The Fox And The Tiger
The Arrival In Konoha
The large gates that signaled the entrance to the village hidden in the leaves was now visible as they walked. for the most part, everyone was excited. Omoi seemed rather disinterested but really, he was both nervous and excited for what was to come. Samui though, well she looked bored...don't let that fool you though, she was very excited and wanted to come out on top in these exams. The goal was to be promoted, but it was also a showcase to build your name. People from all over the world would come to watch these exams and people of high class would also be present.
This was a step that could lead to later fame. For some, it wasn't about the fame, but there was no denying that your performance here could have effect on your legacy. Show out here, and you're closer to becoming that of a legend. When you thought about it, every Kage had shown out during these exams. Most often, finishing number one in the tournament, and even setting records within the different portions. The exams didn't always host a potential future Kage...but if it does, the talent shown brings an excitement like no other.
Sometimes, you can just tell that one of the contestants are destined for greatness. The fact of the matter was, you never knew what you'd see in the exams, but the potential for what could be led to the always high excitement around the event. Even if there wasn't that generational talent, the prodigies that came, the ones you knew would become elite always put on a good show.
This year, excitement was at an all time high for sure. Four of the five great nations were going to compete. From Konoha, often referred to as the strongest of the five, had the Hyuga prodigy, and one of the last of the Uchiha competing. When news spread of the Uchiha's massacre by one shinobi, they all had high expectations for the sole survivor...brother to the prodigy that slain the clan. Just about every clan heir within Konoha was competing, and that also brought about the buzz in the village since all of them were rookie Genin.
Naruto had his eyes shut as they walked when the gates became visible. Hands placed in his pockets and his unzipped hoodie waved in the wind with his hair. It'd grown out to where his sides grew to his mid cheek and the bangs came halfway over his headband. the back was at the base of his head touching his neck but it was such a spiked mess that for the most part, you couldn't tell. Confidence was covered with a lazy boredom that hid his inner dread. A hand placed on his shoulder broke him from his thoughts of apprehension, and looked over he saw his lollipop sucking friend.
"You got this." Omoi said quietly, only loud enough for the two of them to hear. All he got was a slight nod.
That, was enough though. Naruto's very slight slouch straightened and he seemed to just display disinterest. But that slight change spoke volumes to his mental state as it meant he wasn't so focused on the worry and fear. Rather, his mind was just on the task at hand. They were arriving to Konoha a few days prior to the first exam. Be better off this way so that and fatigue from travel would be rested out and they can be more settled in.
Yugito walked in front of the entourage with Darui and she walked proudly and with a confidence unmatched by any of her peers here. Wearing a smirk and a glint in her eyes that displayed pure excitement to what was to come. Nothing about her features displayed a sense of worry nor fear. Still, despite the excitement and the anticipation, a few times, she shot glances back towards Naruto in order to see if he was giving off anything. All she saw was the lazy attitude he tended to give off but she knew better now. That definitely wasn't what he was feeling and definitely wasn't what he was thinking.
The gates now stood before them, and all stopped just outside for a brief moment before it was time for business. Any and all conversations ceased and smiles were hidden behind their blank expressions. Darui and Bee moved to the front and led the group into the foreign village. Upon entry, they were greeted by the gate guards.
One had messy spiked black hair that went everywhere, with a white bandage that wrapped around his face, up and over his nose, it was a single strip though as it was only that small bit covered. The guy to his right had brown hair with a bandana styled headband, and his hair overestimate his right eye.
"Welcome to Konohagakure. Provide the invitations and we can have you led to your hotel." one of the two said, that being the bandaged one.
"Right away, y'all don't really play. Ey?" Bee said and got a weird look from the two. Still, he handed the invitation and paperwork though and on a matter of seconds, two anbu appeared.
"They will lead you to your hotel. Afterwards, you are free to roam the village."
They nodded and followed as the anbu led them through the streets. The two guards stood beside eachother and watched them depart.
"Yo, Kotetsu?"
"Yes, Izumo?"
"Is it just me or does that blonde boy look familiar?"
"Resembles Yondaime-sama, doesn't he?" Kotetsu said and the two shrugged to eachother not really thinking it possible. That child was gone. Has been for nine years. There was absolutely no way this random Genin of Kumo would any way be that same child.
"I am helping your attempts to hide my signature. Once these anbu are gone, you won't need to try so hard."
"Thanks. I was thinking you were doing something. No way I could ever hope to hide your chakra on my own."
"That isn't your only worry."
"What is it?"
