Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Uzumaki Naruto Ninja Chronicles: The Beggining ❯ Chapter 3

“WHERE IS SASUKE?!” Orochimaru screamed as his hands began to throb once again in almost unbearable pain. The last curse given to him by the Third was now beginning to kill him.

 

Theoretically, Orochimaru shouldn't be dying, after all, only the soul of his arms was taken. But the nature of a soul is some what of a brittle glass; even if you cut up only a small part of it, everything else cracks, and soon, everything breaks down. There was a solution, and that was to transfer the mind of Orochimaru to another body who still has a whole healthy soul.

 

Sasuke Uchiha was his main prize… the last of the Uchiha Clan with the ever famous Sharingan Eyes, which would allow the Jutsu-hungry snake man to be able to learn all Jutsus easily… in a faster and more cooler way.

 

Laharl had already overheard Ero-sennin and Tsunade-baachan and their talks with Orochimaru. He was quite… `mentally' vocal on how Orochimaru must have been stupid that he'd need to use some eyes just to learn jitsus, instead of reading them, or experimenting yourselves. Ninja techniques use hand seal sequences and chakra… and there are limitless possibilities and sequences of seals, so in short, there are infinite jitsus in which you can't just memorize. Besides… with so many techniques, how in the world will you be able to fight effectively?

 

Kabuto, the medic-nin lapdog of Orochimaru (and was acknowledged by Tsunade [mentally] that he was a bit better than her at her prime) tried to keep his master calm. It's been already 30 minutes passed due for the predicted arrival time of the Uchiha kid, and Orochimaru had to hold on to his useless body until the boy arrived. Kabuto knew that his master wouldn't like the news one last bit. He had just received word.

 

“Orochimaru-sama… the `Mission' was a failure… some genins from Konoha, plus with the help of the three Sand Nins were able to intercept the team before they crossed the border… they got Sasuke back,” Kabuto said quietly.

 

A short silence followed, the snake man still trying to understand what Kabuto just told him. It took him a while… “NANI?!”

 

For the first time in Orochimaru's life, a perfect plan had failed him… big time. Instead of Sasuke, Orochimaru was forced to transfer his mind, his existence had to go for another human… a rather strong one too, who survived an all out bloody battle royal that Kabuto prepared to see which one was worthy of being the new body of the snake man.

 

Orochimaru wasn't really pleased. He could feel his arms again after the mind transfer, but now, he has to wait for three years before he can transfer again. And Sasuke was nowhere near his grasp, now being recaptured to that stupid excuse of a ninja village… He had underestimated them… but he had hoped that by this time, he'd get his most prized possession… the last of the Uchiha clan.

 

Now it was impossible. With Sasuke in the village… he'd either be executed for running away the villagers to him, the main enemy of Konoha. If not, Sasuke would be lucky to just even be outside his house, especially with the `no joke, real deal' `Super Sucker' Fifth Hokage, Tsunade.

 

“Orochimaru-sama… there is more,” Kabuto whispered softly. “Sasuke had completed the metamorphosis, and is able to use the Level 2… but was stopped by the Kyubi carrier, Uzu…”

 

“Uzumaki… Naruto…” Orochimaru hissed.

 

(Song: Bullet by The Covenant)

- The Uzumaki Naruto Ninja Chronicles -

- | Curious! Mystery in Play! | -

 

According to the UNNC, Laharl and Kyubi is his first and probably only family. He had first met them when he was 3 years old, when after a sudden pain on his abdomen, he found two voices arguing. One was male, soft spoken, and somewhat insulting, and the other is a female, strong willed, and really has a bad potty mouth. Almost all the swear words Naruto knew weren't even half of what Kyubi would use.

 

It took at least 3 weeks for Naruto to convince himself he wasn't going crazy, and that he had two souls sealed inside him. Naruto had more or less got comfortable with Laharl first, since Laharl was a guy, and particularly showed him enough care. Pains of the heart by the cold stares of the Konoha Villagers were eased by him (Kyubi was never a help, always kept on shouting “KILL THEM! KILL THEM ALL THOSE FUCKING WHORE ASS MOTHERFUCKING BASTARDS!!!”), and some helpful advice on school had made Naruto get through a day for ten years.

