Chapter 6: Market Rumble
"This is a…uhh..." Sakura looked to Naruto
"Wow…" Naruto looked to Sasuke
"Hn…?" Sasuke looked ahead towards Yume
They didn't know what to make of this. From the screams of purchases and vendors from left to right to the crowded areas filled with potential buyers and sellers. Their thoughts were the same: Why the hell did Yume bring us here?
"What are we doing here?" Sasuke asked.
"Well." Yume began to say as she scratched her cheek. "I haven't been in the village or home for a while. I was on another mission before this one see. I'm pretty sure that the food at my house is probably spoiled by now or there is none there at all and I knew you guys would be hungry after your trip. So, here we are."
Why are we going to your house for?" Sakura asked. As if she needed another reason to worried about Yume being so close to them. Adding their living situation would make it unbearable for her.
"Less questions, more shopping. Come on." Yume said as she walked ahead.
She walked about three steps before she turned back to see that the other three didn't budged. Oh great. Like I really need this... this early…
"Why aren't you guys coming?" The others looked at her. Sakura looked at her with hidden aggravation. Naruto just had a confused look, wondering why the other two were holding him back. And Sasuke's face… Yume couldn't tell the emotion it expressed.
Okay this was getting her no way. She then thought of something to get them over to her.
"If this is about the food, don't worry about it, I'm paying for it." She began to say. "It's okay, I paying for it so it's free."
All it took was the word 'free' to get Naruto's attention. "Can you get us whatever we want?" He shouted before being slapped on the back of the head by Sakura.
There's some progress… "Breakfast, and lunch, and dinner. Even dessert and snacks."
Naruto turned to the others, most stubborn of his squad. "Come on."
"There's something odd about her." Sasuke said. "Something is off. I don't like it."
"Me neither." Sakura agreed. She stood next to Sasuke, hopeful to get Naruto to come beside them.
"What can be wrong with a girl who's paying for us to eat and stay here?" Naruto asked.
When they didn't answer, he huffed and ran over to Yume. They watched as Naruto was once again greeted kindly by their so-called captain.
Sakura looked at Naruto with look that was clearing saying that Naruto would pay for his apparent treason. She stayed on that until she heard Sasuke sighed in defeat and began to walk over to Yume.
"No! Wait Sasuke," Sakura grabbed his wrist. "Why are you going over there for? You said yourself you don't trust her."
"Whether I like her or not, it doesn't matter." Sasuke replied before looking at Naruto and Yume. "And Naruto seems to like her-as if I can trust his judgment too well- and she is our captain for this mission. Case closed."
Sakura watched in despair as Sasuke left to join Naruto and Yume, who gave him the same kind greeting she gave Naruto. This in turn confused Sasuke; though he didn't show it.
She sighed in her own defeat and ran slowly over the others.
Yume decided to make things fair for everyone and to start on the right foot. In doing this, she allowed Sasuke to choose breakfast, Naruto lunch, and Sakura dinner for the next couple of days until she would return to the market. And all them snacks and dessert.
So far everything was going very well. Each of them was satisfied with what Yume got them. Though Sakura and Sasuke would never tell her they were. Especially Naruto-as Yume ended buying from the nearest Ramen stand twenty bowls of various ramen flavors. Sasuke's only concern was that Yume never paid for the food until she explained to them that whenever she was on a mission, she got a discount on supplies and any other additional prices was put on a tab. It seemed that Sasuke spent most of the time shopping questioning Yume and she spent it answering correctly each question that she knew the answer to. Much to Sakura's dislike as she still couldn't figure out the other girl's angle.
Everything was fine and dandy, until they heard shrill screech yells that made the three chuunin' hair stand on end. Sasuke went pale, from experience. He remembered the yells and shrill squeals of the rabid fangirls that usually chased him from Konoha.
Oh, the pain…
"Oh God. Not them." The three turned to see Yume wince and pale at the face. "Let's go now!" She grabbed her bags and began pushing them forward.
"What?" Naruto asked, "Who are them?"
"Believe me. You don't want to know."
"YUME!"
