Kitsune Rising Ch 10:

Man Up

Naruto collapsed on the ground, pouting. Why did everything always happen to him. The universe just always seemed to be against him. He couldn't bring back Sasuke, He couldn't stop becoming a Hanyou and now he couldn't stop anyone from knowing about his new "appendages". There was no way he could walk around with his jacket over his head forever. Sure, he could find another bandana, but just the thought made him wince. The bandana was so uncomfortable, that he almost thought it wasn't even worth the trouble. Maybe some kind of hat would do?

Naruto snorted. That would be a sight. People called him an idiot enough as it was. Imagine what they would say if he walked around with some kind of top hat all the time. He sighed. For the umpteenth time, he couldn't help but thinking how bad his life seemed to suck. The only good things that ever happened to him was finding his sister, gaining Sakura's love, and making all his friends. But now, he didn't know what to do. His friends might shun him, scared he might attack them. Sakura and Naren would be the only ones to stand by him. He didn't think he could handle the loss of so many friends, even if two of his most important people were still there. It seemed to him that his fortunate good luck was finally running out. Naruto wrapped his arms around his knees and buried his head in them.

Sakura watched helplessly. Again she thought that all she could ever do was the littlest things like trying to console him with words. And now, she couldn't even think of one word to say. She felt useless. The one she loved was struggling, and she didn't know how to help him. A physical wound was easy to heal, but this situation was different.

No, she thought. I'm not going to be useless this time! If i really love him, then I can do something for him. Steeling her resolve, Sakura knelt down in front of Naruto.

"Naruto," she said kindly, shaking his shoulder. His response was to bury his head deeper into his arms, flattening his ears. Ok this is getting ridiculous.

"Naruto look at me!" she barked. The harshness of her tone was more than enough to scare the blonde into looking her straight in the eyes. She glared at him.

"I can't believe you," she hissed. "You, of all people, acting like a helpless baby." Naruto winced at the venom in her voice. "I'm really dissapointed in you, Naruto."

"B...But Sakura-cha..." he began weakly, but he was unable to finish the sentence. Sakura slapped her hand across his face as hard as she could, much harder than she had at the hospital. She didn't care if it stung this time. She wanted it to hurt.

"Do you honestly think anyone will care what you look like? If everyone is really your friends, then they won't judge you! If they didn't judge you before, then why do you think they'll do so now?" Sakura's voice rose with each word in her anger. She was going to make him realize that it didn't matter. "Damn it, Naruto! Man up! You are not twelve anymore! You are seventeen years old! You're the strongest ninja I know, and probably even stronger now more than ever! You have Sage arts and now that you're a hanyou, you probably have more control over kyuubi than ever before! Akatsuki should quake in fear when your name is mentioned! But how can they fear you when you waddle in self pity and loathing?"

Naruto stared at her, dumbstruck. He couldn't think of a single thing to say.

"When are you going to realize that It's not what you look like or what burden you carry? Me, Naren, You're friends, love you for you!" Naruto began to look away from her, but Sakura took hold of his face and forced him to look at her, but her voice was calmer. "It's your heart of gold that people "see" when they see you, not anything else! Please, Naruto. I hate seeing you like this. I hate seeing you in pain and sadness. It's not like you. Please, Naruto, come back to me. Become your old, cheerful self again. For me, if nothing else. Please."

Naruto blinked and placed his hand over hers. Green, soothing chakra glowed around her hand, calming the sting her slap had left on his face. Closing his eyes, he nuzzled into her hand. Sakura laid her forehead against his. Finally, Naruto smiled. A genuine smile.

"Thanks Sakura-chan," he whispered. Sakura grinned. Suddenly Naruto stood up.

"Forget the bandanna," he said, grinning widely. "And forget this cloak. I'm burning up!" Naruto pulled the cloak off and tossed it aside, leaving his bushy red tail to swing freely as if it had a mind of its own. He held out his hand to Sakura. "Come on, let's see what I can do."

And with that, he grabbed her in his arms and jumped onto the rooftops. As quick as a fox, he made his way to Hokage Mountain, Sakura hanging onto his neck for dear life.

o0O0o

A tiny snake slithered into a dark room, a bandanna wrapped around its body. It made its way to its master, slithering up his leg and around his shoulders. The pale skinned young man unwrapped the bandanna from around the snake, and dispelled the summon. A simple sniff confirmed the owner of the bandanna.

It smelled of sweat, but the most prominent scent was the distinct smell of ramen. Sasuke smirked.

"What's so funny, Sasuke?" asked Suigetsu in a bored voice.

"Nothing," answered Sasuke. "Nothing at all." You haven't changed, have you Naruto?

Sasuke scowled and threw the bandana aside. The small snake was meant to stay and watch, and only return when it confirm that Naruto was in Konoha at the time. It had brought the bandana with it, but it did not confirm Naruto's whereabouts. He could have lost that months ago and be out on a mission now; not safely tucked away in the confines of that wretched village. Sighing, Sasuke stood up.

"Suigetsu, Juugo, Karin."

At his demand, said ninja came to attention. Sasuke glared at nothing in particular.

"We're going to Konoha."