Eyes of Sacrifice

A/N: All the events for Shippuden have been pushed back by two years.


Tsunade sighed as Jiraiya entered her office shaking his head. She frowned and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Damn that kid, she was starting to lose hope. As the Hokage, she needed to put the search to rest. It has been almost two years since he went missing. It was three since Jiraiya last saw him and five for Tsunade. Her heart didn’t want to let go, but as Hokage she had to what was best for the village…whether she liked it or not. Sighing once more she nodded to Shizune.

“Godaime-sama?” Shizune questioned.

“Summon all those searching,” Tsunade commanded. Shizune nodded and walked out of the room to do as her teacher wishes.

Jiraiya looked on as the assistant walked out of the door. He let himself sit on the window sill of the office with one leg hanging off. His arms were folded over his chest as he turned his eyes back to Tsunade. “So what are you doing to do?”

“Two years is enough don’t you think?”

The man looked at her with a frown. “So you are giving up?” His eyes narrowed into a glare. “Just like that?”

“Don’t start with me Jiraiya! I know we like the kid, but it had been too long!” Tsunade yelled. “He never could have survived on his own the way he was!” She slammed her fist on her desk as she stood up.

The white haired ninja growled at the blonde woman. “So all that talk about having faith in him, it was just talk?”

“As Hokage I have to think about the village! I can’t have my ninjas constantly searching for someone who is either dead, hiding, or what have you!” Tsunade said as she slowly sat back down. “Even if my heart wants me to, I just can’t…”

Jiraiya’s anger quickly dissipated as he heard his fellow Sannin’s whisper. Maybe it has been too long. Keeping them searching for one kid is like giving them false hope, leading them on. He knew how hard it would be for the others to stop searching, but it is even harder for Tsunade to end it all.

Shizune knocked on the door before stepping in quietly. “Tsunade-sama, they are here.”

“Send them in,” Tsunade nodded. A group of ninja entered the room. They were a mix of Chuunin and Jounin, friends of the missing ninja.

“Tsunade-sensei, why did you summon us away from our search?” Sakura asked.

“If we wish to find him before finding Sasuke, we must continue.” Neji said quietly.

“Yes, yes! We are losing time!” Lee stated.

“Enough!” Tsunade said in a commanding tone, stopping any further comments. “I’ve come to a decision and you all will obey it!”

Iruka glanced at Kakashi, who shrugged back at him. “Tsunade-sama?” He questioned slowly.

“I’m calling the search to an end.” The Fifth Hokage stated as she closed her eyes. Protests from the youths immediately broke out, but were ignored. “I said the search for Uzumaki Naruto is over! Is that clear?” She shouted at them in a commanding and harsh voice.

“Hai Hokage-sama,” Everyone, including the older ninja that were among the group, replied.

“Dismissed…”

---

“Is it wise to just give up like this?” Hinata asked as the group left the Hokage Tower. “I mean Naruto wouldn’t have given up if it was one of us.”

Kurenai smiled sadly as she looked down at her student. “It’s an order from the Hokage, we have to listen.”

“Unfortunately,” Tenten said with a shrug.

“Damn that woman!” Kiba growled.

“Well, she has a point.” Sakura said.

“Yea, Naruto has been missing for years. Who knows if he’s still alive.” Ino agreed.

Shino and Neji just shook their heads at the others in disbelief. It was Shikamaru that voice his displeasure. “So much for believing in him…”

“Maybe it is time to stop…” Kakashi said as he looked up at the sky.

“You can’t mean that…” Gai said looking at his rival.

“Two years is a long time Gai.” Asuma concluded knowing where Kakashi was going with his s statement. “Anyone could have gotten to him. From what Jiraiya said, Naruto was trying to recover from a being ill.”

“I do not believe Naruto is dead.” Lee said confidently. Everyone looked at him. “I believe he is alive.”

Iruka smiled and went over to Lee, putting a hand on his shoulder. “I believe in Naruto too Lee. I believe that he is just lost and trying to find his way back home.”

“Let’s hope you two are right then,” Asuma said as the group began to separate to go home a rest. Their thoughts on the blonde haired knucklehead ninja that changed each of their lives, hoping he was still on this plane of existence.

