Disclaimer: I don't own naruto or any of its characters as they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto.
The author of the cover image is indy-riquez from DeviantArt. You can check the link for the original image in my profile.
Chapter 8: A Common Goal
-Land of Frost-
Naruto and Kurotsuchi were still trying to find their way out of the snowy nation, and currently, they were bracing themselves and shivering in the cold as a raging blizzard descended on them.
Kurotsuchi cursed their rotten luck. Of course, the exact thing that they didn't want to happen just had to happen. ''Oh d-d-don't w-worry, a-as l-long as a s-st-storm doesn't st-start you w-will be fi-fi-fine. F-f-fucking a-asshole.'' Complained the girl with chattering teeth as she repeated what Darui told them earlier.
Naruto turned his head slowly to the girl, shivering just as bad as she was. '' It's n-not l-like m-mi-mister Darui k-knew t-this w-was gonna h-ha-happen.'' Said the boy in an effort to calm the girl down.
The tomboy rolled her eyes uncaringly at the blond's comment. ''I-Instead of k-kissing y-your bo-boyfriend's a-ass, h-help me lo-look f-for sh-shelter.'' Responded the prodigy, squinting her eyes while glancing around to the distance in an effort to catch sight of anything that could be used to protect themselves from the blizzard.
Naruto did just that, even if he didn't appreciate to be insulted, the cold didn't leave any energy to be looking for a fight right now. After glancing around for a few minutes, he perked up when he finally saw something in the nearest mountain that could be of use. ''Look! There is a cave there!'' He shouted while pointing at said cave. His joy was such that he didn't even stutter from the cold.
The pink eyed girl looked to where the blond was pointing at, and she could, in fact, see a cave. ''W-well d-done, moron. It se-seems that e-even you h-have your u-uses.'' Said the girl with snide.
Naruto frowned at the girl's usual contemptuous attitude but refrained from commenting. He just wanted to get there as fast as he could and see if it was fit to stay there until the storm passed them by.
A few minutes later they arrived at the cave. And after checking that there were no bears or any other predator living there, they found comfortable spots in the walls opposite from one another and sat down to inspect their supplies. Luckily for them, there were plenty of twigs inside the cave, so they just needed to find a way to light them and make a bonfire.
''Tch, I can't find my tinderbox.'' complained the girl out loud. At least inside the cave the cold was a bit more bearable and her teeth weren't chattering anymore. ''Hey idiot, use a fire Jutsu or something, will ya? be useful for once.'' Said Kurotsuchi as she glanced to the blond, who was going through his supplies too.
''Uhh, I kinda don't know any.'' replied the Jinchuuriki with a hand behind his head, a bit ashamed to admit that he didn't know a fire Jutsu.
Kurotsuchi looked dumbfounded at that. ''What do you mean you don't know a fire Jutsu? You are from Konoha aren't you? you know, The Land of fucking Fire? What kind of Konoha Shinobi doesn't know a fire Jutsu!?''
''S-shut up!'' Shouted a flustered Naruto. ''I have never needed it! I'm awesome enough already as I am. And why do I have to do it? If you are such a great Kunoichi then why don't you do it?'' Pointed out the blond.
She frowned at the boy's accusations, she wasn't about to tolerate the idiot judging her skills.''I know plenty of Jutsu, unlike you. But mostly just my earth based Jutsu and the ones from my Kekkei Genkai. I just don't know a fire based one yet, but at least I haven't been sitting on my butt relying only on a clone technique and a demon's Chakra.'' She didn't mention that her Kekkei Genkai, the Yoton(Lava Release), was a combination of Fire and Earth affinities, so she did, in fact, have a fire affinity, but she wasn't going to admit out loud that she didn't know a fire Jutsu even despite the fact that she did have an affinity for it.
''I know other techniques too! I can use Rasengan and summon toads. I doubt you have anything as cool as that.'' Claimed Naruto competitively.
She shrugged uncaringly, not impressed. ''Whatever you say. Like that will help us right now, we still have to find a way to start a fire.'' Said the prodigy as she continued to look inside her pouch.
''Got it!'' Naruto's cry of victory caught Kurotsuchi's attention and she lifted her head to see the blond holding a box of matches that he must have had in his own pouch.
''Then what are you waiting for? Start a bonfire already!'' Demanded the girl with urgency.
''You don't have to be so bitchy all the time, you know?'' Replied the Jinchuuriki and started to gather some of the twigs scattered in the cave.
