Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Prices of Being a Ninja ❯ Inevitability ( Chapter 2 )

`Stupid, stupid, stupid-'

Yes, you are, baka. Not the time for the kyuubi to interfere with his thoughts.

`Yes, I'm stupid- hence the reason why I called myself so.'

There was a slight pause. Such a weak human.

Swinging his hand at nothing in a wish it could be the stowaway, he glowered at the nearest tree. “I can't believe I said no.”

I can't believe it either, weakling.

`I'm not weak.'

Tell that to yourself then, seeing as how you need to be reminded. He felt anger rising, slight crimson tinting his vision.

`I'm not giving into you, stupid fox.'

What?

`That's right, I'm listening to some THING so stupid as to let itself get caught and placed in a cell.'

Silence.

`That's right, you wouldn't have to deal with someone so STUPID if you hadn't gotten put here in the first place- all due to the fact you messed with Konoha when my dad was alive.'

A slight growl.

He didn't realize himself uttering the same sound. A pop later and a wetness trailing down his fist to his knuckles drew him away from the cell's luminescent entrance.

“Naruto?” With a dizzying spin he found himself looking into black studious eyes.

“Shik,”

“Amaru,” the chuunin expert interceded, sighing disdainfully at the thought of another acquaintance using his abhorred nickname.

“Heh, just practicing-”

“Without chakra, and planting a fist into a tree?” With a huff, the sun-blonde Jinchuryki frowned at the tree, caught somewhere between another launched assault and climbing up to hurl himself off of the highest branch.

“Well,” With a hopeful glance he found there was no leeway in the fierce standoff. “I just got upset.”

“Sounds as though Sakura is upset, too.”

“You heard.” There was no question, the finality in Shikamaru's face and tone was all too apparent.

“She's more upset over Sasuke than normal, according to my sources.” Even Naruto caught on to the team captain's reference of his female teammate. That owner of the flower shop had a big ego, and an even bigger mouth.

“Oh.” Suddenly a lump beneath his foot drew his attention.

Baka.

`Shut up Kyuubi.'

You first- and he's not going away the harder you stare at the stone- wise up you little-

“I'll wise you up you stupid-“

“Naruto?” With a prayer for a Godsend, Uzimaki Naruto found himself shunned by the deity yet again. With one flinch and a fist through the tree, the black-haired genius' face scrunched in surprise.

“Heh, did I say anything out loud?”

“If I upset you by mentioning Sasuke…”

Right on the nail, kid. Try that he can't win the gal of his dreams and he's getting his as-

“As a matter of fact- I'm going to bring him back.”

“Yeah, you've been saying that for years.” Obviously baffled as to his former classmate's response he began taking a closer look. “Naruto, you're tense- sure you are all right man?”

Gee baka- no fun with you. Naruto could feel the snigger. Another nerve popped. The fox was using Sakura's nickname for him and it was edging home.

What, can't stand the fact that she throws herself at you because you are second-

`Don't say it fox, damn you!'

Second

`Shut the f-'

Best.

 

Shikamaru hurled himself at the newest chuunin addition, caught off guard in Naruto's unusual hostility. His frown had turned into a grimace and then a complete scowl before he suddenly roared. Chakra began flowing under Shikamaru's grasp within seconds, turning the hairs on his nape up in growing fear. Something was definitely off. During the encounter with Tobi the captain had witnessed firsthand the demon shroud of the nine-tails and how the tails increased with the fury, as well as the damage.

“Naruto, calm down!” Damn, for one so laid back I'm even scaring myself. It was when the blonde mane was thrown back in the furious howl he knew something had to be done. With a face full of wind retardant black and green fabric with the slight taste of perspiration there was suddenly no ground. He struggled to maintain an armful of his companion's midriff in his hold.

“Get him away from me!”

“Naruto- calm down!” His face began to sting, soon followed by his hands. Naruto wasn't laying a finger on him. What the hell?!

“Damn it- Get it away! I want it gone!!!”

“Stop it- Get a hold of yourself!”

***

“Shik?” He squinted his eyes shut harder.

`Damn it with the name already.'

“Shik, are you all right?”

“Whadduya- Oww!” A hand touched his forehead. Speaking had hurt his throat. The skin on his face protested the movement.

“You have two foreheads now, ne?” That voice. He opened his eyes only to find it too troublesome as the light invaded his senses, giving the illusion of a boulder shoved inside his skull. “Don't get up yet. Now I'll have a competitor for Billboard Brow.”

Billboard… “Shakuwa?”

“Yes, Ino and I nursed you after Kakashi found you a little ways down the alley from the store. What you were doing there or what happened we don't know but you should recover Shik.”

“Amawu.” Flashes of light struck as a giggle from nearby sounded. He could just picture the rosy haired nin's smirk, a hazy silhouette in the blackness.

“Better than Billboard Brow, Shik.”

“Wait tiwwI…” Blonde hair, orange jacket, burning face surging with pain flooded back. “Wheref Nawuto?!”

There was no gasp of surprise, but rather the lack thereof that concerned him. A breath hitched. “Shakuwa?”

“Don't know, but one thing we are sure of,” there was a long pause- almost as though she's regaining her bearings?

“He's not in Konoha.” Her sudden drop in pitch sounded almost as though she were about to cry. She knows.

“He will bring back Sasuke-kun.” A sob. Damn the black, his eyes were his greatest tools.

“I know, just rest Shik.”

She laughed to herself as he flinched from the name but made no further attempts to dissuade her use of it. With a grunted sigh the frowning ninja finally leaned back against the off-white pillows. His skin was now competing with her hair in color, and winning with a strawberry red from the burns he received. Just what Naruto did to him was not certain but a dreading gloomy inner-Sakura was nudging her side and for once she found herself agreeing. Naruto was lost.

“Where are you going Billboard Brow?” Ino had just reached for the door knob when it swung forward, replaced by a disheveled pink-haired nin. Then she saw the look in her eyes. “Oh no, last time I saw that look you cut your hair and almost got yourself killed- What are you thinking in that big head of yours?”

“I don't know anyone else who can stop him.”

“What- oh no… no no, girl. I think that head of yours must have picked up one too many sun rays dear. You can't go after him yourself…” Without a second thought she felt her fingers wrap around Sakura's right bicep only to pull back as the hair whirled around. Sharp jade orbs glared into her core.

“I'm not going alone.”