Path to Legacy

A/N: Hey guys got a Naruto story here. A few things I wanna point out before I start.

-This is AU. Many things will be different, that's just how I wanted the story to go.

-This is Naru/Saku, I know a lot of people don't like that pair, but it is my favorite pair, so that's what I'm doing. I may add in a secondary pairing, but I don't know how far that will go. I find that too many pairings can kill a story, so only one secondary pair would be in the story, if I decide to throw one in.

-A lot of the Jutsu in this will be made up, because I really don't feel like going on the Wiki and looking up Jutsus. Yes I'm lazy, but I'll make them realistic. Obviously, people's main Jutsus like Rasengan, Chidori etc. will be in here.

-Everything in this story will be written in English, except I will be adding the honorifics to certain people's names, because I think it sounds a lot better. (I think Pervy Sage just sounds ridiculous)

I think that's it, so let's get this started.

Oh and I don't own Naruto. Clearly.

Chapter 1: Reflections

In the heart of The Village Hidden in the Leaves, a large mountain had the faces of four men and one woman carved into it. These faces were the faces of the Hokage, the leaders that the village has had over the years. Each one was known for their unparalleled strength and courage, especially the Fourth Hokage. The same Hokage who gave his life to protect his village when the Nine-Tailed Fox attacked The Village Hidden in the Leaves 19 years ago. On top of the Fourth Hokage's head, a 19 year old boy with blonde hair and cerulean blue eyes stared at the sky as fireworks exploded across the night sky. The rainbow of colors lit up the village with every flash, and many people looked up in awe from the festivities that went on down below the monument. Today was a day that would live in infamy to the people of the Leaf Village. On this very day, October 10th, possibly the worst day in Leaf Village history, the Nine-Tailed Fox nearly decimated the village. Only because of the valiant efforts of the Fourth Hokage did the Leaf Village survive. And the village celebrates the victory over the Nine-Tailed Fox every year on this day. But, that isn't the only special occasion on this day. Today is the birthday of Naruto Uzumaki, the unpredictable, hyperactive ninja of the Leaf Village, and the container of the Nine-Tails. He lay atop the monument just staring at the bright fireworks, thinking of his life in the past year. After a painful five years, he had finally fulfilled the promise that he made with Sakura. After getting extremely lucky and running into him on his way back from a mission, Sasuke was finally back in the village.

Flashback

Two ninja stared each other down in the middle of a war torn battlefield. Craters were scattered around them, and smoke rose from where powerful attacks had impacted moments ago. One of the boys, with jet black hair, obsidian eyes, and a katana in his hand kneeled on the ground, panting from the energy he exhausted. Cuts and bruises covered his body, and blood trickled from his mouth. The other boy, while still standing, also had serious injuries all over him. But he was smiling. Sasuke was baffled that the other boy was this strong. He had gotten stronger over the years, but the man in front of him was on a whole different level. It was nothing like the battle they had in The Valley of the End.

"How…" Sasuke said quietly. He didn't leave the Leaf Village all those years ago just to be brought back before he could carry out his revenge. "How did you beat me?"

"Because I made a promise to Sakura-Chan, and I always keep my promises. Now let's go back to-"

"NO!" Sasuke shouted as he struggled to stand. "I am NOT going back! That village is weak! I have to kill Itachi, and I won't be able to do it when I'm there!" The blonde slowly limped over to where Sasuke shakily stood. He stopped about a foot away and they stared hard at each other.

"I'm not letting you get away Sasuke, not this time. You say you would be weaker in the Leaf Village, but I don't believe you. You can have friends in the Leaf Village that give you strength. It's still not too late Sasuke, I don't want to see you hurt yourself anymore. Don't you realize what Orochimaru is doing to you?"

"It is too late. You don't get it do you Naruto? Do you think the Leaf Village will welcome me with open arms? Do you think everyone will just pretend this was a fucking dream and things will go back to the way they used to be? Don't be fucking stupid! They will hate me! Despise me for betraying the village. And they have every right to. I left the village for my own benefit…just like Itachi." Sasuke retorted angrily. His body shook with rage and hate, not only for his brother, but for himself.

"Don't say that! You're nothing like that bastard! I know things won't be the same…but I want to try. I miss you Sasuke, Sakura-Chan misses you, Kakashi-Sensei misses you. It hasn't been the same without you. And if anyone has a problem with you, they can deal with me." Sasuke grunted.