After a few minutes, they had a decently sized bonfire that illuminated the cave and acted as a great source of heat. It still wasn't enough to completely keep them warm, but it made the cold much more bearable than before.
''Much better'' Said the girl with a content sigh. She was still trembling but the cold wasn't so bad now, but it was still pretty chilly, though. She heard the clatter of steel against a rock and turned in curiosity to see what the moron was up to. And she saw the boy unsealing a pot and a kettle from a scroll. ''What are you doing now?'' asked the girl with a raised eyebrow.
''Preparing myself something to eat, of course.'' Responded the Genin as he unsealed some cups of instant ramen from another scroll.
''I should have guessed as much.'' Said Kurotsuchi with a blank look.
It wasn't long until Naruto had few steaming cups of ramen ready to be eaten. It wasn't much but it was something, and with the weather the way it was, a hot meal was very desirable.
Naruto was happily enjoying his noodles when he took notice that Kurotsuchi was still trembling terribly. Now that her previous adrenaline of desperately looking for shelter had faded off, the cold was starting to affect her more. It was to be expected honestly. Out of the two of them, she was the one with the least unsuited attire for traveling in the snow. She had discarded her flak jacket when it got ruined in the fight with Kisame, she was wearing a skirt, and her shirt was missing one of the sleeves. All in all, she was very ill fitted to be withstanding the harsh cold, at least Naruto's jacket was pretty warm.
Naruto couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the girl, even if she was a pain in the ass that hated his guts. He realized that having such a bleeding heart, even for his enemies, could be very bad for him and could potentially be dangerous, but he couldn't help it. When he saw someone in need that he could help, he simply didn't feel comfortable if he didn't at least try to do something. So with resolve, he grabbed one of the still hot cups of soup and extended his arm in an offering. ''Here. Have some.'' The cave was small enough that just extending his arm as he leaned was enough to close the distance with the girl halfway.
Kurotsuchi was taken aback when the boy addressed her, offering food. She was so tempted to just throw the steaming liquid in the blond's face, but to tell the truth she was really hungry. And despite her earlier criticisms of ramen, she didn't dislike it, and a warm serving of soup looked very appealing at the moment. She gave a suspicious look before addressing the Jinchuuriki once more. ''How do I know you didn't poison it or something?''
Naruto looked offended that she even suggested that he would use such a cheap tactic like poison. ''What!? of course it's not poisoned! You saw that I was about to eat it a moment ago, why would I poison it!?'' He continued to look with indignation at the girl, expecting to hear her answer.
After staring at the blond for any sign of untruthfulness she closed her eyes and gave a resigned sigh. ''I guess I'm giving you way too much credit. You can't possibly be clever enough to think about it.''
Naruto's eye was twitching trying to barely keep his cool. He was trying to help her and she was still finding ways to mock him. ''You are gonna take it or not?'' He was seriously starting to regret offering her any food. Such a good ramen wasted on an ungrateful banshee. She better take it soon before he changed his mind.
She pretended to think it over, all the while with a cocky smile plastered on her face. ''Hmmm, tell you what. I'm going to humor you this once, so I guess I will accept it.'' She finally reached for the cup and took it in her gloved hand. ''Don't expect thanks for this, though. I still hate you.'' She then proceeded to bring the cup to her lips and took a small sip, being careful to not burn herself.
''You are welcome.'' Said Naruto with sarcasm and with a face that left clear that he wasn't amused by the girl's thankless behavior. However, he just brushed it off and went back to eating his own. ''This is not as good as Ichiraku's ramen, but it will have to do''
''Yea, it can't replace a good serving of barbecue, but beggars can't be choosers I guess.'' Replied the girl and took another sip of her cup shortly afterward.
''I remember you mentioning something like that before. Is Iwa's barbecue really that good?'' Asked Naruto, truly curious to know.
''Ohh you haven't lived until you taste it. But why do you ask, dumbass?'' Said Kurotsuchi raising her eyebrow once again.
''Is just that, even though I have gone to a lot of different small villages, I have never traveled to any of the big ones, you know? like Suna or Kumo or Kiri, none of those; including Iwa. So I'm curious to know more about them. To see how different they are from my home.'' Said Naruto, placing the ramen cup beside him to put both hands behind his head.
''You think I'm stupid? I'm not about to be disclosing information of my village to an enemy.'' Said the pink eyed girl with an accusatory stare.
