The four Seasons 4
by Rizember

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Suna part two: Partners

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Beta'd by: [Unbeta'd]

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A/N: Hey, sorry if it seemed like I was Sakura-bashing... I wasn't. If I made her seem stupid or whatever, that wasn't my intention cause she's not. I'm just trying to bring up differences in all their personalities. I hate character bashing and will NOT have that here.
Sorry again D:

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Disclaimer: Leprechauns like green.
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That night, I had a nightmare about receiving a cricket as my partner.

I dreamt that I was on stage and right after being presented with the cricket, I had to do a comedy show.

No one laughed and the cricket made that stupid chirping sound and looked like Genma.

I then stepped on the cricket.

I woke up in a cold sweat.

I couldn't get back to sleep.

The bed was too hot, the room was too cold and the leaves floating above me were just pissing me off.

I think they might even have been laughing at me... How could they not?

Here in this luxurious palace was actually someone who didn't want to be here.

Someone who was here because they didn't want to be here.

Maybe I was an ass in a past life, cause I certainly feel like one now.

I left my bed and walked into the bathroom.

Somewhere during the night, I'd thrown off my shirt & was now just in my PJ bottoms.

I turned on the shower and didn't even flinch when the cold water sprayed me.

It was getting warmer anyway...and I'd already exceeded the number of screams allowed to guys in their lifetime i.e. two (one for when you're

born. The other for when you win the lottery. The same applies for the number of times a guy's allowed to cry).

My PJ bottoms were now soaked through but I couldn't bring myself to care.

Somehow, in less than 24 hours, my whole life had been decided for me and I wondered if maybe it was time I got a prescription for a pair of balls.

I don't know how long I stood in the shower but when I left, my clock said it was one in the morning.

Great. Who doesn't love being up in the middle of the night for no particular reason?

I took off my bottoms and put them in the laundry hamper after trying my best to squeeze every last drop of water from them.

I took another pair and put them on.

The chances of me falling asleep were so slim they were anorexic.

I decided to leave. Not "run away" cause I didn't know which way to go and how not to get caught.

I shrugged on a jumper and sneakers and went out, shutting my door quietly and walking to the window opposite it.

There was no one on the grounds and it looked really peaceful.

I walked past the leaves that were still chasing each other through the hallway.

I reached the main doors to the wing and left.

There was no one moving about.

When I got to the outside, I swore.

Even from this distance, I could see the guards on watch on the walls.

I put my hands in my jumper pockets and started to walk around the castle.

The only part I hadn't been to.

The front had the orchards to the side and the road and carpark. The other side had the somewhat hidden green house and Accountants Building

in the distance, next to the kraal.

This time, I walked past the orchard, going toward the back of the castle.

The only sounds heard were my breathing and the sound of my sneakers on the path.

There were trees, lots of them, but not like the orchard.

These trees looked like they were actually a proper unmanned forest.

I walked in (I suppose the forest was now officially 'manned').

The place was dark and I shivered slightly.

I'm not inclined to be scared of the dark. It doesn't make sense to me. I mean, it's not like a treaty with light was ever signed where one of the

conditions was that nothing scary would ever happen if you could see it during the day.

Most phobias are ridiculous.

I used to be scared of heights until Anko told me, "It's not the 'height' you're scared of. What you fear is 'ground'... Because everyone knows; its

not the fall that kills you, its the sudden stop at the end."

For a week after that, I refused to leave my room on the ground floor of my house.

I don't get bug phobias.

Bugs aren't creepy at all, well...except for butterflies.

Butterflies are a whole other issue... All gross and fluttering here and there, getting girls to think they're cute and all...

I prefer moths- at least THEY aren't pretentious.

CRACK!

I looked down sharply, thinking maybe I'd stepped on a twig.

Nope.

CRACK!

Okay... Not scared... Just...wondering what that is...

CRACK!

I tried hard to control my breathing as I walked toward where the sound was coming from (I have an unhealthy curiosity).

Seconds later, I found myself on the edge of a clearing.

And in the middle of the clearing was a-

"What the hell," I whispered.

A giant racoon.

It was apparently attacking a poor, defenseless tree and snapping its thick branches.

CRACK!

What the hell did the tree DO to it?!

"Stop."

Wth?

In front of the racoon was that redhead from earlier, Gaara I think it was.

The idiot was glaring...yes, GLARING...at the pissed off giant woodland creature!

He was going to get himself KILLED! And here I was with no popcorn!

"I told you to stop," Gaara continued, talking to the raccoon like it was a perfectly normal occurrence.

The raccoon stared back at him for a few minutes and then-

Before I could reason with myself, my legs moved forward, forcing my body to try catch up.

I tackled Gaara to the ground just as the racoon tried to replant the tree right where'd he'd been standing seconds before.

I turned and saw it staring at me.

I scrambled off Gaara, who immediately sat up, and shoved him away.

"Run!"

He stared at me.

"Damn it! I know I'm gorgeous but you can stare at me later IF WE LIVE!"

Gaara turned away from me and looked at the racoon.

"Return."

It sighed.

I gaped.

"Did it just SIGH?"

The racoon lowered its head in what looked like a well executed bow, and vanished into a pile of sand.

The tattoo on Gaara's forehead shone bright red for a second before it went back to normal.

I blinked.

Tattoo?

Wtf?

"When did you get a tattoo?"

He gave me a look that said I was an idiot.

He must have had it when I met him but I must not have noticed it.

"Why did you do that?"

I stared at him, the look on my face saying he was apparently an idiot too.

When we continued our staring and I got uncomfortable, I sighed irritably.

"What?"

"Why did you save me?"

