It seems the release of "Part 2" of Naruto has pumped me up and finally got me into finishing this chapter. It has also come to my attention that I may be in need of a proofreader. If anyone is interested send me an e-mail. Anyways hope you guys enjoy the chapter.
KEY"blah" – Speech
'blah' – Inner thoughts
NO JUTSU – Technique being usedBlah – Stuff that is done or said in the past
Boom – Sound Effects
-CHAPTER 11- "Inferno of Power"
"Are you really the person who defeated me?"
Naruto looked up from the ground at the figure that was hidden by the brightness of the sun above. Between his gasps for breath he spoke, "I would hardly say that I won last time. Besides now you're using the sand to block all my attacks."
Gaara shifted slightly and looked at Naruto lying on the ground, "it's pathetic. You've only lasted half an hour. Your stamina is impressive but your still lacking power. I was hoping that this sparring would help bring out the demon power to focus and use. It's been a month since you discovered the center for the demon yet you have accomplished nothing in that time."
"Che! It's not like it's the same as when we fought before." Naruto turned his eyes away from Gaara.
"What's the difference?" Gaara stepped closer to Naruto.
Naruto stared up at the dark clouds forming above and remembered the confrontations between he and Gaara, "last time I was desperate to protect Sakura-chan. I fought all out in order to do that. But now……"
Gaara's eyes narrowed, "are you saying that you can only pull out that great power in a time of crisis? That's a too undependable method of fighting. If things stay as they are, you won't be able to control the strength of the demon."
Naruto raised his upper body and crossed his arms, "It doesn't matter, we just have to find another way."
Gaara thought for a moment and then began to walk away, "it would seem that I have been going about this whole thing in the wrong way."
Naruto turned his head and looked at Gaara walk a few feet then stop, "Huh? What are you getting at? Oi…….."
Gaara turned around and put his hands together to form a seal, "it was my mistake for assuming you were normal. Now stand up and stay still."
Naruto stood up slowly, "Hey! What are you planning on doing?"
Gaara began to release a tremendous amount of chakra, "in order for you to successfully control the demon's power, you must have full access to it. You can't do that now. If you have to be in a life or death situation in order to pull it out then so be it. This way it's all or nothing…."
"Hey wh…." Naruto stopped when he felt a tugging at his feet. He looked down and was startled at what he saw. "Sand?"
"You will be pulled 200 meters underground. The pressure of the sand will crush you to death." Gaara spoke in a dark, cold tone.
Naruto's eyes shot wide open, "O….oi. You're kidding…….right?"
Suddenly Naruto began to sink into the ground, "H…HEY! Stop it! STOP!" Naruto squirmed to free himself. Gaara just watched on without speaking a word.
"Stop this! BASTARD! This isn't funny!" Naruto was now waist deep in the sand.
Gaara tightened his hands together, "if you want to survive then bring out the demon's powers and escape or die."
The tops of Naruto's shoulders were pulled under the sand, "HEY! STOP! Hey...AAAhhhhhhh!………." Naruto's voice was muffled after his head sank beneath the sand.
'I'm going to die! DIE!' Naruto struggled to free himself from the grip of the sand, which was steadily pulling him deeper and deeper. The last breath of air that he took was running low and his hope fading with it. The pressure of the sand was too intense to breathe little alone move. In a panic Naruto tried to claw his way out but to no avail.
Lack of energy and oxygen caused Naruto to stop his frantic movements. He eyes closed tight, 'Dammit! I'm gonna die for sure! Damn it! Why like this? Everything……. Was everything I did till now a waste?'
Flashes of days gone by filled Naruto's mind. Memories of becoming a genin, meeting his team, fighting Haku and Zabuza, the Chuunin exam, and meeting Jiraiya and Tsunade. The memories became more turbulent when images of Naruto's fight with Sasuke came up. The turbulence cleared with memories of Hinata's song and going to the festival. Naruto's eyes shot open, 'I can't die like this! I refuse to give up. All my experiences, the bad and the good, all of them! I have to live so that I can experience more……many more! I REFUSE TO DIE!'
"Ku Ku Ku! If you're that determined brat, then I guess it's time to fulfill my side of the deal…."
Above ground Gaara released his hands and crossed his arms, 'It's a high risk but. . . . .' Flashes of his fight with Naruto filled his mind, 'if it's you it will be ok.'
All of sudden the ground began to shake. At first it was a slight tremble but quickly grew into a fierce rumble. Gaara looked around the area, 'Earthquake?'
The shaking became more violent causing trees in the surrounding area to fall over. Gaara jumped into the air and landed on a mass of sand that he created. Suddenly he felt a huge chakra presence that filled the air. 'What's going on?'
Gaara looked up at the sky as the light blue shading slowly turned a blood red color. A loud cracking sound brought Gaara's attention back to the ground. The ground began to rip apart as giant pillars of flames shot straight into the air from beneath the surface. Gaara looked in amazement as the ground began to swirl like a giant torrent.
