Disclaimer: Yes! I don't own Naruto! You people should be happy, because if I did, who knows what weird kinkiness might be happening right now with the manga? As always, Kishimoto-sama draws the best stories out, but it's a shame that each manga looks frustratingly short.
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Chapter 29: Start! The Second Part of the Chuunin Exam!
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They had said goodbye to the two some earlier. It was almost one o' clock when they had left Iruka's apartment. A jounin from the exams mentioned that the second part would start by three.
But.
For their part, the three genin looked placated as with what they had shared with each other that late morning.
Sakura, for her part, realized a few things for her own musing. And she didn't muse often. Especially if it was about Sasuke. Sasuke wasn't somebody to be taken lightly, if her future and happiness were concerned. Of course, crediting other people's happiness too…but still…
Love does not exist…without hate… She had said those words without attention, which surprised her to an extent. Sakura was the bookish type, her answers were always refined and well-quoted from any book or scroll. She could give an answer to almost any question and back it up with the page number of the book or scroll series from where she got her sources.
She was starting to doubt her emotions for the brooding Uchiha. After all, if you did love somebody, shouldn't you have the capability to hate them with equal passion? And how should she define hate when facing Sasuke?
She wasn't as imperceptive as she was to each and every rejection she received from the dark-haired boy. Sasuke would refer her advances upon him as retardation; she would preferringly call it perseverance.
Sakura didn't hate him.
Sakura was never known to receive welcome affection from the Uchiha, even when she should have deserved it or she was entitled to one because she was his teammate.
Sakura still didn't hate him.
She had all the right in the world to act like the jerk Inner Sakura told her to be, but she kept it to herself. Because Outer Sakura must be the spitting image of Miss Konoha year-whatever-it-is and she should keep the image. Quiet, subservient, bashful, conservative and beautiful…everything a man should look for in a woman. It was the age-old criteria carefully observed by women that were sure to net a handsome, decent and well-off man.
But back to the topic, she could never think of any situation where she was truly irritated or angry at Sasuke. Not once. Not ever. Is there something wrong with how she was looking at Sasuke then? Because, according to her instinct-driven words, she should at least, at a mercifully-considered situation, have hated Sasuke once in her life.
So, when? When! WHEN? When had she thrown the cold shoulder or the evil eye at Sasuke? When had she rough-housed the stoic boy when she felt she had enough of her 'bastard-y' attitude (as Naruto would say)? When had she even made a sentence that contained 'Sasuke' and any foul or snide word in it?
Maybe what she said earlier was wrong, right? Of course, love can exist without hate. It's just so obvious! Why would you need something bad for something good to exist? How could you even think of hating the one person you expect to stay by your side and share your memories with when both of you will be too old to walk and would decide to get a shack by the sea shore just to appreciate the sound of the pounding waves? Kakashi-sensei must have picked that up when he was reading one of his perverted books! Stupid jounin must be laughing right now!
Stupid girl, she shouldn't worry about her feelings for Sasuke-kun! She loves Sasuke! She adores everything about the dark-haired boy! Sasuke is perfect! And she's perfect for Sasuke, as her perfect bride! On a perfect wedding day!
And yet…Sakura felt emptier as she said those words again and again to reassure herself.
Because…she…loves…likes…Sasuke. But…does Sasuke even like her to begin with? Sakura could only notice tolerance from him when she was around. Sasuke was never relaxed, his body always tense, when she was around. It was almost like he was looking at her like he would with a groupie time-bomb; give it time and it will explode and kill you with all the irritation a Sasuke fan club would offer to a Sasuke.
She couldn't say the same for Sasuke. Sasuke did respect her. Tolerate her to levels impossible for an Uchiha would to a normal girl. Sasuke didn't hate her.
Even if Naruto would have just been offered as a consolation for her if Sasuke rejected her, her memories took her back to the time of his confession. The blond had confessed his feelings for Sasuke. That night.
Sakura could make the link between Naruto and Sasuke. Outwardly, Naruto hated Sasuke with a passion. She didn't need further evidence to convince her that Naruto loved (Sakura visibly blanched) Sasuke. After all, wasn't his confession the main reason he left the village and risked himself becoming a missing nin?
Besides, it supported her subconscious ideology.
Remember? Love does not exist without hate-crap?
