Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Demons of No Hope ❯ Into the new cage, all tied up, with trouble knocking ( Chapter 5 )

Demons of No Hope

-Into the new cage, all tied up, with trouble knocking

-Last time

My heart is heavy; I left one cage for another. One master for another. A whole new round of threats.

 

Continuing-

I walk slightly behind the other three, kinda off to the right. I can tell already that it bugs Kakashi-sensei to no end. I sense Kyuubi also screening the area. I know he is watching as well, mostly to assure the safety of Sasuke. My head snaps up as I hear something about to strike Sasuke. My kunai dagger is out and I am suddenly in front of Sasuke deflecting the shuriken that had come flying towards him. I spring forwards and disappear into the thickets, hunting out the enemy.

 

Sasuke was frozen. `where the hell did he come from? Where did that attack come from?'

 

Sakura was frozen. `what the hell?' -DID SOMEONE JUST ATTACK MY SASUKE-KUN?-

 

Kakashi had followed after Naruto. `huh, not even to the target point and already we're on a mission. I hope Naruto doesn't get himself killed.'

 

He needn't have worried. I am sitting back and watching my prey dangle from a tree. I absently throw a shuriken and watch it bury into the tree trunk behind him. My prey squirms helplessly tied upside down.

 

Kakashi lands next to Naruto. “it's not nice to play with your enemies, Naruto.”

 

I only smirk. He knows I could have killed him and you wouldn't have been able to find the body. No matter. Kyuubi is pleased. You have learned well, kit. And it's always proper to tease one's victim before consumption. `Not nice, Kyuubi. You know as well as I do, that I can't do that. Then I would surely be caged and you and I won't taste freedom for many years.' Kyuubi is silent. He knows as well as I do, that this minor freedom has a time limit. I can already sense the impending cage again; can almost taste the iron bars. I mentally shiver and blink back into focus. Kakashi-sensei is grilling the attacker. I merely sit farther back as Sasuke and Sakura run up. They freeze upon sight of captured opponent.

 

`Naruto managed to catch somebody?' Sakura thought.

 

Sasuke blinked, `I didn't even sense him. Naruto….'

 

I glance at Sasuke from the corner of my eyes, he seems mad. Was it wrong to deflect harm? I glance at Sakura. I gulp nervously. Apparently it was the wrong move to make. Now she thinks I had something to do with this. Why didn't I defend my elders? Why didn't I stay in Konohoa? Why didn't I just stay where everyone wanted me? I really got to stop feeling sorry for myself. But it isn't helping. There are others on the way. They aren't after Sasuke as I first thought. They're after me. I swallow hard. They've always been after me. Only this time since I'm out of the Hokage's eyes, they can attempt to capture me. Or kill me. Which ever was worse. I begin to shiver again.

 

Sasuke glanced at Naruto. `what the hell is he thinking? His chakra is flickering again.'

 

Sakura glanced at Sasuke, `while I'm glad he's not hurt' she glared at Naruto, `he had no right to show him up like that!'

 

Kakashi was worried. He knew as much as Naruto did now. He glanced at Naruto even while the imprisoned died from a stray kunai from afar. (the captured were not allowed to talk) `what am I supposed to do now? How can I return him to that cage?'

 

I glance up at Kakashi. I know he knows. I know his dilemma. I speak quietly, trusting Sasuke and Sakura won't overhear. It is nightfall now, and we are around the campfire. “Kakashi-sensei? I'll head back to Konohoa. You can continue on with them. Take them to wherever you're going to train them. The black ops aren't more than a day's walk behind. I'll work my way back to them.” I whisper quietly. I am so close to feeling defeated. There is no way out of my cage. My cage keeps me safe. It keeps them safe. I won't take lives. Not any more than I have to. After all, I am a ninja in training. Will always be a ninja in training.

 

Kakashi looked grim. “No, you're staying with the pod, Naruto. We're not beat yet.”

