Chapter 6
Tap, tap, tap...
"Naruto... Strange..." The Sandaime, Hiruzen Sarutobi called out. He stood outside Naruto's apartment door with takeaway ramen in a small carrier.
Hiruzen had come by having been busy the last two weeks... And felt a nice ramen lunch with Naruto would be fun.
But for the love of it... Naruto wouldn't answer the door.
He had heard that Naruto hadn't been seen for that time... But he let it off as a rumour.
After all, Naruto did normally vanish every now and then... Ever since his tenth birthday...
'I best see if he's ok... Maybe something's wrong?' Hizuren forced the door open.
Thump!
The old man groaned as he felt his left eye. He looked at the rock swing shot at the side of the hallway.
'That's going to leave a bruise...'
Thump!
The old man groaned again as he felt the second bruise forming...
Two black eyes... From set up catapults... Yeah... He's not in tip top shape if he's that caught off.
The old man stumbled as he looked about through his squinted eyes. "Naruto?!" The old man called.
"I've got-"
Thud!
"Ouch..." The old man squeaked.
He had been that blinded that he didn't see the sting on the floor... Which was connected to another trap.
This trap... Sadly for the old man. Just so happened to swing in below the belt.
'Yeah... I'll come back tomorrow... For now...' The old man mused as he stumbled out.
'I'll treat this like a bad hang over...'
Sadly for him... He wouldn't be visiting Naruto anytime that week... Maybe more.
XXXXXXX
While Sarutobi was aching in pain.
Naruto on the other hand was going through hell.
And it hadn't even been a day yet.
But sure he thought it was easy at first... Doing her washing up chores... cleaning the floors.
Then it got more annoying.
Carrying her food... Running around for items that didn't either belong to her... Or even have in the temple.
The next morning Naruto was stuck to washing clothes... And had to swallow his pride to wash her delicates...
He was in hell...
And he was about to snap... And it had only been two days.
The door creaked open and as the candles lit up, Naruto's jaw hung as he stared at the room.
It was a mess.... Clothing, food... everything was in here.
"Th-this is..." Naruto stuttered.
"Yep... My room. And you have to clean it. I haven't come in this room since... About 6 months ago."
"Why's that?" Naruto was answered by a growl.
"Yeah you see... I there was some food that seems to have been here long enough to become a living fungus. After you clean it out there's the dusting... washing of the walls. Cleaning of my clothing. And please try not to scream like a girl when you touch my clothing... loser."
Naruto growled. "Anything else..." Naruto growled out.
"Actually... I'll need my bed sorted... clothing put away... and my bath products I got off the monks found and brought to me by dinner."
"That's it! I've had it... This is getting on my nerves."
"Well you lost... But I was hoping to see you snap... So too bad." Naruto glared at the girl.
"I want a rematch! Last time I didn't even give my fullest. Just because you were a girl. This time I'll teach you!"
That was a lie of course. But Naruto seemed to tick Nami off with fact he went easy on her because she was a girl. Lie or not... He was going to burn!"
"Ok... We'll have a rematch... But we need new wagers."
"If I win... I get out of doing your stuff and you will have to stop being a jerk!" Nami smirked.
"If you're going to make two wagers... Then if I win. You have to stay here till I say so... I hope you like living in a cave for the next year..."
Naruto blinked. "No way! I need to be home in the next two months!"
"Two month's then... Doesn't matter. Just as long as you crack before then."
"Fine! Let's go!"
"Nope!"
"What? Why?" Naruto yelled as he wanted to get away as fast as possible.
"Simple... To be nice... I'll give you till tomorrow... I don't mind waiting a day to see the look on your face when you have to go in... So I'll leave you till then... By my little slave."
It was only till she was gone that Naruto weighted out his chances.
Unless he can pull his training off like a pro... He's screwed.
'What was I thinking?'
XXXXXXX
Later that night. When everyone had gone to bed. Naruto stood outside the temple looking at his surroundings.
'Ok... Her skills are water and ice... I hope. I didn't get much out of fighting her because of my stupidity. But the thing is... I don't think my training will be enough. I've got only the thing's Goku taught me... And tenchi-oji-san... What else... I feel like I'm forgetting something...'
Naruto froze, he knew he had away to win now!
"That's it!" Naruto yelled as he ran off. Up above, Goku smiled from the temple roof.
'Let's see if you've learned anything from this Naruto?'
