First new chapter of 2018! Happy new years everyone!
Aureum: Thanks for the review! I hope this was quick for you lol. As for Naruko and Sasuke's feelings towards each other I'm trying not to rush it too much. But don't worry, there will be more cute scenes to come.
Road Camelott: Guten tag! Thanks for the review! And I kinda figured, since the Akatsuki leader ordered Itachi to train Naruko shes gotta learn to kill eventually. Might as well do it when shes around a bunch of criminals lol
TheBeauty: Thank you :)
And thank you to all guest reviewers!
Naruko-ナルコ-
Chapter 15
New faces, New enemies
"How interesting..."
"But nothing ever happened. The curse mark just caused her to black out."
"Hmm...it seems that the seal Jiraiya put on the curse mark is weakening...Orochimaru must've given her a special kind of curse mark..."
"Sir?"
"Continue your observations on Naruko Uzumaki. Also, keep a close eye on that curse mark."
"I understand...Danzo."
Yes! I'm the first one up! Naruko smiled. After dashing out of bed she quickly got ready and made breakfast, all before Naruto had a chance to wake up. Ever since they returned home from their mission Naruko had finally gotten the chance to unpack all of her things from her travels with Jiraiya and finally settle down. For once, the house was completely clean and she couldn't be any happier.
"Good morning brother!" Naruko smiled as she placed an vegetable omelet in front of him. Naruto just looked at her and blinked "Still half asleep huh?"
Taking his fork he shoved a piece of the omelet into his mouth and just chewed his breakfast silently.
"It feels great to be back home doesn't it?" Again, no response from Naruto. Eventually halfway through breakfast he started to wake up.
"You're weird. How are you so full of energy in the morning? Especially before eating something." He murmured. Naruko just chuckled as she began to eat her breakfast.
"I'm just used to waking up early. Besides, I like the mornings. They're so calm and peaceful."
"You know you sound like an old lady when you say that."
"Well then, I guess next time you can make your own breakfast then." Naruko pouted before shoving a big bite of the omelet into her mouth.
"Huh?" that definitely woke Naruto up. "Hey! I was just kidding."
"Anyways, I'm going to head out early. I'll see you at the bridge later okay?" Naruko began as she went to go put her plate in the sink.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Naruto asked "We still got two hours before we gotta go!"
"I was just going to do alittle training. After all, Kakashi-sensei is usually late so I figured that I should have enough time."
"Huh? Hey, I wanna come!" Naruto shouted "You're not going by yourself are you?"
Naruto was starting to have flashbacks from that day. She went out, he said okay see you later, and she never came back. Then he began to think of the promise him and Sasuke made. That was it. There is no way he was going to hit at home. For him to protect his sister and become Hokage he had to become stronger.
"I'm not now," Naruko smiled "Now come on, hurry up and change out of your pajamas! Lets get going!"
"Alright! Whats the plan today? Are we practicing Taijutsu? Ninjutsu? Genjutsu?" Naruto asked excitingly as they reached the training grounds.
"Hmm...How about taijutsu? Come try to hit me brother."
Naruto was taken back abit from what Naruko had said. Hurting his sister was the last thing he wanted to do, even if it was for training purposes.
"Whats wrong? Are you scared?" Naruko teased him.
"I've never hit a girl before. And I don't want my first to be you."
Naruko smiled. If Naruto wasn't going to make the first move she supposed she would have to do so. As she quickly slipped behind him, she knocked Naruto off balance and pinned him to the ground.
"It shouldn't matter who your opponent is. Whether its me, Sakura or Sasuke...And as much as I hope this never happens but there might come a day where you'll have to fight against someone you care for."
"So..." Naruko continued as she helped her brother up "Try to hit me."
...Naruko is kinda starting to remind me of Kakashi sensei! Naruto started at his twin in awe. He couldn't believe how much stronger she had become. Seeing that only made him want to become even stronger. If Naruko could do it, so could he!
"Alright! Here I come!"
