A/N: Check out the crossover Poll! It will be closing soon!
So I am still on the job hunt, but I figured I should release something for you guys, so I kicked my ass into gear to get you something.
There have been a lot of good wishes, and I appreciate it, so this chapter is my reward for everyone.
Also, I have decided to confirm Mabui into the harem. It wasn't just because there were people who strongly desired it, but I simply saw it happening as well. I developed her background a fair bit, and I felt I made her too close to Naruto for there not to be any romance.
I apologize for not getting all the reviews since there were so many, so I will try to answer some of the major questions/concerns/issues (I won't answer one's I deemed as a spoiler).
Do you consider Movies Canon?
Nope, unless stated otherwise. The only movie that I have considered adding is the one with Shion, since she will be an important character to my story and Naruto's progress.
So, I know that the movie "Legend of The Stone of Gelel" had a communication device, but it functions differently from the one I created, and my version has far more uses.
I didn't like Karin's 'Righteous female fury' in the last chapter.
Yea, I'm not a fan of those types of female characters either. However, I decided to write it for a reason, which was the downside to Naruto entering his 'Void State' of meditation. I found it a simple way to show exactly how weak Naruto becomes because of using that state, which may play into Naruto's conflicts and troubles in the future. No more spoilers in that regard.
Naruto will be a pedophile if he pursues Karin, Mito, etc.
That much, I am aware...hence there has been limited romantic development between them on an adult scale. Who is to say, however, that things won't change when they become adults? You can't tell me there has never been a relationship between people 10 years, or even 20 years apart in the real world (so long as their age is older than 18), so what is a few or five years?
I am building up young characters like Karin and Mito from the ground up, so a connection must start somewhere. I promise there won't be any funny business in an 'innappropriate direction' so long as my characters are underage in accordance with the Naruto-verse.
And I understand Karin may seem more like a sibling than anything at the current stage, but again...I don't plan to develop romantic development between her and Naruto until they are both of age.
Add Mabui to the Harem!
It has been done.
Can you continue to put a time up for when the next release will be?
The reason I hadn't done it recently, was because I was unsure if I could meet the promised time. With hectic things going on in my life right now, I still can't guarantee a time, and I hate to make a promise I can't fulfill.
But if so many people do desire a time frame, I will compromise.
I will post an optimistic and pessimistic date of release.
Optimistic will be the earliest a release may arrive, and Pessimistic will be the latest a release may arrive.
If I can't meet either, I will post an update with an apology, my reasoning, and when exactly you can expect the release to happen more accurately.
I think that's all I will answer for now. I must say that I struggled a bit with this chapter, particularly because I didn't know how to capture the image of Killer Bee very well. I'm TERRIBLE at rapping, and it was honestly the most troubling part of this chapter for me (among other things).
So again, I thank everyone for both the support and criticism for my story: both are considered and used to better myself, and retain motivation for me to continue.
With that said, I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto Franchise or any of its characters, I am but a simple man, with a simple desire to write a fanfiction that has been plaguing my mind.
The only thing I own in this story are my theories on sealing techniques, original characters (if I decide to make any), and scenarios that did not exist in the Naruto Franchise.
Chapter 10
Seas of Kumogakure – Wooden Ship
It has been a... tiresome journey, to say the least for the Team Samui and Naruto's group.
It wasn't so much the walk or ship ride that was exhausting, in comparison to the company itself.
There were few times where Naruto expressed frustration and hopelessness, and he has never been driven so far into a corner than he has now.
How much longer until we get there?! Thought a disguised Naruto, who was seriously contemplating suicide at this point.
This whole trip to Genbu so far has been one annoyance after another. There have been few times where there have been moments of peace, and more moments of arguments and humilation-
"Hey! Narukami! Are you even listening to me?! You're ignoring me on purpose!"
...like now.
"Please Karui...can I just have some rest before we reach the island? I've heard this story enough times that I can recite it word for word, what else do you want me to do?"
The now named wild-tempered and hawk-eyed red-head crossed her arms with a "Hmph!", and said, "Enough times for it to get into your head and fix the problem!"
