Both "Naruto" and "A Flash to Naruto" are property of their original owners. GawrBack claims no credit aside from this two-line intro.
Unfortunately, I don't know the original author of this fanfic, but if you know their username - please leave a review so I can credit them.
Chapter 14: Beasts of the Forest: P4
Sakura's POV
Konoha
"WHAT!?" Both of us yelled. "WHY NOT!?"
"Well," Kakashi said. "I've got other…stuff to do. That's why I can't train you two."
"Grrrrr…" Naruto growled. He then flew his arm into the air and pointed his index finger at Kakashi. "You're gonna train Sasuke aren't you!"
"Sensei!" I added.
"Well…"
"Kakashi sensei, shouldn't Sasuke and I train together?" I asked.
"Oh brother…"
"I mean, since we both…" I let my voice trail off.
"Sorry Sakura, I can't do that." Kakashi answered.
"Why not!?"
"If words gets out that both you and Sasuke are training together, people may begin to suspect something. Once that starts, people will begin watching you and once they find out, you're more or less dead, or in captivity."
"Oh…"
"Um… Sensei, why would they do that to Sakura?" Naruto asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing you need to worry about." Kakashi then said trying for smile for Naruto. Well, trying to smile through the mask.
"But-!" Kakashi cut him off.
"Besides, nothing's going to happen to Sakura." He then placed his hand on Naruto's head. "So there's no need to worry."
A small smile then came on Naruto's face and he then nodded.
"So then sensei," I said trying to change the subject. "If you're not going to train us, who will?"
"Don't worry about that, I've got that covered. I actually got him for Naruto but you can tag along too." Kakashi said.
"Really?!" Naruto asked with a glimmer in his eyes. "Who!? Who!? Who!?"
Kakashi then turned his head to the side. "You can come out now."
A figure then leaped over the fence Kakashi was resting on and landed in front of us.
A tall light skinned man then stood up. We wore a black suit and had a small pair of black shades with no sides.
"WHAAAA?!" Naruto yelled. "THAT CLOSET PERVERT!?"
"Closet what?" Kakashi said.
Bam! Naruto the fell head-first into the ground.
"Naruto! Have some respect!" I yelled. "Don't you know who this is!?"
The man, who I knew to be the somewhat famous Ebisu Sensei, flinched at Naruto's comment.
"So I see you two know each other…" Kakashi said. If this was a show, you would have seen one of those sweat drops by his head. "So that means that I can skip the introductions."
"Ahem…"
"Oh sorry," Kakashi said. "Ebisu, this is Sakura Haruno." He then pointed to me with his arm. "She'll be training along with Naruto."
"Oh, this is Sakura. I've heard rumors that you have great chakra control. I can't wait to see if they're true."
I blushed at the comment.
"Sakura, you're listening to the pervert!? He's even weaker than me!? He fell for my-!"
Ebisu then quickly grabbed Naruto and covered his mouth. He then quickly mumbled something to Naruto, who seemed to growl at the comment. Ebisu then let go of Naruto who took a few steps forward.
"Arrrgg! I don't want this guy to train me! Kakashi Sensei I want you to!" Naruto yelled.
"Actually, he's a better sensei than me." Kakashi said humbly.
"Bull!"
"Naruto!"
"Ok then Naruto, to prove to you that he's a better sensei, why don't you test him?" Kakashi said. "Sakura, do you have any objections to Ebisu as well?"
"None here."
"Ebisu?"
"Sure, why not." He said as he fixed his glasses. "I would have to test his abilities anyway."
"Fine then!" Naruto then said.
Tsebe's POV
Forest of Death
Robin, Temari and I had managed to get out of the ditch, without even waiting for Flint's body to be fully burned. Robin said that we need not wait and see that. She was... different. His death had hurt her, badly. As we walked through the forest again, you could tell that something was bothering her. She seldom talked, only when necessary, and even then she didn't say much.
"Duck." Robin said dryly.
Almost immediately two snakes flashed in front of Temari and my faces. In fact, we were lucky that they didn't eat our noses. How they managed to magically fly past us is a mystery however.
"Whoa, thanks." Temari said.
Robin then grunted and continued walking, pushing one or two branches out of the way as she walked.
We then continued to walk through the vegetation. It wasn't really easy to tell if the day had ended yet, because it mostly always looks like night in the forest, or at least very dark.
"You think time has caught up with us?" I asked as we almost mindlessly followed Robin.
"Doubt it." Temari said. "Though, it was afternoon when we left the ditch."
"You're probably right."
"Do you think that I'd be wrong?"
A sound then suddenly rushed into my ears.
Breathing. Not normal breathing patterns, harsh breathing, huffing.
"Hn!" Robin let out. "Is it?!"
"Someone seems suddenly excited…" Temari said softly.
Robin then hastened, blasting through the bushes without any consideration for those behind her.
"Hey Robin slow down!" I yelled as a tree blanch lashed me in my face.
She didn't listen. She continued throwing things aside as she progressed.
She then disappeared into a thick bush.
"Do I have to?" I said as I approached it.
"Go on you scardy-cat!" Temari said as she pushed me into the bush.
