I've noticed a disturbing trend in the reviews I have been receiving. I've had this impression for a while but now I'm sure, too many people expect pairings. I guess this is due to the creator of Naruto's lack of a love story but still. Like I said before in my first couple of chapters, I don't believe in easy relationships. I personally enjoy romances that have complexities to them. With that said, I will admit that I have an arc planned out for romances to take place but there is a solid reason for them taking place. Everything has a meaning somewhere else in this story. Even the most insignificant detail can mean bundles later on. I believe that Naruto the manga is one of the most character complex Shonen series I have ever read and I'm trying to stick to that. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining that others are so romance driven, but I personally don't want my story here to be boiled down to the simple text, "NaruxHina, HinaxGaara,GaaraxJim Bob" and so and so on. I will have pairings in this story but they will have meaning and depth to them.
Whew. Now don't think I'm really complaining or anything, it's just something that I wanted to get off my chest. Anyways I hope you enjoy this chapter. Also I would like to say that there is a pic of Naruto in my profile (but don't look at it until after reading this chapter). It's a copy from the manga with a few changes. I would have put the effort into an all original one but with spring break around the corner I ran out of time.
A side note, I added something new to the key, which you might want to check out.
KEY"blah" – Speech
'blah' – Inner thoughts
NO JUTSU – Technique being usedBlah – Stuff that is done or said in the past
Boom – Sound Effects
+ - Stuff that needs further reference. The extra info can be found in the author's notes
-CHAPTER 14 - "The Seal and Reason"
"Ah, GEEZ! I CAN'T STAND THIS ANYMORE!"
A loud yell resonated throughout the village of Konoha. Within the darkened village a light coming from a window of a two-story apartment shined brightly. Inside the apartment two girls sat in ………quiet.
"I just don't understand this crap! What about you Hinata?"
Sakura and Hinata were sitting at a table in the middle of Sakura's room. A pile of books covered just about all the surface area of the table. Sakura was a wearing a white headband with the word STUDY written on it. Suddenly she collapsed on top of the books and let out a sigh, "This suuuuucks! I never thought we would have to study this hard……"
Hinata looked up from the book she was reading. She also bore a white headband that Sakura made her wear, "B…..but Sakura-san the reason I came to spend the night was to study for the test tomorrow."
Sakura's face grimaced, "Ugh…..I can't believe we already have a test. On top of that….." Sakura's eyes glanced over at her bed and then over to Hinata, "……have you decided yet?"
Hinata looked down and sighed. She picked up a piece of paper that she had sitting on the floor, "n…no. Not yet. Last time was really scary."
Sakura stood up and grabbed the piece of paper that was lying on her bed. She returned to her seat and glanced over the contents of the paper, "I can't believe it's already been six months. Even more unbelievable is that Shishou (master) said that we could participate."
Hinata just nodded. Sakura put down the card, "So much bad stuff happened last time at the exams that I can't even imagine what will happen this time."
Both girls sat in silence with thoughts of the previous Chuunin Exam going through their minds. Sakura's thoughts obviously focused on Sasuke and their encounter with Orochimaru.
"But you know……."
Sakura snapped out of it when she heard Hinata's voice. She looked at Hinata who had a slight smile on her face. Hinata looked down at her fingers, which were fidgeting, "A lot of good things happened too."
YOU CAN HINATA!………………Hinata stand up for yourself! But…A person like you……I really like!Sakura stared at the smiling face of Hinata and couldn't help but also smile.
Knock Knock
The two girls turned around and watched as the door to Sakura's room slowly opened to reveal her mother. "Hey you two, studying hard?"
Sakura collapsed on top of the books once more, "yeah right…."
Yuki walked in with some snacks and drinks in her hands. After giving the two the snacks she sat down and joined them. She watched the two enjoy their snacks and reopen their books for study. Yuki put her arms on the table and rested her head on her hands, "so are you guys enjoying studying under Tsunade-sama?"
"Yeah, but when she teaches us things she can be really cruel." Sakura took a bite of the onigiri that Yuki brought.
Yuki smiled at the comment and turned her attention to Hinata. She smiled gently, "I'm glad to see that you're doing well Hinata…It's been awhile hasn't it…."
Hinata looked up in surprise, "eh?"
Sakura looked at her mother, "Mom, how do you know Hinata?"
Yuki started turning the pages of a human anatomy book, "Hinata's mother and I were very close when we were younger…."
Both Hinata's and Sakura's eyes widened. Yuki smiled again, "you two used to play together all the time when you were children. All the way up until….." Yuki's face suddenly became solemn.
Sakura was dumb founded, "I can't believe it. You mean that we knew each other back when we were children? Why don't I remember?"
Yuki leaned back, "you guys were young, but if you doubt me…." Yuki started to rummage through her pockets. Sakura and Hinata waited in anticipation.
Without warning Yuki jumped up and held something in front of the two girl's eyes, "See this is plenty of proof!" Both Sakura and Hinata's eyes bulged out in horror. In front of them was a picture but what terrified them was what was on the picture.
Yuki pointed at the picture, "see you two used to bath together." The picture was of Hinata and Sakura in a bathtub together. The two of them couldn't have been older than one or two. Both girl's blushed at the embarrassing sight of their nudity.
Sakura slammed her hands on the table and put her face in front of her mothers, "M…mom! Why do you have a picture of Hinata and me in the buff! Even worse why do you carry it around in your pocket!"
Yuki smiled, "because I love to show it to all my friends."
Both Sakura and Hinata's faces turned beet red. 'I…I can't believe this!' Sakura couldn't take it anymore, "MOM!"