"Aside from the fears you have of the place bringing you trouble...I can sense another Jinchuriki."
"Another one, huh? Interesting. Perhaps, it won't be so simple here then."
Naruto continued walking with the others as he glanced around the surroundings. They were receiving a lot of looks and so far none seemed to focus on him. Rather, everyone was focusing on the fact the nin from Kumo have actually arrived. Granted, it was never a great relationship between villages but still. For now he was able to be hidden in a way, being in the center of the group. For a moment, he'd met eyes with a few people, and those few just seemed to have to be some of the usual tormentors...
Blue eyes, meeting that of hating ones. The connection wasn't made, but gears were turning. You don't simply forget that which you hate the most. Those eyes that were so different, so defining as a characteristic owned by only one before. Those blue eyes that the child marked with whiskers had once held. The combination of the two, meaning that this kid was somehow, that same demon child. The fear those eyes held all those years ago, clouding in the eyes now. The further they went down the streets, the more he recognized the people from back then.
Just don't look around. All you have to do is just follow along. It is so easy to avoid the trouble, the looks, and yet there was no way he could. It was something that was frustrating beyond anything else, to have such an easy way to get out of this, and yet, he couldn't do it. He couldn't stop looking around to then meet eyes with these people. Despite all the time passed, despite all his growth and training, just being in their presence, Naruto is reduced to that little boy who only wanted a friend amidst the overwhelming wave of hatred.
The anbu got them in front of the hotel and then vanished. Once they were gone, the group couldn't continue on though as now the way in was blocked off by some villagers. Naruto's confidence in himself was nonexistent, there was no resemblance to the Naruto they all knew. He did not have that bored and lazy look, nor a sense of being cocky at all. He looked as though he was seeing a ghost, a prey that is truly trapped with no way out.
"That boy wouldn't happen to be that damned demon from all that time ago now would he?" One of the men said seriously.
"I'm sorry, but we don't seem to understand." Darui said and took a subtle step to the left, obscuring the villager's view of Naruto.
"He look real familiar, that boy. No one else ever had them whisker marks, nor those same blue eyes."
"Yo, you'd better back away you fool! We ain't got time for you, got things to do. Get out the way, before you can't handle what comes fool!" Bee said and stepped to be beside Darui.
Yugito looked at Naruto and couldn't believe what she was seeing. Yeah, a lot of how he was was faked but never did this side seem like something he'd be. For all the strength he gained, he looked like a defenseless and helpless baby. Something you could never think would be capable of harm. It was clear that whatever he went through, made it so that he was always terrified, always submissive to these people. To have gone through something so traumatic at so young was something she could never hope on anyone...then another thought came of, wasn't he only three or four? Who'd treat some little kid like that?
She got angry, mainly in part towards the villagers but also partly Naruto. The way he was acting was in no way going to make it better, just worse. What happened to being the one to say to always hide what you think and feel so no one could hurt or manipulate you? It was like he lost all will to fight, to keep up that tough, nonchalant demeanor. If he could survive five Jonin on his journey, surely some villagers would be nothing in comparison.
Granted, there was something off with the story but still. She knew he'd held no fear in all he's done and displayed. Nothing brought him to such a pitiful state. Then some villagers come along and he is nothing but a speck of dust?
"You let us finish what we done started back then...or you go down with him." The villagers were then backed up by a few Chunin who appeared.
"So drab..." Darui shook his head. "You do so much to even get dirt on him...it will be seen as an act of war. We will retaliate with the full force of Kumogakure!" they went wide-eyed at the statement and Darui looked pleased. "Now back away."
Immediately, they all backed away and let them pass. Rin pushed Naruto to get him to get going and didn't even receive a glare nor any silent threat. Nothing that Naruto would have done to put him in place.
"What's happened to you?" Rin shook his head and walked on in.
They didn't stay long, as once they settled in and their stuff was down and put away, everyone wanted to leave. They wanted to see the village, see the new place they were all in. There was a few days until the first exam, and why spend it all in a hotel room? Well, that was the thought atleast.
"Listen, you may not want to do it...but maybe this is a chance for some closure."
Naruto looked up and to the right, Omoi stood there and smiled when he got him to look over at him rather than stare into space. For a moment, the spark returned but faded immediately and Omoi was getting worried. Never had he seen Naruto this stuck, this lost and down. Yeah there was those bits before when talking about his past but never was he like this at all. It was new and it worried him to no end.
"I'll be out in a bit. Go on ahead without me."