---

A small almost soundless sigh escaped Gaara’s lips. He, giving up the title of Kazekage to his older brother Kankuro for the time being, was sent to Konoha to help them out due to the shortage of ninja they had. Not that he minded, it would strengthen the alliance between the Sand and Leaf village during this time of crisis. Konoha was especially on alert not only because of Sasuke’s betrayal to Sound, but because rumors were flying around about a ninja from the Leaf traveling through the countries. Gaara grinned as he heard the rumors as he entered the Hokage Tower. Of course, that the very same ninja they were talking about had passed through the Sand Village and had stayed there for a while. He was actually one of the reasons Gaara was going to see the Hokage first. That very same ninja wanted to meet her in person.

Shizune looked up from her post and bowed to Gaara. She turned to the door and opened it. “Godaime-sama, Gaara of the Sand is here.“ She said as she stepped to the side allowing Gaara in.

In the office Tsunade sat at her desk reading over scrolls as the other Sannin, Jiraiya leaned against the wall by the open window. Gaara glanced at the window, his eyes glowing with mirth. This is going to be amusing…

“We thank the Sand for sending you Gaara-san,” Tsunade said looking up from the scrolls. Gaara stood in front of the desk with his arms crossed. “We have arranged for you to have an apartment during your stay. I hope that is alright with you?”

“It’s fine,” He stated quietly. “Before we get into further details I would like to inquire about this rumor…”

“The one about the ninja?” Jiraiya asked.

“The same.”

Tsunade rubbed her eyes. “I do not know of anything. Every time we get close to a location it seems the ninja disappear.”

“Then I suppose I should reappear eh?” A voice said from the window causing Tsunade and Jiraiya to jump. Turning to the window, both Sannin’s eyes widened.

On the window sill crouched a familiar blonde haired ninja. He was dressed in a pair of black pants, with a worn kunai pouch attached to the right leg. Another kunai pouch was attached to the back of the belt holding pants up. The ninja wore a black short sleeve shirt that was under a black hooded vest that had burnt orange strips down the side of it. From the tips of his elegant fingers disappearing under the sleeves of his t-shirt, his arms were bandaged as though he was injured. Blonde spiky hair reached just below his chin as piercing blue eyes stared at the two Sannins. Lastly, a metal forehead protector hung around a bandaged neck glinting in the sunlight.

“I don’t believe it…” Jiraiya whispered.

“What no hi Naruto welcome back, good job on not dying?” The young boy asked with a grin. The two continued to stare. Naruto looked at Gaara. “I think I may have stunned Ero-sennin and Baa-san into early graves.”

“Perhaps…” Gaara shrugged.

“Too old for such news then,” Naruto said as he slipped into the room and waved his hand in front of Tsunade’s face.

Her eyebrow twitched. “Old?” She quickly stood up and punched Naruto on the top of his head. “WHO ARE YOU CALLING OLD YOU BRAT!”

“OW!” Naruto said as he crouched down holding his head. “Jeez Baa-chan, you haven’t changed…” His sentence trailed off as he found himself holding onto a crying Tsunade. “Tsunade-baa-chan?”

“I thought….I thought I wasn’t going to see you again.” She murmured into his shoulder. Naruto smiled gently and pushed Tsunade away enough to pull out the necklace she gave him.

“You should know better baa-chan!” Naruto scolded slightly. “After all, you gave me this necklace, didn’t you believe I would come back?”

Tsunade gaze was soft before it got firm again. Naruto eeped as he got hit in the head again. “WHAT WERE YOU DOING MAKING ME WORRY! I SHOULD KILL YOU!”

Jiraiya laughed as Naruto scuttled away from the Hokage like a crab. The blonde boy stood up when he was near the old man and grinned. “Can’t you calm her down Ero-sennin?”

“Why would I want to? You had me worried to.” Jiraiya said smirking at Naruto’s pale face as Tsunade came after him. “Plus it’s too much entertainment watching you two.”

“COME HERE!” Tsunade yelled as Naruto ducked away.

Gaara walked over to Jiraiya and stood next to him as Shizune opened the door to see what all the commotion was about.

“Naruto!?” She shouted her jaw dropping.

“Hi Shizune!” Naruto said as he rolled away from Tsunade.

Jiraiya looked at Gaara with a small smile. “You brought him here didn’t you?”

“He was lost in the Sand, I just gave him directions.” Gaara replied stoically. Jiraiya looked at the young red-head and smiled. He supposed that was Gaara’s way of saying yes.

