llIVoice of Destiny/Inner Sakura
"Normal Talking"
Thoughts/Sound Effects
"Flashback dialogue/Japanese/Emphasis of words"
"Demon speak"
Xxx
I HAVE RETURNED!
I love Kingdom Hearts and I don't know why I don't update this so often. AJT gave me all the originals so I really just need to go through them all. It's basically about trying to get past everything and edit things to fit what I was hoping to get the story towards. I like some original concepts and dislike some others. However, I'm not going to change much till a very crucial point. I still dislike Kakashi's undying reverence to Sasuke around this time. It's canon fact that he preferred Sasuke over others. Now the reasoning of him being reminded of himself or out of obligation towards Obito is another thing. It does get hard trying to wade through the fanon and canon. Anyways! I'm going to post this chapter today. A new one tomorrow, and a third on Monday! Hopefully can get to the good point where we can branch out. Thank you all!
Nana's made a discord yeah nana fell into the trend to try to be cool server to connect with the readers more. m2k4dZa is the code.
A fanfiction originally by Andrew J. Talon and redone & continued by NanashiX
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Kingdom Hearts, Disney, or any other copyrighted material. The story idea, concept, and original are owned by Andrew Joshua Talon. The continuation is mine and I do this out of pure enjoyment and my love of the story.
Key Through the Heart: Rebirth
Xxx
Naruto sighed, walking down the village street, arms back behind his head. He stretched them up, smiling at the warm afternoon sun.
"Oh yeah… Training! From some guy who knows what he's doing! I think…"
Naruto looked thoughtful. Sure, Jiraiya knew a lot about the Keyblade and everything, but still, it didn't mean he would be the best teacher. Heck, he hadn't even told him what they'd work on after they finished water walking!
True, he got that seal off of me, but still, he mused, continuing to walk and paying little attention to where he was going.
"Oof!" He grunted, as he felt himself bump into someone. He opened his eyes and gaped at the blushing Hyuuga Hinata before him.
"Oh, sorry Hinata-chan! Um, guess we just keep running into each other, huh?" Naruto offered as apology. Hinata smiled shyly and nodded.
"Y-Yes… Um… N-Naruto-kun… I-I was wondering…"
Naruto nodded and smiled encouragingly. Hinata's blush grew a bit more, but she resolved herself to be strong.
"I-I was w-wondering if you'd like to tr-train with me?"
"Before the finals? Um, I'm not sure Hinata-chan, I already have a trainer," Naruto said. Hinata looked downcast.
"Oh…"
"But, you can always come with me to see him tomorrow, to ask. I mean, I don't even know what he's planning on teaching me… And I know I'm going to need practice fighting someone with the Byakugan," Naruto went on. Hinata blushed and poked her fingers together.
"Ah… Um… W-Well, I'm not… Not as good as Neji-"
"Hinata… You haven't forgotten what happened in our fight, right?" Naruto asked, giving her a wry smile. Hinata blushed and shook her head.
"N-No…"
"Then it's settled! I mean, I don't think my trainer will refuse me having a partner, right?" The blond grinned. Hinata shook her head and her smile grew just a bit more.
Naruto-kun…
A pair of pale arms wrapped around Naruto's neck, and Ino's smiling face appeared over his shoulder. Naruto yelped as the blonde kunoichi laughed.
"Do you think he'd refuse you two partners, Naruto?" She asked in a teasing tone. Naruto blushed, and Hinata narrowed her eyes.
That… That hussy! Isn't chasing Sasuke enough for her? Hinata's usually dormant angry side growled in her head.
"Um, well, why not Ino-chan?" Naruto grinned, carefully ducking out of Ino's embrace and standing back up at a safe distance-Closer, Hinata happily noted, to herself.
The blond then frowned.
"Why would you want to train with me anyway?" He asked. Ino grinned.
"Why don't we talk about that somewhere more private?"
What is it with girls looking like cats when they want something? Naruto thought in fear, and Ino's smile did indeed look almost feline.
