The Sacrament of Reconciliation

Disclaimer:I do not own Naruto nor benefit monetarily. No financial gain is made from writing or posting this fanfiction. They were all perfectly created by Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 3 Departing Leaves


Not wanting to arouse unnecessary attention Naruto teleported, directly inside his dinky little apartment. The bed creaked under the weight of his abrupt descent. Resting his head on his open palm, the leaf shinobi stared at the ceiling listlessly as flashes of the day’s events filtered to his minds surface. Jiraya died, Itachi died only to be revived, and he was to leave Konoha before dawn. Pausing, in his thoughts he frowned recalling the raven’s words about the massacre. He really hated the Council of Elders, and that hate just increased beyond measure.

‘Kyuubi, is leaving with Itachi a wise decision? Don’t get me wrong I gave my word, and I trust him, but that would label me a Missing-Nin?’

‘Kit, if memory serves correct before you left for that mission the Council of Elders instructed that Hokage of yours to restrict you to the village. Living for hundreds of years has given me enough insight to recognize that restriction being two steps away from isolation, kit.’

‘Just as I suspected, Arigato.’

The demon snorted in acknowledgement receding into the shadows of its cage.

Absently stroking the journals frayed leather edges against his thumb pulled him back into the present, and thoughts of a perverted Sannin. Holding back tears threatening to spill openly he refused to cry. This was not the time to break down even if his heart ached; running his palm across the expanse of cow hide anger began to rise. This was not fair, everyone he cares for leaves him either in death, or abandonment, and this pissed him off. Pein would learn the meaning of his own name.

The blonde’s decision was reinforced. There was a raven to meet before dawn, a nation to save, and a destiny to fulfill. Interference be damned.

Before Dawn-

A faint crackling sound announced Itachi’s presence. Groaning in defeat, Naruto burrowed deeper into the confines of his blankets, only to have them snatched away by a smirking Uchiha, with deviously glinting eyes.

Crouching low Itachi eyed the teen before laughing softly, “I guess the miso ramen from Ichiraku’s will go to waste.”

Scowling Naruto rose to his feet heading for a shower not before tossing the elder a look of annoyance. “You play dirty, Uchiha,” mouthed the blonde before crossing the bathroom door threshold.


“Hn,” grunted an amused Itachi, sitting quietly on the younger teen’s small couch.

While his pupil showered he decided to study the others apartment.


-Itachis’ P.O.V-

Apparently, Naruto-kun’s misgivings to leave Konoha with me to train resulting in distraction causing lack of sleep.

I noted with disdain, how sparsely furnished the apartment is further enhancing the one room dwelling’s decrepit state.

I ended the visual perusal opting instead to review a map of the Elemental Nations. The shower stopped announcing Naruto’s completion. Glancing through my lashes the teen stood clad in an orange towel around his waist, and I briefly wondered if that color was an extension of himself, or the Kyuubi’s influence.

My eyes swiftly swept his body causing my groin to convulse in response to the breadth of golden skin adorning his torso. I am not by any means unfamiliar to the desires of the flesh. A man has to release sexual frustration somehow. I mentally squashed my arousal ruthlessly placing attention on the map at hand. There was no time for that. I raised an eyebrow in question noticing the lack of orange in his attire. The always obliviously observant blonde answered my silent question.

“Technically, I am sneaking out of the village. As much as I love orange it would be a pain in the ass if we were discovered.” Nodding my response it seems Uzumaki’s grown-up. Maybe I am not such a pedophile after-all. Squashed again.

-Hokage Tower-

Tsunade messaged her temples, after scanning the piles of paper accumulated on her desk. She really hated this job. Jirayas’ death hit harder than she imagined, and two bottles of sake later had yet to quell her tears. “Idiot,” she murmured.

Opening the bottom drawer, home to her prized sake she was about to call Shizune for another bottle, when a scroll was spotted alongside her sake saucers. Feeding chakra into the seal the scroll unraveled disclosing its contents.

Tsunade-baa-chaa,

I hope you have indulged your morning sake because after reading this you’ll need it.

Firstly, Tobi the Akatsuki member that we encountered on our mission is Uchiha Madara. Stop gapping you heard right. He is the true leader of the Akatsuki, and plans to unleash his ancestor upon the Shinobi Nations, which is far more ominous than Kyuubi.

Secondly, Orochimaru is neutralized. Itachi sealed him using Susanoo something about sake, and a gourd. Good luck figuring that one out.

Apparently, Sasuke absorbed his soul thinking he could suppress his spirit. Don’t ask my thoughts as well. Anyway, he manifested during Itachi’s and Sasuke’s battle. Sasuke killed his brother, but Susanoo revived him. Close your mouth you’ll catch flies.

Now this is where the need for your morning sake is required.

Itachi murdered the Uchiha Clan under orders from the Uchiha Council of Elders. He is innocent, Baa-chan. They forced a child to murder his kin. If you, are currently sipping sake put the saucer down for this. Madara is Sasuke’s father not Fugaku.

Lastly, reading a few entries in Jirayas’ journal provided the truth about my heritage. It’s amazing to learn that the man I idolized is my father or was, and no I am not bitter. I am prouder knowing that he believed I could carry such a burden. He was the first to have faith in me. I will make him proud.

I left the village with Itachi. According to him, and what I read in the journal I am destined to save the Shinobi Nation. I must do this since only I can. My father must have known. So, I have left with the elder Uchiha to train.


Love,

Namikaze Naruto

P.S. This scroll will self destruct in ten minutes.


She read the parchment twice for good measure. What could she say. Her gaki was gone with the prospect of not returning.

“Shizune, sake now,” she bellowed.

Tsunade really, really hated this job.