Gaara floated backwards on his cloud in order to avoid the massive pillars of fire. 'Is this his doing?' Gaara's thoughts were cut off when the pillars subsided but were quickly replaced by a huge bulge in the ground. The bulge of earth was easily 15 feet high. Without warning the bulge exploded revealing a sphere of swirling fire. The intensity of the fire was almost unbearable. Slowly the fire died down, leaving a smoking crater. Gaara watched as the smoke thinned revealing a standing figure. As the smoke dispersed, Gaara smirked after seeing Naruto, "I knew it…."
"Wha……" Naruto looked around his surroundings noticing a thin layer of glass covering the crater. He looked has his hands and spotted claws. His hair was once again tipped with an orange color. He looked up and noticed Gaara floating in the sky staring at him. He shot his fist up towards Gaara and shouted, "YOU BASTARD! YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME!"
Gaara leaned over the edge of the sand cloud alittle, "It worked didn't it."
Naruto looked at himself, "I guess…." His attention went back to Gaara, "so what now?"
Gaara crossed his arms, "training."
"HAAAAAAAAA!" Sakura yelled as she charged at Shizune. A fury of punches and kicks followed. All of which were either blocked or dodged by Shizune.
"It's been about three months now…." Tsunade leaned over a guardrail.
"Yep." Jiraiya leaned his back against the rails next to her. He, Tsunade, Shizune, Sakura and Hinata were all on top of the Hokage offices. The Sennins were situated near the edge of the building where as Shizune, Sakura and Hinata were in the center of the roof. While Tsunade and Jiraiya were talking, Hinata and Sakura were sparring with Shizune. Tsunade turned around and watched her students, "I wonder what's taking him so long?"
Jiraiya shrugged and chuckled, "knowing that brat, even if he learned the secret of controlling the Kyuubi's power, he probably stayed longer in order to train with that other brat."
Tsunade smiled, "he probably lost track of time. Though knowing him, he's probably complaining about something at this very moment." The two sat in silence as they watched Hinata and Sakura stare at Shizune as she demonstrated a technique. Jiraiya shifted his weight on the rails, "have you heard?"
Tsunade shifted her eyes from her students to Jiraiya and then back to her students, "is it about what you've been investigating?"
Jiraiya turned around and leaned his head on his arms, "the conflict between the Sand and the Rock is escalating. There have already been several isolated incidents. War is almost inevitable at this point."
Tsunade closed her eyes, "Yesterday I received a message. The High Council has requested that their three Genin return to the Sand. With such a sudden action, I could assume that the problem had grown. What on earth could be so valuable in the border country as to go to war?"
Jiraiya looked at her, "I'm not sure, but word is that a team of Rock Jounin discovered a ruin or an artifact."
Tsunade looked at Sakura's smile after completing the jutsu she was being taught, "All this for an artifact……Those idiots are insane to break into a war so easily." The two sat in silence until Tsunade broke it, "Jiraiya……promise that when you and Naruto head out that you will avoid the war zone at all costs."
Jiraiya looked at her face and could tell that she was serious, "heh, don't worry. We're gonna be so busy training that we….."
"Promise!"
Jiraiya looked at her again, "fine, fine. I promise."
"HEY!"
The two stopped their conversion and looked down at the ground where the voice that shouted came from. Down on the ground sat a small orange frog. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, "well speaking of Naruto…" he bent down and looked at the frog, "so, he's on his way?"
The frog waved his hand, "Yeah, yeah. Just like you asked me, I kept track of him. He should be arriving within two or so hours. Remember you promised lots and lots of snacks for this!"
Jiraiya sighed, "I know, I know. I'll give them to you later."
"You better!" The frog pointed at him as it disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Jiraiya stood up, "Well, I better get going. It'll save some time if I meet up with them. I'll be sure to tell the sand brat to head home."
Tsunade nodded as Jiraiya stood on top of the rails, "Good, remember to keep your promise. I don't want Naruto anywhere near the trouble in the west. Also keep in touch in case something happens."
Jiraiya bent down in front of Tsunade and began to chuckle like a school girl, "oooooh, want me to write love letters, huh?"
Tsunade punched him square in the jaw, which sent him flying to another roof across the street. Jiraiya landed with a deafening thud. He got up, wiped the blood from his mouth and began to jump away in a joking manner. He turned around grinned, "Don't miss me too much!" He disappeared behind a large building.
Tsunade cracked her knuckles but had a slight smirk on her face, "Idiot!"
Deep in a dark cave several shadowy figures slowly faded into view. "How long has it been since all of us have gathered like this?"
From the shadows nine figures draped in black and red robes gathered in a circle. Another of the figures spoke, "The last time was seven years ago when Orochimaru left the organization."
Another figure, whose body shape was similar to that of a flytrap, spoke, "Orochimaru has gained the Sharingan."
One of the taller figures looked at another, "Itachi…..your brother."
Itachi just stayed silent. A bat-like figure who was hanging from the ceiling of the cave spoke, "There's no need to be impatient….yep. Someday we will kill Orochimaru…yep! But more importantly, we only have three years. If we join together, we will be more likely to accomplish it….yep?"
A figure with spiky hair stepped forward, "Yes….our ambition….If we include the 'Kyuubi'……Everything will be in our hands!"