She then extended her arm and open palm to a seated Omoi, who was casually enjoying a sucker until the attention was honed on him, "All this guy eats are those damned lollipops because of you!"
And before Naruto could speak up, Karin came to his rescue...again, pointing her finger in Karui's direction before yelling in equal volume and fury, "Leave Naru alone, you red-haired banshee!"
Karui's brow twitched in annoyance, and spoke with her hands on her hips, "Why, hello Kettle! My name's pot! And we both have red hair, idiot!"
She then proceeded to cross her arms and asked, "Why does this bother you, anyways?! It's not like I had beef with you in the first place. Just mind your own business!"
Rather than responding in anger, Karin just adopted a shy look with a reddened face, and spoke softly while fiddling her fingers, "W-Well, a good wife always sides with her h-husband."
Karin then entered her own world for a moment, before clapping her hands to her cheeks, "Kyaaah! Don't make me say such embarrassing things!"
Karui didn't deign to retort to her words, opting to give Naruto a withering stare with narrowed eyes, "...I thought you said you weren't a lolicon?"
*Sigh*
At this point, Naruto could care less about how they viewed his sexual preferences. If anything, he thought they were doing it on purpose for some comedic running gag they have going on between them.
Naruto simply shook his head, and pulled out a scroll.
As he was doing this, Karui and Karin both immediately became silenced and stared at the scroll with expectant, twinkling eyes.
Seeing their reactions, Naruto sweatdropped in exasperation before taking out with a puff of smoke from the scroll...four bowls of steaming ramen.
I can't tell if their whole drama scene is real, or some ploy to give them some ramen...seriously? They can just ask! Why make someone suffer in the process!?
Nearly as soon as the bowls of ramen revealed themselves from the puff of smoke, it had disappeared from his hands and were currently being devoured at an unfathomable rate by the two Uzumakis.
If there was one thing that can grant him some moments of peace and quiet, it was ramen.
It was at that time a stoic Sai whispered into the ears of a seated Omoi, "They're just like trained bitches, aren't they?"
It was at this moment that Sai knew...he fucked up.
It wouldn't be until later that day, when he realized the word 'bitch' was a deragatory term...one that women find most unamusing, to say the least.
Before Omoi could even respond, they felt that they had suddenly come under a chilling shade, which was in fact the two said 'bitches' towering over them and blocking out the sun.
When they turned their heads in a simultaneous motion, all they could see was overshadowed faces and a haunting aura.
...it was over.
-A Few Minutes Later-
The girls can now be seen enjoying their bowls of Ramen, while two mangled bodies were in the distance, seemingly consoling eachother.
With a swollen face, Sai voiced quietly, "So...you have one to?"
Omoi merely nodded his head, riddled with lumps and bumps as silent tears flowed from his eyes.
A bond of mutual understanding and brotherhood was born that day.
Overseeing everything that was going on, Naruto could only sigh once more, "These kids are going to be the death of me."
He then turned to the last member of Team Samui, who had been quiet up until now, besides the few escaped giggles that had been released throughout the entire drama.
"You have my condolences, Samui. It seems we both are stuck with some troublesome brats."
The enchanting blonde just shook her head lightly with a small smile adorning her face, "The excitement is a bit nice, but I can see how it can be overwhelming after some time."
Following her words, there was a short and awkward silence between the two. Naruto didn't really have much to talk about, and it didn't help that Samui was fairly quiet in general.
In fact, most conversations between the two had been initiated by himself, rather than the other way around...but he chalked that up to just being a part of her character.
It was during this silence when Samui spoke suddenly, "Thank you, Narukami."
These words caught Naruto off-guard and broke him away from his previous thoughts.
Thank you? Was there something I did? Naruto questioned inwardly, but these thoughts didn't last long since Samui seemed to understand his confusion and clarified herself.
"Whatever it was you said to Karui and Omoi, I think they've become much happier and relaxed now."
Playing the fool, she knew exactly what he said to the kids when she stalk- *ahem*, observed him from a distance. She didn't want to seem creepy to him.
Though she did question to herself why his opinion mattered in the first place...
She then turned her body slightly in his direction, allowing him to view her tantalizing figure before she continued, "Omoi has started to try new things, and Karui has been...less hostile and irritable towards others, and this only started to happen after they met with you not so long ago."