I quickly passed through the bushes and came out in a small clearing. There were few trees, but many broken stumps. The Kira-Hiru was here. There were many leaves on the floor so that also proved my theory, also, they were fresh. There were also bushes that were thrown out of the way, like the one I came out of. These two were fresh and they and large chunks missing and slash marks. I looked up to the trees but the skyline somehow wasn't scratched despite of the condition of the forest below it. There were a few holes in it but these gave no substantial light. All it told me was that it was not night yet, and that doesn't really help. I then saw Robin standing there, just looking at the scenery.
"Oh…"
I then looked a little into the scenery to see a leg coming out from behind a tree. My eyes immediately widened and I raced to the leg. Oh no… Not her, please, anyone but her…! I said to myself as I ran towards the leg. Panic raced through my mind.
I then blasted passed the tree.
"Huff, huff…"
"Whew…" I said in relief.
Jetta then raised her head and looked at me. She was stilling on the ground resting on the tree. Her face was littered by sweat, and her black and red striped shirt along with her black ninja pants were ripped up in all odd places. Luckily for her it wasn't too ripped that her privates weren't showing. She was breathing heavily, as if she had just done a marathon, triathlon and climbed up a mountain. All in the same day. She didn't look at me for long without lowering her head again. Her green streaks seemed to be brighter than usual and much of her hair covered some of her face.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Even if I told you, I doubt you'll believe."
"Wait, does it involve anything to do with chakra and tails?"
"Hm," Jetta laughed. "If only it was something that understandable."
Temari then ran towards me. "What's up?"
"I found Jetta." I said as I pointed to her. "But, her clothes are ripped."
Temari immediately ran and looked at Jetta. Her eyes opened as she looked at Jetta. "What happened?"
"I'm not even too sure." Jetta said through her breathing.
"Jetta, we need to talk." Temari then said with a rather serious look on her face.
"As do we." Came from behind us. Robin then walked towards us. "Where's Takashi." It wasn't a question.
"No clue."
Robin's face then began to turn sour. "No…"
"But, he's a smart kid. By now he must be out of the forest telling some ANBU about that madman and they must be devising a plan to come get us." Jetta assured.
Robin's face lit up. That helped. She then sent Jetta a small smile.
"Ok, your turn Temari." Jetta then said.
"Not here," Temari said. She then looked at me. "Or at least in their company."
"Temari," I said.
"No, no." Jetta then cut me off. "I understand."
Temari raised an eyebrow.
"Temari, if you wanted someone to help plan the wedding, I'll be glad to help. Though, I don't see why you'd want to keep it a secret from the husband."
"Jetta!" Temari said as she slowly began to blush. "Come on!" She then bent down and grabbed Jetta's arm. She then dragged Jetta off away from Robin and me.
Robin then slowly took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She made no attempt to make conversation as we stood and waited for Temari and Jetta to come back.
Jetta's POV
Temari was on the verge of yelling at me. The only reason she wasn't is because it was supposed to be a 'secret'. Bah, Tsebe's gonna find out anyway so I didn't really see the point.
"Do you know what Gaara would do if he found out that you used 'it'!? He's going to be pissed! He even told you in particular to keep a low profile and only use it as a last resort!"
"Well, then," It was actually the first time I spoke since I told Temari was happened when the Kira-hiru ran into me. "To avoid all that, we could do something completely unorthodox. We could just not tell Gaara."
"Well… True but-!"
"What but? How hard is it to just lie to Gaara about this? He's not even here to tell us that we're lying."
"What if he asks about your clothes?"
"Say a dog attacked me or something."
"You think Gaara will buy that?"
"Or I could just buy some new clothes here. Don't tell me you don't want to do a little shopping and sightseeing here!"
"Well… I did see this cute shirt…"
"So it's settled! Gaara knows nothing and we go and paint the town red after we get the hell out of here! Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to focus on the last part of that statement. I think the forest's giving me a rash."
Tsebe's POV
Temari and Jetta had finally finished their conversation and were heading back. Well, it was more Jetta leaving the conversation with Temari following. It didn't seem that it was a quarrel, more discussion. Jetta was more or less stumbling back to Robin and me.
"Whoa… Forgot how tired I was for a couple of seconds there…" She said as she placed her hands on her knees.
"Come on; let's go before someone steals that shirt." Temari said as she took Jetta's arm and placed it around her neck.
"Ok, let's move." Robin then said. This time, it actually sounded like an order. A firm-ish order. More like the kind you can easily talk your way out of, but at least this was an improvement over how she was before.
"Right."
"Ok."
"Huff… Now?"
"Yes Jetta, now." Temari said.
"Ok…" Jetta said as she trailed with Temari. "Hey, Tsebe, make room I'm coming."
Jetta then quickly removed her arm from on Temari's shoulder and moved towards me and put her arm around mine.
"So, what was your 'talk' about?" I softly asked her.
"It was basically a scolding." Jetta said. "All because of what happened to me."
"So, what happened?" I asked as Jetta and I slowed down and pulled away from Temari and Robin.
"Well, guess I getter start from the beginning..." Jetta said.
Huff huff...
Shhhhhhhhh!
"GROOOOOH!"
It was hot on my tail. Takashi had already got his separate way, as if I wasn't really important to him. Then again, I didn't know him either so...