 

Naruto, contrary to popular belief, wasn't a cheerful, happy go lucky child. He was suicidal… well, almost. Most of the time, he was depressed, suffering, even if he was eating ramen. Laharl was the one who helped him through his feelings, sorting them out, giving out `brotherly advice'. Although… there are times when Laharl would sometimes be unpredictable, and like a strict teacher, he would suddenly shout in Naruto's mind whenever something stupid was being done by the blonde boy.

 

Naruto could count the times that happened though. Laharl rarely shouted… the first time he ever heard him shout was when he was about to run away from Zabusa during their assignment to protect the annoying drunk, yet very hardworking, and courageous bridge builder Tazuna. There was also the time when he heard him shout while he was fighting Haku. And then, the time he was…

 

Well, you get the picture. Laharl was his back-up, his electric blanket to the coldness of the villagers who obviously, even if silently hated him. But… it doesn't mean Kyubi was useless, oh no. While Laharl became his emotional support, Kyubi was his physical. His fox sister had the famed Absolute Chakra, which literally meant `a battery that will last hella lot longer than the Final Energizer'. Wounds, sickness, poison, you name it, as long as the chakra flow in his system weren't disconnected, she would heal him. A powerful opponent out to kill him? No problem. Just a dab of the special nine tail fox chakra, Naruto becomes the Incredible Hulk!

 

Well… its not as easy at it sounds, really. There is a limit to Chakra Kyubi can give him. If she gives something beyond that limit, the cells will break down, and might kill Naruto off. Laharl had named it `Oversurge' and it was stuck with that name ever since, much to Kyubi's annoyance. She wanted a more elegant name, a name that was found in the dictionary. Oh… she came up with `Overenergized'. So much for something found in the book of normal words.

 

But now… sadly, Laharl would be leaving his mark in that world only through Naruto. After all, only just a few minutes since landing on the Naruto World he had his soul taken out of his body. He had no heir… either in that world, or his home world. Naruto would be the only one that carried Laharl's powers. No one else. But fret not, for the future will be bright as a sunny day covered in clouds in a thunderstorm.

 

Speaking of thunderstorms… one is about to pass to Konoha… searching for the Legacy of Laharl.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

A mysterious figure dressed in a black thick heavy coat walked in the thick forest of the fire Country, destination, Konoha. He was a on a mission, a person with a promise t uphold. His features weren't really recognizable under the black coat. His head was covered by a black hood from the coat.

 

The only distinguishable feature was probably the straw bag on his back. It is roughly the size of an ordinary gym bag, but made to a backpack, and seemed to poke in a few places. It didn't look that filled up, really… but still had those poking… pokey… thingies… well, whatever.

 

He kept quiet, his movements didn't seem to disrupt anything. Hell, he even walked towards a flock of feeding birds, all they did was move around him, not alarmed at all by his presence. And he in turn, didn't seem to mind them. It was… as if they had an understanding.

 

Why was he here? Well… he had felt the `Presence'. The word Presence here is used as a term of energy recognition. Like DNA, an individual has different energy signatures. That is also true to all lifeforms, whether human, animal, plant, demons, and the works. And a few days early, he felt the second energy signature of his…

 

He paused. He wondered how he'd view `him'. A friend? Well, they were friends… except that he's really stupid, dumb, tactless, not to mention perverted. An enemy? They fought lots of times… although that baka-yarou cheats with the stupid Demon Eyes. In the end, he just shrugged. Friend, acquaintance, enemy, whatever. He continued on his way, doing what he had promised to `him'.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

To Konoha, they just witnessed a group of Gennins and one Chuunin make their way back, accompanied by Kakashi carrying the unconscious Naruto and Sasuke in his shoulders. A feat of strength, considering his small lean build. But then again, if he could go toe to toe with Gai, it's not really surprising.

 

With them were the three sand-nins which were more or less responsible to the attack on the village a few months ago. As much as wary as the villagers were to the three sand-nins, it was nothing compared to the looks they all gave to Kakashi… or so most of them thought.

 

“Hey, Gaara…” Temari whispered softly and nervously, still nervous around Gaara. “The villagers seem to hate that Jounin with silver hair…”

 

Gaara looked at her with a neutral expression, and didn't reply. He looked at the villagers, and back at Temari. The answer he gave shocked her… and Kankouro. “They aren't glaring at the man… they are glaring at Naruto.”

 

“Nani…?” Kankouro was the first to speak. He had recognized more or less the eyes the villagers were using. It had the same apprehension… disgust… hate that the villagers in the Sand use on Gaara… except there was no fear in their eyes.