She then sent him a smile more charming than she had ever sent his way before. It seemed so...genuine and heartfelt, that he could feel her appreciation in her words and actions.
"So again...thank you."
There was something about her actions that made him feel...different.
If it were any other person, he may have just taken it with a grain of salt and said, "No problem!"
But the meaning behind every action varies between person and character.
Throughout this short time he had spent with Samui, he knew that she was a calm and collected woman. She seemed to have everything in line, and he had yet to see her troubled despite the constant nagging and arguments of both their teams.
Because she seemed so, dare he say..."cool" in nature, he thought he would be hard pressed to even get her to pay attention to him, let alone talk to him.
So, seeing her smile so kindly, along with her alluring beauty, Naruto's shell had cracked for a moment and allowed him to whisper a genuine thought, "...beautiful..."
Though it was said quietly, it was loud enough for Samui to catch, which made a small hue of red appear on her face before she looked away.
It was a few moments later, when a smirk appeared on her face and she asked, "You find me beautiful...? After all this time, I thought you had a palate for..."
She then sent a glance towards the kids, as if to symbolize something...something Naruto had caught onto quite quickly.
"...the youth, so to speak." She finished with a light giggle, obviously referring to the gag about him being a lolicon/shotacon.
A look of horror passed through his face...not that she could see anyways with his mask on, before he seemed to realize she was just joking around.
"Please, not you too Samui...I assure you I have normal tastes."
"Is that so," She murmured with a slightly playful tone, "Then, would it be too much to ask what type of women you do fancy?"
Samui would later convince herself that she had asked this question on behalf of her good friend Mabui.
...What? Of course she knew Narukami was the object of her best friend's affection! She would have to be an idiot not to!
She was only suspicious of this at first, since there had to be a reason a mysterious figure like Narukami would be willing to stay in one place for so long.
With how vague and embarassed Mabui was talking about her crush, not to mention how jealous she got when Samui had told her how she would be escorting the mysterious mercenary to Genbu, all the signs pointed to him.
It also helped that A wasn't exactly the most secretive person, and blatantly told her that Narukami was the one who was training Mabui.
And though Samui had convinced herself that she asked for Mabui's sake, she did admit she was a tad bit curious herself.
Just a tad, she thought.
The question had stumped Naruto for a moment...as he himself wasn't sure how to answer.
It was true he did find women attractive, but there was never a specific type of women that came to mind.
Seeing as he couldn't think of anything, he was about to answer that he wasn't sure...
That was, until darkness clouded his vision before an image of a woman flashed before him.
In the image, he couldn't make out the face very well and the figure itself seemed to be slightly shadowed...but he did manage to notice some things about this figure.
In a trance with glassy eyes that seemed to stare into space, he had blurted out, "Blonde hair..."
Upon hearing this, Samui found it very difficult to restrain a blush.
She was completely embarrassed, and a little happy.
He isn't talking about me...is he?
Her first thought had been that she was his ideal...completely forgetting that there are plenty of other blondes that exist in the world.
She felt he was quite bold to announce something like that so bluntly right in front of her...and strangely, she didn't hate it.
Unfortunately, another part of his sentence had broken her from her inner musings.
"...and Lavender eyes."
Despite her resistance, Samui couldn't help but feel some...disappointment upon hearing the latter half of his sentence, and also a bit annoyed.
"...I see...well, I should go check on the status of our location with the captain, so I'll be taking my leave." She said, trying to hide her embarassment at guessing incorrectly, and feeling happy that she thought it was her he was talking about.
"Ah, then I'll see you later Samui." Said Naruto, ignorant to her complex thoughts and finally recovering from his trance-like state.
His mind was still fully enraptured in the figure that had appeared in his mind.
He had never met someone that had those matching features before, so he was thoroughly confused.
What was more odd, however, was how he felt warm upon seeing their visage, and felt a connection to them.
I wonder who she was?
From a distance away, Samui had looked back to Naruto, seeing he had adopted a pondering stance.
Seeing this, a frown appeared onto her face slightly, before she turned away with a small mutter that came out unconsciously, "...idiot."