Yuki put away the picture, "Ok OK! I'll put it away….." She put the picture back in her pocket and looked at Hinata, "Anyways if you ever want to look at some of my old photos of your mother then just come by anytime. Knowing Hizashi-san I doubt you have many of her right?"
Hinata just nodded. "Well, anyways I have some chores to do. I'll leave you girls to your studying." Yuki got up and walked to the door. She stopped about halfway out and turned around, "Hinata, it really is great to see you doing so well."
Hinata smiled slightly and nodded, "Mmm"
Yuki returned the smile and left. The two girls sat in silence for a while until Sakura spoke up, "Well, I guess this is pretty interesting, huh?"
Hinata nodded in agreement, "Yeah……."
A new period of silence befell the room. 'Damn it! Why can't I say anything? Oh well….' "WELL LET'S GET BACK TO THE STUDYING!" Sakura burst full of energy. Hinata on the other hand sat in silence. Sakura began to chuckle to herself but quickly realized how stupid she looked. She dropped back down to the ground with a thud.
"Ano….."
"Eh?" Sakura looked at Hinata. "What is it?"
Hinata shifted a couple times on her pillow, "w….would you m…mind listening to something, Sakura-san?"
Sakura stared for a moment but the blank expression on her face was quickly replaced with a smile, "Sure."
Hinata looked at her hands as they fidgeted, "I….I only knew about my mother as my mother and a medical ninja. This is the first time I've heard about any of her friends. S….since my father never spoke of her I didn't know very much…."
Sakura's expression turned a little sorrowful as Hinata continued, "Even so, I still want to be a medical ninja like my mother. I want to help people and become useful especially……" Hinata paused for a few moments.
Sakura looked at Hinata's hands, which were fidgeting madly, "especially?"
Hinata closed her eyes, "Sakura-san, can you keep a s…secret?"
Sakura's smile returned, "Sure……we're friends after all."
Hinata raised head and looked at Sakura in amazement. Being called a friend brought great joy to Hinata, "ummm……I…….the truth is I……..the reason I want to be a medical ninja………"
Sakura got a little closer to Hinata, "What is it?"
Hinata blushed severely and shut her eyes, "THE TRUTH IS I ALSO WANT TO BECOME ONE FOR NARUTO-KUN!"
The sudden burst of emotions caught Sakura by surprise. Hinata's face quickly turned red and she began to wave her hands frantically in front of her, "No! Wait….I mean….it's not like…….wait……." Hinata stopped waving her hands and started to breath deeply.
Sakura grinned, "it's ok. You can be honest with me. I won't tell anyone."
Hinata's blush still remained. Her eyes glanced around the room trying not to make eye contact with Sakura, "h..he….Naruto-kun did so much for me during the exam and after but I………He encouraged me and even asked Tsunade-sama to teach me…..So the ….the other reason I want to become a medical ninja is for Naruto-kun. H…he was the first person to ever have real expectations of me. He told me that he believed that I would make a great medical ninja so I….."
Sakura put her hand on Hinata's shoulders, " I understand. You're really great Hinata. As your friend I support you one hundred percent." She tightened her headband, "well let's make sure by time he comes back that we're both medical ninja. SO LET'S GET STUDYING!"
Hinata smiled and shot her arm into the air, "YEAH!"
Outside the door to Sakura's room, Yuki smiled with tears rolling down from her eyes, ' you'd be proud of your daughter, Hana. It seems my idiot daughter made a good friend.'
After their exploration of the forest, Naruto and Mae started to head back to the temple. The sun in the sky had set while they walked down the familiar path and a vast array of stars filled the night sky. As the two approached the temple Naruto noticed that someone was waiting at the back entrance of the main building, "Ero-sensei…."
Jiraiya watched as the two teens walked up to him, "have a good walk?"
Mae hugged Naruto's arms and smiled lovingly, "Haaaiiiii!"
Jiraiya grinned at her response. He looked at Naruto and pointed at the door, "Pops is done with the preps so everything's ready to go. Let's get going."
The two followed Jiraiya as they walked down the hallway leading to the main hall where the sealing ceremony was going to be held. As they entered the hall Mae's eyes widened in surprise, "Aaaamazing!"
The room was darks except for a dozen or so candles, which illuminated it. The walls and ceiling were covered with small pieces of paper, all of which had black seal markings on them. Mae and Jiraiya were the first to walk into the room. Naruto reached the doorway and stopped to look around. He noticed a large black design on the floor. There was a large black diamond in the center of the floor. On the top and bottom of the diamond were two solid black dots.
The most noticeable designs on the floor were two large rings. Each ring was made of hundreds of seal markings. The first ring seemed to be about ten feet in diameter and the smaller ring, which was situated in the center of the larger, was about six feet in diameter.
Naruto noticed that Jinnin was sitting on the top dot doing some sort of incantation, 'what's he doing?' Naruto began to enter the room but as soon as he took his first footstep in the room a strange tingling sensation rushed through his body. Added to the tingling a slight buzz sound seemed to be echoing through the room. Naruto looked at the others, "Hey, do you guys feel that?"
Mae and Jiraiya turned around and looked at him. Mae just shook her head. Jiraiya smirked, "Don't worry. It's just a reaction that your seal is having to this room. Anyways…" he pointed to the two rings, "Go stand in the center of the rings."
Naruto walked slowly towards the rings. The closer he went towards the rings the more amplified the tingle sensation became, 'damn this feels like when my foot falls asleep except it's over my entire body.'
He stood in the center of the two rings like he was told. Jiraiya walked around the diamond and sat on the other black circle opposite Jinnin. He did a few hand and body stretches finishing with the cracking of his knuckles, "Alright let's get this over with!"
