Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto. (I think the chapters will be long from now on)
Chapter III: Nevermore my Pet Raven is Black
Two weeks ago.
Naruto scrubbed his teeth until a glare shined off them. He grinned in the mirror, admiring them. Ya! This will totally impress Sakura! Then we can go out and become boyfriend and girlfriend! And when I become the world's greatest Hokage! Me and her will get married!
He ran a hand through his blond locks. "I look so totally cool. Better than that stupid bastard." without looking, he grabbed a bottle of baby oil and squirted a handful on his palm. He rubbed his hands together and proceeded to coat his lanky chest, legs and feet.
"Wait, why is this so oily-" he looked down at his hands, smearing the substance between his fingertips. "It smells like baby oil" he snapped his head up and stared at the uncapped bottle in realization. He pointed an accusing finger at it. "I wasn't suppose to grab you! I was suppose to grab him!" he looked toward the plumped blue glass bottle of male lotion he had bought to impress the blush-haired girl.
"Ah! Damn you!" he reached to crush the plastic bottle when his feet slipped from under him and his bottom crashed on the floor. It seemed it was a bad idea to oil down his feet. He grumbled and tried to gather himself to his feet, only to fall down again.
He reached for the tub and gripped the edge, but his oily hands refused him and he smacked his face into the porcelain tub.
Ow...he clutched his throbbing face. "Am I going to stay here all my fricking life!"
Naruto shrugged on his orange jacket, gulping down a carton of milk, whose expiration date had been a week ago. He lifted his headband and tied it proudly around his head. He locked the door to his flat and pocketed the keys. He descended down the flight of stairs and walked out of the entrance of the building.
His hands clasped behind his head, admiring the bright blue sky. The sun shined brightly, its gentle rays blanketing all of Earth's children. A smile graced his features. This was going to be a prefect day. He was going to train extra hard today. Impress Kakashi and stun Sasuke to silence, but most importantly he was going to ask Sakura on a date.
He grinned with glee at the thought of sharing a bowl of ramen with her. No but wait that would mean he could not have all of it, but then they might share a kiss. His cheeks blushed at the thought. He had tried other times, but she was distracted by that bastard. He frowned, he really did not know what she saw in him or what anyone else did for that matter. He was not special. He was a complete dick. He beat him down every time he got a chance and always insulted Sakura.
"Man, one day I'll show him who is better."
Naruto had managed to slip into the shower and tried to wash the gunk off. Although he did manage to remove it, the smell still stayed and applying the lotion would just make it worse. Or so he concluded.
Ha! Like it matters, today Sakura is gonna say yes.
Croaking startled him from his musing, he came to a stop and squinted up. Perched on a electrical pole were two crows; who twitched their heads towards him and eyed him with scrutiny. Naruto felt his smile disappear, he had always heard crows brought bad luck or they foreshadowed things. He felt naked to them and his mood suddenly darkened.
He watched with unexplainable fear as more winged creatures joined the pair, soon a dozen of dark beady eyes stalked his every move.
What the hell was wrong with him? They were just stupid chickens with black feathers! He could have them for breakfast if he wanted to. He glared at them and pointed a finger at them. "I don't know what your trying to pull! But I am not scared of you. You're brainless nobodies! And as a future Hokage, you don't have a chance! Hahaha." He goad them on, whether to threaten them or to forcefully pull himself out of this irrational fear, the crowd of crows just watched on in curiosity.
"Ah, whatever! I have better things to do than stand here and be with you." he snapped. He walked forward, ignoring their following eyes and pushing down the unsettling feeling in his stomach.
The red railed bridge came into view and felt his heart flutter in chest when he caught a flash of pink. Sakura was combing her hair and smoothing out her dress. A gentle breeze picked up and carried sparkles from the river.
His vision slowed and his eyes focus only on her, slowing down how the breeze played with her hair and brightened her eyes. How the mist from the water winked light and glided around her like a celestial being. She turned to him and gifted him with one of the brightest smiles he has ever seen. She was glowing. He felt his heart melt. He was smitten.
