Outsider Chronicals: Breaking the Curse
Being reborn can be a pain in the ass as any Outsider can tell you. However, at least most are born as their own person. I wasn't so lucky and now I have to put up with being one of the most hated characters in Anime. Oh, and Fangirls. Help.
And we're back. Nothing to say here so lets dive straight in. Enjoy!
Chapter 11
It turned out that I was completely correct about Kakashi nominating us for the Chunin Exams (Naturally. We were better than the Canon team seven after all) and after our, very short, team meeting, I headed off with Sakura to pick up a scroll she'd borrowed from my library for training. I had never actually been to Sakura's place and was quite surprised when I found myself stood outside a building that looked strangely out of place among the buildings of the Leaf. It was a large, long, two story building made of wood with raised decking out front. A wooden sign hung above the door announcing that the establishment was called the Cloak and Dagger and showed an image of a cloak pinned down with a rather wicked looking dagger.
"Huh, interesting place," I said.
"Yep, there's nowhere like it in the Elemental nations," said Sakura, "Or at least, thats what my Mom says. You might as well come in to wait since we're open."
I followed my pink haired into the building and found myself stood in a large, open room with a bar at one end, a fire pit in the middle and a number of small tables and chairs scattered around the room. Stood behind the bar was a man who could most accurately be described as massive, with bulging muscles visible on his arms thanks to his rolled up sleeves. He had shoulder length hair that was braided to keep it out of the way and a rough beard that looked like it had been trimmed with a knife. He shared Sakura's green eyes that glimmered with warmth and good humor as he served tankards of ale to the people at the bar.
"Ah, welcome home Sakura!" called the man as we entered, "Your early today."
"Kakashi-sensei let us go since he's recommended us for the Chunin Exams," said Sakura.
"I see," said the man as his gaze shifted onto me, "And this is..?"
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura's teammate," I said, "Its nice to meet you sir."
"No need to call me Sir my boy," said the big man, "My name's Tor Haruno."
"I'll be right back Sasuke," said Sakura, vanishing through door behind the bar and leaving me to take a seat on a stool.
"So, you're the one who's been lending her those scrolls?" asked Tor.
"Yep, thats me," I said, "Since she wants to get stronger and I'll never use all of them, I might as well help out my Teammates."
"I see," said Tor, "I owe you a thank you."
"Huh?"
"When Sakura first became a Ninja, she never took it seriously," said Tor, "All she was interested in is catching the attention of her crush…"
I shifted awkwardly.
"And my Wife and I were worried that she'd end up dead or worse on one of her missions because she neglected her training. However, ever since you came back from that C rank mission to the Wave, shes nearly become a different person. Shes become strong and I think we owe it to you."
"Actually, I don't think I did anything," I said, "Those changes were entirely hers, although I have no idea what triggered them."
"But you're still helping her, correct?"
I nodded hesitantly.
"Then we still owe you our thanks," said Tor, "And I always repay my debts, one way or another."
He turned away to serve a customer before I could respond.
"Dad giving you trouble?" asked Sakura as she took a seat next to me.
"Just the opposite," I said, "Apparently he thinks he owes me for helping you get stronger."
Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Really? Well, I can't say I'm totally surprise. I mean, it is thanks to you I'm getting stronger as quickly as I am and Dad's always been big on keeping his promises and paying his debts."
"Sounds like hes an honorable man," I said.
"He is."
I picked up the scroll Sakura had placed next to me and stood.
"Sorry to cut this short, but I've got stuff I need to do," I said, "See ya at the Academy tomorrow."
"Bye Sasuke!"
I headed out of the tavern and headed towards our training ground, intending to get some training in with my swords before tomorrow. However, as I approached, the sound of music reached my ears. I paused and cocked my head on one side to listen. The music was familiar, but I couldn't quite place it. Curious, I ghosted through the trees and peaked out to see Naruto sat on top of one of the stumps, playing a tune on an ocarina. I quietly stepped out onto the field, not wanting to interrupt my Teammate playing as I tried to figure out where I had heard the music before. A few minutes after I had arrived, Naruto finished playing and lowered his Ocarina from his lips.