Omoi nodded and left knowing there was no discussion, no debate to be held. Naruto made up his mind and atleast he'd be coming. That was enough.
For thirty minutes, Naruto sat in the room before looking in the mirror. His usual outfit being wore was on, just the jacket was unzipped and a net armor shirt visible underneath. It had only been a vest like armor shirt so it wasn't seen over the arms of his long-sleeved shirt. That didn't mean he was unprotected though as underneath, was a thin composite armor sleeve that went from his wrist to elbow that granted decent protection from blunt force but that was it. Still, light and durable was kind of the goal as if he could avoid what comes at him, the heavier armor was unnecessary.
Getting his bag and slinging it on, he turned to the door and sighed as he exited. Slowly walking down the streets, the looks, the glares were all present. News seemed to travel fast, the good thing was that they wouldn't dare lay a finger on him or else face war... Something that Konoha had no interest in beginning. Starting war with Kumo would no doubt cause Iwa to jump in at the chance of taking on a divided Konoha.
Despite Konoha's strength amongst the five nations, this generation was not ready for war. The older generation was still skilled and strong but numbers were few. The good thing for them though was that arguably, some of the strongest clans of the world were within Konoha. Even with the loss of the Uchiha clan, they still had many clans with Kekkei Genkai and notable the now strongest clan being the Hyuga. Without the rival of the Uchiha, the Hyuga have prospered as the dominant clan.
Everyone hated the fact that nothing could be done physically to the boy...but there were ways of passively getting at him. There was also the option of trying to utilize these exams to get the kid killed once and for all. Killing was entirely legal here so there was no problem really...just more of a moral thing really. When it came to things against Naruto though...it was easy to say that there was no such thing as morals. Generally being tossed right out the window really.
Closing his eyes, and crossing his arms was not only to block everyone out, as well as close the door to conversation. He was in a sense protecting himself from the outside, reassuring himself. It was a calming method and well, also allowed him to try feeling for the signatures of his friends. And thats when he stopped in the middle of a street...
"Ah...who do we have here?" A voice that was sort of raspy said. It held an arrogant cockiness that some could mistake for confidence...it was everything but confidence.
Naruto didn't open hid eyes nor speak, but he felt more people coming. In front of him though we're three people. One felt extremely powerful in comparison to the other two, but the others weren't slouched either, though the main threat seemed to be the one behind the two. Not speaking either, that person just intently looked at Naruto...analyzing him, peering into each bit of him to find the answer to the puzzle. Then it him and his eyes narrowed at Naruto but before he could speak.
"Enough, Kankuro. You already have some brat that you're picking on, you can't handle anymore." A feminine voice said rather annoyed. Her tone was confident and stern, someone that knew they were skilled and confident in their ability. It sounded as though if you faced her, her victory would be nearly certain.
"I know! But he might be more fun than this runt! Maybe he won't be taught that lesson today." Kankuro said and dropped the little boy that he held up.
The boy had a blue scarf and a gray helmet thing that his hair stuck out from the top. It was dark brown and a bit spiky in nature but was only shown as a little bit since the only visible hair was what came out of the hole on top. His shirt was yellow with white shorts and when he landed on his but, he ran to be behind Naruto out of instinct. In this moment, Naruto was protection and the only non-threat at the moment.
"What are you doing?" Naruto said simply and somewhat quietly. He portrayed a bit of disinterest but was honestly trying to find all that he could from sensing the powerful one's chakra.
"You know? He's kinda cute. A little short for my taste but...there's something about him."
"Not now, Temari! We need to pummel this guy for interrupting me!"
Naruto slowly opened his eyes to finally look at the three. On the right was the girl who was apparently named Temari, and she had blonde hair in four spiked buns, a white sort of dress that exposed her shoulders, rolled at the sleeves and seemed pretty thick to offer a very small layer of protection. Underneath it, you could see her netted armor around her shoulders that was long enough to get down to her wrists, a red sash tied around her waist and a closed fan on her back.
The guy slightly in front of her was in a full black suit that covered all of his body, a hood that he had on that also sported some ear like things on top. It made him sort of look like he dressed as a cat in a way, on top of that, he had paint on his face...it looked really goofy to Naruto but he didn't show it. Rather he just looked past him and to the one in the behind both of them. The last one was shorter than the other two, but both of them were the same height as eachother.
He had auburn colored hair and his eyes had darn rings around them. No eyebrows and a scar in the Kanji of love. The strangest thing he had was a gourd on his back. Now why would he have that? The two had their eyes locked and neither seemed to back down for a moment. It made the other two get nervous slightly and tension was rising as a thick constricting feeling was being released into the air.