“Well thank you,” The Toad Sannin said. “Konoha owes you for bringing back their favorite ninja.”

Gaara’s lips twitched as Naruto got cornered. “I rather not have a city that hates him so owe me.” He said. “Though some missed him, even more still hate and fear him. It was his choice to come back to this place…the place he calls home.” Gaara looked at Jiraiya with a serious expression. “I did it for him and only him.”

“Tsunade-baa-chan, don’t you think you should worry about the people who are rushing to this very spot at the moment?” Naruto asked as he put his arms over his head.

That made Tsunade pause as she raised an eyebrow. “Who’s coming?” Naruto looked up and grinned.

“Well, Sakura-chan, Kiba-kun, and the Hyuuga’s are on their way.” He said standing up.

“Time to take our leave then?” Gaara asked.

Naruto shook his head as Shizune looked confused. “Take your leave?”

“I was planning on messing with them for a while, but considering the rate they are running they should be in here fast that I could cover my scent.” Naruto replied.

“You never could completely cover your scent anyway,” Gaara teased with a serious face.

“Hey! That’s not far Gaara, you know I’ve gotten way better since the first time I tried it!”

Jiraiya looked from the Sand ninja beside him to his former student. It seemed the two had bonded in way that only people with demons sealed within them could. His eyes moved back to Naruto. He had grown into a fine young man and by the way his chakra is now, Jiraiya can only conclude he has gotten stronger.

Before anyone else could say anything, Sakura, Hinata, Neji, and Kiba raced through the doorway. They stared at the blonde who turned them and smiled with a familiar grin.

It was Sakura who snapped out of her surprise first. She flung herself at Naruto, who spun her around. “Naruto!”

“Hi guys!” Naruto replied with enthusiasm as Sakura let go of him. “How have you guys been doing?”

“Naruto! Oh man you had us going crazy!” Kiba said as he walked up to Naruto and patted his back. “When Tsunade-san said she was dismissing the search, man everyone was upset.”

“Nice to know I’m missed!” Naruto said as he went over to hug Hinata and greet Neji. He smirked and put his hands behind his head as he saw Hinata blush. “I can’t take all the credit though, Gaara is the one who found me and allowed me to stay in the Sand for a while.”

“It was nothing,” Gaara replied. The blonde turned to the red head and jumped onto Gaara’s back, putting his chin on the Sand Child’s shoulder.

“But Gaara-kun had to deal with me for a long time, I say that is something.” Naruto said.

“Gaara-kun?” Hinata asked quietly.

Neji narrowed his eyes, “You have gotten close.”

“Yeah well,” Naruto said as he let go of Gaara. “I’ve had a lot of time to get to know Gaara.”

“Family,” Gaara said. Everyone turned to him. “Naruto has been like family.”

Tsunade smiled and watched as the once missing boy now a young man spoke with his former teammate and classmates. He didn’t seem to have change, but Tsunade could see the underlying notion of maturity. Now that Naruto was back, she would have to find two people who were around the same level with him for him to enter the Chuunin Exams.

“Making plans?” Jiraiya asked.

“More or less,” The Slug Sannin replied. “Naruto is still technically a Gennin.”

“Is he?” Shizune questioned as she looked down at the papers that Gaara had given her when Naruto began talking with his friends. “According to this, Naruto had passed the Chuunin Exams two years ago.”

“What?” Tsunade and Jiraiya snatched the scroll from Shizune and looked at it. It had specifics on Naruto’s growth in everything from strength to the different jutsus. It even explained a bit about Naruto’s performance in missions as a Chuunin. “You became a member of the Sand?” Tsunade asked.

Naruto stopped speaking with Neji and blinked. He scratched his cheek in thought. “Well, no but Sand did let me enter the Chuunin Exams with two of their ninja. Kankuro kind of smoothed things over…”

“And since then you’ve been on…”

“Ten S-class missions, Fourteen A-class, Twenty-seven B-class, Sixty-three C-class, and whatever D-class.” The blonde shrugged. “I tried for less stress more training.”

“Ten S-class missions are less stress?” Kiba asked raising an eyebrow. Naruto just shrugged again.

“What can I say, I like to keep busy.” He said as he walked to Gaara. “Isn’t that right Gaara-kun?”

The red haired young man just shrugged. “I might be wise to go get the young one now.” Gaara said looking at Naruto. “You know how she doesn’t like being alone.”