In a flash he began performing dozens upon dozens of hand seals, most of which Naruto didn't recognize. Jinnin, who had up to the point remained silent and motionless, suddenly unraveled a scroll. He bit his finger and quickly wrote something in the scroll. Finally he rolled the scroll back up and placed it between his hands. He finished up by performing several hand seals ending with the tiger seal.
Naruto suddenly felt both Jinnin's and Jiraiya's chakra sky rocket. Sweat began to roll down his face from the extreme pressure, 'amazing…….Jinnin-oji-san is just as strong as the old pervert!'
Jinnin looked at Jiraiya, "Alright here we go! Jiraiya you take care of the inner seal. I'll care of the outer."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, "GOT IT!" The two closed there eyes and concentrated. As they did this their chakra increased more and more.
"NARUTO-SAMA!"
Naruto looked over at Mae who seemed to be staring at his feet, "What is it? I'm kinda busy……." Naruto suddenly realized what she was looking at. His eyes darted to the two rings, which were now spinning, on the floor. The Larger ring was spinning clockwise where as the smaller one was spinning counter-clockwise. 'What's going on? They are spinning faster and faster….'
A rush of numbness suddenly hit Naruto's body. The feeling was much like what he was already experiencing but more intensified. It took all Naruto had to keep standing.
Mae watched from the side as all this was happening. She had her hands clutched together up to her heart, 'Naruto-sama, do your best!'
In unison both Jinnin and Jiraiya opened their eyes and shouted, "NIJUU FUUIN!" (Double Seal) Jiraiya slammed both his palms on the circle he was sitting on. Jinnin also did this but with the scroll instead of his hands.
The ring seals accelerated to a blurring speed. As they did they began to glow a blue color. A loud rumble filled the room followed by intense trembling. Mae looked around frantically trying to figure out what was going on.
"What the hell!"
Mae returned her attention to Naruto. She was shocked to see that the two rings were slowly rising off the ground. Their vertical assent stopped once they reached the height of Naruto's torso.
Jinnin and Jiraiya began to sweat profusely. The strain on their bodies caused by the maintenance of the seal was unbearable. Naruto's body began to spasm all over. His muscles felt like they were being ripped apart. Jiraiya saw this and shouted, "POPS! NOW!"
Jinnin yelled back, "You don't have to tell me that, brat!" He closed his eyes and chanted several incantations. Suddenly he shot his eyes open and shouted, "SEAL!"
The ring's glow intensified to a blinding light and the rings shot at Naruto's body. They shrank inward in a flash. A blinding flash filled the room followed by a loud electric sound. A shockwave hit Jinnin, Jiraiya and Mae nearly knocking them all down. Mae looked towards the light and shouted, "NARUTO-SAMA!"
No response came from Naruto. The light slowly began to dim allowing the three's eyes to adjust. Mae's vision was blurry at first from the initial bright light but the room slowly came into focus. Mae immediately directed her attention to where Naruto was. At first she couldn't see anything but slowly she could make out a dark object. At first it looked like a formless blob but it slowly took form. The definite human features came into sight until finally Mae was able to let out a sigh of relief, "Thank goodness….."
Naruto was still situated where we originally was. He was hunched over panting heavily and his body covered in sweat. The shirt he was wearing had been completely torn off his body and laid on the ground in shreds. Mae walked up to him and reached out her hands with a handkerchief on her palms, "Naruto-sama are you ok."
Naruto looked up and grinned, "Yeah…..I guess." He returned his head looking down as he continued to breathe heavily.
Mae wiped his face with the handkerchief. As she did so she examined him, 'strange he doesn't look any different………except…..' Mae looked at Naruto's arms. On both his arms, between his shoulder and elbow, were two black band seals, 'is that them?'
Naruto began to wobble. His vision was slowly beginning to fade, 'dammit……I can't feel my body……..not only that but my chakra feels completely empty. Like when I fought Gaara during the exam…..'
Naruto tried to stand upright. As he did he looked at Mae. She looked at him in concern and went to reach out to him. Naruto's eyes widened as she began to speak but he couldn't hear anything, 'wh……what the hell…..' Suddenly he felt his head get lighter. His vision of Mae was obstructed by something falling. He reached out to grab it but when his hand reached about waist height his vision completely blacked out.
Mae who had been trying to communicate with a silent Naruto watched as his forehead protector ripped and fell towards the ground. As it did Naruto tried to grab it but suddenly began to fall forwards. She jumped towards him, "NARUTO-SAMA!"
THUNKBefore Naruto could hit the ground Jiraiya caught him. Jiraiya lifted up Naruto's unconscious body, "Heh, I guess he fainted……"
Mae went to them, "Naruto-sama. Naruto-sama! Is he ok!"
Jiraiya smiled.
"Don't worry he is just asleep."
Mae looked over at Jinnin who was standing. He wiped the sweat off his forehead, "Whew! Been awhile since I've done such a complex sealing."
Mae looked back at Naruto and then at Jiraiya, "Jiraiya-sama, is Naruto-sama going to be alright?"
Jiraiya threw Naruto over his shoulder, "Don't worry. Naruto is just experiencing the side effects. His chakra is probably down to zero at the moment. Alls he needs is rest." He turned and began to walk towards the door to the room, "Come on, let's go put him into bed."
Mae nodded and followed. The two left the room and consequently Jinnin. Jinnin looked at the two as they walked down the hallway. He waved his hand in order to get attention, "Ooooooiiiiiiii, Why did you guys leave me that's so cold….." Jinnin began to cry, "You know I'm the one who did most the work and not so much as a Good Job"
Jinnin sighed and followed the two, 'I'm so under appreciated…….sigh…..'