Naruto.. her voice was angelic, soft and dulcet. Like mellifluous lullaby sung in your ear.
Naruto... she was waving.
"Naruto!" Naruto snapped out of it, blinking several times and took a involuntary step back. She was glaring at him, her hands on her hips.
"I asked if you saw Sasuke." she snapped. He felt his stomach drop. Why was it always Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke! Really! What was so special about him?
He shook his head and his shoulders slumped when she turned around and went about her business. He sat down across from her, leaning against the rail, admiring how silky smooth her hair looked. He bet it would feel nice to touch it.
"What are you looking at! Man, you're so annoying." the words stung, but he really did not care. As long they were not cold as the ones the villagers gave him, he would be fine.
He swallowed dryly and asked with a small voice,"W-why do you like Sasuke so much? What is so special about him?"
She raised a delicate eyebrow at him and glared at him like he was the biggest idiot in the world and the answer was so obvious."Why wouldn't I? I mean he is hot and sexy! Not to mention the greatest fighter of this generation." she clasped her hands together and rested them on her chest."He is so mysterious.." she squealed.
Naruto tilted his head. He still did not get it. Just then, Sasuke crossed the bridge and leaned against the railing, dropping his duffel bag by his feet. Sakura stiffened, a blush crept on her cheeks. Quickly, she snapped out of it and combed her hand through her hair. She clasped her hands behind her back and approached Sasuke.
"G-good morning, Sasuke" she greeted him with a nice smile and Naruto felt a pang of jealousy.
"Hn" that bastard did not even bat her an eye. Naruto gritted his teeth when Sakura's face fell, crestfallen. He jumped to his feet and pointed the finger at Sasuke.
"What the hell is wrong with you! She said good morning you dolt!"
"Naruto!" he cringed when Sakura's fist struck his head. "Don't yell at Sasuke!" Naruto grumbled and nursed his new bump. He glared at Sasuke when he sneered at him.
"Whatever, loser." Sasuke bent to lift his duffel bag and walked off the bridge.
Sakura watched him go before she zipped up her red duffel. Naruto slung his bag over his shoulder. "Hey, why don't you say good morning to me!" he playfully proposed, lifting a suggestive eyebrow at her.
She turned around and hit him over the head with her duffel. "What! No way! You brainless idiot! And stop making that face, you're creeping me out." she then turned on her heel and trailed behind Sasuke.
"Sasuke, wait up!"
"Ugh.." Naruto sat up from his fall and watched her walk off. He rubbed his head. "Ow! Sakura, that hurt." he pouted. A croak had him like a deer stuck in the headlights. He slowly turned his head and stared up at a crow that was perched on the railing.
It tilted its head and croaked.
"S-S-Sakura!" he scrambled to his feet, yanking his blue duffel with him and bolted. He swore that crow cackled at him.
Naruto rested his hands behind his back and briefly closed his eyes. They had been sitting under the tree for nearly two hours now waiting for that stupid teacher of theirs to show up. He gritted his teeth, he was just waiting for what kind of excuse he pulled out of his ass now.
He opened one eye and looked over at his teammates. Sakura sat in-between him and Sasuke. She was fast asleep, looking ever so delicate. Sasuke rested his back against the tree, staring at nothing in particular. He looked over and locked eyes with him.
"Bastard." Naruto growled.
"Tch, whatever idiot. I wasn't the one staring." he smirked at him. The blond huffed and stared ahead. He frowned when he noticed a flock of crows fly across the sky.
Are they following me! Naruto tensed when he heard harsh croaking above him. He whirled around almost tumbling over. Above him in the tree were dozens and dozens of crows all watching them with beady eyes. Naruto felt the fear resurface from his gut.
"What the hell do you want!"
"What is wrong with you, are you insane?"
Naruto was trembling and he snapped "Shut up, Sasuke!"
At once the crows began to caw. Naruto covered his ears and was vaguely aware that Sasuke too, covered his. With all the ear-shrieking sound, the blond almost missed the blush-haired girl's soft moans. Suddenly the cawing stopped and they stared down, almost expectantly at Sakura. Naruto felt his heart race.
