Disclaimer: I do not own Naurto or any of its characters.
Pointers: 'italics' means that the character is thinking
Summary: R&R/Pein Arc to Current Arc - Asami wanted to bring her brother home and away from the Akatsuki. Little did she know what made her brother leave and the selfishness of her actions. Along the way, she finds the meaning of selflessness and sacrifice as well as a Ninja's most feared emotions: love and sadness. NarutoxOC
Author's Note: 'Thinking'
Chapter Six:
Island Turtle
They had finally neared the seaport the smell of the ocean air filling their nostrils. Naruto then placed his hands on his thighs, a few inches above his knees. "Wow! Look, it's the sea!" He said amazed as Asami stare at the beauty of blue-colored sea, her cerulean eyes looking at it with awe.
"Yahoo!" Guy yelled, placing his hands on his hips as all five of them gazed at the sea. "The sea is great!"
"That is the Land of Fire's only port." Aoba commented, Asami looking at him. "From there, we'll depart for the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightening."
He looked down and met her gaze, "Isn't it amazing, Yamas-I mean Aoba-san?" He had told her earlier to call him by his name, no need to be formal.
The man blushed again, becoming like stone. Yamato rolled his eyes and sighed. 'What a perverted, old man.' He thought.
"Aoba-san?" Asami blinked twice, wondering why the man was frozen in place. Naruto's eyes then gazed over as the young woman had waved her hand in front of the glasses wearing man's face.
"What's with Aoba-senpai?" Naruto asked, Yamato shook his head as if not wanting to answer. So, Naruto decided to change the topic. "Say… What's this top-secret mission that Granny Tsunade mentioned?"
"It's called a top-secret mission because it's a secret, Naruto." Yamato had replied, a smile on his face.
Naruto quickly turned to the man, his hands clasped together as he begged. "Oh, come on! Don't say that. You can tell me."
Yamato had just turned his head away, his eyes closed. "I'll explain later."
Naruto placed his arms behind his head. "Tch!" He sucked his teeth before pouting."
Suddenly, Aoba had come back to life and looked at Yamato and Naruto, a sweat drop running down the side of his head.
Asami had looked back at the ocean and closed her eyes. 'I just hope Hachibi-sama won't remember me.' She thought as they walked towards the seaport, Asami's eyes looking around at everything. Once they had made it to the docks and seen their ship, both she and Naruto were the only ones excited. "Wow!" Both of them said in unison, looking at each other enthused before turning to look back at the ship.
"That's a grand sailing ship you readied for us!" Naruto said, his hands in fists in front of him.
"Actually…" Both Naruto and Asami turned to look at the one shinobi, "Our hidden Leaf ship is the one next to it."
The brown haired one who stood in the middle of the group of shinobi had then pointed to their ship. "That one over there."
The ship was small and pale to comparison than the large one they had adored. Both the teen's faces immediately fell, "Aw man, it looks so shabby."
"Tell me about it…" Asami sighed, "Oh well, no use in being picky."
"It's a top-secret mission. A big ship would attract attention, right?" Yamato tried to play things off, hoping that it would lift their spirits some. "It's better to go to the island on a boat like this."
Guy then pointed out something, "I don't see any seamen."
One ninja then spoke, "About that… They refused to set sail into the open sea."
Guy spun around, his brows furrowed. "Wha? Don't tell me you were stingy on the pay!?"
The same ninja immediately spoke, "No, it's not that."
"Well…" One ninja with glassed said.
"Tell me. I won't get upset." The shiny, dark-haired jounin tried to smooth things over in order to get more information.
Another shinobi spoke, "Well, they say there is a monster out there that attacks any boat that tries to set sail."
Naruto looked over his shoulder, blinking. "Monster?"
Asami then gripped on Aoba. "That doesn't sound good at all." The dark-shades wearing jounin immediately felt his cheeks flush, his hands then going on the girl's shoulder.
"I'll protect us all, Asami-san." He said as the bluenette looked up at him, her eyes sparkling admiration and gratitude.
Naruto pouted, "Hey! Its not like I wouldn't protect you, Asami-chan!" He said, stomping his way over.
Asami had looked at Naruto and then smiled, "You would protect me, Naruto-kun? How noble of you."
Aoba and Naruto met in a heated gaze, the electricity in the tension of their eye lock could be felt by everyone around them. The Kiri-nin had looked at the two, confused. "Ano…"
Yamato sighed as Guy then placed his hand on his chest, "I'll go out there and handle it. Aoba-san, let's go!" He then dragged the dark-shades wearing male, Aoba sighing of defeat. Asami had then stood next to Naruto as the two men boarded a row boat.
She had then gripped the jinchuuriki's arm. "Do you think its safe for them to do this? Because I don't think it is." She said, her eyes showing her concern.
Naruto gave her a smile, her eyes softening once she gazed at them and her grip becoming loose. "Don't worry, they'll be fine. Guy-sensei will take care of everything."
She then nodded, "I believe you."
Once Guy and Aoba were a reasonable distance away, Asami had seen the giant sword fish. She screamed and then buried her face in Naruto's chest. The jinchuuriki placed his hand on her upper arms, his eyes looking at her as she seemed afraid for Guy and Aoba.
Then the fish came towards their boat, breaking it into pieces. Naruto wrapped his arms around Asami as she couldn't bear to look over it. He narrowed his eyes, looking back out into the sea to see what would happen next.
"WOOOOOOOOOOOO~" Filled the air. Asami then peaked.
"What happened? Is Guy-sensei okay?" She asked as Naruto then pulled away from her.
"I'm going to help them." He then went towards them, Asami worried.
The three shinobi's whose names she did not know then surrounded her, "We'll make you feel better, Asami-chan." One said.
"We got you." The other said.
Asami looked at them all, feeling a bit pressured. "Ano.. Domo." She said as they all fawned over.
Yamato sighed, "I didn't know she was going to be such a handful because of her looks alone." He mumbled.
She then heard Naruto's yell as the fish came running over to him. Yamato then went out there to interfere, saving Naruto.
Aoba had then teleported them all away and they had ended up staying in a small shack until nightfall that was owned by Yusuke, a guy that Naruto had saved. Asami had sat next to Naruto as the warmth of the fire had filled the air around them. "Why would there be a Summoning Animal in a spot like that?" Naruto asked as Asami pulled her knees toward her chest.
"Maybe it survived the Third Great Ninja War?" Aoba said, unsure.
Yamato then spoke, "No wonder the seamen are scared."
The door then opened and the black-root, but blond-haired tale male had walked in. He was Yusuke, the guy that Naruto had saved.
Asami cheeks immediately flushed pink as he stood there in his fisherman attire with some rope over his shoulder. "That thing's been living there for about fifteen years."
"I see." Yamato commented.
The male walked forward, all of them watching him as he sat in the middle of the shack. "Normally, when the ninja who is contracted with it dies, the animal returns to its own world."
"But why is that one acting up like that?" Naruto had asked him.
"Maybe the war has not ended for that Summoning Animal." Aoba suggested.
"Yeah." Yamato agreed.
Asami sighed, staring at the fisherman that she thought was dreamy looking. "Your ninja wars are such a nuisance! Because of them, all the cowardly seamen refuse to go to see anymore!"
"Cowardly?" Naruto quested, "What were you thinking, doing something so dangerous!?"
"A fisherman's job is to catch fish." Yusuke said, "I thought I was gonna get rid of him once and for all, only to have you interfere!" He then stood.
Asami then narrowed her eyes, standing. "Interfere?! We tried to solve your problem which became everyone's problem, you jerk! Naruto-kun saved your life!"