"Dammit! Too late." Kami help me. Yume stopped pushing and looked at the ground. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at Yume. What was making her so eager to get away?
It became apparent when two girls walked-no…ran- up to them. Looking like identical twins, though it was apparent that they were not related. One with blonde hair in a short ponytail and green blue eyes and another with red/brown hair tied down and blue green eyes wearing nearly identical skirts, leggings, tank tops and sandals.
"YUME!" the girls said she they hugged her. Discreetly Yume cringed. "How have you been?"
"I'm fine." Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura noticed that Yume's tone had changed as it was no longer energetic.
Naruto and Sasuke also noticed that even though the girls were talking to Yume, they constantly looked over to them.
"Introduce us." the blonde said.
"Yea. Don't be so mean." the red head pouted. It was obvious from there their tone and Yume's reaction to them that they weren't friends. At best guess, they were stuck together a couple of times.
"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura." Yume said lethargically. "The ditzy blonde is Ami and the ditzier red head is Emi. They are chuunin and we graduated the same year." "Ami and Emi, the blonde is Naruto, the pink hair is Sakura and the one with black hair is Sasuke.
"Yume, you are such the kidder." They laughed they pushed past Yume, shoving her with their shoulder-Yume rubbed it as they walked past- and Sakura to get to Naruto and Sasuke, pulling the boys a few step from the other two.
"Hi. I'm Ami" she said to Sasuke, while Emi introduced herself to Naruto.
Sasuke stood there quiet, glaring. Meanwhile, Naruto had manages to escape from the other girl's vice like grip. Not getting the hint to leave, the girls continued on badgering them.
"We're 19." Ami said to the boys. "What age are you guys?" Pushing Ami out the way, Emi spoke. "Where are you guys from? Are you from another village or something? Cuz, I would have definitely noticed you guys if you were from here."
Yume and Sakura watched as the girls questioned Naruto and Sasuke, moving them further way from them. Anger built in Sakura as she watched the girls practically threw themselves on Naruto and Sasuke. Her anger reached its peak when the girls latched themselves to Naruto and Sasuke's arm, pushing their chest against them.
That's it... Sakura was ready to pound those girls to gods know where; when she heard bags dropped and saw Yume walk past her and in front of them. She shivered as she caught a feel of an ominous aura change in Yume's chakra. "Yume?"
"Wait by the store; I'll be back there shortly." She said calmly that even Sakura followed the order.
While Ami and Emi were in the middle of asking to 'hang out together', Yume grabbed Naruto and Sasuke and pulled them into the safety of her custody.
"Yume, what are you doing?" the girls asked, visibly upset.
"We have to leave..." Yume plainly replied. "I guess you'll just have to find us at another time or find some other guys to hit on. I'm sure the FT is filled with willing guys. Let's go Naruto and Sasuke."
Yume pushed the boys away from the girls and went to collected Sakura along the way. Now getting what she had insinuated, Ami and Emi's faces turned red.
"Hey who do you think you are calling us whores?" Emi yelled.
She and Ami then snickered when they remember something as Yume ignored them.
"You're one to talk Yume," Ami said louder to make sure that Naruto and Sasuke could hear her as well, "Long hair, slim body like you had before. Just like back then."
Yume started to move her fingers in a frantic way before they clenched. Naruto notices since her fingers were holding onto his shoulder.
"We may flirt" Emi retorted, "but at least we never did anything with our own mother's-"
Before the next few words could leave either's mouth; Yume was in front of them, covering their mouths with a tight grip. The girls moaned and squeal but nothing other than muffled speech was heard. She turned around and noted how the three were looking at her. They looked at her, but since her back to them, they couldn't see how she was restraining the girls.
"What were they about to say?" Naruto asked.
"Oh nothing," Yume shook her head. "I'll going to have a talk with these, two. You guys go wait by the fruit stand over there."
They looked behind and saw what she was referring to. It wasn't too far from them. Just a 3 to 5 minute walk.
"But why…" Sasuke started to question but was interrupted.
Yume turned her head to the side and eyed. Sasuke, the closest, could see how dark her eye looked compared to earlier.
"Listen to me," she said, her voice a little chilly, "I'm ordering you to wait for me by the stand."