Of course, Sasuke wouldn't even think that…urg…
(Sakura paused her brain processes to censor out the idea of saying Sasuke loves another girl…or boy…other than her)
Anyways, he had told the blond off. He wasn't interested. There was no chance for both of them.
And Naruto ran away. Sakura felt sorry for having a hand at it. She could have volunteered for the search as well, but Hokage-sama didn't want the issue to expand as it was that big already. Sasuke would be left to his devices if he wanted to find Naruto.
So, why was Sasuke intent on bringing back the boy that broke their friendship off, and that had admitted something even Sakura couldn't blurt out so openly? Maybe he still wanted to be friends with Naruto, right? Naruto did make a good sparring partner for Sasuke…and…he was the only friend Sasuke had through all their years…and…and…maybe Sasuke knew Naruto was misunderstood…or maybe…maybe…
Sakura frowned.
She didn't like where her thoughts were heading to.
But it looked like her mind left her no option. It was inevitable to think about it from every aspect. The way Sasuke felt about Naruto, and the difference with how she was treating Sakura.
She'll have a long talk with Sasuke after the exams.
-
Kiba found himself in the same subdued state his new teammates were in right now. Akamaru trotted beside him, worry evident in his slit eyes. Kiba sighed, and gave a strained smile to the dog, gently patting his head as reassurance.
Where is the border of love and hate? When both are friends and enemies alike?
Yes, where is the boundary? When does love ebb away and hate allowed seeping in? When can you say you love somebody?
When you feel that light feeling when that person passes by?
When that person looks in your direction and your knees have all and decided to give way without your mind's permission?
When you plaster your room with stalker-quality pictures of the person of your dreams? And just to make sure, had them poster-blown up and laminated?
What? What are the criteria of love? Does it even have one! Do they even matter!
Sigh.
"You know…Akamaru. I only realized…that maybe…" Kiba swallowed, feeling the familiar lump in his throat that came with admitting something hard to say.
Akamaru tilted his head, waiting for what Kiba had to say. The dog felt it was important. After all, why would his master's eyes leak with tears?
"Never did hate Naruto. Never had the chance to really hate him. The blond was too good to hate. Maybe gave him the occasional glare…or even a small tease." Kiba tried to stop leaking tears from flowing freely down his marked cheeks.
"I guess…I've been using him as a scapegoat. A convenient one at that. He was someone I admired and my admiration can be easily taken wrong for…"
A crush.
A love interest.
Double sigh.
"Naruto…could I have mistaken my want for your friendship as a need for love?" Kiba murmured, hand roughly drying his eyes. Akamaru whimpered, getting a startled Kiba's attention.
The dog had lain himself in front of Kiba's path, and was offering his master a ride on his back. Kiba softly smiled, canines peeking through lips, as he patted the dog for good measure and got on the dog's back. Sasuke and Sakura went on, unmindful of what was happening between dog and master.
Because…
Because I don't hate you, Naruto. Whether it means I can or cannot love you doesn't matter. You were never the center of issue I claim you to be.
It's the one person I hate that doesn't leave my mind in peace.
I hate Aburame Shino, my former teammate, my former comrade. And I hate how our story almost seemed as sappy as some washed-up romance novel I've read on some freaky, hateful Mondays.
Firstly, I hated that fateful day when we got our fucking mission. A mission that got us so tired and hungry. We were the best tracking team Konoha could offer, so how can we say no…
We returned from the mission that afternoon next day. I hated how it even drizzled lightly when we got back. Stupid water…now I looked and smelled like the lost puppy Shino teased me earlier.
I hated him the moment when he came up to me and offered to take me for a free meal. I hated him for how he knew me so easily; knowing I'd give in to my hunger.
I hate him when he told me we'd go have take outs, and that we could eat at the old training area, near the monument of Konoha's heroes. I hate his sentimental side so much.
I hate him when we ate in silence, him eating quietly, and I, offering a few bites to an eager Akamaru. I hate that glint coming from his glasses when they were tilted towards my direction. Hate that it looks as if he's peeking glances at me.
I hate, hate him so much, when out of the blue; without any warning of any kind, he had said those three words that made or broke people and their friendship with one another.
I hate him when he said that he loved me.
I hated it more when he said it in a tone unfamiliar to the strict tone he addressed to Hinata and me.
I hated the pleading tone, the almost heart-breaking slide of his voice when he said them in front of my face. I've never felt so much melancholy and hate for him.