Naruto narrowed his eyes as well, "Right! If I hadn't saved you, you'd be fish food about now."
"Hmph!" Yusuke said, Asami ready to march over and give him a piece of her fist.
Naruto had grabbed her arm, stopping her. "You should just leave that thing to us and stop acting so recklessly."
The fisherman had placed some rope on the hook on the wall. "Shut up." He said to them. "If anyone beats that thing,it's gonna be me, Yusuke!" Asami was more than tempted to punch him upside the head, but Naruto's grip became tighter as he seemed ticked off as well. Yusuke then punched the wall. "I'm not asking for much. If I only had a sturdier boat that could withstand that marlin's body blows. And an internal-combustion engine to match that marlin's power. Any maybe a fishing rod that has a lure and won't snap."
Naruto's face fell. "That's asking for quite a lot." The boy turned around, hmphing again. "How come you're so determined to get that marlin?" He turned and looked at something, all their eyes following his gaze to a picture of him when he was younger and who they could presume was his father. "Is that your father?" Naruto asked, Asami's anger dimming and turning into guilt.
"We're dead serious about fighting that fish. A guy who'd lose isn't worth being called a father or a son!" Yusuke yelled as tears had fallen down his face.
Asami walked over to him and placed her hand on the male's shoulder, Naruto's eyes staying narrowed at her gestures. Aoba looked away, "Yusuke-san."
Her voice had grown calm, soft, and he looked at her surprised. One minute she was gawking, the next she wanted to murder him, and now she was completely the opposite. She gave him a smile, "We'll… We'll help you."
He looked surprised as she then looked to Naruto, hoping that he had something in mind or would just join in the help. He looked away and then back at her, giving her a nod.
Aoba, Guy, Yamato, and Naruto had walked out the shack as Asami then held Yusuke's hands. "I don't understand your pain, but I can sympathize." She said, "Naruto-kun is the most caring and kindest shinobi I have ever met, and so you can count on him. Believe in him."
Yusuke continued to appear surprised, "You… You must really care about him, huh?"
She appeared surprised, "Hm? Oh, yeah. He's a friend of mine."
He just smiled and hadn't said more. "This is my battle… You should just let me handle it." He then began making a harpoon, Asami biting down her lip as she seemed unsure of what to do.
"But Yusuke-san…" She sighed, "If…there's something I can do then just tell me." She then offered her assistance, "I can do whatever you may need help on."
"I can handle this on my own." He said as she frowned, growing worried.
Asami had watched him, unsure of what to do. She then had sat in the corner, falling asleep. 'Naruto-kun will think of something, I just know it.'
By the time she had woke up, she had seen that she was in the shack by herself. "Where is everyone?" She asked herself, but then noticed a piece of paper on her lap. She unfolded it and read the contents. "Asami-chan, we have helped Yosuke make all the things he needed to catch the Marlin. We left you here so you can get some rest, but don't worry! We have everything under control. Until then, stay inside the shack because we don't want you getting hurt. (Or running away!)" That running away part she assumed was written by Yamato, she rolled her eyes and kept reading, "Naruto-kun."
She smiled at the letter and then let out a sigh, "Well, I got a good rest." She then stood up and walked outside the shack and looked out at the ocean near the edge of the dock. She sat down and then kicked her legs back and forth, the sun a beautiful hue. 'Aki-nii, I wonder what you're doing right now. I know you and I aren't happy with each other right now, but I hope…' She stopped herself from the train of thought once she had seen the group coming back towards her. She scooted back and stood, waving as Naruto gave her a large grin. When they had reached the dock, Asami ran towards them.
Naruto continued on with his smile, "We did it! We took care of the Marlin!" He boasted.
Asami's eyes lit up, a big smile on her face. "I knew you could do it, Naruto-kun!" She jumped up and down, cheering. "You too, Yamato-sama, Guy-sensei, and Aoba-san." She told them as she walked over to the three men, smiling at them as well.
Aoba blushed, and then cleared his throat. "Uh, look!" He then pointed as they saw the fish swim on the surface to the lowering sun and then jumping in the air, poofing into a cloud of smoke.
"You guys are amazing." She said as she then walked to Yusuke, "I'm sorry for being so mean to you, but… I hadn't known."
He was shocked by her slight bow and apology. "It's fine." He said as she stood straight, giving him a nod.
"You had every right and I'm glad that the problem is solved." Asami was more than relieved.
-/ - / -
They had stayed another night and then left in the morning, waving to Yusuke as they sailed into the sea. The sea became quite a shaking storm, but it was Guy who seemed to be losing his mind during the sail. Because of his illness they had to stop at some inhabited island until he had gotten rest and the seas became calmer. There, they had run into Sakura, Ino, and Choji and assisted them on finding Medicinal Hebs and ingredients that Tsunade had assigned Sakura to find. They ran into trouble, but Naruto had saved the day or at least that's how Asami saw things. Soon enough, they ended up leaving at sunset since Guy had felt better and said their goodbyes to Sakura and the others.
It was then that Asami had seemed the tight kinship of Sakura and Naruto, the way they had acted so natural together had her wondering if Naruto had still loved her and Sakura might've had feelings for him. She didn't know and for some reason, she didn't want to even acknowledge its existence. It was night and Asami had stood at the front of the ship, her arms laying on the railing as she looked out into the sea. She felt annoyed, not wanting to be bothered with Naruto even though she had known it wasn't his fault. Yamato was busy telling ghost stories anyway; she wasn't interested in hearing them.
Then that's when they had adventure of the would-be ghost ship, meeting a little boy named Hishaku who had been working on the ship all by himself. In the end they discovered he was a ghost, even seeing the whole crew in their ghost forms and then disappearing at Dawn. So, they discovered that ghost were real after all in which result in an upset Naruto and Asami unsure of what to think or what to do. However, in the end they were still glad they helped even though Aoba and Yamato didn't believe the whole ghost thing. More days on the ship had led to more days of adventure and misfortune. This whole trip was starting to become emotionally exhausting and more than what she had bargained for. She hadn't expected all of this but Naruto had taken it all in stride, helping anyone that needed their help.
Few more days had gone by until finally, they had reached the Land of Lightning. Asami had stretched as she and Naruto were on the front deck. He kept changing about the octopus, which Asami had mentally whined about. She couldn't tell him that the octopus was the Hachibi Jinchuuriki, she was sure that was something Naruto had to discover on his own. "Please start preparing to disembark soon." One cloud-ninja had said.
"Oh I can see the island!" One shinobi had said.
Naruto looked out in amazement but what from what Asami could see, there was nothing resort looking about it. "An Island… paradise?" Naruto said, his face showing his disappointment and even fear.
The cloud-ninja that told them about them landing soon then spoke, "It's like the Hidden's Leaf's Forest of Death. But this is a bit more extreme."
"I think place should've been the forest of death." Asami said, sighing.
"This is a resort?" Naruto asked, still a bit dazed and confused.
"Don't worry its safe." Asami couldn't believe that for one second. Nothing about this place had a whiff of safe on it. "As long as we don't prove them, the creature are quite docile."
She knew there had to be a catch. Why did she have a feeling that these creatures wouldn't be so docile upon their arrival?
"Except for one." The male concluded.
Yamato then question, ""Except for one" what?" He asked.
Naruto began to yell, his movements showing his frustration. "What part of this place is paradise!?" You're a fool, Giant Gramps Sage!"
"For one that lives along the shore…" Naruto immediately turned around, Asami blinking and turning around and then gasping, her eyes big at the sight of a long, icky tentacle.
