Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Fox and The Phoenix ❯ Chuunin ( Chapter 14 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

The Fox and The Phoenix
(Sono Kitsune Oyobi Sono Fenikusu)

Key

S.S = Sick Shit (is more than likely NC-17 and etc.)

*thinking*

"talking"

*thoughts progressing into speech"

'substitute for italics' (Kyuubi or Soriyu at times)

//telepathy//

::scene change:: (more for my reference than anything else)

~POV~
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Summary: Naruto's 6 years old, his caretaker, Iruka, was killed by bandits, and he was left orphaned. Well, until a mysterious wanderer appeared...


A/n: Let's see, well you will find out what was in the bathroom today I know that much at least, and how our guinea pigs react to their new facial additions. Hehe, and of course the first part of the Chuunin exams shall be in here, possibly the second if I can work it out. Anyway, get some pocky or yan-yan, and read!

Oh yeah, and I know 'demon' was in the living room too, but it was 'written' out in letters, like 'youkai', not in kanji. So it didn't trigger anything. Btw, no bugging me about the two week time lapse from the last chappie okay? Let's just say it's a liability, if you want it to exist, it does, but I don't give a damn either way. ^.^ But they still met with the Sand Siblings.


Chapter Fourteen: Chuunin


~Sanziya~


It was morning, and something was definitely wrong. I felt like I had drunk a keg of sake because my head was pounding like mad, and I had to bury my face under my pillow from the sunlight. At least that's what I was trying to do, I had just turned over (and realized I was on the couch) when I heard random 'pops' all around me, and something wet in my hair and soaking through my clothes. I sit up quickly, looking around, and almost dying of laughter at what I see.


Zabuza lay on the floor next to Haku with 'Haku and I are exhibitionist lovers, and I am a sadist.' scrawled across his forehead, doodles of smiley faces and whatnot are drawn on his cheeks, and more are drawn on his casts. Haku, on the other hand, has an arm wrapped around Zabuza's torso, 'I am a closet perverted transvestite, and a masochist.' decorating his forehead, along with more doodles on his face. I laugh, getting up to go take a shower.

"Holy fucking shit...NARUTO!" I yell to him as I see myself in the mirror, I looked like I'd lost in a paintball war, been dumped in a vat of discontinued technicolor, and had one of Dega's paintings throw up on me. Trust me, it wasn't pretty. "Naruto!"

"Coming!" he called, skidding into my bathroom and sliding to rest up against the opposite wall. "Ow...yeah kaa-san?"

He rights himself, then looks at me.

"Oh my god..." he states, obviously attempting to stifle his laughter as I glare hotly at him. "It worked perfectly! Hahaha!"

He collapses on the floor in giggles as I frown, kicking him in the side.

"Not funny, does this wash out?"

He heaves, bringing his laughter under control as he clutches his side where I kicked him, and wipes tears from his eyes, getting serious.

"Um...I don't know?"

~Author~

Sanziya frowns, growling at her son, and then sighing.


"I'll deal with you later, go...take a shower or something, I'm gonna try and wash off this crap."


Naruto mock salutes her, taking off to his bedroom. Unfortunately for him and his current sanity level, Kyuubi was asleep, and he had promptly forgotten all about her warnings of 'don't go in the bathroom' for whatever reason or another. So it came as no meager surprise when he goes to step in the shower that he finally gets to see what had Kyuubi so shaken. More red is on the tile of the bathroom, this time you can tell it's blood because of the way it flakes, smells, and how brown it has gotten. The mirror over the sink is smashed, much like someone took a hammer to the center of it, so that spiderweb cracks spread outward. The insults of the living room are in here too, but one thing they left for him, and only him, was the kanji on the mirror that still resides in white lined scars on his stomach.


'Demon.'


And as if his mental stability was strained six years ago, it is strained even more, now that he knows that someone is still out there, someone who knows what happened to him, someone who'll attempt the same things from six years past...someone who wasn't killed with those sick bastards.


