Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Crossing to the Other side ❯ Team GAI ( Chapter 11 )

 

 

 

Uchiha Itachi stared blankly at the expanse of mountains and flatland lain out before him in what could have been an offering if he were a more vain human, but he reflected I want power. Closing his eyes he replayed the incident in his mind, red hair pulled into a ponytail she had charged him without hesitation, hazel eyes piercing him distracting his focus from the quarry they had come to collect. It was unexpected to say the least not only had she managed to release the blonde but also occupied Kisame sufficiently with a single clone then making three more she charged him. He grudgingly had to admit she had promise especially being so obviously inexperienced it reminded him of the first time they had come after Naruto-kun and Sasuke had shown up. It wasn't until he was gripping the girls arms did he notice the half formed Sharingan glaring back at him, yes there had been fear but he got the distinct impression that it was not for herself. The defiance in those eyes as the Sharingan spun angered him, years ago the same look had come into Sasukes eyes as he battled his older brother to save a friend. This would complicate things and another thought disturbed the young man. So what, he wondered, had stopped him from killing her?

Similar thoughts flew threw another Uchiha's mind as he studied the young red haired woman talking to his brother, the blonde fidgeted with his black shirt and in a nervous gesture from childhood he rubbed the back of his head and grinned at the girl.

“I wonder if they have any ramen?” Sakura groaned.

“Did you have to be a ramen freak like him?!” the pink haired kunichi thumped her best friend on the shoulder good naturedly.

“I am not a `Ramen Freak' I just like it no where near as much as Naruto though!” Kat was smiling widening her eyes in mock innocence. Naruto pouted sticking his tongue out at the two women, Kat rolled her eyes looking up at the sky as a hawk cried out then swooped down to land on Kakashi's out stretched arm. He removed the message tube on the birds leg unrolled it and read to his team.

“Reinforcements on the way, team Gai,” Sasuke groaned.

“Great the green spandex freaks that's all we need.” Sakura struggled to not laugh as Naruto shot Sasuke a glare. He was fond of Rock Lee even if his fashion sense left much to be desired and the crying and hugging Gai and Lee saw fit to exhibit at times was unnerving.

“Who?” Kat asked, one red brown eyebrow raised the other drawn down in a one-sided frown.

“Oh I forgot you haven't meet Rock Lee and Gai.” Sakura began but was cut off by a loud cry and two leaping bodies.

“THE POWER OF YOUTH!!” Sasuke and Kakashi both pinched the bridge of their noses as Kakashi finished the last of the message.

“should arrive before this message reaches you.”

Sakura managed to look both startled and irritated. Kat after being startled looked hard at two males clad in green jump suits and flack jackets of the same color. Their hair style was the same thick eyebrows above round black eyes so that the pupils were barely visible and they both smiled giving a thumbs up. Kats eyes grew wider and her lips twitched at the corners she cocked her head to the side like a dog hearing a high-pitched nose and blinked rapidly. Behind the two `enthusiastic' men stood another pair, the man was dressed in flowing white robes and long dark brown hair his eyes where almost clear and he was shaking his head beside him his female companion wore a pained expression her brown hair was in two buns on either side of her head and she wore a light pink sleeveless shirt that buttoned from the neck down and black pants with several pockets.

“AH my youthful rival Kakashi-san, your cool aloof attitude has finally admitted that I am the only one who can help you!” the older green clad Jounin announced he winked at the silver haired Kakashi who regarded him silently before asking.

“Did you say something?” By then the other members of Gai's team were standing with Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura, Kat who was still standing next to Naruto watched as the man seethed at the slight before pumping his arm in the air and declaring loudly he would defeat his opponent.

The twitching of her lips finally betrayed Kat and she started laughing as the younger man Rock Lee pumped his arm in the air shouting out “GAI_SENSEI!” she was laughing so hard by the time they were crying and hugging she was sure she would either wet her pants or pass out. She wasn't the only one laughing by then either, apparently Naruto found it funny to, Sakura wasn't much better off she was leaning on Ten-Ten who was struggling to maintain her composure but losing the battle rapidly. The only ones not laughing were Sasuke and Neji, Kat couldn't help but whisper to Naruto, “Oi he looks constipated.” She indicated Sasuke as he scowled at the duo, Neji wore a similar expression and she nudged Naruto again indicating Neji this time. This only caused them both to laugh harder which drew Sakura's attention so they had to repeat the observation to her. Sakura had lost her Fan girl obsession over the Uchiha some time ago, she still loved him deeply was in love with him as a matter of fact but she had to admit the disapproval and dark scowl both young men where wearing was reminiscent and with Ten-Ten choking trying hard not to fall down laughing she gave into the desire.

