KG: Yawn. Do I have to? I'm tired!
Everloving & Understanding Wife: Yes dear. You have to get up and write. We also have shooting practice today.
KG: Why did i bother to teach you again?
Wifey: Cause ya love meh!
KG: I think I am required by law to.
Honey: Well I'm not required by law to fuck you, but I do.
KG: They…didn't need to know that.
Music of the Week: Promise Me by Dead by April.
Quote: "Nothing makes us so lonely as our secrets." by Paul Tournier.
Naruto awoke with a groan. After all those hours of grueling training in not only trying to control his new power, but also in trying to plant his feet to the ground, Naruto decided to rest up for the next three days. Though his body didn't quite agree with him as he felt the stiffness of his muscles screaming their defiance to do anything. Naruto wasn't about to have his own body betray him as well. So he willed himself out of the bed before swiftly dropping to the ground. Looked like his legs didn't agree with him either.
Walking, or perhaps the best term would have been crawling, to the shower, Naruto managed to discard his clothes and move into the shower. Naruto strained his body with grunts and other unintellectual sounds as he turned on the knob for the shower. He sighed in relief as he felt the steam gently splash onto his body. "Wait, why don't I feel tired? I thought I couldn't touch water anymore," Naruto thought to himself, but he seemed to be moving fine as he flexed his hands. With the hot water relaxing his muscles, Naruto decided to take the time to grab his bar of soap and run down his body. Well if there was one thing Konoha was good for it was their showers. Okay, maybe that was pushing it a little bit. "Hmph, with my luck there is a poison laced in this water," Naruto said with a small snort. As Naruto scrubbed his body…he frowned. Looking at the shower head he glared at it. No way, not even the villagers could get their hands on the kinds of poisons that shinobi could use…could they? Naruto was more than aware that a select group of shinobi bore him some ill will as well. No, perhaps all of Konoha did.
With a heavy sigh, Naruto turned off the shower and washed his body. He then proceeded to eat one bowl of cup ramen before throwing that away. He then moved to grab his shinobi supplies and walk out the door. He still had to meet with his apparent 'team' for their next training session. "I guess I'd better not show up late," Naruto said to himself as he entered the streets. Konoha still looked like it had been in a bad apocalypse movie.
Shops were still rubble and the ground was still violently upheaved. Naruto could actually see some people in worn clothes wandering the streets. Forgive him if he wasn't feeling a bit more sympathetic. Try not to mistake him, Naruto did feel bad. He had no idea how many people he had hurt from the initial destructive quake, but he had done it. All he could do now was control the power he hd to never do it again. Still, Naruto couldn't help feeling a bit….vindictive. Give them a taste of what he had to go through at times.
With a small snort, Naruto made his way over to the training grounds to meet up with his team. Thankfully everyone was too distracted trying to sort everything out to truly pay him any mind. Finally, at least a moment's peace.
-x-
Sarutobi narrowed his eyes as he stared at Genma Shiranui, recent instructor for Ino Yamanaka, Kiba Inuzuka, and Naruto Uzumaki, along with Iruka Umino. Genma turned an eye towards Iruka as the chunin just finished giving his news. "Is that right Iruka?" the Sandaime asked as Iruka held his head down sadly. He give a swift nod making Genma and Sarutobi look at each other.
"It looks like his birthday took a larger impact on him than we thought. For Naruto-kun to actually contemplate suicide," Hiruzen said making Genma flick his senbon to the left. "I can't say that I blame him. Betrayal like that leads to a life-changing mental state. Hokage-sama, if I may be bold, you have been to lenient with the villagers," Genma said and Hiruzen didn't blame him in the slightest. He actually felt it that way as well. It was actually with these recent developments that he wanted to tell Naruto about his burden, but given his possible mental state then try not to blame Sarutobi if he was a little scared to do so at the moment.
With a heavy sigh, Hiruzen stood to his feet. "I'll have to arrange a psyche evaluation for Naruto-kun with Inoichi if that is indeed the case. Genma, you go meet with your team, but keep a close eye on Naruto-kun. If he does anything out of the ordinary then I want to know about it," Out of anything, Sarutobi never wanted to consider Naruto a flight risk of this kind, but if his surrogate grandson was feeling this way then Sarutobi was going to take every precaution to make sure that this flight risk never even had the opportunity to fester inside the young blonde's mind.
"Maybe we should…have a regular counselor for him. Someone to help him with his problems," Genma said making Iruka frown as he looked down at the ground. "And how would that help when he doesn't even know if he can trust US?! I have seen the way Naruto participated in classes. He was wary. Not just of the academy teachers, but he was wary of even the students. Hokage-sama, I fear to think that we've done much worse to Naruto than we can even comprehend. I don't know the best course of action to take," Iruka said making Genma flick his senbon.
"Well it's good that you don't have to worry about those things. For the next two years, unless he fails the C-rank mission, then he isn't your concern anymore. He is mine. I'll figure out what to do with him," Genma said before bowing, stepping on his heel, and walking out the door leaving Sarutobi and Iruka in the room. As the two watched him go, Hiruzen released a puff of smoke from his pipe. "In a sense, he is right Iruka, but I understand your concerns. However we'll have to leave it to the jonin-sensei for right now. However a mission for you from me, please inform Inoichi-san that I wish to see him," Hiruzen said. Iruka didn't speak. He just nodded, bowed and then left without a word. This left Sarutobi alone as he looked over the village, which still looked a lot worse for wear. With a heavy sigh, Hiruzen tipped off his hat. He was getting too old for this.
-x-
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he tried to keep with his exercise of sending his chakra to his feet though without handsigns. He still felt so ridiculous as he watched Kiba and Ino make more attempts to climb up the trees. Three days of this nonsense and still nothing! Cautious as he was, Naruto still couldn't lose his competitive nature and he hated it when he was the last to do something. It only served to remind him of his place in the academy. He had read the scroll that Sarutobi had been…suspiciously kind to give him about chakra control. It spoke that the key to controlling one's chakra was focus, but…Naruto didn't know how to focus! God, what was that stupid thing Iruka said about focusing?
Still perhaps Naruto would have had better luck focusing if he didn't feel the eyes of his recent jonin instructor on him. Every time Naruto turned around to look at the man his eyes were either on Kiba, Ino or sometimes him to make sure he was doing the exercise right, but Naruto always felt that when his back was turned, Genma was looking at him for different reasons. Did someone tell him to keep an eye on him or something? Was he doing something wrong? No way they were trying to spy on him now, were they?
With a deep breath, there was nothing he could do about it right now anyway so he moved back to his exercise. Naruto stared at his feet. If chakra worked on focus then….perhaps Naruto found a way after all! He quickly stopped his exercises and ran over to his pouch much to Genma's curiosity. Pulling out his scroll, Naruto read through it one more time to be sure of what he was looking at. He skimmed his eyes over the words before he blinked. He slowly nodded before he closed the scroll and placed it away.