Jiraiya laid Naruto down in his futon. He didn't cover him up instead he looked at Mae who walked into the room behind him. He waited for Jinnin to enter the room before he spoke, "Mae-chan……I know this is a lot to ask but could you……."
Mae looked at him for a second and then bent down next to Naruto. The room was silent for amount until she rose up. Jiraiya spoke, "So…..How is the seal."
Mae sat down next to Naruto's head. She sat on her legs and rested her hands on top of her lap, "The sealing was successful. Both seals are holding and are stable."
The room was silent for a while. Jiraiya leaned up against the wall and crossed his arms. He lowered his head and spoke, "Aren't you going to ask?"
Mae kept her eyes on Naruto's sleeping face, "Ask what?"
Jiraiya looked out the window, "You've kept quiet this entire time, but aren't you going to ask about the seal?"
Mae reached out and began to stroke Naruto's hair, "it doesn't matter. I don't care what it is. Regardless of what the seal is for, Naruto-sama is still Naruto-sama……and I know that he is a kind person….." Mae looked up at Jiraiya and smiled, "….and that is all I need to know."
Jiraiya smirked alittle. Jinnin smiled, "Tomoko-chan, you truly are strong."
Mae lowered her head so that her eyes weren't in sight. She continued to stroke Naruto's hair, "That's not true. I'm still just a coward who runs away. I'm a despicable person who only knows how to run. I'm so scared of being left alone that I attach myself onto others and force them to recognize me. I'm a horror-able person, but still…….." She looked up alittle revealing tears coming from her eyes, "…..Naruto-sama listened to my selfish wish. Even though he has nothing to do with me, he smiled and offered to help me……..the detestable, selfish me who still can't forgive herself wanting my wish granted."
Jiraiya smiled, "It's not like it's so wrong to want something for yourself. As far as Naruto goes……he's the type of person who has suffered and hates it. He knows what pain is and can't stand it when others have to go through it."
Mae smiled with the tears still flowing from her eyes, "…did you know? Naruto-sama said that he would marry me if I couldn't find someone I love……..He said that to make me feel better……and at that time I thought to myself that I hate people who pity others…."
Mae sniffled a few times as Jiraiya and Jinnin just listened, "…..but he was honest. His expression wasn't full of pity but encouragement. I was honestly dumbstruck. I couldn't believe that someone could be so honest and caring. At the same time it made me feel terrible for being such a cruel person who wallowed in self-pity. But I'm still very thankful."
Jinnin smiled, "A pure and caring heart is not something that is inherited or learned from a book. It is something that one must find in themselves. Not many can do that. He has gained his pure heart to guide him on his path and you Tomoko-chan….." Mae looked up at him, "have a heart that you wish to share with others. There is nothing more pure than one wishes to share everything with someone."
Mae smiled and looked back down at Naruto, "If I could I would like to walk down the same path as Naruto-sama at his side. Even though we only just met, I can tell that he is special." She stood, "….but, I too have a path I must walk. I have many goals I wish to accomplish and…….." She looked at Naruto's face, "…..maybe at the end at that path we can meet again."
The three left Naruto in the room and walked down the hallway. Jinnin turned at one of the corridors, "I think I'll go and clean up the main hall. I'll see you two in the morning."
As Jinnin walked away, Jiraiya and Mae headed down a different hallway. There was a silence between the two. Mae was looking at many things in the hallway. She finally decided to speak, "Ano…..Jiraiya-sama…."
He looked at her, "what is it, Mae-chan?"
Mae raised her right hand to her face and covered it slightly with her kimono. She lowered her head, "Does……does Naruto-sama have someone……..someone special back home?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, "special? What do you mean?"
Mae looked away, "You know…..someone very special to him….."
Jiraiya thought for a second, "I suppose. There are probably lots, I guess."
Mae's head spun around and she glared at him, WHAT!"
Jiraiya winced in the face of Mae's glare, "what! Naruto is the kinda brat that didn't have any friends or family so those people who get close to him and acknowledge him probably become very special to him."
Mae's death glare faded, "That's……..not what I meant." She looked away and began to walk down the hallway, "I mean someone special to him in his heart. Someone he l….li…lik……." 'Dammit I can't say it!'
Jiraiya balled up his hand and tapped it on his face up palm, "Oh I see, someone that he has…." He put his hand on Mae's shoulder and gained a blush and a stupid looking expression, "…..a romantic relationship with. Fu Fu Fu"
Mae also gained a blush, "y…yeah something like that……So does he?"
Jiraiya walked ahead and thought for a moment, "well, I know he had a crush on his teammate."
Mae raised up her fist to her face. The fist was trembling in anger, 'a RIVAL!'
"….but if I had to say…."
Mae dropped her fist and looked up at Jiraiya who had walked past her, "eh?"
Jiraiya turned around, "I would say your most dangerous competition would be that girl."
Mae ran up to Jiraiya in a flash. She grabbed the two sides of his vest and lifted him into the air. She shook him feverously, "WHO! WHO IS SHE!"
Jiraiya began to get dizzy from the shaking, 'what is this girl some kind of monster!' "H….her name is Hinata I think. She and Naruto seem to have special relationship. She's cute in a shy kind of way."
THUD!Mae dropped him. Causing his head to hit the floor effectively knocking him out cold. Mae covered her hand up with her hand and thought, 'Damn! I didn't expect there to be a strong love rival.' She walked away leaving Jiraiya in the middle of the hallway.
"Ku Ku KuKu!"
Deep in Orochimaru's lair a crooked laugh resonated. Orochimaru sat in his chair surrounded by darkness. Kabuto walked in through the door. "Orochimaru-sama is something the matter?"