The morning came for the temple. And as Koori was walking down the hallway she blinked as the monks rushed passed.
"Whoa... Where's the fire?" She called out. One of the monks stopped.
"Gohan's having a rematch... Seems he's pretty determined."
"Really?" Koori asked walking to the grounds. 'Let's see this then? Maybe we'll get to see this thing of Naruto's...'
As Koori walked outside. She found Nami standing on the water with her arms crossed.
"Tch... The squirt didn't leave in the night did he?"
Koori was about to say no, knowing she had just spoken to Goku when Naruto came running out.
Nami raised an eye brow. "What's this?"
Naruto panted as he was dressed in the clothing he got from Goku at Christmas. "I'm ready!" Naruto yawned.
'Man he sounds tired... At this rate he'll get his ass handed to him.' Koori mussed as Naruto walked out onto the water.
"Good luck Gohan!" Koori looked to see Goku on the roof. Koori joined him.
"Has he?"
"No... But he's at a disadvantage with lack of sleep."
Koori glanced to the pair. "So tell me... who's going to win?"
"Now that would be cheating. Watch and enjoy." Goku said with a smile as he looked at Naruto.
'Go on Naruto... Show everyone what you can do.'
Goku got into his stance. "Ready?" Nami smirked.
"Prepare to be cleaning my room for the next two months." Nami then spun. Her hand glided the surface and a stream or water snaked his way.
'Study and repel!' Naruto jumped as the water rushed him. His feet glowed with chakra and Naruto glided onto the stream. 'Pay back!' Naruto cupped the water and threw it.
The chakra rapped the water into a disk like a shuriken.
'Playing my level huh? Not going to work!' Nami deflected the water with a simple tap. With a stomp, Naruto jumped as a turret of water jumped up. Naruto landed on the ceiling.
'Let's try something different...' Naruto twisted and jumped forward at Nami.
Nami jumped back. "Idiot!" She called as she palmed the water.
Water jumped out at all sides and drew in on the blond as Naruto spun and Nami was forced to jump. Naruto skidded and rushed the girl.
Nami caught his left punch and let him slid by. Naruto put his hand down and skimmed back. Naruto's arm flicked forward as he cupped water.
Nami tapped it away. But she blinked as she was something slid down her face. She put her hand to it.
"That's..." she gasped.
"Blood..." Koori muttered. "But when?"
"When he was on the ceiling."
"Hm?" Koori glanced to Goku.
"When Naruto landed, he chipped rocks out with chakra spikes and cupped them. When he jumped forward he threw one at Nami when the girl attacked. This left him the chance to attack. Knowing full well she would deflect him."
"So he had another? How many has he got?"
"Look above you." Koori looked at the ceiling and knew what Goku meant.
"But the speed he threw that rock."
"He's learned to use his body better. He didn't look much into what else he could do when the weight was removed. Now he has. That chip moved faster than she detect. That's why he threw the water disk."
'I get it... Distract her with water vapour... Then strike with a hidden move...'
"He's not going by the monk's art's... He's..."
"Using the art of a ninja. He dreams of becoming hokage. And he has the skills to do it."
"I see... Just so long as he doesn't shout he's a ninja out. Nami hates ninja's..."
"Oh he will... Then it get's interesting."
Nami put her hand in the water and wiped her face. "Bit under handed... I'll get you back for that."
Naruto smirked.
'Ok... I've got her a bit edgy... She'll up her defence...' Naruto's mind flicked back.
'I need to see as much as I can... I need to see away to use her ice against her when the time comes. This is a shinobi game now. I'm not playing by the rules.' Naruto brought his hands back and paled the rocks together. He jumped back.
"Take this!" Naruto yelled as he threw two disks forward.
Nami dropped underwater. 'Earth disks? Bit ninja if you ask me, now I'll show you my skills'
Naruto skidded and glanced about. 'Ok... She's in her element. And I don't think she's going to be coming up.' Naruto jumped and landed on the ceiling. 'This way... I can see her coming.'
'Sticking off the water huh? Won't save you...'
'Ok... If she's any good like Tenchi-oji-san... She'll pull something outside her normal moves. Sp let's get defensive.' Naruto drew his right arm back as his skin glowed. Earth rippled and stuck to his arm like a magnet, it became solid like a shield.
'Not as good as Tenchi-oji-san's... But it will do.'
'Now!'