The fox boy slammed his fist down into his open palm. “Oh right, I did leave her there didn’t I? Oh man, I’m going to die.” Naruto murmured as he made sure he had everything. “I’ll see you later tonight Gaara!”

“Hm…” The Sand child nodded as the blonde jumped onto the window sill.

Sakura blinked and looked at Tsunade who just shrugged. They had no clue as to what the young blonde was talking about, but it seemed like he was going to be in trouble.

“Oh baa-chan!” Naruto looked back at the Godaime. “I’ll come back to talk to you later about some things. Important things that can wait right now though,” He murmured more to himself than to the Sannin. He grinned before jumping away from the window.

“Jiraiya…”

“You read my mind,” The Toad Sannin said as he walked toward the window. Gaara’s voice stopped him.

“I would advise against going after him.”

Tsunade and Jiraiya looked at Gaara, who was staring at the Hokage seriously. Kiba snorted as Hinata leaned into him with a questioning gaze. Neji crossed his arms while his eyes studied Gaara.

“Why the hell not?” Sakura asked.

“Naruto has grown far more than any scroll could tell you.” Gaara replied. “That includes his sense of smell.”

Tsunade caught the underlying message and had Shizune shoo the other younger ninjas out. She intertwined her finger together and put her chin on them. Her green eyes became serious with business as she looked at Gaara.

“You mean to tell me that Naruto has been gaining the Kyuubi’s senses?” Tsunade asked.

Gaara gave a shrug of his shoulders. “I assume it is more complicated than that, but yes his senses are sharper. His sense of smell can be compared to that of the Inuzukas or even the Copy Ninja.”

Jiraiya looked at Gaara with a peacefully blank look. “Those bandages aren’t just there for show are they?”

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya. “What do you mean?”

“No, they aren’t.” Gaara replied looking at the Toad Sannin. “But I think that is for Naruto to tell you isn’t it? I’m here to help with your shortage of ninja.”

“And Naruto coming back is a great surprise…” Tsunade said as she grinned. “One that we can work with.”

---

Naruto landed in the third training ground looking toward the three logs. Sitting on top of the middle one was a small black furred fox with white-tipped ears. The young man grinned. “Aya!” The fox turned its head toward Naruto, its gunmetal blue eyes gleaming with happiness. The black fur melted away to a light auburn color as the small kit jumped off the log and runs to Naruto. The blonde laughed as he knelt down allowing Aya to run up his arm to his shoulder. The fox yipped happily and nuzzled her face into Naruto’s cheek.

“I see you missed me.” He said as Aya laid across his shoulders her tail lying against his heart. “Just so you know Aya-chan, this village will not kindly to you, so you must be on your best behavior.”

/That’s an understatement…/ A male voice rumbled in Naruto’s head.

“That is true…” The young boy sweatdropped as he scratched his cheek. “Not only that, but now I’m going to be called a zombie or ghost if the rumors are right.”

/Could be fun…/ The voice said mischievously.

“Sounds good to me Kyuubi,” Naruto grinned as Aya purred her agreement. Before they could talk more about mischief, Naruto’s nose picked up a familiar scent as his ear caught the sound of a kunai flying through the air. The blonde raised his hand behind his back as he stepped forward so his was parallel with the kunai’s trajectory. He caught the small ninja weapon in his hand and spun it as he brought it in front of him to inspect it. Aya sniffed it and hissed, her fur turning white with red tips as she stood on Naruto’s shoulder hissing toward the tree line.

“Normally you would just step aside to avoid a kunai, not catch it.” The person who threw the kunai walked out of the trees. Naruto turned to the man and fought back a smile as he realized who he was.

Kakashi Hatake was the laziest ninja that Naruto’s ever known, but also the smartest. He must have been watching Aya for a while waiting to see what she was doing. Konoha was never fond of kitsune so it is understandable that Kakashi would be wary of this young kit. But from the looks of it, Kakashi hasn’t changed over the years.

Naruto blinked in realization that the sharingan was unveiled as the older ninja watched him. He shook his head and tossed the kunai back to him. “And normally we don’t let people get so close to us, it tends to cause them harm.” He replied as he turned fully to Kakashi.

The Copy Ninja’s mouth hung open as he stared in shock at the person in front of him. That blonde spiked hair that waved gently in the breeze, those bright sky blue eyes…they reminded him of his sensei. The person Kakashi was thinking about was one who has long since passed away, the once known Fourth Hokage of Konoha. He stepped forward and murmured, “Yondaime-sensei?” This caused the other man to smile a bit.