Orochimaru looked up at him, "There is nothing wrong. Ku Ku, quite the opposite. I have found something quite interesting."
Kabuto lowered his eyes a bit, "something?"
Orochimaru leaned on his hand, "Do you know what the second level of the Curse seal does, Kabuto?"
Kabuto adjusted his glasses causing as slight flash of light to reflect off them, "Unlike the first level, the second level goes beyond just pulling out chakra. It brings out qualities inherent within the cursed person. These qualities are usually genetic ones such as bloodlines. It enables the person to use his or her natural abilities at a much higher level than what would be normally possible."
"As expected…." Orochimaru smirked, "….you know nothing!"
Kabuto looked a little surprised, " I don't understand. What do you mean?"
Orochimaru grinned, "It does do the things you have mentioned. But it also alters the cursed's mind. This is usually done in order to control them. My thoughts are their thoughts and their thoughts mine. I am usually able to read their thoughts as a result. This gives me an edge when I manipulate them. I found the most interesting thing after Sasuke-kun finished training the other day……."
Kabuto began to sweat little in the presence of the Sannin, "what did you find?"
Orochimaru's eyes widened in delight, "I found power even greater than the Sharingan, KU KU KU!"
Kabuto's eyes widened a little. Orochimaru continued, "I have always known that a stronger level of Sharingan existed but I never knew the conditions that needed to be met. The Uchiha clan was protective of their secrets. But thanks to Sasuke-kun I have learned the secret of the Mangekyou."
This puzzled Kabuto, "There is a stronger Sharingan?"
Orochimaru sighed, "Itachi's main advantage in battle wasn't the fact that he had the Sharingan but the fact that he had something that other Sharingan's did not. The Mangekyou! The technique's true depths are unknown. It is surrounded in myth and legend. Even Sasuke-kun knows nothing about its true powers, but he did know the conditions."
Kabuto didn't get the chance to speak before Orochimaru spoke again. "A friend. The key to that power is a friend."
Kabuto's eyes narrowed, "How is a friend able to activate it?"
Orochimaru began to laugh, "KU KUU! The only thing a friend is good for of course…….a SACRIFICE!"
Kabuto's thought to himself, 'the death of a friend causes it? I don't understand how is something as simple as that able to activate it? And even if that's the case, when he takes over Sasuke-kun's body……'
Orochimaru stood out of his chair, "it seems that we have another reason to destroy Konoha. By the way, were you able to acquire what I asked you to get?"
Kabuto bowed his head, "Hai, I was able to retrieve them. It took some time but they can be ready whenever they will be needed."
"Good" Orochimaru walked over to the detached hand that resided next to his collection, "with those I will be able to destroy Konoha and obtain the ultimate Sharingan. Hahahahahaha!"
Orochimaru's laughs echoed through his lair and into the air outside. For miles around, people could all feel a dark chill crawl up their spines.
As the sun rose a new day for Uzumaki Naruto began. He awoke in the usual manner. Much like a zombie he slowly rose out of his futon and began to walk around half-asleep. THUD
"Owwww" Naruto's head smacked nto the wall. He rubbed his head where it collided, "Damn walls!"
He looked around trying to get his bearings straight, 'oh yeah, we were doing the seal and……' a flash of his headband falling off went through his mind. He reached up and touched his forehead. All of sudden he began to panic, "AHHHHHHH, Where! Where is it!"
"It's right here."
Naruto turned around and looked at the door to the room. Mae stood there smiling. She raised her hands. In them she held Naruto's forehead protector. Naruto walked up to her and grabbed it. "Eh? What's wrong with it." Naruto examined it closely trying to figure out what was different.
Mae smiled, "Unfortunately it tore during the sealing process. I got some material and made a new headband for it."
Naruto looked at it. The band was black and much longer than the original. The top of the headband rose up higher than his usual band and arched from one side of the metal protector to the other. Naruto looked at Mae, 'she did a pretty good job……'
Mae saw that he was looking at her and smiled more, ' I think he likes it!'
Naruto smiled a little until something suddenly hit him. He gasped in horror, "Oh DAMN!"
Mae looked at him with a look of confusion, "what is it Naruto-sama?"
Naruto began to cry, "I destroyed Iruka-sensei's headband." He hunched over, "aw man, I'm so dead."
Mae stared at him for a second and then returned to her normal giddy self, "Don't worry Naruto-sama. I'm sure if he is an important person to you then I'm sure he will understand."
Naruto sighed, "I guess" He put the protector on his forehead and tied the ends of the headband together. Unlike his previous forehead protector, this one had lots of loose material that wasn't used in the knot. The front of the protector pushed his bangs upward.
Mae gazed at him for a while until a blush appeared on her cheeks, "Wonderful!"
It was at that time that Naruto realized that he was no longer wearing his shirt, "Hey what happened to my shirt?"
Mae shifted slightly, "Unfortunately your shirt was also torn to pieces during the sealing. Jiraiya-sama said he had a change of clothes waiting for you."
Naruto turned his head a little and looked at his naked torso, "I see….hmm?" Naruto looked at the black seals on his arms, "What the hell!"
Mae leaned against the wall, "Those are the seals. Don't worry they aren't permanent. Later they can be taken off. Anyways let's go see Jiraiya-sama about your clothes."
Naruto followed Mae as they walked down the hallway. Naruto looked at his body, 'this is strange. I didn't think that sealing the Kyuubi's powers would make my body feel so weak.' He sighed and scratched his head. After a few scratches he stopped walking. Mae also stopped and turned around, "What's the matter, Naruto-sama?"