I ran through the dense forest, leaping over all kinds of obstacles and traps. Man, I wish that people would deactivate those when they lost their scroll... So far, 3 paper bombs, 5 leeches and a pit-hole trap had come my way. Luckily I dodged all except 1 paper bomb. That was the first one; it caught me off guard and burned my sleeve. Not much though, in fact, it didn't even go past my elbow. I barely felt it burn my skin and only a small burn mark was left.
The forest flashed passed my eyes as I ran passed the trees. The semi-dark brown barks blasted by as I ran for my life, not caring if one tree was made of pure gold, and even if one was I would still have ran passed it. Only one thing mattered. Getting away from the Kira-hiru, or as I liked to call it, the big leech thingy which could destroy me in seconds... Yeah, that didn't make me feel any better either. One thing managed to catch my eyes as I ran passed. The trees were getting closer and closer. I pushed the thought aside as my life flashed before my eyes again. Crap... I only remembered up to when I got zapped by my Ipod.
My eyes focused forward again, towards the wall of brown and forest leaf green which stood ahead of me.
Wait, wall!?
The wall approached so quickly, I didn't even have time to breathe before the wall was within range to give me a kiss. Instinct immediately took over. Luckily, it was my ninja instinct. I then leaped into the air and placed my foot on the trees. My hands then came together and made the tiger hand sign.
"Ok… I did not do that."
I then felt a surge of energy go through my body, particularly to my feet. I then began to steadily run up the tree. It felt like walking on a fallen tree which was not quite stable and caved in with every step you took. The only thing that differed was that gravity was angry at me for defying him. I looked down to see a trail of destruction left on the tree as I progressed.
"I'm guessing too much…"I paused in thought. Damn, what was it called…?
"It's called chakra." My mouth then said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Don't worry, I'll explain later."
"If there is a later…"
I had run up a few feet by this time. The tree was being to give in to the battery it was receiving. My head tilted backwards. The Kira-hiru was almost by the tree. Damn, that this is freaking fast… My legs then bent, and kicked off the tree with amazing speed and power.
"Wow...! I can do that!"
I looked down at the ground to see the Kira-hiru racing below me.
Booom!
"Jetta are sound effects necessary?" I asked Jetta. (Tsebe that is)
"Yes! Now don't interrupt me again!" Jetta quickly replied. "Now, where was I...?"
Booom!
The beast of the forest blasted through the wall of trees as if it was a piece of paper. Splinters, leaves and twigs invaded the air around me and what was once the area around some trees. The smell of fresh tree bark accompanied them.
Crraaack!
A tree in front of me was ready to give in to father gravity. Oh damn you... The tree crept towards my mid-air self. That was not good... The tree quickly approached, bringing down other trees, branches and wildlife that were not ready to lose their homes quickly with it. I hurriedly brought my legs up straight towards the incoming tree.
"Thank goodness I'm flexible!" I happily said. "Wait, no I'm not!"
"Well, it's kinda a job requirement for me." I replied.
"True... True."
Bam!
The tree impacted my feet, which were still loaded with chakra. My legs immediately spun around and sped around the tree.
Cra! Cra! Cra!
That followed each of my footsteps on the tree. I then immediately ran down the trunk and leaped off when I reached the end.
"What are you doing!? Do you want to meet it again!?"
"Yes. This time, I'm not running away."
"You can't be serious! Don't tell me I'm a stubborn idiot in this world! Come on, just run!"
"No."
Shhhhh!
"It's coming! Just run away!"
"No."
Shhhhhh!
"GROOOOOOOOH!"
"Oh no... Why me?" I said in dismay.
I could see it in the distance. The Kira-hiru quickly approached. Its teeth began to point out, as if it was expecting food.
My hands then suddenly came together. I formed a hand sign which I didn't even think was possible. I felt a surge of energy flow through my body.
"And here comes the good part!" I said.
"Argg!" Jetta almost yelled. After all, this was a private hearing. "Quit interrupting me!"
"Ok, but this is where the destruction and ripped clothes come in, right?" I asked. "I hate these kinds of cliffhangers."
"Well then listen and find out!"
My hands then suddenly came together. I formed a hand sign which I didn't even think was possible. I felt a surge on energy flow through my body. It was nothing like the feeling of flowing chakra. It was more intense, and more importantly, more powerful. I looked to the ground as I summoned the energy. Lines then began to appear. Green ones. They glowed brightly and began to form a circle with some lines in it. It reminded me of the symbols on the floor in the Demonic Ruins in level 38 Wild... For those of you who don't play Runescape, it was a circle with a ton of triangles in it. Too many to count. The lines then rose up off the ground. The energy surged through my body wildly and power was almost spewing from my fingertips with every nanometer the lines travelled. It felt as if the energy was ready o burst out with force. My hair flew in the wind as wildly as a string does during a storm, with my green streaks going across my eyes wildly. Suddenly, the color began to fade from my streaks. Ok, the energy was cool and all... but when something happens to my streaks, that's when I get mad.
"What's going on with me?"
"Don't worry, you'll be Ok."