I suddenly recalled that there had just been a giant racoon doing a very good impression of deforestation and that as this wasn't a normal,

everyday situation, I should be reasonably concerned. So-

"What the hell was that thing?!"

Gaara stood up and I realized I was still on the ground.

I stood and challenged him with an unflinching gaze.

"A giant racoon," he stated.

"Yes, thankyou. That was helpful." I said dryly. "I saw what it was you idiot. Mind telling me what it was doing here, how it got that big, what

you are doing here, where its gone and why you were trying to get yourself killed?"

Gaara actually looked...amused.

"Is that all?"

"I'll get to the other questions in a minute."

He sighed, "That 'thing' is Shukaku. My...pet."

"Pet," I drawled.

"Yes."

"Shukaku is your giant pet racoon."

"Yes."

"Your giant pet racoon that just tried to gift you with a tree."

"Yes."

"He's very thoughtful."

"Isn't he?"

I would have smiled at his attempt at humour (or whatever it was, he wasn't smiling so it was hard to tell) if I didn't think he was lying.

"What were you doing?"

Gaara walked past me and I followed.

"Well?" I pressed.

"I was training him."

"To what, kill you?"

"It doesn't matter," he rounded on me. "You can't tell anyone what you saw."

We stared at each other for a few seconds then I nodded.

"Okay."

We walked in silence and then Gaara said, "You aren't in bed."

And the title of 'Captain Obvious' goes to...

"No, I'm not."

"Why?"

"Couldn't sleep."

He seemed surprised by this cause he stopped and looked at me funny.

I cocked an eyebrow at him.

"What?"

"Nothing. It's just strange."

We both walked again and even through the thickness of the mini-forest, I could see the castle.

"What about you? Why aren't YOU asleep?" I asked.

"I'm an insomniac."

"Ah... Makes sense."

"What makes sense?"

"Well," I smirked. "It's obvious that being killed by a giant racoon with a tree is the latest insomniac cure."

"Yes but it might be alot harder to wake up in the morning," he added dryly.

"Was that humour?"

"I would assume so."

"I'm impressed."

We reached the castle and I headed for the entrance.

Gaara didn't follow me.

"Arent you coming?" I asked.

He shook his head, "No point. I still won't be able to sleep."

I shrugged but said, "As long as you don't try to subdue giant animals with 'love'," I motioned his tattoo. "Then its cool."

He nodded, "I'm done with that for the night anyway."

I turned away.

"Naruto."

"Hmm?"

"Why did you do that?"

"What?" I asked.

"You could've been killed," he pointed out.

"Yes, so could you."

When he stayed quiet, I shrugged and said, "Can't let my friends die. Especially not the ones who help me keep away from Lee."

Gaara didn't say anything. I knew that this was some pivotal moment in our lives- it would be the day he and I made a bond of friendship... The

day his friendless self would never forget...The day he would remember for the rest of his life and I wanted to see his overwhelmed, emotional

face...

I turned around and found myself looking hard at nothing.

Gaara was gone...again.

Darn antisocial bastard.

I went in.

I walked quietly through the halls and noticed a shadow at the end.

Shit. Busted.

Wait...no one said I couldn't leave the castle at night.

I lifted my chin and walked bravely up until a few feet away from the shadow.

It was at the exact time that my bravery decided its vacation was long overdue and took off.

The 'shadow' was actually a massive dude who hadn't noticed me yet.

Maybe I could sneak away and escape to get backup (like Gaara's raccoon).

Just as I stretched one leg away and tried to tiptoe off, the floor creaked (which was bloody amazing considering it was a tiled floor).

The giant looked at me and grimaced.

I gulped as my life once again flashed before my eyes.

Ramen...I'll miss you...don't cry for me. I'm sure I'll find you in heaven (fingers crossed).

"You should be in bed."

Good gosh, IT CAN SPEAK!

The figure stepped into the light coming from a window and I noticed he had gray eyes and orange hair.

I chuckled and whispered, "Carrot top."

His eyes narrowed and I gulped again.

Sure Naruto. Genius move, teasing the huge possibly psychotic huge and sleep-deprived huge guy in an empty hallway.

'You know what?' my brain shouted indignantly. 'You DESERVE to die.'

"I-I'm sorry," I stuttered at the big guy. "I just meant you have orange hair and orange is like a colour and oranges are orange and so are carrots-"

He smiled.

That did not necessarily bode well with me.

Most killers smiled too.

But...this guy's smile was... kind?

"I'm Juugo. I'm the Janitor."

I blinked.

"Juugo the janitor?" I laughed and when fear got a hold of my brain, I stopped.

But... he was still smiling.

I sighed with relief and said, "I'm Naruto."

He smiled and leaned on the mop I hadn't noticed in his hands.

"Need some help?"

He stared long and hard.

I was beginning to think I'd offended him when he grinned and nodded at another mop in a bucket a few feet away.

"Are you sure you won't tire yourself out?"

I shrugged, "Being tired is exactly what I need. I couldn't fall asleep."

He nodded and we worked.

He told me stories about the people here, the servants and how he worked at night cause it was easiest.

I laughed at a few of the things he said, like how Genma had once gotten his ass kicked by both an irate Tsunade and an amused Kakashi (who

had been bored at the time and helped Tsunade beat Genma up without even asking why).

Apparently Genma had been spying on her as a favour to Jiraiya (whose ass was kicked soon after that).

After mopping the long hallway (I swear it wasn't this long before) Juugo sighed and asked in a nervous tone, "Did you..." he cleared his throat.

"Did you help me cause I frighten you?"

I smiled, "You were pretty scary at first yeah... but I helped you cause I wanted to exhaust myself to sleep."

