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"Men heap together the mistakes of their lives, and create a monster they call destiny."
-John Hobbes
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XIII: Line of fate
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Neru had dozed off after the paramedic had done their respectful share of work. When she woke, the sound of breathing and the rustling of sheets made her realize that she was not alone. Her senses finally started to kick in. Her hand shot up to her face and to her relief, her mask was still on. Hazily, she sat slowly upright and found herself on a small single bed among many others.
At close inspection, it appeared that she was in a medical faculty where laid the people who were likely injured in the forest of Death or from the preliminaries. She recognized the two Rain shinobis and the red-haired girl that she had protected earlier. Lee was likewise placed nearby, on another bed paralleled to her own.
If she extended her arm just a little bit, she might be able to grasp his hair.
Uh, don't do that.
Not that she had any intention to follow through.
His lovely braid was completely gone, much to her disappointment. She really liked to pull his braid when they were younger. It did make him less annoying at times since he was lively more often than not. It's was strange to see him in this unsual display of serenity. She felt a little bad...Just a little bad for him, because he was an incredibly hardworking, kind and lovable person.
She should have gone a easy on him?
Nahh.
If he knew , he would have been more angry at her.
On the bright side, her victory brought a sudden boost of ego to her damaged self-esteem. Her constant defeat against Anzen had taken its toll on her for a while now and for a change, she was whipping someone's ass.
Just the thought of that made her smile.
She swung her legs on the floor and lunged to her feet. She felt great. Really great. Her injuries weren't serious enough to immobilize her on the bed any longer. She was going to go out there and see for herself how everyone was faring. Before she could step outside the room, someone called for her attention.
She turned around and gave a quick. "Yes?"
"Hi…" the red-haired girl said and quickly added. "Congrats, I knew you could do it!"
"Oh," Neru crossed her arms, feeling more satisfied than before. "Thank you."
"I wish I was there to see how it went. I got a little worried when the medics brought you here."
They only met once and the Grass kunoichi was over-familiar with her, not that she minded to say the least. It was nice and it was not like they were going met again. Neru pushed open the big wooden door. The girl took it like an invitation to follow her.
The stranger ran after her.
"Where are you heading?" She asked walking by her side, sticking way too close for conform.
"I am going to head back to watch the rest of the preliminaries."
The atmosphere was eldritch.
They could hear the echo of their footsteps as they walked through the hallway that was way too empty and dim for a tourist spot. The iron bars hanging on the walls were making it worse. It kind of looked like the inside of a prison in the middle of the night. Then to her delight, she caught sight of a map hanging loosely. She narrowed her eyes to look at the directions. She couldn't see clearly because the light went on and off.
Konoha sure needed to fix this damn place up.
"I am not allowed to go there with you." The red head said regretfully. "It's only for, um...people who have passed the second round."
"All right...Uh, better luck next time."
"There won't be next time."
Neru was puzzled. "The Chunin exam takes place twice a year. You have plenty of chance to get better."
"No, you don't understand. I don't think I will ever step out of that…of that place."
"Forgive me for asking but what place are you talking about?"
"I can't tell…"
"Sorry," Neru said without really meaning it. She had no idea what the girl was talking about, but it seemed that the subject was a touchy one. If she had to make a guess, she'd say that the stranger had some very strict parents.
"No! No!" The girl jumped and waved her hands aimlessly. "There's nothing to apologize!"
She laughed a little before she looked back at the map shifting the conversation. "I suggest that you don't take this route." Sliding her glasses up, she pointed at the initial course that Neru was planning to take.
This time Neru was silent for a moment. "But this route is way faster."
"Trust me, there's someone you don't want to come across."
"Who?" Neru said, raising an eyebrow at her and she signed in response. "There's little I can tell. Actually, I am a sensor, so I can easily sense people's chakra signature. That person over there is not a very cheerful one. I don't want you to be mix with him."
Him?
The explanation did not bring enough satisfaction to her taste, but enough to persuade her to not ask for trouble. The girl had voluntary given up an important piece of information about herself.
You just don't tell anyone about your special skill.I mean she's a sensor. That's very cool.
She was giving an expectant look reminiscent of a lost puppy. Neru signed in resignation. "Fine."
The possibility that the red-haired was lying did not cross her mind. The girl spoke with probity and when she was less than forward, she would say that she couldn't give her a clear answer. Neru was about to walk away when she heard the girl screamed.
"My name is Karin by the way!"
She would remembered that, the name did not ring any bell, but she felt that it should.
"Mine is-"
"I already know, Logan-chan!" Karin grinned broadly. "And remember…You must never let your guard down. There are terrible things in the shadows."
Somehow, she felt that she'd just dodged a bullet.
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Uzumaki Naruto vs Inuzuka Kiba
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The first thing Neru saw when she turned around the corner was an orange flashy figure and white fur. She could hear fierce barking coming at the end of the dark passageway and a loud cheer. She decided to observe the fight by the entrance because she had a clearer view at things.