Genbu Island - Evening
It wasn't long after those series of events, that they had reached the land-mass of a turtle.
After a rather unfortunate run-in with a very hostile giant squid, the group was more than happy to find themselves docked onto the island turtle.
They journeyed through the forestry on the turtle's back for a short period of time under the navigation of Samui and her team, with a few encounters with various beasts and other animal inhabitants. They were aggressive at first, but seemed to have recognized that Samui was a familiar face and an acquaintance of their 'King', Killer Bee.
Despite the distance not being too far from the desired location, they decided to camp out for a night since the younger kids were exhausted from the trip. Though they have received a decent amount of training, their physique just wasn't on par with the older shinobi and kunoichi.
The dinner was rowdy as always, but went by quickly with everyone leaving for their own tents for a good night of rest.
It was later that evening as everyone was asleep when Naruto awoke to a voice. Onehe wasn't surprised to hear from.
Why...
Spoke the familiar, ominous voice. It was a voice that had been appearing more frequently since his real identity was revealed to Mabui.
*Sigh*, it's back...again, thought Naruto as he massaged his temple, anticipating the headache that was to come.
It had taken that moment of weakness he had to swarm his mind with sinister thoughts and suggestive, dark impulses.
Why do you pretend to be...happy?
In truth, Naruto has heard these whisperings even while he was still training in Uzushiogakure, just not as frequently as they are appearing now.
The voice would always question his actions, motivations, and thoughts; And while doing so, it had also tried to implant their own ideals.
As a master of Yin release, Naruto was heavily resistant to mental attacks...but this one was birthed because he trained in the Yin arts, leaving him little room for resistance.
The only time these dark whisperings had some form of success was when Naruto was at his weakest, which was after he had entered the void state.
I'm not pretending, Naruto spoke inwardly in response, I am happier now that I have people who I can trust and cherish.
You are Naïve, spoke the darkness that did nothing to hide its voice of contempt, after being betrayed once, I thought you would have understood that trust is a fragile, and pointless thing to possess.
Though Naruto could not put a figure to the voice, he could tell that it was shaking its head in disappointment.
...well, no matter. I will be sure to show you the hate...the despair...the sorrow, you have been trying so hard to hide from.
The voice then released a sinister chuckle as it continued, I will enjoy watching you crumble from this 'happy' facade of yours, into nothing more than a man of utter wrath that is overcome by rage and bloodlust to those who have wronged us.
As the voice began to fade away, it finished with a tone of absolute confidence, I will show you the truth, and once you reach the falls...you can no longer escape from it.
Shortly after hearing those chilling words, Naruto sat up slowly and exited the tent he had been resting in with his mask adorning his face once more.
There's no way I'm going to be sleeping tonight, he thought before leaving the campground for a bit to get some fresh air, and calm his mind and heart with a cool walk in the night.
It was a short distance later that Naruto began to hear crashing water, and came to the conclusion, A waterfall...is it the falls of truth? Were we really so close by?
A bit excited at the notion of being so close to what he was looking for, Naruto rushed forward, and in less than a minute, he had entered a clearing with a small body of water with a waterfall rushing ahead from a small bar of land in the center of the pond.
Naruto was absolutely mesmerized when he entered the clearing...but the reason he was so hypnotized wasn't because of the scenery of the environment.
Rather, it was because of a young woman...a very nude woman, might he add, that seemed to be bathing within the falls. Over the crashing water, it seemed she had yet to take notice of his existence, so she had continued cleaning herself in a calm manner.
She combed the locks of her sandy blonde hair with her fingers, pulling it back to the side to reveal a slender, white neck and toned back that shone in the night.
Naruto watched as her fingers danced along the contours of her thin, but well fit body from her firm breasts, to her shapely waist, down to her long legs that glistened from the small droplets of water that reflected the light of the moon, granting her a fantasy-like beauty.
While her proportions weren't as generous as someone like Samui or Mabui, she seemed very balanced in all the right places, defining her as an athletic beauty that was hard to contend with.
