Chapter 7

The Rantin Attack

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"-And that's all I know on bringing someone to life, but it's illegal in both here and in the sprit world, are you still willing to do it?"

Naruto nodded. He had been waiting all week to listen to her two hour-long description on how to bring someone to life. He had sat in his seat quietly, something she had learned was hard for him to do, and listened intently throughout the whole thing. The old woman smiled and vanished into the back. When she reappeared she was holding an old green book.

"Here, take this with you when you return home. It'll help you. You should probably get going if you want to get home in time to sleep tonight."

"Yeah, thanks Aunt Chiyo!"

"Take care, Naruto. And be careful! It's not always in your best interest to mess with the sprits."

"Don't worry! I'll be fine!"

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Sasuke looked up at the calendar and crossed off the last day in his head. He had had a terrible week, snapping at any ghost who dared to talk to him, even Kakashi.

"Naruto, hurry up and get back!" he commanded the calendar.

"I didn't know I was that important, Teme!" said Naruto as he placed his suitcase on the floor. Sasuke wanted to run over and hug him, but he held back.

"You're not."

"Then why were you telling me to hurry up and get home?"

"Because it's boring without you around to rile up."

"You're mean, Teme!"

"I know. I'm trying to be."

"Anyway, Sasuke,"

Sasuke was immediately listening. Naruto only used Sasuke's real name if he was saying something important.

"What do you think about being able to live again?"

Sasuke was surprised by Naruto's question.

"It's impossible."

"If it's impossible, why is it outlawed in both by the living… and the dead?"

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"Did you enjoy your time off, Naruto?" asked Iruka when Naruto walked into the shop the next day.

"Yup!"

"Good, now here's the mop."

Naruto worked his shift and nearly knocked over a customer as he ran out. He ran all the way back to his house, and opened the door.

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Sasuke glanced at the clock from where he sat. It would be another five minutes before Naruto would even be off his shift, let alone walk home. He heard the door open and stood up, wondering if Naruto had gotten off early. He walked into the hallway to see a boy with long brown hair and gray eyes looking straight at him.

"Sprit," the boy stated.

"Rantin," Sasuke countered.

The boy sent a blast of magic at Sasuke, who jumped out of the way just in time. He heard a crash as it hit something behind him.

They fought they're way through the house and up the stairs, until the sound of the door opening again was heard. They both paused.

"Hey, Sasuke, are you here?"

Sasuke didn't reply to Naruto.

Naruto's footsteps resounded through the house.

"Hey! What happened to the toaster?"

The footsteps quickened, until Naruto appeared at the bottom of the stairs. He saw Neji and paused, before recognizing him as the boy Tenten had been with at the store.

"You're part of the Rantin," he said.

"Yes, I am."

Naruto ran to the top of the stairs.

"Where's Sasuke?"

"I'm right here, Dope."

Neji looked from Naruto to Sasuke, before sending another blast of magic Sasuke's way. They were in a hallway again, and Sasuke couldn't go anywhere. Naruto jumped in the way of it, and it hit him full in the stomach. He fell to the ground, writhing in pain.

"Naruto!"

Naruto stilled, his eyes closed as if asleep.

Sasuke turned on Neji.

"What did you do to him?!"

"I hit him with a exorcism."

"What's happening to him?"

"I don't know. It's never hit a person before, let alone a half-demon."

'Naruto, please, if you're dead, please don't cross over without me!' he thought, before attacking Neji.

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"Naruto."

"Naruto, pay attention."

Naruto looked around. All he could see was whiteness.

"Mom, Dad?"

"Naruto, you've got to let go of your fear."

"Dad? But how?"

"If you don't let go of it you'll never be able to see the one you love! You've got to let go!"

"But Mom, I don't know how!"

"Naruto, if you don't let go now, you'll be stuck here, and Sasuke will be forced to cross over without you! You have to unlock the demon side of you and defeat the Rantin member!"

"Dad-"

"Now, Naruto!"

Naruto opened his eyes to see another burst of power aimed at Sasuke. The magic suddenly stopped and vanished like it had hit something.

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Sasuke watched the magic hit an invisible wall and vanish.

"Leave. Sasuke. Alone." Said Naruto, anger dripping off every word. Sasuke was surprised not only by the fact Naruto was up, but that his appearance had changed slightly too. His whisker marks were more defined, his eyes had turned red, his hands had become more claw-like, and his canines had turned into fangs. Sasuke could practically see the magic swirling around Naruto.

'He is half-demon!'

Neji looked at Naruto, then at Sasuke, then vanished.

Naruto changed back to normal, before collapsing again.

"Naruto!" Sasuke thought wildly, trying to think of what to do. An idea came to him, and he picked up Naruto and ran, not caring if anyone saw.

He stopped in front of the hospital, put Naruto down and knocked insistently. A girl with pink hair and green eyes answered, her eyes opened wide when she saw Naruto.

"Lady Tsunade," she called. Sasuke had the urge to run. Tsunade was the leader of the Rantin, and was one of the most powerful members you could ever meet.

Tsunade came running. She kneeled down next to Naruto the moment she saw him, already examining him. It took her a while to notice Sasuke, but when she did, she stopped working on Naruto, and stood up.

"Sakura, get him to the emergency room. I'll be there in a second."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade," replied the girl, picking Naruto up and carrying him inside.

"What did you do to him?" asked Tsunade dangerously.

"I didn't do anything! It was one of your members. They hit him with an exorcism!"

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Author's Note: The psychic Chiyo isn't supposed to be Sasori's grandma Chiyo, that was a mistake on my part. My friend Kit pointed that out to me. -sweatdrop- Sorry if you thought she was. I just scrolled through an excel sheet of Japanese names and meanings that I have and I saw Chiyo and I was like "That one!" I wasn't even thinking. Sorry.

SasuNaruFan10001: Yeah, Naruto wants it, but Sasuke's still unsure 'bout it.
sasukesgirl89: I live for cliffies! And Thanks! I don't think my story's that good.
Mochiusagi: -smiles mysteriously-
IceCreamXD: Naruto didn't bring the trouble this time it was Sasuke! Thank you! And I named the story before I realized I needed a difference between Sprits and Ghosts for the squeal. -smiles mysteriously-