Hi. Its been a couple of years. Sorry, for the long wait, nursing school kinda does that to you...anyways, enjoy!
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Naruko-ナルコ-
Chapter 12
Girl's Day Out Bodyguarding
...
Naruko was trying to think of what to say at the moment. Her first initial thought was did someone get hurt? Worse, did she hurt anyone unintentionally? To her relief, from looking at everyone, they all appeared to be safe and sound. However, her mind then immediately drifted elsewhere. All she could think about was the curse mark and Jiraiya's warning about it.
"What happened back there? Your body just started forming these tattoos and then you passed out! Is that some secret technique? Huh-?!"
"Naruto shut up!" Sakura shouted, punching the knuckle-head.
"My name is Joro." The name just kept running through Naruko's head like a record player. Her thoughts were than interrupted by the sound of the door sliding open.
"Well, well look who decided to wake up." Naruko lifted her head and saw Kakashi enter the room on crutches.
"Are you okay?" she immediately asked the silver haired sensei.
"Never felt any better," he sarcastically replied.
"Careful sensei," Sakura said as she helped the sensei sit down. Naruko gazed into Kakashi's eye, she knew right away from his intense stare that he expected an answer for what happened.
"...I'm sorry Kakashi sensei," Naruko apologized. She felt guilty for seeing his leg in a cast. She could only wonder how things would've turned out if she had been conscious to help the team out.
"I appreciate the apology," he began. "However, we need to discuss what exactly happened back there."
"With her tattoos?" Naruto asked.
"They're not tattoos you idiot! Look they all disappeared," Sakura shouted as she pointed to Naruko's skin.
"If this is something personal we can leave," Tazuna offered. Though Naruko was thankful for his consideration she shook her head.
"...Its okay...besides, I think I owe an explanation to everyone. Especially you guys," Naruko replied, referring to Naruto and Sasuke. At first she hesitated, she hated reflecting back on...those days. After taking a deep breathe she told them everything.
"I was kidnapped because I was thought to be the host of the nine-tailed fox..." Naruko left no detail behind. From being held captive by Itachi and the Akatsuki, to Orochimaru giving her the curse mark, to her running into Jiraiya. Everything that had happened in those years she shared with everyone, like an open book.
"..." everyone was at a loss of words, especially Naruto and Sasuke. Though they didn't say anything, Naruko could see guilt on their faces.
"Guys..." she called out to them "Please don't blame yourselves for what happened-"
"Thats impossible!" Naruko and Sasuke shouted in unison, causing Naruko to jump slightly. For a moment they looked at each other in disgust and then looked back at Naruko.
"You're my sister! You're the only family I have, and I couldn't protect you!" Naruto shouted "How am I supposed to become Hokage if I can't even protect my own family?! I...I should've been the one kidnapped! Not you!...I'm sorry..."
"Naruto..." Naruko whispered, she couldn't even look him in the eyes.
"Tch." Sasuke murmured with annoyance.
"Hey what was that about?!" Naruto yelled.
"If I recall, weren't you busy with Choji, Kiba and Shikamaru to be worried about Naruko?"
"Sasuke-" Naruko's voice was then interrupted by the two teenage boys getting up in each other's faces.
"Just what are you trying to say?!" Naruto asked Sasuke while rolling up his sleeve, he was about ready to punch the Uchiha in the face.
"You talk all high and mighty but all you're good at is running your mouth you loser. Its pitiful."
"Naruto! Sasuke! Calm down!" Kakashi warned the two before any violence occured "Thats enough. As for you Naruko, I want you to try to keep that curse mark in check. If it gives you any problems you are to stay here and rest. We already have enough on our plate as it is."
"What do you mean?" Naruko asked, by the tone of his voice it sounded urgent.
"Zabuba is alive, and he's coming back soon. And from the looks of it, he has taken in interest in you." Kakashi began as he got back up (with the aid of Sakura) "Which is why we need to start training now."
"But sensei you're hurt! How are you going to train us?" Sakura asked "Last minuet training isn't going to make us strong enough to fight Zabuza! You could barley defeat him even with your sharingan!"
"Sakura, why was I able to stop Zabuza? Because you all helped me. You've grown, especially you Naruto. You've grown the most."
Naruko looked at her comrades and smiled, she only wished she was conscious to see what had happened but she could tell they were advancing nonetheless.
"As for you Naruko, I have something else planned for you."
"Huh?"