"You stink of dog!" Naruto spat after he bit Kiba's hand. "Peh peh!"
"So you've gotten a little stronger…But it's over, I'm serious now." Kiba said.
"It's that so? Then me too!" Naruto defied.
Neru looked above. Her eyes swept appreciatively along the railing and stopped at the unsual sight. There was what looked like an unconscious blonde girl who she could easily recognize as Ino Yamanaka. Sakura was also tired out by her side.
"This is the 6th match in case you are wondering." Shisui said after she joined them on the upper level.
She was informed of the names of the contestants in order of their times in the qualifying rounds. Nothing was out of the ordinary for the eyeless man, but she was beginning to be more agitated at the odd changes. The computer system was randomly selecting the same contestants to go against each other as the original timeline. The victor remained unchanged.
The order however was altered.
If it continued in this direction, then this might mean that Shisui's opponent would be the one who was supposed to go against Lee… She didn't like that line of thought. Unfortunately, Shisui couldn't be more detailed because Kokoro's live coverage was, to put it most respectfully, very unhelpful.
"Puuuu!"
"Who, pray tell, taught him that revolting technique?!" Kokoro grimaced in disgust.
"See," Shisui pointed out. "Not helpful."
Neru shook her head.
Kiba screamed pitifully.
It must be freaking embarrassing to lose to a fart.
Even if she knew that Kiba's sense of smell was 100's times stronger than any normal human being, she would never have the nerve to actually fart on him and in front of everyone-to say the least! Naruto had no shame. Now that she thought about it, she was not sure what she expected. He always acted retarded or rather mentally challenged. She knew that this was going to happen, but still...
Shisui gripped her shoulders and shook. "Come on, tell me."
"I'm serious. You don't want to know. It's for the best." She said matter-of-factly.
"I am not sure, but I think that if I'm right than…" Shisui frowned. It appeared that he had overheard what the others near them were saying. "Did he just-"
"Please don't even try to imagine!"
Naruto used the shadow clones jutsu and they ran toward Kiba punching and kicking him everywhere.
He finished his poor opponent with an upper cut.
The room erupted in cheers again and Naruto grinned brightly. Everyone who knew him were talking about how he changed from the dead last to a decent shinobi. He obnoxiously screamed that it was an easy win jumping up and down.
"Talk about zero tact," Sasuke smirked.
"That's Naruto to you," Kakashi shook his head rather proudly.
"Logan-san!" Neru turned toward the female's voice. Tenten came up to her with a bright smile. At first glance, the catchiest thing about her was the two Chinese-style buns on her head. She had a pretty face and she seemed good-hearted.
"How are you feeling?"
"Peachy," Neru said gravely and inclined her head to show her manners. "I am thankful for what you did earlier. As you can see, my voice is now functional and I am completely healed."
Not really completely healed...It's still hurt a little.
"That's great," Tenten scratched her nose uncomfortably. "I am actually hoping to see your gun if you don't mind. I have seen a lot of handguns in my life, but never something like yours."
Her gun was smaller and the bullet traveled faster than ordinary. Neru straitened up and adjusted her holster. "I rather not. It's very precious to me. I don't want anyone else holding it."
Tenten nodded. "It's like handing over your babies."
"True," Neru puffed in amusement.
"Tenten, you really don't listen, do you?"
The coldness of the new voice cut through them like icy water. Neru shuddered. She didn't like his attitude. Neji was standing in front of them, clad in a khaki shirt, his skin as white and fair as lotus petals, and his glassy eyes strong and unwavering in the surface.
"It's not a good idea to talk to someone who defeated one of your teammate." Neji said.
It seems like the only thing pretty about him is his face.
"I do whatever I like, 'kay?" Tenten crossed her arms and shot her an apologetic look. So for Tenten's sake, Neru fought to keep a neutral expression even when he stared at her up and down.
Rude much?
"What?" She finally decided to speak up.
"Are you part of nobility?" He asked. "As with your posture, your clothing speaks volume about you. The armor you are wearing within is utterly handmade and the quality of the material are hard to come by."
Neru glanced at Shisui. His face was still facing the arena, but she could tell that he was listening to their exchange. If they peeked inside her genealogy records, no traces of aristocracy could be found. Her mother was a hard working journalist and Anzen was a ninja. Sure, he was an Uchiha, but just because they had the same family's name didn't necessarily mean that they were all related. Merely those who were connected by blood to the head of the Uchiha's clan were regarded as nobles.
Not me.
She hoped that Shisui wouldn't think less about her. She wasn't presumptuous.
"Yes," She leveled her chin up. "In fact, I am the daughter of Paramnesia's leader." Inwardly, she cringed in distaste. Outwardly, she feigned an air of arrogance. "What does it matter to you?"
She could already see Izumi with her hands on her hips shaking her head as she gently reprimanded her to play nice. Affronted, Neru waved away the image.
Poof!
"So it seems that Lee's defeat was unavoidable." Neji nodded to himself.
Her eyes narrowed at his haughty tone. "Are you somehow saying that my heritage determinates the course of our battle? That's preposterous."