"Huh? Octopus tentacles!" Of course, Naruto would be the one who was enthused by the sight of them due to the prophecy. He ran a few steps near Yamato as everyone appeared shock and afraid, while has a childish grin. "Okay, octopus! Come and guide me!"
"Naruto, this is actually…" Yamato tried to warn the Uzumaki as a giant, pink Squid had rose above the surface, Asami screaming for dear life as it slammed its many tentacles atop of the water, "a squid!"
Asami looked around, her legs shaking as she placed both hands on her head. "W-What are we going to do!?" She cried, water had drenched their forms.
The one Cloud-shinobi who was informing them about the island minutes ago was on his backside, scooting back as he yelled. "I was just about to warn you that he's the one you have to be careful about, but he appeared before I could!"
"What!?" Half of the Konoha shinobi yelled.
Naruto was meanwhile counting the tentacles on the squid, "One, two, three…"
"It's obvious without counting its tentacles!" Yamato said as Asami had clung onto Aoba, burying her face in his chest.
"Aoba-san, kill it or make it go away!" She yelled, growing frustrated.
"Naruto, come on!" Yamato told the Uzumaki, keeping his feet firmly on the ship.
Naruto continued with his count, "But we should make sure." He then turned to Yamato, holding out both hands. "A squid has ten legs. An octopus has eight."
"No duh, baka!" Asami yelled, "Stop wasting Yamato-san's time!"
He pouted, "I'm not a baka! I'm just trying to make sense of it all here!" He shouted back, but then a tentacle had wrapped around him, restricting him and carrying him into the air.
"N-Naruto-kun!" Asami yelled as she squealed as the boat rocked roughly, also stopping Yamato from doing a jutsu but what did they didn't know caused the giant wave was because something had punched the Squid.
All of them looked upon hearing the rapping from who Asami immediately knew was the Eight-Tails. "Squid go deviate… The rest I abbreviate!"
"Oh God… I rather drown at sea than hear all of this again." The Kiri-nin mumbled, her expression deadpanned.
"What the—" Yamato then registered what was happening, "Here comes another one saying weird puns!"
One Konoha ninja yelled, confused by it all as his hands were on his head. "This is so confusing!"
Naruto, while taken, was counting the Hachibi's tentacles. "Eight!" The squid had let him go and he landed back on the boat, "This one is an octopus!"
"Is that really an octopus?" Yamato questioned.
Asami looked at them, "Hai! That's the Hachibi Jinchuuriki!" She said as they all looked at her, surprised. "What? He nearly killed me, so yeah… I know."
"Is that really the Hachibi?" Yamato mumbled, unsure.
"Master Killer Bee!" The Cloud-ninja yelled, excited at the sight of the Eight-Tails.
"Then it's true…" Yamato said.
The male then appeared atop of a tentacle, the Eight-Tails absorbing back inside of him. "Ya'll are late, ya fools, ya fools!" He said with his arms crossed, a grin on his face. Once the Eight-Tails was back inside him, he jumped on the boat. He immediately noticed Asami right off the back, "Hey, you, we meet again. You tryna fight so you can lose again?"
Asami shook her head. "No, I'm not with…" She tried to figure out a way so that he could understand, "with the dumbass phonies."
"So you turned a new leaf and joined the Leaf?" He said, immediately noticing their headbands.
The Kiri-nin nodded, "Not like joined, but under watch." She explained.
Naruto then raised his arms in the air, "Hey, ya know Octopops, thanks!"
"Ya know?" The man mumbled, and then pulling out what Asami read was a rhyme book.
"Oh damn…" She sighed
Naruto then appeared unsure, "What?"
Killer Bee had read a line and then looked up at the Uzumaki, "Will we clash or be a smash? If I dare say, it'll be a no-go, whee! I'm a brat-hatin' outlaw."
Naruto was immediately unhappy, his brows furrowed as he stared at the man before them. "What's up with this beefy guy in shades, singing lame puns at the top of his lungs?"
"They are not puns. It's his original style, a combination of Enka singing to a rap beat. Enka rap!" The red-haired Cloud shinobi said.
The Uzumaki was still unimpressed. "Enka rap?"
Asami then let go of Aoba, standing straight. "Hai, we're going to be hearing a whole lot of it, I promise you."
"Welcome everyone! I've been waiting for you." All of them looked up to see this odd-looking ninja, "I am Supervisor Motoi and I'll take care of your needs. I'll take you to your lodgings, so please follow me."
Aoba had gone to retrieve a still seasick Guy. "Is Bushier Brow-sensei alright?" Naruto asked.
"He never got over his seasickness, did he?" Aoba asked.
Asami had turned away from their conversation as they were led into the forest. Naruto looking around, wondering if this was really Paradise Island. Guy kept talking about being sick.
As they were walking in the forest, a giant gorilla had appeared out of nowhere and had beaten its chest, screaming from the top of its lungs. "Hey, King, no need to panic!" Bee held out a hand, talking to it in a calm tone. "These guys are okay."
Asami immediately went to grab Aoba in which Naruto interfered, placing himself in between then so that he was the one she gripped onto. "
She nearly fainted from the size of it as it lowered and hovered over Killer Bee. She looked at Naruto, "Can I just go back home? I don't want to be here anymore."
"It's too late for that." He looked at her, wondering if she was being serious. "Don't worry; these guys have everything under control. And I'll protect you."
Her bottom lip quivered as she then let out a sigh, "You're right."
They had then tuned in to Motoi as he explained, but Asami was out of it and kept looking at the gorilla wondering what it would do. Instead it had fist bumped with Killer Bee in which she sighed. 'This is going to be a long, long mission.' She thought.
They had reached the building they would be staying it which looked like the Eight-Tails form; they had been taken to the floor in which the Konoha ninja would be staying. "These are ample rooms. Eat all you want in the great dining hall on the first floor. Choose whatever rooms you want."
Guy was the first to leave, going to a room. He looked like he needed rest, still seasick. Asami had turned to look at Yamato, her eyes lighting up. "Yamato-san, I'll be having my own room this time?" She asked.
Aoba glared at Yamato, everyone looking at the man with suspicion. "You let her stay in a room with another male? What kind of example are you setting, Yamato-san?" One shinobi asked.
Yamato immediately looked wide-eyed, moving his hands about. "S-She was under Kakashi-senpai's supervision, she couldn't stay there by herself! And she and Naruto didn't do anything."
Asami now pieced things together, "Eh?! It wasn't like that, you guys!" She explained to them, her cheeks flushing.
"What's the big deal?" He asked, "She stays in my house."
"What?" Aoba said as Asami lowered her head, this conversation not taking a turn for the better.
"What? We both sleep in my room." Naruto argued, Asami glaring at him from the corner of her eyes.
She slowly raised her bawled up fist, punching him atop of his head. "No need to explain, Naruto-kun. You've explained enough." The kunoichi sighed, "We slept in separate beds, Aoba-san. Anyway…" She turned on her heel, walking down the hall. "Ja!"
Naruto blinked as Aoba continued to glare at the Uzumaki and Yamato, who still felt embarrassed, after being accused for perverted things that ran through the minds of the ninja around him.
Asami had lain in her bed, curling up to the pillow. "It feels nice to be by myself." She sighed happily, closing her eyes.
Her eyes slowly opened, blurred and trying to adjust to the sunlight filled room. She sat up and let out a long yawn, "I should go take a walk. Its dawn…." Then she got a flash of the giant gorilla in her mind, "On second thought, I should stay here."
She lied back down and looked up at the ceiling for a few minutes. 'I wonder what Naruto-kun is doing.' Asami thought to herself, rolling to her side so that her back was facing the window.