Hinata noted this too, and began to feel a lot more anxious…
Xxx
Traverse Town was unlike any city Sasuke had ever seen. The moment he, Aerith, and Kakashi had walked out the docking bay door, that fact had become readily apparent.
Under orange street lamps and neon light signs spelling out words and symbols he couldn't decipher, dozens of people of all shapes and sizes walked, shopped, sold, and talked. And not just people. Sasuke couldn't help but stare at a tall, grey-skinned, rat like being in armor. The rat-person looked at him, cocking its head, and Sasuke resumed scanning the crowd, his eyes growing wider and wider at the people he, Kakashi, and Aerith passed.
"… This part of the market is off the main courtyard, it's always busy... Oh, hello Strago! Relm! They're artists, and excellent magic users… There's O'aka's shop, he has some interesting items and such… Hello Katsuo! No, sorry, no curry tonight, thank you!" The brown-haired woman cheerfully greeted and spoke to the people she passed.
"You've had a population boom since the last time I was here," Kakashi noted. Aerith nodded, her back to Sasuke as they followed her, but the Uchiha imagined she probably wore a frown.
"Yes… And increased Heartless activity," she replied. Sasuke frowned.
"What are Heartless?"
Abruptly, the sounds in the market near them were muted, and Sasuke was very aware of numerous eyes on him. Aerith coughed, and stepped backwards. She put a hand on his shoulder and before he could protest pushed him swiftly through the crowd, which parted easily for them. Kakashi followed behind at a sedate pace, looking almost amused when, in an empty alley Aerith turned around and gave him a deathly glare.
"You haven't told him?!"
"I was going to," Kakashi defended himself. Sasuke glowered, his pale cheeks slightly red from his close contact with Aerith.
"What are Heartless? Tell me already!" He demanded. Aerith bit her lip, before taking a deep breath.
"According to legend, there are worlds. Countless worlds throughout the universe. Ours is but one among many."
Sasuke grunted, which Aerith took as assent. Kakashi appreciated the fact Aerith didn't imply that they were on any other world but Konoha's-It would have made things more complicated than they had to be.
"Well, once upon a long time ago, the worlds were all connected. We don't know who they were, but some kind of civilization could travel between universes. For a long time they thrived, a great empire… But one day, they vanished, and the connections were closed." Aerith sighed.
"Until the Heartless came. They're… They used to be people, but through the Heartless or their own inner demons, they lost their hearts… And became monsters. Now, they travel between worlds, search more hearts to plunge into darkness. To add to their number."
Sasuke looked absolutely incredulous. Aerith shook her head, and turned to walk down the alley.
"Kakashi, I think he should see for himself," she said. Kakashi's single visible eye narrowed, but he nodded and gestured for Sasuke to walk alongside him. Sasuke did so, almost looking like he was sulking.
"You brought me here for some fairy tale?" The Uchiha grumbled to his teacher. Kakashi said nothing until they came into an even smaller alley. A small aqueduct flowed on one side, from one grated opening to another. Boxing them in on the other side was a building with architecture Sasuke more readily recognized. Curved, brightly colored, with paper lanterns hanging above him.
Aerith muttered "Enlarge" under her breath, and with a flash of light an ornate, metal staff appeared in her hands. She got into a fighting position, Kakashi doing the same, and it was then Sasuke felt it.
Cold… Why does it feel so cold?
Purple and black portals appeared, and out of them flew yellow-clothed black blobs with glowing yellow eyes. Below his feet, inky spots moved, rising up around him as though they were being inflated. Sasuke felt shock as the creatures, twitching furiously as they surrounded the trio, continued to grow in number.
"HOLY!" Aerith shouted, and with a blast of white light a score of the creatures were vaporized. Kakashi formed hand seals, his chakra molded perfectly as the airborne Heartless swarmed towards him.
"Suiton: Suiryuudan no Jutsu!" From the flowing water a small water dragon appeared, tearing through the Heartless with ease. Sasuke leapt to the roof edge and threw kunai at Heartless that followed.
What the…? They struck his targets perfectly, but the Heartless hadn't stopped. They didn't even seem to notice!