 

“Why would they stare at that blonde kid like that?” Temari asked, not directly concerned for Naruto, but more of curiosity as she too recognized those eyes. Gaara remained silent, not really giving an expression if he knew or not. Temari took his silence as the reply, and looked at the Chuunin who had beaten her in the exam.

 

Shikamaru no longer had that lazy look in his face. He was in distraught, as he had seen his best friend, Chouji's condition. Chouji and Neji were both on sand stretchers made by your one and only. But the Multi-Size Jitsu user looked different… mainly he was thin. As thin as Shikamaru is.

 

Neji on the other hand had a gaping hole on his shoulder, and is covered in blood. He practically looked half dead… not a really comforting site for kids. But then again, this is a ninja village… granted, a very peaceful, very WHO like, who are against war… and somehow queasy ninjas who have things about killings and blood, and stuff.

 

Uchiha Sasuke was back to his normal self, his face in a neutral expression, very much unconscious. The surrounding girls all looked at him with a longing and sad expression. “Is… he dead?” “Oh no… Sasuke-sama!!” were a few statements heard.

 

Naruto looked like he was in pain. And to reality, he was. Inside him, his DNA is being refigured, and his whole system being `upgraded'. In either case, it was fucking his system, and he was twitching. But no one really noticed, except maybe Gaara, Kakashi, and Tsunade, who was fast approaching.

 

“Alright, people, get out of the way!” Tsunade declared, as she charged into the group. She first looked at who were injured. She counted all the Konoha ninjas to be injured. The Sand Nins didn't even have a scratch on them. She began to look at those who were seriously injured. She saw Neji, Chouji, Sasuke, and… “Naruto…!!!”

 

She went towards Kakashi, and looked at the blonde boy. Without even a word of an order, Kakashi bent down and slowly let Naruto off his shoulder to let Tsunade have a better look at him. The others looked in a curios somewhat disgusted at her actions… the leader, the Hokage of their village favors that… well, stupid little fox bastard more than anyone else noteworthy.

 

“Oh my god… he's in pain,” Tsunade muttered. “Get him to the hospital… no, get everyone there! I'll personally heal them myself if I have to! Now!”

 

Just a few words… and two sentences. That's all what she needed for people to move. Ain't it grand to be Hokage?

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Inside the mindscape of Naruto, sobbing sounds could be heard. The blonde boy perked up, his eyes opening at the sound. He looked around. He found himself inside the dark halls again in his mind. He knew where he was. He had visited this place a thousand times already. Nothing was really new… except the crying sounds.

 

Naruto walked around until he found the big room where the cage was. He peered around. Unlike the dark and dreary halls, the `Cage Room' as it was affectionately called, it was clean, and brightly lit… well, brighter than the halls. Right now, there was a tone of sadness in it.

 

Approaching the cage, Naruto was surprised to find out that every third bar of the cage was missing. With accordance to the size of the cage, it gave enough space for Naruto to sneak inside, much to his excitement.

 

There were years he'd wonder what went inside the cage. As much as he felt close to Laharl and Kyubi, he couldn't shake the fact that he couldn't go inside their home, a.k.a the Cage. Slipping in quietly, he stumbled a bit as he finally went inside, and looked around.

 

Largely thanks to Laharl, the Cage was divided into three parts. Laharl's Room, Kyubi's Room, and the Common Room. The Common Room was the first room to be seen from outside the cage, and was relatively simple. A nice couch, a La-Z-Boy, and a sixty one inch television, which was usually kept on, except for now, which remained closed.

 

In the left, it had Laharl's room. In the right, it was Kyubi's… and the source of crying came from that room. Curious as any normal hyperactive and ramen eating boy he was, he slowly went towards Kyubi's room, and stood by the front door. First impression was that it was closed. But if it was closed… why was there a thin line of light coming through its side?

 

Naruto poked it once. He smiled. It was open! Slowly tiptoeing inside, he slid in the floor like a mouse, and tried to look around. Everything was new to him. Being in the cage was new, going inside Kyubi's room is new, seeing her cry is new…

 

“Wha…?!” Naruto gasped in surprise. He stood up, very shocked at the revelation. He didn't know what to do. His fox sister was a very strong woman, for him. Always shouting curse words, always trying to behead Laharl… hell, she was the nine tailed demon which almost destroyed the whole village! Ain't that badass enough?

