蛙 | Naruto
This isn't your brightest idea, kid.
Leaning my arms on the boat's railing, I sigh and lean over the edge. My eyes droop lazily as they watch the quiet dance of the sea and the sunlight flickering across the waves. The air, heavy with warmth, weighs down on me, making me feel sluggish.
I have to, Kurama.
You can't trust that brat.
I feel myself sway slightly as the deck rolls slowly beneath me. I don't trust him, but I trust Sakura. She can take care of herself. And besides…he's different.
You think just because he didn't murder a little kid that hit him in the head with a ball that he's changed? You're stupider than I thought you were.
I reach my tongue out to lick a salt splash that patters against the top of my lip. You could sense his emotions just as well as I could. He used to be all hatred, now he's half confusion.
He's deranged, just as he's always been.
I laugh quietly. It's still a move in the right direction. Now I have another friend I need to look after.
He scoffs. You can't protect everyone.
I can try.
With another scornful grunt, Kurama goes silent. I lean down to rest my chin on top of my arms. My hair brushes back and forth against my forehead, stirred by a light breeze.
Maybe Kurama's right. This trip may be a dangerous waste of time. It's a burden on our already dwindling finances. The ANBU could find Sakura-chan and Sasuke while I'm gone. Sasuke could very well attack Sakura again. I could get captured. It's true that I can't protect everyone, so why am I trying?
Because he's your friend.
I jump as the deep, mocking voice echoes through my brain. I must've been letting my thoughts leak through to Kurama.
Or he was your friend, but he might not be anymore. Another reason to turn back now.
I narrow my eyes at the thin line that separates sea from sky. I might not be his friend, but he's still mine, and he always will be.
This seems to be a hobby of yours – holding onto one-sided friendships.
The corner of my mouth turns up. Maybe.
I can sense Kurama's smirk. So where do you think Shikamaru will be?
My jaw clenches. Looking for us.
Then why are we heading for Konoha?
Because that's where the trouble started.
蛙
Shoving the nub of a pencil back into my shinobi pouch, I look over my sloppy writing once again. The smudged scratches of lead are dim in the fading light, but still readable. Dropping the paper into my lap, I let out a long breath and let my head fall back against the rough bark of the tree at my back. I've always been fairly good with words, but they pour out of my mouth in an endless stream too fast to write. Organizing them and putting them down on paper has always been exhausting.
Are you sure you're okay with this, kid?
I smile grimly. Are you?
For once Kurama doesn't answer right away. My mind's eye watches him cross his arms as his brow knits tightly in thought. I run my fingers mindlessly through the dirt as I wait for his answer. The forest is alive with a muggy buzz. An occasional loud screech of a bird erupts out of the hum but then fades to the dull roar once again. I shift uncomfortably as a rivulet of sweat runs down my back. The evening air is a pleasant change from the raw heat of the day, but it still hangs heavy with warmth.
This affects you just as much as it affects me.
He grunts. You think I don't know that?
Well you have until the end of the night to decide. I tell him, folding the paper into thirds.
And if I decide that I don't like it?
I shrug. Then we come up with a new plan, or we let the elders do whatever they like with you when I die.
His mouth stretches into a menacing grin. I'd like to see them try.
I chuckle and stare down into my lap once again. This plain, wrinkled, smudged little piece of paper looks like any other piece of trash that might blow down the street, but it has the power to crush my dreams…forever.
I think your dreams were already crushed when you deserted the village.
Yeah, I sigh, but at least then I had hope. Now it'll be final I guess.
Kurama clears his throat awkwardly. You shouldn't give up hope, kid. You never know what might happen.
With a derisive laugh, I shake my head. I suppose you're right. After all, I'm the shinobi who never gives up dattebayo!
I stare long and hard at the paper once again. It's a necessity. I know it is. At least one of us, Sakura or I, should have a chance at life. Mine is already in ruins, but she deserves to have a shot at it. It might all work out in the end. Kurama's right, I should never stop striving for that. But if it doesn't, well…
Shouldn't you put a name on the front or something?
I guess you're right.
Pulling out my pencil once again I slap the paper down on my knee and lean in close as I form a new string of characters.
