Chapter 13 - Nekomatas
The four young ninjas walked along a path parallel to the Grand River located in Fire Country. The stream ran the country from north to south and crossed through the capital. The road that ran its course allowed to reach any point in the nation, and it branched in all directions.
"We have to keep this back road" Sasuke informed his companions. The new trail followed the course of a tributary of the river to the west.
"Are you sure about that? I see no sign that point to anything "Naruto questioned skeptically.
"I know you're a clueless" Sasuke replied nonchalantly.
"Shut up Sasuke" Naruto growled. "Let me see the map."
Naruto took the map from the Uchiha and began to examine it. He took it from one side, then turned it and ran shaking his head in strangeness. Finally he returned it to Sasuke.
"I told you you're a clueless" Sasuke said.
"It's not my fault if they make so complicated maps" Naruto protested. "I will make a complaint to the department of tourism."
"That doesn't exist, Naruto" Sakura said.
"No? This country is very poorly organized "Naruto complained. "When I make Hokage, I will change many things."
"A Kage is not as powerful" Rin intervened. "The jurisdiction of a Kage is limited to their village. In the rest of the affairs of a country does not intervene. "
"In the end you're smart. Good work Rin! "Naruto praised sincerely.
The Kumo blonde hid behind Sasuke to hide her shame. She was not accustomed to flattery and even less from people virtually unknown. Rin still did not trust Naruto, and the incident in the city had not helped. Now she had a bit of fear of the blond Konoha.
"Everything is fine now," Sasuke assured. "Do not be afraid of him."
"Yeah but he hit me" she whispered. "It still hurts".
"He made a mistake. Also you provoked him "the Uchiha reminded.
"I did not mean" Rin said innocently.
"Do not lie" said Sasuke. "If you mess with someone's dream, get ready for the consequences."
"Making friends is very complicated," said Rin.
Naruto watched the scene warily. He did not like how close the two seemed. He had taken a long time to befriend Sasuke, so it was not fair that girl just got along so well with the Uchiha. But then he remembered his conversation with the raven and was sorry to think ill of the girl.
"We should go" Sakura said. "We better get to the forest before it gets dark."
The four ninjas followed the trail along ten kilometers. The flat field was gradually rising until they were able to glimpse a huge forest of maples. In the distance could be seen a mountain with two peaks in the shape of cat ears. The entry to the forest was marked by a Torii and two statues of nekomatas (two-tailed cats from Japanese folklore).
"Hehehe" Naruto laughed nervously. "What an entrance so ... nice" said undisguised sarcasm.
"It is the entrance to the Neko Forest" Sasuke replied nonchalantly.
"It looks like a funny place!" Rin said innocently.
"Hey Sasuke, I think it would be better not to go" Sakura said.
"Hmph, let's go. I have not wounded my hand getting information as to leave with nothing, "said Sasuke.
"But we were told that it is dangerous. You know, that thing of man-eating cats "Sakura said.
"Man-eating cats? What fun! I want to go, Sasuke-chan! " Rin urged.
"Just a minute!" Naruto said in a frightened voice and sharp. "Don't you see the entrance? These two statues clearly say 'If you walk in you're eaten'. Also see that rare maples. Have you ever seen so thick and tall maples?! "
"The truth is that no" Sakura admitted. "It is further assumed that it is spring, but I notice that it's cold in the forest."
"Don't be cowards" Sasuke said with exasperation. "This is not worse than the Forest of Death".
"Do not remind me that!" Naruto said and bent down to hug the knees. "You do not know how terrible it was that test. I was eaten by a giant snake! "
"That's terrible!" Rin said and sat down next to Naruto. "Snakes are scary".
"Do you understand me?" The blond looked at her with huge tears in his eyes. But she smiled cheerfully.
"But in this forest there are kittens. Let's go Captain! "
Rin grabbed Naruto from the leg and dragged him into the woods with energy. The Konoha boy screamed in terror and tried to hold on to a column of the Torii.
"I don't want to go! Don't make me go in there! "Naruto pleaded.
"Come on Cap… tain…" Rin tried to pull the blonde's leg without success.
"Leave it to me" Sasuke said approaching. "Do not fight over Naruto".
The Uchiha stepped the blonde's hand mercilessly, making him to release the column. Rin then took her run and took Naruto. Sasuke watched them leave.
"Was it necessary to step on his hand?" Sakura asked.
"Not really," Sasuke replied nonchalantly and walked into the forest.
"Sadistic" Sakura muttered.