Out from the shadows Kisame spoke, "Where is the brat now?"
The flycatcher shaped figure turned, "he is currently with the other one, Gaara of the desert. They are heading towards Konoha."
A figure that was sitting on the ground shifted, "What should we do? If the boy joins back up with the Sennin again it will become troublesome."
Itachi looked at the spiky haired figure, "The Sennin isn't a problem if backup is sent. Will you give the order……..Kaijin?"
The spiky haired figure shut his eyes and stayed quiet for a moment. Then suddenly his eyes shot open, "We will wait! A moment will present itself when they are vulnerable." His eyes began to glow, "If we're patient we can get him alone and then our ambitions will become a reality." All the figures began to fade away until the cave was once again empty.
After a day of walking, Naruto and Gaara were only a few miles away from Konoha.
"You look excited."
Naruto looked at Gaara and smiled, "Yep, this has been one of the longest times I've been away."
Gaara stopped and looked ahead, "looks like it will be longer than expected…" Both he and Naruto looked up the path. Naruto's eyes widened, "Ero-Sennin…?"
At the top of the hill in front of the two stood Jiraiya. He raised his hand, "Yo!"
Naruto walked up to him, "What are you doing here?"
Jiraiya crossed his arms and tried to look serious, "Starting today I officially recognize you as my apprentice."
Naruto's eyes widened a bit, "Wh…what do you mean?"
Jiraiya shifted and stuck up his hand and raised his index finger, "I will train you one on one for three years. I came to meet up with you so it would make things quicker. We are going to leave now."
"EH! Hey wait!" Naruto was obviously agitated, "I don't get it. I haven't been back yet! And why 3 years!"
Jiraiya sighed, "I found out some information about Akatsuki while I was out."
"Akatsuki….." Naruto backed up a bit. His annoyed expression quickly changed to a more curious look.
Jiraiya continued, "They won't be after you for at least another 3 years. During that time I will train you."
Gaara looked at Naruto and Jiraiya, 'Akatsuki?'
Naruto suddenly became frustrated, "But I need to go back to at least…." Jiraiya stopped him, "It's ok. I brought your stuff. Also Tsunade approved your leave. So for now, think of this as your mission."
Naruto stepped closer to Jiraiya crossed his arms in defiance, "Yeah but I was planning on visiting Sasuke and Sakura-chan!"
Jiraiya winced alittle bit at the comment, "Don't worry about those two. The girl was accepted as an apprentice to Tsunade."
Naruto's eyes shot wide open, "EH! Sakura-chan was………what about Sasuke?"
Jiraiya thought for a second, "he's fine too. He's up and around now."
Gaara looked at Jiraiya with suspicious eyes. Jiraiya felt him staring and decided to change the subject, "oh yeah, your village sent a return notice for you. Your teammates have already left."
Gaara's eye twitched, 'So… they left without me……I'll kill them, later.'
Jiraiya looked at Naruto. "Since we're ready to go, let's head out." Naruto just nodded. Gaara looked at Naruto and then turned in a different direction, "I'm going then."
Naruto turned around quickly, "Gaara!"
Gaara stopped and looked over his shoulder, "what is it?"
Naruto grinned, "Thanks a lot! You really helped me."
Gaara simply closed his eyes, "It's nothing."
Naruto grinned and stuck out his hand, "I guess we really are two of a kind!"
Gaara looked at him for a while but finally turned around and extended his hand. Jiraiya watched as the two boys with a common destiny shook hands. Naruto's expression turned a little serious, "if you ever need anything let me know and I'll come and help."
Gaara was quiet for a moment, "……yeah……same to you."
Naruto and Jiraiya watched as Gaara walked down the path towards the hidden village of Sand. Jiraiya shifted his body a little, "You ready?"
Naruto kept his eye on Gaara until he disappeared over a hill, "Even though our path's have parted I'm sure I'll meet him again ……and everyone else."
Jiraiya grinned, "Yeah. And I'll make sure when you meet again you will be much stronger."
Naruto looked up at his teacher and grinned, "OSU!"
After walking for a while Gaara turned around and looked in the direction that he had come from. He remembered the expression Jiraiya had at the mention of Sasuke, 'Uchiha Sasuke……He must have left. If that's the case then Naruto………No it doesn't matter now. The path he is taking now will lead him to Uchiha again.'
Gaara formed a sand cloud and jumped on top of it. The cloud began to fly towards the Sand. Gaara looked over his shoulder and glanced towards Konoha, 'I look forward to the day that all our paths cross once again.'
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Originally in this chapter I had a scene between Kakashi and Anko but I decided it really didn't support the progress of the story any and dropped it. Next chapter will bring about the introduction of a new character (though a minor one). This chapter pretty much is a shift chapter from the first training to the journey portion of the story. Unlike the manga I plan on putting some of Naruto's training with Jiraiya into the story. Anyways see you guys next time, if I'm not busy this weekend I just might try to finish the next chapter.
Also remember my request for a proof reader. It will make things go quicker and also insure a better quality release of chapters.
NEXT CHAPTER – The Deal and a Change of Plans