New feelings, a New jutsu and an Old Friend

Naruto sat up blurry eyed letting out a huge yawn. A quick look around the room told him that Jiraiya-sensei was already awake and had left the room. He rubbed his eyes and brushed the cover off his legs. After quickly dressing he closed his bag, slung it over his shoulder and left the room. Downstairs he found Sakura and Jiraiya waiting for him.

"Well well," said Jiraiya "Looks like you finally decided to get up."

"Sorry about that," apologized Naruto. Sakura handed him a small paper bag.

"You slept through breakfast," she said "so you'll have to eat on the road." Offering her a small smile he accepted the bag and opened it. Inside he found three meat buns he picked one out and started to eat as he followed them. They had been on the road for a few days now heading for a small trading outpost town called Tanzaku Town. Jiraiya said that Tsunade had been there for a few days and had shown no signs of leaving anytime soon.

"So Naruto I've been thinking," said Jiraiya.

"Oh yeah?" asked Naruto "about what?"

"Well I thought it was time I taught you a new jutsu," answered Jiraiya.

"A new justu?" asked Naruto.

"Yes," said Jiraiya "Observe." He held up a water balloon in front of Naruto's face. For several seconds nothing happened, Naruto raised his eyebrow in confusion. He opened his mouth to asked what exactly Jiraiya was doing when the balloon burst in his face. Then he took another from a bag Naruto hadn't realized he was carrying until now and handed it to him.

"Use your Chakra to make the balloon burst," explained Jiraiya "this is the first step of a three part process." Naruto took the balloon and stared at it. Jiraiya turned back around and continued on their way. Naruto and Sakura followed, Naruto still staring at the water balloon in his hand. He began pumping Chakra into the balloon then he began to spin it. Spinning the water faster and faster as the Chakra increased in speed. Soon he had the water at maximum speed but nothing happened. He held it for a full minute but still nothing happened. He released the Chakra and let it dissipate. He stared at it again as he pondered his predicament.

"What's going on here?" he thought to himself "What a minute, when Jiraiya-sensei did it the balloon was rough, the water was moving in all directions. Hmm this is going to be a lot tougher that I originally thought." He began channeling the Chakra into the balloon again but this time he altered the angle after every five seconds or so. Finally something happened, the balloon sprung a small leak. Naruto let out a sigh and drained the balloon before stuffing it in his pocket. He asked Jiraiya for another balloon. Jiraiya handed him another one and Naruto set to work.

For three days Naruto worked on the balloon, until finally in the mid afternoon of the fourth day while the group was eating lunch the balloon exploded in his face. Jiraiya looked up from his food with a soft smile on his face.

"Well, well looks like finally did it," he said "Do it nine more times and you can move on." Naruto nodded and picked up another balloon.

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Sakura had watched Naruto struggle for three days with the balloon and when he had finally done it she couldn't help but be proud of him. Though Jiraiya had yet to show her any jutsu, she wasn't that upset, she had not come for that. It was just a perk. No, she had come to get away from the many ghosts the Hidden Leaf Village held for her, that and she had wanted to be there to support Naruto in his training should the need arise for it. But this journey hadn't been without agony for her. She had spent a couple of nights this week awake half the night crying. Filled with memories of her fallen parents. Luckily enough those nights had stopped after the second night in a row. When Naruto had found her.

Flashback

Sakura sat on a small dock across from the inn the were staying that stretched out into a lack. Her legs were tucked under her and her face was buried in her knees. Heavy sobs racked her body as wave after wave of emotion crashed over her. Visions of her parents flashed through her brain, their faces, their smiles. The more she struggled to get her crying under control the more control she lost, she was spiraling in a vortex of despair when she felt a hand rest on her shoulder. She started and looked up, silently chastising herself for allowing herself to be snuck up on. She met the one-eyed gaze of Naruto. Genuine concern shown in that single eye, it was strange to see Naruto like this on what was considered a mission. He hardly even let his guard down within the confines of the village, but here he was standing on a dock on a mission letting genuine emotion show through his ever present mask.