''Are you always like this? I just want to talk, that's all. Nothing much we can do right now besides trying to not freeze to death.'' Said the blond with exasperation. This girl was truly grating on his nerves.
Kurotsuchi tilted her head in thought. She guessed talking wasn't that bad if only to distract herself from the terrible cold. But was it alright to be having a conversation with the idiot? and about her village no less. But...she supposed that just a tiny bit of (non-compromising) information couldn't hurt, right?
She gave a huff of resignation. ''OK, if you are just dying to know I guess I can tell you a little bit.''
Naruto perked up at finally having the closest to a civilized conversation with the girl since he met her.
Seeing that she got the blond's attention, Kurotsuchi continued. ''We have all our buildings on top of small mountains, and we have to use bridges to go from place to place. And not only that, but the village itself is surrounded by mountains much taller that the ones we use to live in. One thing I love is seeing the setting sun when it can just barely be seen above the hills.'' Explained the girl with a longing face.
Naruto had his face in wonder, he guessed it had to be a sight to behold. ''Sounds amazing. Do you have anything like our Hokage mountain? In Konoha we have all the faces of our Hokage carved into a mountain, for Iwa it should be easy to do with how many mountains you have.''
The girl widened her eyes at the information. The Kage's faces carved in a mountain? that sounded so cool! But she would rather eat her own foot before giving Konoha credit for anything. ''Bah! who needs a Kage monument? that's way too pretentious if you ask me.'' Said Kurotsuchi with a wave of her hand in an effort to play if down. ''You know what's awesome? Waterfalls. We have tons of waterfalls and they look amazing. there are times in the day when they shine like diamonds when the daylight is just right.''
''Iwa sounds like a cool place. I wish I could see it someday.'' Said Naruto with a thoughtful look.
''Well, you could always let me capture you and you'll be able to see it.'' Responded the tomboy with a mischievous smile.
Naruto went alarmed at that. ''Like hell! I didn't mean it like that! I meant like visit the place or something!'' Explained the boy, exalted.
''You can try if you want. But my people would kill you the instant they landed their eyes on you.''Said the girl in all seriousness.
Naruto put on a sad expression and dropped his head at the reminder of their villages enmity. ''It's such a shame really. I wish there was a way for our villages to be friends.'' He heard Kurotsuchi snort at his comment, but he continued nonetheless. ''We don't have to keep fighting each other. Come on, you can't honestly say that you prefer to be in an never ending conflict, can you?'' He asked the girl with the most serious face he had used until now.
She stared back at him just as intensely, and after a minute, she responded.''I don't care about peace, I just want you assholes to get what's coming to you for all you have done to us.'' She saw the blond's face morph into one of incredulity.
''You can't possibly mean it! Who in their right mind wouldn't want peace over conflict!?'' Shouted Naruto in a rhetoric manner.
Kurotsuchi groaned in irritation. ''Please don't you start with your peace bullshit again. If you want to believe in fairy tales, go ahead, but shut up about it. I'm tired of hearing you say stupid shit. I, for one, don't give a damn.''
Naruto frowned, getting frustrated once again with the girl. ''Well, I rather believe in 'Fairy tales' than being a bitter person like you. Honestly, since I met you I think I haven't heard you say anything positive at all.'' Declared the Jinchuuriki.
She turned angrily at the blond and met his blue eyes with her angry pink ones. ''What's there to be positive about? I'm stuck with the biggest moron on the planet as I'm slowly turning into a Popsicle. Not to mention I was captured by Kumo ninja and I'm alive just by mere chance. Yeah, I have so many reasons to be a ray of sunshine.''Said Kurotsuchi sarcastically.
Naruto felt like pulling at his hair. 'This girl is so freaking difficult!' Thought the Genin with a grimace. ''Sometimes I can't stand you! Why do all our conversations end up like this?! You are probably the hardest person to have a simple conversation with that I have met!''
''If talking to me is so bad, then stop doing it! Do us both a favor and stop bothering me!'' Shouted back the girl with ire.
''Maybe I'll do that!'' replied Naruto equally as angry.
''Fine by me!''
''Fine!''
And with that, both teenagers ended their discussion and turned away from the other. Now with the mood much more tense, they started trying to ignore each other as much as they could. So with their tempers still blazing they sat in silence for the rest of the day waiting for the storm to pass.