"Also," Naruko started as she caught Naruto's punch "Try not to shout when charging at your enemy. You could lose the element of surprise. Fire style: Fire ball jutsu!"
"What?! One hand?!" Before Naruto could dodge Naruko's attack he found himself covered in soot and incredibly hot.
"S-sorry." Naruko apologized. She had thought she made the fireball not too hot to hurt him.
"How'd you do that?! Thats like stuff only jonin can do!"
"Its practice Naruto." She told her twin "You'll get there one day."
"I wish I was there now. Man I wish I could meet your other sensei! What was his name again?"
"Jiraiya sensei?"
"Yeah him! Hes gotta be a pretty strong ninja. Maybe he can train me too!"
"Well whenever he decides to come back and visit I'll be sure to introduce you to him. You'll love him!"
"He sound so cool!" Naruto replied, imagining a super cool looking ninja.
"I guess we should cut it short today. Who knows what mission Kakashi has for us today."
"Yeah," Naruto coughed before continuing "Sounds good."
After stopping back home really quick (since Naruto's clothes were burned) and changing again, the twins ran towards the meeting spot. They were already late as it is, and if they were later than Kakashi then they'd have some explaining to do.
"I expect this from Kakashi sensei, but you guys too?!" Sakura shouted with her hands on her hips.
"Well we already figured sensei was going to be late so we got some training in!" Naruto said with a grin.
"Training huh?" Sasuke repeated.
"Yeah," Naruko nodded "You guys should join us! We just started today."
But...that would mean getting up more early, Sakura mentally sighed. The thought it it exhausted her.
"Why don't you guys just train after our missions?" Sakura asked.
"Why not?" Naruko questioned her. Before Sakura could reply Kakashi sensei made his appearance.
"Sorry, I'm late guys. I'm afraid I got lost on the path of life." Kakashi stated, not even trying to come up with a decent excuse.
"Liar!" Sakura shouted with anger.
"Sensei! I'm ready for the next mission! And no more of this beginner stuff okay?! I wanna chance to prove myself! A real mission where I can show what I'm made of!" Naruto shouted with a burning passion.
"I get it. That is all great but take it easy would you?" Kakashi told him. Naruto then turned his back and began glaring at Sasuke.
No, hes not glaring...observing? No wait, hes fantasizing. Naruko mentally sighed at her twin.
"Let us know when you're done day dreaming Naruto," Kakashi said.
"Believe it!" Naruto yelled at the top of his lungs.
"What a loser," Sasuke sighed.
"He just has to pick the biggest dog!" Sakura complained.
"Naruto!" Naruko shouted worryingly as she chased after Naruto.
The group had spent the whole morning and early afternoon doing odd jobs. From weed picking to cleaning the river, to dog sitting. All in which Naruto had managed to get hurt and with Naruko running back and forth to his aid.
This time, Naruto had managed to get pulled into a mine field from the large English mastiff he was attempting to walk.
"Watch out!" Naruko shouted. But it was too late, Naruto had set off one of the mines, causing both of their clothes (and the dogs) to get covered with smoke.
Maybe Sakura was right...maybe I should move the training time to the afternoons. Naruko wondered all day why no one else was helping out Naruto, but after being hit with the mine it hit her. They didn't want to get pulled into the mess too, plus it was exhausting.
"You're hopeless Naruto!" Sakura told him. After returning the dogs back to their owners, Sakura and Sasuke ended up carrying Naruto (due to the fact he had a hard time walking after all of the injures he got).
"You really are one pathetic loser," Sasuke said with a smirk. Immediately Naruto was triggered, and tried to jump the Uchiha, but ultimately he was blocked by Sakura.
"If you keep this up I'll finish you off myself!" She stated.
"Ugh...guess were not making a lot of progress on the teamwork," Kakashi murmured.
"Yeah! Our teamwork sucks and its Sasuke's fault!" Naruto exclaimed as he held his fist up to Sasuke "You think you're better than everyone else?!"
