy home, but it was still home. "Alright, that was a lie. Home is supposed to be somewhere where you feel safe and you don't have to fear for your life," Naruto thought as he slowly sat down and curled his legs up to his chest.