Genma watched Naruto head back to the ground. Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath and looked down at his feet. He placed his left foot in the air before gently placing it down. Naruto took another step and placed his other foot on the ground. He then attempted to raise his other foot…only for it to remain connected to the dirt and grass. Naruto widened his eyes as he looked down at his feet. Despite past events, the ear-splitting smile on his face would have nearly concerned anyone if they were to look at him. Naruto turned around to face Genma. "I did it!" Naruto proclaimed only to hear thumps. He noticed Kiba groan as he rubbed his head while Ino did the same.
"Quit shouting baka!" Ino hollered as she rubbed her sore head. Genma leaned himself from the tree he was leaning on and moved over to Naruto. Genma looked over Naruto's posture. He definitely did look planted to the ground. With a small shove, he pushed against Naruto's body, but as a testament to the blonde's word, he hadn't moved. "Looks like you got it Naruto, though I am interested. Just what were you doing differently from the previous days?" Genma asked and Kiba and Ino rejoined their teammates. Finding himself, Naruto took a small breath. He could see their eyes expecting his answer so he didn't withhold it.
"My sandals are blue," Naruto said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. His teammates and sensei blinked before Kiba palmed his face. "No duh idiot! All our sandals are blue!" Kiba said making Naruto narrow his eyes. He just gave them the answer right there. What was hard about it?
"I think you'll have to give up a more in-depth answer Naruto. What does your sandals being blue have to do with you sticking to the ground?" Genma asked making Naruto sigh. With another nod, Naruto pointed down to his shoes. "The scroll that Jiji gave me said that if one focuses on a spot then naturally some chakra will follow that focus. That got me thinking, what if I focus on a place where it was near my feet. So I focused all my attention on my sandals. Then there had to be something about my sandals that I could focus on. My sandals were blue so while I was focusing on the color of my sandals and where they were, some of my chakra was able to go to where my focus was and I was able to stick to the ground," Naruto explained as best he could. Ino and Kiba were easy to comprehend for Naruto with their expressions, but Genma's wasn't so easy. He was just looking at Naruto, an act that made the blond more wary than he probably should've been.
"I think that's why Iruka sense had us do those leaf and kunai exercises. It was about focusing on a specific spot and keeping it that way. I think that's what it was all about," Naruto further explained. Ino was the first to shake herself out of her stupor. "But how did you get the amount of chakra to do that? Remember your disability? You can't use handsigns anymore. So how did you focus the amount without crushing the ground?" Ino asked. Trust her that she and Kiba had been watching Naruto grow more and more frustrated with each day. His footsteps would sometimes leave craters in the ground while other times they would be only light enough for him to just walk. It must have been hard, but how did he find that amount.
"I don't know if I found the right amount, but I think the amount that went to my feet naturally was enough for me to stick," Naruto said. Ino would have smacked him over the head for the answer if she felt he wasn't being serious, but it seemed that lately Naruto needed as much encouragement as he could get. "Well regardless, you have done the exercise. I suppose I could have you try tree-walking now. Though I will only give you an hour. After that we will work on one teamwork exercise then we will have our lunch break. We'll then meet back here for individual training. Go," Genma said before walking off.
For Naruto, one could assume that with his new found knowledge on applying focus, then he would have mastered tree-walking rather quickly. "Dammit!" Naruto shouted as he rubbed the back of his head. Obviously, they were fuckin' wrong. Naruto glared up at the tree. However it wasn't out of the usual hate. This time he had actually made it about four steps before falling off. Unfortunately, Naruto couldn't take the easy route and get a head start running up the tree like Kiba and Ino. He didn't have the focus for that, yet! So he could only walk. Naruto also imagined that Genma was knowledgeable about the flaw in Naruto's tactic. When Naruto had been walking on the ground, he had been looking directly at his sandals, so he could focus better. However walking up a vertical…anything, it was hard to look at one's feet of all things. With a sigh, Naruto looked at the shoe print he had left in the tree. Looks like that was too much chakra. With a grunt, Naruto pushed himself up. He would have liked to practice his Fūinjutstu since that was one of the things he could do…more easily without handsigns. He did also want to practice with his other powers, but he felt he might have needed a better outlet than what he had available to him. He very well didn't want to be the cause of any deaths or anymore destruction than he had caused.
With the hour having passed by, and no progress being made, Genma gathered Naruto, Ino and Kiba together. "I suppose I did say we wouldn't take any missions until you guys learned tree-walking, but before all of that," Genma said as he blindfolded Ino and Naruto. He then nodded. Kiba watched their jonin-sensei tie a large piece of bamboo to Ino's arms and legs. "Naruto, bend down and feel your hands for large pieces of bamboo!" Genma instructed. Being blindfolded, Naruto felt around the ground for sticks of bamboo. Feeling what he thought they were, he slowly picked them up…only to hear Ino shriek as her body fell to the ground.
"You idiot, what are you doing?!" Ino asked making Naruto frown. "Picking up bamboo sticks. What does it look like I'm trying to do?!" Naruto asked getting increasingly irritated with this current situation. Kiba and Akamaru grinned at the sight while Genma shook his head.
"I don't know! I'm blindfolded you dolt!" Ino snarled back. Naruto took a deep breath to get rid of the small headache of the day that was actually beginning to form in his head. He was about to retort back before Genma cleared his throat.
"Alright then we will now commence the exercise. For shinobi synchronization is key to any mission. Thoughts must be one as well as action. Kiba will yell out a random taijutsu kata style. You will work this out between the three of you," Genma said before leaning against a tree. Naruto tried to move his left leg which caused Ino to move her own. With a grumble, Naruto heard Kiba shout. "Academy Defensive Taijutsu Style #34!" Kiba shouted. Naruto cursed as he racked his brain for that particular taijutsu style before sighing as he slowly brought his foot back, however he gasped as Ino's right foot came forward. Both tugged on the other sending them to the ground. Genma sweatdropped while Naruto growled.
"Dammit Naruto would you cooperate for once in your life?! That was the style with the right forward kick!" Ino shouted making Naruto snarl. "No it was a back kick to the left! I know because Taijutsu was one of the grades I was good in!" Naruto called out. Genma rolled his eyes at the ten-year olds bickering before turning to Kiba. He whispered something in the Inuzuka heir's ear before moving away. Kiba sighed as he spoke.
"Right kick!" Kiba shouted. Naruto raised his right leg and in conjunction, Ino did the same before both kicked outwards. "Right punch, Left punch combo!" Kiba commanded. Naruto swiftly formed a right and left punch while Ino tried to do the same.
"You're chaffing my skin Naruto. Watch it!" Ino growled making Naruto snort. "Whatever," was Naruto's reply. Oh he would get his fellow blond back for this situation as well as their damnable devil of a sensei. Naruto was going to leave them all in a quake of rubble to never be found by any form of civilization again!