I hated how he just sat there…waiting. With an expression uncommon for Shino. There was uncertainty, and surprise, like he had said something poisonous, and that poison was something his kikaichu wouldn't be able to break down. He was looking at me like a mongoose with do with a cobra. I hate how that sounds but that was the best analogy I could give.
I hated him, and I told him the nearest possible escape I could think of. Something believable and something I wouldn't come to hate when the time to think about the things I said would come.
"You can't say these things to me! I…I like Naruto! Please tell me you were just joking, Shino! Please say it to me!"
And I hated him for his inability to make jokes out of something. He never was the one to kid or joke around. I hate him for his lack of sense of humor. Something I had in large supplies.
The next day, I hated him more. He acted like nothing had happened between us. But Kurenai-sensei felt it. Hinata-chan felt it. Even Akamaru decided to give me my much needed space. There was a thick air of tension around the two of us, like his bug wall technique engulfing us and attempting to strangle out what little air was left in the atmosphere.
Then the missions had resumed. And how I hated him more than I used to.
We now were just what we were years back. Just a team. Not a group of friends. Each of us using our strengths and special abilities to finish a mission. We came to meet, did our work, and separated ways quietly. Gone were the days we could still hangout with one another after missions. Gone were the days I could comfortably sling an arm around bug boy's shoulder or waist, and elicit a perverse blush from him. And it was all because of that stupid, stupid boy I hate. And those stupid, stupid words I always knew would come out from his stupid mouth.
He and Hinata went on with the chuunin exams of that year. I conveniently had chicken pox at that time, and had an excuse to give. Not that an induced vaccine could give me a light pox and a spot of rashes in some places I never thought rashes would develop. Nee-chan never did find where one of her pox vials had gone off to.
And they were chuunin. And I genin. I used to boast that I'd finish moving through the ranks faster than they could. Guess I look like the hypocrite for my part.
They left, the boy I hate, and the quiet Hinata-chan.
I stood alone, Akamaru at my back.
Kurenai-sensei couldn't continue with handling me.
I was but a lone genin.
I wasn't a team.
Hokage-sama had been but kind to me. That goes without saying. She couldn't put me in another genin team. My skills were waaaay far from genin. Said something about imbalance.
She had me transferred to other teams, shuffling from one team for another, loaded myself up with missions. I was a genin taking C-Rank and B-Rank missions. I was a genin with chuunin-rank teammates.
Shino was starting on his training to become a tokubetsu jounin. (Special jounin). Hinata was summoned for special and secret training by the current clan leader, his father. She would have jounin-status abilities by the end of her training. Good for her.
After these many months…
I've never heard from Shino since. He rarely goes out from those bug houses his family tends to. And when he does, it's not that hard to recognize him. He had changed his wardrobe into something that looked oddly like a beekeepers. He was covered in three layers of jackets, one covering his chin, a second one running over his head, and a third one acting like a raincoat. His glasses were still in place. His change of wardrobe made it all the more difficult for me when I stole glances of him when he passed by my hangout at Ichiraku's.
I could never tell if he got a reaction from me every time our paths collided. Whether he got a flinch, a smirk, or a scowl under those layers of clothing.
Sigh.
Sometimes I feel we're complete strangers now. And I've been known to never hold grudges over somebody I don't know. In short, strangers.
We don't talk, because we don't know each other.
We don't greet, because you just don't greet anybody that walks up your way.
We barely meet in the road, at least once every two weeks, but who's counting?
-
So, right now, on Akamaru's back, he had the insane urge to lightly scratch the back of his hand; a habit he kept to himself to prevent anyone from linking it to his being nervous.
He was now left alone. Shino-less and Naruto-less. Because Kiba knew that it was his fault to begin with. To dump a guy that loved him and to be left behind by a guy that decided to run away.
Sometimes, he wished for those eyeless stares Shino directed at him. Kiba felt secure within those stares, he felt he could be himself under those stares. Even then, he started scanning the area around him, hoping for a certain chakra signature he recognized could be hiding and looking at him without him knowing it.
Kiba didn't care about the quality of the stare. It could be happy, weirded out, exasperated, surprised and, for all he cared, even angry. Kiba wished it was the last one. Shino deserved the justice. Kiba knew he could never deserve Shino now.
Because he knew, after those months, why he hated Shino.
