Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Death ❯ Morning ( Chapter 8 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Hello everyone! I'm advertising two of my other stories. One is originally a one-shot that now has a few cahpters- teh whole thing is posted and you can find it under the title 'Sorrow'. It's an angst piece about Naruto being depressed, attempting suicide, but it has a happy ending. (Interpret that as you will, but I cried when proof-reading it. I think you'll like it.)
I also have one that I don't have a title for yet, but it has a teaser and it's posted at the bottom of this chapter- that's why this is so long. The teaser is actually the whole first chapter of my next story and I will probably have more written before I post.
Okay, on with the main event!

Demon eyes opened. The creature stood in its cage, stretching its back and its nine-tails. It had had a nice nap, but now it was back to business.
Kyuubi walked towards the bars of the cage. It glanced at the seal. The piece of paper that had appeared on his bars- the seal- and been so formidable now looked a great deal weaker. Experimentally, Kyuubi pushed some of his chakra out to 'feel' the seal. The barrier protecting the seal was very weak- it seemed like most of the strength the seal had was going to keeping Kyuubi in his cage.
'It will last for a while yet.' Kyuubi thought, hackles rising at the prospect. The boy he was sealed in would not likely let Kyuubi take control again, and the fox knew he was not so fortunate that his host would get raped or recieve mental wounds like that again. He would have to rely on his own strength to remove the seal.
Kyuubi studied the seal again. It had once looked unmoveable, and his chakra used to be unable to touch it. Now... he let his chakra flare, burning a small bit of the seal. Kyuubi let out a smaller amount, but concentrated it into a small ball. He nearly cursed when it didn't go through.
'The barrier around that damn piece of paper lets nothing but the widest spread of chakra go through.' he thought. It would take a great deal of chakra to break it. Kyuubi laid down and began his daunting task.

Naruto sat up. He had just woke up, and you could easily tell because his eyelids were still half closed. He yawned, stretching his arms up in the air. He still felt tired, but content at the same time. Maybe it had to do with his dreams...
Naruto suddenly stopped stretching, remembering what most of his dreams had been about. He suddenly felt violated all over again. He brought his knees up to his chest and hugged them close. He let his neck relax until his forhead touched his knees. Most of his dreams had been about those men... and what they had done to him. Others had been about what his friends would say, how they would react... he shuddered again when he remembered the one about Sasuke's reaction. Sasuke had looked at him as though he were the lowest form of life on the planet and then smirked coldly.
'What else can you expect from a dobe? He was too weak to protect himself from weaklings like that. Assign to someone else's team- I can't babysit when we go on missions.' Sasuke's voice reverberated in his mind. He knew it was just a dream, but it had hurt. Another dream he had had was one where Sasuke had pitied him- Naruto couldn't stand that. He couldn't accept pity from anyone, especially not Sasuke.
"Are you awake, dobe?" a voice asked from the other side of the room. Naruto looked up, putting his legs down quickly. He glared at the speaker, who was now smirking. Sasuke was leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen, looking cool as ice except for a large bruise marring his cheek.
"I'm obviously awake!" he said. Sasuke took on a serious expression and straightened up.
"I'm not here to tease you. Your trial is today." Naruto blinked.
"Trial? They're not going to..." Naruto hesitated to say the word 'kill', but Sasuke got his meaning.
"No, you no longer have to worry about being killed. Your sentence is on hold until we see if we can get the order overturned." Naruto blinked stupidly again. Overturned? Was that even possible?
Sasuke caught his dumbfounded look and sighed.
"Have you never heard of the process of overturning an order?" Naruto shook his head. Sasuke explained it to him, somehow making it seem so obvious that it was practically a crime that Naruto didn't remember the process. It had the added bonus of making Naruto feel like a complete idiot. Naruto brightened when he heard about it.
"So I probably won't be killed?" he asked. Sasuke nodded, then raised an eyeborw.
"You do realize that you'll have to tell the other genins about..." he nodded at Naruto. Well, at Naruto's stomach, where the seal was.
Naruto glanced down, almost staring at where the seal was. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words died on his tongue. What was there to say?
A loud knock on the door interrupted Naruto's train of thought. Sasuke left to answer it, returning a moment later with Iruka and Sakura.
"Naruto!" Iruka said, running over to the boy. "How are you feeling?" he asked. Naruto quickly smiled, though his smile had lost a lot of its usual joy.
"I'm fine Iruka-sensei!" Iruka felt like sighing in disappointment. Naruto apparently stil kept quiet about what had happened to him- how could he help Naruto if Naruto wouldn't talk about it?
"Hi Naruto." Sakura said, smiling at him. He grinned back.
"Hi Sakura-chan! What do you have behind your back?" he asked, apparently curious. Sakura slung the backpack off of her shoulders and began digging through it. Various makeup products and brushes came out before Sakura finally found what she was looking for- a few pack sof instant Ramen and Naruto's forhead protecter.
'My forhead protector!' Naruto thought, a small touch of gladness lighting his eyes up. He took it from her outstretched hand and looked at it, smiling.
"Thank you, Sakura-chan." A loud bang and a puff of smoke announced the arrival of a silver-haired jonin.
"Yo, Naruto." Kakashi said in greeting. "Your trail is in about an hour. Get dressed." He tossed something at Naruto, who caught it on reflex.
It was an orange jumpsuit like he usually wore- but it was new. Naruto was touched.
"Thanks guys..." he said. Sasuke sighed with impatience, but -truth be told- he was happy that Naruto was acting more like himself.
"Get dressed already, dobe. It'll be more work for us if you arrive late." Naruto nodded and went to the nearby bathroom to quickly change.