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!" Sasuke spat fire balls at his pursuers, who evaded the shots with ease. Sasuke was horrified to discover, as he leaped up even higher, that his Sharingan could not track these creatures' movements!
He landed on the rooftop, the Heartless buzzing closer. Sasuke assumed a fighting stance, prepared to engage in hand-to-hand.
BZZT!
"GAH!" He shouted, thrown off his feet by the creature's attack. He twitched, grimacing as he recalled from his training that the feelings he was experiencing were consistent with an electric shock.
Why… Why didn't my chakra block the voltage?
Sasuke rolled as the creatures blasted again, blowing a hole in the roof of the building. Molding his chakra within himself, he leapt to the wall of a multi-story stone building, sticking to the side like a large, blue and white insect. He stood, feet firmly sticking to the wall, and he formed hand seals once more.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
FWOOSH! The Heartless were vaporized, and Sasuke scanned for additional threats. He glowered as two dozen additional Heartless appeared, and dove for him.
"Damn it," he muttered, leaping off the building and flashing through hand seals.
"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu!"
FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH! FWOOSH!
The Heartless scattered under the flames, and Sasuke noted there were larger ones in this bunch. They resembled giant bats with limbs like those of humans, clothed in dark brown leather garments. Swooping in, one slashed at his arm. Bouncing off the roof of the building below him, Sasuke twisted in midair and slammed a foot into the side of the beast. It spiraled away from the blow, and Sasuke smirked, making more handseals.
"Katon: Hōsenka no-GAH!" Red hot claws slashed through his back, and Sasuke tumbled into a rough landing on yet another rooftop. Pushing himself back to his feet, the Heartless slashed again, making the Uchiha cry out in pain and fall backwards over the edge of the roof for the cobblestone ground below.
"GERONIMO!" Shouted a bright female voice, and Sasuke felt someone catch him. He looked up into the face of a cute, brown haired girl who grinned happily at him.
"Hey kiddo! Sasuke right? Heard about you… First time fighting Heartless huh?" They landed in the cobblestone square below, and Sasuke could see with his Sharingan that Yuffie had used her own chakra to redirect the force of the impact into the ground, causing it to rumble ever so slightly.
"How…? What is that technique?" Sasuke asked. Yuffie pulled him to the side, slashing through another Heartless that had attempted to attack her charge from behind. Sasuke noticed her weapon-An elaborate, giant shuriken much like the ones he himself preferred to use.
"I'll teach you later! Relax squirt, now that the Great Ninja Yuffie Katsuragi's on the scene, there's no way we can lose!"
A loud sound like the one that had signaled the opening of a Heartless portal reached Sasuke's ears, and he turned to see a truly massive Heartless appear. His hand twitched, and he felt the seal beginning to react…
Quickly he formed hand seals.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
BOOM! The large, round Heartless was vaporized, and Yuffie laughed with childish glee at the explosion.
"Nice! You can breathe fire!" Yuffie threw her giant shuriken low, slashing through several smaller Heartless. It circled back and Yuffie effortlessly caught it, Sasuke's Sharingan detecting no chakra strings between the weapon and it's wielder.
Which means… What?
He ducked another Heartless lunging for him and kicked it away, satisfied when it tumbled into a group of it's brethren.
"See? If you're charged with chakra, you can hurt them!" Yuffie shouted. She smirked.
"Bu-u-ut, there's a faster way!" She held her shuriken before her, like a cross to ward off evil. One of the ornaments on the weapon Sasuke had assumed was simply for decoration glowed and crackled.
"THUNDARA!" She shouted, and a blast of lightning shot from the shuriken, cutting apart the ranks of the Heartless pack with ease. Sasuke paused, the silence after Yuffie's attack lasting for a few seconds…
"I trust that answered your question, Sasuke?" The Uchiha resisted the urge to jump at his sensei's appearance, instead glaring at him. Aerith stood next to Kakashi, looking little worse for wear. He knew he was a contrast to the pink clad woman – Cuts all over him, panting for breath, bruises everywhere, and low on chakra.
"Hey, the kid did all right… All things considered," Yuffie gave a thumbs up. "Still got his heart."