"We are judged by what we cannot changed." Neji calmly said. "It was not meant for Lee to become a shinobi. He has no talent whatsoever for ninjutsu and genjutsu, which are essentially basics to become a shinobi. You are quick-witted and maturely confident, such qualities are distinctive of an offspring of the upper class. Suffice to say that it's in his destiny to fail and understand his place."
"Seems to me that you are complimenting yourself," Neru countered without missing a beat. "Hyuga, huh? I have heard of your bloodline limit, the Byakugan. They say that it bestows the user the ability of insight. The Hyuga clan can see through any solid objet and even the chakra circulatory system. Remarkable, just like the rest of Konoha's kekkei genkai."
"The Byagugan, the all-seeing eyes, is a nonpareil to anything else on earth. It's very foolish to make comparison."
"But it doesn't make you superior to anyone else, nor am I." Neru said. "Your teammate lost fair and square, not because he's weak nor because he can't use charka proficiently."
"There is no avoiding what's going to happen no matter what Lee does." Neji calmly stated. "It's useless going against the wind."
Those within hearing distance of them visibly tensed at this. Neru was feeling something bubbling in her stomach. A heat took all over her face. She knew that she was red and she was ready to say nasty stuff. He was insulting Lee and by some means, he was indirectly insulting her.
Was he claiming that fate had already established their stories?
Kokoro's prophecy failed miserably. Nonetheless, how could she explain the coincidental variables that repeated itself? She couldn't ignore the realm of possibilities that everything may return to its original form. She had noticed how things tended to have the same end.
She heard Kakashi holding Sasuke and Naruto back in the background. Sasuke would want to say something along the line of the supremacy of the Sharingan, Neru thought bitterly. Plus, our dear Naruto, the child of prophecy, would want to defend the unprivileged while he had no idea that he was privileged himself. He was the son of the Fourth Hokage. Jiraiya would become his personal teacher. Even though he began as a nobody, he was quickly climbing the power's ladders.
Right. Maybe privilege was not the best word to describe him. He did after all have a rough childhood, but she understood very clearly Neji's logic. Those who were born a second earlier, those who had a powerful heritage were unquestionably more blessed than others.
"Hold on!" Tenten matched over to Neji. "You can't say that behind Lee's back!"
"I had already told him multiples times." Neji tilted slightly his head to the side, giving the impression that he did not discern what he had done wrong.
A perfect picture of innocence.
"Look, if you mean everything you say, then I, a child of some middle class, will not be able to beat-" Tenten broke off and forced herself to finish her sentence. "Any of the heirs or any kid of the Kazekage."
"Depends, anyone can beat Hinata-sama." That were Neij's last words before he strode calmly away. A second later, Gai started to lecture Neji, judging from the extravagant agitation of his arms, while the long haired boy maintained an impassive face.
Tenten's face clouded. "Just you wait!"
"Calm down," Neru said firmly. "Nothing will come out of anger. I will help you."
It may be on a whim or out of compassion, but one thing was for sure, she wanted to know if she could change the result of Tenten's fate. Neru clenched her jaw. She turned toward the tomboy hearing her murmur "jerk" under her breath.
Tenten would lose miserably against Temari if nothing was to change.
"Sure." Tenten nodded. Her irritation suddenly faltered and determination filled her face. "But I don't think you can do anything. We don't know who I am going against. I'll just kick whoever's ass is in the way."
"Wind is our weakness." Seeing Tenten's puzzlement urged her to come out with an explanation. "People with wind affinity often push my bullets wherever and however they want. You are mainly a weapon-user just like me. Your hands are as damaged as mine."
Neru showed her calloused hands and pointed at Tenten's scrolls, knowing that her skulduggery had to be supported with concrete evidence. "Let me take a guess, it contains weapons?"
Hook, line, sinker…
"Sharp judgement." Tenten frowned and eyed the room. Her stare stopped at the girl with four sandy blonde ponytails. "That Sand kunoichi over there. She has a giant iron fan, probably a wind-user."
"Yes," Neru could see that Tenten was already analyzing Temari. Her voice was thoughtful as she turned to ask her about a possible way to use weapons without its being shove out of its trajectory.
Neru gratefully gave a simple answer: Chakra.
And Tenten takes the bait.
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AN:
Review:
Kejmur and Guest-Thank you so much for reviewing! :)
I find out that, during an interview of Masashi Kishimoto at New York Comic-con, he said that guns are not allowed in the Naruto's world, because it's not something that can be "recreate, or to do, using ninjustu, ninja skills."
The source is from Anime News Network (2015);interview/2015-10-14/masashi-kishimoto-at-new-york-comic-con/.94186
I think that the gun in chapter 19 is a mistake from his part. Water bullet is a jutsu, a technique used by ninjas. So it's allowed, but guns are a different thing. It's related to technology and there's a limit to it. Guns can't be used in the manga according to the source… On a brighter note, at least I can use that minor slip to give the main character a unique weapon. :)
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