 

I look up at him. “You don't get it, do you? There's more behind the one that I caught today. They're after me. They couldn't get to me back in Konohoa. Now they can. Now that they can, they won't hesitate to kill to get to me.” I say quietly. “I won't endanger their lives.”

 

Kakashi frowns, “Naruto, what do you think will happen if you head back? What will happen to them? You just showed us that you could sense them and their attacks. You prevented Sasuke from taking one in the throat.”

 

I wince. “Kakashi-sensei, I won't endanger them.” I protest.

 

Kakashi's frown deepens, “Naruto, you will endanger them more by leaving them here in the open.”

 

I scowl. “Fine. There are black ops up ahead. Four days travel. I'll join up with them there and head back to Konohoa. That should divert the oppressors.”

 

Kakashi near scowls, “Naruto, you are a part of this team. You will stay with this pod.”

 

I almost laugh. “Until when? You do realize I have to go back eventually, right?” I say quietly, feeling more alone than ever just then. “It doesn't exactly matter when. I can feel it. That… cage. It's so close…” I trail off and look away, into the black shadowed trees around us. “there's a time limit to how long this “freedom” lasts, Kakashi-sensei. Even I know that.” I say bitterly.

 

Kakashi is silent.

 

Sasuke and Sakura glance over at the two.

 

“What do you suppose they are talking about, Sasuke-kun?” Sakura asked.

 

Sasuke frowns. “Probably what happened today.” `Why couldn't I feel that attack?'

 

Sakura frowned. “How did Naruto know about that shuriken?” `Sasuke almost died….'

 

Sasuke frowned more, “He sensed it. Somehow.”

 

Sakura snorted. “As if. He's no far advanced than us.”

 

Sasuke glanced at her. “….you saw him in the gym… he's a bit along.”

 

Sakura gritted her teeth. “the Hokage wouldn't have let him get this far, if he was capable of that.” She said.

 

Sasuke scowled. “you didn't sense the black ops behind and in front of us? Ensuring that we get to our destination intact?”

 

Sakura stilled. `What?' she glanced at Naruto and Kakashi.

 

Kakashi had stood to greet the black ops agent that appeared. He conversed with him quietly.

 

Naruto hugged his knees, watching the fire flicker. I glance up and watch them converse. Why do they talk as if I am not here? What have I done to deserve this treatment? I was just a babe when it happened. Why can't they treat me like everyone else?

 

Kakashi gritted his teeth. Even Gaara was being attempted to be assassinated. He glanced down at Naruto. How could he let this boy go back to that place? He had to take him away from them all. He glared at the Black Ops Agent. “No. We will go on as planned.”

 

The black ops agent frowned behind his kitsune mask. “we will be four days ahead and one day behind. Don't think we won't be watching.”

 

“Where were you when someone nearly killed Sasuke?” Kakashi hissed.

 

The black ops agent froze. “someone attacked Uchiha?”

 

Kakashi gritted his teeth. “inardvently.”

 

The black ops eye's narrowed. “Someone's after Uzumaki.” It wasn't a question.

 

Kakashi slowly nodded.

 

The black ops glanced at Naruto.

 

I look at the ground. It's my fault. It's all my fault. It's always my fault. Nothing would have happened if I had stayed in Konohoa. Nothing will befall them if I had stayed. Now I brought trouble to their doorstep. I am trouble.

 

The black ops frowned severely. “We'll change tactics. We'll be a day's ahead and half a day's behind. Should trouble befall, just use this whistle.” He handed over a small flute like whistle. “And we'll come. If we hear commotion, we'll come.” He said gravelly. “One will be reporting back to the Hokage about this matter. He is too dangerous to be allowed to go any farther.

 

I look once more at the ground. I should go back. I hear what's happened to Gaara. I fear worse is planned for me if I don't return to my cage. Why couldn't I be normal? Why is it that I have to endure this? Kyuubi is silent as I allow a small sliver into my bloodstream, I glance faintly up at the black ops, and he is eyeing me suspiciously. I know I don't have much time until they figure out what I am doing. I don't have time. Time is not on my side it seems. Nothing is.