~Naruto~


I wasn't going to scream, I truly wasn't going to, but this, this was terrible. I could remember everything now, what they did, how no one came to save me, not even kaa-san, she was too late. I stared into the depths of that mirror, fragmented sapphire staring back at me blankly. Now in my head there was a little ball of sanity left, and I clung to it like a life raft. The shark-like memories wouldn't go away, but I'd be sure to dodge them.


*Kaa-san, why weren't you there? Why weren't you there damnit?!*


I screech the question in my mind, clutching the sink so tightly my knuckles turn white.


*And where the fuck were you nee-san?! Where were all of you?! All that hatred from these damn villagers, and I didn't do anything!*


It was the truth, I hadn't done anything, so why did I feel like this?


Why do I feel so depressed?


"Why do I feel..." I ask myself as I grip the sink tighter. "Like I should've died that day?"


~Sanziya~


It wasn't coming out, and I still looked like something the cat threw up. I was gonna get him back if it was the last thing I did in life. Of course, knowing his tricks, this is probably a Genjutsu of some sort, and I already got the paint off.


"Kai?" I ask hesistantly, putting my hands together in a seal. Nothing happens, I'm still freaky looking. "Shimatta."


Oh well, I wasn't going to sit in here the rest of my life being pissed, I was gonna go bug my son on how to get this out,...right after I brushed my teeth.


~Haku~


I could feel it in my bones, today was gonna be a good day, well, as good as days not on the road get I suppose. I notice a warmth near me and snuggle closer, assuming it's Mini Zaza or something that I had my arm wrapped around. I trail my hand upwards, intending to pet the rabbit on the head, but coming into contact with some sort of cloth.


*Wait a sec, bunnies aren't that muscled and they don't wear bandages and they don't smell like the forest eit-...aw dam-* The whole time I was thinking that I hadn't stopped moving my hand.


"Haku, just what are you doing?" a gravelly, yet sleepy voice asks from beside me. I jerk my hand back to my side as if burned, I 'knew' that voice, I knew that tone, and it meant nothing good.


"N-nothing Zabuza-san." I reply, keeping my eyes shut tightly, face burning in shame as I curl up and wait for him to yell, hit me, or something else. But he doesn't, instead he starts laughing, a sound I hadn't heard much in my travels with him. "What's so funny Zabuza-san?"


I open my eyes to see my Konoha hitai-ate in front of me, supposedly acting as a mirror, and my jaw drops as I see what someone has scribbled on my forehead. Zabuza continues to laugh as I frown, covering my eyes with my other hand.


*So much for a good day.*


And then I looked up at Zabuza.


~Zabuza~


There was more laughing than there should be, Haku was laughing now too, what the hell?


"What's so funny Haku?"


"Take a look at yourself sir."


I shrug, grabbing the hitai-ate as I was able to move my arms now, and hold it up to my face.


Whoever did this must die...


Haku was still laughing.


"It's not funny!"


~Author~


After the initial laughter and whatnot wore off, the two went to wash the statements off their skin, Sanziya finally going back to see what was taking Naruto so long in the shower, it was his day to cook after all.


"Naruto?" she asks, knocking on the side of the open bathroom door, and peeking around the corner. (Yeah, Kyuubi repaired it a while back.)


She sees the boy standing over the sink, a large piece of glass from the mirror poised over his wrist, and the blood staining the porcelain. He hadn't done anything yet though, the blood was from the vandals, and Sanziya was glad. Kyuubi couldn't heal the scars of self-inflicted wounds, none of the Bijuu could. His eyes were blank, so blank, there was nothing there anymore, it was like he was just another nameless soul, trapped behind skin. Sanziya slips behind him, taking the glass gently from numb fingers, and leading him out of the bathroom that looked more like a war zone than a place of cleanliness.


"Naruto..." she sits him on the bed, stooping down to look into the boy's eyes. "Are you going to be alright?"


The blonde boy looks up at her, as if he had no idea what he was doing just a few minutes ago.


"..."


"Naruto?" she asks, the boy in question smiling at her.


"Why of course kaa-san, I shall be alright."


~Naruto~


Ah, fake smiles. They could disarm an enemy, and they could fool people.