He watched as she arched her back in a stretch, absorbing the sight of her pearly back, gleaming brighter than the stars themselves, bend smoothly with little to no resistance. This told him that her body was very malleable and open to movement others may find themselves incapable of performing.
Time froze for Naruto as he continued to bask in the glow of seeing such a scene...and it was during this time that the blonde beauty took notice of someone nearby.
She had finished washing her body and turned to leave and grab her clothes...only to see a masked man not far from her.
She stood there with a dumbfounded look on her face for a moment with many thoughts brewing in her mind, before her face morphed from her once unparalleled beauty, into a scowl of contempt as she shunshined away.
Seeing the Blonde notice him and shunshin away from him, he became curious as to what he witnessed just now, and became slightly disappointed that such a fantastic figure had escaped his view.
I wonder who that was? I'm pretty sure no one else besides the Raikage's brother and my group should be on the island...
Naruto wasn't given much time to ponder, however, as a familiar figure flashed before him...trying to claw his head clean off his body.
He flickered away from his position a short distance away, once more turning his attention towards the familiar blonde, who was now adopting a cautious and battle ready stance.
"Who are you, pervert?! How did you get here!" Yelled the blonde figure that Naruto had seen before, but now fully clothed.
Before Naruto could respond, the woman seemed to reach her own conclusion as her eyes narrowed in anger, "You couldn't be here to assassinate me, would you?"
...what?
Naruto just looked on in shock, knowing the situation was rapidly degrading from bad to worse.
He was almost positive she was angry because he was caught peeping on her while she bathed...and he was willing to accept the consequences for his actions, and perhaps even thank her for such a divine blessing. But how did the situation somehow devolve into assassination?!
Quick to respond and recover the situation, Naruto spoke, "No, No! I'm here for a mission, not you. Why would I assassinate a woman as beautiful as you?"
Lay it on thick, thought Naruto as he recalled some words from 'Icha Icha: Tactics'.
Women are less likely to be hostile when you compliment and flatter them.
The small tip seemed to work as the blonde gained a blush in embarrassment...before it quickly turned into anger once more.
"Hmph! Flattery will get you nowhere."
Welp...so much for that, he thought briefly, ya win some, ya lose some, I guess...
"While I don't doubt your lust, it is obvious you're trying to distract me. I know you're here to kill me...figures, you idiots can't tell the difference between a kunai and the scroll it was sealed into...I didn't ask for this!"
What is she talking abou-, he thought, before he seemed to reach some sort of epiphany.
No way! She's a Jinchuuriki?!
As Naruto reached this conclusion, it suddenly brought out some bad memories from when hewas treated as the jinchuuriki for the nine tailed fox. A bit of darkness began to creep up on him, before it was quickly suppressed and extinguished.
He began to sympathize with the girl before him, fully understanding the pain she must've gone through to act like she does.
But, it seems her situation wasn't as horrendous as mine, he discerned after seeing her rebellious attitude and skill in speed, if her shunshin was anything to go about.
If she experienced something similar to him...there was no doubt in his mind that she would either be dead, or become a lifeless husk of a human being that was better off dead, rather than becoming a trained kunoichi.
As Naruto pondered, there was a small silence between the two which made the blonde assume that was his way of confirming her thoughts.
"I see...but it won't be that easy to kill me," she spoke in a serious tone and adopted a battle ready stance, as her nails began to elongate and sharpen, "Cat's have nine lives."
And almost immediately, she pounced towards him with clawed hands and swiped accurately towards the base of his neck.
Cat? Ah, so she has the two-tails, Naruto concluded as he dodged her strikes with ease.
He had to admit that she certainly was skilled in taijutsu, with a fighting style that did her Biju justice. She fought in a very feline style which made use of her claws and acrobatic skills.
As Naruto watched her flip and move around quickly, he couldn't help but think, Wow...she's very...Flexible, as he swallowed a gulp of saliva that built up from excitement. Her flexibility was something he had noticed from when she arched her back under the falls.
It was hard not to notice the way her body bends and flexes so nimbly and gracefully; It made him recall her earlier nude state, and he couldn't help but reflect back to his...*Ahem*...books, about various positions this woman would be more than capable of performing.