As I straighten once again, I hold the paper up to the dim light.
Godaime Hokage: Senju Tsunade
I shrug. Well, that's as neat as it's going to get. Stuffing the pencil and paper back into my shinobi pouch, I push myself to my feet and brush myself off as I glance up at the sky. It should be dark enough by now, as long as I keep to the shadows.
Launching myself up into the trees, I fly through the branches with the ease of long-practice. It feels strange to be in such familiar territory once again. I've almost gotten used to scouting foreign ground lately that it doesn't feel quite right that I know exactly where I'm going.
Careful to land silently on the next branch, I stop. It's not dark enough for me to go on yet. I'll wait here until night falls completely.
Home is the word that continually runs through my head as I stare over the walls of Konoha. From my perch, I can see the fading light illuminating the great stone faces, the long dark shadows sharpening their stern features. The Hokage mansion dominates the village, despite the fact that it is neither the largest, nor the tallest building. Seated beneath the great carved cliff of the Hokages, with its great, curved-pillared roof and the red glow of its fat base, it draws the eye right to the head of the village, leaving no doubt as to who and what rules Konoha.
My eyes drift over to the academy, then the hospital, my apartment, my old training grounds. Oh how I've missed this place. I haven't been gone that long I suppose. Maybe knowing that I won't be able to return makes it seem like longer.
Gripping the bark of the tree trunk I'm leaning against, I close my eyes and shake my head. I can't think about that now. I have a job to do. I've made my decision regarding Konoha. There's no turning back. I'm infiltrating a village for the sake of a friend. That's all. This is a mission, not a homecoming.
This time, when I raise my head to look at the village, I narrow my focus to the north-west corner of the village, an area barely inside the wall, filled with fine houses, ornate architecture, dripping with gardens and lush greenery.
Why that area?
Don't you know what's over there?
Kurama yawns. I rarely pay attention to the geography of your dinky little village. I assume you're studying it because we are going there. I'd just like to know why.
We're going to pay someone a visit.
You're usually a bit more direct. Who are we visiting?
My eyes narrow. One of the elders…Homura Mitokado.
蛙
I tap my fingers nervously on the table, glancing around anxiously as I wait. I like this room. It's very nice and homey, with the polished wood and dark zabuton cushions. The tall brass candles give off a warm, deep colored light, reflecting gently off the rice paper walls. A slight breeze brushes through the open door, bearing the scent of the blooming gardens. This is the kind of room I always imagined my family having. It's very traditional, just like Hinata's home.
I hear the scratch of footsteps on gravel and then the growl of a wooden door being opened. Sitting up straight, I fold my hands in front of me on the table.
The door shuts. The footsteps pause and wood creaks. After a minute of nothing but rustling cloth, the footsteps resume, as padded barefoot ones this time. They're coming towards me. A shadow slides over the wall and then stops. He will have seen the light.
The door peels back slowly, revealing long cream robes that lead up to a shadowed face haloed in sparse grey hair.
"What are you doing here?" A flash of light reflects across broad, oval glasses.
Resisting the urge to shift uncomfortably, I hold to my posture. "I need to talk to you, Himura-sama."
A humorless chuckle escapes his lips as the elder steps forward into the light. His face is lined with the deep creases of age, only made harsher by the dimness of the candles. "You know that we have over 30 squads out searching for you? And here you are, sitting nice as you please in my home. Don't tell me that you've been hiding here this whole time. Where's your accomplice, the little pink-haired tramp who follows you around?"
I keep my face carefully neutral, even as the anger boils up inside of me. I need to talk to this man. I can't do that if he's split into a million pieces.
You could just split him into a couple pieces. You know, take off a leg or an arm or -
Shut up.
"Sakura isn't here." I tell him evenly.
"Ah, I see." He starts to step forward. The candlelight glints off metal in his hand. "At least we can get rid of you while you're here."
I watch him steadily. "I'm here to talk, not to fight. You know very well that I'll be gone before you touch me. Then you won't have any idea what I wanted to say to you."