The two vanished from sight and reappeared mere inches apart from one another in the middle of where they all stood. It was bizarre as the other two hadn't even seen, it was in a blink that they had met one another. Now they were petrified of what could happen and they began to slowly back away.
"Hey, what are you guys doing?" A voice shouted...more like screeched.
Temari and Kankuro looked over to see who the intruder was while Naruto and the other just stared into the other's eyes. The little boy that had been hiding behind Naruto looked over and frowned slightly.
"Sakura, we need help!"
"Shut up, brat! What are you foreign ninjas doing here?"
Temari regained her composure before Kankuro and smirked with a chuckle. "What? You don't know?"
"Well I'm asking for a reason! Foreign shinobi aren't allowed in other villages without proper documentation!" Sakura said, still not noticing the tense atmosphere.
Naruto's eye twitched over hearing this and almost gestured to the other person who nodded in agreement to their individual "talk" per se. Upon getting the nod, Naruto turned around and faced Sakura and the other stood beside him. Naruto's hands were in his pockets and stood slightly slouched while the other had his arms crossed.
"What the hell are you yelling for?" Naruto said sternly. There was no fear, no worry in his voice whatsoever, just annoyance and confidence.
"Uh-Uh well you're not of this village...so...you shouldn't be here..."
Naruto tilt his head and a smirk formed on his face. "Oh? So you don't know? How interesting..."
"Know what?" Sakura said hesitantly.
"Could he be like? No...there's no way." Temari thought looking at Naruto.
"How can he stand beside that random guy and not be trying to kill him?" Kankuro thought looking at the shorter auburn colored haired person.
Naruto glanced over to the left and upwards into a tree. "You can come down now. You're abysmal at hiding your presence."
The person who he was speaking to appeared beside Sakura and he had black hair. Black eyes and a blue shirt with a fan crest on the back. He had a smirk that was arrogance written all over it. "So, you noticed me, huh?"
"Who are you?" The auburn hair colored one said finally speaking. His voice was deep and droned out.
"I am Uch-"
"Not you." He gestured to the one beside him. "I'm talking to him."
Naruto smirked and nearly chuckled. "I'm Naruto."
"Gaara."
"What are they friends now or something?" Kankuro thought and was confused.
"You should want to know who I am! I'm Sasuke Uch-"
"So, Gaara...you're competing as well?" Naruto said interrupting Sasuke. It effectively aggravated the said Genin and Gaara moved his eyes to meet Naruto's.
"Yes I am...I look forward to our duel." Gaara turned around and walked towards Temari and Kankuro.
Sasuke grit his teeth and clenched a fist. "I'm Sasuke Uchiha damnit! You will listen to me!"
"Go the hell away...or I will kill you." Gaara said without turning around.
Sasuke clenched his other fist and before he could speak Sakura shouted. "Competing? Duel? What are you talking about?"
"The Chunin Exams you dumb pinky! How could you not know? Your village is hosting them!" Kankura said and as if on cue, Temari lifted her form that showed the pass and clearance of being in the village.
"The Chunin Exams? We haven't been told about that..." Sakura said and Sasuke was getting angrier. Everyone seemed to be ignoring him at the moment. Hell they even talked more to Sakura than him!
With all his frustration building up, Sasuke ran. He ran straight for Gaara. Fists clenched, winding up his right arm, he was preparing to deck the gourd carrying boy. However he never made it to him. An arm was outstretched and he was clotheslined, doing a back-flip and landing on his back hard. The back of his head smacked the ground below and he groaned in pain. Opening his eyes, he looked to see the blonde boy with deep blue eyes looking down on him. His name was Naruto right?
"What do you think you're doing?" Naruto's voice didn't show it but he was rather amused to say the least.
Sasuke glared at Naruto and stood up. "YOU EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN, I'LL-"
Naruto turned around and chuckled. "Take it easy, you're attracting the attention of others. What will you say?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's going on here?" A lazy laid back voice said nonchalantly. Sasuke turned to see his silver haired sensei.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura shouted. Her arms over her chest, hugging herself in a way.
"Hn..." Sasuke looked at Naruto "How did you know he was here? I never even knew..."
Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro turned back to see the new development. They turned to see a Jonin of the village having appeared and stood behind Sasuke.
"Nothing much really. Saving this impulsive guy from a fight he couldn't handle." Naruto said. The Jonin looked to see the back of the person and raised an eyebrow. Something seemed...familiar. But how could that be?
