Well here it is, Chapter 4. Sorry it took so long, life's been a bit busy right now.

I tried to infiltrate Jump Comics stronhold this week. Those bastards had the place booby trapped. I barely got out of there alive. I still could not attain the right s to naruto though. Still trying to figure out where those ninja bunnys came out from.

So no I still do not own Naruto.


Isn't reading fun!

Chapter 4

Completely unaware of what was happening across town and since I had work late that day I decided to get some training in. I had a light breakfast and made my way to my little training area in the forest. The clearing I trained in was mostly quiet but ten yards away was a recently built skate park. The noise of kids and teenagers provided enough of a distraction that I needed to focus on my control. I had four hours before I had to get to work I decided I would try the tree climbing exercise I saw done in the anime. I focused the chakra to my feet and ran headlong at a tree and then straight up. I only got a couple of feet before the chakra cracked the bark beneath my feet and I fell hard. Averaging was something I was always good at and with me concentrating harder than I had before it did not take me too long to get control of my chakra. After half an hour I was able to make it all the way to the upper branches of the tree.

I had two more hours before work but I was bit winded from the amount of chakra I exhausted so I took a little break on my perch. While I was up there I looked over into the skate park I always admired the people who pulled off daring tricks on boards and skates. Then I noticed something, a couple of teenagers were rolling about on the shoes that had wheels implanted in their heels. An idea buzzed into my head I got down from the tree and started to focus chakra to my feet. I did this until I was lifted half an inch of the ground on a steady ball of whirling chakra beneath each foot. I was trying to attain the same effect as the wheeled shoes but my first attempt to push off on the ball merely sent me skyward. Finally ten minutes before I had to get ready for work I was zooming around my little training area on an oblong shaped chakra flow. I decided on a skate board style mode of travel because it was easier to control. However with my current level of chakra I could only attain short bursts of speed. The bursts were incredible though I would go from standing still to a blinding dash in a split second. The dash though short covered at least twenty feet at a time, and with my continued training the travel time would increase. I made my way home feeling a bit strained from the extensive chakra usage but I also noticed I lost a small amount of weight and gained some tone as well. I smiled to myself as I made my way to my room and got ready. Getting ready and arriving at work went by as uneventful as always. Had I known what I was in for I would have found a way to make them less so.

The first "surprise" came two hours after work had started. A board in one the machines had cracked when Daniel, one of the other three guys who worked in the department, forced a paper magazine in the wrong way. I was busy trying to solder the board back together when Bill walked in I sensed his presence as well as that of another person but it was not some one I recognised.

"Hey kiddo what you up to?" inquired Bill. I liked Bill he was one of those cool old people who tried to get along with the younger generation rather than just boss them around.

"Well the board is not too badly damaged I should have it fixed in the next half an hour," I replied, "But never call me kiddo again okay," I liked the guy but some lines should never be crossed.

"Okay" sighed Bill, "Anyway I got you what you have been asking for."

"A Playstation 3?" I said feigning hope while I continued soldering the circuit board.

"Um… what? No," replied Bill caught off guard by my reaction, "I got you an assistant," at that moment a young woman stepped out from behind Bill, "Andrew this is Vanessa, Vanessa this is Andrew."

At the introductions I stopped what I was doing and stood up. The young woman before me was very attractive with smooth caramel coloured skin on an athletic body frame. Long brown hair with pale blond high lights framed her round face that was graced with a thin lipped smile and feline shaped eyes. I held out my hand to shake hers, she grasped my hand in a sturdy grip her palm was smooth but not soft. When see spoke her voice was firm but still retained a feminine quality, "Hi my name is Vanessa Jones, Bill has told me quiet a bit about you. I hope to learn a great deal from your experience and I hope you will have the patience to teach me."

"Names Andrew Matheson, don't worry I'm a very patient teacher when I have to be," I replied looking her in the eye. The rest of the day went by rather smoothly. Vanessa was a very intelligent person and she caught on quickly. I taught her some of the basics and some of the short cuts that you can't learn in a class. She seemed to absorb all the information I gave to her like a sponge. After I had taught her what I considered a fair day's work, the second surprise of the day came up Vanessa decided to make small talk. As mentioned before this activity is not my strong point especially when it involves beautiful women. It basically boiled down to her talking and me replying in the affirmative or negative. She started to get disheartened at the time the store was ready to close and we were packing up to leave. That's when the day's final "surprise" showed up Tony the fourth guy who worked in the department walked into the office.