"Hmph. You truly are an idiot. I'm not going back Naruto, and that's-" Sasuke was cut off when Naruto buried his fist in Sasuke's stomach. He coughed up blood as his eyes widened and he gripped his stomach in pain. He fell to the ground in an unconscious heap. Naruto looked down at the body as he rubbed some blood away from his mouth. He picked up the body of his surrogate brother and hefted him over his shoulder. He turned and walked away from the battlefield, starting his journey back to the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

End Flashback

After he had gotten Sasuke, his team had been overjoyed. Sakura freaked out when she had seen the condition both boys were in, but quickly realized her medical skill would be needed. Naruto of course had her work on Sasuke first, because of his fast healing powers. Sakura didn't question him; she just figured that he was being selfless as usual. None of Naruto's friends knew about Naruto's tenant, and for the past few years he had been trying to work up the courage to tell them, but every time he would try, he would get so scared that they would hate him; he could never go through with it.

Flashback

Naruto, Kakashi, and Sakura walked through the streets of the Leaf Village. They were on their way to the hospital to visit Sasuke, because he was still recovering from the battle that was over a week ago. Although Naruto's injuries were not as bad, they were still pretty bad, and Sakura was wondering how Naruto got out of the hospital in just three days. She always knew he healed fast, but she never knew why.

"Hey Naruto, can I ask you a question?" The pinkette asked as they strode down the street. Naruto, with his hands behind his head, turned and smiled.

"Sure Sakura-Chan. What's up?"

"Are you fully healed yet? I mean, any normal person with those injuries would be bedridden for weeks. Now, even though you're the complete opposite of normal, no one should heal that fast. How do you do it?" Naruto's smile turned into a look of shock as his face paled. Kakashi looked at the two from the corner of his eye when he heard Sakura's question. He wasn't sure how Naruto would react to this.

"Uh…hehe…well you see…" Naruto stammered as Sakura looked at him impatiently.

"Naruto-Nii-San!" Naruto mentally thanked Kami for sending him Konohamaru at this time. He wasn't ready to answer that question yet. Kakashi mentally sighed as the crisis was averted for now.

End Flashback.

To this day, no one of the younger generation, besides Sasuke, knew about the Nine-Tailed Fox's connection with Naruto. He wanted to tell them, but he was still terrified of what their reactions might be. On multiple occasions, Jiraiya and Tsunade had tried to convince Naruto to tell his friends, but it never worked.

Flashback

"Okay, that's enough for today Naruto." Naruto panted as he slipped out of his fighting stance and collapsed onto the ground. He looked at the sky as he tried to catch his breath. Jiraiya stood across from Naruto, and he was slightly winded as well, but he wasn't about to let Naruto know that. Ever since they were back from their training trip five years ago, Jiraiya would stop in the village once every few months to have an intense training session with Naruto. Mostly because he wanted to see how the boy progressed, but also because he liked seeing the boy.

"You know Ero-Sennin I can tell you're tired. That must mean you're getting old huh?" Naruto said with a grin from his place on the ground.

"Old! I can still kick your ass easily kid. Don't forget that." Naruto sat up and yawned.

"Yea yea I hear you old man." Jiraiya's eye twitched. "Anyway, I'm gonna go try and get some ramen with Sakura-Chan."

"You mean Mini-Tsunade? You're still after her?" Naruto glared at the Toad Sage.

"Shut up. I'm not like you." Jiraiya laughed.

"Of course you're not kid. Have you told her about the fox?" Naruto looked down at the ground and sighed. "I'll take that as a no."

"Well what do you expect! How can I tell her that? 'Hey Sakura-Chan I have the demon that terrorized our village 18 years ago trapped inside my body, and he tries to break out every day. Do you wanna get some ramen with me?' Somehow I don't think that would work."

"I know you're just going to tell me to blow it out my ass, but she's not just going to hate you. She's been your friend for what, six years now? She would stick by you Naruto, you should believe in her." Naruto stood up and started to walk away.

"You're right. You should blow it out your ass." He said without turning to face Jiraiya. Jiraiya sighed and decided to pay a quick visit to Tsunade before he left the village again. If he was lucky, he would catch her drunk. With a perverted giggle, he leapt into the trees towards the Hokage Tower.