"This is who you brought me to train, Kakashi? Pitiful." A blunt, male voice asked from the shadows. All eyes turned to see a tall, brown haired man emerge. Sasuke studied him with narrowed eyes.
Long, spiky brown hair hung down his back and slightly over his chiseled face, though not enough to obscure the large, X-shaped scar across his nose. Over a white T-shirt, a cut up, sleeveless leather jacket with fur lining was worn. Leather pants held up by a variety of buckles over heavy boots completed his garments, but Sasuke's focus was on the large, strangely-shaped sword in his right hand.
"Hello, Leon," Kakashi replied. "In answer your question, yes. Once he gets his magic sensitivity up a bit, he'll be able to see the Heartless with his Sharingan."
Leon snorted. "And you're asking me to train him to fight Heartless, when your world is safe from the plague?" He spat on the ground, glaring at the two Konoha ninja. Yuffie sighed and cartwheeled next to Leon.
"C'mon Squall! They're asking nicely! Besides, the more people there are trained to fight the Heartless, the better!"
"I'm not interested in fighting Heartless, or learning magic, unless it makes me stronger," Sasuke stated flatly. Leon glared at him, and Sasuke felt the urge to shiver. This man was projecting killing intent, not as lethal as Orochimaru's, but still strong.
"I know your type. Just want to keep moving up in the ranks, gaining abilities but not learning how to use them properly, or even considering all the different ways you can use them. A spoiled brat who wants everything handed to them on a platter," Leon retorted. Sasuke growled.
"You don't know anything about me!"
"I know more than you think, kid," Leon stated in a cold, deadly tone. He shrugged. "But if you're so sure you can't learn anything from me… Go ahead. Attack. Unless you're too weak."
Sasuke felt new energy in his anger and charged with kunai in both hands. He heard Kakashi sigh, Aerith gasp, and Yuffie leap away. His vision was completely focus on Leon, wearing that smug, determined expression-!
"Stop," Leon commanded, and everything around Sasuke seemed to blur for an instant…
"AUUUUUUGGGGGHHHHHH!" Time resumed, and he fell to the cobblestones, wheezing in agony from numerous blows. He felt as though he'd been beaten into the ground ten times over!
His eyes focused on a pair of black boots standing in front of his face.
"Pitiful… But, only the beginning," a male voice that wasn't Leon's or Kakashi's rasped, as Sasuke succumbed to the darkness once again.
Xxx
"Gee Squall, overkill much?" Yuffie quipped, as Aerith rushed over to check on the unconscious Sasuke. The gunblade wielder snorted.
"Kid had it coming… And it's Leon," he reminded her gruffly. Yuffie rolled her eyes.
"Yeah yeah, whatever," she muttered, walking over to Sasuke as well. Leon turned and glared hatefully at Kakashi.
"If you think I'm going to train that brat, you've got another thing coming."
Kakashi narrowed his one visible eye.
"You've seen his eyes, Leon… You know about his history…"
"And I also know enough to know a lost cause when I see one," Leon cut in. "He's just like Seifer… All he knows or cares about is himself."
Kakashi walked up to Leon, standing a mere meter away. His single visible eye seemed to project a murderous anger.
"I'm trying to make sure that doesn't happen," the ninja stated. "He needs people who he can relate to, open up to. You have lost everything, just as he has Leon. You were once an avenger…"
Leon ground his teeth, before turning away.
"… Will you do as promised?"
"Can I do any less?" Kakashi countered. Leon grunted.
"... I'll think about it."
"Thank you," Kakashi said gratefully. He smirked beneath his mask. "I'm having him stay with Aerith and Yuffie… Considering what they did for you…"
"Different people, Kakashi… And different hearts," Leon growled, stalking off into the night. Kakashi sighed, and turned back towards his student, helping the two young women carry him towards their home.
Xxx
The clearing Ino had taken Hinata and Naruto to was pretty familiar to both. It was part of Training Field Twelve, where they'd all gone to train at least once with the academy survival exercises.
Standing on a flat boulder, the blonde girl grinned happily at the other two ninja.