"Hmmm. I see. Sasuke, what do you have to say for yourself?"
"Hn. I could have taken him..."
"Don't make claims you can't back up...but...now you will surely die. I will have your blood, Uchiha. Becareful what you wish for." Gaara said and looked to Naruto. "See you around..."
Naruto nodded and looked back at Sasuke. "Yeah...you messed up there big mouth. You're his sensei eh? You might want to...how do I put this, get his affairs in order?"
"What makes you so sure that I'm going to lose? Huh!"
Turning his head slightly, Kakashi noticed the starting of his whisker marks. "You're not losing, Sasuke. You're dying." With that, he turned back away and walked off. Leaving the four behind.
"It...can't be..." Kakashi thought when he saw the marks.
"Hn. What does he know?" Sasuke turned to walk off but his collar was grabbed roughly by Kakashi. "What is it?"
"That's enough. Training ground 7, now." Kakashi's lazy tone was gone. He was utterly serious and it scared Sasuke and Sakura.
Naruto walked on back down the path he was headed and saw Omoi. They sat at a little bar stand restaurant, looking at the sign it read "Ichiraku's Ramen" and he tilt his head slightly at that. Of all the village they could go...they came to a ramen stand? That really didn't make much sense but there was nothing he could do about it. Shrugging, he walked in the flaps and sat between Yugito and Omoi.
"So, where have you been, Uzumaki?" Samui said with a smile.
"Met some intriguing people."
"Oh lord...may the Gods have mercy on their souls." Yugito said laughing. If he was intrigued, then hell be brought upon them.
"Yeah, an annoying guy is going to die."
"Say what?" Karui said dropping her chopsticks.
"Naruto...it wouldn't be wise to stir up trouble like that."
Raising an eyebrow, he chuckled. "I never said I'd be the one to kill him...either way...what's been going on with all of you?"
"Eh, not much. We found this place early on and been here ever since."
Shaking his head at Omoi, Naruto chuckled and looked over at Yugito. "Really, now who's idea was this?"
"You suspect me? Come on, Naruto."
A smirk spread on Naruto's face. "I can easily find out you know..."
"Enough with the flirting you two!" Karui shouted and Naruto backed up in his chair for a second. And tilt his head while Yugito buried her face in her hands.
Omoi pat Naruto's shoulder and brought him close to where his whisper could be heard. "Something generally done when someone likes another."
"I know, I'm not one of these morons." He said gesturing around. "I just don't understand why she said that."
"Ok my friend, you seriously deny understanding? You really want to keep saying that you don't have any interest in her?"
"Omoi. What did I tell you back at the academy?"
"That you found her amusing and the reactions were the best."
"Yes."
"Yeah I call bullshit. You just don't understand what it is you feel."
Naruto squinted his eyes and tilt his head at Omoi. "Omoi, just what are you grasping at?"
"Oh you want to go there? Fine. Remember the times you went out of your way to make her appesr better? Where you literally sacrificed yourself and image to protect her? No one does that just for anyone my friend. And how about when I told you of that rumor? It threw you completely off."
"Yeah because it was pretty odd." Naruto said and shrugged.
"Or...you hated that you didn't understand why it hurt so much to hear that she was potentially with someone else."
"Ey Kit, nothing but facts, listen to your boy." Kurama said and Naruto tilt his head at him.
"Since when did you talk like that?"
"Since right then. Now continue to amuse, Kit, continue to amuse."
"Listen, Omoi. She is just my friend. How many times must I tell you?"
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
Hey, so...been a while. Adjusting to my new job, preparing for my friend's wedding...a lot. So short chapter, probably one of the shortest that this story has been given. Won't be a normal trend, I promise you that. This chapter was going to be the Chunin Exams, decided I'd make the lead in first. Now a decision is to be made, shall I do as I planned and go into the Chunin Exams next chapter? Or do a chapter dedicated to what's gone down in Konoha this whole time? Your feedback would be great, otherwise if I can't decide, the good old coin flip will do. To be clear, I'll most likely have the Konoha chapter and Chunin Exams both written so they can be released together...or I will get it to where the Chunin Exams chapter is almost done then upload the first...in any case, it will be figured out lol. Oh, and Chunin Exams will be over a couple chapters. First two stages in one, the finals in the next. More will go down between Naruto and the village, just didn't go as far as I planned. For the most part I wanted to set up the main key people first, of course the rest of the rookies have yet to interact with Naruto but that will come.