He smiled brightly and said, "Alright. Then... Thankyou."

I shrugged, "No problem. See you around."

Juugo nodded as I walked past him, headed for my room.

I was definately exhausted and had a small smile as I thought of Gaara and Juugo.

Did this place let out all the lunatics at night?

Back in my room, it occurred to me that I didn't know who Gaara was and what he was doing in Suna.

It didn't exactly strike me as weird though. Maybe he trained the animals...and possibly, Partners as well.

And all the people I'd seen the previous day, the ones tending to the grounds...I wondered where they lived.

I hadn't seen them come in.

Was Yuukimaru one of them?

With my mind trying vainly to grasp slippery thoughts and my body cursing my very existence, I fell asleep.

(I am a Neji page break. It is my fate)

Something was running along my face.

I shook my head and it fell off.

Seconds later, it was back.

My sleep muddled brain started a slow reboot...

Something...on...my...face....

My brain decided I wasn't acting fast enough and thus, took control of my body by grudgingly opening one eye (my brain and I are officially not on

speaking terms... The arrogant swine).

With my one eye rebelling against me and trying to focus on the thing in front of me, I tried to get the rest of me to go back to sleep.

"Naruto..."

"Mmm?"

"Wake up love."

Love?

What the-

My other eye opened as well and...I'm ashamed to say...I screamed.

Yes, again. But it was a manly kind of scream this time...

My bedroom door was thrown open as Jiraiya and Shikamaru ran in, Jiraiya in a bathrobe, brandishing a baseball bat and shouting, " What?

Where? Who?!"

I blinked at them.

They looked at me.

Jiraiya's bat was still in a swinging position, ready to attack.

"I heard a little girl scream," Shika said, when none of us spoke.

...Little...girl...?

I scowled at him, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Really?" he smirked sleepily.

I pointed at the wall.

They turned and saw what had freaked me out.

Genma was smiling sheepishly and waving from his position at the wall.

He was eyeing Jiraiya's bat wearily.

"Genma."

"Hello Jiraiya."

"What were you doing in here?"

"Uh...well...I..."

"We're here to wake Autumn up for the Partners meeting."

We turned.

Yuukimaru came out of my closet carrying clothes and sneakers and setting them at the foot of my bed.

"You're expected to be early as well, Jiraiya," Yuukimaru stated dryly.

Jiraiya nodded slowly and lowered his bat.

Shika left immediately with Jiraiya following soon after but not before he glared at Genma one last time.

"Have you two ever learned the concept of knocking?"

Genma and Yuukimaru stared at me with blank expressions.

"Apparently not," I sighed. "Do not enter my room without my permission. I don't care whether you're ordered to or not."

Yuukimaru shrugged. He obviously couldn't care less.

Genma pouted. "But-"

"You, Don't speak. The next time you think about touching me, don't. Cause if you do, you're going to get a fist shoved up your ass."

"Silly Naruto. You only need a few fingers for preparation."

I scolwed at him, "Could you be more of a perv?!"

"I doubt it. I've tried."

"Is everything about sex with you?"

"'Course not... There's also looks and money."

"Are you on drugs?"

"Pardon?" he asked, lifting one foot after the other and checking the floor.

"He means 'do you do drugs?'" Yuukimaru explained.

"Ooh...Well, I used to do drugs."

"Used to?" I asked doubtfully.

He nodded, "I still do, but I used to, too."

Frustrated and exhausted, I threw my covers over my head and tried to get back to sleep.

"Autumn, wake up."

"Go away Yuukimaru. And the name's Naruto NOT autumn."

My voice was probably sounded muffled and silly but I didn't care.

I was tired.

"You have to get up!"

"Screw you, Genma."

"I wish you would, Ruto."

"Do. Not. Call. Me. Ruto."

"But-"

I threw my covers off and looked at my alarm clock.

It was almost four. In the morning.

"So...you BOTH had to come wake me?"

They nodded.

"At four in the morning?"

They nodded again.

With amazing 'must-sleep' powers, I threw the alarm clock at them.

Yuukimaru dodged just in time for it to smack Genma in the face.

"HEY!" he protested.

"GET OUT!"

Genma scrambled out while Yuukimaru stood his ground.

"Wake. Up."

"No."

"I'm warning you..."

"Sod off."

With that, I returned to my beddings and shut my eyes.

Suddenly, my covers were being lifted off me.

I sat up, ready to resort to MURDER if necessary but soon found myself gaping at the ceiling.

The leaves that had been floating above my bed moments before were now floating above it, with my beddings in their cruel, leafy paws.

"Dammit Yuukimaru! Make them give them back!"

Yuukimaru shook his head and snapped his fingers.

Some of the leaves then came down and lifted me off the bed!

Seeing as how the laws of gravity and other universal truths were being defied by the leaves, I figured I'd do something about it and swore at

them.

"If you don't put me down I'll set you all on fire."

I was then promptly dropped.

Onto the hard floor.

As I rubbed my butt, I glared at the leaves.

This time, I KNEW they were laughing at me.

"Your clothes."

"Out."

Yuukimaru left but I not before I saw the small smirk on his face.

(I am a fangirl page break. I squeal, therefore, I am)

After my reluctant shower, I dressed and followed Yuukimaru.

Genma had disappeared but that didnt necessarily bode well with me.

Yuukimaru left me at the Autumn entrance to the dining hall and with a grumble, I went in.

The other Seasons were there.

Apparently it was just the four of us.

The table was set with fruit, juices various boxes of cereal, milk, coffee and tea. There was also toast set up but I hate toast.

"Morning," I sighed.

Sakura nodded, stifling a yawn and mumbled, "Morning."