"Naruto, that Keyblade of yours… Can I see it again?"
Naruto frowned, but complied, the unusual weapon soon shining in his hand once more. Ino grinned as she at last recognized the unusual energies circulating around it. They were 'cooler' than chakra. A feeling in the pit of her stomach, that reminded her of carefree nights with millions of stars above her, also confirmed it.
"I knew it," she smirked. Naruto's eyes widened. Hinata noticed this and frowned, looking back at Ino.
"Ino? What is it?"
"That's not a copy of the Keyblade. It's not even from this world, is it?" Ino grinned savagely. "It's the real thing, from the stories!"
"No! It isn't! It's a family heirloom, it's-!" Naruto denied, but Hinata could tell. It was what Ino was talking about.
"Naruto-kun," she said quietly. The blonds turned to her, and she fidgeted.
"It… It's true… Isn't it…" Hinata bit her lower lip. "I… I didn't want to say anything… But when I looked at the Keyblade with my Byakugan… It looked… Strange."
"It's not chakra-based, its magic based," Ino said in triumph. Naruto glared at her, and Ino suddenly felt a chill go down her spine as his eyes began to turn red.
"So what? You want to yell it out to the whole village? Give them another reason to hate me?!" Naruto demanded, and a stifling killer intent fell over the blonde girl.
He leveled the Keyblade at her heart, red eyes boring into her terrified blue ones.
"Just what the hell do you want, Ino?" He snarled.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried, grabbing his arm. Naruto grit his teeth, blocking out the laughter of the demon fox in the back of his head. The Keyblade glowed, and with Ino's gasp he felt calm return to him… He lowered his weapon and closed his eyes.
"I'm sorry Ino…"
"I… I know," she said quietly. "I didn't… I didn't come out here to make your life harder…"
"I know," he replied, and Naruto was surprised at the fact that, yes, he did. How, he had no idea but it was enough for him. He turned and gave a small smile to Hinata, who shyly smiled back and let go, turning and blushing furiously. Ino cleared her throat.
"What… What I wanted to say was, well…" She smiled, suddenly shy. "Is that I'd like to help you train. How I know about magic is that, well…"
"Is that I've been training her in it," said a quiet, high pitched voice. Naruto and Hinata were shocked to see a short boy appear next to Ino on the boulder. His tall yellow pointed hat, blue and white jacket, baggy pants, glowing yellow eyes and dark skin all clearly identified him as someone definitely not from around Konoha.
"You… You're from another world, aren't you?" Naruto asked. The boy nodded, and Ino smiled proudly.
"Hinata, Naruto… Let me introduce you to Vivi Ornitier. He's been teaching me magic."
"Hello," Vivi greeted kindly. Naruto gawked.
"So… How did you get here?"
Vivi's eyes crinkled in a way that implied he was smiling.
"That's… A long story. I hope you're willing to let me tell it?"
"Sure!" Naruto grinned. Hinata nodded her assent, looking a bit dazed.
"But first, Naruto," Ino said shrewdly, some of her old spirit returning, "maybe you could tell us how you got the Keyblade."
Naruto looked around at the other three people, and then back at the Keyblade. He sighed.
"All right… It all began… It all began on the night Mizuki-sensei stole the forbidden scroll…"
Xxx
"You mean, Uchiha Sasuke isn't here?"
The nurse on call shook her head, and offered a sad smile to the concerned Sakura at the desk.
"Sorry, no. He was checked out by Jounin Hatake."
"Did you see where they went?" The nurse shook her head.
"Sorry, no… Though he did talk to…" She pursed her lips and scowled, shaking her head in disgust. "… Uzumaki Naruto," she ground out. Sakura frowned, the anger in the woman's voice making her feel slightly uneasy.
"Thank you very much," she said, bowing and turning to leave.