Naruto stared at himself in the mirror. He had gotten dressed in his new clothes, but he hadn't put his head protector on yet. He smiled at himself in the mirror, practicing.
'As long as I act the same as I always do, no one will know the difference!' he assured himself, trying out his grin. It looked the same as always. 'No one has to know.' He finished practicing and stared at his Leaf forehead protector. He picked it gentley up and fastened it when it belonged. He gave himself one last look in the mirror before going out to join his friends so they could walk to the stadium where all of Konoha's most important meetings were held.

Ino paced back and forth, not content to simply sit and think. She had been waiting for a half hour in the room that she and her fellow nins were now in, and was bored beyond belief.
"Ino, just sit down." Shikamaru said, laying on the carpeted floor and staring at the ceiling. "Your pacing is-"
"Is WHAT?" she demanded. He sighed and shut up. It would be too bothersome, getting into a verbal fight with Ino.
"Nothing." he said. She resumed her pacing, not knowing that he was watching her. He sighed again, with longing.
"I'm going to pick up more snacks. Anyone want any?" Choji asked, having run out of potato chips and various other junk food a moment ago. The genin replied with various negative answers.
"When are we going to learn this sercret?" Kiba asked, petting Akamaru. "What's the big deal?"
"It may help up in Naruto-kun's trial." Hinata said softly.
"Doesn't mean I'm not bored." Kiba said. Suddenly, the door opened. In walked Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, Iruka, Kakashi, and- most surprising- the Hokage. The nins in the room knew instantly that this was a big secret they were about to get told- why else would the Hokage be there?
"Sakura-chan!" Lee said, grinning hugely at her. He waved enthusiastically until she waved weakly back, a bit embarrassed by Lee's attention. The Hokage cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to him. He regarded them with tired eyes.
"It's good to see all of you here, ready to defend your teammate. The trial is in a few minutes, and we have something to tell you before it starts. If you don't want to defend Naruto after this, then you may go."
"What is this 'secret' Hokage-sama?" Neji asked respectfully. By the way the other's were assembled around Naruto, it had to be something horrible. Naruto was staring at the ground, with his sensei's flanking him and Sakura and Sasuke standing nearby with the Hokage. Sakura kept stealing glances at Naruto, not hiding it that well. Sasuke glanced at him less, and those galnces were much better hidden.
"Just so you know, this does not leave this room." Kakashi told them. "This is important- give your word as shinobi that you will not speak to anyone about this." The surprised nins all nodded.
"It starts years ago, back when the Fourth was alive." the Hokage said. He took in a deep breath and was about to continue when Naruto interrupted.
"I'll tell them."