End Flashback

Naruto sighed as he watched more fireworks explode. When he heard footsteps approach him, he didn't bother to look up, he knew who it was.

"What do you want Kakashi." Kakashi sighed, he knew that when Naruto didn't use the 'sensei' part, he wasn't in a good mood.

"I can't wish one of my students a happy birthday?" Kakashi asked as he took a seat next to Naruto.

"Yea, well you're the only one."

"That's because you never told anyone what day you're birthday was." Naruto sat up and looked down at the festivities that went on below. Women squealed and men drank, all having a great time.

"You know, when I was younger, I used to pretend that all of this was for me. That everyone in the village decided to throw me a huge birthday party. But, whenever I tried to go, people would throw things at me and tell me to 'get lost demon bitch.' At the end of the day, I always ended up in my apartment alone and crying." Kakashi was shamed by the treatment the villagers gave Naruto. He was even more ashamed that he let his sensei's only son go through all of this without supporting him at all.

'Minato-Sensei, if you can hear me…I'm sorry."

"Sakura was looking for you." Naruto turned his head to Kakashi, and his eyes widened for a second, but they quickly returned to normal.

"Did you..."

"I told her I would go look for you. Do you not want to see her?" Naruto looked back over the village.

"I don't know. Did she seem worried?" Kakashi nodded.

"A lot of people were looking for you. The only one who wasn't was Sasuke, and that's because he knows why you're not there. Don't you think you could join everyone this year? It would make all of your friends happy."

"What about the villagers? They sure as hell don't want to see me."

"It's gotten better over the years; most of them are just indifferent now. And most ninja respect you. I think you could go down there and join the party without trouble." Naruto sighed and stood up. Kakashi smiled underneath his mask.

XxX

"Please Sasuke-Kun! Just one dance?" Sasuke sighed and stood up from his seat. He'd be damned if Ino ruined his night with her complaining. Normally he wouldn't have ever accepted a dance with Ino, but he had a few drinks in him already, and he was in a better mood then his usual 'fuck-off or die' mood. Ino squealed as she dragged him to the dance floor. Sakura laughed as her best friend had persuaded a half-drunk Sasuke to dance with her. She watched as Sasuke took Ino's hands and they started to dance to the upbeat music. Years ago, she would have killed Ino in a blind rage for taking her Sasuke-Kun away from her. But, lately, she hadn't been feeling anything for the Uchiha. Now she had just a platonic love for him, a brotherly love. Later she would have to tell Sasuke he was a good dancer, even while a little tipsy. She would surely get a few laughs from that. Many other couples were scattered about the dance floor, holding each other as the music played. She envied them, hell she even envied Ino a little. Her duties as a Kunoichi severely interfered with her personal life, and while she loved being a Kunoichi, she hated being alone. Ever since she moved out of her parent's house into her own apartment, she had felt lonelier than ever. Sasuke was back, which was nice, but he was only sociable to a certain point, plus he had a curfew, for obvious reasons, so he was no fun to hang out with. Ino was always out doing something, whether it be on a date or working at the flower shop. And she wasn't really good friends with the rest of the kids from her generation. Most of her time was split between missions, hospital work, and the occasional lesson from Tsunade when neither of them were busy. That only left Naruto, and she couldn't find him. She had asked Kakashi to go find him, but that had been about twenty minutes ago.

"Hey Sakura-Chan." She swiftly turned her head and her eyes met cerulean blue. She smile and stood up from her chair to hug Naruto.

"Naruto! Where have you been?"

"I uh…I was sleeping?" Naruto lied as he scratched his head.

"Idiot. How could you miss the biggest party in the Leaf Village?"

"It must have...slipped my mind I guess." Sakura put her hands on her hips and smirked.

"Well…I'll let you off the hook if you come dance with me." Naruto's eyes widened as he tried to process what he just heard.

"Y-you want me t-to dance with you…S-Sakura-Chan?" Kakashi slipped away before he intruded on anything else, but not without a perverted giggle. Naruto on the other hand, was doing mental backflips.

"Yep. Now let's go." Sakura dragged Naruto next to where Sasuke and Ino were dancing and smiled at them.

"Uh why is Sasuke dancing with Ino?" Naruto asked with a baffled expression.