They ended up waiting all night, as the storm just died out in the next morning. That would usually mean that they had time to have a good night's rest, but given the fact that they had to worry about the other slitting each other's throats in their sleep, it made it impossible to relax, much less sleep.
They were now once again on their way through the snowy terrain. Even without the blizzard the weather was still terribly cold, but at least it was much less dangerous now.
After their dispute the day before they refrained from speaking between them, barely acknowledging the other.
Naruto wasn't particularly cheery at the moment. He couldn't understand his traveling companion for the life of him. She was just so unbearably bitter and bitchy, and despite his best efforts to keep things as amicably as he could, she always ended up blowing up at him. The fact that at the moment he was forced to stick around her was tiresome.
''Hey dumbass, look, a village!'' Shouted Kurotsuchi in excitement with a finger pointing to the distance.
Her sudden outburst snapped Naruto out of his inner rambling and focused his attention to where she was pointing at, and the girl was right, he could see a small village in the distance. At least that served to lift his spirits.
''We may be able to find some proper clothing for the cold in there, along with some food while we are at it.'' Declared the girl with a grin.
''What are we waiting for?! Let's go, dattebayo!'' Said Naruto, joining the girl in her excitement.
After a few minutes of full speed sprinting it didn't take long for the two Shinobi to reach the small village.
The village wasn't big by any stretch. There were maybe around thirty wooden buildings total, which was pretty small in comparison to what the teenagers were used to. However, not even a couple minutes in, the two young ninjas noticed something wasn't right. As they walked the street they saw that it was pretty desolated for the time of the day, even for a small village. And the few people that they did see on the street had faces that reflected hopelessness if their dead eyes were any indication to go by.
The teenagers kept walking slowly and glancing around. The villagers barely looked back at them, seemingly not even caring about the strangers in their home.
Kurotsuchi looked at Naruto with a side glance. ''Hey, idiot. Did you notice?'' asked the girl to the blond.
''Yea. These people are acting pretty weird. There are not many of them and they have this strange look on their face.'' Answered Naruto, not stopping inspecting the village even as he talked.
''I'm starting to think these people may need more help than we do.'' Concluded the pink eyed girl.
Naruto nodded at that, in agreement with the girl. 'Is something going on here?'
It wasn't long until they spotted a small shop. It was the kind of shop that usually sold cheap quality products at low price, which suited them just fine since they only needed a couple cloaks that they would probably discard as soon as they got out of the Land of Frost.
''Good day.'' called a middle aged man to them in greeting as they came into the store. He was plain looking, he was of medium height, had a short goatee, and black messy hair. But he still had a sad look just like most people in the village.
''Hi'' answered both Naruto and Kurotsuchi at the same time.
''What can I do for you?'' Asked the man cordially.
This time, Kurotsuchi stepped towards the man. ''We are looking for some traveling cloaks for the winter. We aren't from around here and we need to pass through the Land of Frost.'' Told the tomboy to the man.
The man nodded and pointed to the side of the store. ''Of course, young lady. I have some winter cloaks over there; it's not much but I think they do the job well enough.'' Said the man gently.
The pair of ninja walked to where the cloaks were and they found them to be just what they were looking for, they were large white fur cloaks. As expected, they weren't of the finest work, but they would do.
They promptly paid for their new pieces of clothing and rapidly put them on to try them. They were rather comfy and warm, which was just perfect.
''Ahhh, these feel nice.'' Purred Naruto in delight, glad to finally have something decent to cover the cold with.
''Yea, the cloaks are good, despite being cheap.'' Agreed Kurotsuchi.
The man had a small grin on his face at the praise for his merchandise. ''Glad you youngster like them. To tell the truth sales have dropped drastically lately. People right now don't feel like going out of their homes.'' Said the man with a sad look that soon replaced his previous grin.
That got both teenagers curiosity, and Naruto couldn't help but ask. ''Speaking of which, old man; is something going on around here? People are acting strangely.''
Kurotsuchi normally disliked the blond's nosy attitude, but this time she was glad that he asked. She too was curious to know what the deal with the village was.
The man's expression got even sadder, but he started speaking anyway. ''You see, we have a crisis in town, actually. People have started going missing for a while now.'' Explained the man somberly.
''Going missing, you say? How does it happen?'' Asked Kurotsuchi with her head tilted to the side, puzzled.