Yay! Another chappie out! Sumimasen, minna-san for making you wait. (as I said in my last note, I am very praise-motivated... a character fault) The next one should be out soon!
I am also starting a new fanfic soon. the title isn't decided yet, but it will more likely than not be updated more often than this one. It will be called something like 'Demon War', but that is subject to change. EXCERPT AND TEASER BELOW:
There was a time not too long ago when humans and demons warred over something the humans did not understand. The humans had ignorantly built their hidden villages over places held sacred to demons, desecrating them. While the demons could have stood their intuding into their territory, they would not stand for their holy grounds to be ruined by ignorant humans. Hoping to scare them off, they attacked and killed many. The humans- hurt and confused- retaliated. Thus, a great war between ninja and demons stared. A few ninja villages sank into oblivian while others stayed to fight to the bitter end. On the battlefield, soon only Sand and Leaf stood against the might of the demon leaders. The nins of Konoha and Sand fought proudly and courageously and killed many demons, just as they themselves were being killed.
This is where the story starts. A story of war, blood, and death, but also joy, love, and rebirth.

Shukaku stood before the leader of the demon army. Kyuubi just looked at him, seemingly distinterested in the information Shukaku was giving him.
"Sixty-three dead and one hundred five wounded. The humans ambushed us as we approached and escaped with fewer casualties."
"Why did our spy not tell us?" Kyuubi asked, annoyedas he blinked his blood-red eyes.
"Dead as well. He was found out yesterday and killed. They tortured him and got today's plans out of him, so they were ready for us." Kyuubi sighed and shifted restlessly.
"I will send another spy to Leaf and Sand." Shukaku said.
"If you want something done right, do it yourself." Kyuubi muttered. The Nine-Tails stood up. "I will go to Leaf and you can take Sand." Shukaku nodded. He had expected something like this after the most recent losses. The previous spies had been captains, and almost as skilled as Shukaku and Kyuubi. They still didn't last a week, though.
"When do we start the infiltration?" Shukaku asked.
"Now." Kyuubi disappeared, heading for Konoha. Shukaku turned and informed the restless demons that there would be no attacks for a while- more intelligence would be gathered. They were not to move until they had orders. Then he, too, disappeared.

Two Anbu guarded the front gate of Konoha, senses sharp for anything amiss. After the demon attack this morning, they had been sharper than ever.
A small twig cracked off the path. One of the Anbu- wearing an eagle mask- stepped out a few steps.
"Who's there?" he asked calmly, drawing a small kunai and preparing to throw.
"Maa maa, I didn't do anything!" an obnoxious voice called. A blond teen stumbled out from the trees lining the path. he held his hands up, but the gesture looked almost mocking, coming from him. His blue eyes stared straight into the eyes of the masked Anbu.
"State your name and business." the other Anbu said. The blond looked at the other, then smiled.
"Uzumaki Naruto. I want to help with the war."

A lone figure approached the gates of the Sand. The setting sun and desolate landscape made a very nice backdrop for the man. His red hair shone as the last tendrils of dying light hit it. His cold eyes seemed to fit the desert. A guard at the gate stopped him before he reached the Hidden Village of the Sand.
"State your name and business." He looked directly at the man before replying in a cold voice.
"Gaara. I'm here to offer my services."

As expected, they didn't believe him. Naruto smiled placatingly at the man that he had been brought before so that the Anbu at the gate could judge the authenticity of his words.
The man was cold, calm, and collected. He stared calculatingly at Naruto, his black irises staring into Naruto's blue eyes. His hair was also black, hanging down to his chin. It framed his face quite nicely, Naruto thought.
"What makes you think that you will gain a post in the war? You're no ninja." the man said. Naruto smiled.
'Good thing I stole that stupid looking scroll from the Hokage's office when I was bored a few years ago.' Naruto thought. He had learned a few things by using that scroll.
"Maybe I am." he challenged, knowing that he was the farthest thing from a ninja. "If I can beat a ninja of your choosing, then can I help?" The man quickly agreed.
"Shikamaru." he said. A nin stepped out from the shadows, looking bored.
"Yeah, Hokage-sama?" he asked.
"You two will fight. If you-" He indicated Naruto. "-win, you can join. If he wins-" he indicated Shikamaru, who yawned. "-then you will leave and not bother us again." Naruto nodded.
"How bothersome..." Shikamaru said. Naruto's eyes practically gleamed.
'Easy victory.' he thought, eyes almost flashing blood-red with joy. He curbed the reaction.
'Against me- Kyuubi himself!- a human doesn't stand a chance.' 'Naruto' thought. He readied himself to fight. Shikamaru sighed once more before doing the same.