Naruto tugged at his bangs, "Since the sealing is down, Ero-sensei and me are about to leave…"
Mae's expression suddenly turned into a sad one and she looked to her lower left, "Emm…."
Naruto brushed his hand through his hair, "I've been thinking this for a while but this hair is going to get in the way during training. Can you do me a favor?"
Mae looked at him as he continued, "I need you to cut my hair for me. I would try but I'm sure I would screw up." He grinned.
Mae looked at him for a while as she remembered his comment about leaving. She shook away the thoughts and smiled, "Sure, let me go get some scissors."
The two went outside and sat down on the walkway. Mae tied a towel around Naruto's neck. She began to cut his hair shorter and shorter. Naruto just sat there in silence. With each snip of hair, Mae thought more and more about Naruto leaving. She finally worked up the courage to speak, "u…ummm Naruto-sama…."
Naruto didn't move except for his eyes, "what?"
Mae's eyes narrowed a bit and her eyebrows lowered, "How long are you planning on being away."
Naruto thought for a second, "Well Ero-sensei said that we had a time limit of about 3 years, so I would say about that long."
SnipThere was a long period of silence from Mae, "…….I see…."
She continued to cut his hair in silence. After about thirty minutes of cutting. Mae finally finished. Naruto stood up and felt his hair, "Good! It's nice and short like it used to be." He walked to a small Koi pond and looked at his reflection. "Eh, it's a bit longer than before but still really short. You did a good job M…"
He turned around and looked at Mae. She was holding the towel in both hands and staring at the ground in silence. Naruto felt awkward until Mae realized he was looking at her. She suddenly switched back to her cheerful self, "You like it! I'm so happy!"
Naruto didn't say anything to her as they walked to where Jiraiya and Jinnin were. The two teens walked into the dining area where the two older men were eating breakfast. Jiraiya looked up at the two, "oh, good morning brat! Sleep well."
Naruto suddenly disappeared from Jiraiya's vision. Jiraiya's eyes narrowed, 'He vanished! Where….'
Suddenly Jiraiya felt a tug at the corners of his vest. Naruto re-appeared in front of him with his hands on Jiraiya's vest. He began to violently shake Jiraiya, "You BASTARD! How can you seat there and eat peacefully after destroying my new clothes and my forehead protector!"
Jiraiya continued to try and eat as his head bobbed back and forth, "Don't worry about it. I have a new set of clothes for you and your headband was replaced, so no harm done."
Naruto began to cry again and shook Jiraiya more violently, "You don't understand! That was Iruka-sensei's headband!"
Jinnin chuckled a little at the comedy routine taking place in front of him. His laughter was cut short when he noticed a silent Mae, who was sitting next to him at the square table, "are you ok Tomoko-chan?"
Mae just nodded her head, "Y….yeah."
After a while Naruto calmed down and began to eat his breakfast. The table was relatively quiet while everyone ate. As Jiraiya ate a piece of fish he looked at Naruto, 'I see that the seals are already beginning to take effect. He seems slightly shorter than he was yesterday. His aging must be returning to normal.'
"Ahem!"
Jiraiya was brought out of deep though by Naruto's voice, "Eh, what is it now?"
Naruto's eye began to twitch a little, "Well, not that I mind or anything but……" A vein popped on his forehead, "CAN YOU GET ME THE DAMN CLOTHES ALREADY! I've been freezing my ass of for the past half hour!"
Jiraiya sighed, "fine, fine. Frankly I'm tired of seeing you without a shirt on. It's times like this that make me wish I had a female apprentice, tee hee hee…." He stood up and motioned for Naruto to follow him. The two walked out leaving Jinnin and Mae at table.
Jinnin looked over at Mae and coughed, "Tomoko-chan what's wrong. You've been picking up your rice with your chop sticks and putting them in your tea cup."
Mae's eyes bulged when she realized what she was doing, 'I wondered why it tasted weird.' "Oh no! Gomen!"
Jinnin chuckled, "you don't have to apologize to me. Anyways what's wrong?"
Mae put down her chop sticks and lowered her head, "It's nothing…….it's…..it's just that Naruto-sama said he was going away for three years. I won't be able to see him until he gets back."
Jinnin sipped on his tea, "Oh, I see. I was wondering what could be bothering you. You shouldn't let it get you down. Naruto, like you, has something he must accomplish. It's not like two or three years is a long time. If you really think about it, during that time you can spend improving yourself as a person and a future possible wife. You should try your hardest to impress him, after all……." Jinnin looked at her face, "you've already decided that he is the one right?"
Mae blushed and nodded slightly. Jinnin laughed, "See, you should spend that time preparing for the next time you two meet. Hah ha"
Mae thought for a second then smiled, "That's right, Naruto-sama is walking down the path to his dreams and so should I!" Mae stood up with new resolution. She turned around and bolted out the door, "Naruto-sama wait for me!"
Jinnin laughed, "Heh, youth is quite something."
Mae ran and caught up with Jiraiya and Naruto who were walking towards a part of the temple that neither of the teens had been to. Jiraiya slid the door open, "Their in here."
Naruto and Mae walked in and were amazed. Naruto surveyed it, "wow, I didn't know that they had dojos in temples." He looked around the room noting several weapons and such.
"This room is reserved for the passing down of fighting techniques. Monk's usually don't fight but a certain level of self-protection is always needed. Hmm where could it be?" Jiraiya shuffled through a closet. "Oh here it is!"
Jiraiya's head popped out of the closet and brought with him a small box. He sat the box in the floor and dusted it off. Naruto pointed at it, "your saying my change of clothes is in there! It looks like that box has been in there for more than ten years!"