After a few minutes I managed to convince kaa-san that I didn't know what I was even doing a few minutes ago, and she nodded, albeit skeptically, but left me alone.


I really hated myself right now, despised my very being...but she didn't have to know that.


'Naru-chan...'


*Not now, nee-san.*


If I didn't have Kyuubi sealed inside me, would I still be hated? Would...would they have done the same?


I wanted to rip apart the seal and let her free, then see what the villagers thought of me then, haha, while they screamed as she took revenge for the killing of her mate and kit. I drag my fingernails down the side of my face, leaving long red marks.


Hahaha...is this what they call insane?


~Author~


::2 days later::


"I nominated you guys for the Chuunin Exams!" their (still) impressionist-looking sensei exclaims, bouncing on the balls of her feet almost as Sasuke looks at her interestedly, Sakura looks somewhat afraid, and Naruto just nods, absently scratching the bandaged side of his face. The marks from his fingernails hadn't healed yet, when asked, he said he lost a battle woth a cat. "So much for enthusiasm, here are the papers you'll need, report to room 301 of the academy seven days from now."


They nod, Sasuke and Naruto going to eat lunch, Sanziya going to train Sakura in some last minute skills.


~Sanziya~


This child was pathetic, if she was going to even survive the Chuunin Exams, I would have to give her a few basic lessons in Taijutsu, Ninjustsu, and Genjutsu.


"Since you have near perfect control, I'm teaching you four offensive elemental jutsus, and four defensive. The offensive are Raiton: Shi Yosumi no Jutsu (Four Corners Technique), Suiton: Kaihoden (Water Pressure Canon), Doton: Doryudan (Earth Bulets), Fuuton: Ryouchi Kuuken no Jutsu (Slicing Hands Technique). The defensive are Doton: Doryuheki (Earth Wall), Fuuton: Daitoppa (Great Breakthrough), Ninpou: Hari Jizou (Needle Guardian), and Kirigakure no Jutsu." she tells the girl, who nods attentively. And the Phoenix vessel continues on.


"Now, both Fuuton jutsu take alot of chakra, because you are literally solidifying the air around you. When using Ryouchi Kuuken, you have to form the wind around your hands, shape it into a blade, and throw it at your enemy. With Daitoppa, you are forming a great ball of air within your body and expelling it, much like Katon: Gokakkyu (Great Fireball), but with a larger range of destruction. It'll also blow away your enemies, but it'll more than likely leave you completely drained, so use it only as a 'last resort', got me?"


Sakura nods.


"The rest are fairly easy, except for Raiton, because you are changing your chakra into lightning, not a last resort move, but uses quite a bit of chakra. Now, as for your Genjutsu, I believe I'll teach you Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings and...Sleeper Child: Blood Rain. Then some basic Taijutsu." she states, standing up and pulling Sakura to her feet as well. "Now let's get to training."


::Seven Days Later::


Well, you all know what happens here so I'll just summarize, ne?


They go into the room, there's a Genjutsu cast to make it seem like it's 301 and it's actually 201, one of the guards attacks Sasuke, Lee blocks both their kicks, and they all proceed through to whereever as the illusion fades.


"Fight me Sasuke, I wish to test my mettle!" is what rang forth from gejimayu (fuzzy eyebrows) as he jumped down from the railing.


"We don't have time for this." Naruto tells the green-clad boy, starting to walk through the doors, dragging his teammates with him of course. Sasuke refuses to budge though, engaging in a fight he was destined to lose anyway.


Only after getting his ass throughly handed to him on a silver platter does he allow Naruto to drag him through the doors, where they meet up with the faces of many, many Genin.


"Well look who it is, dog-breath and beetle boy." Naruto jibes happily, smiling at Kiba and Shino.


"Shut up Naruto, you fox turd." Kiba retorts, Shino just ignoring his insult and watching.


Kyuubi huffs indignantly at that.


"Mutt."


"..."


"Ha, I win."


"'Vertically challenged' fox turd." Kiba replies with a smirk.


Naruto grumbles under his breath.


"Hope you get hit by your dog's 'Dynamic Air 'Pissing' in training"


"It's 'Dynamic Air 'Marking', damnit!"