Since you're already familiar with the basics of chakra control I figure you can keep watch over Tazuna while he works on the bridge. Naruko sighed as she was entering into her third day of body guarding. She wasn't sure what to do and her butt was beginning to get sore from sitting.
"Hey uh, do you need any help?" she asked the bridge builder. Tazuna looked at her and laughed.
"Are you kidding me? A little girl like you can't possibly lift these hunk of metals."
"You shouldn't judge a person based on appearance, especially a shinobi." Naruko replied, holding back anger from the bridge builder's comment.
"Well if that is the case why don't you take pinky over there and go grocery shopping."
"Huh?" Naruko turned her head to see Sakura running over towards them waving her hand.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be training with the guys?" Naruko asked. Sakura immediately smirked and said:
"Yeah, but since I was able to master it pretty quickly I was told by sensei to come and help out."
"Here," Tazuna said while chucking a small bag of money to Naruko.
"Wait! This is absolutely unacceptable, our mission is to protect you not do your grocery shopping!" Naruko exclaimed.
"Well then, guess we'll be eating dirt for dinner then. Since you guys came we've gone through almost all of the food in our house."
"Eh..." Naruko paused, then thought for a moment. An idea had popped into her head "Shadow clone jutsu!"
Within a matter of seconds a clone appeared next to Naruko "Keep watch here okay?" she asked the clone. Obediently, the clone nodded her head.
"Wait a second, if Kakashi-sensei finds out about this we could get in trouble." Sakura stated worriedly.
"Well yes, but since I got a shadow clone here now we can keep watch and go grocery shopping now. Come on Sakura your smart, use your head."
She could tell Sakura got ticked off from that comment, ignoring her Naruko walks past her and heads for the nearest grocery store.
"That'll be 70.86 please."
"Here you go." Naruko replied, handing the cashier the money.
"Thank you, come again!"
"Sakura?" Naruko began, watching her teammate "What are you doing?"
"Carrying the groceries," She replied, trying to grab every single bag "Come on Naruko, use your head."
"I can see that...but do you really think you can carry all of that back to the house?" Naruko asked in a mocking tone.
"Yeah, got a problem with that? Besides, wouldn't want you to pass out again." That did it. Naruko was pissed at the pink-haired kunoichi.
"When did you get so cocky?" Naruko replied as the two walked out of the store. She stared to become amused when she began to see her teammate struggling with the groceries.
"I won't let you beat me Naruko...I know."
"Know what?" the sudden change in direct of the conversation confused Naruko for a second. What did Sakura know that she didn't?
"I know you like Sasuke."
"H-huh?" Oh how Naruko wish she didn't stuttered. Worse, she could feel her face heating up "What are you crazy? Sasuke and I are just friends!"
Sadly, the blush didn't go unnoticed "I can tell by the way you look at him. You like him. Let me tell you something. Sasuke will be mine!" Sakura said, looking at Naruko with full determination.
"Yours? Last time I checked he wasn't a possession. And give me some of those bags before you drop them!" Naruko told her, attempting to change the topic of the conversation.
"Just you watch," Sakura began "Once Sasuke sees how strong I've become he'll see how much better I am than you."
"Heh," Naruko chuckled "We'll see about that." Her heart then fluttered for a second. Was she getting jealous? No way, of Sakura? Impossible. Besides, she was just friends with Sasuke. Just friends...
I really care about him...but I can't like him like that. No!-I don't like him...I...
"Gimmie that bag." Naruko suddenly demanded, grabbing a bag from Sakura's hand "Hey! Let go!"
"No! I told you I'll carry these back! Let go!" Sakura growled.
"No you let go!"
"Let...go!" the two said in unison. It was as if they had triggered something because right after that, the bag ripped open and the food fell all over the ground.
"Food!" Chanted a kid's voice in the distance.
"Hey!-Uh..." the two shinobi yelled. After turning around they saw a poor boy grabbing the food with the biggest smile on his face. Their anger, then immediately turned into guilt. At first, they both hesitated to say something,they wondered if it was right to just let the kid take most of it (or at least most of what his small arms would let him carry).
"Take it," Sakura told him with a sad smile.
The child laughed with joy "Thank you!"
"This is how its been since Gato came here," spoke an older women. "The children suffer, and most adults are afraid to stand up to him..."
It was then the two fully realized the importance of this mission. This bridge would be life changing and bring wealth to this poor country. It would bring peace and business along with a chance to live a decent life to its citizens.
"Sakura..." Naruko started.
"What?" she asked.
