Chapter 29
A/N:
Cobra-Exactly. Jiraiya's working on finding each of their stress points. You don't know true rage until that stress point is extorted/endangered. But once that rage and aggression is unleashed it's a LOT easier to call it up again. Lee's is going to be more difficult to find I think…
Dragon Man 180- Honestly that's a good idea. Except I think Naruto ought to present the official challenge. Just seems more complete that way. I'm sorry you don't like the idea of him being a berserker, but honestly if anyone in that village could pull off berserker it would be Naruto. It just demands certain… circumstances.
ANBUPanther- I think all summons and all demons should be able to talk. Summons due to being smart enough to be able to exist within a contract, and demons because legends have always supported intelligent demons.
DragoonVBK- sorry. I know my chapters need to be longer but I hope that my story plot is good enough that when this is finally a completed story, that the length will not be the biggest thing on the readers mind. Until it's completed though, I know short chapters will be annoying. Sorry.
All my readers- I know the update is slow but honestly I'm trying to think of a proper way to push through the next segment. The easy part will be the ending, it's just getting there that's tricky.
Story!
Lee spent the rest of the day wandering through Konoha. He hadn't gone to the Ramen stand though… he didn't feel up to it just yet. "I trained my whole life… to the point where I nearly died… so many times… yet he won. He defeated me completely. That strength just…Is it my fate to be left behind as those around me get stronger and stronger?" A firm grip on his shoulder jolted him back to his surroundings as he saw his former teacher, Gai.
"Don't let your youthful energy be diminished by this. Defeat is to be used as a tool. Remember that feeling and never forget it. This will be the fuel for your youth! Use it… use that feeling to force you to train harder than ever… to forge your strength to becoming something even greater! I never thought I would have to give this lecture to my favorite student. You have worked harder than any student I ever had, Lee. Pick yourself up, and be proud. Naruto has unlocked a new strength. You should use this feeling… to unlock your own." He smiled at the mini-Gai in front of him. "Prove to them your ninja way."
Lee slowly began smiling as he listened to the lecture/advice. This was why he didn't want to be taken from his original teacher. Only Gai truly understood what it was like… to have nothing but pure taijutsu. Only Gai knew what it was like to be that different from everyone around him. And only Gai… knew what to say to make him come to a better understanding of this harsh world. Lee bowed respectfully to his former teacher.
"You're right. I should use this to push myself to even further limits. I need to become the best taijutsu master in the leaf… to prove to them. I don't need chakra… all I need are these two hands… and these two feet." He gave a symbolic look to his fists and feet. Then he looked at his role model with a playful and determined smile. "You're the best taijutsu master I know… and I won't stop until I've defeated you!" Gai laughed heartily and quickly began defending himself against his anxious student's sudden charge.
Next Morning
He saw her enter his raman stand early as always. She was one of his newer 'usuals'. The man's kindly features showed through his true genuine smile as the youg child sat in the same place she always sat. She smiled back at him and gave a shy wave. He almost laughed at her shyness, but just continued to smile as he cooked more noodles for his other breakfast customers. He enjoyed his small group of loyal customers, especially that blonde haired child. So few people got to know him that it was truly a shame… 'If only they knew…' He hid his somewhat saddened sigh as he made sure everything was perfect. His loyal customers were dedicated to him, so he had to be just as dedicated to them. The stools were clean, that atmosphere was welcoming, and the food was great. And for those special people that he had watched over the years, there was also an appreciative and honest smile for them every visit. However, that was also the cause of this soon to occur disturbance.
He always welcomed new customers, but his smile began to disappear as this odd looking green monstrosity of a boy sat down in the seat he always saved for his favorite customer. Not only was the smile beginning to disappear, but a frown began to emerge as he began chatting very familiarly to the pale eyed girl who had started to always appear in the mornings to wait on the spiky haired blonde. The frown was no longer hidden as she stood up from her chair and acted like she was about to leave.
Hinata, however had known how protective the man was of Naruto. It was one of the reasons she enjoyed the older man's company while she waited. She smiled kindly at him as she approached. "Will you tell Naruto that I have been called by my father? And that I will see him today at training?" She noticed him frowning at this… stranger to his place of business. She confided quietly to him, "Lee and Naruto have an issue to work out." She bowed politely to him and was glad to see he no longer frowned at Lee, but wasn't quite happy about the idea of her leaving without seeing Naruto. However, he nodded back to her politely. As she was almost out of earshot, she heard the older man's voice and grinned. He had just asked Lee if he would mind sitting where Hinata had just sit so that Naruto could keep his usual seat.
Naruto's Apartment… sort of… same time
'What the hell is going on?' He walked further into the darkness. 'This place… every night...' Then he smelled it again… he smelled the blood and the scent filled his nostrils. He had run every night. He had tried to go in every direction the narrow, dark halls led, but never managed to escape the smell. There was only one place left for him to try to run… 'I can't keep running…Running doesn't make it go away… brother wouldn't run… I… I won't run… I WON'T!' He seemed to growl at the strong scent of blood and began walking deeper into the darkness of the run down corridor.
The narrow hall seemed to end abruptly… into a thick, barred gate… with a seal over it… The young fox's curiosity drew it closer… and closer to the gate when two enormous eyes opened….and a deep chaotic voice rumbled from behind it. 'THIS is my replacement? THIS is nature's retribution! A small runt that cowers away at the scent of blood?' Kyuubi's eyes narrowed at this pathetic excuse of a fox in front of him.
Amane interrupted the voice. "I don't know what you're talking about, but I tire of these dreams. I despise this strong scent enveloping you… this vengeful and bloodthirsty scent is ruining my sleep. So whoever you are, cut the crap and leave me alone. I don't want anything to do with you." The young kit turned and began to walk away before the other voice could insult him further. He stopped though as a demonic, commanding voice screamed out at him.
"STOP RIGHT THERE, KIT!" Kyuubi glared at the rebellious youth in front of him. "You don't know who I am? I am the KYUUBI! I am the strongest of our kind! I AM—"
"Loud. You are obnoxious. You are…. Kyuubi?" The fox glared at the caged monster. "You are the one that causes my brother so much pain… I'll have nothing more to do with you… even if you are a fox."
A brief pause of silence followed the statement… followed by the light footsteps of Amane leaving… followed by… "You'll have everything to do with me! I am the reason you exist! And I will not let you talk to me like that" Large sharp claws shot out through the gate, followed by an ebbing flow of the deep red chakra.
It felt like he would drown in it. It felt like he would be sliced to ribbons. It felt like… A scream of fear echoed in his mind. He heard a louder scream that woke him up.
"OH CRAP! I OVERSLEPT!" The fox was immediately climbed over as Naruto quickly got his clothes, showering gear, and backpack(to hide his pj's and showering gear in after he changed). The morning routine was the same as always. Get up late(or late considering when he had to be at the ramen stand), go screamingly quick to his secret area for a shower, and then screamingly quick to the ramen stand to apologize to Hinata for being late. And of course, his little brother by his side the whole time. (though not so little anymore, more like a full grown labrador. His body had matured and his fur was envied by multiple skinners in Konoha. He didn't need to worry about them though. Naruto had stricken the fear of Hokage in them.)
He entered the ramen stand with his eyes closed, his usual contagious smile and apologizing as he sat down. But when he opened his eyes, he was staring at a somewhat confused… "Lee?"
So? Whatcha think people? I figured I owed you another update. Hopefully I haven't let too much out of the bag with Amane. I'll try to make sure no matter what you guys and gals get an update a month. Hopefully more but no promises.