"Pissing in midair is not a skill, mutt-boy." Naruto replies, leaning back against the wall. Kiba scoffing and crossing his arms.


"C-c-can't we a-a-all j-just stop fighting p-please N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata asks, tapping her fingers together nervously as she blushes.


Naruto smiles at Hinata, who blushes more, shaking his head.


"But it's so fun to mess with Kiba and Shino, Hinata-chan! Well, Kiba at least..." he replies, looking pointedly at the bug user, who shrugs. "Shino's a wet blanket."


"Hey, you guys are rookies aren't you?" a white haired boy with glasses asks, coming over to them.


Sasuke glares at the boy, not liking him at all.


"Yes,...why? Are you scoping out the supposed easy pickings or something?"


"'No, just because if you weren't, you wouldn't be making so much noise. You've gotten all the Ame(Rain)-nin pissed off." he replies, gesturing to some skinny ninja glaring at them. Sasuke rolls his eyes, Naruto snorts, Shino tilts his head, and Kiba growls.


"The Ame-nin can kiss my ass any day of the week!" Kiba yells, sticking up his middle finger, and turns around to slap his own butt. The Ame-nin glare daggers at him, looking ready to slice the dog boy in two.


"We'll get you in the exams." they mouth to Kiba, who smirks, pulling down an eyelid.


Kabuto rolls his eyes, sighing.


"Utter foolishness. Anyway, I'm Yakushi Kabuto, and this is my seventh time here, so I know these things."


"Seventh? You must suck." Naruto tells the boy, digging a finger in his ear. Sakura jabs him lightly in the side for being rude, and asks if Kabuto can tell them anymore about the exams. Kabuto just smiles, going on to explain the history of the exams.


"We take the exam in teams to deepen our friendships with other villages and to heighten the level of the ninja. However, I think the real purpose is to confirm the level of the ninja in each adjacent country and to try to balance out the power. They do this to check and restrain each country’s powers." Sakura looks surprised at this, seeming to calculate it in her head. "Is there anyone you'd like some information on? Just tell me the name and I can get it for you."


Naruto, surprised at this new information, asks about Gaara of Sunagakure, and Sasuke asks about Rock Lee from Konoha. Kabuto shift through his cards, hands glowing blue with chakra.


"Rock Lee is a year older than you Sasuke. He’s done 20 D-rank missions and 11 C-rank missions. The squad leader is Maito Gai and his teammates are Tenten and Hyuuga Neji. The boy's hand to hand combat skills have increased dramatically this past year, but his other skills are terrible. This is his first time taking the Exams."


More shuffling, and he comes up with another card.


"Subaku no Gaara has completed 8 C-rank and 1 B-rank mission, and returned from all his missions unharmed. This is also his first time taking the exam. Oh, and a word of advice, watch out for those Genin from Otokagure(Hidden Sound), it's a new village, so most is unknown about their jutsu. " Kabuto warns, pointing to three Genin, one is a guy with spiky hair, another guy has some sort of metal thing with holes on his arm, and a half bandaged face. The last is a girl, who looks pretty normal. However, apparently Bandage-Face heard Kabuto, 'cause he gets up, rushing to Kabuto, and punching at him, which the boy promptly dodges. The effort seems lost though, as Kabuto shakes, his glasses crack, and he loses his lunch on the floor.

"Kabuto!" Sakura screams, bending down to help as Naruto reaches to get the weapon on his back, Sasuke activating his Sharingan and dropping into a fighting stance. The Bandaged Guy smirks behind his wrappings, ready to attack again.

A poof in the front of the room draws attention away from the upcoming skirmish as six men in gray suits appear, along with a scarred man in black.

"Settle down, you worthless bastards! There's to be no fighting unless myself or one of your other examiners allow it! And even then, if you kill your opponent, your disqualified! You disobey and you fail! Got that, maggots?!" A corresponding nod goes around at this. "Good, now sit down by your seat number."

The genin sit in their designated seats, Naruto in the front, Sasuke somewhere in the middle, and Sakura in the back as the guy starts explaining.