"H-hey Naruto," she stammered out as she wiped at her eyes.

"Are you ok?" he asked kneeling down next to her.

"Oh, yeah," she said sadly "just... thinking," she trailed off, her gaze falling back to the water.

"About your parents?" he asked. Sakura paused for a second before nodding. Naruto placed his hand on her shoulder ans squeezed gently. "Sakura, I know I'm the last person to be talking about letting people go, but Takashi and Ami wouldn't want you to go on like this. You're an amazing person and a great ninja. Take it from me Sakura, don't let the ghosts of the past keep you from reaching your potential." With that he straitened up and walked back up the dock toward the inn, his hands in his pockets as always.

End Flashback

Sakura had spent another hour on the dock getting herself under control and sorting out her feeling before she had returned to bed.

She shifter her gaze to Naruto who was currently working on his fourth balloon. The budding feelings she had for Naruto was one thing she had been mulling over in her mind a lot lately. The more time she spent with him the larger and more powerful those feelings got. When she had been thirteen she had been convinced she was in love with Sasuke. After his death she came to realize that that was not the case. She had wanted to fit in so she convinced herself she loved him. However the feelings she was having towards Naruto were completely different. He was her hold world, she was sure that if something were to happen to him she wouldn't survive. Sakura didn't think she had come to love Naruto just yet, she was only fourteen. She thought about everything he had been through, even if she did love him it wouldn't really matter. Naruto wasn't ready to love just yet, he had let go of Sasuke, but he was still healing. He still didn't trust himself to look after his own teammates, even if every one else did. Naruto's skills were improving daily he practiced his jutsu every day on top of learning this new one. A fond smile crossed Sakura's face. She didn't love him, but she knew in time she would.

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Naruto tossed the remains of his tenth balloon in the trash and turned to Jiraiya.

"I'm ready to move on Sensei," he said in his flat voice.

"So it would seem," said Jiraiya "Here." He pulled out a rubber ball the exact same size as the balloon he had been working on. "You know the drill, get it to pop." he tossed it to Naruto who caught it and stared at it for a few minutes. Then he started to pump Chakra into it, changing angles as he had done before.

The Trio resumed their journey, they were still three days away from Tanzaku town and Jiraiya was beginning to worry that Tsunade would soon move on and he'd be back to square one. They walked until late into the evening that day stopping to make camp at about midnight. Naruto volunteered to take the first watch and sat staring into the fire, a storm raging within him. He didn't know what he was feeling, frustration over this new jutsu. Impatience, he didn't like being away from the village after a recent attack. Most of all though was confusion, he could understand why Sakura had been effecting him the way she was. Every time she smiled at him his heart raced, her tears made him grieve, and her laugh was music. Violently he shook his head riding himself of the images, this wasn't the time to be dwelling stuff like that right now. Hardening his resolve he picked up the rubber ball at his feet and concentrated on it.

In time the group arrived at Tanzaku. Naruto had managed to create a leak in the ball, but had yet to make it burst. It was late in the evening and the three were tired and in a desperate need of a rest. They found a small inn in the middle of town and walked into the lobby. Sakura was looking out the window, Jiraiya was at the counter when a loud 'POP!' caused every one in the lobby to jump out of their skin. All eyes turned on Naruto who stood in the middle of the lobby with a surprised looked on his face and his right hand out in front of him.

"Well, I did it," he said. Jiraiya let out a small chuckle.

"I guess you did," he said "Let's pick it up tomorrow, it's getting late." Naruto nodded and followed his companions up the stairs. Sakura of course got her own room and Jiraiya ended up sharing. That evening Naruto found himself sitting on the windowsill. Jiraiya had gone out to look for information, even though it was late, he said that it was the opportune time to gather information. Naruto sat gazing at the sky, that was his one comfort, though Tanzaku Town was a fair distance from the village. The sky was still the same sky.

"Knock knock," came a voice from behind him. He turned and saw Sakura standing in the door frame.