The sound of the ticking clock had begun to irritate her as she rolled on her back, trying to keep her mind from wondering on what to do or what was going on outside. 'I can't just lie here all day…'
Soon enough, she had seen the door open and Naruto was panting. "N-Naruto-kun," she stuttered, confused on why he was here.
When he finally looked up at her, his face immediately went red. She seen his reaction in which she was confused about, she looked down and her eyes widened. Oh, that's right… She slept in her mesh armor and her underwear. She immediately wrapped the blanket over herself, "W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" She yelled at him, her cheeks red due to her embarrassment.
"I…I-I…" He stuttered, his eyes looking away as he was forgetting what he was going to say. His train of thought going through a series of crashes.
"W-Well just say it!" Asami growled.
"What's going on?" Asami's eyes widened as Aoba's voice was loud and clear in the hall. Asami immediately ran towards Naruto, but slipped on the blanket she was using to cover herself and flew towards the Uzumaki in her under clothing at the door.
Both Aoba, Yamato, and Guy had looked at the pair with wide eyes. Asami looked down at Naruto, who was doing this weird laugh as she was on top of him. She looked up at the trio of jounin, laughing nervously. "It's not what you think!" She immediately said.
The shade-wearing jounin immediately turned around and walked down and then began to run. Asami watched him leave a trail of dust. "Then what we-" Yamato was cut off by guy.
"Naruto and Asami are on the blazin' path of springtime love and youth, Yamato! We shouldn't disturb them!" He gave Yamato a thumbs up.
Asami's face had went all shades of red as she stood up and punched the shiny, black-haired jounin in his gust. The man let out an 'oof', cringing and bent over. "This girl…." He groaned, lifting his head up and giving her a thumbs up, "is full of youth!"
The Kiri-nin lowered her head, a sweat drop falling down the side of her head. She completely gave up, "Yamato-san," She turned to the only reasonable person available, "Naruto came to wake me but I was wearing this for nightwear since I didn't have anything." She then realized she didn't have the blanket around her form, her cheeks heated up as she immediately grabbed it form Naruto, who was still lying on the ground with a dumb smile on his face. "Anyway," she wrapped the blanket around her form and tied it so that it was stay on. "And it was embarrassing and then I was going to grab him in so that Aoba didn't see us, but it didn't end like that." She flailed her arms during the end of her explaining.
. . .
There was a long silence as Yamato registered everything she said, piecing together in his mind what had happened. He sighed as he looked at her as she gave him pleading eyes for him to believe her. "Well," He sighed again, "why don't you go change and I take Naruto," they both looked at the Jinchuuriki who was still as he was when she tackled him to the floor, "and uh, wake him… up?" She nodded as the brown-haired jounin had picked up Naruto by the shoulders and dragged his lower half from away from the door way and then down the hall, "Guy, help me out here!" He said as Guy immediately snapped out of his painful daze and then lifted the blond-haired boy in the air and then placed him over his shoulder. "Not what I said, but that's fine."
Asami then walked towards her room and then looked at Yamato, "Can you please explain to Aoba-san? I don't want him thinking such…" She paused for a minute, "naughty things went on here."
"Don't worry." Yamato waved as she gave him a smile before closing the door and placing her back on the door. 'Why is my heart beating so fast? Maybe because I was half naked in front of five men…Yeah, that's why.' She then made her way towards the bathroom to take a shower.
-/-/-
Once she was out the shower and back to her normal attire, she had left her room and saw Naruto standing there. He turned around and his cheeks went red again, his eyes soon averting away from her. "Don't tell anyone else about that!" She threatened him, poking his chest.
"W-Why would I do that!?" He asked her as she kept her eyes narrowed, folding her arms over her chest and letting out a 'hmph'. "Asami-chan…" He narrowed his eyes as well, "Anyway…" He sighed and then changed his expression into a small smile, "I wanted you to come watch me train to take over the Nine-Tails!"
Her eyes widening for a split second but then upon remembering Killer Bee who had full control, she knew that Naruto should've strived to do the same. "Why do you want me to come? Shouldn't you be with Killer Bee-san and Yamato-san?" She asked him.
He then rubbed the back of his head, "Well, its because…" He then placed both arms behind his head.
"Because what?" She prodded, looking at him with one eyebrow arched.
"I want you to cheer me on!" He finally admitted, laughing nervously.
Asami's eyes widened in shock, but soon a smile appeared on her face and she let out a laugh. He appeared confused until she gave him a slight punch to the shoulder. "All right, let's go."
He grinned as she walked alongside him, once they reached the end of the hall they had seen Motoi and Yamato waiting. "Asami-san, are you coming with us?"
She nodded, "Naruto-kun asked me if I could go."
Yamato had looked at Motoi, who looked back at him. "Well," Yamato gave them a smile, "Bee-san should be outside."
They had all walked down the stairs from the second floor and to the ground floor of the building. When they reached the front doors, Bee had turned around and looked at them. "Ready to go and learn how to control the tails? Its going to be tough as nails, yeah." Asami sighed heavily, continuing to forget this Enka Rap that Killer Bee had done. "Asami-san, what's up with the sigh? A brat like you don't think my rap is fly? All right."
She glared at the Eight-Tails wanting to give him one, sweet deck to the face. But he was far too strong, she could forget that entirely. "No, Bee-sama. I think your rhymes are so fly, they higher than cloud nine."
He then gave her a grin, "All right, now that's some good lines but you keep up my rhymes!"
'Not even trying, but dammit!' She inwardly growled, wanting to just turn back around and go back to her room for the rest of the trip. However, she had followed them as they made their way to the Waterfall of Truth, they had walked on this large fallen tree and used it as a bridge of the water.
Naruto had then gave her a smile and walked atop of the water and to the small, round piece of earth that was in the middle of the lake of the waterfall. Asami was confused, looking at Yamato. "What's going on?" She whispered as the Uzumaki sat in a meditative pose.
"This is the Waterfall of Truth," Motoi explained, Asami leaning forward so she can get a clear view of him. "It's the first step that Bee-san used to control the Eight-Tails." He explained as Asami listening diligently, "You see your true self."
"Your true self?" She asked, amazed. "So its like your inner darkness, right?"
Motoi nodded, "And you have to learn to accept it. Without accepting it, there's no way you can control the Bijuu and you'll never grow stronger."
"So anyone can use this place, right?" She asked as he nodded again. She looked at Naruto's back, her thoughts on him. 'Naruto-kun, what is your true self? Is it cruel? A completely opposite you?' She wondered.
They had watched as he sat there, "Don't need to worry alright, he's going to be fine all right!" Bee rapped, Asami glaring at him from the corner of her eyes. Even though he was trying to reassure her that Naruto would be fine, she was still annoyed.
"I know." Was her reply, Yamato looking at the girl from the corner of his eyes. "I believe in him." She smiled, all three of the older shinobi smiled at her words and faith in Naruto.
Soon enough, the Uzumaki stood everyone shocked and wondering how it went. After a few second, he looked at them over his shoulder and gave them a grin. "It seems…" Motoi began to say.
Yamato finished his sentence, "…it all went well?"
"Its too soon to celebrate, fool, ya fool." All three of them looked at him. Killer Bee then used his chakra to walk on the water and towards Naruto who fully turned to face him. "Shall we try to control the Nine-Tails' power now?" He asked, placing his hands on his hips before rapping again. "From this moment, I'll be your instructor. Ya better prepare yourself or else you'll suffer death n' torture."
Naruto raised a fist halfway into the air, "All right!"
"Death n' torture?" Asami repeated, "You better not get yourself killed, you baka!" She yelled at Naruto.