"...Lets kick Zabuza's butt next time we see him," she spoke with full determination.
"Right!"
"I can't believe you two..." Tazuna growled "All you had to do was go and buy groceries and look at what you did! You stinking kids cost me a fortune! 140.79! Holy smokes!"
"S-sorry," Naruko and Sakura apologized.
At least nothing happened to him while we were out... Naruko thought on the bright side. Or at least, she tried to think of the bright side of things.
Kakashi looked at the two and sighed "I would expect this behavior from the boys, but you guys now?" Just another thing to add onto Kakashi's plate. Looking across the table he noticed the boys having what looked like an eating contest.
Teenagers...Kakashi mentally sighed.
"Calm down father, lets enjoy our guests. Its been ages since we've last had company." Tazuna's daughter said as she placed napkins onto the table.
"I want some more!" Sasuke and Naruto shouted as they caught each other's glare, only to then end up throwing up in their bowls.
"Don't get so much if you're going to puke it up!" Sakura yelled.
"I have to eat," Sasuke told her.
"And I have to eat more than him!" Naruto shouted.
"Puking isn't going to help you brother," Naruko told her sibling. It was at that moment, Naruko lost her appetite. She then scooted out of her chair to go and help Tazuna's daughter with the dishes. As dinner started to wrap up, Tazuna started up a kettle of hot tea to relax everyone (especially Naruto and Sasuke).
"Excuse me, this picture is torn is there a reason for that?" Sakura asked the family "I noticed you glancing at it every now and then during dinner Inari."
Suddenly, silence swept the room. An uncomfortable silence. Ignoring Sakura's comment, Inari walked out of the room on the verge of tears.
"Its my husband," Inari's mother stated. Naruko tried to look over to see her reaction but she kept it well hidden as she cleaned the dishes.
"He used to be known as a hero in this land..." Tazuna began. His body started to tremble as memories flooded into his mind.
"Is there a story to this?" Kakashi had wondered.
Tazuna then began to share with us the history of the ripped picture. Of the man that had brought happiness into their lives.
"Inari never laughs or smiles anymore since the day he died. And ever since that day the word courage was stolen from this land and we were left powerless and hopeless...And Inari suffered the most...the man Inari's father-or step father I should say, came here about three years ago..."
It had taken nearly a week, but the two had finally done it. After over a hundred times of falling Sasuke and Naruto were able to climb up the tree through the use of chakra control.
"Lets go back," Sasuke smirked.
"Okay!" Naruto grinned. Easier said than done. Though it only took a mere minuet of two to run up the tree it took the two about twice as much time coming back down from it due to exhaustion.
"Hey..." Naruto sighed as he caught his breathe "I wanna ask you something..."
"What?"
"My sister...why do you care about her so much?" Naruto thought the question would tick Sasuke off, but he had to know. He wasn't going to let anyone hurt Naruko ever again after everything she went through.
Sasuke paused for a moment, thinking a good answer "...Because shes not annoying."
"What?!" Naruto did not like that answer one bit "What kind of answer is that?!"
"Whats your problem?" Sasuke asked, as he noticed the anger in Naruto's voice.
"You!" Naruto shouted "You better not hurt her or else..."
"Or else what?" Sasuke asked. He was curious as to what Naruto could even do. If he even attempted to fight him Sasuke was sure of himself that he could take the knucklehead down within seconds.
"I'll kill you." Sasuke was almost thrown back by how lethal Naruto's voice sounded. Even though he hated to admit it, he could relate to him and his anger. "Naruko's been through enough! I don't wanna see her get hurt anymore or worse..." The blonde's eyes darted to the ground as the painful memories lurked back into his consciousness.
"...Yeah," Sasuke agreed. He couldn't bare the thought of losing his only friend again. Just the mere thought of it fueled his anger and desire to kill Itachi even more.
Now Naruto was shocked. Never in a million years did he picture Sasuke agreeing with him, but in a way it calmed him down abit. He paused for a second to collect his feelings. Anger, jealously, guilt, sadness. It made him feel like absolute crap, specially what Sasuke had said to him a few days ago.
"...weren't you busy with Choji, Kiba and Shikamaru to be worried about Naruko?"
If he could go back in time and change what happened he would in a heartbeat.
"Just promise me something..."Naruto said almost in a whisper.
"What?"
"Promise that you won't hurt her..." Naruto said as he held his fist towards the Uchiha.