Hinata smiled weakly at her large cup of coffee and murmered something.

Sasuke just stared at his bowl of cereal and said, "Hn."

I rolled my eyes at that.

I'm not fluent in "Hn-ese".

I poured myself some cereal, wondering how the hell I'd gone a WHOLE day without ramen.

No wonder I felt so weak.

Fruits and veggies were my one weakness.

My arch enemy would probably be called Cabbage Man or something and would nearly defeat me in an ultimate 'veggie Vs Pork ramen' battle.

But of course, meat would win in the end.

It always does.

For example:

Cows=Meat.

Grass= Veggies.

Cows eat grass.

There you are... it has thus been proved through stressful, indepth scientific study that vegetables bite big wind and meat is awesome.

"Morning rugrats."

We didnt even bother to turn.

Jiraiya was standing tiredly in my line of sight, still in his bathrobe.

"Hey Naruto."

I scowled at him and he chuckled.

"Seems none of our successors are morning people," Tsunade smiled.

"It's not morning yet," Sakura grumbled.

"Yes it is."

"Is the sun up?"

"No-"

"Then it's not morning."

Tsunade laughed and ruffled Sakura's hair.

Sakura didnt bother putting her hair right. Maybe she was still too sleepy to notice that her crush was in the room.

"Why aren't you eating?" Jiraiya asked me.

"Sleepy. Can't pick up spoon."

"Sucks for you then."

Orochimaru looked down at me and I had the good sense not to look up.

I probably wouldn't like what I'd see.

I figured, correctly, that Kakashi wasnt in.

"Why do we have to meet our Partners before the sun's even up?"
"You dont."

"Um...okay. So...we're here for some speeches or something?"

"Nope," Tsunade smirked and I got the feeling I wasnt going to like what they had to say.

"You'll meet our Partners this afternoon as well as get your own presented to you."

"Afternoon..." I deadpanned.

"So, what are we doing this morning?" Hinata asked, stifling a yawn.

"Nothing. You're free actually."

"What!?" we asked (except Sasuke. He was still staring at his bowl).

"Welcome...to prank week," Jiraiya stated.

We stared.

"So...you had us woken up in the middle of the night...for nothing?" Hinata asked, her disbelief clear.

'"Yep," Jiraiya grinned.

"The Partner intros are this afternoon..." I said coldly.

"Yep."

"So...I'm just DREAMING that I'm here at four in the morning and NOT going to kill you?"

"Uh...Jiraiya?" Tsunade looked unsurely from me to Jiraiya as if pointing out that I was a threat and he should try placate my current bloodlust.

Jiraiya coughed and said loudly, "Early to rise, early to bed- makes a man healthy, wealthy and dead."

WTF?!

He then said, "Mission."

"Mission?"

"Yes. Mission. This is Prank week. Prank week is an important tradition where you test what skills you have and do your best not to get caught."

All our mouths were hanging open now, I think we were in a perfect mix of shock, anger and killer intent.

"You can get help from your hosts and Partners and whomever you choose but we must not be able to tell who pulled the prank. Also, no help

from us or our hosts. This is your mission."

"Are you guys INSANE?!" Sakura shouted. "It's FOUR in the bloody MORNING!"

The older seasons just smirked and vanished in a puff of smoke.

When the smoke cleared, Kakashi was standing in the middle of it, blinking.

"What? What I miss?"

This was going to be a long week.

(I am a Naruto page break. Believe it!)

After the morning fiasco, we'd all gone back to bed.

I slept soundly, even managing not to set fire to the leaves above my bed.

I was having a wonderful dream...a Ms Ramen beauty pageant. Seriously, ramen and BOOBS! It was like, the best of both worlds!

And just when I was getting ready to crown the smoking hot Miss Ramen and earn both her and myself a lifetime supply of noodlely goodness-

"WAKE UP!"

"Genma, dont make me kill you."

I opened my eyes and stared at Genma who, for some reason, had a bottle of lotion and a condom in his hands.

I thumped him and promptly fell off my bed.

"What the-"

"Now, now Naruto. No need to freak out. I'm just here to run a few tests."

"Tests?"

He nodded, running his hand where I'd punched him and said, "You see Naruto, every gay person comes equiped with a weapon..."

Wow. Three seconds into the conversation and I was already itching to throw him out a window.

"...The infamous...GAYDAR. Many straight people think they have this special power but-" he chuckled. "they are sorely mistaken, the fools."

I sighed, "Write down what you have to say and when I wake up, I'll look at it, pretend to care and toss it in with the rubbish."

"You're so mean."

"Don't you have some other straight guy to bother?"

"Not right now."

"Please go away."

"But..."

"What?" I ground out.

"It's noon. You're supposed to go out and meet the old Partners."

"Thanks. I'll pass."

"But they are awesomely powerful and dont take kindly to waiting...or being stood up."

I snorted.

"Don't make that sound. It's rude."

"I should hope so. It was a snort of derision."

Ten minutes, one butt grope and two black eyes later, I was standing outside the castle glaring at Genma who now closely resembled a panda...

"Welcome!"

I never feel welcome when Jiraiya says that.

I looked at the other three.

Sasuke was dressed in a blue tshirt and black jeans with blue reeboks, looking broody as I assume is his nature. Hinata was in brown cargo

shorts, a plain black tshirt and striped converses. Sakura however, was in those girly shorts that reached mid-thigh...as well as a frilly red top and

pink pumps.

I've never seen anything so girlie.

I on the other hand, was in blue jeans, a black tshirt and white air jordans.

Yuukimaru entered the room and stood at the door like a guard.