"Very nice, I didn't know you could play the ocarina," I said.
"Its not something I advertise," said Naruto, "I learnt it from one of the ANBU who watched over me as a kid. She taught me that song, said it was important that I remember it for the future for some reason."
"Really?" I asked, "Whats so important about a song?"
"I don't know," said Naruto, "All she said was that it would show me the way."
"The way to what?"
"Not a clue."
"Well thats helpful."
We both fell silent, before I sighed and stood, summoning my swords.
"Well, no point in just standing around. Lets get some training done."
Naruto grinned and slipped of the stump and into a fighting stance.
The next day we arrived at the Academy bright and early for the exam and headed into the building, completely ignoring the Genjutsu on the second floor and heading up to the third. I was hoping that that would result in us being able to avoid Lee as well since I really didn't want to fight him, but a sudden call from behind us dashed that hope. We stopped and turned to, sure enough, see the bushy browed Green Beast approaching us with his team looking disapproving in the background.
"Can we help you?" I asked.
"Perhaps," said Lee, "I am Rock Lee, you are Sakura, are you not?"
"Thats right," said Sakura.
"Please be my girlfriend! I sware that I will protect you!"
Lee gave a grin with a nice guy pose.
"Not a chance," said Sakura.
I snickered at the stricken look on Lees face. I know its mean, but it was just to funny.
"But why?" asked Lee.
"Well, the main reason is that you're really weird," said Sakura, "But…"
Her eyes flashed and she gave her now customary toothy grin.
"I don't need anyone to protect me," she growled.
Lee twitched back, looking surprised.
"I could have told you that was a dumb thing to say to her," I said, "Come on guys, we gotta go sign in."
"Wait."
"Oh, what now" I groaned, turning around to see Neji and Tenten had joined Lee.
"Whats your name," said Neji.
"Heh, Sasuke Uchiha," I said, "But I think you already knew that, right Neji Hyuuga."
Neji narrowed his eyes.
"So, you've heard of me," said Neji.
"Hinata may have mentioned you," I said.
Neji sneered at the mention of his cousin and turned away.
"Lets go, Tenten, Lee."
He waked away.
"Asshole," I muttered, "Come one guys."
Once more we headed towards the third floor, but as we entered one of the large halls used for indoor sparing when the weather was to foul to do it outside, Lee's voice once again stopped us.
"Sasuke Uchiha!"
I groaned.
"What now?"
"I want to fight you," said Lee.
He vaulted over the edge of the balcony and landed a short distance away.
"This is a bad time to be challenging me," I said, "We need to get and register for the exams."
"That is true," said Lee, "However, I want to test my skills against you."
I sighed.
"Alright, five minutes," I said, "I can give you five minutes. If you want more than that then wait until either we fight in the Exam or until after."
"That will be fine," said Lee, taking his stance.
I took my own stance and for a moment we stared each other down, before I pushed off and charged Lee. As I was expecting, Lee took off, using his speed to close the distance in seconds and aim a kick at my head. I ducked under it, flipping back to avoid the follow up attack. I missed the punch he had aimed at my face though and was sent flying from the blow.
"Ow," I said, getting to my feet and rubbing my jaw, "Damn you're quick. I won't even be able to keep up with you without my Sharingan."
"I was under the impression that you used swords," said Lee, "Are you holding back on me?"
"Not at all," I said, "I just don't think that using sharp swords against my fellow Leaf Nin is a good idea."
"I see, that is a noble ideal," said Lee, "But if you hold back, you won't stand a chance against me."
"We'll see," I said, "Weight, release."
My weights unlatched and I took off, moving far faster than before.
"Ah, you are quick," said Lee, "Unfortunately…"
He vanished and I only had enough time to blink before he kicked me in the chin and send me flying towards the ceiling.