They nodded and turned to walk to the gate but Sasuke decided to lag behind, walking slowly and kept within earshot of them. He saw Yume crouch down a little, and snorted coldly.
"You know the rules," he heard her said, her voice filled with an ice like venom as she spoke low. "We don't speak of that, we don't breathe a word of that and we certainly don't bring that up in this kind of matter."
She cracked her neck, "Now if I hear that you're talking about it again, I will see to it that the next missions you receive will be in the FT where you will work as the inexpensive pieces of tricks that you are."
Though Sasuke couldn't see Yume's eyes, she could Ami's and Emi's and they looked terrified and about ready to piss themselves.
"Now do we have an understanding?" Yume asked the girls and the girls nodded.
"Good. Now get!" She replied throwing the girls off. They ran past Sasuke and eventually Naruto and Sakura as Yume stood there and heavily panted, still cracking her neck and shoulder.
"Yume," Sasuke said, stepping forward. "Is everything okay?"
Yume rubbed her neck, not yet facing Sasuke. "I thought I told you to go wait with the other by the gate." She spoke in the same voice she threatened the girls with.
She turned around, her eyes were normal and she had her hands at her hip and cheeks slightly puffed. "If you don't listen to me now, how am I supposed to get anything done during the mission?"
She walked past him and grabbed her bags, humming a little. Sasuke was trying to collect what he had just seen. Because he knew he just saw Yume severely threaten those girls and she acted as if she didn't do such a thing.
"What were they-" Sasuke started to ask but was stopped when Yume faced him. Her eyes were normal but were off.
"Don't worry about them, they wouldn't be a problem." She said, "And sorry about what happened in the cave. I was still a little jumpy from my mission and it was a reflex. "
Sasuke noticed that she redirected the question but decided not to question it any further. He put one hand in his pocket while the other carried his bag.
"Sure, it's fine." He said, accepting the apology, but he gave a quick glare. "Just don't let it happen again. Ever."
He walked off to meet the other two. Yume blinked before smirked, "I can live with that."
"What happened?" asked Naruto. "What did you do?"
"Nothing." Yume smiled. "Me and the girls just had a little talk. They won't be bothering you two anytime soon." Before anymore question could be asked, she wanted ahead of the rest of them.
Sakura wasn't satisfied. Something went down and she wanted to know what it was. And since she couldn't see nor get from the main source…she decided to get it from a nearer and more tolerable source.
As they walked from the vendors and shops, the buildings were no longer there and trees and forestland present. Sakura took this time to find out what happened.
"Sasuke." Sakura called in a low whisper.
"…" Sasuke was too busy thinking of theories or at least to explain what happen to hear Sakura. Persistent, she decided to do the one thing she knew would get his attention. It bugged the hell out of him, she and Naruto discovered
Sure, it meant the chance that he would not talk for another few weeks should it backfire. But it was a chance she was willing to take.
In the sultriest voice and the biggest pouty face she conjured up, she asked again.
"Sasuke-kun" She emphasized the suffix dramatically, "Can please tell me and Naruto what happened with Yume and those trampy girls?" She fluttered her eyes and clung to him for an added effect.
Knowing that: a) he would get her back for this; b) She would never stop -damn her persistence-; and c) that telling them was going to happen sooner or later, Sasuke sighed and decided to tell.
"Ok fine." Naruto and Sakura, while discreetly walked at a normally slow pace, listened in to Sasuke.
"Yume came and got us from those girls and told wait with you near the main gate. And she made some comment about the girls going to the FT which I guess is the Fuzen no Tokai if they wanted guys to flirt with.
Naruto nodded his head. "I was there for that."
"But what made her make you guys leave?" Sakura asked.
"First to get us away from the girls but then…One of them was about to say something about Yume and what she did with a thing of her mother's…and then Yume cut them off and told us to leave."
"Okay so what happened then when you were still there?" Naruto asked,
Sasuke bend lower and closer. "She threatened them. She told them that what they were about to say was forbidden to say or to talk about. She even said that if they even mentioned it, their missions would be nothing them working in Fuzen as cheap tricks.