Twenty minutes later, a bruised and battered Ino and Naruto panted as they dropped to the ground as they pulled the blindfolds off their faces. It didn't help the blondes anger that their other male teammates laughing his ass off at them both. "Why did you kick like that when he just said kick! You just had to kick straight!" Ino shouted while Naruto growled. "Maybe if you weren't always trying to do your own thing and just let me guide you then we would have done it dattebayo!" Naruto shouted before snarling. Genma looked between the two of them before sighing. Two years with this team. It just didn't seem possible in Genma's mind. Looking over how Kiba was commanding them, Genma could see where it was most likely something was going to go wrong.
Suddenly Naruto shot to his feet. "Fine it's my fault! It's always my fault when things don't go as they should! Fine, go ahead and blame me for everything! That's the only good anyone in this damn village can do anyway, besides trying to drown people just for existing! I bet you would want to do it right now wouldn't you? Well screw you Ino!" Naruto shouted before he spun on his heel and stomped off. Ino was in too much shock to be surprised at Naruto's outburst. Genma narrowed his eyes as he pushed himself off the tree.
"Naruto, this was an exercise. Mistakes are bound to come up. I made this to merely help you all grow as a team. No matter what happened, it was impossible for you to get it right immediately," Genma said making Naruto snarl. "Don't sugarcoat it sensei. You just want to fail me like all the rest. I'm just a menace after all!" Naruto growled out as his form got smaller and smaller.
"Oi Naruto, where are you going?!" Kiba hollered. For as long as Kiba had known Naruto, the blond had been rather happy-go-lucky sometimes. Outbursts from Naruto were rather few and far in-between. Even with some of the blonde's more…feral-like behavior which, Kiba admitted, drew him to the blonde, he still wouldn't be so…angry as right now. For Kiba, who had seen Naruto as a rival and as a friend, it wasn't so out of the ordinary for him to be concerned.
"It's none of your business. Not like you all would care anyway. Knowing my luck the three of you would stab me with a kunai in my back," Naruto said with a small glare before he walked off. Kiba quickly moved to lose the distance that Naruto gained over them, but a hand from Genma stopped him. Kiba turned back to his sensei. "We'll leave Naruto to his thoughts for right now. We have an hour lunch. If he doesn't come back then I'll get him. For now, let's just leave him his space," Genma said with a sigh. Truthfully he didn't want to leave Naruto alone now that he was convinced the blonde had…suicidal tendencies, but he didn't want to make the situation bigger than it was. Then again Genma could also understand why Naruto would be short with just about anyone. This was going to be a long two years.
-x-
Meanwhile, Naruto growled as he entered Konoha's streets. He disregarded the stares of anger and, dare he say, fear as he stomped through the crowds. "I made this merely to help you all grow as a team," were the words that constantly rang through Naruto's mind. Help? Naruto didn't need anymore help! Help them all grow? What a joke. More like help Ino and Kiba grow while Naruto just made them look good with how much of a loser they were going to make out of him. Naruto admitted he was an idiot at times, but he was no one's fool!
Suddenly Naruto stopped walking. He looked up at the sky for a moment before he sighed. He then felt his stomach grumble. Of course doing all those exercises that Genma had made their squad do would have left Naruto hungry. Well he had put it off enough. He supposed he could drop by Ichiraku Ramen and get something to eat before heading back. Cautious he was, Naruto still wanted to prove everyone wrong and the first step was in not being a quitter. Life didn't get better for those who quit. It only got worse. "Guess I'll head over there now," Naruto figured to himself as he walked off with purpose.
It wasn't hard to find the small ramen stand, despite being one of the only buildings still standing from the rubble, it was also one of the places he was most familiar with. Naruto knew better to find Ichiraku than he probably knew to find any other place. A person had to always know where their next meal was coming from. It was probably an additional plus that the father-daughter duo who worked the stand had until this moment…seemed nice enough to Naruto. He had known them a good number of years.
Naruto came into the stand. "Hey Naruto, how's my number one customer doing?" came the voice of the mature man, Teuchi Ichiraku. The large smile on his face was easy for Naruto to ascertain, at least he hoped so. Deciding not to bother the man with his current problems for…other reasons, Naruto just smiled and took a seat. "Doing good old man. Just got done with a teamwork exercise. I didn't go well," Naruto said making Teuchi take a glance at his favorite customer's expression.
"Hey cheer up kid. I would think that the Future Hokage of Konoha wouldn't let something like this get him down," Teuchi said with a reassuring grin. Naruto raised an eyebrow at the grin, but just settled for nodding as he remembered his original purpose for coming over here. With a small sigh, Naruto glanced up. "Ne, old man, thanks for saving me, you and Ayane-chan. Thanks for saving me from drowning five days ago," Naruto said in a tone that Teuchi just couldn't identify. He couldn't tell if Naruto was either happy to be saved or sad that such a thing occurred.
If Teuchi were honest, him and Ayame saving Naruto hadn't been mere coincidence, but it hadn't been planned either. They had seen how some of the villagers had been treating Naruto that day. They had even participated in some of the festivities. However Ayame had made an offering that she and her father would go home to get the special coupons from their home that they wanted to give to Naruto so they left. They had only returned just in time to see the masses carry off the unconscious blond into the woods. Both had watched from behind some trees as people whispered to themselves before doing the unthinkable and throwing Naruto in the water. Teuchi and Ayame had always known Naruto could swim well. Hell, on one of their off days they actually helped Naruto with swimming lessons. Something about a fantasy of swimming in a broth of ramen or something like that. Nevertheless they were surprised when Naruto didn't surface. Like a bat out of hell, Ayame dashed from the trees shouting obscenities at the villagers before, without regard to her Ichiraku uniform, dove into the water with Teuchi right behind her. Both pulled Naruto from the water only to watch him gurgle water from his mouth. They ignored the look of hatred sent their way as they tried to get Naruto to the hospital. It hadn't been one of the best days Teuchi and Ayame could say that they witnessed. It was actually one that they feared. They should have been more alert. That was all they could have thought about.
"Think nothing of it kid. I can't apologize enough for all of that. Just happy you're alright. Here, sorry it's so late, but we wanted to give you these," Teuchi said placing ten coupons for free ramen in front of Naruto. Naruto looked at them and couldn't resist the small smile on his face as he grabbed them. Maybe, he was just being an idiot and overthinking everything. "Here kid, no coupon, this one's on the house. Eat up, its something new I'm working with," Teuchi said placing a piping hot bowl of ramen in front of Naruto. The scent drove Naruto made with desire as he broke his was ready to dive in and take a bite before the door in the back opened.
"Hey Tou-san, I'm back from the mark….Naruto-kun!" Naruto looked up to see Teuchi's daughter, Ayame, looking at him in surprise, worry, and something else that he couldn't identify. "You're alright," Ayame said as she grabbed Naruto into a hug. Naruto groaned as he felt the air escape his lungs.