Kakashi-sensei probably took Sasuke for training… And Naruto, well… Kakashi-sensei had to have found someone to train him… And me…
She sighed, feeling immensely depressed. Despite her new show of power, despite all the training she had gone through… She still couldn't beat Ino. Ino was her friend again, true, but still…
And in the Forest of Death, against Orochimaru… It was Sasuke and Naruto who had actually dealt damage to their foe, not her. She hadn't been able to protect them against the Sound Ninja on her own, either. All in all, despite the leaps her crush and teammate had taken, Sakura felt like she was being left behind. She'd tried to ignore it, that sinking feeling that she was powerless, and for a moment she knew she wasn't…
But Kakashi not even talking to her after the preliminaries were over, not looking to her training… That hurt more than she thought it would.
Going down the long hallway, she was pulled from her depressed thoughts when she spotted a tall, green-haired woman in an ANBU mask leaning against the wall. She was holding a few scrolls in her hand, the empty eyes of her mask staring at her.
"Haruno Sakura?" She asked, in a strange accent. Sakura nodded.
"I'm Sawada Toshiko, with ANBU. Jounin Hatake asked me to deliver these to you," she stated crisply, handing the pink-haired girl a few scrolls. Sakura took them and nodded, smiling a bit nervously. There was something disconcerting about this woman, her dragon like mask leering at her.
Weird… Inner Sakura added. She feels familiar, but… But in an unhappy way…
"Thank you, Sawada-san," she said gratefully, bowing. She rose back up and turned, resuming her walk down the hallway.
"I had heard that the Copy Ninja was lazy, but I didn't know how much until this moment," Sawada commented. Sakura stopped, and turned back questioningly. The ANBU stared at her, and the genin fidgeted.
"He, um… He's busy… With Sasuke," she said, feeling a lump of bitterness grow in her throat that she tried to squash. Sawada sighed, shaking her head.
"That figures… Back in ANBU, all he cared about were the prodigies. His squad held only members of the main clans. Uchiha, Hyuga-As long as they had a powerful bloodline, you got in. If you didn't have one…" She snorted. Sakura frowned.
"Why… Why are you telling me this?" She asked uncertainty. Sawada cocked her head.
"I've looked at your chakra, Haruno. Moreover, I saw your performance at the Chuunin Exam Preliminaries."
"I didn't see…" Sakura trailed off, feeling stupid. Of course she wouldn't have seen her, she's ANBU!
"It was extremely impressive. I had no idea your family packed such an ability," Sawada commented. Sakura felt her irritation grow.
"It's… It's not a bloodline. It's my ability," Sakura stated firmly.
SHANNARO! Inner Sakura cheered.
Sawada nodded, and stepped away from the wall.
"Personally, I think that Hatake's decision to ignore you in favor of the Uchiha is ridiculous," she said. "That strange chakra source… There has never been an ability like it. Never. You are unique, Sakura, and have immense potential."
Sakura blushed and smiled.
"Th-Thank you, Sawada-san."
"I'm just sorry to see it being wasted by that bastard," she growled, walking past Sakura and heading for the exit. Sakura turned and watched her for a few moments.
Hey! Say something damnit! Her inner self shouted.
Like what? Sakura retorted. Inner Sakura rolled her eyes.
Ask her to train us!
What?!
Look, you have nothing to lose by asking, so ask already! SHANNARO! Before it's too late!
"Um, wait!" Sakura called. Sawada paused and turned around.
"Yes?" She asked expectantly. Sakura coughed nervously.
"Um… I… I was wondering… If you would… If you could, you don't have to-!"
"Haruno! Stand up straight!" Ordered Sawada. Sakura complied instantly. The ANBU put her hands on her hips.
"Now, you will speak without stuttering or so help me I will give you a reason to stutter!"
"Will you please train me, Sawada-san?" Sakura cried out, feeling like she wanted to shiver apart. The ANBU said nothing for a moment, before nodding.
"All right. I will. On the condition you tell no one that I am training you."
Sakura sighed in relief, and smiled broadly, bowing.
"Yes! Yes, I promise! Oh, thank you very much Sawada-san!"
"I will meet you at your house tomorrow at sunrise," Sawada stated. "You will be up and ready. And you will call me Sawada-sensei."
"Yes Sawada-sa-uh, sensei!"