The water rippled and a spear of water shot up. Naruto pulled himself to his left and was forced to move from rock to rock as more water spears shot up. Each turned to water. But not before leaving a deep crack in the rock
'Oh that is so going to hurt on contact.' Naruto jumped to the water as a spear shot at him.
'Gotcha!' The water rippled and Naruto tucked his body in as he rotated side on. It was like hail against his mini earth shield.
Naruto rolled and was about to jump when something solid connected. He flew into the air as Nami flipped onto the surface. She rubbed her knuckle.
Naruto gasped as he drew in air to his lungs. 'Ok... Time for this!' Naruto flipped and kicked a spike in two. He repeated his move and launched a rock shard at Nami.
Nami jumped back. 'I know the time for that move. Won't...' The water that had shot up was blown away as Naruto appeared.
A flicker of metal and Nami jumped back. She skidded and flinched as she looked at her right arm. It had been her only point of defending as she tried to evade. She looked up from the cut and looked to what caused it.
Naruto panted as he gripped his sword tight. 'Ok... My trump card is out.'
"A sword? What the hell? This a fight in the art of elements and you bring a sword?!" Nami yelled.
"Who said it was? This a fight right? As a future shinobi to the hidden leaf village I'll use whatever I need! So..." Naruto blinked as he saw Nami with her hand down. Her right arm shaking. Naruto grinned. 'Must have caught her off.'
Goku smirked from where he sat. 'Over confident Naruto? Well you'll learn that sort of thing is a bad idea.'
"So what you going to down now?" Naruto called out. He glanced to his right and noticed the monks stepping back one by one.
'Huh?' He froze as the air became cold.
"Shinobi...?" The water below Nami began to freeze.
"Want to know something?" Naruto gripped his blade tight.
"What?"
"My family was killed by shinobi from the land of water. Because of my blood line..." She crouched and her hand sunk into the ice.
Slowly the water froze. Naruto glanced about noticing the walls began to freeze too. A mist filling the air.
"I hate shinobi... And I said I would deal with any... No matter who or what they are." She drew her arm out and Naruto looked at the large chunk of ice on her arm.
"I made this technique to kill them... You'll be the first." The ice shattered showing a large ice claw.
Naruto tensed. 'Great... Guess I shouldn't have said that.' Naruto focused chakra into his feet. 'But I have the skill. I'll use what I learned with Goku and...' In the blink of an eye Nami vanished.
Everything became quiet and slow. Naruto felt something tug at the back of his head and he glanced to his right.
Naruto was thrown backwards as his blade stabbed the ceiling. Naruto skidded into the wall with a thud.
'Ouch...' Naruto groaned as he pushed himself up. He looked up to see Nami up close and Naruto's eyes widen.
An explosion whipped up as the monks and Koori stood looking on with worry.
"He's fine..." Goku said to Koori.
The smoke cleared and showed Naruto's arms covered by stone. Naruto looked up as blood dripped from the cuts in his arm.
The stone had saved his life. But his arms took the brunt. Koori drew her left arm back and a water spear formed in the air.
"Don't take this personal... I'm settling a score." Naruto ducked as the water spear hit the wall. Naruto yelped as he drew his arms from the ice and skidded along the frozen surface.
'Shit... This is bad... I didn't think a person could turn from an arrogant witch to murder in seconds...' Naruto glanced to a chasing Nami, her right arm swung. Naruto jumped just dodging the large claw.
'Ok... Think, think... Ice and water are her specialty... Earth's mine... Ok...' Naruto jumped as Nami attacked with a frozen barrage of rain.
'Think... What could match her...?' Naruto slipped as the top layer of ice turned to water. Naruto was met with the claw again and quickly spun out its way. Naruto righted himself and burst backwards with chakra.
'Ok... Use Goku-sensei's teachings... Chakra burst. That's one thing that will keep me alive.' Naruto turned and ran as Nami gave chase in similar style. But she raced at him like she was skating.
'My speed is no good on the ice... My strength is no match for that ice claw. Think...' Naruto jumped to the side as sensed an attack from his left. A water spear shot by.
'This area is completely to her style now. I'm running out of options... I only know how to master water at its base. She's got the most advanced skills that it's like fighting Tenchi-oji-san again.' Naruto burst to the side as an ice wall shot up.
Nami ploughed right through it.
'Ok... think... What have I got to use against her?' Naruto closed his eyes.
'Think!' Naruto's eyes widened.
'I have nothing...' Naruto didn't have time to react this time as a block of ice shot up and into his chest.
