Chapter 29

I end up at the forest, past the training grounds. I stand against a tree biting my lip and slide down the tree, hug my knees and cry into them.
'Why can't he just learn that Naruto's not dangerous? And why did Kabuto try to kill me! It's not fair!'

"Setsuki-san?"
I tense up, but don't lift my head, I try and quieten my crying down.
"What is it? What happened..?"
I sniffle quietly and lift my head and wipe my eyes. "I-it's my uncle.." I croak, then clear my throat.
"... What about him...?" He gasps slightly. "He didn't... pass on... did he?"
I shake my head and sniffle again. "He... he's just.. he doesn't understand!"
"Setsuki."
I look up at him.
"You need to calm down.. then tell me what happened.."
I wipe my eyes again and take a deep breath, then begin explaining everything. "... What should I do.. Neji-kun?" I ask.
Neji gives a quiet sigh. ".. Give him some time to cool down.. then talk about it.."
I shake my head. "That wont help.. he wont listen.." I sigh sadly.
".. Perhaps Naruto can help..?"
".. Naruto?" I blink a few times.
"I heard he was looking for you anyway... come on, we'll go find him." He says. I nod and stand up, wiping the rest of my tears away, then walk beside Neji back to the village.

I stared at the ground the whole way, until Neji finally came to a stop. "Naruto." He says in a slight hissy tone.
"Neh?" Naruto turns and faces us. "You! What do you want?" Naruto asks. Neji tilts his head towards me. "Setsuki! Are you alright?" He questions, putting a hand on my shoulder, concerned.
"I.. wanna talk to you." I say slowly.
".. I will leave now." Neji says, then begins walking away.
"Neji-kun." I say, he stops and turns his head slightly.
"Hn?"
"Arigato." I say. Neji gives a slight nod and jumps away.
"So, what's wrong?" Naruto asks.
"It's Uncle Takashi..." I reply.
".. Was he saying bad stuff about me, again?" He asks. I nod. "You know, you shouldn't let that get to you, I've been called a monster and such since I was born. It doesn't really make a difference."
"Y-yes but.. I don't like Uncle Takashi saying that kind of stuff about you! You're my best friend, Naruto-kun!" I exclaim.
"Yeah but.. " He stops to sigh. "Don't worry about it, okay? Oh yeah! There's something I have to tell you.."
"W.. what is it?" I ask. Naruto's eyes wonder, like he was thinking on how to word his sentence.
"It's your cousin... Kabuto.." He says. My eyes widen.
"What about Kabuto! Tell me!" I say, grabbing his jacket.
"Calm down! It was when we were bringing old lady Tsunade back. We were encountered by Orochimaru and Kabuto, and we had to fight them. And well.. I tried out my new technique on Kabuto because I had to protect Tsunade. I wasn't thinking straight at the time, and I didn't hold back. But he somehow survived.. and they got away." He explains.
"I see.. I'm sorry Naruto-kun." I say.
"For what?" He asks, scratching his head.
"For the trouble that Kabuto caused." I say. Naruto puts his hand on my shoulder.
"It's alright." He says. "It's not your fault dattebayo."
".. but that's another thing Takashi is angry with me about. I didn't tell him Kabuto was alive during the Chuunin Exams because I didn't want him worrying over him. I mean, knowing Takashi, if he knew Kabuto was working for Orochimaru now, he'll go and seek Orochimaru to try and save Kabuto.." I say.
"But doesn't he know Orochimaru's like really strong?" He asks.
"It wouldn't matter.. he'd die trying.. that's the type he is.. and I don't want to lose Takashi as well.." I say. "I-I don't want to be selfish but.."
"Yeah, I can understand. If I had family I'd want to keep them too." He says, then suddenly he puts his arms around me. I blink. "But I don't want you going out after him either.."
"N-Naruto-kun.."
"You're like family to me, dattebayo. I don't wanna lose you." He says. I look down, but hug back. Naruto was right, Naruto, to me, feels like the brother I never had.
".. I understand Naruto. I really do." I say. Naruto lets go and stands up straight again. I let go as well. "But... Kabuto's family as well.. I'm sure he's just hostile because he's working for Orochimaru."
"Yeah, I guess so." Naruto says. "... Oh oh! Guess what!"
"What?"
"Old lady Tsunade helped Sasuke, and Kakashi-sensei to recover, and she was just about to check up on Bushy Brows' injuries before I left!" Naruto exclaims.
"Left? What'd you leave for?" I ask.
"Er, old lady Tsunade reminded me of a meeting with Iruka-sensei I had! We had ramen, but he turned up late, dattebayo!" He complains. I smile slightly.
"Should we go check on Lee-san?" I ask, wanting to.
"Yeah! Come on!" Naruto says, grabbing my wrist, and we begin running to the hospital.

"Is Bushy Brows in rehabilitation?" Naruto asks the reception lady.
"Hm?"
"Rock Lee." I say.
"Ah. Just let me have a look." She says, then flips through the little book she has on the desk on front of her. "Hmm... no I'm afraid he hasn't shown up yet." She says.
"He's not there? It's not like Bushy Brows to be late for something." Naruto mentions.
"Do you think something may have happened?" I ask.
"I doubt it. I mean, what could've happened within an hour?" He asks. I give him a look. "Oh.. anything.."
"Lets go find Gai-sensei!" I say. "Gai-sensei would know where Lee-san is!"
"Good idea!" Naruto says. "... But where would he be?"
I shrug. Naruto facepalms.