Suddenly Sakura's eyes snapped open and took in large amounts of air, before she lunged forward and gripped the grass as coughs ripped her throat. Naruto was by her side instantly, crows forgotten.
"Sakura! Are you okay! What's wrong?" but she was coughing too much to answer. Naruto locked eyes with Sasuke as the crowd of crows leaped off the tree and took flight. A legion of crows emerged from the trees and flew away, blackening the sky. Sunlight winked between the gaps.
Sakura trembled, her skin becoming pale nearly blue as the minutes passed. Soon the last coughs escaped her throat and she slowly sat up, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. What struck him most was this new look in her eye, they were not this way a few minutes ago, they looked worn out, like the one he caught on Kakashi when he showed them the memorial stone.
Her shoulders stiffened and goosebumps pebbled her arm. She whipped her head towards Sasuke and stared at him for a while like he was a foreign object. Naruto licked his lips and tentatively laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Sakura, are you alright?" she jumped under his touch and with agility never displayed by her, she whirled around and had him by his throat. He felt his eyes widen and his hand stayed in the air. Few emotions passed her face before her own eyes widen. She stared at him with scrutiny, making him feel uncomfortable, before realization drawn to her face.
"Kyuubi.." she whispered. Naruto felt his blood freeze and the gears in his head stop. He flinched and hated how that word associated with him, how instantly he was effected by it. Especially coming from the girl he liked so much. Now she too was going to hate him and look down on him.
She narrowed her eyes at him and wrenched her hand back. He felt his heart split into two. She now knew what he was and was going to hate him for it. He tried for the life of him to be very discreet about it, but he failed. Somehow she knew and soon..soon she would direct cold eyes at him. He will never get that smile he longed for.
The blush-haired girl scrambled to her feet and moved away from them. With a trembling hand, she pulled out a kunai and pointed at them. Her eyes hardened and she snarled at them. "W-who are you!" Wait? Who are we? Naruto exchanged looks with Sasuke before he looked back at her.
"Who the hell do you think you are! Tricking me!" she menaced them with her kunai. To say Naruto was shocked would be an understatement.
Emerald eyes burned with anger and determination, pupils dilated and shaking. She bared her teeth at them and gripped the kunai until her knuckles were white. The anger just pulsated in waves, suffocating them both.
Where did that sweet girl go? Where did the loving eyes and gentle smile disappear to? She was not the bestest of friends with Naruto, but she never looked at him this way before. Not even when she realized who he was. And she is even threatening Sasuke! Something was definitely wrong here. Sakura has never cursed.
He raised his hands and tried to reason with her "it's us, Sakura. No ones tricking you."
The blond watched emotions run through her face like a plague. She gritted her teeth and the waves intensified "You think this is funny! Do you!" her expression was accusing. A small smirk graced her features before it disappeared and she narrowed her eyes at Sasuke.
Sasuke visibly flinched. The anger that rolled off her grew tenfold and Naruto felt his insides coil. There was murderous intent, he would not be surprised if everyone within a mile radius felt it.
"Sakura, please.." he begged. Instantly recoiling when her eyes snapped to him. Her eyes drifted away from his form and she looked at her surroundings. She looked confused, scared almost.
A breeze picked up and she stared at her hair transfixed. The kunai slipped from her fingers, embedding itself into the soil. She mouthed something and Naruto felt something tug him. Was that some sort of jutsu?
The arduous aura suddenly dissipated and he felt like he could breath again, however watched on in concern as her eyes saddened and looked like she threatened to spill tears. He took an involuntary step back as she moved forward, but frowned at himself when she ran passed them and slumped on the grass at the edge of the river bank.
Naruto looked toward Sasuke who was visibly trembling and holding his arm in resort to stop so. He slowly looked toward him. He too was shaken up. Naruto looked towards Sakura who seemed to be chanting numbers. The blond tried to will himself to walk over there and comfort her, but his feet were glued to the ground. He was terrified of her. Almost as terrified as he had been when they were stuck in Zabuza's Soundless Murder Technique, maybe even more.