"I'll make this quick," Jiraiya started. "You four will be taken to the kraal where the old partners will make their appearance and you'll be lectured

on how to get close to your partners who will be presented to you this evening. However, to do this, not all of us are needed and so, we'll each

give you a reason to pick us on your excursion and the rest can go on with their lives."

I rolled my eyes.

The bastard just didnt want to do it.

"Pick two and let the rest of us go," Anko clarified, proving that this was indeed a task none of them wanted.

So...we got to decide?

Cool.

Orochimaru stood and faced us.

"I will not be here."

With that, he left...and we DECIDED that his choice was best.

Ibiki glared at us all, "Choose me. I will give you the right to breathe, the right to blink and if you earn it, the right to pick your nose."

"Um...no?" Hinata paled.

Ibiki shrugged and left.

Jiraiya stood and said, "The art of the pervert is a great-"

"No."

He scowled at Sakura before stomping away. I was almost led to believe he WANTED to stay.

Next was Kabuto.

He adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly at us.

"I will teach you the art of merciless deaths...and how to clean your deadly weapons like the humble scythe."

"Scythe?" Sasuke asked.

I was confused too.

A scythe was hardly the choice of weaponry in age old wars...unless you counted peasant revolts.

Or death.

Death definately used a scythe.

Kabuto ignored Sasuke but kept his smile in place.

Sakura sighed, "No. We're just meeting the partners. We're not trying to kill them."

Tsunade and Shizune looked at us and walked away. Tsunade with a beer and Shizune with a pig.

Uh...

"What's with the pig?"

"Bacon?" Hinata suggested.

Shizune turned around and gave us a dirty look.

That left us with Kakashi and Anko.

Oh well...

Could have been worse.

I hadn't seen Genma sticking around so maybe there was hope.

Anko sighed and glared at Yuukimaru.

"You mean me and Kakashi are stuck with them for the Partnership thing?"

"Don't call it a 'thing'," Yuukimaru admonished.

Kakashi scowled, "But-"

"It's already been decided," Yuukimaru smirked.

Kakashi looked at Anko, his eyes pleading for her to find a way out.

"I have a solution!" she pulled a large bottle of wine from her trenchcoat. "DRINK!"

I hadn't noticed a bulge there before which led me to believe that maybe it was a super power of hers or a magic coat or something. Which could

mean...

"Anko, do you have some ramen in there somewhere?"

She looked at me like I'd asked something completely retarded and I said, "This can be blamed on your finding alcohol as a solution. Are you even

a real shrink?"

She nodded and took a swig.

I wondered how Hinata could manage all their madness and not want to escape already.

We walked away from the orchard and grounds.

I heard groaning and turned, seeing something strange at the other end of the lawn.

"Um...Does anyone else see the dragon on the lawn?"

I take it they all thought that with how tired and frustrated I probably was, I was something of a unique misinterpretor (i.e. liar).

I stayed a second longer before seeing the mighty beast...er...

Longing desperately to get that image out of my head, I hurried forward, following the others who were following Anko and Kakashi.

We got to the kraal and waited.

The animals I'd seen the other day werent here and it was quiet.

Normally, I LIKE quiet, but now...

The ground began to shake and we stared at it uneasily as our feet started to slip.

There was a great roar and we waited for the awesome beast to appear and, moments later, just as I feared the ground was about to open up

and kill us all... There it was.

A toad.

A regular sized toad... One that could easily fit in my hand.

Well... It was orange which I'm not completely sure is IRREGULAR for a toad.

If it wasnt for the flat ground, I probably wouldn't have even seen it.

The ground had stopped shaking and I couldnt believe all THAT had happened...cause of a bloody average toad.

Still, I'm impressed Sakura didn't faint.

She seemed like the kind to point and squeal out, "Gross!"... or daintily faint...or one after the other, maybe she could even do both at the same

time.

Hinata and Sasuke looked just as disappointed as me but Sakura...well...she...

Oh my gosh! She picked it up!

"This is a partner?" she asked doubtfully.

Anko chuckled. "No, that's Jiraiya's partners great-great-great-great grandson."

Sakura then noticed my eyes on her and she sighed.

"What?"

"You're holding a toad."

"Yeah?"

"You're not screaming, squealing or fainting."

"Your point...?"

"Are sure you're not a guy?"

The blow I received relieved me of some necessary brain cells.

"What the hell?!"

Before I could take note of what I was doing, I had her hand twisted at her back, not painfully but firmly.

"Naruto!"

I didn't hear Hinata and vaguely realized that Sasuke looked like he was trying to reach me but couldn't quite come that near.

"Don't EVER hit me. Do you understand?"

Sakura nodded slowly and I released her.

Anko was staring at me with the slightest bit of curiosity.

I felt a small pang of shame as I felt the others' eyes on me.

Maybe I should apologize to Sakura-

"I'm sorry," she said.

I blinked.

Sakura was staring at the ground...or my shoes, one of the two.

"No, I shouldn't have-"

She looked up and I met jade eyes.

"I shouldn't have hit you. Its not like we know each other well anyway."

I smirked, "Cause if we did, pummeling me would be okay...?"

She smiled and put out her hand.

I took it and we shook.

This seemed like a really immature moment...and kind of reminded me of Disney movies.

When did I get so lame?

She was smiling sweetly at me.

"I grew up on a ranch. Toads are nothing."

"How do you feel about snakes?" Anko asked silkily.

Sakura gulped and took an uneasy step back.

Sasuke remained where he was, now staring out at the kraal.

I'd almost forgotten about the toad.

It was in the grass by Sakura's feet.

"I am Shiki."

Okay...the toad spoke to us...no big deal, nope...not at-

"IT JUST TALKED!" Sakura shouted, kicking the poor thing away.