"Aya…me…chan, yo…u're….crushing….me!" Naruto exclaimed making Ayame let him go as he fell back to his seat. Naruto coughed as he dropped down. "How are you feeling Naruto-kun? I was worried about you," Ayame said making Naruto frown. How was he? He was tired and sick to his stomach from the constant reminder.
"I'm alright Ayame-chan. I just…wasn't careful enough. It was my fault, but thank you guys for saving me. I really mean it," Naruto said making Ayame nod. "You're welcome, but no. It's not your fault Naruto-kun, it's those damn people!" Ayame said making Teuchi narrow his eyes.
"Ayame! Watch your mouth!" Teuchi said making Ayame scratch her cheek. "Gomen Tou-san, but it's true and you know it," Ayame said. Teuchi wasn't about to fault her for her logic or for her feelings on the matter. Especially not since he felt the same way about the situation.
"Well it was a tragedy avoided. We have our favorite customer right here about to eat my newest addition to the menu. You'll like it Naruto. It's to die for!" Teuchi said making Naruto shake his head with a small chuckle. Teuchi and Ayame smiled as they watched Naruto slip his chopsticks into the ramen. With a small grin Naruto slurped up the noodles. Ah the broth was awesome! It was amazing! So were the noodles! Everything about the dish was amazing! Dare Naruto say this dish was…heavenly!
Suddenly, Naruto paused. His throat, it felt hot. It also felt dry. Naruto coughed as his eyes began to water. With a heavy cough, Naruto lurched forward and grabbed his throat. He let out another cough as the burning sensation in his esophagus clutched itself together like a bug to a tree stump. Naruto widened his eyes as he looked back at Teuchi and Ayame. The two continued to smile. "What do you think of my new recipe kid? I worked hard on it," Teuchi said with a wider grin. Naruto shivered in place. He…He…worked hard on it? Teuchi actually planned this?! Even…even them…everyone! everything! nothing! It was all here!
Teuchi and Ayame widened their eyes and gasped as Naruto pushed the bowl of ramen away and staggered back. His terrified eyes stared into their own as he grabbed his own throat. "Naruto-kun? Naruto-kun are you alright?" Ayame asked as she held out a hand. Naruto quickly shied away and ran off down the street, the terror in his eyes evident. "Naruto-kun, wait!" Ayame shouted, but Naruto was long away from their view. The spilled contents of the ramen and its bowl lingered on the table. Ayame looked down at the bottle, startled by what just happened.
"Dad, what did you put in that ramen?!" Ayame asked making Teuchi frown. "All-New Extreme Habanero Ramen! I was having Naruto test it," Teuchi said making Ayame sigh as she looked in the direction, Naruto had gone.
Meanwhile, Naruto, in his apartment, wretched into the sink of his kitchen. E…Even Teuchi and Ayame were against him! Could it have all been a lie? No, Naruto thought he knew Teuchi and Ayame they wouldn't do it to him. They…they wouldn't have bothered to save him from drowning if they hated him.
"Well it was a tragedy avoided. We have our favorite customer right here about to eat my newest addition to the menu. You'll like it Naruto. It's to die for!" Their…their favorite customer? Naruto knew that he liked ramen. He licked it more than any other food that he could buy. But…their favorite customer…or their only customer? No, Naruto couldn't support Teuchi and Ayame on his own, no matter how much ramen he ate. He would have needed a small fortune for himself. He couldn't be their only customer. Still, this tingly feeling in Naruto's throat and stomach. He felt…sick. With a final heave of his lunch, Naruto ran over to his refrigerator filled with water, and other foods.
"No more! No more dattebayo! STOP IT!" Naruto shouted as he clenched his fist and destroyed his table sending it crashing to the ground. He then swiftly grabbed the foods and waters, then pulled them out of his refrigerator. He went into his cabinets and pulled out the tons of cup ramen he had stored away. Tampered! It was all tampered! No matter what he ate, they were going to kill him, knock him unconscious, or wipe his memory if given the chance. Naruto wouldn't let them get that chance!
Stuffing the food into the bags, Naruto stomped outside and stuffed them into trash bins with a small huff. Naruto marched back into his room and looked closed the door. A small glare rested upon his face as his tightened his fists. Naruto gasped when he looked down and noticed the white orb surrounding his fists yet again. With a hard swallow, Naruto took a deep breath and calmed himself. He slid down his door before he rested on the ground. "Nice going me. I just threw out all of my food like an idiot," Naruto said as he heard his stomach growl since he hadn't eaten much. His throat had been returning to normal. With another sigh, Naruto went out into the village. Thinking realistically, if the village wanted the poison him then they could only do it a handful of times. Plus each and every single type of food that they sold couldn't be tampered with. That would have been detrimental to not just Naruto, but also to the village at large. Naruto at least had that going for him. Self-preservation was always more beneficial to people than their hate at times. Someone would work with someone else that they absolutely hated just to survive. Surviving and living was just that meaningful to people. Naruto was no different.
-x-
Genma watched Naruto return to the field eating a bag of chips and a sandwich that he had gotten from one of the local vendors. No way could that be tampered with without consequences to the population. Ino sent a small glare Naruto's way while Kiba remained silent. Naruto quickly finished his sandwich and his bag of chips before putting them in a small grocery bag before setting it to the side.
Seeing his team together, Genma sighed. "We all thinking rationally now? Everyone calm?" Genma asked. Kiba nodded and so did Naruto. Ino sent a glance to Naruto, but sighed and nodded as well. Genma flicked his senbon through his mouth. Looking at the three genin, Genma closed his eyes.
"Good….twenty laps," Genma said making the three look at him in surprise. "Naruto, you left before your commanding officer could dismiss you. A shinobi going off on their own is a flight risk under any circumstance. Ino, you disrespected a teammate which could lead to not only the failure of a mission, but also the death of your entire squad. Kiba, you saw both your teammates arguing and did nothing to remember the task at hand. All three of you have formed errors and will be punished accordingly. Now start your laps," Genma said to them. Naruto ran past Kiba and Ino and proceeded to start his laps. Ino and Kiba slowly started behind him. Genma watched them go. He bent down and picked up…several rusted kunai. This was punishment, not standard practicing.
After their twenty laps, Naruto, Ino and Kiba continued to glare at their sensei with as much hatred as they could muster. Genma just smiled at them before clapping his hands. "Alright now then, let's all kiss and make up. Naruto, Kiba, Ino, apologize to one another. I mean you don't have to. I always wanted to run around the Konoha walls forty times with some of my friends firing Katon techniques at me," Genma said making Naruto, Ino and Kiba gawk. Even Akamaru whimpered at the imposed threat.
"Sorry Ino. Sorry Kiba," Naruto said though his very being told him to resist doing so. "Sorry Naruto. Sorry Kiba," Ino apologized as well. Swiftly Kiba followed in suit of his teammates and apologized as well making Genma give a somewhat pleasant smile on his face.
