IY: Okay, I know it's a little shorter than my usual 1000 plus words per chapter, but it is a faster update.
Kit: Yeah, so don't go and complain.
IY: Go back to the first chapter for the warning and the disclaimer and all that good stuff. I'm simply too lazy to type it all again. Enjoy!
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Shinobi Horcrux Hunt: Chapter Two
Written by: IYfanatic and her crazy muse, Kitzuko
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Naruto fiddled with the hem of his Chuunin vest, his eyes sheepishly fixed on a point somewhere to the left of Shikamaru's sharp brown gaze. The young Nara remained stoically silent, knowing that the blonde would eventually speak without prompting.
"Oi, Shikamaru! It wasn't my fault! Konohamaru came over last night after I left Ichiraku and apparently he thought it would be funny to mess with my alarm clock…" Naruto paused, sighing, "Gomen nasai, and thanks for coming to wake me up."
Their third team member fixed him with a stern glare. "Naruto, I've told you countless times to always check your alarm before going to bed." The blonde boy winced, causing Neji's white eyes to soften.
"Shikamaru and I have already met with Hokage-sama, and right now we're only a little bit behind schedule. We should get going now, ne?"
Naruto perked up, "You're not mad…? Yatta! You're the best, Neji!" The hyper ninja glomped the older teen, causing Neji to wobble dangerously. The Hyuuga genius quickly regained his balance though, and allowed Naruto to hang off his thin frame.
Shikamaru smirked, watching the proceedings with an amused glimmer in his eyes. "You're so troublesome, Naruto." The blonde boy grinned, winking one of his bright blue eyes. "You know you love me, Shikamaru!"
The lazy teen scoffed, but he remained otherwise silent. Smirking in victory, Naruto let go of Neji and skipped off towards the nearby gate. "Oi, Naruto! Do you even know where we're going?"
Blinking, Naruto turned a confused gaze towards the young Nara. "Ano sa, I was hoping you would." Neji chuckled as Shikamaru hung his head, exasperated. "We are supposed to meet our client at the West gate, Naruto."
The blonde boy beamed, "I was going the right way then! See, Shikamaru?" The aforementioned teen shook his head, sighing, "So annoying…"
With a slight smile, Neji brought them back on track. " We should get going or we will be late to our meeting with the client." Naruto's brows furrowed, "Nani? I thought we were already late."
"Our mission doesn't officially start until eight; Tsunade-sama just told us to be in her office early since she knew you'd be late. Kakashi-sensei has really rubbed off on you, Naruto."
The blonde boy's eyes widened drastically, "Nani! You made me apologize for nothing? Shikamaru no yarou!"
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"Be ready to leave tomorrow." Sasuke said briskly, not bothering to even glance at the assembled Otogakure ninja. "Hai!" Sasuke gave a brief nod, then turned and walked away.
"You should show more respect, Sasuke-kun. They are, after all, under your command and willing to die for you." Sasuke sniffed derisively at the speaker, then said, "Kabuto."
The older man glanced at him, "Hai?" "Urusai. These bakas wouldn't know loyalty if it poked them with a kunai." Kabuto chuckled, "You would know, ne Sasuke-kun?"
The youngest Uchiha glared, Sharingan starting to spin dangerously. "What do you want, Kabuto?" "Are, are Sasuke-kun. No need to get so worked up. Orochimaru-sama asked me to tell you to get some rest."
Sasuke snarled, "You bothered me for that!" The white-haired young man glanced at the cave ceiling, finger at his chin in exaggerated thought. "Hmm… I think I'm forgetting something…"
Kabuto glanced quickly at the Uchiha, smirking when he found Sasuke bristling with annoyance. "Ah, I remember. Orochimaru-sama said there was a possibility that Konohagakure might know of our mission."
Sasuke's eyes widened fractionally, "Konoha?" Kabuto nodded, "Aa. Jiraiya-sama is quite efficient at gathering information… When he's not peeping, of course. I wonder if Naruto-kun is still traveling with him?"
Kabuto enjoyed watching the way Sasuke's lips tightened and his brows drew together. It was not often that the Uchiha showed any type of emotion.
"Naruto…"
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"Are you sure you wanna do this mate?" The youngest Weasley son sported a worried frown as he looked at his best friend, the famous Harry Potter. Jade eyes continued to stare out Ron's window at the pouring rain as he answered, "I have to finish what Dumbledore started."
There was a loud sigh from the female of the Golden Trio, Hermione Granger. "We know, Harry. We're just worried about you. You know that, right?" Her answer was a brief nod from the brunette.
"I still say we should just leave this to the aurors." Ron said, crossing his arms. Hermoine turned to glare at him, "Ronald! You know very well that if Professor Dumbledore had trouble with those Horcruxes, no auror will be able to deal with them!"
"But to bring in ninja? That's crazy!" Hermoine's mouth opened quickly to reply, but she was cut off. "Ron, Dumbledore sent that letter the night before his death; five days ago. There is no way to stop it from getting to them now. They're probably reading it as we speak."
"Well, that's fine. We'll just go meet them tomorrow in Dumbledore's place." Hermoine said briskly. Harry finally tore his eyes away from the window, pinning Hermoine with a stern glare. "What? No, you can't - "
"Of course we can! We're not gonna let you have all the fun. Right, Hermoine?" She nodded in agreement, smiling. "Besides, Japan's a free country too! … Isn't it?" Ron asked, frowning.
Harry grinned, and even though it was weak, it relieved the other two to see it.
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Okay, that's the end! Be sure to leave a review. It doesn't have to be necessarily nice, but no flames either! Constructive criticism is always accepted.