He hated him because he didn't give Kiba the chance to choose. He just stared and waited, looking at Kiba as if the dog-nin would blurt out yes without second thoughts. Kiba hated his insensitivity, because Kiba valued loyalty. And commitments, like what Shino had lain out before him, required utmost loyalty.
Shino had said all those things without preparation. Without grace and without delicacy. Shino is so stupid…didn't he know these things take time? And…well, he could have started nice! Built his impressions around him until Kiba found him acceptable!
No…
Kiba knew he was at fault. He had laid out a master plan for his life. He expected every detail be followed to the letter. If nobody followed his plan, then damn that person!
Shino didn't go through with his courting rituals. The sending of gifts at first. The walks that soon followed. The dates they'd later venture into. And on those hot and steamy nights…Kiba shivered at the thought.
Kiba had sent the star of his plans away when he refused to work with the script.
Kiba failed to look at the urgency of his life. They were ninjas! Their life was a hell lot hazardous than any normal human's. Death was practically waiting at their doorsteps each morning, ready to chop off their heads the moment they made a single, fatal mistake or a slight miscalculation.
Shino's approach of shocking Kiba with a confession of his love suddenly didn't seem so far-fetched after all.
He didn't hate the stoic bug boy now, starting that early afternoon, after leaving Iruka-sensei's house.
For whatever worth was left in him, he also loved Shino. Even if he didn't indulge him in the intricacies he laid out for any suitor of his. (Kiba still kept his pride that he could take a large chunk of the male population and have them fall for him, but that's just him in his little dream world).
It was clear now. Thanks to a pervert's lessons.
Even…
Even if his love life was now completely unsalvageable…
He loved Shino…
Still loves him….
And will love him, even if from afar and without his knowledge.
Kiba smiled at the thoughts of him stalking in the Aburame grounds for a certain bug boy that grew on him. It would be a classic love story…the main character; hiding in the bushes for a guy he had dumped from the start, only to realize he also loved him. Woe is me that failed to see another who squandered his soul for my graces.
Sigh…
"I'm sorry Naruto…for bringing you into this whirlwind of problems…" Kiba spoke to no one in particular. "I should have kept them to myself…should have faced them alone."
And now, indirectly because of me, you left the village you told us you'd protect with your life.
His thoughts returned to the pale-skinned Aburame heir.
Because…
I learned how to make a decision for myself. And I chose whom I wanted to spend my entire life with.
Gods, I hate myself…damn!
And then…
The only question left unanswered…after all of everything that crossed his mind about the stoic bug boy…
Was…
If Shino hated him too…
-
"Hey…"
Sakura and Kiba looked up, immediately dispelled from the stupor they were in. The pink-haired kunoichi looked up from her hands, and Kiba directed his gaze from his side towards the Uchiha.
Sasuke gazed at their eyes solemnly, observing their expressions. Sakura and Kiba did the same, and for the first time since Team 7 was reformed, they did not find it awkward when they shared moments of silence.
"Aa…"
Sasuke frowned, his head shuffled to his right side on impulse. That first word didn't sound out right…
"Sasuke-kun…"
Sakura strode one step forward, her smile gentle and unstrained.
"We know what you want to say. We'll bring Naruto back. We're your team for now, we won't fail you." She spoke confidently. "You can be sure that we won't need your babying during the second exam. We'll know how to protect ourselves. Tsunade-sama knows of this too, and is making plans…"
Sasuke gently…smiled at her words. Even though it was strained, Sakura felt delighted when she finally had received Sasuke's acknowledgement.
"Yeah, Sasuke-chan." Kiba said goofily. "You might be a bastard and me an asshole sometimes (he could hear Sasuke scoff) but we have one thing in common, and that is to bring somebody we care back. Naruto is our friend!" Turning around, he lightly scratched his nin-dog's scruff. "Na, Akamaru?"
The dog barked in agreement, a little too loudly anyway. Only Kiba found his size unsurprising. The others couldn't believe that it only took a few years for Kiba to be riding the dog, instead of the other way around.
Sakura smiled at his direction.
Kiba grinned obnoxiously; face tattoos scrunched up in an endearing manner.
Sasuke sighed, and gave up a smile of his own.
"I trust each one of you."
Both nodded and appreciated Sasuke's acknowledgement. The three shared an awkward moment, their hands on top and upon each other.