It doesn't matter how stoic or collected of a man you are. Any real man would be aroused if they saw what he saw. He was just fortunate that his eyes, that held some lust, were hidden from the catty kunoichi.
"Stop moving, pervert!" Yelled the Kunoichi in irritation. While she was a skilled shinobi in her own right, and definitely above most shinobi among the Chunin class, Naruto was still a couple of tiers above her.
Naruto was regarded as a genius that was greater than even Itachi Uchiha and Kakashi, and began training earlier than she had.
In terms of training, experience, and talent, she wasn't his match. This much was made aware to her as he continued to dodge slash after slash, and how effortlessly and efficiently he moved around her techniques.
*Tch* This guys is a lot better than the others that were sent, She thought with a click of her tongue.
She then formed a hand sign before her lips, then multiple projectiles of blue fire took the shape of burning mice, moving to hunt down Naruto with undying persistence.
Mouse Hairball!
As several mice aimed for Naruto's body, he made no indication of moving and simply unfurled a scroll he had sealed into his arm.
Fire Sealing Method!
In an instant, the flaming blue mice were sucked into the scroll with ease and disappeared without a trace, leaving a very wide eyed kunoichi stunned.
A Sealing master! She thought in shock, quickly realizing this person was not some run-of-the-mill shinobi.
He was a veteran in combat, and from the calm manner he pulled out the scroll and activated it with ease, it would seem he was very skilled in an obscure art.
This made his movements more unpredictable, and harder to discern since she has no knowledge of seals, other than the one that is holding her Biju inside of her.
She bit her lip in frustration, thinking, I...can't beat him!
Thinking this, she flipped backward a number of times, until she created some distance between her and the mysterious shinobi.
While the blonde had paused her attack, feeling conflicted about her current predicament, Naruto was busy contemplating other thoughts.
Blue fire...I see, so she's already started to master her Bijuu? Amazing...
He couldn't help to admire her control of her tailed beasts' unique flames, and adapt it to a fighting style unique to herself. This was not a simple task to do, especially at such a young age.
His thoughts were broken once more when he saw the kunoichi extend her claws, preparing to continue this "fight".
*sigh*
Naruto couldn't help but reflect on his misfortune. The woman before him seemed to have misunderstood that he was an assassin, out to kill her because she was a jinchuuriki, when it couldn't be farther from the truth.
Though...apart of her aggression also seemed to stem from him seeing her completely nude...
Alright, so I'm not completely innocent!, he voiced inwardly. But when you are presented with the naked figure of a woman that seemed to be sculpted to perfection, with all the right muscle tones and body measurements that complimented each other so well...who wouldn't bask in the glory!
There was a tense silence between the two, both not knowing what to do in their situation, and before anything could escale further, a deep, yet playful, voice echoed within the clearing.
"Yo, Yugito, It's time to go! The Bee is not free, kitty, why so slow!"
Abruptly, yet comedically, the now named blonde seemed to collapse in exasperation, embarrassment, and what seemed to be irritation as she seemed to recognize that voice.
Ugh...does Bee-sensei not know how to read the mood?!
Meanwhile, Naruto seemed to be in deep thought after hearing that...*ahem*, interesting, rap.
Bee...Bee, he kept repeating that one word over and over, before he recognized the name from when he talked to the Raikage, Ah! That's right! Killer Bee is the sworn brother of the Raikage we were supposed to meet.
Naruto's focus was then directed to a large splashing sound in the small body of water, and led him to gaze upon a bulky, muscular figure that was reminiscent of the Raikage.
Like A, Bee had dark skin and whitish-blond hair, slicked back with a matching colored goatee. What made him visibly different was how more carefree he seemed in comparison.
He styled himself with dark shades and seven swords on his back, as well as personalized Kumo shinobi gear, fitting to his personality.
So this is the jinchuuriki of the eight tails, Naruto thought with deep respect for the man.
He heard stories of Killer Bee, and knows that Bee understands what it means to hold a Bijuu inside of you.
To be harassed and understand the pain of loneliness, but tredge forwards while earning the recognition and respect of his village.
Perhaps, in another universe, Naruto would have been the same way. Earning the recognition of the village through hard work and perseverance...but the world isn't always so kind.