Gaara had few problems with getting in- he was brought before the Kazekage.
"Are you a strong fighter?" the man asked him. Gaara nodded.
"I can be of great use in the war." he answered. It wasn't a lie- he never said of what side he could be of use to.
'These pathetic humans haven't even seen through my disguise yet.' he thought.
"I don't know that for certain. Would you fight one of my nins to assure me of your usefullness?" Gaara nodded.
"Would it anger you if I kill my opponent?" he asked. The Kazekage shook his head.
'You won't be able to, anyway.' the Kazekage thought, calling one of his jonin to fight Gaara. Gaara stood, sizing up his opponent- a burly man with many pockets for kunai and shuriken. He seemed powerful- a mountain of muscle next to a seemingly slim Gaara. The man sauntered up to Gaara, flexing his biceps and smirking. Gaara nearly rolled his eyes at the display.
"Please, begin when you are ready." the Kazekage said. Instantly, the man kunged for him. Gaar stepped out if the way, letting the man overbalance and fall. The man smirked, drawing two kunai and using the downward momentem generated by his fall to snap them quickly at Gaara. The ninja then ducked and rolled, coming up just in time to be punched by Gaara's fist. His nose broke, blood running out of his nostrils. Gaara looked at him, impassive and a bit disdainful.
"Is that all?" he asked, bored. 'Not even worth killing...' he added privately, lowering his hand. The ninja spun around on one knee, aiming to knock Gaara down. Gaara- seeing teh attack coming- jumped over the attack and landed in teh exact same spot that he had been before. The moment's pause in Gaara's concentration was enough for the nin, however. He rapidly made hand seals, creating a few clones before trying out a jutsu completely unknown to Gaara.
"Ice Mirrors." the man said, creating what seemed to be a dome of ice around them both. he chuckled as he melted into one of the mirrors. Instantly, reflections of him appeared in every mirror. The guy grabbed kunai from his pouch and all of his reflections threw solid kunai at the 'defenseless' demon. (A/N: For any of you who do not get it, Gaara is Shukaku's human form and Naruto is Kyuubi's. Just in case you didn't know.) Gaara held his ground, making a few random hand seals that meant absolutely nothing to him.
'If I make no hand seals while the sand protects me, these stupid humans might figure it out. Best be cautious.' Gaara thought, stopping the rapid movement of his hands as the sand efficiently blocked every single kunai thrown at him. The metal throwing knives clattered loudly to the floor.
"Again, I'll ask you if that is all you have." Gaara said, commanding the sand to punch through each and every mirror. As expected, they shattered until all that was left standing was Gaara and the man he was fighting.
The man gasped- he had been in one of the mirrors, and when the sand had punched through it it had also punched a hole through him. He started coughing, blood landing on the floor after he gave a particularly nasty hack.
"Weak." Gaara commented softly. "Very weak." He made as if to kill the man, but the Kazekage stepped in.
"Thank you for the display of your abilities, Gaara." he said, eyes a bit wide at teh effortless way Gaara had fought a high-ranking nin. "Welcome to the Hidden Village of Sand. From today, you will be a jonin of my village, as we agreed." Gaara nodded, turning and walking out of the room.

So, how was it? It's not in its final form yet- any suggestions? I'm not opposed to rewriting it, but I don't know what should be changed. (And I know that the Ice Mirrors was one of Haku's techniques, but I didn't feel like making up a new one.)
Was it too confusing, figuring out that Shukaku was Gaara and Kyuubi was Naruto? I thought that everyone would be able to figure that out, but I'm not sure- it may be a bit confusing!
Just so everyone knows, this will be a GaaraOC NaruSasu fic. It has a sequel too! The OC is NOT a Mary Sue, just someone I made up because Gaara needs a little love! He's my favorite character. (I don't know WHAT attracts me to psycho's like him, but I just live it when he and Sasuke fight in the anime series at the end of the Chuunin exam! He goes absolutely crazy.) So yeah, I thought that Gaara needed someone too, and since Naruto belongs to Sasuke and I couldn't imagine him going with any of the other characters, I created a girlfriend for him.
I hope that you read my other fic too!