Naruto's eyes widen as all the wind left his lungs. Nami drew her claw back.
"Argh!"
"Nami stop!" Koori called as Goku remained still.
Naruto quickly rolled forward and landed on his back as the claws just missed his head. Naruto panted as he saw the look in Nami's. The girl was tired... But the hate was still there.
"Finally... You're too tired to move." She walked forward. She drew her arm back as Naruto remained eye contact. He was too tired. He had nothing in his arsenal that could pull him out. He was fighting a foe in his element. But he had one last thing he could try.
"Agh!" Nami attacked.
"I know what it feels like." The claw stopped. Naruto felt his temple go cold. The claw pulled back showing a red dot.
"What...?" Nami asked looking at Naruto. The claw ready to go down.
"Hate... I know what it's like... Every day in my village. I'm hated, shunned, feared... No one was ever kind to me. If it wasn't for Oji-san... I wouldn't be alive right now. I was nearly killed when I was ten. And I don't know why."
The look in Nami's eyes seem to change a bit. Naruto was just glad the 'you're dead' look had faded.
"But... why be a shinobi then? Why, if your village hates you?"
"Because..." Naruto said as he finally gained his strength. He rolled over and stood. "I want to become hokage. And earn the respect of the village. I won't to prove them wrong for whatever reason they see me as."
Nami slowly lowered the claw as she glanced away. "But you have people close right?" Nami asked.
Naruto smiled. "Yeah... My teach Iruka-sensei... Hokage-oji-san. The ramen shop owner and his daughter. Goku-oji-san. And now the people of the earth temple and people here at the water."
The ice began to crack as the temperature changed and began warm. "Yeah... Though I wouldn't... and most of them wouldn't... They're the closest thing to family. Guess I just act like I do for attention."
"Same as I do..." Naruto said with a grin. "Maybe we're more alike than we thought?" Nami looked at Naruto.
"Tell me... Did you used to hate as well?" Naruto frowned.
"Yeah... I was angry because they hated me for no reason. But I turned away from that path. I don't know what would have happened if I didn't."
"That's good... Oh and Gohan." Nami spoke
"Hm?" Naruto looked up. And was met with stars.
As Naruto landed flat on his back. Completely out. Nami turn to walk off. "I win..."
As she passed Goku she spoke out. "Tell him the bet's off... I've had my fun now... No if you excuse me... I'm hungry." She spoke in a voice that seemed like she was just as arrogant as before.
As she walked off. Goku and Koori walked out to Naruto. "Guess someone can change..." Koori said as the ice turned to water at their feet."
"Naruto can do that... And more." Goku said picking the now black eyed lad up.
"I look forward to see him again." Koori said. Goku smiled as Koori looked up. It dropped a little.
'Sadly... It won't be so...' Goku then walked with Naruto under his arm.
A few days passed and Naruto had recovered. But the bruise still remained, even with rapid healing. So he had bandages over his right eye as he stood in his normal wear for his battle with Nami. The cloak and headwear on. Koori handed Naruto his vest with a water symbol stitched in.
"You're no pro... But you're ok for a gaki." Nami spoke with a smirk. Naruto smirked.
"When I return... We'll have a rematch. And I want you to go at me like that again. For next time... You'll need to be able to match all my skills. Including one I didn't use during our fight,"
"And why pray tell... Didn't you use it? It's not because I was a girl right?" Naruto shook his head.
"I'm not good with something I can't control..." Naruto chuckled as Goku patted his head.
"We best be going Gohan... Thank you for letting us stay Koori-san."
"Just be careful. The water and earth are the easiest styles to learn. Fire, wind and lightening on the other hand..."
Goku nods. "Yeah... But he'll master what he can... This is a training trip. One can only learn by meeting new people with knowledge one can pass down."
The temple bowed and Naruto and Goku returned it. As they walked to the water. Naruto blinked.
"How do we get out?" Goku smiled.
"Like I said when we got here... Seals control the water flow. This area is the way out" Naruto glanced down at the water,
"So..." Naruto blinked as Goku dropped into the water. Naruto then blinked.
"Wait a second..." Naruto yelled as he followed. 'He can use chakra what the hell!?'
Koori chuckled. 'Wonder when he'll teach him to fly... Wish I could.' She turned to her monks.
"Ok... Back to normal now... We've all had fun, but everything must return to normal now." The monks nod and walked off.