 

But now… well, he couldn't place it. She… seemed broken over something. He walked over to her for a while, seemingly silent because she gave no signs of acknowledgement. He looked at her, concentrated at her, and slowly tapped her shoulders to get her attention.

 

“Eh… Kyubi-nechan…?” Naruto called out nervously. “You… you okay?”

 

The fox woman looked at the boy in front of her, and her eyes widened in surprise. She looked at the boy… and kneeled down a bit and stared at him at the eyes. Naruto could only swallow nervously as Kyubi looked at him in a very weird way. He trusted her… after all, she had been one of his companions for almost 10 years. More than a friend, she was family for him… but she's… staring at him in a very weird way.

 

Naruto began to think the stares that Kyubi had given him before: 1) The Mean Stare, 2) The “I'll Kill You” Stare, 3) “You're Annoying” Stare, and the infamous 4) “YOU DID THAT SEXY NO JITSU AGAIN?!” stare. Right now… it was a very, very weird…make that super, hyperactively weird stare.

 

Her eyes watered, and she suddenly hugged him, and began to affectionately chewing on his ears. Well, it wasn't chew… she didn't use her sharp teeth… nibble was more of an appropriate term, but it was a very rough nibbling. Not only that, but… he felt his spine shake with the action. He couldn't explain it.

 

But… wait a moment. She was nibbling his ears… but her head was not on his sides. She's doing the action… on top of his head! Naruto looked straight, and saw a tall mirror, which reflected Kyubi's back, and half of his face. He blinked. Was it him… or did his reflection have fox ears?! On top of his head?! Oh wait… what was that moving behind him…?! OMG?! Is that… IS THAT A FOX TAIL?!

 

“WHAT THE FUCK…?!!!” Naruto suddenly screamed, the reflection of his red eyes staring back at him with a shocked expression.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

One of the medic-nins glared hatefully towards Naruto's sleeping form. Tsunade paid no mind, trying to heal the little stuff, likes nicks, scratches and other things which have weirdly found itself in Naruto's body.

 

Normally, Naruto would come back to missions and training without much physical wounds because of Kyubi. But… now, it didn't seem that the Kyubi's chakra was helping the boy. Tsunade theoretically guessed that the fight against Sasuke had basically exhausted his reserves, maybe even Kyubi's. She had gotten the report out of Shikamaru and Kakashi.

 

“To what I have seen in the battle field, it seems that the two fought with their all,” Kakashi had said, being very serious. “I felt traces of Chakra most likely coming from the Chidori… and the Rasengan. With the damage in the landscape, I believe that both the boys used those techniques against each other.”

 

Shikamaru had nothing much to say. His mouth was still drawling, but his eyes were definitely happy. He cried a bit, after knowing his best friend was going to be fine, and it did a lot good for him. Although not much of a witness in Naruto and Sasuke's fight, he did feel a lot of Chakra being used, but other than that… nothing really.

 

Tsunade sighed as she sat down beside the bedside of Naruto. She slowly placed her hand on his hair, and began to move her fingers through each strand. Suddenly, something hit her as she stopped doing what she did, and stared at the hair. Was it her… or did it feel finer… silk-like, actually? The last time she felt his hair, it was more of a bundle of hay than anything. Not only that, but he suddenly looked… wrong. His round face is a bit more… well, pointed and smooth. He was definitely looking like…

 

The Fourth… Tsunade thought. She smiled a bit. Well, well, well, Yondaime. You're legacy is growing up so nicely… although… his blood limit has not yet awakened…

 

With the thoughts of Naruto's blood limit, her thoughts went to her ex-companion, Orochimaru. She gritted her teeth. There were times she could curse fate, but then… its not really fate's fault on the relationship between the ex-sennin and Naruto. Or… is it?

 

Still, something still felt wrong. It wasn't until the last minute, when Kakashi had called her to look at something, did she finally notice. The tips of Naruto's hair were unmistakably getting darker, in a shade of purple. She wondered about that.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

The shadowed figure walked towards the open gates of Konoha, with a male chunin guarding the front. Nothing really remarkable about the chunin as he looks like your average chunnin… not to mention ugly to boot. But the figure paid no mind. Physical attributes weren't really things he should judge, really. HE continued to walk towards the gate.

 

“Halt!” the chunnin said, raising his hand up, trying to stop the hooded figure. “This is the Hidden Leaf Village. State the purpose of your visit.”

 

The figure seemed to look up a bit, his features were still hidden. “I have a promise to keep to a friend.”