The old man shrugs and the kunai disappears back inside his sleeve. "True enough." He steps towards me once again, but only to lower himself on the other side of the table. "You know, Tsunade was crushed that her favorite student deserted her. She was of course disappointed in you as well, but Sakura's betrayal really cut deep."
I clench my hands tightly. "It wasn't Sakura's fault or idea. She's not a traitor."
"Maybe not but she's been branded a nukenin along with you and that friend of yours." He spits out the word as if it's a foul tasting turnip. "Of course if you came home and returned him to our custody, we could forget this whole matter."
My jaw drops a little in shock. "You would be willing to forget this whole thing if we just handed Sasuke over?"
"Of course." The old man sets his hands on the table in front of him. "The villagers know nothing of your betrayal. They think that Sasuke escaped and you and Sakura went after him. I'm sure all your shinobi friends would forgive you and this whole matter could be put behind us."
A needle of regret stabs my heart as I think of Ino and Shikamaru. "Not all of them." I almost whisper.
"There may be a few hold-outs." The old man shrugs, oblivious. "But I'm sure in time."
I shake my head. He doesn't realize how messy it's gotten. Maybe two weeks ago…but not anymore. Even if we were willing to give up Sasuke now, Ino's death has shown me that there are much bigger problems in Konoha than I ever dreamed of.
"We won't give up Sasuke."
His solemn face grinds into scowl. "You won't give up this criminal even for the sake of your village?"
My brow pinches sternly. "I care about this village just as much as you do."
"Is this some sort of joke to you, young man?" he growls. "You helped that S-rank brat escape! He killed close to 400 of our shinobi during the war and almost a dozen just last month…most of them civilians!"
"I know he deserves to die! But I won't let you torture him to death!"
"We wanted information!"
"Zetsu is dead and you know it!"
"So if we were just going to slit is throat quickly and humanely you would bring him back to us?"
I throw up my hands. "Of course not!"
"Why not?!" He points an accusing finger at me. "You were going to kill him yourself in the Valley of the End. Don't try and deny it."
I give an exasperated sigh. "That was before there was a chance for me to save him. Now I have one! He's my friend! I won't give up on him like that!"
"He killed your comrades! He's not your friend!"
"I didn't even come here to talk about Sasuke!" Sitting back on my cushion, I let out a long breath, trying to calm myself. There's nothing that I can say to convince him to pardon Sasuke. Getting a hold of myself, I meet his eyes squarely. "One of your ANBU killed Yamanaka Ino."
The glare drops from his face as he stares at me blankly. "What?"
"Ino and Nara Shikamaru where with an ANBU team that were chasing us," I tell him numbly. "We agreed to meet with them but it got complicated and the ANBU ended up threatened Ino if Sakura would turn herself over. I wouldn't let Sakura go and they… they killed Ino."
Homura-sama simply sits and stares for a moment before his hand clutches into a fist and slams down on the table. "I never gave those orders! They were never supposed to kill one of their own! The only person they were supposed to kill was Sasuke!"
A little bit of pressure releases inside of my chest. I didn't think that the elders would tell the ANBU to kill one of our own shinobi, but still…
"How could they possibly have done this?!" he splutters. "Who would dare…?" Crossing his arms, the old man narrows his eyes at me. "Root."
I nod. "I think they're still alive, not just as individual shinobi, but as an organization."
"But who is running them?" he grumbles. "Danzō has been dead for years!"
"I don't know. But whoever it is, they certainly share his ideals."
"They'll pay for this! I can assure you of that."
That won't mean much to Ino's family.
Or Shikamaru.
"We'll catch them," the old man mutters. "You can be sure of that." He lifts his eyes back up towards me. "But is that all you came to tell me?"
I nod.
He shakes his head. "This is a terrible thing that's happened. None of us wanted any of you to get hurt, especially the shinobi we sent after you." He sighs. "I don't bear any ill-will towards you, Naruto. You've saved the village countless times. You're a hero, not just to this village but to the world. But…" his voice drops to a deadly tone. "If you step between my men and Sasuke, I will order them to kill you."
I sit back a little.
There's something bigger going on here, kid.
"I don't understand," I tell him. "What is this personal vendetta you have against Sasuke?"
His glare deepens. "I just want justice for the village."
