This one's...short. Gomen!
Teral: Baka! What if they don't know what gomen means!?
Oh, right. Sorry! And yes, people, I write slowly. This one got a bit rushed and I sorta ran out of stuff to say.
Teral: That's a lie and you know it.
Aghhh! Nigero! (By the way, that means 'run away')
(at) Mr. Who: You're right, he isn't. I didn't like that temper tantrum near the end, so I kicked his evil meter up at least 3 notches. He'll thank me for that later, and if not, he can shove it out his ear! And, to be honest, Rinko is just some random dude I needed. He may not even make it back in here.
Laret: albino chocobo owns absolutely nothing in this...yet.
Naruto started casting about wildly in his head, looking for a suitable reason to pacify the wolf in front of him. However, no matter how much he tried, it all came back to the same thought: I'm gonna die.
A quiet snickering broke into his thoughts. But, every time he looked up, the wolf sat stony faced. Until—
"Snrrrrrrrrrt, bhahahahahahaha! I can't believe you fell for that!" The wolf exclaimed, literally rolling on the ground from laughter. Naruto, on the other hand, turned a deep shade of crimson even though it can't be seen under his fur. The wolf eventually got over his laughing fit and stood up rubbing his eyes with one of his paws.
"Hee hee, ho-ok, I'm better now. Don't worry about not knowing why you're not a spirit; I had to have someone else tell me the first time. But seriously, as soon as you find out, tell me, ok?" The wolf got up, then started walking away.
"H-Hey! Wait up!" Naruto called as he ran to catch up with him. After he had adjusted to the wolf's walking pace, he started firing off questions. "What do you mean the 'first time'?"
"Hmmm, well I've turned into a wolf about…I don't know, a lot of times. I lost track when I bumped into a crystal that can turn me into one."
"Wow," Naruto said with his eyes alight with wonder, "I didn't think something with that much power existed. Do you still have it?"
"Yes and no. I have to have someone to hold onto it for me since it covers me in fur whenever I touch it. And besides, the reason I'm a wolf and not clueless like that person," he motioned with his head to a spirit flame they were passing, "has a lot more power than the crystal."
"So, why aren't you a spirit?"
The wolf flashed a grin at him then said, "When you figure out your reason, I'll tell you mine."
"Hey no fair!"
"Life isn't fair, Naruto."
"Then, at least tell me your real name!"
The wolf stopped walking. Naruto walk forward a few more steps, then turned back to look at him. The wolf grinned sheepishly.
"Guess I'm not a good liar, huh? All right, but you'll have to keep it most of what I've said secret after the Twilight leaves."
Naruto nodded, slightly unsure of what he was getting into. The wolf lowered his head and sighed, then lifted it proudly and looked straight into Naruto's eyes.
"My name is Link."
Naruto just stood there in a daze for a second, but when he snapped out of, it wasn't the only thing that snapped.
"Waitaminute! You're Link!? The swordsman!? The weird elf dude!? The nature freak!? The left-handed person!? Then how the heck are we even understanding each other!?"
Link was calmly nodding throughout the whole thing, even though he did flinch at some the names. To the last question, he simply said, "Animal language is universal."
"I have so many questions to ask you!"
"And they're all going to have to wait." Link interrupted. Naruto looked like he was going to retort, but Link cut him off again. "I know, I know, I have a lot of things to ask you too, but the people's well being comes first. They can see and interact with the monsters, but they won't be able to kill them."
"So, basically they can see everything but us?"
"Pretty much."
"That stinks! Who the hell thought that up!?"
"Yes, it does. But I don't make the rules, I'm just forced to follow them. And, I think I know who, and he is on my to kill list."
"Wait a second," Naruto said with a suspicious gleam in his eyes, "how do you know all this anyway?"
"Because fate is cruel," Link answered looking at the heavens. "Now, come on. We've wasted enough time. We have to kill the monsters before the villagers wake up, otherwise they'll put themselves in unnecessary danger." He said as he started walking.
"But," Naruto said, making Link turn back to face the fox, who paused uncertainly, "you don't even know these people. Why do you want to help them?"
Link took on a surprised look, then smiled kindly. "Because, even though I've only been here a few days, I've grown to love it."
Naruto thought that he saw the Sandaime in Link, even if only for a second. The thought gave him a bit of a jolt, but he shrugged it off and smiled lightly.
"Now, come on! We're burning Twilight!" Link cried enthusiastically.
"Right!" Naruto yelled excitedly as he started chasing after Link. "So, how do we get rid of this stuff?"
"Well," Link paused slowing down, "the other times Twilight covered a place, it first had to rob the Light Spirits of their light. Said light would be divided and placed into these annoying bugs that would scurry around near invisibly. Kill the bug and the light would be released, which we would then need to collect all the pieces, return the Light Spirit to its former shining glory, and the Twilight would be forced to recede."
Link looked back and noted Naruto's blank look.
"You've…never heard of a Light Spirit, have you?"
"Nope."
"Our job just got a whole lot harder, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, it probably did."
Ok, fellow fic writers, I admit it: I need your help.
Teral: ac was gonna say "ficers", but that doesn't sound quite right. And, good to know you're finally getting professional help for your mentality.
(stares at Teral) I'm not crazy. I meant the story.
Teral: Excuses, excuses, sometimes it seems the world runs on excuses!
Ack! Now we need another disclaimer! Ahem, that was from Dr. Suess...and I probably butchered his name, but anywho! Can someone please tell me what a good light source for Konoha would be in the place of a Light Spirit? Please leave it in a review!
Laret: Please read and review!