The man closed his eyes in remembrance. ''We are not sure. Since about a month ago. People go to the mountains to either hunt or gather supplies and sometimes they never return.'' Explained the man. ''We have accidents from time to time so is not as uncommon for people go missing. But most of the time they return after a while if they get lost or the occasional storm traps them. After all, in the wilderness, a lot of things can happen. But this is different; the number of missing people is too high. Most people here have lost someone already. Now almost everyone stays in their homes, either from fear of going missing too or to mourn their lost loved ones.''
By the end of the explanation, Naruto, and even Kurotsuchi had looks of pity. They had guessed something was up in the village, but not quite like this. Whatever was happening had to be something big.
''Daddy, who are they?'' A small voice interrupted them before they could ask anything else. All of the room occupants turned their heads to look at the source of the voice.
They saw a small girl, probably no older than seven years or so. She had dark hair that she kept in two pigtails and was wearing a small winter jacket and pants. She seemed wary and looked sad.
''They are just a pair of customers, sweety.'' Said the man to the girl with a warm smile.
The girl approached them as Naruto and Kurotsuchi watched in curiosity. After getting close enough that she had to look up to meet their eyes, she said ''You are ninja, right?'' Asked the child innocently to the teenagers as she looked to their forehead protectors.
''Oh, hmm, yea we are.'' Replied Kurotsuchi, not sure how to address the small girl.
In an instant, she had a hopeful look and her face brightened. ''Really? Then, can you help my mommy? She hasn't come home since forever. I just want her to be with me. Please?'' Pleaded the girl to the Shinobi.
Naruto and Kurotsuchi both looked stunned. They never expected the girl to make such a request and were at a loss for words. They didn't know if they could help, but they surely didn't want to break the heart of a little girl.
''Please Yuna, can you go play in another room? We are busy here. When we are finished you can come talk to them, alright?'' Said the man to the child.
The little girl pouted but still obeyed ''Ok daddy.'' Said the girl before leaving through a door behind the man as Naruto and Kurotsuchi looked on silently.
Said man just gave a sigh before turning to the Iwa ad Konoha Shinobi. ''That was my daughter Yuna. She is usually very reserved and doesn't talk to strangers, but she has been getting restless lately.'' He brought his palm to his forehead before continuing. ''I didn't mention this before, but my wife is also one of the missing people.''
Naruto widened his eyes at hearing that, while Kurotsuchi just narrowed her eyes, already having guessed as much by the way the man and the girl were acting.
''What? How did it happen?'' Asked a worried Naruto, it was just like him to worry for the wellbeing of others.
The man once again gave a sigh, much more melancholic this time. ''It was soon after the first disappearances happened. At the time, we didn't think it had been more than a terrible tragedy, an accident or something, and we ignored that this was going to become a trend.''
Naruto and Kurotsuchi listened intently to the man's story, curious to know more.
''Anyway, one night my wife and I went to the woods to gather some firewood. We knew that at this time of the year storms are very common, and they can last for days, so we needed to stockpile as many resources as we could. But when we split up to gather on our own, she never came back. I waited for her for hours that day, until I finally decided that something terrible had to have happened. For days, I would go back into the woods to keep looking, but I found nothing. I haven't seen my wife since.'' Finished the man at the verge of tearing up.
Naruto clenched his hands, feeling the need to do something. He couldn't forgive himself if he could do something, anything, to help these people and not even try.
''Is really not my business, but, if this problem has been so persistent, then why don't you guys ask for the help of Shimogakure? I mean, they are the hidden village of the region.'' Suggested Kurotsuchi.
The man just shook his head solemnly. ''They only accept the jobs that pay the most out of the bunch. They aren't a big hidden village, so they can't afford to waste manpower but on the most well paying jobs they can find. We are a small village, we couldn't possibly gather enough money to warrant their help, even less so now that we are short on people, and we become less and less as the weeks go by.''
''But how can they just do nothing?'' Said Naruto in anger. He could understand that Shimo would not have enough Shinobi to accept all mission requests, but these people were suffering, and they might be dying from who knew what. He knew that if he was Hokage he would never allow the people of his region to suffer if he had any say in it.
''I'm sorry, I'm going to go out soon and I have to close the store. I think I have taken enough of your time. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you good luck on your travels.'' Said the man as he started preparing to close shop. It was a peculiar hour to be closing, since it was early still, so they assumed that he was probably going to go out to keep searching for his wife.
The teenagers excused themselves and thanked the man for the items before they left. However, as they exited they saw the little girl from earlier waiting for them just around the corner of the shop. They guessed that she must have sneaked out of the store from a back door or something.