Without any preamble and completely ignoring my existence he spoke, "Hey Vanessa it's a tradition here that whenever someone new joins the team we all go out to a club and get to know each other,"

Already upset from being completely ignored then to be witness to something I never knew about I interjected, "Wait that's not true. When I started here no one invited me any where."

Tony looked at me and plainly replied, "That's because everyone is afraid of you,"

I was bordering on fury but I kept it in check, "Why would you say that?"

"Everyone feels that way, how did Jenny describe you?" asked Tony rubbing his chin, "Ah yes anti-social with latent psychotic tendencies."

"Sounds like fun," replied Vanessa, we both looked at her, "Going to the club, not the psychosis," she replied grabbing her bag and slinging it over her shoulder. Tony nodded and left the room she soon followed, as she reached the door way she turned and asked, "Will you come to?"

"No, it's obvious I'm not wanted you go ahead," I replied coldly shoving the last few tools on the table into my work bag. I hoisted my bag on to my shoulder and turned to leave, she was still in the door way.

"Oh please come, if we are going to be working together don't you think we should get to know each other?" she pleaded.

"We can get to know each other at work," I replied, "Besides you are going to be too busy getting to know everyone else to bother with me."

I made to leave but she blocked the door way and stopped me by shoving her palm into my chest, "You are coming and you and I are going to talk," she said sweetly.

"Last time I checked you held nothing over me, therefore remove your hand," I said glowering at her.

"Only if you agree to come with us," she said with a smile.

I looked her in the eye and realised that no matter what I said she was set on my accompanying her to the club. I relented with a drooping of my shoulders and a nod. "Alright, come on then or they may leave us behind," said Vanessa grabbing the arm I did not have my bag slung over and tugged me along. After the store closed the nine of us made our way to the club that was located just two blocks up. There were four guys: Bill, Daniel, Tony and myself and five girls: Sarah, Jenny, Mary, Bernadette and Vanessa. The club was pretty quiet when we got there it was apparently a slow night. Daniel and Tony grabbed Bernadette and Mary and headed straight for the dance floor. This left Vanessa, Sarah and Jenny to find a booth to sit at while Bill and I made our way to the bar. When we got there I took a seat while Bill remained standing, "I guess you won't be sitting with the rest of us," he said noticing me sitting down.

""How amazingly observant of you Bill," I replied ordering a cola.

"What's up man? Come on you seem to be really down," asked Bill as he waited for his drinks.

"Because I am "anti-social with latent psychotic tendencies"," I replied staring into my drink.

"Whoa, where did that come from?" Bill asked obviously shocked at my statement.

"Jenny, apparently I am some terrifying psychopath who," I stopped to take a sip of my drink before I continued, "Has not snapped yet."

"Um, wow I'm sorry. I did not know that was going on in my own department, I'm sorry," said Bill, "I'll talk to her first thing in the morning,"

"No, don't worry about," I replied swirling the liquid in my glass by spinning it, "If that is what they believe then so be it maybe it will keep Vanessa from asking all those questions."

"Speaking of our newest addition, what do you think of Vanessa?" inquired Bill cocking and eye brow and giving me a shady gaze.

'She's smart, a quick learner and works hard," I replied taking another sip of my drink, "She will make a good technician, and a valuable asset to the team."

"What the hell! Dude are you gay or something?" asked Bill exasperated.

"No, what would make you ask that?" I replied.

"Simple, I ask you what you think about the new girl and you talk about her work ethics. Not how gorgeous her eyes are or how good she looks in that outfit. I mean we've been working together for two years and not once have I ever seen you so much glance at a woman."

"That's merely because I have no interest in a relationship right now," I replied, "Besides I am not exactly what one would call the perfect male specimen."