The Kira-hiru was extremely close. Too close. I wanted to move, jump, run, but no. My legs refused to move. They were under the control of another mind. One which knew what it was doing. I hoped. The green lines where now a vibrant green, a rich and bright one, as they now encircled me and spun around, as if the were tuning me or something.
"Something tells me when this is done, I'm gonna be a Stardust dragon or something."
I laughed. Well, the 'other me'.
Suddenly, the lines stopped. I almost yelped. They then fed into my body, leaving long green lines on my body. Unfortunately, it was too late.
"GRRRROOOOOOOHH!"
I smelt the Kira-Hiru's breathe. It wasn't sweet. It immediately engulfed me. Everything turned dark. I could feel its sharp teeth beginning to grind me into minced meat, ready to be packaged. I could feel my flesh being ripped off my bone, and my clothes being ripping into pieces. I was losing sensations. First legs, then arms, then finally, everything in between...
...
...
...
... "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! ENTER INTO MY TRUE FORM!"
"GRRRR?"
BOOOOM!
I blasted out of its tail! My body was back. The only thing was... It wasn't my body. My legs were longer, and bent differently. Inhumanly. I could feel wings on my back flap. Big wings. I had insanely long nails and I could feel extra skin on my head, which in fact felt different. I could tell that I now had horns, and that my mouth was longer than usual. A lot longer.
"You want to or can I?"
"Oh please, you'll just do crap anyway." I joked.
I suddenly gain control. It was amazing. I felt like a new person. Power surged through my veins with ease, and I could feel stronger limps. Much stronger. Much, freaking, stronger. I immediately opened my wings. I could feel how big they were. I pushed the wind away easily, as if there was none at all. Ha, take that Temari. You're not the only one who can handle some wind resistance. I then flapped.
Boom! Fwap!
I blasted into the air! I could feel my tail flapping in the distance. I took a better look at myself. The emerald green marks now covered my body, forming lines going over veins, circling my arms and legs like the lines on a Kyogre or Groudon. I had longer toenails as well. There was only one draw back... I could feel the wind between my knees. But hey, now, with was more 'stuff' to feel wind. A good bit actually. Both ends too. Now, enough about me and my boobs, I looked down at the Kira-hiru which up to me like a confused cat. This was going to be fun. I immediately began to plummet towards the Kira-hiru. I let my arms fall back and I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds as I felt the wind go again my face. Oh, I could get used to this. I then quickly opened my eyes and held up my right arm as I approached it. All the beast could do is watch.
"Sky-dive skewer!" I yelled. I could feel a new voice wanting to come in.
Fwapp! Fwapp! Booom!
I flew passed it a few times before diving into it and blasted out. The beast flipped a few times in the air before slamming back on the ground, now with huge slash marks in its side and a second huge hole in it. Opps, sorry, third. I blasted high into the air. I then stopped and spread my wings wide.
"GRRROOOOOOOOORRRR!" I let out. Oh yes, this felt good.
I then dropped towards the ground again, this time to finish the job! An idea then popped into my head. I then flipped and stopped a good number of tens of feet high. I then placed my hands together and extended my nails out. I then began to gather energy in my palms. My green lines began to glow brightly. Energy sped to my arms, reaching and willing to burst out. I began to concentrate the energy, into a beam or blast. Either or would be good.
"GRRRRROOOOORRRR!" I let out again. "Sho-dan blast!"
I small green beam then came out of my arms.
You've got to be kidding me...
The beam then largened. Greatly. The blast poured through my whole hand. Both of them. It even came out of my nails. I drilled down to the ground below, and engulfed the Kira-hiru.
"Ok! My work here is-!"
Boooom!
A huge shockwave followed. The attack wasn't over yet. The Kira-hiru carcass, well, technically it wasn't dead yet but we all know it's doomed, had ignited. A green explosion engulfed it and destroyed much of the trees and plant life near it.
Crack, crack, crack, crack, crack... Boom!
A ton of smaller explosions then followed, ensuring that it was done for good. The explosions slowly stopped and died out leaving a patch of dug up dirt in memory or the Kira-hiru. I then quickly ascended into the air and did a few flips before stopping and exposing my broad and beautiful, or at least so I guessed wings.
"GRRRRRRAAAAAAAARRRRRR!" I let out loudly. "OH YEAH!"
"You need to land."
"Now?"
"Yes, now."
"Okie-Dokie!" I said happily.
I then quickly descended, doing a few mid air spirals before flipping, closing my wings and landing.
I then lost control of my body. I then felt my arms open, and I looked down to see my green marks beginning to recede. I slowly began to feel my body change. My tail snapped back in, and one of my wings folded up and joined with my back. My head then began to shorten, and return to its normal form. My horns disappeared, and my nails shot back into my hands, to their normal length. My other wing snapped back in and my arms and legs finally came back to their normal length. I was normal again. Well, almost. My hair laid uncombed or styled over my face, with white streaks still in it. Slowly, the began to regain their green color. I smiled.
"Good old faithful."
"Wow… That, was, awesome." I said in awe.
"You're telling me, I was there." I Jetta replied with a smile on her face. "Though, it made me tired as hell afterwards."
"So, it brought back your clothes?"
"No."
"So…?"
"This is a transformation actually."