 

“Who is that friend of yours, stranger?” the gennin asked.

 

“He goes by the name of Laharl,” the hooded figure replied.

 

The chunnin stood there for a while, thinking a bit. He was well versed with the family names of most clans in the village, and personally knows a few names as well, which is why he was given the job, because he had a semi-photographic memory. Although not much in describing physical appearances, he can memorize the stuff he reads, and the family list of clans in Konoha was one of the few things he read.

 

After a bit, he looked back up, and said, “I'm sorry, but I have no idea…” he blinked. There was a blank space in front of him, where the hooded figure was standing just a few moments ago.

 

His eyes widened. He felt panic rise in his system. There was a hooded man who just disappeared in front of him… last time a guard had stopped hooded figures, it turned out to be Itachi and his partner! “Oh shit! Oh shit! Why didn't I remember that before?! If I only knew… I'd let him pass!!! What if he's mad… oh shit! What if he's Itachi?! I have to warn the Hokage!!!”

 

With that, the chunin turned heel, and ran inside, leaving his post to warn the Hokage. After a few minutes, the hooded figure jumped away from the tree branch he perked on, and snorted.

 

“Idiot,” he stated, and continued to walk inside, now unstopped by the missing guard.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Inside the mind of Naruto Uzumaki, we see two figures both together in a rather intimate position. Kyubi, the nine-tailed fox creature, was hugging… or rather comforting the blonde haired (with purple strands) fox kid. It was just a few minutes ago when Naruto was given the most painful news in his life.

 

He cried there, in her shoulder, very hard. An emotional pitstop, one can say, as Uzumaki Naruto's life was always a hyperactive one. Always on the go, some would say. Either its training, or ramen. Either its there, or here. Either its trying to get a date with Sakura-chan, or to try and beat Sasuke. He was always doing something.

 

Most would ask why oh why he would be so… hyperactive. Well, one can say that his hyperactivity is because of his loneliness, it was his mask to hide his actual self from the world. Another would say because he is just full of energy, like they fed him cow's milk instead of normal baby milk. Truth to be told… those two theories are… well, rather quite true.

 

When he was a baby, no lactating woman would want to breast feed him. The Third and his caretaking friend had no choice… but with some help of some scrolls, the Third tried to lessen the effect of the hyperactivity by changing the milk chemicals subtly. Fat chance of it helping, as you see what you get.

 

The loneliness… that was a bit more understandable. As much as both Laharl and Kyubi treated him like a younger brother/irritating host, they were still only voices in their head. When he was 5, he was able to see them face to face in the depths of his mind, but couldn't approach them, the cage prevented him from crossing.

 

Now, imagine how happy Naruto might have felt when he was able to get inside the cage to be able to talk with Kyubi and Laharl with, what probably be the closes contact ever in his life. He wanted to hug his older brother, and probably annoy his older sister. He never expected to suddenly have fox ears and fox tails… nor… did he ever imagine… no, dread on hearing what Kyubi told him.

 

“Laharl… he… merged with the seal,” Kyubi had told him.

 

“Ne… merged?” Naruto asked, blinking, looking at her innocently. “But… isn't that dangerous…? He said so, when he came out to fight Haku. He said the seal was draining him…”

 

“Naruto-kun… haven't you figured out why you have fox ears…? And fox tails?” Kyubi said slowly. “Nor did you wonder why you have his eyes…?”

 

It took a while, but Naruto was able to figure it out, and went to a crying fit. Life wasn't fair. Here he was, inside the cage with one member of his surrogate family… and his brother, the person he had looked up to…

 

“No… I don't believe you!” Naruto wanted to scream again, his fist hitting Kyubi hard in her shoulders. The fox girl didn't have it in her to say anything, really. This is also one of her emotional moments. Her roommate, her only friend… probably her lover is gone. They've been together for almost 14 years… and now… everything has changed.

 

She hugged Naruto tight, accepting his hits to her. She wanted to act her usual self, but couldn't help it. A very young and kawaii fox boy was in the cage with her, and she wanted to keep him there forever. Just… just like old times, she thought rather emotionally, as one of her memorably memories surfaced. Shiho… if you were still alive…

 

“I'm sorry Naruto-kun…” Kyubi whispered softly. “I could wish it wasn't so… but… that's what happened. Laharl didn't want you to die… so… did everything he could to save you.”

 

Naruto gave a sob, and gritted his teeth. “If… if I could only be stronger! I wouldn't have been knocked out and made Laharl-nichan go through the seal!”