Yume looked behind her. She smiled calmly as they quickly looked at her and waved sheepishly at her. They must think I'm stupid…
"Hurry up guys." She yelled to them. She turned her back as she smirked to herself. But also couldn't shake the feeling of being worried especially since Sasuke had been in earshot of what she said.
"Ok Yume." Sakura said. Bitch! –Inner Sakura was punching the stuffing out of a dummy that looked like Yume.
She then turned back to Sasuke. "Ok, Sasuke continue…"
"They ran off and Yume was still talking in this weird icy tone. Then just like that, she was back to herself and apologized for what happened in the cave on the way here."
"That's it?" Naruto and Sakura asked.
"Yea. I tried to ask about they were talking about but she just disengaged it and told me that they wouldn't be bothering me any time soon."
"Let's get moving." Sakura said, "Before she starts to notice we're not behind her and talking."
The other two nodded and started a fast paced walk to catch up with Yume. Naruto looked over at Sasuke from his left.
"Hey Sasuke, I have a question for you." Naruto said.
"What is it, Naruto?"
"When Yume told us to leave, I left but didn't you?"
First once, Sasuke couldn't answer right away. He knew he didn't leave because he left that weird aura that came from Yume. There was something off about her. He knew it.
He looked at Yume for a quick moment before he answered. "I don't really know why. I think I stayed because, like you guys felt, there was something about Yume when she came over to us. I wanted to know what it was. And guys…"
He drew them in closer. "I think we need to watch out for Yume, I think she may be hiding something."
"Here we go again," Naruto sighed. "What is with you guys trying to find something wrong with her?"
"Because there is!" Sakura said. Sasuke folded in his arms in way that said the same.
"Whatever." Naruto said as he ran to catch up with Yume. Sasuke followed soon after. Then Sakura.
They walked until they reached a gateway that ended the village buildings and started the forest. Yume heard them stop walking and sighed as she turned to face the three.
"What's wrong?" she asked. The three looked at her as if it was obvious.
"Where are you taking us?" Sakura asked sternly.
"Home." Yume happily chirped. They noticed the happier tone in her voice. It was as if the events that Sasuke told them of never happened.
"But Yume," said Naruto, "You're leading us into the forest. The village is back there."
"Oh, about that." She turned to face them. "You see, I don't live in the village. I live on the outskirts."
Suspicious… Sasuke and Sakura eyed Yume. Naruto just rolled his eyes.
"Oi, Yume-san!" Naruto called out, running to Yume. This oughta get their attention…
"Naruto, please just call me Yume." She said patting him on his head. Saying san makes me sound so… old."
Naruto and the other two sweatdropped. Okay…
"Hey guys come over here for a sec," Yume said, "I got an idea."
The three chuunin came to her. "Yes?"
"Since we're near my house," she started to say. "Let's make this interesting."
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.
An unusual glint formed in Yume's eye. The three discreetly shivered after caught themselves before it went any further.
"A race." She said.
"A what?" Sakura asked.
"A race." Yume said again, "From here to my house is a straight path, so why not race?"
"Why would we?" asked Sasuke. It was official. Sasuke looked at her. She has officially lost it.
"Because, the normal walk from here to there is soooo boring." She emphasized the 'boring' with a heavy sigh, slouching down before straighten again. "But if we race, not only is it faster, but more fun."
"I'm in!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Sure…" Sakura said. That way if you just happen to trip…
"Tch... like I want to be part of some stupid childish race…" Sasuke said, condescending Yume as he walked in front of the rest. Yume folded her hands and sighed as Naruto walked over to her.
"Please excuse Sasuke, Yume." Naruto apologized, "He has a permanent stick up his ass that I've been trying to get rid of since I met him." Yume giggled but still tried to hush Naruto.
Sasuke's vein in the back of his head pop up, becoming visible to all. "I heard that Naruto…" he said in what sounded like through gritted teeth. Naruto looked at Sasuke from Yume's side and stuck out his tongue.
"Yea, it was meant for you to hear it. Now take the advice and stop acting like such a priss!"
"Cool it you two." Yume said. "You can kill each other during training."