Jiraiya thought for a second, "It has been. Actually it's been about twenty years."
Naruto freaked out, "EH! I'm not wearing some raggedy old outfit!"
Jiraiya smirked, "Don't worry even if it's been a long time I guarantee that they are still fine. These clothes were made durable."
He lifted the lid off the box. He, Mae and Naruto all looked into the box and sat in silence. Naruto looked at Jiraiya, "Oi, this is a joke right?"
A sweat drop rolled down Jiraiya's cheek, "what do you mean?'
Naruto pointed his trembling finger at the box, "What do I mean! The damned box is EMPTY!"
Jiraiya tossed the box over his shoulder, "well what do you know, wrong box!" He turned around quickly and dug through the closet again.
Naruto watched him and tapped impatiently, 'iiiiiiiidiot!'
"Alright this is it for sure!" Jiraiya tossed another box to Naruto.
Naruto caught the box and subsequently the dust that flew off it. After an intense coughing fest, Naruto opened the box and pulled out the contents. The clothes inside weren't extravagant. They appeared to be plain black clothes. Jiraiya crossed his arms, "Go ahead and try them on."
Naruto stood to take off his pants but stopped when he realized something. His head slowly turned to look behind him. Mae who was sitting directly behind him stared at him for a second, "Eh?" Suddenly it hit her and after her face turned beet red, she turned around quickly, "G…Gomen!"
Jiraiya laughed. Naruto took off his pants and exchanged them for the new pair. There really wasn't much to them. They were black, slightly baggy and tied off at the ankles. Then he put on a white long belt-like sash. It wrapped around his waist and lower torso. Next he put on the shirt in the box. Like the pants, it was black and quite plain. He had a turtleneck like collar and no sleeves. The last items in the box were probably the only real strange pieces of clothing. They looked amazingly like the arm covers that Ino and Sasuke used to where except they were black. After Naruto finished dressing Mae turned around and looked at his new attire. She put her hands together, "wonderful! Naruto-sama even looks good in all black!"
Naruto looked at his clothes and then at Jiraiya, "it's not that I'm complaining or anything but these are kinda plain don't you think? By the way where did you get these?"
Jiraiya closed his eyes and didn't speak for a moment, "………..those used to belong to the Yondaime."
Naruto froze for a second and then re-looked over his wardrobe, 'amazing. This used to be the fourth's!'
Jiraiya could see Naruto's change of mind and stood. "Don't let their simplicity fool you. The Yondaime used that outfit when he trained."
Naruto tugged at the material on the arm covers, "Izzat so…"
Jiraiya frowned, "You don't believe me? Well I'll just have to show you how great these clothes are." He held up his hand in front of his face and extended out his index and middle finger. He closed his eyes and stood in silence. Both Mae and Naruto stared at him in confusion. Finally he spoke, "By the way…….you might want to sit….."
"Sit? Why….."
THUD!All of sudden, Naruto's body flew to the ground as if it had been pulled.
"Wha…..what the hell!" Naruto tried to pull himself off the ground but couldn't. 'Damn it feels like I'm tied to the ground!' He looked at Jiraiya, "HEY! OLD MAN! What the hell did you do!"
Jiraiya smirked, "Heh, I told you that those clothes were special. With the force that you hit the ground you should have bounce off. Do you know why you didn't?"
Naruto just glared at him. It was obvious that he wasn't enjoying his stay on the floor. Jiraiya continued. Apparently he WAS enjoying Naruto's stay on the floor, "The truth is right now you weigh much more than you normally would. Those clothes have special seals inside them. I don't want to get into the details but simply put when I add chakra to them weight is added. Since you have the clothes covering most your body, then your body is weighted down. By the way…" He pointed at Naruto's head, "….your headband also has the same seals in it."
Naruto looked up at his protector, "WHAAAAAAT! I was wondering why my head felt heavy!"
Jiraiya snickered, 'yeah bet it was the first time that it felt heavy!'
"Gomen Naruto-sama, Jiraiya-sama gave me that material when I was trying to fix your forehead protector." Mae bowed her head alittle.
Naruto attempted to look at her but failed due to the weight, "N…..no problem. This isn't a …..a lot." He left the side of his face lay of the ground, 'but still, its pretty amazing. The fourth used this same method to train….'
"Oh yeah, when the Yondaime used this method to train when he was your age he had double the weight….."
Naruto's eyes bulged in shock after hearing Jiraiya's words. 'What the hell! DOUBLE! What the hell was he……..a monster!' He gritted his teeth and tensed up his muscles. He moved both his hands, palm down, up next to his shoulders. "UWAAAH!" He shouted as he slowly raised himself off the ground. The higher he got the bigger his muscles bulged. Sweat and veins that were popping out started covering his body. Jiraiya just watched with a smirk on his face.
After a lot of effort Naruto was still only half off the ground. Mae waved her arms in frenzy, "Naruto-sama! Are you all right! Do you need any help?"
Naruto grinned and began to yell, "YAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" In one motion Naruto got up on his feet and stood straight up, "HAAAH! If the fourth can handle double this than this much is nothing to me!"
Jiraiya chuckled, "Heh, I'll go ahead and tell you this much, this training is for strength and endurance so during our training I'll increase the weight each day."
Naruto almost fell over but struggled to keep his balance, 'more!' "…uh……HAH! This is nothing I can take much more than this!"
Jiraiya grinned and began to raise his hand, "well if you want more I can just…"
"NO WAIT !" Naruto grabbed Jiraiya's hand stopping it's movements, "I… uh …..I wouldn't want to disrupt your training schedule so lets keep with this one, ney?"
Jiraiya smirked. Mae came up to Naruto with a concerned face, "Naruto-sama……Are you really ok?"
