A/N: Next chapter is up. 14 oh wow. Oh and about the random Japanese terms, if you need translation just put it in your review. I'll get back to you on it.
Disclaimer: Me no own.
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"He'll be fine for now, he's sleeping. Something of his past came up and caused a conflict with his emotions. He'll be fine soon; just I suggest no one bother him for a couple hours." He spoke. "How is Inari?" He replied. Tazuna said the boy will be fine. "It's late I think we should get some rest. Kakashi-senpai, who do you want to come with you for guard duty in the morning?" He asked. Kakashi just pondered for a second.
He stood up, "I think I'll take just Sakura, Naruto isn't going to be up to par, and Haku I'm going to ask you to help Sasuke with his chakra control." The three nodded and headed to their respected room. "Be Prepared for tomorrow. All of You." Kakashi spoke.
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Chapter 14: You can push me, but I'll push you harder.
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Naruto woke up and preformed his morning ritual of rubbing the back of his eyes. Haku just giggled from where he sat. Naruto looked towards him. "Aniki..." He said tiredly. "Why is it that every time I wake up lately your right next you me watching me? It's kinda creepy." Naruto muttered as Haku smiled, and picked up Naruto's clothes for the day, simple black pants and white wife beater top, as well as a knee-length black coat with tons of pockets. "Hai. Hai. I'll be back. Then fill me in on what's happening." He said standing up without having to use his crutches since his body was almost fully healed, though he had a slight limp. As he passed by the mirror he saw that Daigo was still sleeping in his subconscious.
Showered, dressed, and combing through his waist length hair, Naruto exited the bathroom. Haku just handed him his weapons and tool the hair brush from the still sleepy child. Haku worked on Naruto's Hair, while Naruto put his weapons in their respected places. "Can I put it in a similar style to mine, Naru-chan?" Haku asked. Naruto just sighed and nodded. Haku grinned.
"Well, looks like your feminine side is coming out, eh Dobe." Sasuke said looking in from the doorframe. Naruto just gave a mock growl and glared at the avenger. Sasuke shrugged it off, being a master of the art as well. "Oi, Haku, what is it that we're working on today, Kakashi-sensei and Sakura have already left. I want to get started." He said. Braiding the two pieces around Naruto's face, he tucked them into the bun,
Naruto turned to Sasuke, now with a look of pity, rather than hate. "Aniki is teaching you?" He pondered aloud. Sasuke nodded. "Poor boy." Naruto sighed as a hand was placed on the blondes shoulder. Naruto turned around to see Haku. He saw a sadistic grin and gasped. "But! Aniki! Kakashi-sensei said--" He started
Haku just let his eyes close and his smile grew. "But, Naru-chan, you need to get back into shape. We can't have you lying about. You had yesterday off. No more sick days this week. You know if sensei, or Onee-chan, saw you..." Haku said. Sasuke was quite puzzled at the scene, but chose not to interrupt. Walking to the door, to head into the forest the blonde turned back,
"Well, let's get it over with Sasuke, if I have to suffer Aniki's training, you do to!" He said.
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Haku stood in front of the younger children. "Alright, let's start out with a simple warm up, 1000 jumping jacks in 2 minutes. If you take any longer than that, well... it won't be pleasant." Haku spoke. Naruto nodded. Sasuke just shrugged. "Alright. Begin." He said. The two boys did as they were told. Naruto finished first soon followed by Sasuke. Haku just took out his list of things to work on and started to list of what they were going to do.
The two nodded and started. The training consisted of more tree climbing, weight training, blindfolds, sparing, dodging senbon, working hand signs as quick as possible, and not to forget a 2 on 1 spar. By the time night came, the two Konoha genin were breathless and sweating. "Jeez, Dobe, how come you never told me that Haku-san was an inner sadistic?!" He said with his remaining energy. Naruto just laughed.
"I know better than to say anything bad about Aniki, or his training, come on, let's go get something to eat and then get a good night sleep." He said, the two supporting each other's weight. Haku just came out from the area he was hiding in. He smiled a sweet and innocent smile, but now, both boys knew otherwise.