It landed gracefully and threw her a glare.

"I am not an 'it', I am a male summons. And please refrain from kicking me."

"Summons?"

"Means the same as Partner. The partners call our contracts with them a Summons contract," Anko explained, taking a swig from a wine glass that

I was sure hadn't been there before.

It was then that we noticed something.

Kakashi wasn't here.

Anko suddenly noticed it too.

"THAT LAZY BASTARD!" Anko screamed. "I'LL RIP OFF HIS ROUND TABLES AND BARBECUE HIS SAUSAGE!"

You gotta admire her use of euphemisms...

When Anko calmed down, still seething...but somewhat calm, she grumpily stated, "This is taking too long. Shiki, call the Partners."

Shiki snorted, "What am I, your messenger boy?"

"My future wallet if you keep giving me lip.."

Shiki gulped and vanished in a tiny puff of smoke.

Seconds later, there was another rumbling from the ground and we all just wondered why the hell such a tiny thing had to make an entrance. It

was embarrassing.

That was before we all stumbled backward and fell (gracefully in my case) on our asses.

Because before us were four giants.

An orange toad with green patches that closely resembled Shiki, a gray slug, a black snake and a green dragon.

I thought I heard a small whimper and PRAYED that it had been someone else who had made it.

"HEY! YOU POMPOUS ARSES ARE LATE!"

We stared in horror as the beasts glanced down at Anko who was shaking a drunken fist at them.

This would probably be the last time we saw her.

I just hoped they didn't take us with her... I hadn't packed the necessary clothing for the afterlife.

"Anko!"

The toad's tongue flicked out, wrapped itself around Anko's waist and pulled her up to it's eyelevel.

Thankfully, the others all looked at her and I could make a subtle check on my underwear (again, DRY!) and try slowly backing away.

The others apparently had the same idea as the dragon growled, "Freeze."

We stopped, all with one leg in the air.

"Ah, brings back memories," the toad said, chuckling lightly as he watched us try to hold our breath and hyperventilate at the same time.

I briefly wondered how it could speak when its tongue was preoccupied with holding onto Anko who was trying, in vain, to pummel it.

"So...you are the next generation..." the slug talked pretty fast...for a slug.

The only one who hadn't spoken was the giant snake, a black shiny king cobra.

"Calm down, Anko."

The snake had spoken, and its voice sent shivers down my spine.

Anko pouted but obeyed.

The snakes tail came up and took her from the toad's tongue.

"You did not miss being home, I presume?"

Anko snorted, as she glared as the snake, "Wow Manda, how perceptive of you."

Manda hissed and I thought he'd kill her until I noticed it was apparently his way of laughing.

"You always were abit of a child."

"A-a CHILD!" Anko shrieked. "Why you-"

She let loose a string of words I'd previously never heard, but was sure had to be insults, and I figured the snake must have a soft spot for her

cause if I even said those things to a squirrel, I'd probably die a cute, furry death.

The snake put Anko down when she ran out of steam and then, all the attention was back on us.

Damn.

They looked at us intently and I suddenly felt hot.

"The boy..." Manda hissed.

Please let him be talking about Sasuke...

This thought was quickly shot to pieces as a scaly tail coiled around me and lifted me.

My underwear status is now unknown.

"Autumn."

"Naruto," I corrected automatically.

The beasts laughed at me and the dragon said, "His chakra..."

From up here, the dragon looked kinda familiar. I was sure I'd seen it somewhere...

Wait...he'd said something about chakra...

"What happened to your shield boy?"

I looked at the snake blankly.

"The tree gave you gifts, did it not?"

I nodded.

"Why is your shield down?"

The toad grabbed Anko and pulled her up, placing her on his head before reaching down with its tongue and wrapping it around Sasuke and

bringing him up to my level.

Anko sighed, "What's wrong?"

The toad answered, "It's early but Autumn has already disarmed his shield. Has he been in contact with Summer or Winter?"

I frowned, vaguely remembering that I shouldn't be able to touch those two...but I'd just grabbed Sakura...

"He twisted Summers arm," Anko said.

"Not painfully!" I protested, trying to prolong my life.

The snake nodded.

"This is good."

I blinked.

"Huh?"

The toad chuckled, "It means...one of your abilities is to overcome barriers. Shields, forcefields, fortresses..."

"Why am I up here?"

We all turned to face Sasuke who seemed to be annoyed at being wrapped in toad tongue.

"Because, from what I can tell, your chakra is pulsing."

"Explain that in English."

Wow...the dude must have a death wish.

Manda simply laughed, "It means that your ability, your gift from The Tree, is to form impenetrable barriers."

Ah...so that was why he couldn't touch me when trying to get me to let Sakura go...

"These are unconsciously done but in time you'll learn to control them," the slug said.

"Uh...excuse me?" I said loudly.

They faced me.

"I don't want to be a Season."

They were silent for a few seconds before they all burst out laughing.

"You've been hanging around Anko huh?"

Anko scowled at them and said, "The kids pretty sharp to know he shouldn't want to be here."

This silenced the partners and I was left with an uneasy feeling.

It was getting hotter by the second for some reason.

The dragon growled and I raised an eyebrow at it.

Then it clicked.

It was the dragon I'd seen on the lawn earlier.

"I know you!"

The dragon just snorted and Sasuke and I were placed next to Hinata and Sakura who looked relieved that we hadn't been killed.

"Introductions are necessary I suppose," Anko said and I wondered why she suddenly seemed sober and where the wine has disappeared to.

"Manda...the snake boss summons."

The snake bowed low.

"Gamabunta... The toad boss summons."