At that moment Bill's drinks came, he picked up the tray and before leaving said, "She's looking at you and the table is near the door I think you're trapped bud. May as well relax for a while find something to occupy yourself,"

I spun around and noticed that Bill was right Vanessa while not staring at me kept me in her range of vision. The table was the nearest one to the door so I would have to be amazingly quick to get out under her gaze. So I sat there and pondered an activity to keep me occupied. Then it came to me I could work on my information gathering skill. I could use shadow clones because unless I put the correct amount of chakra into it they will remain invisible. However it would not work in the next world because the shadow clones are visible there. I had to figure out another means of getting information. That's when I noticed something, the hand I had on the counter was vibrating in time with the music. A flash of insight burst across my brain. Vibrations, everything gives of a vibration of some sort and those vibrations resonate distinctly. If I could find a way to channel my chakra to individuals or groups. I just might be able hear them like connecting two tin cans with a string. I tried it with the table nearest to me where a guy and a girl sat. At first it did not work, I applied more chakra but still nothing, I looked at my hand then I visualised a cord of chakra flowing from my hand through the bar top, then into the floor and running up the leg of the table into the table's surface. I did this for a couple of minutes continuing to focus the chakra, bit by bit I started to feel a shiver then they got more powerful. After an hour and depleting almost all of my chakra all I could get was what sounded like a transmission through heavy static. With a heavy sigh I gave up and cut the chakra cord.

"You know sitting here by yourself is just proving what Jenny said about you," came Vanessa's voice from behind me.

I did not bother to turn around and merely said, "So."

"Well you seemed so outraged when Tony said it I could only assume you did not like being described that way," answered Vanessa.

"I was not upset; I just did not like my flaws being displayed like that," I said, then reflecting on the day's events I asked, "Why were you so insistent on my attendance to night?"

She sat down on the stool next to mine, "Simple, it's because you're a sucker for a damsel in distress."

I was startled by her response, "What did you say?"

"You heard me, gees you save a girl's life one night and completely forget about her," she replied shrugging her shoulders and smiling.

"You're the girl from the club last night?!" I exclaimed nearly falling of the stool.

"Uh-huh, I'm surprised you did not recognise me," replied Vanessa a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"To be honest," I said regaining my composure then turning to her and smiling, "I never even saw what you looked like."

It was her turn to be startled, "R-really, How come?"

"I was trying to distract the guy, if I looked at you he may have as well and my efforts would have been for naught," I replied remembering that night and what occurred after. I started to feel depressed but then I rallied myself and stood on the decision I came to that night. Those guys got what they deserved and I was glad to be the one to give it to them. This actually made a devilish smile crease my lips. Vanessa immediately noticed this occurrence and made a comment.

"Oh my god, It smiles!" she exclaimed laughingly.

"Curses she's on to me," I said faking disappointment.

"It looks good on you. Why don't you smile more?" she inquired.

"Cause the last time I smiled my jaw cracked at the joint," I replied jokingly. This caused Vanessa to laugh.

"I knew it, you are human. Jenny owes me twenty bucks yes!" said Vanessa thrusting her left fist in the air.

"What, you guys actually bet on my humanity?" I asked shocked at what Vanessa just said.

"No but if we did I would be twenty dollars richer," answered Vanessa her shoulders slumping in disappointment.

"Anyway I would say this was fun but this really is not my scene. I will see you tomorrow V," I said as I paid the bartender and slid off the chair.

"Aww come on, the night's still young and you're not even drunk yet," said Vanessa.

"I don't drink; I also have some stuff at home I need to take care of," I replied shouldering my bag.

"Oh fine, mind giving a girl a lift?' Vanessa asked.

"I could say no and prove my inhumanity," I replied rubbing my chin.

"I can't believe you would actually think of doing that!" exclaimed Vanessa shocked.

"Well hey I got a reputation to uphold. Well anyway if you want a lift let's get to getting," I replied, "Where do you live anyway?"

"Jasper Avenue, do you know how to get there?" she inquired

"Know, I have to pass there everyday to get home," I replied.

"No way you mean we've been practically neighbours and did not even know it?" Vanessa replied excitedly.

"I would not say that I mean my street is like a block away from yours," I answered.

When we left the club I noticed the sky was starting to get cloudy. We turned headed towards the car park, as we walked I asked, "So why did you leave the others to come and talk to me?"

"I was getting tired of the girls and their inane gossip. Then Bill got drunk and started babbling and I got sick of Tony and Daniel hitting one me," Vanessa responded.

"So I was just second fiddle?" I inquired.

"No," answered Vanessa indignantly then continued, "More like my salvation, I can kinda see why you distance yourself from them. With the exception of Bill the rest are vapid shallow people." There was a sudden motion and before I could object Vanessa had woven her arm around mine.

"What are you doing?" I exclaimed.

"Trying to break the shy, unassuming photo technician out of his shell," replied Vanessa smiling mischievously.

"You're gonna have to try harder than that my shell's impervious," I said proudly.

"And the Titanic was unsinkable the last time I checked," countered Vanessa.