"Come on, teme." Naruto yelled. "I thought you like challenges, ya big show-off."
"Didn't I said cut it out." Yume laughed, replying once more. "Come Sasuke, I guarantee it while be worth your time."
Sasuke walked back to them, slightly intrigued. "How so?" he asked Yume.
"Well…" Yume said as she began to think. "How about a wager? Whoever reaches our destination before I do, I'll give them whatever they want."
All three looked at her. Her face showed no form of deception and hesitation. She meant what she was saying.
"Anything?" Sakura asked.
"Anything."
"Really?" Naruto asked
Yume smirked. "Would I lie to you?"
"Ok, I'm in." Sakura reestablished.
"Same here." Naruto smiled.
"Sure…" Sasuke dully replied.
"Great." Yume replied. "The route to my house is a straight ahead. No turns or twists to be made. It's pretty straightforward. And to make things more fun…"
"Yea?" Sasuke asked.
"This only applies to me and me only, but if I am in the lead or fear I will be…"
The chuunin leaned in closer.
"You have my full permission to take me out by any means necessary." She finished with a smile.
WHAT!
"Wait, so you're we can attack you during the race," asked Naruto. "And only you?"
"Yup. It's you guys as a team vs. me."
"Are you sure?" asked Sasuke now.
"As my sensei told me when I first started out in training, "Come at me as if you want to kill me" or something around that. Now who's ready?"
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura took in the info they were just giving. Yume, a girl that they just met, was giving them direct permission to kill her at will.
"I'm ready." Sakura replied. This is perfect… I can knock her down a few pegs and make her see who she's dealing with her. Thanks for the chance… bitch.
"Ready when you are!" Naruto exclaimed. What is Yume thinking? I know Sasuke wouldn't try as much, but Sakura…
"Hn..." What is this girl getting at? Allowing us to kill her when and if we want. What's her game...?
"Ok then, the race will start from here and –like I said- it's a straight run from here to the finish line, my house. Just hang on a sec'."
First, she made a clone and gave the bags, they had collected to her. She transported, taking the bags with her.
Yume reached into the messenger bag she was carrying and pulled out a small portable radio CD player and a CD (AN: I'm sure something would be there if not, this is AU-ish so anything goes.)
Yume noticed the look she received when she pulled these things out from the other three. "What? You guys never race with music on?" she asked them. "It gets me excited and it's so much fun." She added with a giggle. The three looked at her with blank and confused faces.
Translation: This girl is either slow or off her rocker.
Yume stopped awkwardly. "Uhh…Okay then. Everyone in position."
As Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura took a position along Yume; Yume popped the CD into the player and pressed play. Immediately the sounds of preppy and childlike music escape into the air. Simply put: it was the kind of music that made Sasuke wanna gag and stomp the player into the ground, if he was that kind of person with no self control. And he wasn't.
(Laugh)
"Alright!" Yume chirped as she took a running stance. "On your mark-"
Naruto ready himself while Sasuke looked unconcerned.
"Get set-"
Sakura gripped a hidden kunai- just in case
Yea.
"GO!" All four of them sprinted as the song began.
The standing with as the following:
First: Yume
Second: Sasuke
Third: Naruto beginning to come closer to second
Fourth: Sakura
Yume proved to be very fast; much to the disappointment of Sasuke and especially Sakura who come not get close to her to exact out her plan.
Oh Come and try to catch me
Oh Catch me if you can!
Oh Come and try to catch me
Oh Catch me if you can!
The lyrics flew from the radio at Yume's side. It was the only way the chuunin even knew how close they were to her. Sasuke, hating the fact he was currently losing to a girl who even listened to this type of music, decided to enhance his running by pumping his soles with charka. The others followed the same suit. Each managed to catch up with each other and was gaining on Yume.
Look out it's time the world is finding for a
New thing, it's time I got ahead
Keep thinking nothing is going to stop me
and I won't quit till I'm sitting on the top!
Yume, on the other hand, was enjoying herself. If only they knew the reason why I asked them to race for… oh well...-WOAH!
Yume barely dodged a kunai thrown at her. She looked behind and saw her three students gaining on her. Sakura aimed and threw another kunai. Yume dodged once more.
