Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Road Less Travelled By ❯ Team Seven Apart - Kabuto Makes a Move ( Chapter 9 )

Team Seven Apart - Kabuto Makes a Move

 

It was a bright, warm evening, and the streets of Konoha were packed with people going about their business. Naruto walked along the streets with a spring in his step, and a grin on his face, determined not to let the scowls of the passers-by get to him. I bet Sasuke will be surprised to see me, he thought, and fiddled with the slip of paper in his pocket. Never thought the whole ninja registration thing was any use. They wouldn't even let me use that awesome picture. But they did give me Sasuke's address when I asked. He frowned. They weren't too happy about that. Guess members of the same team usually know where each other live. He stopped at the crossroads and checked the street names before continuing on.

Sasuke's sure going to get a surprise when I turn up. I even have enough money to pay him back for last time. Maybe he'll even come with me. It was fun having company last time, and Ero-sennin only seems to want to chase girls. Naruto shuddered at the thought of having to perform Oiroke no jutsu again. That guy is a total pervert. Naruto paused as he realised he was getting into one of the wealthier parts of town. Sasuke lives here? He pulled the paper out of his pocket, and checked the hastily drawn map on the back. I guess he lives in that building over there. He moved forwards, taking in the differences between his home and Sasuke's.

Naruto could see that Sasuke lived in what was probably a small apartment, just like he did, but the whole building looked in good repair, with fresh, uncracked paint that was not so new as to suggest recent repairs. The windows were all clean and whole, and as he approached he could see that the floors and stairs were swept clean. All in all it was a much nicer building than Naruto was used to living in, and that made him feel a little like he was trespassing.

He ascended to the first floor, and moved along the walkway to what he had been told was Sasuke's door. Oh well. At worst he'll just tell me to get lost. He raised a hand and rapped on the door. “Sasuke? You back from training?” Silence answered him.

Undaunted, Naruto shuffled around to peer in the window. “Sasuke?”

From what he could see the apartment was painfully neat, like the few inn rooms that Naruto had stayed in on missions. A few possessions lined the shelves, and Naruto could see a framed picture on a desk. Other than that, nothing that definitively showed that Sasuke lived there apart from a stylised fan on a back wall which resembled the one Naruto had seen Sasuke wear.

Naruto sighed. Guess he's not here after all. He scuffed his foot against the floor in disappointment, then walked off. Should probably save money and not eat at Ichiraku after all. Probably be no fun without company. It gets boring when Ero-sennin just peeks at girls all day and never talks to me. He kept walking, now with less spring in his step. And I probably can't ask Sakura-chan. She'd never want to go out with me, and Iruka-sensei is busy.

“Good evening, Naruto-kun. Where are you going in such a hurry?”

Naruto stopped and grinned, looking back at the person who had interrupted him. “Kabuto-san! I haven't seen you in ages! Are you feeling better now?”

Kabuto nodded. “Yes, thank you, much better than I did at the end of that survival course. And you? I heard that you got into the final, along with Sasuke-kun?”

Naruto beamed. “Sure we did. None of the enemies were that tough. You shoulda stayed and tried to get through yourself.” Naruto paused. “Uh… How is that Yoroi guy? Sasuke went kinda rough on him, but…”

“It's okay, Naruto-kun. Yoroi agreed to the terms of the exam, and I'm sure that he was just as rough on Sasuke-kun. I'm sure the hospital will release him soon.” Kabuto adjusted his glasses slightly. “In the mean time, I find myself without my team and feeling a little lonely. Would you like to join me for dinner? My treat?”

“Sure!” replied Naruto. “You were so great telling us about the first exam and all, it was a shame you never made it all the way.”

“There's always next year,” said Kabuto, starting to walk. “I was going to eat at the Ichiraku. Is that okay with you?”

“Eheh. More than okay, Kabuto-san. It's my favourite place to eat.”

Kabuto smiled slightly. “Really. Imagine that.”

 

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Naruto slammed the drained bowl back onto the counter. “Ahh… that was great.”

Kabuto laughed. “You really seem to enjoy your food, Naruto-kun. Do you want any more?”

Naruto looked at the three bowls stacked in front of him. Well, yes, but I can't really let you buy me any more, can I? He shook his head. “I'm fine. Thanks for buying.”

“It's no problem. To tell the truth, I was rather surprised to find you wandering alone. Shouldn't you be training with your team-mates?” Kabuto shifted his glasses slightly.

“Kakashi-sensei is training Sasuke. I'm training with someone else.” Naruto tried not to let the words get to him, but it still hurt that Kakashi had chosen Sasuke over him.