Naruto slowly his turned his head. He spoke with his teeth clenched, "I'm …… just …… fine!"
Jiraiya shrugged and walked towards the door. "Anyways we should head out. Go grab your things so we can go."
Naruto couldn't turn around so he raised his hand slowly, "s….sure….be there in a ..a. bit"
After trudging to his room, Naruto grabbed his bag and headed….slowly to the front entrance. The entire time Mae walked behind him silently with her head lowered. Finally Naruto reached the front door where Jiraiya waited anxiously. "Oi, what took you so long!"
Naruto didn't answer. He stepped off the floor and into the entrance to put on his shoes. He looked down at the shoes and thought, 'Damn if I bend over I can't get back up…' In the end he slowly slipped into the shoes while standing vertically.
After Naruto's adventure in shoeland both he and Jiraiya stood at the doorway ready to leave. They both turned around to Jinnin and Mae who were still standing on the floor in front of the entrance. Jiraiya just raised his hand up without waving, "well I guess we'll be going. See ya later pops. Mae-chan you too."
Mae bowed where as Jinnin just flipped Jiraiya off, "insolent brat! You didn't apologize to me for all the trouble you've caused."
Jiraiya smirked and closed his eyes, "maybe next time."
Naruto looked at Jinnin, "arigato, Jinnin-oji-san."
Jinnin looked at the boy, "don't worry about it. Just make sure not to catch any of the brat's bad habits."
Naruto nodded at then looked at Mae who had her head lowered. Jiraiya and Jinnin both smirked. Jiraiya turned and walked out the door, "I'll go ahead. I need to take care of something outside."
Jinnin also followed suite, "yeah, that reminds me I need to finish cleaning up the main hall." Both older men left, leaving the teens alone.
Naruto felt a bit awkward for some reason, "eh, uh. Well I guess I'll see ya later." Mae's head was still lowered. Her bangs were covering her eyes so Naruto had no clue what kinda of expression she had. He began to turn around, "well, bye."
"…..Naruto-sama….."
Naruto turned around and looked at the girl. Her head was still lowered, "what is it?"
Mae pointed to something on the ground with her index finger. Naruto looked directly below her where the lowered floor of the entrance and the raised floor of the hallway met. "Do you mind picking it up for me."
Naruto looked down and noticed one of Mae's hairpins on the floor. He grimaced a little at thought of having to bend down and picking it up. Finally he caved, "ok, I'll get it." He slowly bent towards the pin. He struggled trying not to fall over during the process. Finally he was able to reach for the pin and grab it. He grinned his usual grin with his eyes closed and teeth showing from ear to ear, 'got it! I must be getting stronger already!'
"Naruto-sama……."
Naruto raised his head slowly with his grinning expression, "what is i……."
Chu…
Suddenly he felt something strange. He opened his eyes and was shocked as to the sight. The sensation was on his lips and the cause of the sensation was……Mae's lips. As Naruto had looked up Mae bent down and kissed him while he had his eyes closed. Now his eyes were wide open and her were closed with a tear in the corner of her eye. The two stayed in that position for a while, mostly because Naruto was frozen like a deer in the headlights.
Slowly Mae ended the kiss and opened her eyes. She sat down on her knees as the tear building in her eye rolled down. Naruto began to tremble a little, "y….you….you….."
Mae lowered her head, "Gomen……..I just wanted to tell you that……that…." Mae raised her head, "…..that I won't forget you! Please remember your promise and to come back. Every time I remember that kiss, I'll remember you, so don't forget! Since ….you….."
Mae stood up and ran away down the hall, "Since you took my first kiss!……"
Naruto watched still frozen as Mae turned the corner. He could see that she was blushing. After she disappeared he slowly began to move, "I TOOK! How the hell could I have……" He suddenly calmed down. 'hah, what pain…' He put his hands around his mouth and yelled, "DON'T WORRY I WONT FORGET! BUT YOU SHOULD TRY AND FIND THE RIGHT PERSON AND START YOUR FAMILY!" Naruto lowered his hands and turned around and walked out the door.
Around the corner, Mae leaned against the wall. She still had the blush on her cheeks, which were joined by falling tears. But there was something else…..a smile.
Outside Naruto joined Jiraiya. Jiraiya looked at the boy, "you're too loud brat." He wrapped his arm around Naruto's shoulder as they walked down the stairs, "so regretting leaving such a cute girl behind?"
Naruto became agitated, "SHUT UP! Besides…." His expression changed to a smile, "I think she'll be fine. She has a dream and I'm sure she will try her hardest to accomplish it. I believe in her as……."
Jiraiya stared at him, "as a what?"
Naruto smiled, "….as a friend."
Jiraiya smirked. He took his arm off Naruto's shoulder and walked ahead, "Righty right! Well let's get going shall we!"
Naruto stopped for a second to look up the stairway., 'As a very good friend..'
"COME ON LETS GO!"
Naruto turned around and tried to catch up with his teacher, " OSU!"
AUTHOR'S NOTES
In the reference for the two floors, I'm referring to how many Japanese households have the floor raised at the entrance so that people can take off their shoes without tracking dirt and such into the house. If you've watched a variety of anime, then you've probably seen it before.
This is by far one of the longest chapter I have ever written. I really wanted to end this little arc in my story before I went on to the next section. It's funny though that this is one of my longest and my next will be a kinda mini chapter. Originally I wasn't going to do it, but in the end I decided too. Well anyways hope you enjoyed the chapter. Like I said before, if you go to my profile, you can see a pic of Naruto in his training outfit. See ya next chapter!
NEXT CHAPTER – "Passage of Time"