Rock Lee made his way over to them smiling cautiously at the group of his friends who seemed to have lost their minds.

“Hello Sakura-san, Naruto-kun. I was informed before we left that your team had a new member?” He smiled at Sakura and Ten-Ten with genuine warmth before looking at Kat.

“Oi Fuzzy Eyebrows this is Kat.” Naruto announced for her, Kat bowed to the older teen.

“Ryuu Katsuo.” She straightened and extended her hand to Lee.

“I am Rock Lee it is a pleasure to meet you.” He shook her hand smiling, thinking privately, `so this is the Tajijutsu specialist, maybe I can get him to teach me a few things.” Beside her Naruto felt his hackles rise at the look Kat was giving Lee, it surprised him in its intensity.

“ Looking for a mate already brat?” a rumbling voice called tauntingly.

` “Shut it damn fox!”'

` “BRAT, you are megering with me you will experience this on a larger scale now as will I!'”

` “BAKA Fox!'” he snarled at the voice before focusing on the conversation around him. Sasuke was studying him intently so there was no way his brother hadn't noticed the far off look in his eyes. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head slightly Sasuke getting the message that he would talk to him latter about it. During the brief exchange with the demon Kyuubi Kat was already setting up a time to meet with Rock Lee for some tajijutsu training, Naruto growled in the back of his throat which caught ever ones attention and he grinned somewhat more forcefully then usual.

“Hey I'm hungry lets get something to eat.” Rubbing his stomach and giving the impression that he was starving. Kat ,Sakura and Ten-Ten took the lead, Neji and Lee following close behind. Sasuke turned to follow walking at a slower pace as the blonde walked beside him.

“So what was that all about?” he asked. The blonde shinobi glared at the ground in front of his feet as they walked.

“Baka Fox said I was looking for a mate.” He mumbled, it was several seconds before he realized that Sasuke was no longer walking beside him. He turned around to find the darker shinobi giving him a blank stare.

“What do you mean, `mate'? Why?” Naruto's face took on a red glow and he looked anywhere but at his otouto as he answered.

“The baka fox thinks I am looking for a mate cause I didn't like the way Rock Lee was,” Sasuke cut him off.

“Sakura?” he demanded, Naruto didn't miss the tension that was in the young mans voice any one else would have missed it.

“no.” hesitating he looked up under his bangs at him.

“Who then dobe?” Sasuke had an idea now that he knew what had taken place in the others head between the fox and him. The blonde mumbled something that was jumbled in a growl.

“Say it again Baka I cant read your mind!” The blonde glared at him before walking right up to his face well within the others personal bubble; his eyes flashed red and the pupils slitted.

“Kat.” The shinobi's voice was a growl almost feral, the whisker marks on his face deepened then receded the only evidence of his emotional state his slitted pupils. Sasuke regarded his brother with mild concern, he had faced the power of the Kyuubi before and wasn't afraid for himself but he was worried for his friend.

“Naruto are you going to be able to control the kyuubi's power?” Naruto growled softly, it was a less menacing sound almost a purr like the young man was trying to reassure him.

“Yeah, baka fox said this would happen as we mergered.” Meaning his emotional response to things would be slightly more intense then usual.

“How long?” Sasuke wanted to find out as much as he could before Naruto clamed up again, for an open and happy person the teen was reflexively closed about anything to do with the Kyuubi.

“A month or two.” `If I survive the merger.' He added silently, he had no intention of telling any of them that, after much bickering with the Fox demon he had a little over a month before the merger was complete the fox's consciousness would be absorbed as would his power and there was the distinct possibility he could die. The Kyuubi had be closed mouthed out of stubbornness because the creature in his opinion was afraid to die, but had final revealed the timeline along with some changes to expect. He knew from what the fox told him he would have a normal human life span, he would continue to heal like he always had, his senses would get stronger as would his physical strength one obvious change would be his eyes they would remain blue in color but the pupils would become slitted permanently. His blonde hair would remain as well but his chakra would change color mixing with the kyuubi's becoming more powerful if he survived. While all these thoughts ran though his brain, Sasuke was watching him carefully. `What are you not telling me dobe?'

“Coming on I really am hungry, teme.” Grinning his wide foxy grin the blonde jogged a few steps away halting to wait for his brother.

“Ursatonchi.” Sasuke snorted falling into step, he would talk to Sakura and Kakashi about what he had discovered leaving the mate part out, Naruto deserved that at least he could tell them him self if he wanted.