Taking a deep breath, he ordered his foot forward followed by the other and soon he found himself standing at Sakura's side. Naruto looked up and found Sasuke had followed him. Naruto kneeled down and felt his heart crumble at the look of agony she had as she stared at her reflection. He watched in alarm when she started yelling at her reflection. Bloody murder ripped from her throat. Her screams were parched and squeaky, sore from the violent coughing before. Her hands curled on her dress, gripping it until they were white. Naruto wanted to do something! Anything to bring her out of this tormenting mood. He swallowed dryly and reached to touch her.
"S-Sakura? Please tell me what's wrong." he cursed the tremble in his voice. How can he help her when he is scared shitless himself? She looked up at him, looking far older than her age. His hand retreated when a tear fell from her eye. He should not touch her, she was too pure for him. He did not want to make her hate him further.
Sasuke shifted next to her and drew her attention to him. Everything was quiet, only the sound of the river was heard. Even their breathing was faint. The blond watched in sadness when she reached out and touched Sasuke's hair. He watched with longing when her hand landed on his cheek where she stroked the back of his ear. Smiling sadly when she giggled. Tensing when the murderous aura returned for a brief second.
"You're real.." she whispered and Naruto became far more confused than he was before.
"Sakura..?"
He felt compelled to not looked at her. Save her from looking at something so unpure. Save himself from looking at her disgusted face. He stared at the grass, but frowned when a pink strands danced in his vision. He looked up and blue clashed with emerald. He felt blood rush to his cheeks. Their noses were almost touching!
He pulled back slightly. "Are you feeling better?" He felt his heart do several leaps. She was smiling at him. Directing her glowing smile at him! He watched in alarm when her hand palmed his cheek, stroking a bruise he he had not realized he had gotten.
His heart tugged at him when a sad look crossed her eyes. "I'm sorry Naruto." What! Why was she saying that? She did nothing wrong, but the look she gave him said other wise. Those eyes of hers so aware, almost like she could see the future.
"Huh? What do you got to be sor-" his words died in his throat. She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him down. His body went rigid, not used to this sort of physical contact. He looked over to Sasuke who was regarding them both with a blank look. Naruto felt blood rush up to his ears. Her nose lightly brushed against his neck. Was she smelling him?
"Sakura, a-are you smelling my neck?" he sputtered out like a man choking on his rice. Her chin rested on his shoulder and she hummed in agreement. They stayed like that for a while. Naruto smiled in content, he could stay forever like this, except when it came down to ramen, that he could not resist.
But then he sensed something wrong. The air around them seemed to shift and she pulled away in alarm like she had remembered something. Naruto's eyes widen, blood trickled from her ears. "Ah! Sakura! Your ears are bleeding!" Sasuke moved to help her, while Naruto crowded around her. She looked like she was asphyxiated and suddenly stood up, pushing passed them. They watched her stumble. Sasuke moved toward her and turned her around, grabbing her shoulders to steady her.
"What's wrong with her!"
Sasuke sighed breathless, loss for words. "I-I don't know. Sakura? Are you listening? What's wrong?"
She lifted her eyes towards them, emerald foggy and half lidded. She shook her head like she could not hear. Pushed Sasuke off and stumbled away like she was completely intoxicated, yelling at them that she was fine, but she clearly could not control the pitch of her voice.
Naruto watched her clutch her head and sway dangerously, but was too shocked to catch her from striking her head on a jagged rock protruding from the soil.
"SAKURA!"
Now.
Naruto gritted his teeth, sprinting across adobe streets, scouting for any signs of pink, asking people or just scanning the area. The sun reflected off the ground, drowning him in perspiration. If he would have just snapped out of it, none of this would have happened. If he just stopping freezing every time something formidable happened then he would not be in this predicament or anyone for that matter. It happened when he first faced Zabuza and it happened now. He thought he out grew that!
Naruto leaped on to a fence and squinted his eyes. Sasuke flashed in front of him, he was trying to maintain his breathing to minimum. He was not even sweating like he was. Was he even looking for her! Did he really not care?