"I wonder what's for dinner." The Kiri ninja said. Naruto just supposed something tasty and Sasuke just agreed with Naruto. "We should get going; I believe that Kakashi-senpai and Sakura-chan have returned with Tazuna-san. We should return also, wouldn't want anyone collapsing from exhaustion now, would we?" He said walking in front of the others in case of an attack.
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Kisame sat from his spot on the tree. "So, what are we just going to watch him now? Is this because of the tails?" He spoke to his partner. Itachi just kept looking at the scene below.
"Naruto-kun has gained tails yes. However, it doesn't look as if he's tapped into his demonic chakra." Itachi informed. "Demonic chakra is extremely dangerous when first tapped into, and with the amount of tails he has now, if we were to capture him and take him back to base, there is a high chance of his Demonic chakra setting lose. If that were to happen it would destroy the base and everything surrounding it." Itachi explained.
Kisame looked at the blonde. "So that's why Leader wants us to just watch from now on. That Konao guy was pretty pissed when he heard we weren't working for him anymore. To think he thought he had control over us. Pathetic." He said. Itachi stayed silent. "Well, I'm turning in for the night. You can keep watch if you want, but they're not going to go anywhere for a while after all the bridge hasn't been compeleted yet." Kisame said as he jumped through the trees silently. Itachi stayed in his spot.
'I wonder if there is any way to get him to join Akatsuki, his power would benefit us greatly, also I doubt there would be a way for the Kyuubi to be extracted now. They seem to be in tune to each other. However Naruto-kun seems very dedicated to the village of Leaf.' Itachi mused.
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'Looks like one of 'em left, I wonder if I was Itachi or his partner.' Naruto thought eating some of his dinner. Daigo mused from where he resided. "Kakashi-sensei, you should have seen how much Sasuke has improved! Thanks to Aniki." He said getting a blush from Haku. "Would it be okay if we join you tomorrow on duty, I'm feeling much better. But man did I tire myself out." Naruto said resting his head on the table.
Slam! Inari threw his plate to the table. "Why are you doing this?! You're just going to get yourself killed! Konao has an entire Army and against 5 ninja I'd chose an army! He is stronger! You are weak! He will win!" shouted the petite boy. Naruto lifted his head to look at the boy who was standing up in a fit of rage.
"Believe what you want. Just don't group me into any of your theories. I'm going to be strong." He said with an indifferent tone. Inari snarled.
"You don't know anything about this town! You don't know what hard work is! You don't understand what true loss is! You've had it so good! Walking around having a good time thinking you're strong! Getting false praise from everyone. Believing that you can change things. You think your strong! But your not! Your weak and you will lose! You're pathetic trying to play ninja and rescue fairy princesses. This is no game! You might as well die! You make me sick, you lame excuse of air! Maybe the world would be better off without you creating false hope in people! When not even a miracle can save us!" Inari mouthed off.
"Shut. Up." Naruto said, having heard many of the same lines in many different situations when he was younger all of which had given him a scar so very deep. Everything that Inari had said was just like using a rusty dagger to reopen the wound. Haku looked at Naruto, with regret inside, the poor brunette child just pushed all the wrong buttons. He put a hand onto Naruto's arm. "No Aniki." He said shrugging the hand off. "You think that it's noble to star in your own Melodramatic Pity Party?! Listen to yourself, crying and whining the whole time, making yourself into the victim! It takes a big man to sit around and cry all day! You coward! At least I am trying to help others instead of asking everything to be done for me! You are the weak one!" Naruto shouted at the brunette.
Sakura scowled at Naruto, yes what Inari said was mean, but Naruto as the bigger person should understand what Inari is feeling. "That was uncalled for! Apologize Naruto!" She shouted at him. Naruto glared back at Sakura with a glare so cold she felt like she didn't even know Naruto. She froze in her spot. Naruto walked to the shoe mat and put his army boots on then walked off into the forest. Haku looked at the others,
"I'm sorry for his actions. He just needs some time to cool down." the Kiri ninja said with a sad distant look in his eyes. Haku just looked down at the table not moving. Inari stomped off onto the porch. Kakashi sighed then followed the young boy.