"Don't worry, Asami-chan! I'll be fine!" He said with a confident grin, a pout forming as she then shook her head and ended up smiling.
Killer Bee then did a small leap, walking to the falling water. "Come with me, Naruto!"
Yamato then raised a hand, "Um, may I come along?"
The Eight-Tails turned to look at him, "Okay."
"What about Motoi?" He soon asked the Cloud-Ninja next to him.
Motoi declined. "I have to report in the Hidden Cloud at regular intervals, so I'll take my leave here."
"Thank you for your help." Yamato walked forward and then turned to Asami, who was unsure if she was allowed to tag along.
"Asami-chan, what are you waiting for?" Naruto asked as she looked him, and then smiled as everyone looked at her, waiting for her to follow.
"Hai!" She cheered as she ran until she was next to Naruto, walking alongside him as Bee's form disappeared inside the waterfall.
Both Naruto and Asami looked surprised and then looked at each other. "So there was something on the other side of the waterfall."
Naruto took a few steps forward, Asami slowly following behind him as they both went inside their forms now soaked form the water. They both looked surprised to see a temple. "Suge…" Naruto said in amazement.
However, Asami's reaction was different due to the headless praying statues. She withheld her shrieking, moving close to the Uzumaki. "You'll fight the Nine-Tails here."
Both of them looked at him, "Fight the Nine-Tails?" Naruto asked, confused.
Killer Bee turned to look at them, nodding his head. "That's right, fool, ya fool."
Determination was written on Naruto's expression, but Asami was worried. "Ano…" She hummed, looking at Naruto with worry.
Soon enough, Yamato had joined them and looked around. "This is amazing."
"Follow me." Killer Bee then walked ahead, Asami's arms wrapped around Naruto's as the headless statutes freaked her out even though her mind was still on Naruto, worried about him fighting the Kyuubi.
They all followed Bee, walking in the aisle. "These ruins seem to be quite old. They must have archeological importance, they should be restored." Yamato commented.
"No! Those stone statues were carved without heads to begin with." Bee informed them. "There's a reason for it."
Naruto kept his eyes forward as Asami looked up at him as he spoke, "How am I supposed to fight the Nine-Tails here?" He asked.
"I hope you're not going to do anything excessive!" Yamato warned.
Killer Bee interfered with Yamato's warning, "Do you think it's something that can be controlled without doing something excessive?" The Eight-Tails asked as they reached to what seemed to be a door. "Fool, ya fool. Since long ago, this has been a sacred place where those selected as Jinchuuriki have come to undergo the Purification Ceremony?"
They had reached another building with a cat's head statute baring its fangs with designs of magatamas all around it, "It's set up here so you can talk to your Tailed Beast in a special way. Its right inside this building. You here what I say?" The Cloud Jinchuuriki said.
All of them looked up at the large building. "This is…"
"Only the chosen ones can enter… To be selected. Go and stick your head into the statue's mouth… Like a good one, respected." Killer Bee said as Asami looked at Naruto, "If there isn't any darkness in your heart, the door will open… Fully extended."
Yamato was lost, all three of them were. Yamato rubbed his forefinger on the side of his headband. "Hey, can you explain it normally? I don't quite understand."
"No darkness in the heart?" Naruto repeated, one brow arched.
"Wasn't that the point at you fighting your true self?" She asked him as the three males looked at her, "If you successfully completed that then you should be fine."
Naruto went into thought, "However, if there's even a little darkness in your heart, the door won't open. Do you consent?" Killer Bee said.
"But isn't that impossible?" Asami asked, "Everyone has a little bit of darkness in their heart all their lives. Some choose to make it grow while others keep it small."
The Hachibi Jinchuuriki shook his head, "At the waterfall of truth, there shouldn't be any once you fight and win against your true self. But if you do it and there's still darkness, the statue will bite off your head and tear you apart." His voice and smile had become creepy. "Are you content? All the headless statues you saw on your way here… are past Jinchuuriki who weren't…sincere!"
Naruto's hand went to his neck, Asami's eyes widening. "Whaaa?!" Asami yelled, looking at the Uzumaki beside her. "Naruto-kun, can you really do this?"
"She's right." Yamato said, "This is too risky. Naruto, use a Shadow Clone."
Killer Bee quickly shot that idea down. "This is a sacred place, fool, ya fool. Generations of Hidden Cloud ancestors guard and protect this place. Tricks like that won't work!"
"D-Demo…" Both Yamato and Asami said, clearly concerned.
Naruto, however, was persistent. "Captain Yamato, Asami-chan. I came here to learn how to control the Nine-Tails' power! This is important to me. I can't run away!" He closed his eyes for a few minutes before opening them, walking towards the statue.
"N-Naruto-kun-" Yamato placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. She looked back at him as he nodded his head, "Right…" She stepped a few feet back.
He then paused in front of the statue before bending his knees and placing his head inside the statue after taking a minute of thought.
Asami covered her eyes, then spread her fingers to see if he was fine while Yamato watched completely, sweat going down his brow.
Soon Naruto began screaming, trying to take his head from out of the cat's mouth. Both Asami and Yamato came to his side, "Bee-san, what's happening?" Asami asked, her voice filled with panic.
Yamato successfully pulled Naruto out of the statue, when Asami and Yamato looked at him… His head was gone?! "N-No! How could this happen!" Yamato went on to say.
Asami screamed out of pure terror, "N-NARUTO-KUN IS HEADLESS!"
"N-Naruto!" Yamato yelled, "You…"
Soon the Uzumaki's head had pulled down his jacket, his grinning face as his head popped out. "Just kidding! There's just a switch in there."
Both Asami and Yamato were beyond pissed. "It's a habit. I couldn't help myself." Naruto went on to say.
"I did the same thing too. Out of habit. Those stone statues are just broken. It's just some wit." Killer Bee rapped in reply.
Yamato then yelled, "I thought you said this place was sacred! Fools, ya fools!"
Asami punched Uzumaki clear across face, sending him flying to Killer Bee and knocking him off his feet. "YOU BAKAS!" Yamato took a step back as the aura around her became cold and dark, her hair sticking above her head. "Y-YOU HAD ME ALL SCARED! I SHOULD BEAT YOU TO D-"
She immediately stopped her raging and turned to look at the now opening door, both Killer Bee and Naruto standing and rubbing their heads. All of them had walked near it, "This is…"
"Go inside, close your eyes and focus. Just like at the waterfall. Then you'll meet your Tailed Beast." The room looked dimensionless. Just a place with this pure, spiritual aura radiating off it as there were many colors.
Naruto then looked over his shoulder, "Before when I was training, I was able to meet the Nine-Tails in my mind."
"Any Jinchuuriki can do that." The Hachibi said, "But this is a little different, "okay?" He said as he pointed into the room. He walked in first, Yamato, Naruto, and Asami followed behind him. "Listen to me carefully. I'll give you an explanation." He soon stopped in what was like the middle of the room. "Naruto, what kind of Sealing Jutsu was your Nine-Tails? Please answer my question."
Yamato answered instead. "It's a Tetragram Seal."
"A Tetragram Seal, huh. That's impressive." Killer Bee complimented. "Its even more solid than my Steel Shell Seal. Do you have the key?" He asked Naruto.
All of them looked at the Uzumaki, "Yes." Naruto said, nodding.
"You're going to undo the seal, after all. What if he can't control it properly?" Yamato asked, wanting to take precautions in case things take a turn to the left. "What if the Nine-Tails revives completely?"