"I am quicker," he finished, appearing behind me in flight, "Your Sharingan cannot see through my techniques."
"Dancing Leaf Shadow," I said, "Wait, you're not gonna…"
Sure enough, he unraveled his bandages. Crap, I really don't want to be on the receiving end of the Lotus. I reached deep into myself, focusing on the part of me that was the source of my Physical Chakra and let it flow.
"Thrysta vindr," I whispered, pointing two fingers behind me.
A bolt of solid air shot out of my fingers and slammed into Lee, knocking him back at the same time that a pinwheel shot from...somewhere else and pinned the trailing bandage to the wall.
"Lee, thats enough!" shouted the turtle that had just appeared.
I was more interested in avoiding breaking anything that paying attention to the talking reptile though. I flipped in the air and aligned myself properly, landing lightly beside my friends.
"Well, that was interesting," I said as I replaced my weight bands.
"Are you OK Sasuke?" asked Sakura.
"Yep, just a few scrapes," I said.
"Hey guys, that guy is talking to a Turtle, right?" asked Naruto.
"Yep."
"Looks like it."
"Oh good, I'm not going crazy."
POOF!
"YOU ARE ALL SO FILLED WITH THE POWER OF YOUTH!" shouted Guy as he appeared on top of the Turtle.
I blinked as I stared at Guy. I knew what to expect of course, but to actually see it was something else entirely. Lee was...weird, but Guy was on a whole other level! We watched in a sort of horrified curiosity, not unlike when one sees a horrifying crash, as Guy scolded Lee for nearly using the Lotus on me. Then they started hugging.
"ARRGGHHG, MY EYES!" yelled Naruto.
"THE HORROR!" shreaked Sakura.
"So thats the Eternal Sunset Genjutsu," I said with my eyes firmly closed, "I admit, I always thought that Anko was exaggerating, but apparently not."
"If it wasn't for the horrifying Genjutsu, that would actually be quite sweet," said Naruto, rubbing his eyes in an attempt to get rid of the image that had been seared into his eyes.
"They should use that on trators as punishment," muttered Sakura.
"Nah, Anko says it takes all the fun out of it," I said.
"Say, you kids are Kakashi's students, correct?" asked Guy, drawing attention back to his eyebrows.
"Thats us," I said.
"Why, do you know him?" asked Naruto.
"You could say that…" started Guy, before he vanished and reappeared behind us, "That he and I are Archrivals."
"What?" gasped Naruto, spinning around.
"Hes fast," said Sakura.
"Our score currently stands at 50 to 49.," said Guy with a sparkling grin, "I'm stronger than he is."
"Really? Because Anko says you keep balancing out the score," I said.
Guy cleared his throat.
"Ahem, yes, well, you kids should get going," he said, throwing a Kunai that dislodged the pinwheel keeping Lee attached to the wall.
"Good idea," I said, "Hey Lee."
The green clad teen looked up from wrapping his bandages back up.
"I hope we can meet in the Exam," I said, "I'd like to finish this in an arena where we can go all out."
Lee looked surprised, before he grinned and nodded.
"I hope so too Sasuke," he said, "Good luck."
"You too."
With that, we finally managed to make it to the Third Floor where we found Kakashi waiting for us.
"So, you're all here," said the Copy-nin, "I'm not too surprised. You have all come a long way since we first became a team and I have to say that, whatever happens in the Exams, I am proud of you. Now get in there and show them what Team Seven is capable of!"
He stepped to the side and we approached the doors, me in the middle and Naruto and Sakura flanking me. I grabbed the handles and glanced at my teammates, who both grinned and nodded. I returned the nod and pushed the doors open.
And thats the end of this chapter! The first part was more clues about exactly what Naruto and Sakura are if you want to try and figure it out.
Still looking for pairing selections for Naruto and Sakura, Sakura especially.
The first conscious! use of Gramarye! Thrysta vindr means Compress the air and fires a compressed ball of air at the target.
Next time, the Chunin exams start up properly, so that should be fun. Please leave me a review!