This girl is really out to get me. Desperate times call for desperate measures …
Yume performed a few hand signs, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Sasuke and the others slowed down a little as they saw the smoke. They watched as three Yume's emerged from the cloud. One continued to ran straight on the path while the other two ran into the surrounding trees on each side.
"Sakura, take the left one. Naruto- the right one." Sasuke commanded.
"Hai!" Sakura and Naruto followed the other two into the trees.
Never give up when the going gets rough
I know I'm going to make it through
To just try will never be enough
I'll show you there's nothing that I can't do!
This kid… isn't going to attack. Phew, that good to know. I hate to see his clone jutsu…or his Rasengan…
Naruto was gaining on his Yume, but was a good meter or 3 behind her. He knew he could his shuriken or some jutsu to slow her down, but no made no attempt to. If he was going to beat, he was going to be it fairly. Besides, he didn't want her injured before they could train.
Damn, this kid is going all out! Of all the ninja I have to challenge, it had to be the superiority complex pryofreak. Yikes! That one almost hit me…
Sasuke, on the hand, had just unleashed his fireball jutsu. It, of course, missed her both times, causing him to speed up more.
While Sasuke and Naruto chased after their 'Yume', Sakura was more of tracking hers.
Let's see… Sakura readied her fists…
Holy SHIT! Why is it that every time I do this almost every girl tries to kill me…? Yume shouted in her head as she dodged a charka enhanced punch, breaking the tree limb into splinters instead of her.
"You do know I'm needed for this mission? Right Sakura?" Yume asked.
"You told to give it my all." Sakura replied. "So I am…"
Yume snickered. "Then come and get me…" Bad idea but oh yea, let her get it out now…
Oh Come and try to catch me
Oh Catch me if you can!
Oh Come and try to catch me
Oh Catch me if you can!
"Naruto," Yume called from in front of her. "You can try to attack me; it is part of the exercise…"
Naruto shook his head. "I don't wanna hurt you. And besides, I can beat with you speed alone!"
Yume laughed, sprinting a bit faster. "Let's see that then…"
Naruto smirked, and jumped, increasing his speed as he did so.
It's so close I can almost taste it!
There's no way I'll ever look back!
Somehow during the race, Sasuke and Yume ended up racing each other in the trees as well. Sasuke was closer to her than before, stopping the jutsus so that his chakra could be used in running.
Yume was enjoying the race jumping from limb to limb. She turned to see Sasuke behind her.
"Ready?" she called behind her.
Sasuke looked at her oddly, "For what?"
She just smiled, and started upwards. Sasuke followed the same suit. Following her until they reached the treetops above the forest.
It's so hard but stopping's not an option
Yume laughed loudly. She turned to run facing Sasuke. "Didn't I tell you this was going to be fun…?"
"You're not going to beat me…" Sasuke huffed, closing the gap between them...
Yume smiled. "I know…"
I'm going to keep on, keep on cuz I believe in me!
Just as Sasuke got closed enough, she leaned, falling into a gap in the tree. Sasuke followed, watching her freefall. The song had just ended its long note as she continued to drop.
Is she crazy? Sasuke thought to himself. He sprinted from branch while she continued her fall without any signs of stopping herself. She even closed her eyes!
5…4…3… Yume counted down. 2…1…! Opening her eyes, she turned upright, landed on a limb, just above the ground.
Catch me, if you can!
She turned back to Sasuke and winked at him before disappearing back on to the road.
Sasuke followed back onto the road, following Naruto and Sakura to come to his side a moment later. The other Yumes were in front.
"We're almost there!"
Along the side, the shape of a roof was forming. Not was now or never for the three.
"Sakura, do it!" Sasuke said. It was dirty but it had to be done. Making him listen to that music.
"With pleasure…" Sakura jumped and punched the ground, sending a ripple effect of uprooted ground.
The Yumes fell over from the ground shaking. It was just enough to give them the lead.
While they were happy were they finally in the lead, just as the house was coming, they were wondering why the song could still be heard coming from the front.
Come on Come on Catch me now! Can you come and catch me can you now, you can't catch me anyhow!