But perhaps the biggest reason why Naruto respected the man before him, was because he was the only one to succeed the trial of The Falls of Truth. A trial that cannot be so easily faced, and the primary reason for Naruto to come to Kumo in the first place.
If there was anyone that could share their experience with the trial...it was him.
When Naruto broke from his musings, he noticed that Killer Bee and Yugito, who's name he had just learned, seemed to be talking...or arguing? It was hard to tell with how jolly Bee seemed to be, in comparison to the irritated Yugito.
During their small discussion, Yugito had pointed in his direction more than once, with Bee sending glances between him and his fellow jinchuuriki, before a look of understanding appeared on his face after recognizing Naruto's figure in the distance.
It was a short time later that Yugito seemed to have understood something and finally adopted a relaxed stance.
Though, she still had a look of irritation on her face if her scowl was anything to go by.
In the next instant, Bee hopped to Naruto's direction, startling him slightly with his speed, and because he was slightly distracted by the angered gaze Yugito seemed to be sending his way.
"The swift and mighty Killer Bee, greets the famous Naru-kami!"
It was a good thing Naruto had his mask on, otherwise his annoyance could be seen. Though he did respect the man...his raps were bad. They seemed too forced. And they were just...bad.
Bee continued with flailed arms and passionate fervor, "I heard from Brother A, about your stay, but I expected you to come another day, HEY!"
With a wry smile hidden beneath the mask, he responded, "Yes...well, I was a bit antsy to come here, so we did well on time. We planned to meet with you tomorrow, buuut..."
He then sent a glance towards Yugito...who was still boring holes into his body with her eyes. When she saw that Naruto's head turned to her direction, she turned her head away with a "Hmph!"
"...as you can see, I met your friend in...well, not so preferable circumstances."
Killer bee crossed his arms, nodding his head in understanding, "Ah, that's how Yugi is ya see, serious in training, and time's she's catty."
Naruto could just see a tick mark grow on her forehead in the distance, and her irritation now seemed to be directed to Bee instead of him now.
"*Ahem*, yes, well, she definitely seemed well trained in taijutsu. It was very unique, something I haven't seen before. She was very fluid in movement, quick to strike and," he then recalled to how she bent and rotated her hips at impossible angles, and kicks that seemed to go past her head.
"*gulp*...flexible..."
Yugito was not very far away, so she had heard what Naruto said about her. She smiled when she complimented her fighting style.
It was something she had created from the ground up to suit her abilities and make use of her pliable physique. It was one of the things she had the most pride in, and after hearing from Bee about some of Narukami's exploits, she felt that his compliment was all the more meaningful.
That was ,until he mentioned her flexibility. She knew exactly what he was talking about. The awkward pause, the gulp of the throat, and the way he sent her a meaningful glance was a dead give-a-way.
It also didn't help that he saw her naked.
Oh God, she thought it mute shock.
She had nearly forgotten with all the fighting and her blinding fury...that he had seen her, bare as the day she was born.
Not only that...she recalled how long he stared at her.
And thanks to a passive ability of being the jinchuuriki of the two tails, she was even able to detect a faint hint of lust mixed in.
All Jinchuuriki receive some sort of passive ability from their Bijuu. In the case of the Kyuubi, she knew that negative emotions could be sensed.
For the two-tails? She could sense lust...something she wasn't too fond of having, but it had its uses.
Now that the tension was gone and Narukami didn't seem to be an enemy after her life, all these thoughts and revelations have come together.
Her reaction?
To hide her now heated cheeks and turn away in shame and embarrassment.
I...I can't get married anymore...
Though she might not look like it, her heart was innocent in nature. She believed in saving herself only for the one man she loved.
She was the kind of girl who indulged herself in fairy tales of romance, and that the purity and sanctity of a women and their virtue was a necessary thing to find true love.
But now that she was seen and defiled by the eyes of the man before her...what can she do?
Seeing Yugito blush and sensing Narukami's awkwardness in speech, Bee seemed to have come to an understanding about the whole situation.