"No it's more than that." Homura-sama doesn't just want Sasuke to pay for his crimes. He hates him. And for very personal reasons.
"What does it matter!" the old man yells, slamming his hands on the table. "That brat is guilty! He deserves to die and I want to see that it happens!"
The candlelight catches on the old man's glasses as he leans forward and my mouth drops in shock as I suddenly remember another pair of glasses – glasses streaked in blood, clattering to the ground as their owner dropped limp in two pieces.
"Kazuki," I whisper as everything clicks into place.
The old man's eyes widen. "What did you say?"
"Kazuki," I repeat, a little bit louder. Now I understand. Now it all makes sense.
"W-what are you talking about?!" Homura-sama braces his hands nervously on the table.
"He was a nice kid, just a couple years older than me," I say, my voice soft. "One of my clones escorted his squad for a while. He told me that he was gonna propose to his girlfriend as soon as he got home from the war. His name was Homura Kazuki." My eyes turn sadly towards Homura-sama. "He was yourgrandson, and Sasuke killed him."
The old man's eyes dart from side to side, avoiding my face. "I don't know what you're talking about!"
I push myself slowly to my feet. "Yes you do."
He jabs a finger at me. "You're harboring a criminal! You're an enemy of Konoha! I will never forgive you or that Uchiha brat! Never!"
"I don't care if you forgive me, but forgive Sasuke. That's what's holding you back from healing." Spinning on my heel I sprint out the open back door and out into the night.
蛙
Thump. "Itai!"
I thought shinobi were supposed to be stealthy.
Like you can talk.
Reaching down to rub my aching shin, I squint in the darkness. I can see it now, the chair I just ran into. Guess it doesn't make much difference now though.
You're gonna wake up the whole neighborhood.
Straightening once again, I reach my arms to feel out in front of me. Am not! Besides, you said Tsunade is half-way across the village.
Probably with Homura. The ANBU will be looking for you by now.
They won't look here.
Finding the table, I keep one hand on it while I reach the other behind me to feel for the letter stashed in my shinobi pouch.
You sure you're okay with this? I ask Kurama as I pull out the wrinkled page.
In my mind, I can see him cross his arms as he mutters something under his breath. Just put it on the table. Who knows, kid. You'll probably outlive us all.
I shake my head with a smile as I place the letter down, but the expression drops from my face at the sound of small pattering footsteps coming down the stairs. My head whips towards the back of the room. I thought you said Tsunade was across the village!
He gives a dark chuckle. And you forgot that she doesn't live alone.
A light flickers on ahead and I freeze, blinking in the sudden brightness.
"Naruto-nii-san?"
A tiny little girl stands barefoot on the steps. Knobby dark knees and elbows stick out of a small, white nightgown and tangled dark hair tumbles down into a heart-shaped face as large, confused blue eyes stare widely at me.
Squinting at her, I give her a sad smile. She's still so small, but i know she's grown in the past few years. She's no longer that pitiful, dirty, malnourished little thing that we found in a burnt-out village.
"Hello, Mai."
She smiles back at me. "What are you doing?" she asks, reaching one little fist up to rub her eyes.
"I need to leave something for Tsunade-sama," I tell her, patting the folded paper on the table. "Can you make sure she gets it?"
Mai nods. "Don't you want to wait until she comes back?"
"I wish I could."
"Why can't you?"
Walking over to the steps, I bend down so that we're at eye level. Despite the fact that she's standing a couple steps up, the girl is still a good foot and a half shorter than me.
I try to make my smile reassuring. "You see, things are a bit…complicated right now. I have to leave again."
Delicate brows tilt sadly. "But you just got back. Why do you have to go?"
"Like I said," I place my hands on her shoulders, my palms easily engulfing her small bony joints. "Things are complicated right now."
"But Naruto-nii-san," she reaches up to place her tiny, white hands on my arms, "when will you come back?"
I don't know why I have such a soft spot for this little girl.
You know why, you just don't want to say it. She looks like Hinata.
I bite the edge of my lip, unsure what to say. Tsunade has apparently kept my desertion a secret from Mai, but she'll have to know eventually. I don't want to lie to her, but I don't want to hurt her either.