Come on Come on Catch me now! Can you come and catch me can you now, you can't catch me anyhow!
Come on Come on Catch me now! Can you come and catch me can you now
As they reached the front, they skidded to a stop, bumping each other as they did so and falling to the ground. They looked at the figure holding the radio and bags.
"No way…" Sasuke said.
"It…couldn't be…" Naruto said as well.
Sakura's mouth was wide opened in shock.
Silver head flickered in the light as dark eyes looked at them… "Congrats, you made it."
Oh Catch me if you can! Song stopped followed by an awkward silence.
Yume stood there, smiling, while the others had shocked and confused faces.
"How did you get so fast?" Naruto asked.
"Weren't you with the clones?" Sakura shouted.
"Speaking of clones, where are they?" Sasuke asked.
"Behind you." Yume said as she pointed her finger.
Looking behind themselves, Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura looked up to the clones right behind them holding stopwatches.
"Sasuke finished the course in 3 minutes and 14 second." Said the first clone with much approval
"Naruto ties with Sasuke in finishing the course in 3 minutes and 14 seconds." Said the second one with a giggle.
"Sakura finishes last with 3 minutes 20 seconds." The third clone looks at Sakura, "Tough luck, loser."
It was apparently, she was still sore about being attacked the way she was.
"Thank you girls." Yume replied, as they disappeared.
"Wait, wait…" Naruto shook his head. "How were all three clones? Where were you?"
"Were you even in the race?" Sakura said, still steamed by the insult thrown at her by the clone.
Sasuke was eyeing Yume. Why hadn't he noticed that all three were clones and when did she teleport or escape them?
"Yes and no." Yume replied. "I was there in the beginning, but I never to actually planned finish with you. So I used the clones for you guys."
"That's why the smoke was so large." Sasuke finally said.
"You got it." Yume said, "I used to the smoke to teleport and wait for you guys."
"But why?" Sakura said, "If you weren't going to race, why did you have us race?"
Yume smirked, "Training."
"Huh?" the three said in unison.
"I wanted to see your speed and also to see what you would do in this situation. To have a time limit on something." Yume pointed out. "And I took the information of the race from the clones."
She pointed to Naruto, "You chose not to attack at all. Which was nice for a change, but remember you can't be that soft in training. There will be a time when you have to attack me. But you did very well." Naruto sheepishly smiled, scratching the back of his neck.
"Sasuke," Yume then said, "You went on the offensive and knew when to stop in order to catch up with me. You even follow me –actually my clone- into a near death free fall. You were the closest to passing me. Impressive as expected." Sasuke gave a trademark 'Hn' and eyed Naruto in a way to silently tell him he was acting like a goof.
But you Sakura," Yume's voice was a little saddened and more serious, "You went on the offensive a little too far and too soon. You put too much emotion into it, and in turn, had clouded judgment. It won't help the mission if you can't control your emotions. I figured a pupil of Tsunade would know that. I'll have to work with you the most." Sakura said nothing and didn't nothing. She just hung her head.
Yume then smiled. "Come on, let's get inside." She took up her bags and looked at them.
Taking it as a lead, the others grabbed their bags and walked in front of her.
Naruto was very happy, getting appraised by Yume but still was scolded for not doing what ask of him. Sasuke was still eyeing Yume. Sure he did excellent. It was him he was talking about. But he was still outdone by her.
Sakura, on the other hand, was fuming. How dare she think she needed the most help? Who was she? She gave Naruto more praise and of course she gave Sasuke possibly the best review. That…ohhh…
Sakura's hands gripped the bags, the plastic crumpled under the pressure until she loosened them in awe. As did the others when they looked at the house.
They had realized that they never took a real look at the area nor the house. When they did, they were surprised by it. For someone that lived on their own, the house and area was very well kept. In front of them was a large house.
It had a traditional appeal to it, something Sasuke was use to from his own home. With exception that this house was larger in height, a three story building with a large porch in the front. It made with cherry wood and other structures that give it stability and a homely and nature feeling of beauty. Around the area was a large lake in the backgrounds of the house. The lake was pristine blue and light green from the vegetations that grew at the bottom of the lake. The dock looked recently retouched. Spaced out to a few yards away was a slight hill with a Sakura Tree thriving while at its right was a Weeping Willow. In the grass, some small blossoms grew around the area.