"Then why are the clothes ripped."
"That's part of it."
"So why not make proper clothes?"
"I was tired, all I wanted to do was get something on in case you guys found me." Jetta said as she turned her head. "Anyway, I was actually lucky to do it when I did. Had I waited longer, Robin would have seen all what God gave me."
I smiled. "That's my sister's phrase."
"Could never forget it. You always used in situations which involved those kinds of body parts."
"If you're not gonna use a phrase, why know it?" I said with a grin.
Jetta then stopped me. "It's ok. I can walk by myself now." She said as she took her arm from around me. "So," She started loud enough for everyone to hear. "Where's Flint?" Jetta asked.
Robin turned back and sent Jetta a death glare.
"Umm Jetta… Flint's…" Temari looked at Robin, who was still sending Jetta a death glare.
"He's dead." I firmly said finishing Temari's sentence.
Robin then turned and looked at me with a surprised look on her face.
"You did say you that were going to be Ok, right?" I said as I looked at her. "Plus, moping around over him won't bring him back. You're a ninja; you're supposed to get over these kinds of things quickly."
Robin looked at the ground. "Yes…" She spoke rather softly and did not look up. "But, he was one of the few important people left in my life…" She then lifted her head. Tears bordered her eyes. "My mother died during the Kyuubi attack and my father committed suicide soon afterwards. Then my brother dies in the forest and now Flint dies too. Both of their lives were taken by that mad-man with the Kira-hiru." She then clenched her fists and her arms trembled with the tension coming from her arms. "Garr…" She growled under her breath. "That man, that damn man, in under a year has taken two people from me… And now, I vow, I will kill him for that."
I looked at Jetta, with regret in my eyes. She looked back, and raised an eyebrow.
Robin then quickly turned around. "Let's go. I have a vengeance to reek." She then began to walk again, this time with a new life in her step. It was very much like Sasuke's own, as if her only purpose now was to kill that man. Robin began walking quickly, not really caring if we were keeping up with her or not.
Jetta pulled me back as we tried to keep up with Robin. "Ok, what's with the sorrow?" She quickly asked.
"What sorrow?"
"Don't bother lie. I saw what you did when Robin talked about the guy killing Flint. He didn't, did he?"
"What?! No! I didn't do it!" I almost yelled, not wanted Robin to hear. "I just kinda had a part to play…"
"You helped him kill Flint?!"
"No! You see, we fought before the Kira-hiru killed him…" I confessed. "And, I kinda dislocated his leg…"
"Whoa," Jetta said as she walked a little faster as to not get lost in the dust of Robin. "Why?"
"I guess it's my turn to tell a story."
...
"You know," Jetta said after hearing my story. "It's actually not your fault. He attacked you."
"But I didn't have to fight back. I could have blocked, defended myself, ran,-." Robin cut me off.
"What the hell are you two talking about?" Robin said as looked at us with an annoyed look on her face. "You're holding me back."
"Well we were, err, um…" Jetta stuttered.
"Talking about…" Ideas blasted through my head. I blurted out the first thing which did. "Naruto!"
"Who?"
"Him!?" Temari blurted out.
"Oh yeah Naruto!" Jetta said as she scratched her head. "Yeah in Episode 69 he learns the Rasengan!" She immediately covered her mouth. "Opps… Wrong one…"
"Quit lying." Robin said coldly. "What were you talking about?"
I sighed. "I was telling Jetta about-."
Jetta cut me off. "A new haircut he's planning to get! Right?"
"Jetta…" I said. "I told her about the fight Flint and I got into before you guys showed up."
Shocked would not be able to explain the look on Robin's face. It was like she just found out that her boyfriend was leaving her for her best friend, and then someone told her that her house was burning down immediately afterwards. The look on her face then suddenly changed. Anger.
"You WHAT!?" She growled. "WHY THE HELL DID YOU!?"
"Hey!" Jetta cut in. "It wasn't his fault! Flint started it!"
Robin's face then softened. Not much though. "What?"
"He attacked me when we reached the ditch. All I did was defended myself." I then turned around to show the marks and bruises I had on my back. "Until he did this to me. Then I fought back."
Robin's face then became serious again. "You expect me to believe that! Why would he just attack you!?"
"It's your fault."
Robin froze. Her face stiffened as the comment rang through her ears.
"He attacked me over you… He was telling me to keep away from you." I then looked away. "He also said that you were his or some crap like that." I murmured under my breath.
Robin looked up at the sky and a small smile came on her face. "Flint, you moron… You just couldn't put your feeling aside could you?"
Bam! Jetta dropped to the floor.
"What!? You're telling me you knew that he liked you and you still showed interest in Tsebe!? Hello! We're ninja! Flint could have just killed Tsebe and called it a training accident!" Jetta yelled.
"Flint was hard-headed. He wouldn't take no for an answer, even though I told him that he was like a brother to me. After all, he came into my life after my brother died." Robin then brought her head down and looked at me. "Well, at least his heart was kinda in the right place. That makes me feel better." Robin then ran up to me and hugged me. She wrapped her arms around my rib-cage and squeezed tightly. "Thanks for telling me that."
I looked over her shoulder to see Temari mouthing something to Jetta.