"I'm Morino Ibiki, your proctor. The first exam will be a written test, which will be graded likewise." he flips over a chalkboard for them to see.

'1. Each participant is given 10 points at the start. The written exam consists of 10 questions, each worth 1 point. The test is a deduction based test, so if you get all problems correct, your point total remains at 10. If you get 3 problems incorrect, your point total is reduced to 7.

2. The pass/fail decision is determined by team’s total points.

3. If a participant is caught cheating, each action will cause him/her to lose 2 points. If they drop to 0 points, they are kicked out of the exam.

4. If anyone on the team gets a 0, the entire team will fail.

5. The last problem will be given 45 minutes after the test begins. You'll have 1 hour to complete the exam.'

"Any questions?" he asks as he hands out the tests. No one says a word, he finishes and returns to the front. "No? Then...begin!"


The sound of many papers turning over at once signals the start of the exam.


~Naruto~


Hm, it was too tough to answer without 'knowing' the answers, besides, who knew the 'exact' angle a shuriken would hit if thrown through a dense fog, deflected, and thrown back at it's owner from two sides with one being a bunshin shuriken? It was impossible, but they said if you're 'caught' cheating, so a simple Genjutsu should help attain not being caught, but these were six high-level Chunin and a Jounin Interrogation Specialist. It'd have to be a really thorough illusion, woven very thick, and implanted into their minds so that they couldn't break it even if they truly wanted. However, sadly, that was beyond my capabilities, so I would improvise.


I closed my eyes and concentrated, making thirty-seven quick seals in my mind. If this turned out wrong, then I'd be stuck outside my body for the rest of the first test, if it went right, I'd be floating in the air until I returned to my body. This was by far the longest jutsu I had under my belt, kaa-san said it was something she learned while in India, I thought it was an odd jutsu to use, since you really couldn't attack or anything, but then she compared it to Ino's Shintenshin, saying that it had three key differences. You could possess your opponent, kill them, and leave the body without harm. Also, you could travel anywhere, not just in a straight line. Although, like the Shintenshin, it was only supposed to be used with either one opponent, or on a spy mission. It also had no time limits, but when your body started to call your spirit back, it's wise to go back, because the longer you stay away, the more difficult it is to return.


*Astral Projection no Jutsu.*


I open my eyes to see myself floating above my own head, the body of which was slumped over haphazardly on the table. I noticed Hinata looked afraid, she had her Byakugan activated, and seemed to be checking my vitals. She wouldn't find any of course, it was basically like I was dead, there was a very faint heartbeat keeping my body alive and that was it. This was a forbidden technique for a reason I suppose, if you got the wrong opponent they could seal your soul from your body forever and that would suck. I could only hope she wouldn't panic and call Ibiki over. I floated around to take looks at people's papers, noticing things I'm sure weren't there before. The Tanuki boy, Gaara, had a hand covering his right eye, and there was an eyeball looking around from a corner of the room, darting around every few seconds. Another girl had mirrors attached to the ceiling, it was Tenten. A few amatuer cheaters got knocked out of the test quickly.


I needed to hurry of course, Hinata seemed to be getting more afraid as time wore on for she kept looking over to my body every few seconds. I hovered over the head of a Konoha genin, who had six of the answers, and I got the rest from another Genin, who was Sakura. I noticed she wasn't acting herself, and performed a release seal shortly after. I recognized the seal as the release for the Shintenshin, must be Ino then. Hm, this could be quite fun, I had 30 minutes till the test ended, 15 till the last question. Moving quickly I forced myself into Ino's vacant body, needless to say I bet she was scared shitless by her body moving seemingly on it's own without a soul. I looked pointedly up at her where she floated, slack-jawed, and waved, exiting her body.


She stared, inherently shocked at my spirit as I came up to float beside her.


"What? Surprised that I know this jutsu?"


"T-t-that's my families Kekkai Genkai (Bloodline), how did you-?"


I grin disarmingly at the long-haired blonde girl, leaning back in midair with my hands behind my head.


"I didn't. It's a kinjutsu (forbidden technique) called Astral Projection. Don't bother asking me how you do it, we burned the only scroll a while back." I say, feeling a pull from my body, it's time to go back. "Bye Ino-san."