Sasuke hesitated for a moment, it felt awkward having a serious conversation with Naruto considering how much of a clown he could be. But nonetheless without saying anything he bumped fists with his comrade to show him he meant business.
"...This goes both ways to you know," Sasuke began "Don't think I'll hesitate to kill you just because you're her brother."
Naruto smiled "Ha! If thats what you're worried about then you got nothing to worry about!"
"I hope Naruto is okay," Naruko sighed for the fifth time. Since everyone finished up their chakra training, everyone was on bodyguard duty now...Well except for Naruto who was sound asleep back at Tazuna's house.
"He was up late last night," Kakashi stated. "I over heard him talking to Inari."
"Inari?" Tazuna was abit shocked to hear that. The other day he wanted nothing to do with Naruto. Kakashi nodded at Tazuna's comment.
"That knuckle-head is probably taking his time," Sakura added. Suddenly, it started to get cloudy.
Thats weird, Naruko thought. It was a bright day and there was only a few clouds in the sky. Plus, none of them looked like storm clouds.
"Everyone get ready!" Kakashi shouted "He just couldn't wait for round two huh."
Zabuza must be here! Naruko shouted in her head. Immediately she put her guard up, she wasn't going to burden the team this time. She planned to fight!
"Its Zabuza's hidden mist jutsu right sensei?" Sakura asked.
"Sorry I kept you waiting Kakashi..." a voice spoke out from the mist "I see you still got those brats with you...I can see that one is trembling." Suddenly shadow clones of Zabuza surrounded the five of us.
"I'm trembling with...excitement," Sasuke smirked. Naruko looked over to her comrade, though it wasn't much she could definitely see Sasuke shaking.
"Hes all yours Sasuke," Kakashi smiled under his mask. With swift ease Sasuke took out the clones and immediately puddles of water fell onto the bridge.
"Looks like you got yourself a rival Haku," Zabuza stated as he and Haku made their appearance.
"I knew it...It was all an act," Kakashi began referring to Haku "That story about being a tracking ninja was all bull."
"Hes got some nerve bout facing us again!" Sakura spat out.
"And with that mask to, hiding behind it. Who does he think hes fooling?" Kakashi added on.
"I'm taking his guy out. Who does he think he is hiding behind that mask?" Sasuke stated.
"Oh Sasuke you're so cool!" Sakura squeeled.
"He just repeated what Kakashi said..." Naruko sighed under her breathe.
"Sorry we're late!" Naruko turned her back to see a small man standing in front of a group of criminals with weapons "I thought you could use some backup."
"Gato!" Tazuna gasped.
This isn't good, Kakashi thought to himself. With Gato's men added to the picture they were outnumbered and surrounded.
"Make sure you take care of the bridge builder over there, as for everyone else do what you guys want." Gato said.
"Sensei what are we going to do?!" Sakura shouted.
Naruko gulped and looked at Kakashi. This was it, all of those years of training with Jiraiya were about to be put to the test.
"Sensei," Naruko began "I'll take care of Gato's men. You guys worry about Zabuza and Haku."
"What! Thats crazy! You're-"
"I promise...I'll protect you," Naruko told Tazuna.
Kakashi hesitated to respond to Naruko, he knew Zabuza was going to be a hand full already. There was no way for him to take on Zabuza, Haku and Gato's men at the same time. As powerful as he was. With Sasuke fighting Haku and Sakura protecting the bridge builder his resources were stretched out as it was...
"Alright..." he eventually told her.
"Naruko," Sasuke began. Before he could finish his sentence he was interrupted with ice shards thrown at him.
"I wouldn't worry about her if I was you," Haku told him.
Dammit, Sasuke murmured mentally. As long as Haku was in the way he had no way of getting to Naruko.
"Shadow clone jutsu," Naruko whispered. As the smoke cleared six clones appeared by her side. Looking at the situation she analyzed there were about a dozen men.
"Ha! This is going to be easy," one of the men laughed.
"This little girl thinks she can take us on?"
"Hahaha, I almost feel bad."
"Oh! This must be the girl with the large bounty Zabuza mentioned!" Gato chanted with excitement. "Just keep that one alive...barley."
"You got it boss!" one of the men shouted.
"Alright! I leave the rest to you guys," Gato stated as he walked away with his two other body guards "You better not disappoint me."
"Don't worry Sasuke...I'm not going anywhere this time," Naruko told him as she looked back at him momentarily "...Lets do this!
Naruko-ナルコ-
Chapter 13
Battle on the Bridge