 

“But he did… and he was glad he did,” Kyubi said, calmly as she tried. “He did what he wanted to, what he needed to… you couldn't stop him even if you could have…”

 

Naruto was silent, still crying, trying to calm himself down. “W… what do… we do then?” he asked, stuttering a bit.

 

“Remember what Laharl would always say…” Kyubi smiled softly. “Live on…”

 

Live on… those were the words of Laharl to Naruto whenever he had a bad day. Naruto sniffled, and wiped away his few remaining tears. Those words… he first heard them when he was kicked out of the restaurant because he wanted to eat there. He came back to the apartment, in a crying fit. He asked, more to himself, if he will ever be accepted or was it better to just die. Laharl replied.

 

“Live on, baka. Don't pay attention to those idiotic people, for the only person who can demoralize you is yourself. You want to be accepted? Then be the best you can be. Live your life. That's all.”

 

Naruto smiled weakly. That was the first lesson Laharl ever taught him, and made him make up his mind to be the Hokage.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

“Nani?!” Sakura wanted to shout. “What do you mean I can't go and see Sasuke-kun?!”

 

The hospital had a share of disgruntled and maybe even violent females trying to visit Uchiha Sasuke. The boy was confined in another room, heavily guarded by ANBU, and was under the strict orders of the Hokage to be isolated.

 

No one, except for a few, knew what had happened. The story circulated around was that the Uchiha survivor had been kidnapped by the Sound, and Hokage had sent the team of gennins and Shikamaru to retrieve the boy.

 

Now, here is where it gets interesting. Sasuke, supposedly being kidnapped by the Sound was being rescued by the Gennins… but, why is he so beaten up? Not only that, but Naruto seemed to be in the same condition. Rumors were flying, but only three rumors had settled in the minds of the many fan girls.

 

The first rumor was invented by Sasuke addicts, and it was that Sasuke was beaten up by the kidnappers because he didn't want to be kidnapped without the fight. Most girls swooned over that, stating “Sasuke-sama is the greatest!” “That's our Sasuke-sama!” “How… heroic!”

 

The second was more or less created by the mixture of Sasuke fan girls, and the Naruto `isn't really a bad guy' group. Much as Naruto thought that no one else other than a few people acknowledged him, there was a group in small numbers who formed after the event of the third part of the chunin exam who have seem to develop a sort of respect to the boy. After all, its not everyday you see the supposedly `dead last' beat the senior genius, ne? The second rumor was said that Uchiha Sasuke had been found by the gennin Naruto, and both fought together against the kidnappers.

 

The third, and probably the more accurate of the two, was made by Sasuke fan girls, and the `We don't like Naruto!' club. They theoretically claimed that Sasuke was trying to be killed by the over-jealous Naruto because the he had lots of things than the blonde `dead last'. So, Sasuke fought back, being injured after being dishonorably attacked, and defeated the stupid idiot, and fainted because of his own injuries.

 

Now, back to Sakura, who was now raising her fist, just like her inner self, exploding. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T SEE HIM?!” she shouted, really pissed. The last time Sasuke was in the hospital was after the preliminaries of the third Chunin exam, and even at that time, she couldn't visit him! She had just enough of this!

 

The ANBU watched rather apprehensively as Sakura just suddenly did a 180 on them and walked away, huffing, her eyes glazing with killer intent, and her big forehead filled with twitches. She stormed out of the hospital, muttering curses of life being unfair.

 

One of the ANBU's looked at the other. “At… least she didn't attack us…” he said.

 

One of the female ANBU's held her hand, and stated, “Okay, Nuyo, pay up!”

 

The ANBU in question cursed as he paid the woman money. He was sure Sakura would try and attack them… guess not today then.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

“I'm gonna get this to the Hokage… no way in hell I'm gonna let this pass… those idiotic rules of isolating Sasuke… you'd think I was there claiming his life…!” Sakura mumbled, stamped on her way to the Hokage's office, wanting to give the Hokage a piece of her mind.

 

As she passed a restaurant, she didn't notice a hooded figure slowly eating inside the restaurant watching her. Actually, the hooded figure was watching everyone intently. It wasn't everyday that he'd visit a ninja village, and it wasn't everyday you'd see a group of girls going inside the hospital, and being kicked out by a few ninjas with masks one by one, as they feel the dust of the ground, whilst their teeth gnashing. Well, maybe except this shy girl with pupiless eyes… she came in, and came out, blushing and frowning at the same time.