"Hey," he said turn back and gazing at the sky. Sakura walked up next to him and looked out at the sky along with him.

"What you thinking about?" she asked looking at his face. His answer was a short shrug.

"Nothing really, just thinking about this stupid jutsu, I've never struggled this much with a jutsu." he said "It's just frustrating."

"Well you got the ball to pop in the lobby didn't you?" she asked in an attempt to to cheer him up.

"Yeah but it took me five days to do it," he said "The water balloon only took three to pop ten of them." Sakura put a hand on his shoulder causing him to look back at her. She was wearing that kind smile that always seem to calm him down.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," she said "This is a really hard jutsu. Naruto just rest tonight, ok? Pick it up tomorrow." With that she turned to leave so he could sleep. He watched her back as she walked, she stopped at the door and looked back over her shoulder.

"One more thing," she said "I want you to know that whether or not you fully master the jutsu. I'm so proud of you" giving him one final smile she left the room. Naruto's half smile played on his lips as he turn back to look at the stars.

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Naruto awoke very early the following morning. Sitting up and rubbing his eyes of sleep he gazed around the room. Jiraiya was laying in the bed next to him flat on his back. Shaking his head he climbed out of bed and quickly dressed. Grabbing his backpack filled with rubber balls and jotting down a quick note for Jiraiya he left the room. Once outside he began to walk down the street on his way to the outskirts of town. As he walked he watched the citizens of Tanzaku go through their morning routines. He watched mothers and their children walking to the market or school, he saw boys his age laughing and running down the streets, free of worry, free of pain, free to chase after girls or dreams. A twinge of longing pinched in his chest. Shaking his head he picked up his pace, he didn't need to be thinking about these kind of things right now. He had a jutsu to master and a village to find a leader for.

His conversation with Sakura last night came back to his memory. That smile she had given him. The one that made him feel so good, that was his smile. She didn't smile at anyone like that. The confusion he felt that night by the fire came rushing back, what was he feeling for Sakura? He wanted to protect her, but it was more than that. She had become the cornerstone of his existence if anything were to happen to her, he has sure he would self destruct.

Suddenly he realized were he was. He was standing in a forest, void of human life, the perfect place to practice this new jutsu. He dropped his pack to the ground and pulled out a rubber ball. He planted his feet and set to work. He remembered the force he had had to use when he pumped the chakra into the ball last night. He closed his eyes and summoned the power he had used. Finding it, his eyes snapped open and he started to pump the chakra into the ball, by this point the alternating angles of chakra entrance had become second nature. After two minutes the ball popped. A surge of confidence ran in his veins and he picked up another ball. This one only took a minute. On he continued, with each popped ball his confidence grew. Finally the final ball exploded after only a few seconds.

Applause at his back caused him to turn quickly, his right hand flying to the kunai on his right hip. Once he saw who it was he relaxed. It was Jiraiya-sensei leaning against a tree.

"Jiraiya-sensei?" he asked "What are you doing out here?"

"I got your note," he said pushing himself off the tree "I can see that you've mastered this level, are you ready to proceed."

"Yes sensei," replied Naruto.

"OK then," Jiraiya said and pulled out a balloon and tossed it to him. Naruto caught it and stared at it.

"What do I do with it?" he asked.

"Here, I'll show you," Jiraiya took the balloon out of his hand and held it out in front of him. Naruto stared at it expecting the balloon to burst or something after a minute or so, he asked Jiraiya what was going on. Jiraiya held up his other hand.

"The same thing that is going on in my right hand I can do in my left hand," he replied. Before Naruto's eyes a sphere of pure spiraling chakra appeared in Jiraiya's hand. "This is Rasengan," explained Jiraiya "It is a jutsu created by the Fourth Hokage himself. You must maintain the speed, rotation and power while keeping it inside the balloon. Naruto, this level of the training is ten times more difficult than anything you have even done. However if you manege to master it, the Rasengan will become yours. I have faith in you and so does Sakura, make us proud Naruto." With that he tossed the balloon back to Naruto and turned to leave. Naruto watched him leave the awesome sight of the jutsu still fresh in his mind. He looked down at the balloon in his hand this was it, the moment of truth was finally upon him, he was ready to advance to the next level. He close his eyes and set to work.