"Well I suppose tomorrow we can start individual training now. I would have you all refine your chakra control, but we can hold that after we're done with our lesson here. After that i will assess your affinities. Hmmm, Naruto you first," Genma said making Naruto firmly nod. He had quite a bit of frustrations he would have liked to release on his jonin instructor.
It couldn't have even been called a spar. For Naruto it was actually an ass-kicking with a side of humility. If Naruto could say one thing, it was that their jonin instructor, despite his laid back attitude, was the real deal. Now Naruto was an even bigger huffing mess on the ground while Genma just looked amused as a result. If there was one thing Naruto thought about himself it was that he was a rather adept fighter. Being alone had a way of hardening one's desire to fight to prove their worth. Naruto had to surmise that for Genma this was nothing, but a child trying to show power to an adult. It just wasn't there.
-x-
Ayame walked with purpose through the broken streets of Konohagakure. As she looked around, she couldn't help sighing at the destruction. A mere series of unfortunate circumstances at best. She was relieved that her father's stand wasn't ruined by the surrounding debris, but it didn't make her feel any better that some people were homeless, without power, or without workable plumbing. Though if Ayame was feeling a little vindictive she would have said that it was merely the village's Karma for ruining a certain someone's birthday with their cruel lies. She couldn't imagine the swirl of feelings in Naruto right now.
Well, that was her destination in mind actually. Once Naruto stormed out of the ramen stand with something akin to fear in his eyes, Ayame had been worried about him through the hours. It had affected her work in some areas which had her father telling her to go and check on the blonde. He also asked her to send Naruto an apology from him for the predicament he had put him in. Ayame decided to do so. Just for courtesy she wanted to give Naruto an apology as well. She knew the blonde's love for particular miso ramen. Which she had in a bag. A sort of peace offering, if you would.
It wasn't hard to find Naruto's apartment. Ayame had been there multiple times in her life. Sometimes for giving Naruto takeout, and other times for some of the blonde's…other birthdays. Actually Ayame had been going so many times that Naruto had the Sandaime actually make a another key to his home for Ayame and Teuchi if they wanted to pop in. "Okay Ayame, you can do this," Ayame said with a firm nod as she walked up the stairs. Quickly finding Naruto room number, she knocked on the door.
"Naruto-kun, are you there?" Ayame asked. No response once she waited for a few moments. Ayame knocked a few more times asking of Naruto had been in, but she didn't get anyway responses. With a sigh, Ayame fished in her pocket and pulled out her key. Quickly opening the door, Ayame stepped inside and gasped. Her eyes beamed in on the destroyed remnants of Naruto's table. With a frown, she looked over the rooms, everything seemed to be in order as far as she was concerned. It didn't look like forced entry. Nothing seemed to be taken. Not even his bedroom was tampered with.
Moving back to the main room, Ayame knelt before the fridge and opened it. She widened her eyes seeing how empty it was. She quickly moved over to the cabinets and opened them. Empty. Cupboards….empty. Everything food-related was empty. Was Naruto even eating? Did he have the money to eat?
Ayame dropped her bowl of takeout ramen on the counter of the sink. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out her wallet. She had just gotten paid last month and she didn't feel the need to buy anything…before now. With a smile, Ayame dashed out of the room and hit the streets.
-x-
Meanwhile, Genma looked at Naruto with an interested expression. Genma had remembered the blonde's grades in Taijutsu. They weren't inherently awful. Actually the blonde showed promise in that area. Genma didn't show it, but Naruto had tripped him up several times with some unorthodox methods and blows, but Genma also noticed that Naruto's punches like a usual…'oomph' to them. It was like there was something making the blond hold back. Genma had a feeling that Naruto knew what it was too, but just wasn't saying. Well until it became a problem, Genma would allow Naruto to attempt to deal with the issue himself. Still great improvement overall. "Very good then, Kiba, you're turn," Genma ordered making the dog boy grin while Akamaru leapt to his side.
In Genma's mind, this fight had been a little…easier to deal with. Sure Kiba was more…rowdy that Naruto was and his taijutsu was more refined, but he didn't have Naruto's unpredictability in last minute situations. Over the course of the fight Kiba had attempted to…prove dominance over Genma, something that most Inuzuka try to do in sparring matches, but Genma had forced Kiba to submit rather easily. Overall, he had some work to do with the Inuzuka as well.
Last, but not least had to be Ino. Genma sighed. Genma was going to say this as general as possible. Females were naturally perceived to be the weaker sex even when it came to shinobi. Some would counter him by pointing out Senju Tsunade, perceived strongest woman in the world and greatest medic in the world, but Genma was trying to be real here. Ino was…complicated. The girl was really…a blank slate. In Genma's eyes she didn't train apart from these sessions and maybe those that she had with her family. She was rather thing. A good figure, for a civilian, but not one for a shinobi. Her taijutsu was lackluster in all aspects. Genma released another pent up sigh. This team was just a comedy of errors. Not to say that Genma didn't like being given a challenge every now and then. He just nodded as Ino looked like she was about to heave up her already probably non-existent breakfast. Genma never understood fasting or fad diets.
"Well good job all of you. We got a good amount of sweat in and I learned about all three of you. Now I just need to plan a schedule to work with you three," Genma said more to himself. The three merely tried to catch their breath as fast as possible before Genma had them do something even more insane. That something was right up Genma's alley.
"Alright chop chop, let's get to our feet. Sun's about to set. Last thing I need to see before we all go home. First things first, does anyone remember the five elemental affinities?" Genma asked. It was at this that Naruto answered.
"There is water, fire, earth, wind, and lightning," Naruto repeated from what he had learned a few days ago. Genma slowly nodded before he stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Very good Naruto. Now did anyone realize that their chakra corresponds with one or more of these elements?" Genma asked. Judging by the looks of shock on everyone's faces, Genma could see that they hadn't known that. Naruto was understandable, but it looked like the clans weren't teaching elemental affinities just yet. Well Genma would remedy that soon enough.
Taking one of his hands out his pocket, he opened said hand and revealed three slips of papers. "This is known as chakra paper. It is specially designed to work with chakra to find a person's elemental affinity. If you have fire then it will burn, if you have water then it will soak, earth and it will crumble to dust, wind and it will slice, lightning and it will crinkle. Now then let's go…in order of those who climbed the tree first. She-blondie, you're up!" Genma said making Ino's eyebrow twitch. She snatched the paper and held it in front of everyone. Channeling her chakra through the paper she was holding. Everyone waited for a few moments. Ino watched the paper soak itself into a puddle of water before it crumbled into dust. Ino blinked while Genma narrowed his eyes.
"Hmm earth affinity with a small water affinity. Very good She-blondie," Genma said making Ino snarl while Kiba cackled. "Figures you would get earth. You're so hardheaded it's a wonder you're a girl!" Kiba guffawed. Genma rose an eyebrow and Naruto blinked as Kiba shot past him into a tree. Akamaru ran to comfort his master while Ino snarled.