'You bitch! Do that one more time. No, do it one more time. Damn lucky that I don't have my fan, that's what you are.'
Robin then released me and turned around. She had her swagger back. "Alright folks! Let's get this show on the road! We're getting out of here!"
"Don't you have a vengeance to reek?" Jetta asked.
"Nah," Robin replied. "I'll let the ANBU handle him."
"Ok." Jetta happily replied. I bet she already knew that that answer was coming.
Sakura's POV
Konoha
Ebisu sensei was testing Naruto. Oops, sorry, it's supposed to be the other way around, but Ebisu isn't really trying. After all, he is a special Jonin. He asked me if I wanted to join but I passed. It was already a pleasure to even meet this sensei, so I didn't deem it necessary to 'test' him, but he insisted. The goal was… What was it? I'm not too sure. I know that now it's a game of hide and seek but I'm not too sure now. Right now Naruto and I were hiding in front of an Icha Icha billboard. Wait, it gets better. We're in a transformation he's there spanking my butt! Seriously, I wonder were the hell do these people come up with these billboards and books…
Ebisu sensei landed on the rooftop on which the billboard was. He fixed his shades and began to study the site in front of him. "If you're going to hide like that, at least fix yourselves how the billboard is!"
"WHAT!?"
I immediately dropped the transformation and turned and looked at the billboard. The man was chasing the woman, not feeling up her booty!
"NARUTO!"
"Uh oh…"
I immediately lunged at him and tackled him to the ground. "Don't you ever try anything like that again! Do you hear me?! Do you hear me!?" I yelled as I punched him on his head repeatedly.
In the corner of my eye I say Ebisu sensei looking at my neck while scratching his chin. "Hmm… Interesting…" I heard him softly say to himself. Then again maybe I was the loud one and he was normal. "Though," He interrupted us. "The general idea was smart. Hiding in plain sight, bravo."
I blushed at his comment, though it was Naruto's idea.
"But, this is not over yet."
"Arg, Sakura! Get off me before he gets me! I don't want this closet pervert to train me!"
Tsebe's POV
Forest of Death
Sunrise was approaching. The slightly red-ish sunlight crept through the forest leaves to tell me so. The forest itself didn't change like in other places. It was as if this place was made especially for that, to keep you guessing what time it is until times up. Luckily, we hadn't run into our friendly neighborhood madman yet and we hoped that we didn't. Robin led the way in her old leader self and Temari, Jetta and I followed. Robin the suddenly began to pick up her pace.
"Hey Robin, what's with the speed up?"
"Cause, I think we're coming to somewhere familiar."
"Where?" Jetta asked.
Robin then disappeared from site, and a bright crimson light came from where she went. I knew what that meant.
We emerged by the river, our ticket out of here.
"Yahoo! Konoha here I come!" Jetta yelled as she came out of the trees.
"You like to dream don't you?"
"Oh crap…" I said as I anticipated my next sight.
The man then walked out of the trees on the other side of the river. He was expecting us.
"Well if it isn't our friendly neighborhood crazy person!" Jetta said. "What brings you here?"
"To finish the job."
Slowly, the Kira-hiru immerged from the bushes behind him.
"And this time, I'm making sure that you guys are dead." He was more serious this time. As if he recognized us as more of a threat to him as we defeated the smaller Kira-hiru.
Robin's eyes then widely opened. "That's Takashi's pants…"
"Oh these?" He said as he pointed to his new pants. They were fresh and uncut. "He more or less surrendered."
Robin slapped her forehead. "That boy was a bit too damn smart for his own good…"
"Your thoughts should not be on him right now," The man said as he pushed his hand into his pocket. "Because, you're time is up." He then pulled out a small black device. It almost perfectly fitted in the palm of his hand and it had a small screen near the top. It also had a small circle a little lower. It actually kinda looked like a digi-vice, though I really doubted that it was one.
"Ok," Jetta said. "If he says 'DNA, charge!' I am going to scream."
"What are you doing? Showing us your new phone or something?!" Temari yelled.
A smile came over the man's face. "Quite the contrary." He then placed his thumb on the circle. "This is the device which will seal your doom!"
The device then suddenly began to glow blue.
"You see, this is how I can control the Kira-hiru!"
We took a few steps back.
"What is he doing?" Robin said as she took another step back.
Let's find out shall we? I said to myself as I closed my eyes. Sharingan!
I slowly opened my eyes. Nothing looked different.
"Tsebe this isn't the time to be in awe." Temari said.
OK, nothing happened. Damn Sharingan, can never work when I tell it to. I am so asking Sasuke how this thing works.
"Enough with the bluffing!" I yelled. Everyone looked at me with surprise. "I know you're just trying to scare us!"
"Tsebe! Are you trying to get us killed?!" Jetta asked.
The man put and angry look on his face. It was almost as if I had insulted him. "What!? Bluff!? I'll show you!" He yelled.
"Thanks a lot Tsebe…" Robin said as she looked at me disappointed.
"Wait for it…" I said softly.
"Hmpt!" The man said. "I'll finish you here and now!"
"Tsebe…!" Temari then joined Robin in giving me a disappointed look.
