Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Prices of Being a Ninja ❯ Ghost of Spring ( Chapter 4 )

With a groan she awoke to find green sunlight, oddly similar to the forest canopy, draping her in a surreal Ramen dream. Instantly her mind jumped to the night before. Somehow she had to speak to Shikamaru.

 

That was next to impossible, as she was second best medical nin to none other than the Godaime herself and just as well known. No doubt Ino would be head of duties as she was now labeled an accomplice in crime, and there was no way to simply enter his room. But, it seemed she would have to pull off the impossible. Time was growing scant for her Jinchuryki friend.

 

What the hell is Shik's earring doing in the Akatsuki fabric?

 

`How should I know? He was the last one with Naruto though… and he might know more on the situation.'

 

Girl, you dumb.

 

`Why?'

 

For not thinking of that sooner.

 

`Oh my… Hey, though I thought about it before you.'

 

…who you call a figment of your imagination. There was a definite smirk.

 

`Is it too much to wish for?'

 

“Shik… what do you know that I need?” This question had been resurfacing all day but it was unsolvable on her own just as much as it was troublesome. Shikamaru's injuries would leave him in the medical facilities at least two weeks and that was if Lady Luck was on his side. “So waiting for him to be released is simply out of the question.”

 

Pressing further into their last conversation she tried to picture the rest of him, besides his scabbing red face. Even his face was blurry in her faulty memory. Had his ear been torn? Was the earring placed in the fabric before his injury and Shik had an identical one, or had it been left where her teacher found him and in turn found the earring? This had to be some clue. She had been on the verge of tears just at the sight of him, damn it.

 

The more she tried the darker her thoughts became.

 

If you hadn't been so weak to begin with they would never have had to grow strong enough to protect you. If you hadn't been so weak maybe Sasuke would like you and never would have left. If you hadn't been so weak Team Seven never would have been torn apart.

 

“If…” The sobs tried to break her. “I can't do this…”

 

You're still too weak.

 

“Damn it! If Sasuke hadn't left, Naruto would have had to live in his shadow, the baka. And he…”

 

He ALREADY lives in HIS shadow. You made it that way.

 

“Damn it.”

 

Everyone had to need Naruto. Naruto the strong, Naruto who always had the right idea for every situation- Naruto who solved everything.

 

“I need you, Naruto.”

 

He needs you more, needed you and you shut him out.

 

“Shut up for once! I intend to help him. Konoha, is this all you do to those who love you? Must the ninja world always be this way?”

 

Finally the silence enveloped her. She could only hope she wouldn't be too late.

 

***

 

Kiba tilted his head to his right, legs never pausing as he lept from branch to branch with Akumaru by his side. Naruto's scent was impossible to distinguish, or rather it was everywhere. The real Naruto's scent was the problem.

 

“What did he do? Use his shadow clone jutsu and rip his clothes apart to send them in hundreds of directions?!” With a glance back Kiba sighed. Hinata was asking the very same questions nagging him. She looked slightly haggard, no longer using her sights to look for clues. The search was taking a toll on everyone, even if Shino was bathing it in silence.

 

“Most likely.” Yamato stated with a sigh.

 

Subconsciously everyone had come to a halt on a particularly wide limb, holding a hand to a stitch in the side or wiping away bothersome sweat.

 

“We can't rest yet, we keep going.” Kakashi stated bluntly.

 

“Hinata, you can ride on Akumaru for now. It shouldn't slow him down any.” She blushed, looking shameful. As Akumaru obediently swept her onto his back Kiba burst into a growl. “I still can't believe that Naruto would attack Shik. Isn't there anything, anything, else we have to go on?”

 

“That is all the intell you are allowed, Kiba. The rest is between Yamato and I.”

 

“And Sakura-chan… I can't believe she's a suspect.” Hinata absentmindedly ran her fingers through Akumaru's scruff. Akumaru whined as if in agreement.

 

“Hinata.” She flinched. Kakashi pushed off his branch and started forward again. Everyone followed suit.

 

“So Kakashi-Sensei, why are your dogs not helping us?” Shino pushed his glasses higher beneath his nylon hood.

 

“They were left behind for someone else who had greater need for them. One thing about this, however, is Naruto can only withhold this many shadow clones for so long. He will be worn out and we will gain on him.”

 

“For a short time as he will heal faster than most because of the Kyuubi.” Shino looked nonplussed.

 

“Are you better-suited, Shino, to lead this assignment?” Yamato's voice seemed unusually low.

 

The nylon hood revealed nothing on Shino's face and the rest of the party was silent.

 

“No, but it is nice to know one's advantages over another. I was simply thinking them useful but I know Kakashi-sensei thinks ahead. I was merely pondering what his reasons were.”

 

`Nice cover.' Kiba silently swore that his teammate's curiosity would land them somewhere unpleasant in the duration of this assignment. Hopefully it would be later than sooner.