"Up yours dog-breath!" Ino snarled making Genma sweatdrop. Naruto shook his head and tried hard to keep the smirk off his face. He had indeed found the comment funny despite himself. He would have actually laughed too if he was in the mood for it. He really didn't feel like getting hit. "Alright, with Kiba Inuzuka…indisposed, Naruto it's your turn," Genma said handing Naruto a piece of paper. Naruto looked at the paper for a moment before he exhaled. It shouldn't be hard to channel chakra into a piece of paper. Especially since Naruto could focus on the paper itself.
With some time, and Kiba's rejoining, everyone noticed the paper slice in half along with a couple drips of water. "Hmmm wind. Of course you had to get the one I had the most trouble with. Well at least you have a minor water affinity. I'm pretty good with those," Genma said and Naruto just couldn't help seeing some form of cruel irony in there somewhere that he really wished he didn't recognize.
Meanwhile with Kiba's involvement, Genma gave the paper to the Inuzuka revealing another earth element and a minor in fire. Okay, a pretty well-rounded group of elementals if Genma ever truly saw one. "Good. Well then we'll stop here for today. I'll work on ninjutsu and genjutsu tomorrow. Perhaps we can take a D-rank mission to get some experience for you. I warn you, it's going to be boring. Imagine the number one boring thing that you've ever had to do and magnify it by five and you will get a D-rank mission, but in your case I would rather call them teamwork exercises. Well get out of here you three," Genma said making Naruto, Ino and Kiba groan.
"If they're boring then give us something awesome! We could get a C-rank! We could fight other shinobi, save nobles, maybe even become the awesome heroes of a country!" Kiba said. Genma would have laughed if he didn't find the statement so ridiculous. "First, the three of you can't do a C-rank because a C-rank requires a number of D-ranks and as I said earlier, you must consider that D-ranks are teamwork building exercises. I'll be honest, your teamwork sucks as demonstrated by the three of you earlier today. Dealing with genin is the job of a jonin instructor, but if I suggest that if you want higher missions then whatever the three of you had in the academy, you drop it. Dismissed," Genma said making Naruto look down at the ground as he clenched his fists. Teamwork? That required trust and Naruto was all out of that! He doubted he would have even be full of it ever again.
Kiba and Ino left without a word which Naruto was surprised by, but what also surprised him was that Genma wasn't leaving as well. Naruto and Genma exchanged a look. "Well? I said dismissed," Genma reiterated making Naruto curse underneath his breath. "I…would like to stay here and continue some more training," Naruto said making Genma raise an eyebrow.
"Oh? Did my training not drain you enough? I see I'll have to revise my schedule if someone still wants to train," Genma said. Truth be told, he didn't want to leave Naruto here. Not because he thought it was dangerous, but because he thought Naruto was dangerous…to himself. Now granted, Genma wasn't going to follow his student around 24/7 just on the assumption that he would try to kill himself, but Genma couldn't, in good conscience, concede to this.
Naruto shivered at the prospect of more of Genma's training, but he really wanted to work on his powers back in the special place he had found two days ago. It had actually been an accident when Naruto tried more experimenting, but he had found a rather interesting place where he figured he could train without any distractions. Right now, Genma was being one of them. "I…I won't stay long. I just know I need more training than Ino and Kiba, and I need to get this down!" Naruto said a little more…fiercely than he had intended.
Now Genma knew what Naruto said was true, but it wasn't out of the ordinary for aspiring shinobi to practice their techniques in their homes. Now either Naruto was afraid he would damage the walls or his floor from trying to climb with his feet, or he was hiding something that he didn't want Genma to be looking at. "And just what kind of training are you going to be doing?" Genma asked making Naruto grumble.
"Tree-walking, leaf-balancing, and some shurikenjutsu. I might not have the best control of my chakra, but I can still worker harder than anyone else. Is that enough?" Naruto asked suspiciously. Normally he figured that a jonin-sensei would be happy that a student was trying to get in extra training, but then again the normal didn't happen around Naruto. No way was this man concerned about Naruto's wellbeing. He didn't even truly know Naruto, but Naruto doubted anyone did. Was…the Hokage sending him to spy on Naruto? Was…he keeping tabs on Naruto for the council? Was he so vehement about Naruto not being here that he had to go home to…expect something?
"You just want to hold me back don't you?" Naruto asked lowly. Genma frowned as Naruto huffed. "Of course you would. You're no different from the Academy teachers. No one ever wants me to improve. Not you, not the Academy, not Hokage-Jiji, NOT ANYONE! Is my life a game to you?! I bet if I was Sasuke you wouldn't have thought twice about me training here. We're both orphans, why am I treated like this by all of you?! Well forget you!" Naruto snarled out before he turned and stomped away leaving Genma in the field. The jonin-sensei merely gave a hard sigh and rubbed the back of his head. Just great. This was going to be harder than Genma thought.
-x-
Naruto was pissed off. He was actually so pissed he ignored the looks from the villagers as he made his way home. "Hmph, screw them. Screw all of them! I know I can be awesome! I don't need them!" Naruto thought to himself as he marched up the stairs to his apartment room. Great, now he was going to have to sneak to his spot to train. Well Naruto would just grab some food from….nowhere. "Shoot, I threw it all away!" Naruto panicked as he slumped his shoulders. In his anger he had done the most stupid thing he could have done.
Fishing out his keys, Naruto slowly opened his door and walked through. The first thing Naruto took note of that surprised him was…Ayame sleeping on a new table in the middle of his room. Naruto would have screamed on her intrusion of his space if he didn't remember he had given her a spare key for deliveries or drops like that. She seemed to be sleeping now that Naruto could see. He narrowed his eyes at the bowl of ramen in the table. Forgive him, but he really wasn't in the mood for ramen after today. Still Naruto looked over his house and the various rooms. everything seemed to be in place. He then opened the cabinets to find them stacked with various foods. The same was said for his refrigerator. It was filled with water, juice, and various other foods that could be cooked at Naruto's convenience.
"Did…she buy all of this…for me? Why would she spend her hard earned money on me? Ayame-chan…," Naruto spoke before looking back at her sleeping. Despite himself, and the fact that the ramen was probably cold, Naruto could still smell the sweet, tempting aroma of miso in that ramen bowl.
Naruto walked over to the table and looked at the bowl. It was right next to a note. Naruto picked it up and shivered. "Sorry about lunch Naruto-kun. Dad put in too much Habanero sauce. Dad apologizes too. I know you like Miso so cheer up. I tried to make it myself," The note read as Naruto clenched it in his hands. Habanero sauce. His throat was burning from fuckin' habanero sauce. Naruto chuckled dryly. Poison, yeah right. Now Naruto felt like even worse than he felt mad abut everything else. The odds that this was a ploy, with Naruto's luck, were really high, but…Naruto wasn't sure. Right now he was just mentally exhausted.