The Neko Forest was creepy. That was the conclusion that Naruto had arrived after an hour inside. The place had given him a chill upon entering, sign that it was wicked. Also, he had not seen anyone. The only sounds were cawing crows and strange grunts.
"Hey Rin! Where is she? "Naruto said looking at the bushes. "Come out!"
The blond heard another grunt behind him and turned terrified. It was a low bass sound, as if from a large animal. Each time it sounded closer and Naruto was totally scared. Suddenly he felt a cold hand on his shoulder and cried.
"GYAHHHH! DON'T TAKE ME STILL "cried the boy of Konoha. "I HAVE A LOT TO GET IN MY LIFE. Being Hokage, marrying Sakura-chan and have a child, but I don't care the order! So please do not take me yet, ghosts! "Naruto cried with runny eyes.
"Why are you so scared shitless?" Rin asked with narrowed eyes. "It's just me"
"Rin!" Naruto exclaimed in surprise. "What are you doing?! Down! " Said fearfully.
"Why, what's wrong?" She said.
"There is a super cat or lion growling. If we are caught, we'll be eaten in a second "said Naruto looking everywhere. There was another growl. "IT'S LATE"
"You're right, it's too late. My stomach is calling dinner " the Kumo blonde nodded, as she pressed the gut.
"Do not tell me ... that the growl came from ..." Naruto realized the sound source. "YOUR STOMACH?" The blond acquired a stupid face.
"Probably" Rin said with a cheerful smile.
"Don't fuck me!" Cried the Uzumaki and grabbed the shoulders of his partner, to shake her. "I've had a good scare because of you!"
"Is that why you were crying like a baby? What a coward! "Rin laughed mischievously.
"W-well what if I did?" Naruto said sheepishly. "This forest is haunted".
"It's empty" Rin said "Not a single animal to hunt. And I am hungry! "
"I still do not understand why you eat so much. Where do you put the calories? "the Konoha boy asked.
"Here" Rin said pointing to her chest. "Using Lightning Chakra to move in battle spends much energy, so I eat a lot to pull myself together".
"I see. Aren't you very rare? "Naruto said.
"It is normal in Kumo. We all eat a lot. "
"I never thought I'd meet someone hungrier than Choji" said Naruto. "By the way, do you know where Sasuke and Sakura-chan are?"
"No idea. I thought they followed us. "
"It does not matter. Let's find our future mate "Naruto said.
At this Rin stiffened. The girl they went to look for was the new Jinchuriki of Nibi and it bothered her. Why did she exist? The only person in the world worth having that Biju, was her dead master. Rin therefore would not accept the little miko so easily.
Naruto watched the reaction of his partner and decided to ask what was wrong.
"Are you okay? You seem rare "
"Huh?" Rin looked surprised that the blonde noticed her feelings.
"If you're OK" repeated the boy.
"Oh! Captain' I'm fine, do not worry "she said with an innocent smile.
"Don't lie" Naruto replied seriously. "I know what it can be."
"O-oh yeah?" The girl gulped.
"Is this forest, right? You also have fear of cats "
Rin was completely silent. For a second she feared being discovered, but luckily Naruto was too obtuse. She should be more careful with her reactions, as was with her father. "Wait, why do I have fear that he judges me? I have no reason to hide my negative feelings to him " she thought.
"Captain, when you say cats you mean those cuties over there?" Rin asked, pointing behind Naruto.
"Yes to those ... EH?" The blonde turned suddenly and turned pale. "THERE THEY ARE!"
Two Wildcats with savage face and ruffled fur watched the two young ninjas. The animals had their legs wrapped in blue fire and seemed hungry. They looked Naruto and Rin cautiously, evaluating their potential preys.
"Rin" Naruto whispered. "We better get away without making any sudden moves. If we succeed we can run ... YOU HEAR ME? " He cried, seeing that Rin was going towards the animals.
"Psst ... come here kitty" the Kumo hissed a bit to attract the animals. She walked without fear and stroked the head of one of them. "That's nice," she smiled.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! Stay away from them, they are anthropophagus! "Naruto exclaimed in horror.
"Quiet, nothing happens" Rin said waving her hand in nonchalance. "The trick with animals is to be loving and ... OUCH!" The cat bit her hand. In response, Rin kicked and smashed it against the trunk of a maple.
"See, you were bitten! And now that it had your sweet taste, it will want more "Naruto said theatrically.
"Oh shut up chicken" the blonde replied with exasperation. "That fucking cat will pay me. I think I'll eat it "decided the girl.