I float back over to my own body, sinking myself down into flesh and bone once more. I jerk awake, quickly scribbling down my answers, startling a teary Hinata, and getting the final question answered just as Ibiki says 'Pencils down! It's time for the final question.'


I place my pencil on my desk as he begins to explain the last question.

"Everyone can choose if they wish to take the tenth problem, however, those who choose not to take it will fail, and get to come back next year. However...if you choose to take it and get it wrong, you will lose the privilege of taking the Chuunin exam ever again, and be stuck as Genin." he tells us, I yawn and lean back in my chair as many people raise their hands and exit the room.


This was bull, they were all leaving 'cause they couldn't take a little jibe from an Interrogation Specialist? It just showed their weakness. I look back to my teammates, Sakura is shakily raising her hand, and I roll my eyes.


//If you give up, it'll just show me and Sasuke that you're weak. But go on, give up, it's not like you're any use to us anyway. Weakling.// I tell her, she takes a moment to figure out it's me, glaring my way, and I smile as she jerks her hand back down. Mission accomplished.


"Alright, if that's the last one..." the scarred man starts as a final person exits. "Then you all pass."


~Author~


As Ibiki finishes explaining 'why' they pass, a purple blur bursts through the window, two kunai with a banner attached to them lodge themselves into the ceiling, and a golden-eyed, purple haired woman with a skewer of dango in one hand emerges from the ball of cloth as the banner unravels.


"I'm Anko Mitarashi! And I'm your next instructor!" she says, Ibiki stepping out from behind the banner.


"Too early again, Anko." he states, shaking his head as Anko sweatdrops.


"And you let too many pass. Oh well, they won't survive the next test so easily. All of you, follow me!"


Ibiki sighs as she jumps out the window.


"Crazy woman."


::Forest Of Death::


Anko stands in front of the gates, explaining about the forest and whatnot.


"Now, you will be given packs which will contain solider pills, ration bars, and bandages. Your team will have five days to navigate the forest and get to the tower in the center. To get in the tower however, you must have two scrolls, Hebun (Heaven) and Chi (Earth). You will start out with one or the other scroll. To obtain its partner, you can engage teams in battle, use your ninja stealth to steal the opposite scroll, or some other ways. You'll figure it out. It's dangerous in this forest of course, there are many things you'll encounter in here other than humans, from giant bugs to mutated creatures. You cannot open the scrolls, you must enter the tower in your complete three man teams, and you must have 'both' scrolls. If you cannot meet these requirements, you will fail. You have a thirty-minute window before this next phase starts, so go get your packs and scrolls." she relays this to them all, looking out over the crowd and hearing a scoff.


"Yeah, dangerous, sure Anko-sensei! We'll be really, really, careful!" Naruto says sarcastically, fake sweetness in his voice. A kunai whips past his face, making a shallow cut as Anko appears behind him. The kunai continues it's course, cutting the long hair of a Kusa(Grass)-nin and embedding itself in the ground. Meanwhile, Anko wrap an arm around Naruto in a slight hug, licking the blood off his face, and the boy shudders. "Ah..."


"I like you kid, you've got spunk. Don't die, I might wanna have a little fun with you later." she tells him, licking her lips as a tall Kusa-nin wearing a straw hat taps her on the shoulder. The beige-eyed woman whips around, kunai in hand, to see a woman, holding out another kunai to her with an abnormally long tongue.


"I wasss...just returning your kunai, Anko-san." she states, a slight hiss in her voice, Anko eyes her warily.


"Why thank you Kusa ninja, but it's not wise to stand so close behind me."


"Sssorry, if I ssstartled you, that kunai cut my hair sssomewhat, and it got me excccited." she replies as Anko takes her kunai, the Kusa-nin withdrawing her tongue back into her mouth, and walking away. She brushes past Sakura.


~Sakura~


*I've met some wierd people, but she takes the cake.* I think, shuddering as the Kusa-nin passes me. I had watched our instructor lick the blood off of Naruto's face, it was odd because he had leaned towards her instead of jerking away like someone else would do, and let out sort of a low moan. Did he like pain or something? I shake my head, going over to him and Sasuke as Anko-sensei lets him go.