Grabbing a blanket, Naruto pulled the cover over Ayame before taking the bowl and moving into his room. He quickly placed his stuff down and looked at the bowl. He was gambling right now. Gambling that what Ayame said was true. If the possibility that she was wrong and she did want to kill him via poison in the ramen…then…Naruto would…just leave. He would merely leave without a word. For once, Naruto wasn't sure why, he hoped he was wrong. Taking the chopsticks, he broke them and placed the noodles to his mouth. Naruto slurped up the noodles savoring their taste. Cautious or not, Uzumaki Naruto could still enjoy the sweet sensation of ramen on his palette. Sure they were cold, but their taste hadn't diminished. It could have almost made Naruto cry.
As Naruto finished his ramen, he drank the broth before giving a small sigh of contentment. The noodles filled his stomach amazingly. With his stomach now full, Naruto quickly moved himself to taking out the scroll that Sarutobi had given him. He wanted to continue in some brush strokes of his and since he didn't trust Genma to not still be there until the dead of night, Naruto decided to take his time with his fūinjutsu lessons. When it came to writing, Naruto figured he would have been bored right off the bat, but the lessons were actually interesting. Tales of people sealing in even the elements amazed him. They even sealed something called the Bijuu in humans granting them immense power. Still right now his lessons started out with him drawing and writing as best he could taking note of the brush strokes. Naruto would have liked to work on his taijutsu as well, but he figured he might as well not with Ayame sleeping in the main room. Speaking of Ayame, Naruto didn't feel weird so far so that was a plus in his book. "Okay time to start on lesson 34. Ehhhhhhhhhh?!" Naruto exclaimed as he read the lesson plans, his spirit being more broken than it already was.
Four hours later, it was now nighttime. Naruto pulled up his black clothes and pulled his hood over his head. He picked up his backpack and headed for the door. As he touched the doorknob, Naruto glanced down to Ayame…who was still sleeping. Seriously what did this woman do that got her so exhausted? Well it wasn't like Naruto had anyway qualms with her sleeping there. He was still alive and kicking so that was another plus. Naruto sighed. He supposed…he didn't have to heartless. He wasn't that way, though sometimes he wished he could be.
Dashing atop the rooftops was an easy enough affair for Naruto who had been used to pranking people both at night and in broad daylight. It wasn't hard to do so. Naruto had to admit that, at night, the village lights looked very beautiful. Naruto would have taken a picture of the scenery if he had a camera. Well, enough of that. Naruto hopped off towards his destination. "I hope it's not too flooded like last time," Naruto said to himself.
Quickly leaving the village walls behind, Naruto appeared in his team's training ground. With a great sigh, Naruto walked into the trees. His destination was a ways away. Precisely forty minutes away which was why he wanted to go after training! He would have been home by this time if he didn't have Genma on his ass. Well Naruto could complain about it later. Right now he had better things to do.
With time, Naruto finally found his spot which had to be a hole in the ground. With a heavy grunt, Naruto moved it to the side before revealing a large hole. Taking a deep breath, Naruto jumped into the hole. He grunted as he climbed…downward through the dirt and grim. God he had to find a better training area than this, but it was a matter of fact that there wasn't one right now. It was spacious around his frame to allow him access through the hole. It was rather tight, but nothing Naruto couldn't handle. Though now began the grueling climb down. Oh but trust him that it was nothing compared to the grueling climb back up. Granted this was all based on his assumption that it wasn't flooded.
After about ten more minutes, Naruto dropped through his hole and landed on the ground with a heavy thud. Dusting himself off, Naruto gazed at the massive cavern-like dome he had created. The walls that surrounded the dome were hard and thick. Numerous punch marks laid in their structure. As Naruto rested his backpack on a stone ledge, he jumped down to the ground. His lifted his feet up. "Crap, looks like I can't stay long. The water's coming in. Oh well I can still get in a good amount of training. Gomen Konoha, but you're going to have to deal for awhile," Naruto said as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He clenched his hand and let the familiar white orb overtake it. With a mighty cry that shook the chambers of his personal dome, Naruto launched his fist forward before he cracked the air. A mighty shockwave exploded from Naruto's hand and into the dome. The dome shook and shattered as Naruto felt the ground beneath his feet shake. Naruto held his ground as he tightened his fist. He looked up and noticed the rocks falling from the ceiling. Coating his left hand in the orb, Naruto shouted again as he send his fist upward cracking the very air once again breaking the rocks as the shockwave bashed into the ceiling. Naruto felt his feet shake as he was nearly brought down by the very force of his own power. The ground trembled and shook violently around him as more and more rocks fell down. Naruto took three kunai and swung them at the stones. The kunai bounced off the falling stones, but they stones kept coming. Naruto saw them coming before he drew back his hand. With a sharp intake of breath, he slammed his fist to the side not only cracking the air, but cracking and destroying the rocks in his way.
The dust and pebbles fell around him and on him. He grunted as he shook his head. This was Naruto's training spot for his destructive powers. He figured he was a good ways away from the village that they might feel the aftershocks, but not the main damage from his attacks. He really wanted to perfect this power, but the last thing he wanted was to show the village this power and bring everyone begging for his head on a spike.
He had found this cavern by accident when he had gone off to train another day. It had been…an experience for Naruto trying to figure the place out, but when he did, oh boy did he love it. It was perfect. Everything he needed in order to make the most of this power. Naruto, currently, was at least able to punch freely like he used to without fear of himself cracking the air and accidentally killing his sensei. Perhaps that was one of the reasons Naruto had been hesitant to truly try and…commit to a sparring session.
Getting back to his feet, Naruto slammed the white orb against the air again sending more shockwaves and debris of rocks around him. Naruto dodged left and right from the larger-enough-to-crush-him boulders that fell the ground. Naruto did indeed realize he could probably die down here and no one would know it, hell maybe everyone would be happy about it, but if there was one thing Naruto knew, it was that he was too awesome to die in a place like this! "Hmm I've always broke my hand away from the air. What happens if I hold it?" Naruto wondered to himself. With a small breath, Naruto crossed both his arms. The cavern felt mysteriously calm as Naruto closed his eyes. He then swiftly opened his eyes before forcing out his arms to both sides. The cracking of the air rang in his ears as he held his stance there. Naruto could feel the cavern shake even more violently than before. If he were scared for his life he would have ran, but something in his being told him not to move. The walls around his exploded and vibrated. Naruto watched hot steam shoot from the ground around him. Even the water at his feet was starting to shake from the various vibrations Naruto sent through the fault lines of the ground. The cracks along the floor and the cave walls became apparent as all around Naruto, rocks fell picking up more and more dust. Naruto tightened his fists as the sweat dripped from his face. He could feel it. He could feel it in his body, the power resonating through his arms and hands that made this happen.