"Mai." I swallow thickly. "I hope I'll be able to come back. I want to come back – "
"Then stay. Everyone has missed you. I've heard them."
"I miss them too. I miss all of you, but…you remember the friend I told you about?"
She nods, her tousled hair bouncing up and down on her forehead. "The one who left the village."
I smile gently. "And do you remember why he left?"
"He let hate take him over."
"That's right." I take a deep breath. How can I explain this to such a little girl? "You see, some people want to kill him now. They want revenge because he killed their loved ones. But I can't let them do that."
She stares at me for a long moment. I purse my lips. I don't know what to say now. How can I explain something I've failed to explain to dozens of others? She's so young. If no one else seems to understand, why should she?
Ducking my head, I squeeze her shoulders lightly. "I can't let them," I repeat in a whisper, unsure where to go from there.
"Because you don't want them to be taken over by hate too." My head snaps up to meet her innocently, serious gaze. "And because he's your friend."
Staring into her large, solemn eyes, I feel the corners of my own begin to sting. Maybe there is hope for the village yet.
You're getting emotional, kid. It's embarrassing.
"But," her solemnity melts into worry, "when will people stop trying to kill him? Can't you tell them to stop? You're very good at talking."
"Well thanks." I chuckle lightly. "But they aren't really listening right now."
Her barely trembling lower lip slips in between her teeth. "So you're leaving for a really long time then?"
I nod slowly.
Tears start to well in her large eyes, but her lips steady as she presses them firmly together. "Well, if you're leaving…can I at least say goodbye to Kurama?"
The sting in my eyes dissolves into warmth that pools in the corners. Nodding, I reach up to cup her face in my hands and close my eyes as I lean forward to rest my forehead gently against hers.
"Bye Kurama," the little girl whispers.
The fox smirks. I'll be back. Unlike this idiot, I don't plan on staying away forever.
Mai's head shakes gently in my hands as she giggles. "Naruto-nii-san, Kurama called you and idiot."
I thought we agreed that you wouldn't insult me in front of my pupils.
Eh? You're taking this one on as a student now too? Are you going to ruin another promising shinobi?
Mai laughs again. "Bye, Kurama. I-I'll miss you."
I can feel him shift uncomfortably. He grunts. Yeah. I'll be back.
Mai's arms reach up to wrap around my neck as she breaks the connection. I fold her into my arms, squeezing her tiny frame firmly. A flash of heat shoots through my body as Kurama slips into my skin. A smirk slides up on the edge of my face. Yes, he certainly will be back.
Mai clutches me tighter, pressing her face into the side of my neck. I can feel her eyelashes flutter softly against my skin as my collar starts to feel damp.
"Someday, you'll save the world too," my own voice whispers. Kurama gives her one final squeeze before releasing her and trickling back deep inside of me. Mai pulls away and stares at me, tears smeared across her cheeks.
"I'll never be a shinobi like you, Naruto-nii-san."
I smile at her. The rough calluses of my thumb pull gently at her soft skin as I run my thumb over her cheek to wipe away the tears. "There's many different ways to save the world, Mai. With each person you help, you're saving the world piece by piece."
You knew she was here, didn't you? I say, with an inner smirk of satisfaction. You didn't tell me about her on purpose, just so you could see her.
Shut up, kid.
I chuckle inwardly. Are you sure about it now? I can still take that piece of paper with me when I leave. I'll come back some other time and tell Tsunade who you've picked.
No, I'm sure. This is for the best.
I nod. Kurama's right. Mai will make a wonderful jinchuriki.
A/N I'm back! Like, literally, I'm back in the States. I told you guys a little about the mission trip I was going on at the end of the last chapter. It was sad to see all the poverty and suffering in others lives but it also amazing to see how God can use ordinary people like me to work in others' lives!
I was planning to put a lot more in this chapter, but I just haven't found the time to finish it and I think you guys deserve at least this piece of it after waiting so long. The next piece should be finished by Christmas and so should a chapter of "Dreaming of Angels." Please check that one out if you haven't already!
Please review! And let me know of any mistakes I made, suggestions or questions you have, things I'm missing, etc! God bless!