"I said, wait for it…"
"This device allows me to channel my chakra into the beast, allowing me to control and power it up! And with my amount of chakra, its power, size and speed will increase greatly thanks to it!"
"And there we go!" I said quietly to the others. "That's what I wanted. Now all we need to do is destroy that device and he'll be powerless."
Robin and Temari stood and looked at me. I'm actually not too sure what look it was, though at least it wasn't the same one I got before.
Jetta grinned. "Ha! I knew you had everything worked out! I never doubted you for a second!" She then turned and faced the man. "Now, let's end this." She then reached into her holster with her right hand and slowly pulled out a kunai. She then closed her right eye and stuck out her tongue. "Be vewy quiet. I'm hunting wabbits…"
Fwap!
Her arm flew passed her body as the kunai left her fingers. It almost silently flew through the air towards the man.
"Yes! He didn't notice!"
Ping.
The kunai hit the device and fell to the ground, without leaving a scratch on the device.
"Wha-hahahaha!" He laughed. "Did you think that a simple kunai would have done the job? You'll have to do better than that, but alas, your time is up." His smile then widened. He then turned around and pointed the device at the Kira-hiru.
A large white-blue beam then engulfed the beast.
"GRRROOOOOOOHH!"
The beast then began to grow. Massively. Each tooth grew about twice its size, to be bigger than the average man, and we were just teens. Its body had grown in both height and length, almost tripling. Just from looking at the change you knew that it was faster, stronger. Its side muscles were more defined and bigger. It wasn't a good sight, especially when you know that it could and most possibly did mean my death.
We stood in awe at the new and improved Kira-hiru.
"Now my beast of the forest," He paused, as if savoring the moment. "ATTACK!"
Fwap!
The beast blasted across the river with incredible speed. It landed a few feet lower down the river than us.
"GRRRAAAOOOOOOOHHHH!"
I turned and looked at Jetta. "Hey Jetta, isn't there something you want to do right now?" I asked. "You know, something you wanna do?"
"No way," She said.
"Why not!?"
"Cause I'm way too tired. I'll just pass out before I can do anything, or just die if I fight the feeling of passing out."
Temari immediately turned and looked at us. "You told him!?"
"Um, guys… I don't think now is the time…" Robin said.
"You're not even supposed to use it, far less for tell anyone!?"
"Oh well." Jetta said. "Now isn't the time to talk."
We turned our attention back to the beast. The man was now sitting on top of the beast looking at us like and someone watching their 'soaps' attentively. "Huh? Why'd you stop? Continue. This is way much better than watching the forest creatures eat each other."
"Ok, someone really needs to get out more…" Jetta said.
"Grrrroooooaaaoohh?" The creature let out. It sounded like a question.
"What? Intruders? Really?" Then man said as he looked at the Kira-hiru. "Why?"
We looked at each other with looks of curiosity on our faces. I was about to say something when,
Fwap! Fwap! Fwap!
Boom! Boom! Boooom!
Explosions then suddenly erupted from the Kira-hiru!
"Wh-what!?"
Suddenly three ANBU leaped from the trees across the river. One had a hippo mask, another had a tiger mask and the last one had a fish mask. Hippo and fish landed between us and the Kira-hiru, and tiger landed on the back of the beast near the man. Tiger then immediately pulled out his sword from on his back.
"What, no hello?"
The ANBU didn't answer.
Fish then turned and looked at us. "What are you waiting for? Get out of here! We'll take care of him."
We nodded.
"Go that way." He pointed to the same direction that he came in. "The fence is little over a stone's throw in that direction."
"Got it." Robin said as she nodded. She then looked at us. "Come on, let's get out of here."
"GROOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHH!"
"Now!"
Robin then leaped over the river and into the trees. Temari and Jetta then followed. I was the last to jump, and almost fell back down after reaching the branch.
"Whoa, still not fully used to that yet…" I then leaped after the others.
Sakura's POV
Konoha
Naruto, Ebisu sensei and I sat in the ramen shop. The test was over and Naruto finally gave in and decided to let Ebisu train him. Now Ebisu was explaining something to Naruto. What exactly, I don't know. I wasn't paying attention. My mind lay in other places. Sasuke, my mark, his mark, Orochimaru. All those things flew through my head. If they could end up killing me over my mark, then far less for Sasuke, though his fan girls would riot if they did. I stirred my ramen around with my chopstick and buried myself back in my thoughts.
"Sakura," Ebisu started.
I almost fell out of my chair, stool, whatever. "Wha-Yeah?"
"Is anything wrong? You haven't touched your ramen."
"No, I'm just not that hungry."
I saw Ebisu raise an eyebrow underneath his shades. "Ok."
"Well, if you're not hungry…" Naruto started as his hands reached towards my bowl.
"Just take it."
"RAMEN!"
Ebisu then continued his explanation on why he should train Naruto and what he was going to train him on. I didn't bother to listen. If he said anything extremely important, I was sure that Naruto would have repeated it eventually.
"Sakura!" He called again.
Bam!
I jerked and fell off my stool. I saw Naruto and Ebisu look at me strangely.
"You sure you ok Sakura?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, just didn't expect you to finish so quickly!" I said nervously.