"We'll seal him away here. That's what this place is for as well." Killer Bee explained to Yamato. "Until we get a new Jinchuuriki, this is where we'll seal him in. You got a problem with this? No booin'."
Asami narrowed her eyes, "A new jinchuuriki!? But that means Naruto—"
"That won't happen!" Naruto interrupted her sentence, "Because I'm going to do this."
The Eight-Tails smiled, "Okay! I'm going to shut the door. And I'll show you how to deal with the Nine-Tails."
The door had suddenly began to close, Asami looking at the slowly shutting door and back to Naruto and beat who saw down and then had their knuckles in a fist bump. Naruto then closed his eyes and this was what she assumed was the beginning of him and the Nine-Tails confrontation.
Asami looked at Yamato, who had looked back at her. Both of them were concerned, but she then forced herself to smile as if telling him that everything was going to be fine. 'I… I have to keep my faith. When I have become such a worry wart?' She wondered, inwardly laughing at herself.
Both she and Yamato stood, wondering what Naruto was going through.
After a few short minutes, she had seen Naruto's eyes lids change to a orange color. 'Eto… Isn't that sage mode?' She asked herself, 'He must need to use a lot of chakra, but that's to expected against the Kyuubi. Naruto-kun, I'm putting all my faith in you!' She thought.
Soon enough, Naruto's form became cloaked in the Nine-Tail's chakra, "Ano, what's going on?" She asked Killer Bee.
"Nine-Tails' chakra is greater than I imagined. This could get bad for real. This is quite an ordeal!" Asami narrowed her eyes at the Eight-Tails reply.
Yamato then held out his hand, one hand outstretched and the other wrapped around the outstretched hand's wrist. "I'll stop him."
"Iie!" Asami yelled at them both, "We have to keep believing in Naruto-kun. He said things won't get bad, didn't he?" She asked them as they narrowed their eyes, their expressions solemn. "He'll… He'll make it. He has to."
Half of Naruto was full transformed, two and half tails while the other half was still nothing but an orange, chakra cloak. "The Nine-Tails transformation stopped." Yamato noted.
"Did you do something, Yamato?" Killer Bee asked him.
"No, it seems to have stopped on its own." Yamato said.
Asami smiled, "That could only mean that Naruto-kun had did something, right?"
"That's the only possibility." Yamato said, "But is it okay to leave things like this?" He looked at Killer Bee.
"Hm…" Asami rolled her eyes, knowing the rap verse was coming. "Right now, Naruto and Nine-Tails are in a confrontation…. It better be settled soon. We want it to meet our hopeful expectations! All this waiting is so drawn out! To pass the time, why don't we work out?"
Yamato stepped in, flailing his arms. "This isn't the time to be rapping!" The man yelled.
'When is it ever the time, Yamato-san?' Asami mentally sighed. 'Naruto-kun, please hurry up.' She thought.
"SHUDDUP!" Killer Bee yelled, now gaining Asami's attention as she blinked twice. "Right now, Naruto is locked in an internal battle with Nine-Tails. We cannot help him any further. If you really care about Naruto's wellbeing, all we can do now… is to have faith in him and wait."
Yamato then smiled, "Didn't I say that earlier? You're stealing my lines, Bee-sama!" She yelled, pointing at him.
Killer Bee played it off, "Stealing lines that's not my thing, we just think the same thing! All right!"
"All right my-!" Yamato clamped his hand over her mouth as she flailed her arms, her head shaking side to side.
Soon the Nine-Tails chakra removed itself from Naruto's form, he was back to his normal self but still in battle. "What is this?" Yamato asked.
"This is real nice! For now, keeping watch will suffice!" Bee rapped again, Asami now too focused on Naruto be agitated.
'Naruto-kun… you just have little ways to go, don't you?' She asked him, mentally. Her eyes softening as she gazed at his form.
His eyelids then went orange again, "That's Sage Mode!" Yamato pointed out.
Asami smiled, "Naruto-kun is coming back strong! You can do it, Naruto-kun!" She jumped, pumping a fist in the air.
For what seemed like a couple of hours, Naruto's sage eye coloring had faded and a smile on his face as his eyes opened. Her eyes widened as he threw both fists in the air, "All right!"
Asami grinned as they all walked closer to him, "What happened?" Yamato was the first to ask. "Did it go well?"
"A lot of things happened." Naruto replied.
He and Bee shared a fist bump, "Yo!" Asami and Yamato looked at them, "I see! I get it! Understood! Your expression now is looking good!"
"What about the Nine-Tails?" Yamato questioned. "Did you get it under control?"
"That's real good news. Especially when you used it, in that situation, yo!" Killer Bee said, Naruto laughing.
Asami looked at Yamato as he looked back and forth between the two, "I don't think you're going to get your answer any time soon, Yamato-san."
"Whoa, Naruto! Don't tell me that by that, you mean… You know what!?" Bee asked.
"Yup. That's right, ya know!" The Uzumaki replied.
Yamato's hand twitched, "So tell me what happened!" Asami sighed as the man continued with his tantrum, "This, that… How am I supposed to understand!? This is all on purpose! You're talking like that on purpose! That much I know!"
Naruto finally responded to him, "Relax, Yamato. I have the Nine-Tails' chakra safe in a separate place inside me." He placed his hand over his stomach, "So that I'm not using it all the time." He stood and transformed, his whole body glowing and an orange lining around his form. "This is how it is when I use the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"Suge!" Asami squealed, "That's so amazing!" She cheered, the boy rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
"Ya really think so?" He asked.
"Hai!" She replied, nodding her head.
Soon Naruto's expression changed, his eyes looking at the corner of them. "You really think," he thrust one fist into his open palm, "you're hidden?"
They all looked around, "Do you sense some other chakra?" Yamato asked.
"He senses another's proximity… That's I couldn't, was hasty of me." Killer Bee enka rapped.
Asami looked around, "But where could they be?" She asked.
"It's not chakra! It feels hazy… something sinister." He then pointed at the Samehada on Killer Bee's back, "That's it! That thing."
Yamato and Asami turned to look at it, "The sword?"
"Why didn't I notice it before? That's Hoshigaki Kisame's Samehada!" She pointed, "Eto, but how do you have it, Bee-sama?"
It didn't matter since the sword slid up in the air and something had come out the sharp-teethed mouth of the sword. "It seems that you can sense hatred and feelings of evil." His form had somewhat appeared, still sharp and pointy. "The limitations of Sensory-Types don't apply. Is that power of a Jinchuuriki who has master over the Nine-Tails?"
"Kisame…" Asami narrowed her eyes.
"Ah, so we meet again? Asami-san." Kisame looked at her, "It's a shame that Sasuke-san lost an ally." He chuckled.
"You're the shark guy of the Akatsuki!" Bee said. "How? I thought we chopped his head off a ways back… How did you manage to escape our tag-team attack?"
Kisame continued with his smirk. "I simply switched out while we battled inside the bubble of water. Ink… However… With my body merged to Samehada, I can detect chakra through my skin. You cut off my clone's head."
"Clones disappear when they're struck!" Killer Bee pointed out, "The corpse remained post-mortem… no question. And if someone else transformed into you, Cee would have sensed it. So it's a perplexing consternation."
"It was a special kind of clone." Kisame answered, "A Parasitic clone that I can manipulate remotely. Anyway, enough with this subject. Now then, two jinchuuriki, a wood user, and a Akatsuki ice user traitor… I am in a serious predicament." Soon one of the long, navy blue sharp tails of the Samehada had pressed a button behind him.
The Eight-Tails was surprised, "How did you know the way to open the door to this room!?"
The door had slowly opened. "That's a silly question. I came here to spy." He then slithered away quickly going out the door.