Kabuto sighed. “Well, that is to be expected. Uchiha Sasuke is a superior genin, he should have a superior teacher. People like you or I just aren't in their league.”

“I can do anything he can!” protested Naruto. “Sasuke isn't so great, but everyone thinks he is. I'm gonna show them all in the last exam.” And Sasuke's never going to know what hit him. Naruto blinked, confused. But what other people think doesn't matter. He respects me now, he wouldn't've talked to me here last time if he didn't. But Kakashi-sensei did choose him over me…

Kabuto patted his shoulder gently. “I'm sure you believe that, Naruto-kun, but Sasuke comes from a…”

“A long line of genius ninjas,” interrupted Naruto. “I've heard all of that crap before, Kabuto-san, and while that's true, it doesn't mean Sasuke is any better than I am.” He grinned slightly as he imagined Sasuke buried under a heap of toads. “Just you wait, I'll surprise you all.”

Kabuto smiled. “I'm sure you will, Naruto-kun. You have a talent for being unpredictable. It largely makes up for your deficiencies and I'm sure it will make it that much harder for Sasuke to beat you.”

“Che, you talk like Sasuke's already won!” Naruto folded his arms. “Don't you trust me, Kabuto-san?”

“It's not that, Naruto-kun,” said Kabuto. “It's just that I know your limits, and that they're bound to be lower than Sasuke-kun's.”

“Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke,” muttered Naruto. “Always about him isn't it?”

 

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Kabuto followed Naruto back to his apartment silently, never letting the genin sense his presence. Naruto seemed to be agitated and muttering to himself which pleased Kabuto.

Seems that I scored a direct hit on Naruto-kun's insecurities. This should help Orochimaru in the long run by breaking Naruto-kun's influence on Sasuke-kun. He watched Naruto stomp dejectedly up the stairs to his apartment. Keeping him angry at Sasuke will make sure that his influence on the boy goes the other way now. We can't have Sasuke-kun having any ties to this village worth keeping.

He moved away silently and started back towards his stakeout position near Sasuke's apartment. Kakashi obviously thinks himself one step ahead of us. He almost was by having Sasuke leave the village to train. It was just foolish of them to return just to see Naruto-kun, when just a little push can change their feelings towards one another. He settled back into position to watch and wait. Orochimaru gets angry when others take an interest in what he covets.

 

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Sakura was tired. In fact she considered that to be an understatement. In her opinion she was drop-down-dead-at-any-moment tired, but that wasn't going to stop her. Not any more.

The wooden post in front of her bore the marks from her attacks, including a few deep groves from kunai throws that had somewhat missed their target. Despite her best efforts, however, the post still remained standing.

It infuriated her.

“Eyah!” She launched another kick, clumsy with tiredness and frustration, and succeeded in only stubbing her toe as her foot connected at the wrong angle. She knelt to rub at it, sighing. Guess when I can't even do that right it's time for me to call it a day. She sat and started to stretch out her body, letting it warm down from the training, like she had been taught. “Run through the fields and seek strength” is all well and good, but I wish I had it easy like Naruto and Sasuke-kun do. They wouldn't be tired after this. And they aren't training alone. She paused, realising that with both them and Kakashi gone and Ino helping with Shikamaru's training, she was effectively friendless.

She'd been inspired to try to work after visiting Lee in the hospital. Even battered he'd refused to stop training, and that led Sakura to realise just how lazy she was being in her own training.

And if I don't start to work hard soon, then I might even get reassigned to another team because I can't keep up with Sasuke-kun. She sighed, and bent to touch her toes. Guess I even care about Naruto in a funny way. Life seems so dull without them both around, even if I did spend all my time breaking up fights between them. Satisfied that she wasn't about to injure herself, she started to walk back, admiring the sunset.

I wonder what they're doing. I haven't seen them in a week, so I guess that they're training somewhere else. She kept walking, remembering the tree climbing exercise. Naruto sure surprised me by asking for help. Guess he's really changed. He's still a bother, but it's a bother I miss. She moved a hand to her hair, unsticking it from the back of her neck. Shower before dinner, I guess. Training always makes me feel rather dirty.

 

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It was while in the shower that Sakura heard a gentle rapping on the door to the house. It wasn't unusual for guests to call at the Haruno household. Both her parents led active social lives, even if neither of them were active ninja like she was. Sakura tilted her head back into the stream of water, listening to the faint murmur of her mother as she spoke with the guest. Her mother seemed a bit flustered from what Sakura could hear but that probably was because of dinner approaching, and her mother wishing the guest to leave so she could finish preparation.

After a while, she heard a low murmur reply to her mother's. Obviously a male visitor then. She paid it no real mind, instead turning the water off and preparing to return to her room.