"Really? Now that I think it is a good idea. After all is them or us "Naruto said. "Well, today we'll have grilled cat for dinner" decided the Konoha boy.
Naruto created two clones and lunged for one of the cats. He tried to use the clones as baits, while the real attacked with a left kick forward. However, the cat ignored the clones and attacked the original with a diagonal downward scratch. Naruto covered with both arms, getting hit in the right one.
"What the hell? The cat knew I was the real one? "Naruto thought.
The animal lunged at the boy and knocked him down. Naruto raised his right arm to divert the cat, but was bitten up to the forearm. Then he used his left arm to grab the right tail of the cat and threw it back over his head.
"That hurt ... Wait, it does not hurt a bit "Naruto observed his wounds and touched his arm, but did not hurt. "How strange. Well it doesn't matter. "
The cat circled Naruto warily, looking at its prey. The blond did not think too much and pulled out his three bladed kunai to end the fight. He charged towards the animal quickly and tried to stab the kunai in its back. However, the cat jumped over him and dodged. Naruto leaned forward to avoid the cat, but due to the sudden movement slipped with the leaves and fell down.
"Ouch, fucking leaves !" Naruto stood up and had to jump acrobatically taking a turn back to avoid the cat again. Even in the air, he made a technique "Fuuton: Wind Blow!"
Naruto released a strong draft that cleared the entire floor of leaves. The cat that confronted the boy crashed into a tree and was left lying on the ground. Naruto sighed in relief and sat on the floor. But the peace did not last long.
"Wait kitty! Do not run away, I'll just eat you "Rin's voice was heard from behind.
The girl chased the cat with a sadistic look, causing the feline flee in terror. Rin waved her swords in air like crazy and the poor cat jumped to dodge. The Kumo blonde kept the swords and made some hand seals.
"Raiton: Magnum Discharge"
Rin released an electric current from her mouth and fired it at high speed. The cat she was chasing was hit and crashed next to the other cat. The Kumo girl sheathed her swords looking pleased.
"We have dinner," she said cheerfully.
"I survived" Naruto muttered in disbelief. "I SURVIVED, TTEBAYO! Eat that, possessed cats! "
"You take pride in killing kittens? How childish you are Captain "Rin shrugged in resignation.
"Those were not normal kittens. They were machines of mass destruction "Naruto said.
"Any animal less than three meters tall is negligible," said Rin.
"You're definitely very rare"
At that moment he heard again the sound of a growl. Naruto looked at Rin with a questioning look, but she was also puzzled. They looked to both cats and saw something unexpected. The cats had tripled in size and their appearance became ghostly. They lost all their fur and muscle mass, turning in skeletons completely surrounded by blue flames.
"Please pinch me" Naruto asked blankly. Rin shrugged and grabbed the blonde's right cheek hard. "OUUUCH, NOT SO STRONG" he said.
"Forgive me whiner" Rin said "Well, it seems that today I won't dinner".
"Do you care about that? At this rate we will be the dinner"Naruto said shaking. "We must flee."
"Okay, but I am first" the girl pushed Naruto to the cats and ran away.
"That bitch!" The blond stood up and watched the cats with terror. But there was something strange about them. The amount of flames gave off was exaggerated, and gradually extended. Then they began to compress. "This is bad".
Naruto desperately ran out, with a huge sense of danger. He turned his head back and saw a blue blast was catching him. His body was surrounded by the red chakra of Kyubi and the boy increased his speed. Soon he reached Rin and picked her up.
The girl was surprised by the sudden action, but had no time to think because of the view of the wave of fire that chased them. Naruto followed his desperate race as the fire came closer and closer. Then the boy came to the edge of a hollow and without thinking jumped. The blast hit the blonde's body while protecting Rin and both fell rolling down the side of the hollow.
"Captain, are you alright!?" Rin said worried.
"Argh!" Naruto screamed in pain and fell to the ground.
"What is it? Come up "Rin asked in a pleading tone. "Do not do this, please. You cannot die protecting me. "
"These flames do not burn" the blond said and got up as usual. "Is something wrong, Rin?" He asked.
"Now I can stop pretending" Rin said, hiding her concern. "Thank goodness you're alive, I did not want to carry your corpse."
"You were faking? I just saved your ass, damn. What an ungrateful girl "Naruto replied and looked at the body. "I could swear I've burned but my clothes are fine."
Rin looked at him suspiciously and decided to climb the hollow to look at the forest. The scene left her shocked. The area affected by the blast was rotting. Only the floor remained intact, the rest fell apart. There was no sign of the cats.