Yume looked at her home and sighed in content. She looked at the three nin. She smirked.
"You guys like it?" She said, "I retouched the house last year, but it is still the same from first year it was first built."
"It's really nice." Naruto said.
"It's different from what I expected." Sasuke replied.
Sakura remain quieted, not wanting to give Yume the pleasure of acknowledgement of the kind place she lived in. I have to admit, the place is really nice.
"Thanks, my parent made it before I was born and now I use it."
Sasuke was about to question that comment, but Yume spoke before he could get his words out.
"You guys take the bags to the steps. I'll catch up in a bit." Yume said, grabbing a better hold of her bags. The nin nodded and walked up the stairs.
Naruto followed by Sasuke and then Sakura.
As Naruto passed the threshold, a ball above them dropped and popped colored confetti over his head mostly and the others scarcely. A track of applause started playing.
The three looked behind to Yume was grinning from ear to ear. "Congrats Naruto, you won the bet."
"I won…" Naruto said slowly. "But I thought I tied with Sasuke."
"The race yes." Yume nodded folding her arms before shaking her finger. "But remember the bet was the first to get to my house. And you were the first one to past the threshold so you automatically won the bet. So now whenever you want, you can get something from me. Word to the wise, save it for a really important time.
"Hey I thought that the race was part of training." Sakura said.
"Yes it was training." Yume replied. "But a bet's bet."
Naruto pointed to himself as to say 'really?" Yume nodded a 'yes' before Naruto started jumping on the steps.
"I beat teme! I beat teme!" he said, acting a little like Lee at the moment.
"About time." Sasuke commented, ruining the moment.
Naruto looked at his other teammate with a scowl. "Well not everyone can as perfect as the 'great' Uchiha Sasuke…"
Sasuke just smirked until Naruto mutter under his breath…
"Or as girly and emo."
Sasuke twitched at his comment. Naruto snickered while Sakura just sighed.
"Ok…" Yume said, she looked at the three. "How about we get inside now?"
Yume took out her keys and unlocked the door. She opened the door, pushing it open all the way. The others just peeked inside. From the outside, the room was dim from the lack of inside lighting except from the insufficient amount coming from the windows on the ceiling.
"Go in, nothing's going to attack you." She smiled. "Go on."
The three walked into the house and into what was the living room. Yume closed the door behind and went to walk in further.
But was stopped as the three were still near the front, not reaching the carpet.
"What are guys waiting for?" She asked.
They said nothing and just continued to look an upward direction.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Naruto and Sasuke pointed up to the second floor.
"Are those yours?" Sakura, her voice cracked a bit.
"What are mine?" Yume looked up, "What are you guys…talking…about…"
Yume trailed off as she saw what they were talking about. "Oh crap…"
On the second floor, three sets of eyes leered at them from above. One belonged to a cat.
Another to a black dog.
And the other belonged to what was keeping them from moving.
Its eyes were piercing neon green. Much larger than the other dog, it was hunched over as its fur bristled and it growled, bearing long white fangs.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looked at each other, unsure on whether to attack or not. Attacking could be bad, especially if it was a pet.
They had no time for further thought as the dog, if you could call it that jumped down from railing and sprinted over the first couch and made it over the second one…
Lunging at them with its teeth bore out in a biting position.
Yume groaned. "Aw Shit..."
TBC
Author Note: Anyone that is of Japanese descent and/or is fluent enough in Japanese please tell me if I'm using Fuzen no Tokai correctly as the translation for 'Sin City' I only took a 100 level class and to make sure I'm doing the language justice in using it in my story.
Also I'm working on two Valentine's Day one-shot for Naruto. Then I'll post up either a new chapter of YBTM or start up the spinoff I guess of this story 'Origin of the Mirage and Fan'
And 'Catch Me If You Can' belongs to Angela Via feature in 'Pikachu's Vacation' for the movie 'Pokemon the First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back'