"He's a little drunk." Sakura whispered in his ear. Naruto grinned. He was so going to use this against Sasuke. He quickly made his signature hand seal, and another Naruto poofed into existence. The Shadow Clone jumped away into the night, leaving Sakura with a confused look on her face.

"Where is he going?"

"He's getting a camera from my apartment." Sakura laughed as she took Naruto's hands, causing the blonde to blush profusely. Sakura noted this and giggled.

"Jeez, six years and you still can't stop the blushing." Naruto stuttered as he tried to formulate a response, but it was to no avail. "Would you shut up and dance with me now?" Naruto stopped his babbling and smiled. They started to dance, and Naruto surprised Sakura by spinning her around and catching her, and then with a few spins of his own. "Uh, Naruto, when the hell did you learn how to dance?" Naruto laughed as he lifted Sakura off the ground, causing her to squeal.

"Ero-Sennin told me I needed to learn how to dance if I ever wanted a woman to like me. So he taught me."

"Well, I must say I am surprised, and impressed. You really are Leaf Village's Number One Hyperactive Unpredictable Ninja." They danced for another few minutes, until the song ended and everyone dispersed. The Naruto clone approached Naruto after the dance and handed him a camera, and laughed before dispelling itself. Naruto put the phone in his pocket and zipped it shut. Sakura looked at the boy's clothing and laughed.

"What?" Naruto asked.

"It's just, I remember when you used to wear that orange jumpsuit." Naruto looked down at himself as he examined the new clothing he wore. When he made Jonin, Tsunade forced him to wear a different color, because he would be taking on more dangerous missions. His new attire consisted of black shinobi sandals, black Hakama pants, a fishnet undershirt, a red shirt with black along the edges, and a black Jonin vest. When he went on missions, he would wear a black cloak with the kanji for TOAD on the back. He said it was a symbol of respect for his sensei and the Fourth Hokage, and because he was currently training to become the next Toad Sage.

"Oh yea, I miss that old thing." Naruto said as he remembered his old attire. They walked back over to a table and sat down. Sasuke and Ino continued dancing, and Naruto shook his head. "I hope he's not too mad at Ino tomorrow." Sakura looked back at the duo and sighed.

"I don't think Ino will care. Right now she's in heaven." Sakura looked at her watch and realized it was 1:30. "Wow, it's that late already? I should get home, I don't want to be too tired tomorrow." Naruto stood up as she did.

"Okay, I'll walk you." Sakura smiled and they slowly made their way away from the party. They walked through the empty streets, seeing as everyone was either asleep or still at the festival.

"So, where were you really?" Naruto looked over at Sakura and scratched his head.

"I still can't lie to you can i?" Sakura shook her head.

"Nope. Now spill it."

"I was on top of the Hokage monument."

"The Hokage monument? Why were you up there?"

"Uh you know…pondering life?" Sakura looked at Naruto incredulously. "What I really was." He said as he put his hands up in defense.

"And what were you pondering?"

"Just the past few years. Finally getting Sasuke back, training with Ero-Sennin, and…other things." Sakura nodded thoughtfully.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"More than you know. But I don't think I can." Sakura was taken aback by that answer. Naruto always shared his problems; he was never scared to say something.

"Naruto…what is it?" They stopped outside of Sakura's apartment, and Naruto sighed.

"Don't worry about it Sakura-Chan, just get some sleep. I'll tell you someday." With that, Naruto jumped onto the roof of an adjacent building and building hopped into the night. Sakura unlocked her door and kicked her shoes off. She went into her room and undressed quickly, leaving on her underwear and mesh underlay. She didn't feel like changing, she was too tired. She collapsed onto her bed and snuggled in effortlessly. Before drifting off to sleep, she thought of Naruto one more time.

'Idiot. How can I not worry about you when you act like that? Naruto…what's wrong?'

XxX

A/N: Well, there's chapter numero uno. Basically just setting up the story, with a fun little Naru/Saku moment, and making fun of Sasuke is always good fun. By the way that does not mean there will be a Sasuke/Ino pairing. That was just a fun little thing I added in there. After all, alcohol can make you do crazy things. This was a little on the short side for a chapter, but I didn't want to get too far into the story. So that's where things stand at the moment. If you have any suggestions on how to have Naruto break the news to Sakura that would be great. I have a few ideas, but nothing really stands out. Anyway, expect chapter two kinda soon. Peace.