“Sakura! You have a visitor!”

Sakura winced at the call through the house. Always so noisy. Never get any peace. “I'm busy, Mom. Can you tell them to wait a bit?”

Sakura was rewarded by continuing mumbles as she moved to her bedroom and started to dress. She left the door open a crack to listen to the conversation.

“I guess you're busy preparing for the exam then. Sakura told me that you did really well to get through. It's a shame she didn't. Do you watch out for her on missions? She is my girl after all and I just want her to be safe.”

Obviously Naruto then, thought Sakura, busily getting the worst of the water out of her hair. Mom is talking away at him, and he can't get a word in edgeways. She listened to her mother prattle on for a while longer, before frowning. I've never known Naruto to be this quiet before. She quickly pulled on a clean dress, before heading back downstairs.

She found her mother standing at the doorway, talking animatedly. In all, that wasn't surprising. Sakura knew her mother enjoyed chatting and gossiping. It was the visitor that surprised her.

Sasuke-kun? Why is he here? He's never visited before. Sakura could see tension in Sasuke's frame, which surprised her. She had only seen such worry and fear once before, on their first mission out of the village, when Zabuza called out vague threats from his hiding place in the mists. Sakura was confident that only she could see that, while her mother saw only the politely blank expression on his face. Why has Sasuke-kun come here, and why does Mom scare him so much? Sakura hurried over, smiling. “I'm here, Mom, I'm here. Hi Sasuke-kun, is everything alright?”

Sasuke grunted something that could have been interpreted as the word `fine'.

Sakura saw her mother smile. “Do you want to stay for dinner, Sasuke-kun? I'm sure I can make our meal split between four as easily as three. I'm sure Sakura would love for you to stay, and you can't be eating too well, considering…” She trailed off as Sasuke glared at her.

“I want to talk with Sakura, Haruno-san,” he said, choking out the `san' as if it was a mere formality, rather than with any real respect. He turned towards Sakura. “Are you busy?”

Sakura tried to avoid her mother's gaze. “No.”

“Then come with me.” He turned to Sakura's mother and executed a sharp, formal bow before turning on his heel and walking off.

Sakura was slightly stunned at his actions but shook it off, reaching for her sandals. “I'll be back later, Mom. I'm sure Sasuke-kun just wants to talk privately about something, that's all.”

“Well it's certainly not a date with that attitude,” replied her mother. “Okay, go, just don't expect dinner to still be warm if you're too late back.”

Sakura nodded, then took off after Sasuke. I don't understand. Sasuke-kun has never come to my house before. Could it be that he's missing me? That made her smile, even as she hurried after him. That's obviously it. His training has finally made him realise how much he likes me, but he doesn't want to admit it in front of my family. So now we're going to find a cosy little spot where he can finally tell me how he feels. She finally caught up to him, and moved to put her arm around his.

“Sakura,” cautioned Sasuke in a warning tone.

Sakura withdrew her arm and tried to be content at just walking by his side. At least he seems less tense now. I wonder why Mom made him like that.

Sasuke continued to move further into town, much to Sakura's disappointment, before stopping near one of the main streets. “Sakura.”

Sakura tried to smile. It's a little more public than I hoped for, but maybe he doesn't trust himself to be alone with me now he's realised his feelings. “What is it, Sasuke-kun?”

“Have you seen Naruto lately?”

Sakura blinked a few times, trying to shift mental gears. “Naruto? Why would I have seen him?”

“He's not in Konoha?”

Sakura sighed. “As far as I know, both you and he are out training all the time.” She put her hands on her hips. “What does that matter? I'm here, he's not, we can finally have some peace and quiet.” She saw Sasuke look away, to where she could just make out the corner of the Ichiraku ramen house. “You're only interested in Naruto, then?” she asked angrily. Not me, Sasuke-kun?

Sasuke seemed to jerk back to himself to look at Sakura with a puzzled expression, before stuffing his hands into his pockets and trying to have a more neutral expression. “I'm… interested in you too, Sakura,” he replied, stumbling over the words. Sasuke mentally cringed at how Sakura would likely take the sentiment, but could find no better way to reassure her. “You're both on my team. Naruto just owes me money.” He shrugged slightly. “Kakashi is too quiet during the times we're not training. Last time I was in town I met up with Naruto by chance. He was noisy.”

Sakura smiled a little. You're lonely, Sasuke-kun, but you can't say that. So now you look for him hoping that he's lonely too. “You know, Sasuke-kun, my mother's cooking is terrible. I'd rather eat out. Maybe if you keep me company, Naruto will come along?” She tried not to look too hopeful. It would be a kind of date, wouldn't it? I just hope Mom forgives me for not coming home for dinner.