Because I know it'll take more than just me to return you here.
"We'll bring Naruto back. Even if we have to break every bone in his body." Sasuke spoke resolutely, bringing his fists together with a smack.
"Hell yeah!" Inner Sakura and Kiba yelled, fire in their eyes. Akamaru jumped around the group of three, tail wagging in all directions.
The afternoon seemed shorter.
We need to show you that you have a family that cares for you.
The walls encircling the Forest of Death were seen at a distance.
Your home will always be with us, and I will wait at the doorstep.
They walked onwards, brimming with newfound confidence in each step.
And when you get back, I will not let go anymore. Ever.
"Naruto…"
-
Hinata was excited for this day.
Well, shouldn't she? After those long months of isolation from the outside world, undergoing secret Hyuuga clan-style training in underground rooms and chambers, she had finally emerged from ground, experience increased and years wiser than what her age showed.
Her hair had grown long, silky black falling down her back, straight as they can be. Her face had developed more feminine angles, her jaw sharpened, her eyes keener, her face lacked the baby fat she had months ago. And she had grown tall. Much tall.
And yet, she was still shy. And still a bit insecure. Albeit more confident now and more elegant, she wasn't the clumsy and insecure Hinata they knew before. She was now Hyuuga Hinata, soon-to-be clan leader of the Hyuuga clan.
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"Ah…Hinata-sama. You look wonderful."
She blushed at the curt remark her cousin gave her. Neji wasn't known for flattery, so Hinata knew he meant those words. She admitted it anyway, she was dressed to kill.
She wore the kimono her father gave her on that day too, as a gift for completing their training. It was pure white, the stitching obviously created by a master weaver. A light pattern of pink cherry blossom petals were dotted at the hem of her feet. It was the only contrast provided by the kimono against the paleness of her skin.
"As do you, my favorite cousin."
Neji simply smiled at those words. He had worn his jounin outfit for today, his uncle giving him the important mission of escorting Hinata around. It was fairly unnecessary as Hinata was already competent of taking care of herself in her own village, but Neji knew the mark of courtesy around it. His uncle wanted Neji to fill Hinata in with what happened for the past few months.
Needless to say, Neji had let go of his strict atmosphere a few years back. His hair, once in a ponytail, now hung loosely, a few strands rebelled in his face. He had grown pretty much taller than the rest of them, and rivaled his sensei, Maito Gai, in height. He was in an all-white outfit too, save for a few black accessories here and there. Neji still wore his hitai-ate over his curse seal, as Hinata did with hers around her neck.
"I'm your only cousin you trust." Neji frowned playfully. They had just exited the Hyuuga compound. The trees swayed with the wind as they walked past.
"Of course." Hinata smiled behind a coy hand. "Tell me, Neji-oneesan, what news did I miss for the past few months?"
A flash of distress glazed through the male Hyuuga's pale eyes.
"Hinata-sama…the Hokage found news of Naruto's whereabouts." Neji said those words with a strained tone. It was weird when he didn't think of using such a tone when mentioning Naruto's name.
Hinata's lips formed a soft 'oh' before she pursed them and kept mum for a few seconds.
"Where is he, then? I'm confident Naruto-kun isn't dead, and the last I heard is that…he was captured by that other Sannin." Hinata asked pensively, her hands tightening at her obi.
"He is here."
Hinata noticed Neji didn't look one bit happy at that fact.
"But please, Hinata-sama. I can only advise that you observe from a distance." Neji spoke softly, knowing the emotions she felt for the blond.
Hinata perceived the implication of Neji's words. "Something is wrong, then?"
Neji only gazed at her consolingly, expressing his sympathy for Hinata's feelings.
"Don't worry. The Hokage had advised all of us jounin to simply be on alert. It looks like she and the other Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya-sensei, had developed a plan to get Naruto back."
Hinata nodded.
"Hinata-sama, you are now a tokubetsu jounin (special jounin). Tsunade-sama requests all members of the rank to meet with her tomorrow afternoon."
"Of course." Hinata looked thoughtful. "I trust Tsunade-sama's abilities to return Naruto-kun back to us."
They had walked across the busier part of the village. It would be a good few more minutes before they reached the Forest of Death.
"You understand, that Naruto can never reciprocate the kind of feelings you have for him, don't you, Hinata-sama?"