"Not everyone, just you." Sasuke started. Turning his back, he glares at Naruto and challenges him "Unless you have what it takes to prove me wrong."
Tension rose, and everyone could feel it. It was as if any minuet one of them was going to try and attack each other again.
"Guys, stop fighting." Naruko began as she put a hand onto Naruto's right shoulder "This isn't going to get us anywhere. We need to stay calm and help each other out."
Sakura then sighed with an annoyed tone "Really Naruko, you think preaching is going to help?"
"Its better than making death threats like you were just doing to Naruto," Naruko replied back.
"Alright guys," Kakashi began "Lets call it a day. You can all beat each other up to a pulp some other time. Anyways, I have to file a report on the missions we did today."
"Whatever, I'm out of here. Come on Naruko, lets go." Sasuke said as he began to walk off.
"Hey! Thats my sister you're talking to! Don't boss her around like shes your property!" Naruto shouted.
"S-Sasuke! Why don't we hang out instead, Naruko looks pretty tired after today." Sakura stuttered as she chased after him. "We could do something more personal. You know, to improve our teamwork."
"You're just as worse as Naruto." Sasuke told her "Instead of trying to flirt, why don't you practice to make the team stronger? Lets face it, you're the weakest member on the team."
Sasuke then looked at Naruko, waiting for an answer "Well? Are you coming?"
"Uhm...Alright," Naruko said.
"Are you seriously going to hang out with that jerk again?!" Naruto shouted as Kakashi disapeared to go do his report.
"Think about it," Naruko began. The then whispered the rest of what she had to say to Naruto "If I go with Sasuke you'll have some alone time with Sakura."
Naruto's face turned red. Though Naruko was aware that Naruto liked Sakura, she hoped that after spending time with her he would see how...repulsive she could be. Honestly, it amazed her how her brother could be into someone like her.
"Well...okay, I guess I can let this slide. You better not try anything funny with my sister or I'll kill you!"
"Hmph, loser." Sasuke muttered.
"So...where to?" Naruko asked as she began to walk off with the Uchiha.
"First, we'll go get lunch. Then we're going to train."
"Ooo! Lets go to Ichiraku Ramen!"
"Again?" he sighed.
"Awe come on! You know, they have other stuff besides ramen."
"Quit acting like Naruto."
"Thats not necessarily a bad thing. You know, I'm sure you guys would be better friends if you tried to get along."
"I'm not interested in becoming friends with your brother. I didn't become a ninja to make friends, you know that."
"I know...you wanted to become a policemen like your dad." Naruko laughed lightly.
"Naruko." Sasuke spoke with a serious tone. Naruko then stopped in her tracks and grabbed Sasuke by the wrist gently to stop him.
"Sorry...but you shouldn't let this whole revenge-thing twist your mind like that. I understand how bad you want your brother dead, but that doesn't mean you have to isolate yourself. Trust me, having allies is a great thing."
"I have you don't I?" Sasuke looked at Naruko "Besides, one is plenty enough."
Naruko paused as her brain attempted to scramble up a response. Why'd he have to say it like that... My chest doing that weird thing again.
It wasn't until she felt a jab to her forehead that she realized she was starting at Sasuke all nervous-like.
"Ah! R-right of course! I'll always be here for you! You know that..."
"Whats wrong?" Sasuke asked as he noticed Naruko's sudden concentrated look.
"Do you sense it? Its someone elses chakra, but I can't figure out who it belongs to." Immediately Sasuke began to concentrate. It took him a minuet, and though it was faint, he could sense it.
"Its coming from where Naruto and Sakura were. Lets head back." Before Sasuke turned around to walk back, Naruko tightened her grip on his wrist.
"Lets keep ourselves hidden. Until we know whose chakra it belongs to."
"Right." Sasuke nodded.
Naruko was right on the money. Her and Sasuke had come back to an intense scene. A ninja, carrying a puppet on his back was toying around with Naruto, Sakura and some kids. While the ninja's comrade simply watched.
"Where are they from?" Sasuke whispered.