Naruto looked straight ahead, determined to find the blush-haired girl. "What do you want, Sasuke." he snapped. "If you are not here to help, why did you even bother coming here?"
"I don't know why we even bother with is. She is completely useless and always-" Sasuke quickly dodged the impending fist. He caught his wrist and swung his leg to trip him. Naruto jumped, and grabbed his ankle.
"What?" he sneered. "Can't find her?" Sasuke stiffened and narrowed his eyes. He pushed the blond away. "If you were such a powerful ninja wouldn't you have found her already!" He spat.
He watched Sasuke's body go rigid, like he had hit a nerve or something. He smirked, probably shrunk his ego. Good! Give that bastard a taste of his own medicine. "Why are you even here anyway?"
Sasuke slightly hunched his shoulders, stuffed his hands in his pockets and kicked a pebble around. "Kakashi told me to follow you and scout for Sakura."
Naruto barked out a laugh, "I thought you didn't take orders. I thought you didn't like to be ordered around!" ignoring the murderous look he gave him, he continued. "Look, I don't want to fight right now. I just want to find Sakura. So, if we just for now put our differences aside and actually work together, we can find her." he was slightly shocked by the reasoning that came out of his mouth, but was too concerned to find their teammate to care. "I have this area checked out, you scout another area. We will meet at the bridge when our intervals are done and scout another area again."
Sasuke seemed look slightly taken back, but quickly recovered and took off. Naruto sighed and his mind went back on track. Returning to his position on the fence. Where are you, Sakura? Why did you leave...
"Shh..he's right there."
The blond's ears perked and narrowed his eyes slightly at the squared 'rock' settled below him. Konohamaru...how can that fool anyone?
"Alright break it up! There is no such things as a perfectly squared rock with prefect holes! It is so obvious."
"Just what you'd expect from the man I respect!" came a muffled voice. "You are my rival aren't you!" the 'rock' began to glow yellow light, sending a collection of parallel rays, engulfing both Naruto and a few feet of the street. The 'rock' exploded, setting off three sets of colorful smoke; one by one the smoke dispersed, revealing three children hunched over coughing.
"Hey! That's too much gunpowder!" Konohamaru choked out.
The children looked up at the blond and Moegi leaped to her feet, "With an adult-sexiness! I'm Moegi of the senior class at Kunoichi Preschool!" striking a pose.
"I love factoring, Udon!" Naruto slightly grimaced that the snot that hung from his nostril.
"And the most brilliant Ninja in the Village! Konohamaru!"
"The three of us together are the Konoha-" Naruto put a hand up to stop them from continuing and walked along the fence.
"Hey! That's rude! You didn't let us finish." exclaimed Moegi.
"Yeah! What of it Boss?"
Naruto hopped off the fence, but did not turn to face them. Konohamaru approached him and tugged his sleeve. "What's wrong boss?"
A shadow fell over his eyes. "I failed Konohamaru. I failed everyone and I failed her." Naruto did not look at the boy's confused expression and did not elaborate on it.
Konohamaru licked his lips and felt at a loss at what to say. Whatever was bothering his friend, had him on his hands and knees. He was not good at adult stuff, but he knew that things do not get resolved by just moping around and doing nothing. His grandfather taught him that and Naruto taught him that. Konohamaru clenched his fists and slightly shoved Naruto.
"And what! You're gonna stand here and do nothing? You're not gonna fix this? Going back on your word?"
Naruto looked up at the boy to say something, but Konohamaru cut him off "That's not the Naruto I know! You told me crying doesn't solve anything. It just makes you into a coward that no one will admire! If you are that coward, you're not worthy of being someone who I respect or who I should call a rival!"
Naruto stared at him for a very long time and Konohamaru slightly wondered if yelling at him was such a good idea. He meant well, he wanted to drag Naruto out of the emotional rut he build around himself, but he did not want Naruto mad at him.
He felt relief flood through him when Naruto broke out into a smile and ruffled his hair.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks for reminding me." he grinned.
"No problem!"