Neji had a blank expression that did not betray any emotion for the Hyuuga girl.
"I know. It had taken me weeks to get over with Naruto-kun's expression of his…uhm…" Hinata blushed. "…preferences. But I am happy I had known of this earlier."
Neji didn't look all too convinced.
"I have my regrets though. If by chance, when we were younger, had I told Naruto-kun what I felt for him…would things have been more different right now, Neji-kun?" Hinata asked meekly, sighing at love lost.
Neji looked away, the wind brushed those rebellious strands of hair from his face for a few seconds before dropping them back.
"Nobody can predict a human's behavior, Hinata-sama." Neji saw the forest getting closer. "That is why they say, that regrets always come in the end."
She nodded weakly, resigned to that fact.
Neji comforted her cousin. "I'm sure you will find somebody who will love and protect you as how you want them. He will be able to fill at least much or part of the void Naruto left in your heart."
Hinata didn't reply, except turn to her cousin with an agreed smile and a hand brushing away stray tears from her cheeks.
They did not notice Sasuke's group on the other road from the practice area.
-
A long ways from the Forest of Death, there were three other persons ambling towards said grove of large trees within a perimeter marked by fences.
Uwaaauwaaa!
A crow flew by across the cloudless sky, mocking the humans beneath it with its cawing sound, reminiscing them of a person's laugh.
"Damnit…the sun is just so hot!" Tsunade wrinkled her nose at the temperature as she wiped a lone drop of sweat from her forehead. Stupid crow was getting in on her nerves…
She turned a lone eye at her two guests, who seemed unperturbed at the heat that seemed to broil her skin.
"And why are you two all so hunky-dory during this time of the day?" She stuck a lip out, continuing to wipe off rebel drops of sweat off her face. I wonder how crow would taste like…
"Hokage-sama…we do live in the desert. Of course, this temperature is nothing short but just warm for us." The blond girl beside her pointed out. Tsunade pouted, wishing she could borrow that oversized fan on her back.
"How ironic. For being the village leader of the Hidden Leaf village of Fire Country, you can complain a lot about heat." The blond boy beside him snarked. Earlier blond girl smacked him soundly in the head, mumbling something about respect to a village leader.
The Hokage just rolled her eyes, using her hand as a make-shift fan.
Of course, what will I expect with two of the Sand siblings from the village of Sunagakure?
Kankuro, wearing a dark cloak to hide his shirtless body, was looking like shit at the moment. Instead of the puppet Karasu on his back, three scrolls were hanging across. His eyes exhibited weariness, giving him a bleary look. Thank god he wasn't up to dumping paint all over his face again. This new paint-less look of his was nothing short for an eyesore, but was rather the opposite. He was very, very handsome.
Temari, for whatever weird reason, had managed to keep the same hairstyle and wardrobe for the years that passed. She looked mature thought, and oozed of intricacy and sensibility.
Tsunade continued walking, still irate at the sun and at the stupid bird cawing that stupid caw.
Should I broil the bird with its feathers on, or should I poach it until it turns pale from the heat? Damn fowl wouldn't know what hit it…
-
"We heard one of the members of Hidden Sound's genin team uses sand…" Temari asked, her tone blank. She wasn't sure what emotion to portray at a time like this.
Them, Hokage, she and her brother. Walking towards the grounds for the second Chuunin exams like it was everyday fare. The three of them talking of things like the weather, her brother's abduction, and possibly, her brother's defection.
Ooooh…how else would you think would you feel at that time?
"We are positive. It is your brother, Sabaku no Gaara." The Hokage confirmed, shaking Temari out from her stupor. "He goes by the alias Onashii Mujina; he still parades that sand gourd, and by scrutiny, is using genjutsu to change his skin tone. His red hair still stands out though." Tsunade voiced out her observations.
"Damn kid…nothing but trouble. Here we try to give him the love of a family he wasn't allowed when we were kids…but I…crap-fuck…stupid kid doesn't know how much we love him…" Kankuro lost all humor suddenly, speaking in bland sentences. Temari gave her a worried look of concern. Tsunade only gave a pitied glance.
"Frankly, after those weeks you've arrived here in Konoha, some of the things that you said still don't fit in the puzzle I'm working on." Tsunade sighed, rubbing her forehead when she found things all too troublesome.