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Eight hours later Naruto laid on his back gazing up into the canopy with his one eye half lidded. He was so tired, the jutsu had taken a lot out of him. He hadn't even come close to mastering it. Heaving a great sigh he sat up, propping himself up on his arms. He needed to head back into town, he wanted to see Sakura. He stood up and picked up his bag of balloons. He trek back to town was a bit of a long affair but eventually he walked into the hotel and to his room. As he expected Jiraiya was missing, probably out looking for clues to Tsunade's whereabouts. He dropped off his bag and next door to Sakura's room. He knocked gently. After a minutes or so Sakura answered the door, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"Hey Naruto," she said "Where have you been?" Naruto rubbed his neck a sheepish look on his face.

"I was out training," he said gently looking back into her eyes not quite sure what to expect. What he found surprised him. Her eyes were soft and bright, the only thing he could could think of to compare it to was grass. Soft newly sprouted green grass.

"Training?" she asked "why are you acting so nervous?"

"I don't know," he replied "I thought you would think that ridiculous."

"Ridiculous?" she repeated "Naruto, that's why you came with Master Jiraiya. To learn and train. No I think that it's perfect. Now Master Jiraiya wanted us to meet him for dinner." Naruto nodded his agreement and followed her out of the inn.

Jiraiya met them outside a small tavern where he had planned to eat. It was a bit on the seedier side, but he was here for another propose as well. This was the kind of place Tsunade was known to visit.

"Hey Naruto," the white-haired mentor greeted his student.

"Hello Jiraiya-sensei," Naruto replied his stoic mask ever present.

"How's the jutsu coming along?" asked Jiraiya. Naruto shrugged.

"Not too well," he answered. Jiraiya's smile never faltered.

"You'll get there, don't be too hard on yourself," he said "its a tough A-rank jutsu, it'll take time but you'll get there." With that Jiraiya led the two genin into the tavern. As soon as he walked inside he scanned the room and finally found what he was looking for. A woman with blonde hair going down her back in two ponytails and a teal diamond on her forehead. She was sitting next to a young woman with short black hair and wearing a black kimono

"Tsunade!" he called across the room causing Naruto and Sakura to look around the place. The woman in question gazed at the man for a minute before replying.

"Jiraiya?" she asked clearly confused "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you," said the man as he sat in the booth across from her. Naruto insisted the Sakura sit in the booth as well, electing to sat instead with his back to the booth, watching for danger.

"Me?" asked Tsunade her confusion clearly growing. "Why?"

"Because in all it wisdom the Konoha has chosen you as the Fifth Hokage," said Jiraiya. The reaction Tsunade gave was nothing like any of them expected. She laughed.

"You must be joking," she said "Me? The Fifth Hokage? So old man Sarutobi must have finally keeled over." Jiraiya's reply was dark.

"Sarutobi-sensei was murdered," he said clearly catching Tsunade and her companion off guard. "By and old friend of ours actually."

"Orochimaru," said Tsunade looking down at her cup of sake. Jiraiya nodded.

"Indeed," he replied.

"So the snake finally came out of hiding," continued Tsunade.

"So what do you say Tsunade? Will you accept the title?" he asked. Tsunade scoffed.

"Tch, Impossible," she said "I refuse. The old man was a fool, and only a fool would want that job."

"That's enough," came the cold icy voice of Naruto who had yet to turn around "Not one more word."

"You got something to say kid?" demanded Tsunade. Naruto turned to look at her, one look at his face and she knew who he was.