The Jounin watched as Inari sat on the edge of the porch, he then sat beside the child. "You know Naruto didn't mean most of that. It's just that, you've gotten underneath his skin. Out of all of us, Naruto probably would understand you best out of all of us. He was on his own for four years of his life, and was picked on, he had no friends, no family, and the only person that he could to talk to was the Hokage. Everyone hated him for something that was out of his control. Then at four years of age, he left for a 7 year training trip and was always on the move. Yet, all this time I've known him; he's only shown that he was strong and that he could take any challenge thrown his way. Even though he's been through such hardships as a child I've never seen him cry." Kakashi explained.
Inari just gasped. "No one?" He spoke, and then suddenly felt terribly guilty. "I shouldn't have said those mean things. I should go apologize." Inari said standing up, Kakashi just smiled and winked.
"You should wait until morning; he's probably training his frustrations away." Kakashi noted, "Now it's late, you should go to bed." He suggested. Inari nodded and headed inside. Kakashi just sighed and looked to the moon, "Haku-san, would you mind going after Naruto? I don't know if those two will come and attack him." Kakashi said. Haku nodded and disappeared.
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Naruto was punching a tree, with his bare hands, getting them bloody and bruised. He bit back the tears that were acquiring because of his memories. He bit his lip forcing the tears away. Daigo remained silent, knowing that Naruto needed to vent. The wind blew moving his braid, that had fallen out of his bun earlier, to the side. "You should take better care of yourself, Naruto-kun."
Naruto stilled and turned around. "Itachi-san." He spat to the elder. "Why are you here?" He asked, getting ready to reach for his Senbon. Itachi's crimson eyes stared into Naruto's blue.
"I do not wish to fight." He said simply. Naruto was still uncomfortable with the ninja, gold flickering in his blue eyes even though they still were recovering from forcing them to mature into another state. "I am here to tell you that my partner and I are going to stop pursuing your group."
Naruto's eyes lowered. "But, you won't stop coming after me." He added onto the elder's sentence. Itachi remained silent. "You want Daigo, don't you?" He asked. Itachi started to advance, Naruto help his ground, only inches away from the tree bark he was punching.
"No. If we tried to take the Kyuubi out of your body, he would probably die, as well as you. And that wouldn't be good." He spoke, getting closer to the blonde blue eyed boy. Naruto ran the situations through his mind.
"Then, why would you still pursue me? What would be the point?" He said aloud. Itachi didn't answer him on this. Naruto glared and grabbed his Senbon and prepared to throw it at the Akatsuki member. Itachi just grabbed the hand and pinned it against the tree.
Lowering his head to Naruto's ear, he whispered. "Now, now Naruto-kun. That wouldn't be a wise choice. Not after I said I didn't want fight." Naruto froze. He was just about to summon his tails. Daigo told him not to yet, and think logically.
"Itachi-san, if you do not wish to fight, I request you remove your grip on my wrist." Naruto said in an icy tone. Itachi just took his grip off, and remained where he stood. "Itachi-san. What is it that you are after; you say you are not after Daigo, so that would only make me assume you're after me. Is this correct?" He said, Senbon in hand.
Itachi just blinked in responce. Naruto felt Haku's presence. "That would be correct." Itachi whispered before disappearing into the night. Naruto put his senbon back then looked at his hand; the wounds remained unhealed because of the pieces of bark lodged in them.
"Naru-chan! What happened here? I felt another presence up until a few minutes." Haku said. He then walked up to Naruto, seeing the blood on the chibi's hands, he gasped fearing something had happened.
"Aniki, nothing happened. Itachi-san and I had a talk, looks as if he and his partner have decided to not pursue our group. The blood is from my frustrations on the tree." He explained. Haku grabbed the boy's wrist, in anger at Naruto for not taking care of himself, fear of what would have happened if he hadn't come, and heartache knowing that Naruto is very fragile still despite his power, and pulled him back to the house, to Naruto's room.
He grabbed a pair of tweezers and started removing the bark from Naruto's hands. "Tell me everything, leave nothing out. You know I will know if you do." He said. Naruto winced at the tone of Haku's voice, to him, Haku was pissed and he could understand why.
"Well, after I left the house..." He started.