"First, you say that Gaara was abducted from your village by three members from the Akatsuki. And then, your spies tell you that he was sighted around Otogakure. So you come to us to enlist our village for assistance."
Temari and Kankuro remained quiet and pensive. It had been the first time they made a major political decision. Gaara always made decisions, they were merely there to back him up and protect him from backlashes.
"Konoha respects the alliance between Fire and Wind country. We are more willing to accommodate your request, because this concerns the Kazekage himself." Tsunade saw the relief flood through both of their eyes. Temari let out a soft smile, and Kankuro gazed at the side of the road, a small play of amusement in his eyes.
"But why do you think Gaara's doing things he's doing right now?"
Kankuro snorted.
"For whatever we know, he might have gotten that sympathy to his enemies-thingy. But that kid would think thrice before sympathizing with the Akatsuki. The only thing we can think of is Naruto."
"But we heard that Naruto also…uhm…defected from Konoha earlier. Gaara was abducted a few weeks prior to Naruto's disappearance." Temari added in her two cents.
Tsunade's eyes slowly woke up in realization. Soft music was creeping in her ears.
"No! It can't be!" She looked terrified, her steps suddenly quickening towards the Forest of Death.
Temari looked on worriedly after her as her brother only made a nonchalant shrug.
-
"Eh, Kiba? You hear that?" Sakura halted a bit, her ears perked up by a lilting melody. She felt a hard shiver run up her spine.
"I heard it a good distance away…I thought it was just my imagination…" Kiba grimaced; the haunting piece of music was too good to be real.
Sasuke didn't say anything, but he was just as drawn to the music as he was with the rest of them.
-
"Hinata-sama!"
Neji rushed to the side of the other Hyuuga, who was bending on her knees, cradling her head in pain.
She faced him, Byakugan activated, prominent veins pulsing around her ivory eyes. Her eyebrows were contorted in confusing pain and weakness.
"Neji-kun! Don't go near! I can feel a trap within the melody…I…I think I'm reacting violently to its effects!" She tried standing up, but felt dizzy and almost fell back to the ground.
The genius Hyuuga nodded, and stood by her side.
"Byakugan!"
His eyes widened at the sight offered by their family's bloodline.
Naruto! This…
This is…impossible!
-
Sasuke's team was surprised when they arrived at the entrance of the Forest of Death. A large crowd had already gathered, but what was surprising was who the center of attention was.
It was Naruto who was making the haunting, sad tone. Gaara and Kabuto just sat at a corner, almost unnoticeable. Their expressions were of irritancy and a tinge of helplessness.
The blond was running his fingers up and down in the air, as if weaving…or opening a slit in the air. But what was weird was that each time he did so, a trail of red chakra burned and a corresponding note made a sound.
He was doing it fast, short but hectic strokes of up and down. Naruto wasn't looking at anyone, but his fingers were flitting endlessly and continuously, never missing a beat.
For the normal listener, it was a free concert. It was nice to the ears, albeit sad; an inappropriate mood when it's almost three in the afternoon. The sound coming from it was almost similar to the piano.
But Sasuke had a different notion. He didn't like feeling he was getting, and he didn't like it when almost half the audience were almost falling asleep, and the other half drooling and acting as if they were brain-dead.
Sasuke could feel a developing chronic pain on the back of his eyes, and his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Sakura bobbing her head up and down, her mouth looking almost like a fish out of water.
Kiba looked different. He was sweating cold sweat, and he looked scared; his slit eyes were darting in different directions. Akamaru was covering his ears, emotions showing he was afraid of opening them until the terrible music stopped.
Sasuke immediately gasped, when out of impulse, his Sharingan flared without his consent. His eyes widened further more when he saw what was actually happening.
Everybody's chakra system looked all…fucked up. There were unnatural auras on each person. The aura flares were visible in his eyes, and when the normal flare looked even and smooth, the other's looked like flame that was supplied by a faulty gas line.
"Sakura!...Kiba!..." Sasuke mouthed out weakly, his bloodline had at least offered little protection from the debilitating effects of whatever Naruto was doing. He wasn't surprised though when both failed to reply. They pretty much were in their own, little worlds.
buzz…
The whole crowd was suddenly swarmed with minute black bugs. They were flying, landing, making buzzes. Some landed on quite a few ninjas, others continued buzzing in mid-air.