"What's so interesting up here?" Asked Naruto, who had also risen. "Oh shit!"
"Are you really okay?" Said Rin.
"Oddly enough, I'm well ..." Naruto finished speaking and fainted.
"Captain!"
Rin took the orange jacket and revealed that Naruto had multiple burns. Judging by the state of the forest floor and the intact clothes, she could say that the blue flames only affected organic matter. Luckily, Naruto had the Kyuubi chakra to heal. If he had been a normal person, he would be dead.
"Idiot, you could have died to save me. You should stop worrying about a failure like me, "she thought.
She took the body of Naruto and decided to go down into the hollow. Then a blue flame with a grin appeared in front of her. Rin stopped with suspicious face and watched the flame dance around her. The ball of fire moved away and then stopped.
"It wants me to follow?" Rin shrugged and was led by the flame.
Sakura and Sasuke were going up the river in search of their companions. They forgot how they had separated, but must find them soon. The most logical thing in the woods was to follow the course of a river, and sooner or later people would be found. But they spent an hour of fruitless searching.
"I'm very worried," said Sakura. "No sign of them."
"It's the third time you say it and you start to irritate me" said Sasuke.
"What if they are injured? What if they die of hunger or thirst? Have you thought about that? " Sakura asked.
"If I know something about Jinchurikis, is that they are able to survive anywhere. It is much more likely they destroy an entire ecosystem rather than die. So calm down, "said Sasuke.
"For you it is very easy" objected Sakura. "As you do as you wish, you do not care about others. But as medical ninja that I am, I must ensure the welfare of my teammates. "
"Are you finished?" Sasuke asked.
"Yes" she growled.
"Do not worry, your boyfriend Naruto will be fine" Sasuke said to annoy her.
"Huh? You're wrong ... "Sakura said with a slight blush. "Naruto and I are nothing more than friends".
"Really?" Sasuke asked with a raised eyebrow. "I thought as you are not after me, maybe ..."
"Well you thought wrong! Cannot a guy and a girl be friends? "Sakura replied.
"That I want to know" Sasuke said. "My partner Karin wants to eliminate Rin, because according to her, Rin is my girlfriend."
"Is not it?" Sakura asked puzzled.
"No." Sasuke replied nonchalantly. "We only shared similar goals."
"Hmmm" Sakura muttered.
The pink haired girl walked thoughtfully. She did not know Rin much, but it was obvious she was in love with Sasuke. However, the Uchiha did not realize and also allowed the blonde to be near him. Was it possible that the raven had hidden feelings? Sakura shook, as Sasuke's emotions were intense and he did not hide them well.
Sasuke ignored Sakura and looked ahead. The exit of the forest was there, but something was weird. He went and looked at a thick rope that was suspended horizontally over the river. From it hung paper charms similar to those used in exorcism rituals.
"What is this?" Sakura muttered.
The rope was tied to the trunks of several trees, forming a huge ring around a large area. Sasuke tried to go under, but an invisible wall stopped him. Then he climbed to the top of a tree and examined the landscape.
The river kept tracing its course through rice fields and disappeared in the background. There was a Japanese style town situated at the foot of the mountain peaks with cat ears of before. The city was dominated by a temple situated on a rocky hill in the center of town. The only lights visible were a lot of blue lanterns.
"Did you learn anything?" Sakura asked, once Sasuke descended.
"There is a city" Sasuke informed. "It must be the capital of the Nekomata Society".
"In that case, we should move away" Sakura suggested. "The child we seek does not live there. According to Yahiko-san, she lives in the forest with her mother. "
"That guy has sent us here to avoid being hurt" Sasuke said angrily. "This place gives me a bad feeling."
"Yahiko-san is testing us as fellows of Naruto. He is that kind of person, "said Sakura. "Are we going?"
"Yes," said Sasuke.
The two ninjas walked away from the rope and they went back into the forest. They walked through the maples and ended in a clearing. Suddenly they saw a grotesque scene. There was a deer carcass on the ground and was being eaten by a predator.
Sasuke and Sakura retreated quietly, but the animal detected them. This was a sabertooth tiger with dark brown fur, except for his paws and two tails that were black. Its large upper canines were dripping blood and blue flames enveloped its tips. The predator growled dangerously and attacked.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan, drew his katana with his right hand and reversed grip and blocked the advance of the tiger. His sword placed horizontally hit the left canine of the feline. The strength of the animal began to push the Uchiha back, but Sakura was placed behind her teammate and rested her hands on his shoulders. The combined effort of the two managed to repel the tiger.