Sasuke paused in consideration. “You… would help me watch for him?”

“Sure!” Sakura started to walk towards the Ichiraku. “And I want to hear all about what you and he have been doing. It's no fun being stuck here in Konoha while you guys are gone.”

Sasuke followed behind her. “Only a fool would discuss plans for the upcoming battle in earshot of their enemies.” He moved into the restaurant, and nodded at the friendly greeting the owner gave.

Sakura sat beside him. “Then what do you want to talk about?”

Sasuke considered for a while before answering. “I don't know.”

Sakura smiled at him and placed an order. “Well, what did you and Naruto talk about?”

“Didn't really talk,” replied Sasuke. He lent forwards over the counter slightly to order, then sat back. “We spent most of our time arguing.”

Sakura laughed. “Naruto's always picking quarrels with you, Sasuke-kun. He should listen to what you have to say more.”

“Perhaps.” Sasuke steepled his hands on the counter and rested his chin on them. “Perhaps you listen too much.”

Sakura was confused. What can he mean by that? I try very hard to listen to him, to what he wants from me. She sighed slightly. “So how is it that Naruto owes you money, Sasuke-kun?”

Sakura thought she saw a muscle twitch in Sasuke's jaw before he replied. “He didn't have enough to cover his bill here.”

“That was very noble of you, Sasuke-kun.”

Sasuke seemed a little distracted by that comment. “Whatever.”

I wonder what did happen between him and Naruto. Sasuke-kun seems to be acting so oddly for him over this. She watched him. “So how have you been while training? Is Kakashi letting you get enough rest between training sessions? Are you getting enough to eat, because I'm sure I could get my mother to give you something to take back with you.”

“I'm fine, Sakura.” He looked up at the store owner, still busy preparing the food. “Hey mister. Has Naruto been in since I last was?”

The owner looked thoughtful for a moment, turning his attention away from his pans. “Why, he was here yesterday, along with another friend.”

Sasuke looked puzzled. “What friend was it? Nara Shikamaru? Inuzuka Kiba?”

“I don't think it was any of them.” The owner returned to his work. “He was a bit older than you are, with silver hair and glasses. He paid for Naruto, too.”

Sakura resisted the urge to complain. Stupid, freeloading Naruto. Taking food off someone else because he couldn't con Sasuke-kun into it I bet.

“An older ninja?” asked Sasuke. “But still a kid? Maybe sixteen, seventeen? Dark eyes, monochromatic clothes?” He received a slow nod.

“Could well be, young man.”

Sakura thought about this. “Sounds sorta like Kabuto-san I guess. After all he likes Naruto, and he would be around.”

Sasuke nodded. “It couldn't be his teacher from that description.” He looked up as he and Sakura received their orders. “Thanks.” He focused his attention on the bowl. “You know, I don't really trust that Kabuto. He seemed very quick to give up in the exam.”

“But he was hurt,” replied Sakura around a mouthful of ramen. “He said he'd try again next year. You can understand why someone wouldn't take such a risk as you did to get through.”

“Maybe.” Sasuke seemed to think for a while. “I wonder what he and Naruto talked about.”

“With any luck you can ask him yourself, Sasuke-kun,” replied Sakura. “I can try to find out when he's next in Konoha for you?”

Sasuke sighed slightly. “With my training I come back to Konoha every four days. I stay the night, and resupply and leave in the morning. Maybe by the time I come back Naruto will have come to see you. You can tell him.”

“I guess, but…” Sakura chewed at her bottom lip nervously. “Why do you want to see him anyway, Sasuke-kun? Why can't we just, you know, enjoy the quiet?”

“Because it's too quiet.”

Sakura gave up trying to make conversation after that. She and Sasuke ate in silence, paid their bill, then Sasuke walked her back to her house. Part of Sakura wanted to gloat that this was probably a date, but part of her knew better. Sasuke's feelings about her hadn't changed.

When she got back, she was scolded by her mother for missing dinner as expected. Sasuke was invited in, which he declined. Sakura was surprised to notice the stiffness and formality had returned to his movements. Finally, after her mother had insisted on Sasuke taking away with him a bundle that comprised of the share of Sakura's dinner as left-overs, he departed.

Sakura just moved dejectedly up to her room. Guess as dates go, that was pretty rotten. He didn't seem to want to talk about us, just about Naruto. She sighed, and rubbed at her eyes. If I didn't know better, I'd think he wasn't interested in girls at all. Still, we had one night together, and hopefully, if Naruto does come to see me, we can have more nights together. She smiled, and looked at the group picture propped on her desk. Guess I do miss that loudmouth brat too, Sasuke-kun.