"I don't know who you are and I damn sure don't care who you think you are," said Naruto "You will not bad mouth Lord Hokage in my presence. He was a great leader and an even better man." Tsunade was clearly caught off guard by the intensity in the boy voice. But the one visible eye he had made her skin crawl, it was void of an emotion at all. Nothing but an empty pool of cold ice. Sakura swallowed hard, she had rarely seen Naruto like this. Her time with him made it so she could pick up on things no one else noticed. Like the stiffness in his shoulders, his clenched fist, and his taught jaw. Naruto was livid and this Tsunade lady was making it worse.

"What?" growled Tsunade "You're trying to tell me what to do? You wanna take this outside boy?" Naruto's steely gaze bore into Tsunade's eyes, but it had no effect on the Sanin, she had seen more horrifying things in the war. Without replying Naruto turned and walked out of the Tavern. Sakura immediately leaped up and ran after him. She wrapped her arms around his right one, trying to get him to look at her. He didn't.

"What are you doing?" she asked "You don't have to do this. You have nothing to prove Naruto."

"Yes I do," he replied "The title of Hokage is very important, its time she learns that." Sakura's heart fell, she knew there was nothing she could do to change his mind. They arrived outside and Sakura released his arm and stood on the side of the street. Tsunade, her companion and Jiraiya arrived shortly after. Jiraiya and the dark haired girl joined Sakura while Tsunade stood in the street twenty feet or so from Naruto.

"Hey kid one question before this all goes down," said Tsunade "Not that I care, but what make you so touchy about Hokage?"

"Because unlike you," said Naruto "it is my goal. You remember this: To be Hokage, that is my dream." A look of shock crossed Tsunade's face. Naruto took advantage of her distraction and attacked, instantly closing the gap he attacked her with a heavy kick. She dodged by back flipping away. Undeterred Naruto attacked again. However Tsunade counter attacked with a bone crushing punch, that thankfully Naruto dodge and leaped away. Letting out a long breath Naruto pulled his headband from his face and held out his right hand. Immediately the chirping began.

"Naruto no!" shouted Jiraiya but it was too late. Naruto vanished from sight and reappeared in front of Tsunade.

"Chidori!" he yelled spearing his hand at Tsunade. Tsunade caught his hand and threw him to the side.

"So Sharingan and the Chidori," stated Tsunade "got any other surprises?" Naruto smirked his dark smirk and held up his hand palm up. Instantly the small Chakra sphere appeared. He raced at Tsunade. The woman instantly recognized the move and countered. Using an ax kick she split the ground, causing Naruto to stumble foreword and hit the ground instead. The shock wave threw Naruto backwards knocking him unconscious. Sakura immediately raced to his side and tried to shake him awake.

"Sakura, once he awake take him to the inn," Sakura nodded and shook the boy awake and helped him towards the inn.

"Shizune, go back to our hotel and pack we're leaving in the morning," said Tsunade. Shizune obeyed vanishing from sight.

"Tell me Jiraiya, who is that boy?" requested Tsunade.

"His name is Naruto Uzumaki," said Jiraiya.

"And is he?" started Tsunade

"The Son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, yes," he replied to her half asked question "and no he doesn't know. So do you plan on accompanying us then."

"I suppose so," she said still watching after "There's something about that boy. Are you the one who taught him Rasengan?"

"Of course I am," replied Jiraiya.

"Do you really think he could master it?" she asked sceptically.

"Tsunade, I believe he has the potential to surpass even his father," said Jiraiya meaning every word of it. Tsunade shook her head with a smile on her face.

"You know I never would have believed you unless I had fought him," she said rolling up her sleeve. There on her right bicep was a shallow slice gushing blood. "That boy is something else."

Jiraiya only nodded.

"Naruto Uzumaki huh? He really is something else."

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Ok so a few explanations first off no I didn't forget about Tsunade's fear of blood, it will be addressed later. And Orochimaru didn't attack because he will be a much bigger player later on and I don't want to show his hand too soon. Thanks for your patience and understanding. One last thing: My wife's illness had made it very difficult for her to beta read for me, so I am looking for a new beta reader. Any body who is interested please send me a PM. Thank you all.

"Even though the morrow is barren of promises; nothing shall forestall my return."