"You can't tell? Just look at their headbands. They're ninja from the village hidden in the sand. Question is, why are they here?" Naruko wondered.
"So does this hurt punk?" the ninja asked as he tightened his grip on the younger boy.
Thats Konohamaru...I've seen him hang around Naruto sometimes. Whats he doing here? More questions were beginning to build up in Naruko's mind.
"Put him down Kankuro. Or you know you'll pay for it later," his comrade warned him.
"Hey, I'm sorry. The whole thing was my fault," Sakura apologized. Naruko observed her body language and she could tell how nervous she was. Her arms and hands were close to her chest, and her feet were pointing inwards.
"You better take your hands off him right now!" Naruto shouted.
"We've got a few minuets left so lets mess with these punks," Kankuro smirked.
Someone's coming, Naruko noticed. Preparing a kunai knife, she remained in the shadows nearby watching as the scene unfolded. Sasuke looked at her and was expecting her to make a move, but when she didn't he decided to take matters into his own hands.
"Huh?" Naruko was slightly surprised. Sasuke had struck Kankuro's hand with a mere rock. Stopping him from doing any harm to Konohamaru.
"You're a long way from home and way out of your league." Sasuke said, as he bounced a rock in his hand.
"Oh great. More wimps to tick me off," Kankuro muttered.
"Get lost," Sasuke told him as he crushed the rock.
"So cool!" Sakura shrieked.
"How come you're not cool like him?!" Konohamaru pouted to Naruto.
"Awe what are you talking about, I could've taken him out in mere seconds!" Naruto told him.
Naruko quickly turned her head to her left, and noticed a boy with red hair and dark outlined green eyes. Judging from everyone else's reactions, nobody else had noticed he was here. So Naruko took the opportunity in her hands to ask him a question.
"I'm guessing these your comrades?" she asked him. The boy looked at her, then back to Kankuro.
"Kankuro. That is enough. You're embarrassment to our village." he told him.
"H-hey Garra..." Kankuro stuttered.
How'd he get there without making a sound? Only jonin of Kakashi's level are that smooth...And Naruko, she immediately knew he was there the moment he came...interesting. Sasuke mentally noted.
"T-they're the ones that started it. Really-"
"Shut up," Garra told him "Or I'll kill you." His words were colder than ice.
That guy Kankuro is really intimidated by him...and his chakra... Naruko became curious of him. She had to stop herself from starting too long at him.
"I'm sorry for any trouble he caused," Garra apologized.
"Its okay," Naruko told him "But if I may ask. What brings you guys here?"
"Have you guys been living under a rock or what? We're here for the Chunin Exams," the sand kunoichi spat out.
"The Chunin Exams?" Sakura questioned "But wait, you need permission to enter another village. Judging from your headbands you guys are from the Sand Village."
"We do have permission," the girl spoke as she whipped out her passport.
"What the heck is The Chunin Exam?" Naruto asked as he scratched the back of his head.
"Its the test the genin take in order to become a chunin boss," Konohamaru explained.
"Temari. Kankuro," Garra began as he jumped down near his comrades "Lets go, we didn't come all the way here for nothing."
"Wait!" Sasuke called out before they walked away "What is your name?"
"Hm? Me?" Temari spoke softly.
"No, the guy with the gourd on his back," Sasuke asked as he jumped down to the ground.
"My name is Garra of the desert. I'm curious about you too. Who are you?"
"I am Sasuke Uchiha."
"And I bet your dying to know my name too?!" Naruto chuckled.
"I couldn't care less." Garra spoke with little emotion. His eyes then darted to Naruko who was still sitting up in the tree observing. "And you?"
"Naruko Uzumaki," Naruko stated with a smile.
I wonder...whats this guys story? Whatever it is, its got Sasuke interested as well...Hmm...The Chunin Exams, I'll have to talk to Kakashi sensei about that. Whatever its got in store I'll be prepared.
Naruko-ナルコ-
Chapter 16
Preparing for the Chunin Exams