"Brat was fun for a punching bag. I'll beat him again when he comes." Nami said walking off.
Koori smirked. 'He's changed you quite a bit... Sort of cute in away... But...' Koori mused waling off.
'When one becomes a temple monk... You stay a temple monk till it's time to go...'
As Naruto and Goku surfaced. Naruto spoke up. "I thought you couldn't use chakra?"
"I didn't... I can fly." Goku said walking off. Naruto blinked.
"You'll teach me right?" Naruto asked as they walked off.
"When you're training reaches that level... And I hope this experience at the temple has taught you stuff. Naruto's nods.
"Yeah..." Naruto glanced back to the lake as it vanished in the mist. He then remembered the last thing he asked when Nami came to see his black eye.
"So how did you survive?" Naruto asked as Nami blinked.
"Huh?"
"The ninja? How did you escape?" Nami sighed.
"I was just luckily... One of the monks had just left to start his travels and saved me by the skin of my teeth .He brought me to recover... I stayed after that. So I could protect myself."
"Oh... Ouch!" Naruto yelped as he covered his eye. Nami smirked as she drew her finger back.
"Oh yeah... That punch was a good one..." She said chuckling.
Naruto sighed as he looked to Goku. 'I've learned a lot from this temple. And I'll put what I've learned to good use.' Naruto then cupped his hands in front of him and began to summon his chi.
XXXX
Night fell and Naruto and Goku were camped out in the forests. Goku sighed looking at the misty blanket that covered the area round the fire.
The sound of Naruto's sword being drawn made the old man glance to the blond.
"What's up?" Naruto drew his blade up.
"I've learned a lot... I'm not as strong as I thought. And I'm stronger than I thought."
"Huh?" Goku asked with a puzzled look.
"I know from your training I'm strong... But I've never really paid much attention to it. Now that I've battled Nami. I now know that I need to focus on what I've got, and improve. So I'm going to start on my sword skills tonight. Then I'll move onto taijutsu tomorrow night. And I'll work on focusing my chi and working on jutsu in the day."
"Just remember what I've taught you Naruto. The thing's important to the turtle master."
"Move well, study well, play well, eat well, rest well. Yeah I know." Goku nods.
"I'm going to sleep. Night." Naruto replied as Goku lay down. Naruto swing with his sword.
'I'll get the hang of everything I've learned I'll master it before I become a ninja…'
XXXXXX
A week passed and we find Sarutobi once again standing outside Naruto's apartment. Ramen still sitting by the still open door.
'Ok… I'm worried.' The traps still remained where they had gone off and the old man was no of high alert. He won't be caught out again.
As he walked the hall. He found the kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bath room with a fine layer of dust. All of which had remained unsettled.
'Naruto's not been here for some time.' Sarutobi blinked as he noticed water coming out from under one of the doors. 'Hm? I thought that was a storage room… What would.' As he opened the door, he was forced to jump back.
Naruto had been using the storage room. Which wasn't that big. As a cold room for his food. Mainly all the, rabbits and other animals.
The hokage, who hadn't expected this from his young blond. Had jumped back startled into another trap.
This one seemed really well designed.
At first it didn't. A simple trapdoor rock sling to the knee. Which made the old man hop. He hoped right into a wire which snapped and let off a barrage of egg's… Rotten as well… From the bathroom.
This was followed by a log rolling down the hall from Naruto's bedroom which the old man was now running on.
And finally. Two more spring loaded trap's released. One hitting the only man in the back of the head. The other in the gut.
The old man tumbled out the room and right into the wall facing the door.
'I will never say a word to what has happened here today… I'll just recover again… Have some shinobi look for Naruto. And have some anbu reset all the traps so it's like no one was ever that. Just like it should be. And when that's all and done… I'm going to stay and do paper work. So much less pain.'
And with that… The old man went home to rest. With no plans on visiting Naruto soon.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ok... I felt this one didn't meet my best standards... But I liked it none the less.
Now onto important info.
I have no idea for shinobi teams.
I'm thinking maybe gai-sensei or asuma...
Maybe Lee (Say he failed and was held back a year and passed with Naruto. Or Naruto passed with enough to go a year forward?)
I won't have Neji, sasuke or shino. For the fact they are the top in their teams. So they won't be teamed with Naruto.
This leaves a small space of choices... I'll be thinking of mind. But if you have good ones. Let me know and I'll think about it.
It needs to be something that makes sense. You can't just put a team together without good reason.
Thank you.