Naruto quickly followed after it, quicker than their eyes could see, and punched Kisame square in the back. "Was that the Teleportaiton Jutsu?" Killer Bee asked, amazed. "The first smash. Just like the Yellow Flash!"
Blood spilled out Kisame's mouth as he made an escape, Naruto's foot stuck through the broken pieces of the wall around his foot. "My foot!" He yelled Asami ran over, "I had so much force, I hit it too hard."
"It seems you're not up to the Fourth Hokage's level yet." Yamato pointed out.
"Naruto-kun, grab my hands!" She outreached her hands to him, he held onto her hands as she pulled.
"Bee! Chase after him!" Yamato said, pointing out the door. "I'll go see to Naruto."
Bee than ran out of the room, "Right! Leave the chase to me. I'll catch him in a jiffy!"
Asami pulled as hard as she could; only causing little of improvement. "I'll help." Yamato said as he then did a wood release jutsuo, the thin piece of wood had wrapped around the female's midsection and then pushed her back, pulling Naruto's foot and sending him landing on top of her and his Naruto chakra gone.
Asami's face heated it up, "Get off me, baka!" She yelled, feeling uncomfortable.
He blinked twice and then laughed nervous, "Sumimasen…"
He then moved himself away and stood, his hand held out for her. She looked at his hand smiled, taking it as he helped lift herself up to her feet. "Domo…" She thanked him, her eyes softening as she then watched him fall down, "N-Naruto!"
"I twisted my ankle." He said as he held the knee of his twisted ankle close to his chest, Yamato wrapping a bandage around it.
"Be careful about keeping your power under control!" Yamato had warned him. "All right. Let's go!"
"Yeah!" Naruto nodded, getting back on his feet. Asami had looked at him, "I'm fine, Asami-chan."
"You sure?" She asked as she then took his hand and placed his arm on her shoulders.
"Asami-chan…" His voice became soft and warm as she helped him out. Even though his ankle wasn't hurt too much, he did admit that this had helped him not out too much pressure on it.
When they had reached back outside, they all had followed the rest to the village just to findout Guy was fighting Kisame. The intensity of their fight was strong, to the point that the massive wind that had blown had made them all brace themselves.
Asami found herself sliding back, Naruto covering her form as she was nearly blown back. She had looked up at him him wide, eyes as he held onto her forearms, a grin on his face.
Once the wind had disappeared, Guy had came back with Kisame and Yamato had used a wood release jutsu to imprison him. "I got to hand it to Bushier Brow-sensei for bringing this guy down!" Naruto said as they walked over to him.
"You're capable despite your thick looks, Bushier Brows… But that blue sweat of yours, packs some pows." Killer Bee then pinched his nose, wave the smell that came off of Guy.
Asami had wrapped her arms around her stomach, laughing until she got a whiff of it herself. "Nante…. N-Nante koto." Her face went green as she pinched nose as well, "Guy-sensei, go take a bath or jump in the lake or something!"
"If this goes well, I'll be able to extract Intel about Akatsuki and its plans as well as the identity of its leader." Aoba explained as he raised one hand, looking at the palm. "I'm not as good as Inoichi, but I'll give it a try." He placed on hand on Kisame's head and the other on his own, "Here I go."
"You can do it, Aoba-san." Asami cheered, "You're awesome!"
The man grinned goofily before concentrating on the jutsu. They all watched, Asami's eyes wide with curiosity. Naruto had looked at the Kiri-nin who had looked at Aoba with eyes of admiration, his eyes had slightly narrowed in disdain.
Soon blood had spilled out of Kisame's mouth, shocking everyone and Aoba out of the jutsu. "He bit off… He bit off his own tongue!" The shark-like man had struggled, trying to break free of Yamato's wooden prison. "He woke himself up to prevent me from extracting Intel."
Kisame's laugh had run into the air, the sound of it creepy as he broke free. Shocking everyone and pushing Aoba back. "Aoba-san!" She ran over to him.
"Asami-san, I'm fine." The man urged as he then looked back at Kisame and ordered, "Capture him alive! We'll never have another chance like this! I want to extract more Intel from him!"
"I know that!" By the time that Guy could punch him, Kisame's water prison jutsu activated and stopped him.
Asami narrowed her eyes at the shark-like man as the others tried to figure out a way to deal with him. Soon blood filled the water prison, Aoba and Asami stood as it burst open and sharks soon fell out and poofed. 'What just happened?' She wondered.
"Feeding yourself to the shark you just summoned… He was already quite weak…" Aoba said as Asami's eyes widened, so he let sharks… his own sharks eat him? She placed her hand over her mouth, feeling quite disgusted. "He figured out that he couldn't escape us. "
"The Akatsuki member who was paired up with Itachi himself…" Yamato said, his eyes still wide from shock. "The one who was feared as the scourge of the Hidden Mist. Its hard to believe this is the way Hoshigaki Kisame met his end."
"Is he really dead?" Motoi asked.
The Samehada growled, Killer Bee petting its scarely-skin. "This fella is downhearted. Looks like it's for real this time. The guy's already departed."
"Demo…" Naruto gained everyone's attention, "he did this so that we, his enemy, wouldn't get any Intel. Even in the Akatsuki there was someone who put his comrades first."
Asami's eyes lowered, 'Unlike me, huh?' She sighed as she looked away, Aoba patting her back. "He may have been a foe, but he died admirably." Guy said as he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "The measure of a shinobi's life is determined by the manner of his death. Hoshigaki Kisame! I will never forget you!" He then picked up a scroll.
Aoba explained, "In any case, no Intel was taken to the katsuki. He intended to put down Intel about us onto this scroll and get out of here."
Motoi stepped forward, "Let's check the contents of the scroll. If we know what kind of data he was after, it will make counter-intelligence easier."
"You're right." As soon as he opened the scroll, a jutsu had activatied and made several water prison jutsus for each of them and sharks as well coming out of the scroll and into the water prisons. Asami narrowed her eyes as she placed her hands into a jutsu and turned the whole prison into ice and then did a release, shattering it.
She then watched the flapping shark in which she stabbed it was a kunai. "I'll save you all." She did she did all the necessary handseals and tuned the water prisons into ice and then did a release, shattering them in which they all came out, killing the sharks as well.
"One of them had gotten away!" Yamato said, "It was a trap!"
Asami had turned back, "What do we do? Do we follow it to the ocean?
Killer Bee had ran while the others stayed in the village. Guy sensei's body was in much pain from going to the Eight Inner Gates, in which both Naruto and Asami learned the hard way. Asami had watched Naruto poke guy in which Yamato kept warning him not too. "So, what are we to do, Yamato-san?"
"I don't know." Yamato said as now Bee was poking Guy in which Yamato had to warn not too.
Asami chuckled even though she felt bad for the bushy-browed jounin. "Onegai, leave the poor man be! You're both so cruel." She laughed, her hand on her stomach. "Gomen-ne, Guy-sensei."
Aoba then told them to gather as he read the letter. "The Five Great Nations face an extremely critical situation. And as they prepare for the Fourth Great Ninja War, there is concern that the shinobi and samurai units will not be sufficient. Hence, a third military unit, made up of animals will be formed. To this end, it has been decided that a Jinchuuriki who is able to communication with and understand animals… Ones who love animals like Uzumaki Naruto will be given the task of selecting and organizing this animal unit. He will start by analyzing the biology of the animals, then ascertain their strength and categorize them by gender and physical attributes. This is a top-secret S-rank mission! Work diligently. Fifth Hokage Tsunade of the Hidden Leave Village."