Naruto slowly turned and continued to eat his ramen. I had only just realized how much ramen that boy eats. It's amazing he isn't as big as Choji.
"Sakura," Ebisu started. "You should wear some different clothes tomorrow."
"Why?"
"Because of the kind of training we're doing. Plus something which provides adequate neck protection would be a plus."
I almost stared at him. How does he know? Kakashi told him? "Sure…"
"Ok then, until tomorrow." He then got up to leave.
"Not so fast, your bill."
Tsebe's POV
Forest of death
The sounds of combat sounded heavily behind us. The ANBU were doing their job, and now it was up to us to do ours. Get the hell out. We quickly jumped through the trees, excitement and happiness pushing us forward.
"I can see it!" I heard from ahead of my. Robin. "Well technically I can't see it but still-."
"We get the idea." Temari then said.
The combat sounds then stopped. No one seemed to notice, except me. I stopped and turned back to see what was going on.
SHHHHHHHHHHHH!
"Oh crap!" I said as I quickly turned and continued to jump. "Guys! If you wanna get out alive, go-o run for your life!"
"Ok…" I heard Jetta comment.
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The sound met her ears. "Oh… Oh!" She then began to leap wildly.
"Ahhhhh!" Came from ahead of me.
"Ahhhhhhh!"
Jetta then disappeared.
SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
It was approaching quickly.
"What the?! Ahhhhhhhh!"
It was my turn. Suddenly, the forest disappeared around me. Crimson flooded my eyes. I was out. Finally out. I had leaped off my last tree in the Forest of death. Instead of trees, the crimson sky filled my vision. Underneath me, instead of branches and moist forest floor, was dry grass and patches of dirt.
I free fell to the ground and rolled. I saw Robin, Jetta and Temari standing there.
"Quick, get back!" I yelled as I sprung to my feet and began to run away from the forest.
"Why?"
Boom!
The enlarged Kira-hiru busted through the trees and landed outside of the forest. The beast had many slash, stab and burn marks on it. The man stood at the mouth of the beast. He now had a long bleeding cut across his face. His usual facial expression was gone. He was now in a mad rage as I stood on his beast.
"I AM GOING TO KILL YOU BRATS ONCE AND FOR ALL!" He shouted out at us.
I suddenly felt a huge surge of energy. It strangely felt familiar…
"THIS I SWE-!"
Fwap!
"Lightning Blade!"
Bam!
Red filled the air. A figure with huge gray hair and a green chuunin vest then appeared next to the leech-man, with his hand on his chest. His hands were covered with blood and so was the Kira-Hiru's mouth. The gray haired man then leaped off and away from the Kira-hiru.
Fwapp! Fwapp! Fwapp! Fwapp! Fwap, fwap, fwap, fwap, fwap!
Kunai rained down on the beast. Suddenly ANBU leaped out of almost literally nowhere and began to attack the beast.
The gray haired man then walked towards us.
"Kakashi!" Jetta yelled.
Robin, Temari and Kakashi himself looked at Jetta with question marks written all over their faces.
"Um… Hi."
Kakashi walked over and placed his dry hand on my head. "Hey."
"Sensei, how did you know to come here?" I asked quickly.
"I had a part to play in that."
Takashi then walked out from behind a rock. He was wearing nothing but his boxers.
"Too damn smart for his own good." Robin said as she walked over and gave Takashi a hug.
"About Flint…"
"He's dead isn't he?" He said kinda bluntly.
Robin nodded.
Takashi then looked over Robin's shoulder and looked at me. "You killed him didn't you?"
"What!? No!" I said as I raised my hands.
"He at least attacked you, right?"
"Yeah…"
"I saw that coming." Takashi said as he pulled away from Robin. "The fool couldn't take 'no' as an answer…"
Kakashi then walked towards the others. "You guys should probably get back to the village. The ANBU will finish up here."
Robin and Takashi nodded and turned to walk away. Robin then stopped.
"See you later," She then turned half of her head towards us. "Tsebe." She then smiled as she winked for me. She then quickly turned and began to walk away.
Temari reached behind her. "That girl is so lucky my fan got destroyed."
"Yes she is." Jetta replied. She then turned and faced Kakashi and me. "Well, Temari and I getter get going. Man, Gaara must have had a heart attack by now." She then began to walk away. She threw her hand into the air. "Later!"
"Bye!"
I watched Temari and Jetta walk away, though; my eyes strayed to a certain part of Temari's body.
"Come on Tsebe, time to get you home." Kakashi said as he placed his hand on my head again. "You have no idea how crazy Sakura has been in the past few hours."
I looked up at him. "Really?"
"Yeah." He replied as he smiled for me. He then got a more serious look on his face. "Hey Tsebe, didn't you unlock your Sharingan during the preliminaries?"
"Yeah, against Kabuto." I answered as I raised an eyebrow.
"So, where are they?" He then asked.
"Oh, I finally learned how to turn them off." I replied.
"Wait, you turned off your Sharingan!?" Kakashi said almost alarmed.
"Yeah…"
He then went back to his usual cool posture. "OK then. Let's go."
And there we have it folks, my long awaited exit of the forest. Finally! You have no idea how happy I am to be able to go past here now.