Naruto waved at the girl and walked towards her. ''Hi there. Yuna-Chan, right? What are you doing here all by yourself?'' Asked the blond to the child.
Kurotsuchi also approached the girl in curiosity, and she was taken aback when the girl took out a small piggy bank from her cloak and held it before them in an offering. ''Please, mister and miss Shinobi. Please, bring back my mommy! This is all the money I have, so please, bring her back to me!'' Pleaded the girl with tears streaming down her face and shaking with her sobs.
Kurotsuchi widened her eyes at the unexpected request from the girl. The girl's affection for her mother was obviously strong, and she could see herself in the child. She had lost her mother too when she was too young to even walk. Now another small child was begging her to save her from a similar fate. The situation tore at even Kurotsuchi's heart.
''Yuna-Chan...'' mumbled Naruto, unsure of how to respond to the girl's actions. Kurotsuchi got the blond's attention when she started walking towards the girl. ''Uhh? Kurotsuchi?'' Asked the confused blond.
The tomboy stopped just before the girl and got on one knee to meet the child's gaze with her own.
The little girl stared back at Kurotsuchi, confused and with a puffy face but still showing determination.
Kurotsuchi put a hand on the piggy bank and gently pushed it to the child's chest, which made the little girl stare at it not knowing what was the older girl doing.
''Keep it, it's yours.'' Said Kurotsuchi in a low voice, almost a whisper in an effort to be gentle. ''You should go back to your dad. If he finds out you aren't there he is gonna get worried. You don't want that, do you?''
''B-but my mom...'' Replied the child and one could tell she was about to cry.
''She wouldn't want you making your dad worry about you and giving your hard earned money to strangers. So just go back inside. Wait there for your mom.'' Said Kurotsuchi to the girl. She really wasn't good with kids and this was one time she wished that she had inherited her mother's nurturing nature.
The small girl looked terribly disappointed and hearth-broken at having her request dismissed. And while still shaking with repressed sobs she went back to her family's store
With a heavy soul, Naruto watched the little girl walk back inside the building and he clenched his fists with impotence. He could just not let the suffering of this people continue.
He and his traveling companion stayed at the side of the building for a few minutes, going over these recent events in their heads.
After awhile Naruto made up his mind and decided that he was going to help these people, with or without Kurotsuchi. So if she was going to berate him for chickening out of their fight, then so be it.
He opened his mouth to tell the girl what was on his mind but was interrupted before he could.
''I'm gonna help them.'' Said Kurotsuchi plainly, which left Naruto agape. He wasn't sure if he heard right. The tomboy hadn't shown him anything even remotely resembling compassion since he met her, so he wasn't even sure if she was even capable of displaying it.
''Uhh?'' Replied Naruto dumbly at a loss for words.
''I said I'm gonna help them.'' repeated Kurotsuchi, now fully facing the blond. ''You can come if you want. Or stay here, or go to the Land of Fire, or whatever the fuck you want. But I'm gonna help these people.''
Naruto quickly snapped out of his surprise to respond to the girl. ''Wait a minute! I'm gonna help too! I can't just leave these people to suffer!''
Kurotsuchi took a deep breath, and after much hesitation, she extended a hand to the Jinchuuriki.
Naruto stared at her hand, not fully realizing what she was proposing.
''Let's work together just this once. But keep in mind, this alliance is only while we deal with whatever this is. I still hate your dumb ass.'' Kurotsuchi reminded him. She was making a great sacrifice by swallowing her pride to set aside her differences with the Konoha bastard if it meant saving an entire village, especially a little girl that was in a pain that she could relate so well to.
Naruto grinned despite the fact that the pink eyed girl still despised him, but he was glad that at least they finally saw eye to eye on something. ''Then we have a deal.'' Said Naruto before shaking her hand firmly.
And so, for the first time, even if only temporarily, they weren't enemies; they were partners.
Author's note:
Phew! I'm finally done with this chapter. I'm so sorry that I took longer to update than what I said I would. However, to be fair I didn't take as long this time as the past chapter, but still took longer than just 'a couple of days' so I'm sorry about that. But I'll be honest, this took me a while because I completely forgot about the release of fatal frame 5, and playing that game really put me back in my update. Really underrated game BTW. *Sigh* the struggles of being a gamer I guess. Anyway, that is all for now, I'll see you guys in the next update! and as always Review if you get the chance, please!