"Good one, well we're here," I said as we approached my car. I went over to the passenger side and opened her door for her.

"Ooh a gentle man," said Vanessa, "and here I thought they were an extinct species,"

"Not once I draw breath," I answered as I closed the door. Then I made my way over to unlock my door only to have it swing open for me. I got in and said "Thanks,"

"No problem," answered Vanessa.

"I have a question, if you live on Jasper Avenue how come you don't have a car?" I inquired.

"Honestly, I could have one but I really just wanted to try and make my own path in the world," answered Vanessa leaning her head on her arm and looking out the window just as the first drops began to fall, "Y'know not have to rely on the parents for everything." By the time we got to the main road that lead home it was pouring.

"So do you have a girl friend?" asked Vanessa still looking out the window.

"Don't you think it's a bit soon for you to ask something like that?" I replied.

"I don't think so, I mean come on what so personal about that question?" asked Vanessa looking away from the window.

"I dunno I'm probably just over reacting," I replied then continued, "I don't have one anymore."

"What happened," Vanessa inquired now staring at me.

"It's a long story and I don't want to bore you," I answered while I changed lanes.

"Then give me the condensed version," Vanessa prodded.

"She moved away, we tried the long distance but it didn't work out. One day I got home and found a letter from her telling me it was over," I answered.

"Sorry to hear that," said Vanessa, "She give a reason?"

"What is this, an interrogation?" I asked.

"No, just trying to figure out why you are normally so serious and withdrawn from women," said Vanessa sitting up.

"She said I just did not have the look of the guy she wanted to be with anymore," I answered.

"Ouch, so I guess since then you been trying to slim down huh?" said Vanessa looking me over.

"Actually no, why do you say that?" I said turning of the main road and heading up Jasper Avenue. The rain was still beating down on the car heavily.

"Well the way Bill described you I was expecting a heavier person," answered Vanessa.

"Oh well actually this is something recent," I said, "Where am I going?"

"Just head straight I will tell you when we get there. If it's recent what have you been doing?" asked Vanessa, "Cause maybe I could try it as well."

"Oh, well you see it's a custom regiment I made for myself," I answered, "I am not sure if you would be able to do it."

"Why because I'm a woman?" retorted Vanessa.

"No not at all, it's just that what I do in my training is very dangerous and if you aren't prepared you could get really banged up," I replied.

"Okay, I'll let you keep your little secret… for now," replied Vanessa, "There I am the house with the big green and white gate."

As we pulled up to her house I looked in awe at Vanessa home, "You live here?"

"Yeah it's kinda big for my family but it's my parent's choice," was her answer.

She made to open her door when I said, "Wait," I grabbed my umbrella from the back seat got out of the car and opened it then ran over to her side.

"A girl can get used to this," remarked Vanessa as she stepped out of the car.

"I could not very well let my new co-worker get sick after her first day. It would look bad if she called in sick the next day," I replied.

We approached the massive green and white gate; Vanessa pulled out a set of keys and opened a smaller gate built into the larger one. We passed through and made our way up the path to the house which was a massive two story house built in the colonial style. It was painted in a similar fashion to the gate. When we got under the cover of the house I closed the umbrella.

"Thanks for the lift and the umbrella," said Vanessa.

"No problem, it's what friends are for V," I replied.

Vanessa looked at me then asked "You know that's the second time you referred to me like that, how come?"

"Dunno, habit of mine to nick name my friends," was my answer.

"So we are friends now?" inquired Vanessa looking me in the eye.

I looked away rubbing the back of my head hoping Vanessa would not notice the red tinge on my cheeks, "Yeah why not my mom says I need to be more sociable anyway."

"Well I've never been befriended in such a nonchalant manner," scoffed Vanessa lightly punching me in the arm, "Well anyway I'll see you tomorrow Andy,"

Laughing at my nickname I replied, "You got it, any way later. Wait what about the gate how are you gonna lock it?"

"Don't worry it can lock electronically from the house," answered Vanessa as she opened the front door and made her way inside.

"Okay sleep well," with that I reopened the umbrella and made my way back down the path to my car. Little did I know that since I left the store I was being observed by a pair of eyes. A pair of eyes who only that morning viewed the security tape from the car park showing what I did to the person's father. Those I eyes also viewed a world only one other person had the privilege of viewing and that other was me.


Well I hope you enjoyed it, I promise the next chapter is gonna have a fair amount of action in it.