"Ceres, the slug boss summons."

The dragon looked mighty uncomfortable for some reason...

"...and Peaches, the dragon boss summons."

I couldn't help the snort that escaped.

I mean...PEACHES?!

I laughed long and hard, ignoring the fact that the other three were silent in reverence of the mighty Peaches.

I was suddenly wrapped in a scaly tail that wasn't as smooth as Manda's and I scowled as he flew up into the air with me.

"Whoa! Dragon! What's your deal?"

"I demand your respect."

I snorted, "Look, you may be big and scary and all...but I saw you take a dump on the lawn. Respect isn't exactly in a hurry to get here. Also..."

"What?" he growled.

"Well...'Peaches' isn't the most respectful name around."

"It's that damn Kakashi!"

I nodded sympathetically, "You should have eaten him or something, before the name stuck."

"I was on dragon milk at the time."

"Ah. Too bad then... Could we go back down now?"

I had the sneaking suspicion he was tempted to just drop me but he seemed to fight it and flew back down.

"Is there a problem Peaches?" Ceres asked, amused.

"No," Peaches growled.

"Um..."

"Oh," Peaches sighed, putting me down abit too hard.

I stumbled but caught myself and glared at him.

"Our human Partners name us when we're presented to them," Peaches said slowly.

Hinata grinned, "So...we're given...like puppies..."she looked at them again and added. "Or eggs?"

Ceres laughed, "Don't worry. Whatever is in the egg would already be hatched by the time you're given them..."

"I'M HERE!"

Oh no.

"Crap," Anko sighed.

Genma bounded over and as he made to jump onto me, I stepped to the side and he kissed dirt.

"Thats mean."

I ignored him as he got up and told Anko Kakashi had sent him as something important had come up.

As Anko ranted, Genma turned to Sasuke who cocked an eyebrow.

"YOU are DEFINATELY gay. Who styles your hair?"

Sasuke then showed more emotion than I'd ever seen as he scowled and punched Genma- hard.

"Allow me to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket... When I say I am not gay, I do infact mean that I am not gay...hell, I COULD be gay but in

the unlikely event that I am, I would not be gay FOR YOU."

Genma blinked then-

"Sorry, did you say something? I wasn't listening. Now seriously, what kind of gel do you use...its amazing. Your hair stays still and yet moves

when a breeze blows..."

Sasuke growled in frustration and moved away.

I was please to note that I wasn't the only one suffering at the hand of stupidity that was Genma.

Did he think EVERYONE was gay?

"Why are you here Genma?" Gamabunta asked.

"I'm here to explain things!" he turned to us. "Seasons and partners work together like a gun and bullet."

We stared at him blankly and he shrugged.

"Basically, you bust a cap in evil's ass."

"Charming," Ceres said.

"I dont know why we can't just eat him," Manda said to Peaches who nodded sadly.

Genma smirked, "Cause I'm awesome!"

They ignored him and Ceres spoke, "You'll be presented your partners in a few hours. Each one of us will choose you a partner as was done for

the former Seasons by our presceding partners..."

I was really hot now...

Ceres continued to talk but I couldn't here him clearly.

"I'm a girl Naruto."

I laughed at that, thinking I was hallucinating as Ceres didn't LOOK like a girl...

Laughing was a mistake.

Now, I couldn't breathe.

My insides were on fire and I couldn't breathe.

"Naruto?"

The colours were all blurring and coming into sharp contrast.

It would make a pretty abstract picture.

"Naruto!"

I wonder if Iruka would mind bringing my sketch book from home.

"Naru-"

It was too hot...

The last thing I saw was Sasuke leaning over me and grabbing my arm.

The hear went away- but it was replaced by freezing cold- which was much, MUCH worse.

I fell into darkness thinking one thing.

'Bastard'.

(I am a Rebel page break. I REFUSE to break this page)

Mmm...Ramen...

I slowly returned to the land of the living and noticed something.

It was warm... Not uncomfortable...just- perfect.

I opened my eyes and blinked.

Hinata was sitting by me.

We were in a room with lots of couches and lounge chairs. Everything was black and white, even the walls.

"Where are we?"

"A room in Year."

I nodded but not before hearing a slight sniffing sound.

Hinata smiled, "That's Blaze. My partner."

I blinked as I looked down and saw a black dog with a white streak along its side.

It looked up and my first thought was, 'That's no dog.'

It's eyes were a piercing silver, much like Hinata's.

"He's a wolf."

"Cool."

She smiled lightly, "You missed the presentation, what with being unconscious and all. We got ours by the kraals."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. I thought there'd be like, some big ceremony or a party or something but it was pretty ordinary. Disappointing, really. The old partners just

poofed away and poofed back with our partners and gave them to us."

"No brouhaha?"

"None whatsoever... Although Gamabunta DID get tired of Genma and ate him."

"REALLY?"

"Yes...but then, sadly, he spat him back out."

"Why?!"

"Said he didn't know where he'd been."

"Wasn't it abit late for that?"

"One would assume so. Anyway...your partner's being brought in by Jiraiya instead of Gamabunta. Peaches chose Blaze for me."

I nodded and heard movement behind me.

"You're awake."

I turned and looked up at Sakura and Sasuke.

"Yeah."

"Tsunade said we should all stay in this room till you wake up and get your partner."

I nodded again, "Sorry."

They shrugged.

"What happened?" I asked.

Before anyone could answer, the door was thrown open.

"Ah, you're awake."

Tsunade came in followed closely by Jiraiya.

She sat by me after having shooed Hinata away.

"How are you feeling?"

I shrugged, "Okay."

She nodded, "That would be because of Hinata. Your chakra is similar so I asked her to stay by you."