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It was late when the two finally got to bed. Naruto and Haku were cuddling as always when they slept. Once, Lei-fai tried to separate the two in the middle of the night and for that week, Lei-fai had neon pink hair. Courtesy of Haku and Naruto and their wonderful prank vault. To the two this was the one time they could feel, weak and strong at the same time. Naruto, never being held before he met Haku, didn't understand how safe it felt to be held; he was allowed to feel weak and wouldn't be made fun of. Whereas Haku felt stronger, knowing that he had another person to protect made him feel like he could do anything to keep his precious people safe. So to them, this was one thing they would enjoy while they could. They understood that when one of them found their person just for them (1), they wouldn't do this as much.
The daylight beamed into Naruto's room and the blonde stirred waking up. Haku's arm was still around him. "G'mornin Aniki..." He slurred. Haku just chuckled. The bed creaked under their weight. Naruto swung his feet over the side and his toes touched the hardwood floors. Haku did so on his side. Haku went and opened the window blowing a breeze onto the dresser beside the bed. Naruto walked into the bathroom and placed his clothes for the day on the white tiled counter top. Side stepping around the toilette he made his way into the shower. He unbraided his hair and let it slide around his back. He undressed and left his night-time clothes on the floor as he turned on the water for the shower. He quickly jumped in and washed up.
Haku heard the water run and then decided to get changed, since he took his shower the other night. Quickly undressing then redressing in a matter of seconds Haku grabbed a comb from of the dresser and started to run it through his hair. Grabbing two senbon from his pouch on the side leg he pinned up his hair so it wouldn't get in his way, he walked out of the room that he was staying in to see Tsunami standing at the door. "Oh Haku-kun, Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan, and Sasuke-kun left early this morning. They said something about letting you and Naruto-kun taking after noon shift." She smiled and walked down the hallway. "Oh! I've made some lunch if you want to bring it to the others, I'm sure they'd get hungry." She mentioned before turning the corner.
Haku thought it over for a second then decided Naruto should be finished his shower soon, might as well get the chibi. The water shut off and he heard some squeaking of the pipes. Naruto opened the bathroom door and stepped into the room. He was dressed in a crimson sweater that reached a little past his wrists made of a fuzzy cotton, yet it wasn't too hot. For pants he wore dark red, almost black, 70's pants that flared out at the bottom, hiding his kunai attached to the combat boots he wore. His hair was in a high pony tail, and his hai-ate was tied around his left bicep. He looked Haku over. "Aniki, you need to get different outfits, wearing the same thing all the time must get boring." He stated. "Maybe if you're good we can go shopping soon, I've saved a lot from all the missions Onee-sama and I went on." He said pulling out a wallet from his back pocket that was attached to his pants by a chain.
Looking outside he saw the sun was nearing the center of the sky. "Wai! What time is it?!" Naruto asked in confusion. Haku just smiled and stepped forward in his sandals. The made a light tap tap tap on the hardwood.
"It's getting late, almost lunch, we should probably get going, Naru-chan. We've got afternoon shift. Tsunami-san said there are lunches that we can deliver to the others. Let's get going I do not want you picking up Kakashi-senpai's Tardiness." Haku said opening the door. He walked down the hall and Naruto followed. Haku picked up the lunch container's that were sitting beside the sink. Naruto glared at him, Haku glared back.
"Rock, paper, scissors!" They timed, Naruto chose Rock, while Haku chose Paper. Naruto sighed and grabbed the lunch boxes. The blonde muttered about evil sadistic foxes teaming up with evil sadistic big brothers.
'Oi, Kit. Quit your whining. I taught you better manners than that.' Daigo reminded the blonde as they left the house and walked down the beaten up dirt path, sun shining down on them letting a small sweat drop fall down his face. Naruto just huffed and hiked up the boxes of food.
'Yeah, yeah, which I remind you were ten times more difficult than normal manners. Just because you were raised royalty, you decided to drill your edict into me.' He argued back. Daigo just laughed. "Wai! Aniki. Daigo's being mean!!!" He complained. Haku just turned back and patted Naruto on the head.
"Not much I can do." He said. Naruto just pouted and kept walking in step with Haku going back to his rant on evil sadistic foxes teaming up with evil sadistic big brothers. The two saw the bridge in sight. They continued walking down the beaten up path towards the bridge.