Naruto scratched the back of his head and slightly flushed. "But..um, I'm still your Boss, right?"
Konohamaru grinning and nodded vigorously. "Of course! You will always be my boss!"
Naruto watched Konohamaru's friends trot toward him and chatter amongst themselves. At this speed I am never going to spot Sakura. She could be anywhere! She might even still be at the hospital or back at her house!He looked towards the children. And I definitely can't let that bastard find her! If I only had...
"Hey guys! How about you help me with something." The blond rubbed his hands together with glee.
"Yeah! What ya need, Boss! Hey can we play ninj-"
The ground shook slightly, pebbles hopped on the ground. Konohamaru's scarf tangled itself between his feet and he tripped. Moegi whined and held on to Udon who was about to fall over. Naruto narrowed his eyes. What was that?
"Was that an e-earthquake?" whimpered Moegi.
An explosive sound drowned out whatever Udon was about to say. A tree that stood a few miles away from them, shook and Naruto bolted toward that direction, with the children trailing after him.
Two minutes earlier.
Sasuke slammed his fist against the wall. Shit...this is frustrating!
He narrowed his eyes and glared at the ground. A crowd of girls that watched him from around the corner, squealed away by the unnerving air that swerved around him. There are plenty of guys outside who are stronger than I am..
How was he going to restore his clan if he could not defeat Haku, someone who was far younger than he was. Maybe if he was not sent on all these stupid missions. Maybe if they actually got missions during the time Sakura was out. Maybe if he was not stuck here looking for the said stupid girl, who spent majority of the time priming her hair up and flirting with him. Quite frankly, she was about as useless as Naruto. Hell, she was far talentless than the orange wearing idiot.
They did not train until the afternoon because that moron proposed they visit her every goddamn day. His fist collided with the wall behind him. Visiting hours ended at six and he wanted an hour with her. If he was so eager to see her, why did he not go in his own time! And not drag them with him!
He let out a bitter laugh. He was growing soft; he was starting to care and slightly like his teammates. Why else would he continuously be led into 'emotional' situations? Why would he let himself be dragged along? The excuse would only count for the first two days. After that, it just became a routine. He shook his head. But he hated his teammates. They wasted time and were severe loads of dead-weights, especially Sakura.
Instead of reviewing this crap, he should be working on something useful.
But how was he going to defeat his brother if he could not even find his pathetic teammate? Naruto had hit a nerve, he should be able to find her, he was far stronger. But why has he not? Whatever she is doing, she was eluding their senses. Purposely making a fool out of them. Out of him!
If Kakashi could not even sense her, how could he? He could not even defeat Kakashi during the bell test and Itachi is Anbu level. He sighed and massaged his temples. He is not advancing at the pace he wanted.
She had managed to scare the shit out of him two weeks ago. Crows watched her so diligently like she was something special. Waking up coughing like she was drowning underwater. Screaming bloody murder and threatening them like they were impostors. Crying in agony. Touching them like she had not seen them in years or like she knew something depressing they did not.
He suppose she had always been mental and finally cracked.
But he could not get those emerald eyes out of his head. They had so much hate. They looked like his when he looked at his reflection in his mother's blood. Her anger rolled off of her in waves and when she looked at him, they increased tenfold. What the hell had he done to pissed her off so much?
They were so potent that his arm still momentarily trembled at the memory. They burned themselves into his retinas and soul.
Sasuke felt something lick his skin. He shivered and lifted his arms up to poise for an attack, but frowned when nothing came. He felt the hairs in the back of his neck stand and was overwhelmed by a strong sense of fear and anger. "Something is up...the air shifted"
The ground shook beneath him. What was that? An earthquake? No it's too small.
A blast of wind almost knocked him over, followed by a sonic-boom that left his ears popping for a while. There was a loud crash and he looked up just in time to see a tall tree falling down on him. He instinctively rolled out off the way and narrowed his eyes at the column of sand that began to form.
"What the hell...?"
End of Chapter III
There you go, y'all. And as always feedback/Reviews are always welcomed. Especially if I kind of nailed it with Sasuke..he is cynical.