"Good. I will see you then," Sawada nodded, turning and walking away once more. Sakura smiled as her inner self did a victory dance.
ALLRIGHT! YEAH! SHANNARO! YOU GO GIRL!
Yes! I've got a trainer too! I'm NOT going to be a burden, not anymore!
Around the next corner, Sawada chuckled darkly, her body being enveloped in green and black flames that soon vanished with her, the only trace of her existence being the faint smell of brimstone.
Xxx
At the end of his tale, about everything: The Kyuubi, the Keyblade, the Station of Calling… Everything, Naruto looked over the faces of his listeners.
Hinata look sad, Ino was in shock, and Vivi's expression was, frankly, unreadable.
"N-Naruto-kun… I'm so sorry," Hinata said quietly. Naruto sighed.
"Look… Ino, Hinata… Vivi… If you don't want to train me… Or do anything with me again… I'll understand-"
"Oh for crying out loud Naruto, don't you start a pity party now!" Ino declared. Naruto gawked at her determined expression. Hinata blushed and poked her fingers together.
"What?"
"N-Naruto-kun… I've always… The Hyuuga always knew what you contained," she said quietly. "And I have never thought less of you for it. None of us have."
"Even… Even Neji?" Naruto asked in disbelief. Hinata frowned.
"I'm not sure… But my father has known… The-The point is, I… I don't care about the Kyuubi, or the Keyblade. You are more than th-those things, Naruto-kun! You are not a demon, you are-!"
"You're brave, caring, compassionate… A little stupid, and clumsy, and loud, but certainly not a demon," Ino interrupted. Naruto didn't know whether to deathglare or grin at Ino's declaration. The blonde smiled genuinely at him, as Hinata's head lowered. She'd felt like she could have confessed her feelings to her crush, but then Ino…
"Anyway, that just means you should train with us all the more!" Ino stated firmly. "The more you know about the Keyblade, the less it can throw at you and be a surprise, right? You're not going to end all of existence, Naruto-Not while we're here!"
"I'd be more than happy to teach you! I mean… So at least some part of my world remains alive," Vivi said quietly. Naruto grinned at him.
"Vivi… Thanks! I haven't known you for more than an hour, but I feel like I can trust you."
"So, what are you waiting for, Whiskers? Let's get going!" Ino ordered. Naruto scowled.
"Hey, don't boss me around, Ino-chan! OW!"
Ino narrowed her eyes. "That's Ino-sensei."
"The hell I'm calling you that! You're still learning from Vivi!"
"So? I'll be teaching you, which makes me your sensei! So there!" Ino grinned and wrapped an arm around Hinata's shoulders. "And Hinata is also your sensei!"
"M-M-Me?!" Hinata gasped. Ino smirked, and put her mouth close to Hinata's ear.
"Hey, I've heard that guys really love teacher-student fantasies. And with two cute teachers…" she whispered. Hinata turned bright red and her nose bled into unconsciousness, falling over. Naruto caught her.
"Hinata?! HINATA-CHAN! Ino, use your magic or something just HELP HER!"
Ino rolled her eyes with a grin. This is going to be fun. Way better than training with Asuma-sensei and those two bums…
"Naruto, stop overreacting, she's fine! We'll let her recover on her own. So, what's up first, Vivi-sensei?"
Vivi shook his head, a hidden smile on his face. This feels so familiar… Like home…
Behind his binoculars, a certain Sannin felt a perverted giggle coming on as she scribbled down notes furiously with his free hand.
I knew the kid had potential, but never in this! Inspiration is striking me! My new hit… Icha Icha Paradise: The Keyblade Chronicles!
Xxx
Here are some notes from AJT as well as some Omakes made by either him or some fans. They are quite funny, but don't relate to the story. They can be skipped if you wish. Happy reading!
Nanashi
Updated 12/13/07: Did some additional, as well as removing all mention of "dattebayo". As it's intended to be added onto the end of a sentence to emphasize it and make it sound tougher, for story purposes it has been replaced with a simple emphasis on certain words and, where appropriate, swearing.