 

The hooded figure stood up, and placed two gold coins in the table, and left without a another word towards the hospital.

 

Entering, he looked around, and noted his surroundings. It looked like your average hospital… light colors, and medic-nins wearing white uniforms are all over the place. There was a reception, and a waiting area. He walked towards the receptionist, seeming passing through the medic-nins like he was some sort of invisible ghost.

 

“Excuse me,” he spoke softly towards the girl behind the desk. She snapped her head up, eyes widened a bit… she didn't see him! “I'm looking for someone… I felt his presence here.”

 

“Ah… yes, yes,” the girl stuttered a bit. “Um… may I ask who are you looking for?”

 

“Laharl…” the hooded figure replied.

 

The girl's eyes narrowed, and looked at her list. They were lucky it was a slow day… well, almost. They got 2 recovering gennin from the Uchiha Rescue mission, one unconscious demon fox, and one unconscious hero, and about 50 more patients, including 20 of which are elderly.

 

She scanned her list, and looked for Laharl as the clan name. No luck there, and here eyes narrowed. Sometimes, she hated doing this job, as some people just waltz here, make noise, and other stupid things. The hooded stranger, even though quiet, was not really helping her today. Couldn't he just give her Laharl's clan name or something? And… Laharl… what a weird funky name. Kind of which you'd expect out of a demon kid Overlord or something of sorts…

 

She hit her head with her open hand, trying to get stupid thoughts out of her head. Demon kid Overlord, yeah right. Next thing she would think is Naruto growing fox tails which would suddenly transform to angel wings, and become adored like the Uchiha kid. She laughed softly and continued scanning.

 

“… no, I'm sorry, I don't believe we have someone named Laharl here. Is he a patient, or does he work here?” Could you at least give me his clan name?!!! the receptionist thought.

 

The hooded figure seemed to be once again in deep thought. If the receptionist didn't recognize the name, it closed the option that he worked in the hospital… but… he could feel his presence here… maybe, it was time to search for Laharl manually. “Thanks…” he muttered, before he turned to his side, and leave.

 

The girl stared at him, and wondered briefly what was up with that…

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Sakura huffed and puffed all the way to the Hokage tower. She was pissed… really pissed. First, she had to wait for the recovery team to get Sasuke back, and after that, he was hospitalized, and now, she can't visit him!

 

She ignored the protesting guard in front of the office and went straight through the halls towards Tsunade's office. She kicked the door open (like I said, she's really really pissed…) and shouted, “HOKAGE-SAMA! YOU HAVE TO DO SOEMTHING ABOUT SASUKE'S VISI…”

 

“Oh… Konnichiwa, Sakura,” Kakashi cut her off, his visible eye closed as he formed a smile. Sakura blinked… and turned white.

 

She just recalled her actions a few minutes ago. 1) Stomping on the road, scaring the shit of at least 3 cats, and made 6 babies cry. 2) She just burst in the office in the middle of what she can only describe as a meeting. Hokage was there, so was her sensei, Kakashi, and they seemed to be talking about something. 3) Did… did she just pass by an ANBU and gave him a cold shoulder?

 

“HOKAGE-SAMA!” shouts rang, and the sound of stamping feet came louder and louder. “THERE IS AN INTRUDER!!!”

 

Sakura's eyes widened and wanted to hide under a rock as a team of ANBU came in, all their weapons drawn, intent to kill the person who just burst in the office. Beads of sweat formed in Sakura's face as they all stared at her. She didn't move, her feet stuck on the floor.

 

“Eh, eh, that's enough,” Tsunade's voice cut through the air like a hot a hot knife in butter. “Its okay, leave us.”

 

The ANBU looked at each other, and back to the Hokage, and bowed. “Hai, Hokage-sama!” and they all dispersed. Sakura sighed with relief, only to take back her breath when she heard a slight coughing sound behind her. Slowly, she turned around…

 

“Eh… hi, Tsunade-sama…?”

 

“Sakura,” Tsunade raised her eyebrow. “May I know why your purpose of your visit?”

 

Sakura blinked for a bit, then remembered her mission. She nodded a bit. “I wanted… to… eh… well, I wanted to visit Sasuke-kun…”

 

Tsunade and Kakashi looked at each other, and back to her. “I'm sorry, Sakura,” Kakashi was the first one to speak. “Sasuke is to be isolated for a while…”

 

“Eh, but Kakashi-sensei, the last time Sasuke was in the hospital, I couldn't even visit!” Sakura complained.

