Chapter 2 begins...and so does the action! Enjoy :)


Laughter. The whole team of young leaf ninjas were laughing at her.

Luma glowered and changed quickly to anger.

"Oh so you think this is funny? Am I a joke to you? Well let me just tell you something I will just not stand for people making fun of and mocking me I am not the type to sit there and take insults, why I outta-"

"No, no no don't jump to conclusions thats not why we are laughing at all!" Kiba stopped her, patting her head like a pet.

"Well then enlighten me. I'd just love to hear this." She shot back.

Butting in, Ino helped the situation. "It was the way you were acting before you told us the story. You got all gloomy and stormy, and we all thought you were going to confess that you were some crazy mass murderer or cannibal or something. The truth is you got a case of bad luck, and now have to deal with it. Believe me, we have all been there."

"...oh...well...thanks I guess...don't worry if I was some kind of nutcase I woulda told you from the beginning, I never keep secrets and I guess a lot of times thats a bad thing. But thanks for understanding." Luma muttered, looking to the ground embarrassed for assuming they were all disrespectful.


After that, things got a little more comfortable between the odd group of teenagers, and soon Ino was describing her floral shop back home, Akamaru was doing tricks to show off, and Naruto gave his little speech about one day becoming the Hokage. Although he wouldn't let it show, Kakashi was smiling as he saw a friendship bloom in such a short span of time. As they passed their old campsite from the trip there, he realized that they were halfway back and hadn't come to any trouble at all. He should have known better to say that, just to end up jinxing it.

It was the middle of the night. The log fire had long since gone out, two makeshift tents softly fluttering with the snoring of whoever was asleep inside, and crickets chirping creating a peaceful medley.

All of a sudden, a blinding purple light burst out of every corner, and the ninja were awoken suddenly totally unaware of their surroundings. When the light subsided, and they blinked their eyes enough to see again, they ran out of the tents confused and bewildered. There in the middle of the campsite, stood Luma panting wide-eyed, staring at a crumpled form shoved up against a tree trunk.

"I...I didn't do it on purpose...I swear I didn't mean to hurt him, I think it's a him, I was just asleep and I felt someone hold a knife to my neck and tell me to give them all my money and stuff, and when I wouldn't he raised his hand and...I don't know, I was scared and suddenly I had these wings and all I did was push him...he went flying...I'm so sorry..." Luma whispered, horrified at the thought of hurting someone.

"It's ok Luma, you were just defending yourself, no one blames you. Naruto, Ino, Kiba, I need to talk to you over here for a moment." Kakashi took control of the situation.

"Ino, take a look at him. It sounds like he's just a forest bandit, I doubt he's a ninja by the weapon he was using. If he needs any first aid, you know what to do. Just to be safe, Kiba and Akamaru scout the area for anyone else that may be around. Naruto, help Luma. She's shaken up, and you are usually the best at talking to people. We don't want her to stay upset, we still don't know the extent of her powers." Kakashi told them softly, glancing at the traumatized girl who had went from looking like a fierce and strong warrior to a tiny, helpless child.


Everyone ran off to perform their jobs. There was no one else in the area, and the man was a rugged looking one with all kinds of odd things on him that he probably had looted throughout the forest. He wasn't too badly hurt, just had some broken ribs and was all banged up. Ino took care of him quickly, and as a precaution put him under some heavy sedatives to keep him down until the morning.

Naruto put an arm around the trembling girl, and gently coaxed her onto a log next to the long extinguished fire.

"You don't need to feel bad about this you know" He began as her eyes slowly travelled to his face. "This is your first time using this power in an emergency isn't it? I know how it is, not having control. It's a horrifying thing, and-"

"How could you possibly understand? You've been training as a ninja forever! All this jumpy cutthroat stuff is like second nature, and you can most likely do all those fancy jutsu things in your sleep. I am just a normal girl! I don't get this, it scares me, and I have NO IDEA what I was doing!" She exploded, all at once mad again.

"No, Luma. I know EXACTLY how you feel. Yes, I have been training as a ninja for as long as I can remember. But I had no one to help me, no friends or family to support me. It's because, just like you, I have this power inside me that I cannot control, and I even hurt one of my dear friends when I lost control of myself."

"Wow...I'm sorry I had no idea...wait what do you have inside you? Is it some kind of magic thing like with me? Or were you born with it or something?"

"I wasn't born with it. It's what they call a tailed beast, the Nine Tailed Fox to be exact. When I was just born it was sealed inside me, and ever since then it fights to come out, seeping it's evil power into me. I used to think that there was no way I could ever conquer it, ever be at peace with it, and honestly I am still not yet. But what helped me was having great friends to count on. They have helped make it bearable."

He glanced towards Kakashi, Ino, and Kiba, thinking also of his others back at home, Sakura, Hinata, Shikamaru, Choji, and so many more.

"What you need to do, Luma, is rely on us. We aren't just mindless bodyguards, we are here to be your friends. Count on us. We won't let you hurt anyone or yourself. Just share this burden, it will work itself out." Naruto finished, putting his arm around her and comforting her as she processed it all.

"I never knew there was beasty thingies, and it seems cruel to put one inside such a young boy...I am truly sorry. It must have been difficult...and it means a lot that you guys are willing to help me, a total stranger.. I think I can share this burden thing after all..." She drifted off, getting softer and softer until as Naruto looked down she was dead asleep, leaning against his shoulder like beam of support, a lifeline.


A shorter chapter, sorry bout that just how the story went. Review please, the more I get the better I can make my stories, chapter 3 soon!