Hiya everyone!
Okay so the pre-shippudden or the first part of this series is another story just called The Cycles of the Moon.
(But if you already read that then...)Sorry for the late update, school has been killing me...
But since I won't bore you with the details, HERE IS ZEE FIRST CHAPTER OF CYCLES OF THE MOON: SHIPPUDEN!
Another trainee is put into Root - pretty young, no older than 17 or so. Lately, it seems that all the trainees are put in there. I haven't seen any of them before, much less taking part of their training. Root has always been... peculiar. With Danzo being unconscious, I never trust him. But who am I to judge. Recently I've been promoted to the ability of single opt missions. Slowly, I've been told to keep more information to myself. Soon, I may have to hide everything…
"Here you go! Two extra pork bentos to go! That's would be 80 ryo." The shop clerk snaps me out of my thoughts and extends a hand for the money.
After I pay the man, I walk down to the gate, two small bentos in my hand. In exchange for the food, Izumo and Kotetsu promised to actually try at their job. Hopefully.
As I approach the gate, a cheering catches my attention. Sakura, along with the two idiots that I am for delivering lunch, huddle around someone with a yellow top. They shift around, giving me glimpses of a returning ninja. Naruto! He's back from his training! "Oi, Kotetsu, Izumo, here's your lunch!" I toss the bento boxes at the two, which they hesitantly catch and inspect - as if I've poisoned the food or something.
"Mizuki-sama." Sakura addresses me. I nod at her.
"Mizuki-nee!" Naruto greets me.
"Welcome back, Naruto-kun." I come up and give him a hug, while doing so I take notice of his height, around 5'5. Jeez, puberty got him good. I step back, commenting, "You've gotten taller."
"Hehe, well-"
"YO, NARUTO!" A mass of white fur and black leather slam down next to us, picking up a large cloud of dust.
"Hey, Kiba-kun."
"KIBA!" Naruto excitedly greets Kiba, taking a moment to give a "bro-hug". His expression completely changes, when he takes a look at the large white canine. "Kiba, where's Akamaru? And who's this big dog?"
"Hm? What are you talking about? This is Akamaru."
"EHH!?"
I let out a giggle. Hana told me that Akamaru's growth rate was more than the average ninken. Much more.
"Hello, Naruto-kun." A monotonous voice calls behind us, belonging to the hooded Shino.
"Hm? Who are you?" Whaaaaa…..? Really?
"Its me."
"Um… Hmmmmm." Naruto's expression conveys very deep thought.
"Naruto…...it's Shino…." I quietly tell him, causing his jaw to drop to the ground.
"Shino?!"
"I see. You remember Kiba and Mizuki, but not me." Shino states, hinting at his annoyance and hurt feelings.
"I-I'm sorry, you just didn't seem very familiar, heh, heh…Wait..." He treks to a corner, where small strands of dark blue hair fluttered. "Hinata-san!"
From our position, we can't see what is happening, but something is obviously wrong. Naruto starts to panic - Kiba and I rush over, only to find a passed out Hinata. I mentally facepalm myself. Why are all boys so clueless when a girl likes them…...? Hah, poor girl. Naruto grasps her shoulders and shakes her, trying to get her to wake up. But that quickly stops as Sakura violently punches him on the head.
"BAKA! First day back into the village and you're already causing trouble!" Sakura's brows furrow angrily, but then she calms down immediately. "Oh, you have to go check in with Tsunade-sama! Come on!" They leave us, heading towards the Hokage's office. Hmph, life just got a bit more interesting. I glance back to the ground, where Kiba is fanning Hinata with a small cloth, freaking out over his fainted comrade.
"Oi, Hinata, Hinata, wake up! Shino, do you have some water on you?"
Shino just stared off, commenting,"So, Naruto remembered Hinata as well."
"Oh don't worry, Shino-san. I'm sure he remembers you - besides, he just got back. He probably won't remember others." I glanced at Hinata. "Um, make sure Hinata, is fully awake and aware before going into battle, okay?" He nods slightly, and I take off, heading towards Lady Tsunade for my daily check in. On the main business street, there are masses of people of all ages. I walk through them, dazed, not really paying attention. Which is a big mistake. A stampede of small children playing tag charge right at me, almost knocking me over.
An especially rude boy comes running by and yells, "Oi, old lady! Move out of the way!"
I'm not that old… "I'll have you know I am 18!" I brush back the long, stray strands of my hair and readjust my forehead protector.
"Kids these days, eh?" A familiar voice jokes. I turn around to Shikamaru, in his normal attire of a chunin jacket. Next to him, Chouji as always, munching on a new bag of chips.
"Well, we were all like that once." I respond scratching the back of my head, slightly embarrassed at my cringeworthy behavior in the past.
"Ne, Mizuki-san, we were just going for some ramen. Wanna come?" Chouji asks between bites.
Hrm, I should go check back at Anbu, they might have a new mission for me...My stomach rumbles, and immediately wins the argument. "Sure, lead the way." Along the way we catch up on things, them with their chunin duties, and me with my Anbu. Upon reaching the Hokage office our conversation is interrupted by someone I saw not too long ago.
"Ne, what should I do…? Hrm, maybe- Ah, Mizuki-nee, Shikamaru, Chouji!"
"Yo! Naruto!" Chouji waves with his free, chip speckled hand.
"We were just going to for some Ichiraku's. Let's celebrate your arrival!" I cheer.
"Co-" As he was replying, Chouji and Shikamaru tense and inhale sharply. Shikamaru tackles Naruto to the side. Chouji sends a fist inflated with his Partial Expansion Jutsu, right where Naruto was previously standing. I take a step back and set my katana in my hands. In a split second I thrust it forward, passing through a liquid target. Centimeters away from my blade, the mass of a fist. Dripping from his hands, Chouji shakes the remains of the predator.
"Ink..."I mutter under my breath. I've been in Anbu long enough to get a glimpse of the Root the trainees and the...weapons. Damn it, Danzo would never allow them to be out like this, what is going on? From the direction of the beast, a familiar Root member sits patiently on the slope of a roof. The distinct paleness of his skin. His eyes, seemingly empty, pupils pure black. His monochromatic theme, makes even the ink seem colorful. I know I've seen him before.
Naruto raises his hand. "...I've never seen him before...But he's wearing a Konoha headband!"
Shikamaru prepares his Shadow Binding Jutsu. "That came from nowhere… I have no idea what's with that guy but, he needs to be captured and handed into the interrogation squad!"
Keeping steady contact with us, he applies his brush to his scroll once more. A few quick brushes and a line of lions spring to life. Their white interior, with only the black elegant strokes of a brush contouring the details of the beast. Their animation is beyond me, but their intent is something that I can not ignore. From their prowling position, they pounce in our direction, ready to sink their claws and teeth into our skin.
I glance at Naruto, with his same confident grin. What a way to spend his first day back, eh?
Oh. My. God. THIS WAS A STRUGGLE
Maybe it's me, but first chapters or parts are always really awkward. (You feel me?)
So many things to do and so many ways to do it, just. BLECH.
I will see you in the next chapter
BYEYE!~Grai