Buzz..buzz…
Naruto's hands suddenly dropped from their rapid movements. The blond opened his eyes, lips formed into a grimace, as he eyed his arms with disgust.
His arms, from hands up to his shoulders, were swarmed with bugs. Naruto tried moving, but the bugs had leeched his chakra from his arms.
Amidst the waking people, and the swarms of bugs still flying, a tokubetsu jounin emerged from the black, writhing mass. Naruto gritted, forgetting to discount the one flaw in this form of attack. Him.
Aburame Shino, of the Aburame clan. The family that specialized in kikaichu or destruction bugs. He had forgotten the bug's renowned ability of leeching and eating chakra. He shouldn't have used such a wasteful amount of chakra around this shinobi.
They eyed each other; Shino's was of curiosity and realization, and the other was of hate and hesitance.
"I will not tolerate any form of dirty play during the exam." He directed a glare of small resentment at Naruto. "One more like this, Sound genin, and I will force disqualification on your team."
Naruto nodded, in his Kouryuu mask, his eyes responded with a look of pittance and scorn. The bugs had dissipated from his arms, from everyone, and had returned to Shino's body.
"Forty-two people, fourteen teams all in all. I am your examiner for the second part of the exam, Aburame Shino." He eyed each of them curiously, his gaze lingering a bit longer on the dog nin hiding behind Sasuke. "The venue will be the Forest of Death."
A few of the passing teams, curious at the grove of trees, murmured in curiosity. The others merely waited for the tokubetsu jounin to go on.
"Let me explain the rules." Shino raised two scrolls on his hands, white on his left, and black on his right.
"Each team will receive a set of three scrolls of random colors. You may either get three same colors or two same colors and one different." Shino returned the scrolls on his pocket. "This time, you will NOT work as a team."
A wave of reactions at the rule passed by, but Shino remained unperturbed.
"You will set out individually, you may re-band together once you are inside. The decision is all up to you. However, the only requirement to passing the second part is surviving the Forest for one week and reaching the tower at the center of the forest exactly seven days from now."
"This exam was made to determine your capacity to think individually and to measure your survivability skills. Each team member must have the black and white scrolls in their possession before the seventh day. Any team with one or two members with incomplete scrolls can still enter the final part of the exam, however, the only one legitimate to compete will be the person with the complete set of scrolls."
Shino coughed for effect, not used to talking for long periods.
"You may now look at your shuriken holsters to see what color scroll you received."
A number of people looked weirded out, when true to the examiner's words, they had found a scroll in their holsters. How did he do it?
"You planted these scrolls at the time your bugs were swarming the area, didn't you?"
Sasuke clutched at his scroll, black. Sakura also had a black scroll.
"Quite keen, Leaf genin." Shino smirked, faltering a bit when he saw Kiba' scroll, white.
Because Sound at the moment, were smirking at their direction. Each member had black scrolls in their possession.
"One last note before I start the exam." Shino turned to the agitated crowd before him. "You may take any number of scrolls if you want. You can take your teammate's scroll if you dare. There are no rules in this exam, except that you are not allowed past the perimeter of the forest. Anybody caught outside will be merited permanent disqualification from the Exams."
Shino turned towards the forest's entrance.
"Good luck to each of you."
He raised his hand, languidly and in suspense.
"HAJIME!" He yelled, his voice piercing through the slowly darkening sky. The birds flew from the canopies above the forest.
Everybody disappeared in a wake of dust.
-
Last time I checked the manga, Kankuro has light-colored hair. Since Temari is blonde, and Gaara is a redhead, I could only conclude both Temari and Kankuro are blond-haired. Kankuro is a bishounen! –swoon- Now if only he'd stop wearing face paint! –Herdeus does not heart face paint!-
By this time, I'll be taking a much needed break from writing Kitsune Mask. Nuuuu! Don't think the other way! I'm currently working on a new story (not sure if it can be yaoi, it's way too serious). But I'll still continue this after posting two chapters in the new story. It's hard writing stuff consecutively, Herdeus can attest to that!
Special note: To GoldenFoolLikesSpiralFishcakes and other reviewers that started reviewing my story without an account or e-mail. It really saddens me that I cannot reply to your reviews via the Review Reply feature. Please, if you can, register here so I can contact you and reply to anything you have to say. It'sa shame that most of you are loyal readers and I cannot reciprocate the opinions you have shared. Aw, now I feel all poetic.