Slamming his fist to his palm in revelation and a smile on his face, Killer Bee said, "Ah, I see! You can't fool the eyes of the great Killer Bee! It seems there was more to your meeting than you made it out to be, WEEEEE!"
He danced around with style for a bit, before closing in on the disguised Uzumaki.
He then hooked his arm around Naruto's neck into a headlock before shouting, "Yo Narukami, if you're a man of dignity, take responsibility, and marry the blonde jinchuuriki, OH YEAH!"
What followed this statement?
Silence.
Not a sound was made as Naruto and Yugito both froze.
Bodies tensed and facial muscles twitched in shock and disbelief.
How Blunt is this guy?! Where the hell did marriage even come from?!
Naruto was now at an impasse. Seriously...to take responsibility?
Don't get him wrong. He felt that any man would be lucky to have a woman like Yugito as their partner.
From what he gathered in their fight, she was serious in training, and a very skilled kunoichi with a lot of potential to grow further.
On the outside, she seemed to be stern and decisive, and perhaps a bit rash, but he could feel that there was a hidden gentleness inside of her, waiting to be understood.
It also helps that she is a beauty to boot...so why the reluctance?
Let it be known that Naruto would never force a woman to be with him.
Not to mention that they had just met, albeit the abnormal circumstances.
Relationships are not something to be decided on a whim, and though he was intoxicated by her appearance, there was more to a person than their looks.
He understood this well, so despite her quality as a mate, time needed to be spent to understand one another.
At this moment, Naruto felt that Yugito would respect his thoughts and concern for the issue and her rights. This would then result in her rejection of the matter, and they could get on with their lives...but he couldn't be farther from the truth.
Curious, Naruto turned his gaze to the catty blonde to see a look of...determination?
Determination? Why does she look-, thought Naruto briefly, before a look of disbelief marred his hidden features.
Oh no, he shook his head and denial...praying to the gods above that what he thought was NOT happening.
But it seems the gods did not favor Naruto that day.
With a determined gaze, Yugito turned her attention to the disguised red head, and proceeded to make her way towards him.
Killer Bee...was simply standing to the side, watching everything go down with a smile on his face.
Oh...he knew exactly how Yugito would respond after hearing him say what he did.
She was someone who would reserve themselves only for their chosen mate. And now that he brought her purity into question, she was left with one option.
While it may seem a little forced on Bee's side of things, his brother A asked him to try whatever he could to bring Narukami to their side. So given the current circumstances, he thought this method was within reason.
As Yugito finally appeared before Naruto, she grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him close so that there were only a few inches between their face.
She was so close, Naruto would've felt her warm breath, brush against his lips if it weren't for the mask between them.
He would no doubt be aroused and tempted at the moment...if it were not for her next words.
"You...will marry me. No exceptions."
...Shit.
AN: That is the end of this chapter! Before it is asked, I will answer something some people may be wondering after reading this chapter.
How did Yugito fall for him so Fast?!
She didn't...not yet anyway. All of her reactions have been based on embarrassment and shame. My Yugito will be a bit different from how she has been portrayed by others. I plan to make her a bit serious in character, a cooler type of Tsundere (not an over-the-top one who screams like a banshee at every little thing), and the kind of girl that is a bit traditional (if you couldn't tell by the way she requested marriage after being seen naked).
So...no...she does not love him. But that doesn't mean she rejects him either. If she hated his guts, she wouldn't have been so accepting of her situation.
So what's the point?
I'm saying a spark has started, but I will see later on if I want it to evolve into something serious.
When does Naruto finally enter the Falls of Truth?! It's been too long!
Next Chapter. Please understand I'm trying to develop multiple characters in a single arc, and getting to the falls so quickly would not help me at all.
So I actually planned to start the falls this chapter, but I felt like this was a good place to stop for now. I decided to use this chapter to develop Naruto's meeting with Yugito and Bee.
Next Chapter Release?
Optimistic: December 4th
Pessimistic: January 8th
It could be anywhere on or between these two dates depending on my schedule.
I have a temporary place of work for now, so my writing pace will be a bit irregular. This was the best that I could confirm for you guys.
Leave a review and PM for questions and concerns, or unbiased critique.
~Stay Cool, but don't Freeze.