Yep, another chapter in the continuing arc. Hope you're enjoying it so far. And look forward to more in the coming months!
My author notes are getting shorter. Guess I'm running out of stuff to say… Also, I've decided to try and not reveal as many plot points as before. Keeps the interest you see…
And now, for what you all love (or at least seem to comment on the most), the omakes! Feel free to submit more if you want, via review or PM!
By Metal Dragoon: Flyin' High
Sakura looked out the window of the cockpit, checking on their pursuers.
"They're gain-ing on us!" The pilot of the plane gave a warm chuckle. "Relax
liddle lady, I've flown circles 'round these idiots dozens of times before."
A round of bullets punching a neat line across the nose of the plane had him
swallowing hard. "Eh, of course there's always a chance they'll get lucky."
"Doesn't this thing have any weapons?!" Sasuke demanded, trying to keep his
stomach down as the bulky plane began to swerve and weave under the pilot's
control. He scowled at the Uchiha. "Do I look like a fighter pilot to you?
I'm a transporter, not a fightin' ace!" The pilot grinned. "'Side's the only
weapon I need is right here." He pointed at his skull, pushing his cap to one
side.
Naruto exchanged glances with Kit Cloudkicker, and as one the gennin and cub
chorused, "We're doomed." Baloo just gave a hearty belly laugh, while Kakashi
crouched over an airsickness bag in the cargo hold. 'Never... again,' the
Copy Nin vowed, before getting reaquainted with his lunch as Baloo pulled off
an impressive maneuver, sending Don Karnage spiralling into Dumptruck's plane.
By Melchior: Why Tenten Stopped Using Guns.
Neji fidgeted while Tenten finished fiddling with the sights on her toy. A long piece of
steel pipe, with some type of feeding mechanism that stuck little bits of metal and powder
into the tube. Tenten would then squeeze some sort of lever, igniting the powder and
sending the little bit of metal out of the tube at high speed.
Neji doubted the "gun" would work, but the hunters were unusually happy with Tenten's
interest, and had freely given the device to the girl. As well as a plaid flanel shirt.
Neji was still trying to figure out how she could still look cute in that.
"Okay, I think I got this thing ready. Neji, see anything to shoot?"
"We're in a forest. I can see six birds, Without using my Byakugan."
"Err... anything bigger? I'm not entirely sure I got the sights worked out."
Neji activated his byakugan, turned, and pointed. "There's a pair of deer over in that
meadow over there."
Tenten followed his finger and smiled. "Great! I can test this out and get supper at the
same time. Those guys did say they hunted deer with these things."
"Please, it will never work," Neji dismissed. "Just use your kunai."
"Oh, yeah? Well, how about this? If it works, you have to fix dinner. Otherwise, it's
my turn." Tenten smirked.
"Just don't overcook the venison this time," Neji replied.
"Watchout. Man is in the forest."
Neji frowned. "Did you hear something?"
Tenten paused as she raised the gun to her shoulder. "Nope. Must just be Gai and Lee
'communing with nature'. Oops, the deer are starting to run."
Time seemed to slow. Tenten brought the weapon up, carefully sighted, and exhaled. A
loud crack echoed through the forest. The larger of the two deer dropped. Neji cleared
his ears, sighed, and started for the clearing.
Tenten winced. "Lounder than I thought. My ears are still rin... no, wait, that's Lee
and Gai-sensei."
"Tenten, watch out! Cruel hunters are attacking the Prince of the Forest and his mother!"
Gai hollered as he blurred to a stop in front of the girl, Lee landing beside him. "We
must take care not to be attacked as well."
"Yes, my new friend Chestnut was just telling me about a sighting of hunters when their
'guns' went off! The Prince and his mother were in a nearby meadow when-"
Neji stepped into the gathering, a lugging a doe across his shoulders. "Okay, Tenten, you
got it. How do you want dinner fixed?
"Murderer! You killed Bambi's mother!" screamed the squirrel, pointing at the girl with
the smoking gun.
Just two omakes this time. And always, please review! Honestly. Though I'll ignore flames, I do appreciate critical reviewers who will help me improve.