My blank face must have said 'huh?' cause Tsunade sighed and said, "The Partners said they explained about your barrier penetration ability."

I nodded.

"Well, it seems your own barrier is down. You see, the reason chakra is one of the first gifts is so you can be in your own perfect environment. But

seeing as how you seem to have lowered your shield, you absorbed part of Sakura's and were burning up. Am I right?"

I nodded.

"If Sasuke hadn't touched you, you'd probably have gone into a coma until your body re-adjusted."

I gaped.

"Wha-?"

She patted my cheek, "You'll understand soon."

"If we're done with the medical psychobabble," Jiraiya grinned. "I'd like to introduce your new partner..."

I smiled... I was almost (ALMOST) excited.

"...but first, meet the others."

He motioned to Sasuke and Sakura.

I looked at them and froze.

At Sasuke's feet was a big snake, staring warily up at me.

By Sakura however, there was a slug that reached her knees in height.

"My snake is Siam."

"Kirin," Sakura said, meaning the name of her slug.

"So..." I turned back to Jiraiya. "Peaches decided to give Hinata a wolf instead of a dragon?"

Jiraiya nodded.

"You can team up with the old partners if needed, but only until your own are fully grown."

"You mean...they'll be gigantic too?" Hinata asked, looking fondly at Blaze who was trying to catch his tail.

"Yes. But they can control their size once that stage is reached. Also, each of you will be able to speak to and understand their own partner...but

until they fully mature, you'll be the only ones who can hear them."

"So, they'll talk out loud only when they mature?"

"Yup."

"So we can't go around talking to them or we'll look like total prats?" Hinata said dryly.

"Yup."

"So...his partner?" Tsunade prompted Jiraiya, pointing at me.

"Oh," he coughed and straightened up.

I sat up expectantly.

"Yours is a rare and mighty beast."

Okay, NOW I'm excited.

He then held out his hand.

I stared at the red-gold ball of fluff in his palm.

It stared back.

I looked up at Jiraiya.

"Um...what is it?"

He grinned and took my hand, putting it in my reluctant palm, "It's a nine-tailed fox."

I stared at its butt.

Nope, no tails at all.

"They come out gradually until its three years old."

I nodded slowly and the kit in my hand lifted its leg and peed.

On my hand.

My brain was telling me to squish it.

Common sense was telling me...well, common sense was agreeing with my brain.

That's a first.

I glared at it, wondering if I could skin it and make REALLY SMALL gloves...

This is the part where there's a little devil on my shoulder encouraging me to go into the frowned upon ritual of animal murder.

As I wondered where the angel was, you know, the one supposed to be on my other shoulder telling me about right and wrong and how killing

fluffy little animals is downright evil...the mini-devil told me the mini-angel was in hospital nursing its ass. Apparently mini-devil had shoved

something unmentionable up there before showing up.

Poor angel dude.

I turned my eyes back to the ball of fuzz.

I huffed and it yipped happily.

"Uh...it's the thought that counts?" Tsunade offered.

"Shame its such a horrible thought," Sasuke said, peering down at the thing in my hand.

We stared at him. Hinata, Tsunade, Jiraiya and I stared because it was the first thing he'd said that sounded...normal. Sakura because...well...I

think she just maybe LIKED staring at him.

I placed the fox kit in my other hand where it did that dog thing where it spun round and round before curling up and sleeping.

Darn animal.

Now I had to watch both my hands.

"It's really kinda cute," Sakura said as she looked down at it with a soft smile.

Hinata nodded and laughed when Blaze sniffed the fox, decided it was of no importance and stalked away to sniff other things.

"So, what are you gonna call it?" Jiraiya asked, still excited, placing a tiny biscuit in my hand which the fox licked at.

I sighed.

I guess I should at least give it a name...

It stared up at me expectantly and I got the creepy sensation that it KNEW what I was doing.

Furball?

Nope, too obvious.

"Red?"

He...shook his head.

I smirked.

"Kit?"

This time, he glared at me.

Aw...he's actually kinda cute.

"Kyuubi."

He seemed to mull this over, then turned back to his food, dismissing me.

I guess 'Kyuubi' had been approved by his furry majesty.

Needless to say, dinner was weird as the hosts cooed and petted my partner.

Kiba came up to me and elbowed my side lightly, "It's not THAT bad..."

"Could you please be quiet while I wallow in misery?"

Kiba thought this over.

"No?"

I growled at him- as did my 'partner' and thus, the desired effect was lost on him as he and Hinata cooed and squealed like fangirls in their prime.

I scowled at Kyuubi. "You just HAD to be cute didnt you?"

I couldn't escape fast enough and hurried to my room with the fox kit in my hand.

In the sanctity of my room, I placed it on my bed, worried I'd step on it if I put it on the floor.

The furball moved about and finally curled up on my pillow.

I sighed.

"Pee on that and I promise you a swift death."

He just yawned.

"Tenacious bastard."

He giggled.

I rolled my eyes and whispered to the powers that be, "Please don't let it speak. Ever."

I looked at the spoon I'd sneaked into my coat at dinner.

If this didn't work out, I'd learn that barrier thing and walk out the gates.

For now, I walked into the bathroom and stabbed at the tiles that seemed weaker here than those in the rest of the room (where I'd probably

have to spoon through the carpet as well).

After ten minutes and no dent on the tiles, I put the now bent spoon away.

Maybe I'd need a fork as well...

-

A/N: Yo.

Sorry for the delay. I had alot to deal with. My bro tried to kill himself, I had tests coming up...and...well, there's alot going on.

Also, I know this chapter kinda sucked but...well...um... Nope, no excuse for that one :(