Meanwhile, people in Konoha screamed as some fell to the ground in once beautiful lights that lit up the Konoha scenery now flashed left and right as a warning of danger. Men and women dropped to the ground. Some parents held their children in fright as the earthquake ripped through the Land of Fire. Newly repaired buildings slowly started to crumble away and into the ground making some people gasp in surprise and shock.
Ayame fell underneath Naruto's new table that she bought for him as she heard the earth tremble in it's violent explosion. Ayame had only woken up about ten minutes ago before realizing that she had fallen asleep, dead tired. When she opened her eyes she had seen the empty bowl in the sink, a blanket wrapped around her, and a note on the table that read, "Thanks for the ramen, Ayame-chan. It was good. I'm sorry too about earlier." Ayame had been in a happier mood since than time, but one could easily see why that was no longer the case. She just silently prayed to whatever god was watching this for Naruto to be alright.
Genma cursed as he led the Hokage away from his office and to a shelter. Jonin-sensei or not, he was still in the Hokage's Guard Platoon which was his job to make sure that the Hokage would survive. Genma quickly kicked a piece of debris from the wall while his other teammates, Iwashi and Raidō, quickly led Hiruzen into a secret passage. Genma quickly sealed up the passage while making sure that no one was following them. Genma sighed as they descended the steps. This was becoming too common for his liking.
Ino shrieked as her vanity mirror crashed to the ground. Her father quickly bursted into the room screaming at her to come to her. Ino wasted no time in doing so as her father grabbed her and her mother. The compound shook violently from the ensuing explosion. Ino gasped as she looked outside the window to large rows of earth erupt from the ground.
The same was no better for the Inuzuka compound as Kiba and the rest of the Inuzuka clan members tried to get the dogs inside their pens while the explosions were going on. Akamaru whimpered in Kiba's jacket while the ground shifted forcing Kiba and a couple of his clansmen to the ground. It was then that Kiba looked in the sky. Lightning and thunder reigned in the heavens as he covered his and Akamaru's head. If Kiba were having an out of body experience then this might have been cooler than it currently was.
At the same time, Naruto gritted his teeth as he made the attempt to keep his balance to the floor. This was getting dangerous. The ground had just split beneath Naruto's feet. The fissures spaced and breached all around him. The water that generally rose into the dome over time was now spouting in waves. Naruto could even see some coming from the walls around him. The force of the water exploded into the air around the dome forcing Naruto gasp. The water slowly splashed around the inside of the dome before it converged on him. Naruto watched the water come before he frowned and narrowed his eyes. With a mighty cry, Naruto pushed his arms out further sending shockwaves bashing against the water forcing it away from his person. Naruto panted as he dropped his hands. The water calmed, but it was slowly starting to fill the dome. It didn't help that Naruto was also starting to feel weak and tired. He tried to move to get his stuff, but he cursed as his legs gave out and he dropped into the water. Naruto gurgled a response of panic as the fear slowly began to set in. The water continued to fill the dome more and more as Naruto choked on the water. Naruto tried to form the white orb, but of course it was pointless as he now understood that water negated his abilities. Naruto held his throat as he slowly began to descend. As his vision slowly started to come out, Naruto felt something tug at his clothes before he drifted into unconsciousness.
Slowly, with time, Naruto opened his eyes and noticed the soft air breeze coming from a room…that was almost too nice to be his room! Naruto jerked up as he noticed a wet rag on his head. He looked down at it for a moment. "I guess they disproved the theory that idiots float. Or was it cowards? Well you're the same thing regardless," Oh gods no. Of anyone, anyone who could have possibly saved him, please god don't let it be…
Naruto turned to the side and noticed Uchiha Sasuke looking at him with a small glare and folded arms. Naruto threw off the covers and stood to his feet before making for the door. "Thank you Sasuke for saving my miserable life from drowning in a lonely cavern," Sasuke replied making Naruto stop at the door. He turned back to send a small glare at the Uchiha.
"Why? Why did you save me? We hate each other. You're the last person I would expect to save someone like me," Naruto said making Sasuke snort. "Don't flatter yourself dobe. I took pity on you is all," Sasuke said before Naruto moved to collect his clothes. Sasuke must have washed them since they were dry. Sasuke glared as he watched Naruto collect his backpack as well.
"You know dobe, you've been acting weird lately. Ever since your birthday passed you've been acting like a little child who got his favorite toy taken away. What's the matter with you? One messed up birthday and you feel like it's the end of the world? Was it really something to kill yourself over?" Sasuke asked making Naruto chuckle mirthlessly.
"Of course the favored Last Uchiha wouldn't know anything about it. All you have to is frown and walk around and people love you. Thanks Sasuke for saving, though why you care I don't know. Point is you did save me dattebayo. I guess I owe you that one," Naruto said making Sasuke unfold his arms.
"Then you can start by telling me what you were doing down there," Sasuke said before he shivered as Naruto glared at him. "I said I owed you one, but I'll choose which one I owe you. Now if you don't mind I have to go home, take a shower, and change my clothes. I have to meet my team today," Naruto said as he closed the door behind him. Sasuke frowned as watched Naruto go before he shivered slightly. "That power," Sasuke thought to himself.
As Naruto opened the door exiting from Sasuke's apartment, he stopped. He dropped his bag and looked at the nigh apocalypse that ripped through Konoha. If Naruto's first earthquake was bad, this one was a devastation. Naruto looked at the violently ruptured ground in surprise. There was enough some minor flooding of water in some places. Naruto turned his head towards the Hokage Mansion and gasped. He looked down at his hands and clenched them. He had done it again. The Hokage Mansion's top…was gone. Even the Hokage Stone Faces were cracked. "Oi genin!" Naruto looked down to see a chunin addressing him. One that he had never seen before.
"All genin and their jonin instructors to Training Ground #44 on the double," The chunin said before he dashed off while Naruto watched him go. Naruto looked back at the destroyed sections of the village. This…Naruto was starting to feel…that this…power no matter where he trained…it would destroy…anything and everything! Still as Naruto looked at the barren streets of Konoha he could feel the weight of his conscience. He closed his eyes and slumped his shoulders. Cautious or not, he had to take action now, but first…home, and a change of clothes.
KG: Well I guess I can stop there. I'll admit to probably making Naruto overreact, but as I know him, that is sometimes his nature to overreact in specific circumstances. So people said no matter what, this has to be a pairing I haven't done before. I guess that gives me some leeway.
KG: Also I try to have Naruto train with his powers when he can without drawing…too much attention to himself. Though in writing his training I see a flaw in it where I don't know exactly how far an earthquake can travel. I know miles, but not a very high number of miles. I imagine it would be hard to train in a power that creates earthquakes of all things.
KG: People also asked me if Naruto's gonna be able to trust…anyone enough to even have a pairing. That is kind of hard to answer. So I will leave it to your thoughts of how I write it.
KG: Well that's all people. Stay Breezy, protect what's important to you, review, and…bow down before the altar of Cream Soda. SUBMIT YOUR FUCKIN TRIBUTES NOW!