"You okay Naruto?" I ask, looking his way as Sasuke goes to get our packs and scroll. He doesn't reply, seeming to have lapsed into one of his frequent trance-like states. When he's like that, I can't help but feel sad, his eyes seemed even more lifeless than normal. He smiles like nothing's wrong at times, but his eyes...


I reach up to trace the whisker-marks on his face, they made him look like a fox, and seeing him like this, vunerable...I hate him, I still do, it's because of him my dad is dead...and what was stopping me from slitting his throat right now? I trail my hand down to my weapons pouch, withdrawing a kunai, and pushing it up against his throat.


My inner self was cheering me on.


*Go on Sakura, do it! No one's watching! Quickly!*


A voice breaks me from my thoughts.


"Are you going to kill me, Sakura-chan?"


I look up at Naruto, bewildered, but he just has a serene smile on his face, looking at me peacefully.


"Well? You only have a little time, we'll have to head out soon. Of course, you could always kill me in the forest, I do have to sleep sometime, ne?"


My hands are shaking...why are they shaking? His smile, it was so, it was like he was inviting me to murder him, I...I...


"Go on Sakura, then I'll be out of your's and Sasuke's way, after all, I'm just a demon-bastard anyway aren't I? I don't deserve to live among the likes of you do I? I'm just the little demon-boy who couldn't do anything, couldn't even defend myself back then, so I was defiled and broken...almost like a toy that needs to be thrown away."


How could he say these hurtful things, and about himself no less. Had he given up the will to live already? No...but I couldn't lose my resolve now. I push the kunai deeper into his throat, drawing blood, and starting to drag it across his neck. His smile doesn't waver, but a hand suddenly catches my own, I look down to his, it wasn't him. I'm pulled around to face my worst nightmare.


~Sasuke~


I went to get the packs and scroll, leaving Sakura to chat with Naruto, who seemed to be having a conversation with Kyuubi at the moment by the way he was staring into space. I would be back in a few, so Sakura could keep an eye on him to make sure he didn't hurt himself, I certainly didn't think she'd attempt to kill him. Not to mention he wasn't doing anything, he was just standing there with a stupid smile on his face, while that pink-haired bitch was beginning to drag the kunai across his throat. Before I can get there and stop her though, someone beats me to it.


~Author~


Naruto looks over to the person who stopped Sakura from killing him.


"Haku nii-san, what are you doing here?" he asks, still smiling, and looking at the blue kimono clad boy.


Haku glares at Sakura, tightening his grip on her hand, but directing his question at Naruto.


"Naruto, what were you doing? Why didn't you fight back?"


Naruto shakes his head, still smiling.


"There's no point nii-san, we all die anyway, so why does it make a difference if my time comes early?"


Haku lets go of Sakura, giving her a glare rivaling Sanziya's that says 'I'll deal with you later' as he goes to stand in front of Naruto. Sasuke comes rushing up.


"Are you okay Naruto?" he asks, watching the wound on the blonde's neck heal. Naruto doesn't reply, he just keeps smiling at Haku.


"Hai? (Yes)" he asks, Haku's face contorting in anger as the ice wielder slaps him.


"Don't ever do that Naruto! Do you know how much it hurts to lose a precious person?! And everyone would miss you, if you died Sanziya nee-chan would kill herself too! Damnit Naruto!" he yells, hugging the boy. Naruto's smile fades away to an apathetic look, his eyes...his eyes are just dark glass orbs, looking out among the stunned crowd as his cheek stains red. He clenches his eyes tight, grabbing onto Haku's kimono, and buries his face in the boy's shoulder.


"I'm sorry nii-san...I'm so sorry..." he tells him, tears leaking from his eyes to wet the blue fabric.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Anaki: Damn I'm good.


RC16: Eeh, pretty good chapter...


Anaki: -hugs 16- Thank you! Yay! -glomp-


RC16: -turning blue- Can't breathe...


RC17: Aw...the love...review all.