 

Kakashi looked at the girl a bit seriously. “Sakura… there is more to Sasuke than his injuries… we are taking every precaution to prevent from Sasuke in running away again… I hope you understand.”

 

“But…”

 

“By the way, I just had a nice talk with Tsunade-sama,” Kakashi seemed to smile. “It concerns your future training.”

 

Sakura stopped to her tracks. Tsunade was smiling at her, and so was Kakashi… what have they been talking about?

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Naruto had calmed down quite a bit after his crying session, as he let everything out. Now he was there, his head on Kyubi's lap as she continually began to stroke his fox ears, enjoying the sensation.

 

Ever so often, he'd suddenly shiver as Kyubi's hand hit the sensitive part behind his ears, but didn't complain. Kyubi didn't as well, as she enjoyed what she was doing. Its been years… long years since she had done this to anyone. Laharl would never have allowed her hands to touch his ears like this… he was much too sensitive about it. Which is why it was always fun to try and ambush him for that… but he was trickier than she had ever thought.

 

“Kyubi-nechan…?” Naruto's voice derailed her train of thought.

 

“Hmmm? What is it, Naruto-kun?” Kyubi asked.

 

Naruto paused for a long time, before he gave one of his smiles, and just said, “No… nothing. Sorry, I was thinking something.”

 

“Heh… you, thinking… that's a first,” Kyubi smiled wickedly, feeling a bit more calmer, and a bit more normal.

 

Naruto smiled back at her. This is how usually Kyubi would talk to him. And if she started to talk to him normally, it meant one thing. “Heh… stupid fox girl! Of course I can think, unlike some people… no, demon… no, wait, demoness out there… oh, wait, did I say out there? I meant in here…”

 

“BRAT!” Kyubi snarled, and glared at him.

 

“TOMBOY!” Naruto shouted, and he sat up and glared back at her.

 

The two continued to glare at each other until finally, they broke out into a series of giggles and laughter. Naruto smiled widely, and gave a quick hug to Kyubi. She returned the hug, and smiled back at him. “So… I take it you're leaving, eh?” she said.

 

“Yeah… I think I've been asleep too long,” Naruto replied, standing up. “Ne, Kyubi-nechan… I'll visit again, okay?”

 

Kyubi smiled at him. “Sure, go on Naruto-kun. Meanwhile… I'll stay here for a while, and plan my escape…” she laughed rather evilly.

 

Naruto blinked… and… shrugged. “Um… okay… I guess,” he said, and began to walk towards the cage, and slipped through one of the cracks in the cage. Kyubi looked at him, and also walked towards the crack in the cage.

 

The crack was a wee bit too small for her… well, it wouldn't be if it weren't for her breasts… she sighed, and muttered about how her breasts get in the way, and smiled as she watched Naruto walk away.

 

She ran back to the common room, and sat on the La-Z-Boy and got comfortable, and grabbed the remote, and opened the TV. She smiled as she went on to watch the life of Uzumaki Naruto, now with Laharl's powers.

 

… wait a minute… did he just shrug… and say, `Um… okay, I guess'…? Kyubi thought… The only person who shrug his shoulders and say stuff like that… was Laharl… “Hmmm… would it be… plausible if not only powers were transformed to Naruto… but also his… personality…?” she shivered a bit. “Eh… I cant picture Naruto being an ass like Laharl…” she stared at the screen… “Who… who's that?!”

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

Naruto yawned as he opened his eyes, only to close them again at the sudden brightness. He stretched a bit, wondering what to do today, where he was, and what time it was. He first looked at the bed he was in… it was white… definitely not his bed… probably the hospital. He'd seen the same bed when he visited Lee… and had an encounter with that Gaara of the Sand.

 

“It seems you're finally awake,” a male voice suddenly rang through the air. Naruto's eyes widened, and looked at his left. Standing there, leaning in the wall, was a hooded male figure, seemingly looking at him.

 

“W… who are you?!” Naruto demanded.

 

“Eh… is that the greeting you'd give me, Budsy? Or should I call you… Laharl?” the hooded figure replied.

 

Naruto looked at him, and he looked back. Oh shit… what now?!

 

To Be Continued…

 

NEXT: Hooded figure! Laharl's techniques! The Sand-nins… and a flying elephant! Next!