He then rolled up the scroll, Asami looking at Naruto who was still bent down on one knee with his eyes closed and head down. Everyone had waited for his reaction; he soon lifted his head up with anime-esque tears streaming down his face, his eyes wide. "This is the kind of brainy mission I've been waiting for!" He then held a fist up, "It's kind of like the ones that Shikamaru-kun always gets where you coordinate people!"
"You mean animals, Naruto-kun." She said, bent over with her hands pressed against her thighs. "But, if you're happy about it then this should be fun."
He looked up at the kunoichi, smiling. "Yeah!" Naruto jumped up excitedly, "Granny Tsunade understands!" He then pointed both thumbs at him, "She wants to test my leadership skills! All right! I'm raring to go on this mission!"
"While you're working on that, I'll be working on a new rap." Killer Bee said as Asami's face fell. "I don't owe you anything anymore, not even a scrap! Yeah!"
Naruto walked forward, "Don't "yeah" me! You have to help me! You know all about the animals on this island, don't you?"
"Ask King!" The Eight-Tails had his arms akimbo, "He's the boss of this island!"
"King?" Naruto repeated.
Asami immediately hid behind Aoba, "You mean that giant gorilla with the crazy scars? Oh, Naruto-kun… I suddenly realized that Aoba-san and I had planned to do something." She said, "Right Aoba-san?"
The man's cheeks were red as he cleared his throat, "Uh, yeah."
The Uzumaki wasn't buying it. He immediately walked around Aoba and grabbed the girl's arm, dragging her away. "Aoba-san!" Asami yelled, "Help me!" She said as she tried to drag her feet, fake crying. "Naruto-kun, let me go!"
Eventually, they had found King as Asami hid behind Naruto and peered over his shoulder. "Hey! Can you help me out here? I'm looking for the strongest ones on this island!" The Gorilla stared at Naruto, scratching its furry arm.
The giant animal reply, spitting on Naruto and barely missing Asami who ducked behind him. "Ewww!" She squealed, moving far back from him.
"I really can't understand what you're saying!" Naruto mumbled, one eye closed as his face fell. "Asami-san!"
"Don't come near me covered in gorilla spit!" Asami ran, "I'm going to my room, ja!" She yelled as he watched her speed off, leaving him with the Gorilla.
-/-/-
Somehow, she ended up being dragged back to Naruto's mission in which she had stood there and nearly fainted at the sights of the giant animals. "This is… so creepy." She whined, "I don't want to be here." But then she had seen the large, grey cat with the white stripe down its back. "Kawaii~" She squealed as she walked over to it, "Kitty, kitty!" She held out her hands to it.
"Asami-chan!" Naruto yelled, "This isn't a petting zoo!"
The cat had lowered its head as Asami had snuggled her head against its fur. "Sugoi!" She continued to pet the cat, which purred. "Naruto-kun, can I keep it?" She asked him as he gave her a dumbfounded yet irritated expression.
"No! This is a part of the s-rank mission!" He yelled at her, doing a 'no way' gesture with his arm and then shook his fist.
"B-But…" She looked back at the cat, pouting. "It's so adorable! Aren't you? Who's the cutest kitty in the world? You are, Neko-san!" The cat had meowed and then allowed her continue with her petting. "Ano… Naruto-kun is being mean and won't let me keep you. You don't belong in a war, Neko-san."
Soon the whole temple began to shake, debris falling from the ground. "What's happening?" They had soon turned upside down, "Naruto had quickly dived toward her as Yamato did a forest jutsu to cushion their fall. She had fallen atop of Naruto since he lost his footing and she was sitting on his stomach.
"Ehh?" She blinked twice and looked down, "Domo, Naruto-kun." She replied as she extended her hand out and he had taken it as she helped lift him to his feet. "Ew!" She then frowned as he blinked twice, his expression curious to her voice saying her distaste. "You still smell like Gorilla spit!" She then walked away from him as his head hanged.
She had walked over to Yamato, Aoba, Motoi, and a still broken guy. "What are you guys over here whispering about?" She asked them, her voice hushed. "You're all hiding something."
They all looked at each other and then at her, "It's nothing. Just nothing!" Yamato waved his hand as Asami narrowed her eyes, her suspicions growing. She then made walked to Aoba.
"A-Asami-san!" He held his hands up, "W-What is it?"
She poked his chest, "You're hiding something and I want you to tell me!"
Soon the whole place shook again; Naruto had walked over to the group questioning it. When he talked about going outside, Yamato was quick on the defense about the mission. Asami remained skeptical but since they weren't willing to talk she had decided to leave it alone. Yamato had done his best of talking Naruto complete mission while he and the others went to check outside. Naruto believed in them though.
Asami then went back towards the cat, petting it. "Kawaii~" She squealed as the cat purred. "I just want to take you home," She said as she continued rubbed her cheeks against its fur.
"Asami-san!" Naruto ran over to her, "It's not a pet!" He yelled as she looked at him from the corner of her eyes.
"I know it's not, Naruto-kun!" She fired back, narrowing her eyes in anger. "I just like the Neko, okay?"
And soon what they assumed was the world had flipped over again, Naruto and Asami prepared this time and landing on their feet. "How can the world flip upside down?"
"I don't think the world flipped upside down, I think it's the island." She said, "But who's strong enough to flip an island?" Asami questioned, tapping her cheek.
Motoi and two other cloud ninja returned and explained that Captain Yamato hadn't came back. "Do you think something happened?" Naruto asked them.
Suddenly, Aoba appeared. "We're already looking into that." He answered. "You don't have to worry about it."
"My mission here is done!" They all turned to look at him, "I'm going back to the Hidden Leaf Village and wait for Sasuke! He and I… made an oath."
Asami eyes lowered as she looked at Aoba, "So? Can we go back?"
Aoba shook his head. The animals had went outside in a straight line, while they stayed inside. "How come the animals get to go outside, but I can't!?" Naruto yelled, pointing at the door that led to outside.
Killer Bee snapped his fingers before going off on his rap, "Impatient Naruto… Haste makes you waste… You still haven't mastered Tail Beast Chakra control. So your training, I shall personally patrol. When we're done Tailed Beast Chakra will feel like an extension of you… " He pulled out his two swords anf the Hachibi's tentacles came sprouting from out of his back and slammed the ground, lifting pieces of stone up in there air. "They'll feel like yours arms and legs, it's true…" He then began slicing the stone, "Yeaaahh!"
Naruto's eyes widened in amazement, "Whoa!"
"With your Tailed Beast Chakra… Catch them!" Asami turned around and walked away as Naruto was given a challenge from Killer Bee. She walked towards the exit, wanting to find out what was going on herself.
She looked around, making sure Aoba and Motoi were watching Naruto's training. 'I'm going to find what's going on out there.'
Before she could full walk out, Aoba stood in front of her. "Where do you think you're going, Asami-san?"
She looked up at Aoba in first shock and then gave him a nervous smile and a sheepish laugh. "Ano… Eto…I," She looked around, "wanted to get some fresh air right quick and come back." She felt the island shake, suddenly. Aoba looked around but tried to remain calm.
"You aren't going anywhere." He then turned her around and she let out a sigh.
She couldn't escape; Aoba would be on her tail the entire time now. "Hai…" She pouted as she walked towards Motoi, standing in between him and Aoba with her arms folded.
Asami: Female Japanese name meaning "Morning Sea."
Akihiko: Male Japanese name meaning "Bright, shining prince." Although Aki means "Autumn."
Ano: Meaning Um or uhhh
Eto: Meaning err...
Nan ya te: Meaning what the heck?
Nante Koto: Meaning oh my gosh