The animal gave a vertical blow with its right front leg, and Sakura and Sasuke dodged jumping to the right and left respectively. The Uchiha tried a thrust to the ribs of the tiger, and the Haruno went for a punch in its head. But the animal jumped back and avoided them. Sasuke had to take a horizontal flip in the air to avoid Sakura.
Then the tiger took a breath and exhaled a blue fire stream to Sakura, who was still with the inertia of the previous attack. Sasuke landed on the ground and used his Raiton Partial Armor of his feet to run faster and help the girl with pink hair. He picked her up and dodged the attack just in time.
But they had no time to celebrate, as the tiger jumped into them to give them the coup de grace. However, a figure stepped in and reached out to scare the tiger. The animal stopped attacking.
"Are you all right, young ones?" The figure said.
It was an old man with long gray hair to the waist and wise gaze. His eyes were violet and he wore a white shirt and black hakama. On the left side of his head hung a small braid. The man stood with his back to the tiger without showing fear.
"Be careful sir! That tiger is dangerous, "said Sakura.
"You mean Kuroashi?" The elder was placed to the right of the tiger and lovingly caressed its head. "Do not worry, he's just a grumpy old big cat" said the man.
"Does it have been ... domesticated?" Sakura asked with her mouth open.
"Who are you?" Sasuke asked uneducated.
"Sasuke, do not be rude!" Sakura said alarmed, but the Uchiha ignored her.
"Hoho, I guess the guy is right. You may call me Moritaka "showed the old man. "And you are Sakura and Sasuke, right?"
"How'd you know that?" Sasuke asked.
"I'm a psychic and I see the future," said Moritaka. Sasuke snorted and Sakura was impressed.
"Really?" the girl asked in disbelief. "Then you know what we've come for."
"Looking for a girl named Megumi Kuroda and her mother, right?" Moritaka said. "Moreover, you have come with a guy of orange soul".
"Are you sure you do not smoke, man? The soul does not exist, "said Sasuke.
"You are like those unbelievers of Mount Saru" lamented Moritaka. "If you do not believe me, I do not care".
"Let's stop this useless discussion" Sasuke said irritably. "Do you know where that child lives?"
"I don't have to tell you" said Moritaka. "You are ninjas of Konoha, right?"
Sasuke tensed and attacked Moritaka with his sword. He tried to make a vertical cut on his right arm, and would have been able to cut it but there was no arm. The old man hit Sasuke in the chest with a palmstrike. The boy watched with his Sharingan that it was a Jutsu.
"Violence only leads to premature death" Moritaka said solemnly. "Young ninja of Konoha, put your sword down."
"Not that I can move now" Sasuke said irritably. "What was that jutsu?"
"Jutsu?" asked Sakura and crouched next to the Uchiha for examination. "It has a similar effect to paralysis."
"You think?" Sasuke asked sarcastically.
"I used the Spiritual Palm to steal your Physichal Energy. It is a secret art of the Nekomata Society to fight ninjas "explained Moritaka.
"Dude, you're missing arm was stolen by a ninja right?" Sasuke deduced.
"Well spotted boy" praised Moritaka. The tiger Kuroashi growled. "Forgive the bad temper of my Nekomata, but he is still affected by the loss of my arm."
"Nekomata? I thought they were cats from legends, not tigers "Sakura said.
"The Nekomatas that you know are pure inventions. A Nekomata can vary between domestic cat and big cat. Their common trait is that they all have two tails "Moritaka said.
"When did you lose your arm?" Sasuke asked.
"Some time ago."
Sasuke immediately guessed that Moritaka was one of the five leaders of the Nekomata Society. How was he still alive? Why did not he live in the capital? It was clear that there was something wrong with Neko Forest. At that moment there was a bang and a flock of crows flew away.
"I was starting to be late" said Moritaka and pulled out a crystal ball from a pocket of his hakama. "Event logged".
"What is he doing?" The young ninjas thought at once.
"Young, follow the direction of the explosion. Just do not touch any blue flame "said Moritaka.
Sakura helped Sasuke to walk. The two left behind Moritaka and his tiger with the same thought: Naruto and Rin had problems and surely they had sought them.
"Let's go to the other side, Kuroashi. We cannot let Kotaro find them "said Moritaka urgently.
End of Chapter
Author Notes
Hi everryone. It took a bit more time to upload, but I was doing other manga analysis to improve this fic.
I also wanted to thank the increasing follow-up of my story. See you.