Aya hissed even more, her ears pinning back as another tail appeared from her behind. Naruto jumped as the other tail came about. He ignored Kakashi question in favor of Aya. “Maa…Maa…Aya-chan, calm yourself.” His hand came up and pressed her head into his cheek.

“You’re pretty bold to bring a demon fox into the village.” Kakashi said.

Naruto smiled and chuckled as he stroked the side of Aya’s head. “If you only knew…” As he said that three clouds of smoke appeared. Naruto and Kakashi turned their heads to see Tsunade, Jiraiya and Gaara. The Sand Ninja quickly made his way to Naruto and stood by him. Aya yipped softly as she jumped onto Gaara’s shoulder while her fur turned back to a light auburn color and her added tail disappeared.

“So that’s the young one Gaara told us about.” Tsunade said.

“Yes, she is.” The blonde young man said.

“She is beautiful,” Tsunade said watching in amusement as the small fox puffed out her chest, preening. “Until she can safely roam the village, I don’t want her anywhere without you or Gaara. You know how this village can be against Kitsune.”

Naruto and Gaara nodded in understanding.

“Can someone rewind and tell me what’s going on?” Kakashi asked interrupting.

“You didn’t tell him?” Jiraiya asked.

“He was too busy thinking I was the Yondaime.” Naruto replied. Jiraiya gave a deep laugh at that. It was understandable, but even then Kakashi should have realized that this was his own student.

“Care to elaborate?” The gray haired ninja tried again.

Tsunade smirked as Jiraiya threw an arm around Kakashi. “You might see Minato, but I see Naruto.”

“Naruto?” Kakashi asked his eyes widening.

The blonde grinned and nodded. “Maybe I was right before about people being old…”

“What was that?” The Godaime asked her eyebrow twitching.

Gaara sighed as Naruto hid behind him. “Nothing!”

Tsunade glared, but calmed herself. “Now that you’re back in the village, I’m guessing you want to start on missions.”

“If that’s not too much trouble,” Naruto said becoming serious also.

“Good,” Tsunade nodded. “I want to do an evaluation of sorts.”

Jiraiya grinned as he let got of Kakashi and walked over to Naruto. “We want to see what you learned after you disappeared Naruto.”

Naruto and Gaara looked at each other, one with a blank expression the other with a worried one. Aya yipped at Naruto and jumped onto his head. She swished her tails back and forth as she yipped once more and patted her paw on his head. Gaara gave a small smile as the blonde ninja sighed.

/She’s right kit, you will need to hide some things from this evaluation./ Kyuubi said. Naruto raised his left hand a bit and rubbed the palm with other hand, his thumb in the palm. /It will be alright./ Said the kitsune demon trying to reassure the young man.

“Fine,” Naruto said as he looked at the Godaime. “Who’s my opponent?”

“Kakashi,” Tsunade said with a small smile. “I had Shizune get Sakura, I want to see how far she has matured also. They’re coming now.”

“Only Kakashi-sensei?” Naruto asked as Shizune and Sakura appeared through the trees. They spotted the fox on Naruto’s head and became apprehensive.

“Only Kakashi,” Tsunade said as Naruto took Aya off his head and put her down.

Gaara glanced down at the fox before turning and walked toward the woods a good distance away. “Come Aya,” the fox obediently followed Gaara her tail swishing happily.

Shizune looked at Tsunade who shook her head. “The fox is okay, Naruto brought her and I don’t believe he would danger the village with a wild animal.” She turned to Sakura. “Shizune has explained the evaluation to you?” Sakura nodded. “Then we will take our leave.” Tsunade nodded to Jiraiya and Shizune.

“Good luck Sakura, Naruto!” The assistant said as she followed the Godaime.

Jiraiya hung back a bit looking at Naruto as he continued to rub his bandaged hands. Catching the older man’s eyes, Naruto stopped and put his hands down. “Don’t go easy on them Kakashi.” Jiraiya said with a grin. “I don’t think you’ll survive if you do.”

Kakashi looked from Sakura to Naruto. He eye smiled at Jiraiya. “Don’t underestimate me Jiraiya.”

“Don’t underestimate them.” Jiraiya said before walking away after Tsunade.

---