Naruto balanced the lunches on one hand and waved with the other. "Oi! Sakura-chan! Sasuke-kun! Kakashi-sensei! Tazuna-san we brought lunch!" Naruto shouted to the ninja and bridge worker. Then he tripped and there went the lunches. Luckily Haku grabbed onto the falling objects. Naruto sweat dropped and kicked some imaginary dust on the road. Haku steadied the objects then placed them back into Naruto's hands. "Thanks aniki." Naruto spoke. Haku looked at the blonde with a smile then smacked him upside the head.
"Don't get clumsy just because we're all together. Be on guard." He whispered into the blonde's ear making it look as if he just bent down. He set himself straight and then cracked his back. "Jeez, maybe Sasuke is right and you are a dobe." He teased as a cover up. Naruto played along.
A large pout graced Naruto's face, "Wai you're my aniki, you're supposed to be nice to me! Wah! Sakura-chan! Aniki is mean make him be nice!" He spoke running onto the bridge a light footstep was heard as his feet graced the metal. Sakura just laughed and Naruto's eyes just lit up, anytime anyone would laugh Naruto couldn't help but smile. "Here Tazuna-san, Tsunami-san said that everyone might get hungry." Naruto said handing a container of food to each person.
"Tazuna-san, your daughter is a very nice person. This is wonderful." Kakashi spoke sitting onto the ground, his crutch resting beside him making a clack as it hit the ground. Sakura then noticed that Naruto wasn't using his crutches. However Haku offered her some food before anything was said.
She sat down in between Sasuke and Kakashi. She noticed that everyone was quiet and thought that it would be a good time to ask. "Naruto, how come you aren't using your crutches, Kakashi-sensei still has too... You had passed and could barely move the next day, while Kakashi-sensei was just tired and was able to stay conscious. And he's a jounin; shouldn't he recover faster than you?" She asked voicing her confusion.
Haku and Kakashi stilled, they had no clue how Naruto was going to reply to that. They both turned to the blonde who was smiling. "Sakura-chan, are you familiar with Magicians?" He asked as if he was going to lecture her. Sakura nodded her reply. "Well, once upon a time ago I was travelling the world and I saved a magician from death. And in return he blessed me with super-healing abilities. So that's why I heal quickly!" He fibbed, sounding serious up until the few last sentences. Everyone sweat-dropped.
"Saa, Naruto your lies are worse than mine." Kakashi said with a lopsided grin. Sasuke called Naruto a dobe, resulting in a verbal fight in between the two, which was broken up by Haku. Sakura started laughing at the scene and just chalked his healing up to good luck. "Alright, Sakura, Sasuke, you both can have a 3 hour break Naruto and Haku will take over watch duty with me until you return." Sasuke and Sakura nodded heading into a forest to train their chakra.
Naruto stood on the left side of Kakashi, and Haku stood on the right side. "Oi Otouto... Have you ever seen a four winged bird? I was reading about it in a book before we came here and they are very rare." Haku said to Naruto. Naruto looked at Haku.
"Hai! I saw one once! The first two wings are very powerful but they just sit and the other two make the bird fly." The blue-eyed blonde responded. Naruto started to fiddle with a Senbon and balanced it on his fingers. Haku laughed and Kakashi looked confused.
Haku merely shook his head. "It's nothing Kakashi-senpai, Just that Naruto usually plays with his Senbon when he is bored. However you should have seen him try to do it his first few times. Poor Sensei almost got stabbed." He explained. Kakashi nodded in response.
"By the way Haku-kun who is your sensei? I'm just curious your sensei seems to be strong." Kakashi asked. Naruto continued playing with his senbon, knowing that Haku could handle the question and not reveal that his sensei is a missing nin.
Haku turned to the Konoha Jounin. "Kakashi-senpai, didn't curiosity kill the cat? Besides sensei doesn't like when I tell people about him that he doesn't know. So for the sake of him, I shall not tell you his name." Haku told the white haired ninja. Kakashi respected the idea of Privacy so he didn't push anything.
Naruto then threw his senbon into the bushes forcing a Mist Shinobi out of his hiding spot. "So, looks like they've finally shown themselves." Kakashi said.
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A/N: END! Muhahha. Please review. Reviews authors life.
(1) Who can name the anime this was "borrowed" from?
Destiny writes.