Okay, so the next chapter has (finally) come out. I don't know how long its been since I last updated and I'm really sorry for the long wait. I completely forgot to update because of everything that was going on…I hope you guys forgive me!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. (stupid disclaimers…how many times do I have to repeat that?)
Chapter 7: The Fight and Its Consequences
Punch! Block! Kick! Dodge! We both repeated the same routine over and over, not daring to use any jutsu's or get too serious. But we could both feel! I could feel his anger and frustration flowing into me, mixed with a bit of sadness. He could probably feel what I was feeling, whatever that may be. I wasn't really too sure myself. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was the fight and its outcome.
We kept at it for what seemed like hours, but in reality was probably only just a few minutes. It wasn't long before all the girls came rushing in, no doubt alerted by the loud thuds of our feet and the falls. They didn't really do anything to stop the fight. They mainly just stood in the doorway, looking bewildered and wondering what to do.
Hinata was the first one to do something about it. She immediately moved in between us, too fast for either of us to stop our attacks; him, a punch, and me, a kick. My foot met resistance. Strong resistance. Soon, it became numb. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw the nerves around Hinata's eyes become more prominent. Her byakugan was activated. She'd cut off my chakra points, and from the looks of it, some of my nerves too. No wonder my foot was going numb.
It was a while before anyone said anything. The only sound was the quiet swishing of the wind. Then, the moron whined.
"Hinata-chan! Why'd you have to stop us? I'd nearly beaten him!" I scoffed at the last statement while Naruto dropped his arms awkwardly to his side. I was already standing straight up.
"You guys nearly broke down the house!" That was Sakura, exaggerating, again. "We could hear you all the way downstairs!" Ino nodded, shock still plastered on her face.
"Dudes, I thought you guys had stopped fighting seriously like that?" Temari asked, after Ten Ten had whispered something in her ear.
I shrugged and started walking towards the window, planning to leave again. This time, I was going to go back to Konoha, and find something to do.
"Oh no you don't! I've had enough of you randomly walking out on me! This time you're going to stay here and let me"
Naruto got cut off as I turned to glare at him. We both knew that it'd been a long time since it had actually affected him, and, instead of flinching, he glared back. That was good. That was normal. It showed that everything between us wasn't destroyed. But it meant more than that.
I still hadn't forgiven him for what he'd said to me. I doubted that I ever would. He knew that, and he was okay with it. But I knew that he hadn't meant all of what he'd said. And for now, that was enough.
It wasn't long before I turned away, but only after he'd dropped his gaze first. I took that as acceptance from him. I leapt out the window and disappeared into the night.
***
Naruto stared out from his bedroom window, searching for something. Even he didn't know what it was. There was a desolate, lost look on his face. His eyes were as beautiful as ever, but there was something vital missing from them. It was obvious to everyone there was something wrong with him. But no one knew what to do about it.
It had been nearly a month now since the time Sasuke had left. Soon after, Naruto had felt at a loss of what to do or even think, but he'd tried his best to ignore the threatening feeling inside him. Instead, he'd continued through the vacation, hoping that time would pass quickly if he had fun, and that it would end soon.
Naruto loved vacations, but even he could start to feel the effects of not doing anything for such a long time.
He missed going on missions with his friends, and missed being able to protect Konoha. Even now, he felt helpless not knowing what was going on with Konoha. Or even all of his friends.
Sure they all visited from time to time, especially Ino, but he wanted to be in his home with them, not somewhere far away where he only got to see them when they decided to stop by.
And they all seemed to be going on secret missions, so Naruto couldn't even find out what he was missing.
He liked talking to Sakura, but there was a time when you got sick and tired of seeing the same person every damn day. Kakashi was, for some reason, mainly absent. Naruto had once tried to imagine what the pervert was doing with his free time, but had decided to stop thinking as soon as his mind had started to wander.
All of the events of the past month and half had led to Naruto's current state. He was bored out of his mind.
And, he'd figured out what to do about it.
Kit, what are you doing? A sleepy Kyuubi asked, a bit pissed at being woken up due to movement from his host.
Just watch Kyuubi, I just had an awesome idea!
Really? And that would be…?
Naruto didn't reply, but grinned, blocking his thoughts from the reaches of Kyuubi's chakra.
He was jumping from tree to tree, heading for his destination eagerly.
Naruto knew that Tsunade would never allow him back to Konoha, especially if she'd arranged for him to be on vacation. Which was why he wasn't going to Konoha. He'd made sure no one knew where he was going. He'd only left Sakura a vague not. Knowing her, she'd probably get pissed off at being left alone, destroy the house, and go back to Konoha.
He'd let her do that.
Two days had passed by since Naruto's departure from his vacation. He was glad to have something to do. But even more, he was glad that he'd reached his destination.
Suna. He'd been wanting to go and see Gaara for a really long time, and had finally done so. He'd missed the red haired boy.
And your brilliant idea was what exactly, kit? Kyuubi asked, only mildly curious.
Well, you see, Gaara doesn't know that I'm here, right?
Er…right…
So, I wanted to surprise him! I think his birthday is coming up soon. I'm sure I can find a cool ass birthday present for him if I hung around him for a couple of days.
Oh? I'm still waiting to see the brilliant part of this idea, kit.
Well…um…I don't know! We're just here, okay?
Thought so. Kyuubi nodded in satisfaction, and made to go back to sleep.
But then, his nose picked up a scent which made Kyuubi smirk. The notion didn't go unnoticed by Naruto. Sadly, his nose was not as advanced as Kyuubi's.
What, Kyuu?
Nothing, kit, nothing… But Kyuubi kept smirking, making Naruto feel extremely uncomfortable. He hated it when Kyuubi did that. He also knew that there was nothing he could do to make Kyuubi tell him what was up.
So, Naruto continued towards Suna, just waiting to see the look on Gaara's face.
TBC
Yeah, I know that this was a really short chapter. I promise that the next few will be longer…(or at least I'll try to make them longer). I'm going to update Chapter 8 along with this one, and maybe Chapter 9 if I'm up to it.
Please review and keep reading! It makes me really happy! :D
