Mah, I felt kind of bad leaving you guys like that, but I needed to take a break of Sasuke, his quest for power, and his indirect cause of Neji's probable death. Consider yourselves lucky that I didn't drop the idea altogether and throw Naruto in with Gaara or someone.
"Well it seems that you have mastered controlling chakra enough. It is a wonder how you have improved so much in so little time, I congratulate you," at this Naruto smiled even more at being praised, especially because it came from Kakashi, "Now lets see how you can work some jutsu...."
Well, this was it. The end of his line of success so far in this damn fox form. Jutsu. He had enough trouble with his hands, but now they had been taken away. He could try using his paws, but, having no opposable thumbs, would prove useless. The only other option would be to train himself up to not having to use hand seals at all, which would take forever, and tons of training, something Naruto was not yet prepared to do.
Kakashi stared at him patiently and motioned for him to show him a jutsu.
Naruto shook his head shamefully.
Kakashi just continued to watch him before lazily motioning for him to continue and turning around to discuss the spar between Sasuke and Sakura and how they could improve (for Kakashi, the ever talented ninja who can read manga and fight at the same time, had watched their fight).
Naruto was not to happy at being dismissed so easily and was about to snarl a remark before he was interrupted.
Boy.... it hissed, low and malicious in his head.
What the hell?
Listen to me...
Had he gone insane? Frantically, to no one's notice, he looked around, trying to spot the owner of the voice. Then it struck him. That same voice. Stronger then the murmurings, but the same voice nonetheless. It could be none other than the Kyuubi. It had been him. It had been the Kyuubi. Naruto wanted to kick himself for not realizing this before. Wait...Why should he listen?
A growl.
Because, brat, I am the only one who can inform your puny mind on how to do jutsu in MY form.
However, Naruto scowled.
How do I know that you don't wish to cause some mayhem, hm?
You're smarter than you look, brat. However, I can't do much while you're awake and otherwise healthy. Aside from that, it is embarrassing to see you struggle in your stupidity and otherwise mar my reputation.
Before Naruto could ask HOW he could possibly ruin the damn fox's reputation, Kyuubi interrupted him.
Alright, brat, I'm going to share some of my knowledge with you because it is too tedious to explain such things to a mere human. All you have to do is open your mind to it, which shouldn't be too hard for you... (1)
Naruto felt the sudden surge of newfound information. Shocked, he merely stared in front of him, not believing that the fox was actually helping him. Why?
Stupid brat, do not question me. Just accept the gift. Repay this blessing by performing a jutsu and stop looking like an idiot! (2)
Snorting, Naruto rolled his eyes at the fox's impatience. He'd have a talk with him later. Anger fought its way to the surface once more at the sight of Kakashi's back towards him. Naruto would show HIM.
Delving into the recently acquired knowledge, he discovered that all he had to do was move his tails a certain way for different types of jutsu (ninjutsu, etc.), focus his chakra, and announce the attack, whether it be in his head or in the form of barks an growls (3). With a surge of intelligence on his part, Naruto figured that for each tail he had, the more power or jutsu he could have or do. Naruto liked this idea.
Searching his mind for a proper jutsu, Naruto settled on his favorite.
"Sakura, in short, I believe we could work on your overall strength so that you may build up your chakra reserve a little more. You never attacked Sasuke."
Whether or not that had been intentional on Sakura's part was unsaid.
"And you, Sasuke, did quite well. I don't believe I have any suggestions except to work on chakra control a little more, I saw that kunai slip off-" Kakashi was interrupted by a grinning five-tailed fox appearing in front of him.
Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, I thought I told you to work on jutsu, not interrupt me."
The fox merely continued to smile, looking to his left and right.
Kakashi followed his gaze and discovered two identical copies of said fox-boy on either side of him. Further investigation proved that another guarded his back. Team 7's sensei's one visible eye curved up in a sign that he was smiling as well.
"Good job, Naruto. However, I must say I'm surprised. How did you manage to do that?"
An exasperated look from Naruto caused Kakashi to laugh.
"Woops, forgot you couldn't tell me."
Rolling his eyes, Naruto sat down on his haunches, his doubles subtly disappearing in puffs of smoke. Looking around, he spotted Sasuke looking at him, impressed to say the least. Sakura was staring at Sasuke (or rather his southern region), who had his back turned to her. Naruto felt the sudden urge to snap at her. However, he was stopped from doing so when Kakashi announced that Naruto could now spar with Sasuke.
Nodding, Naruto trotted to a safe distance, Sasuke following. Squared off from one another, they stared, waiting for the other to move. Silence covered the area. Except for the wind whistling and a few birds chirping, not a sound was heard. Naruto was becoming impatient and was controlling the desire to strike first.
Remember, brat! The first to strike is the first to lose!
They had been playing the waiting game for a few minutes now. Kakashi and Sakura had taken seats on the rock Sasuke had been sitting on, having gotten tired of standing. Sasuke was beginning to lose his own patience and, figuring Naruto hadn't really gotten any better than when he had last fought the boy, quickly whipped out several kunai, hurling them at his opponent.
Naruto, not really paying attention, had gotten hit with one in the shoulder, having realized too late that Sasuke had begun the fight. Shaking off the pain, Naruto quickly ripped it out of his shoulder with his teeth, throwing it aside and leaping out of the way to avoid more kunai. Satisfied that Kyuubi had already healed the wound, Naruto put his speed to work and quickly caught up with Sasuke.
Sasuke, surprised, was slammed into the ground when the fox pounced on him. However, before he could retaliate, Naruto had already leapt off him, disappearing in the high canopies of the trees. Jumping back into ready position, Sasuke analyzed his position. He was up against a giant five-tailed fox. Fast, dangerous, and the fact that it was Naruto made Sasuke rethink his plan. Obviously Naruto had gained a few more surprises other than the fox form he now sported.
Damn, this wasn't going to be easy.
Time to bring his Sharingan into play.
Sharingan activated, Sasuke scanned the area around him, concentrating his hearing for the slightest rustle of leaves. He barely avoided the pounce from behind but recovered quickly and sent a roundhouse kick to the fox's side, sending Naruto into a nearby tree. Recovering, Naruto leapt back up and snarled a warning probably not far off from 'bastard.'
Regaining his footing, Naruto surveyed the situation quickly and making a hasty decision, leapt straight for Sasuke, claws extended. Sidestepping, the Uchiha, not really thinking on what he was doing but rather focused completely on beating his opponent, quickly did a few hand seals.
"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
And flames erupted to life to smack Naruto in the face head on. A yelp of pain made Sasuke feel a pang of guilt, regretting his decision to use the jutsu and causing pain to Naruto.
No, this is a spar, we're going to get hurt. Nothing to worry about...
Naruto was visibly shaking as he violently wiped at his eyes with his front paws. Tawny fur was singed all over, some bits still smoking and on fire. Luckily, it looked like demon fox fur was pretty hardy and didn't burn the skin too much. Finally, Kyuubi's healing talent kicked in enough that Naruto could stop rubbing long enough to look around and make sure Sasuke was at a safe distance. Blurry at first, his vision was slowly clearing.
Shaking himself, Naruto took the element of surprise and unconsciously swung one of his tails in a vicious whip-like manner. Tornado winds surged forth and slammed into Sasuke, throwing him into a thick tree with force enough to make a body-shaped print on it. Caught off guard by this particular move, Naruto stared, reveling in this new source of power that didn't need 'hand seals' or a name. His own ultimate defense.
Sasuke, meanwhile, had cracked his head against the tree pretty hard and could feel the beginnings of a nasty headache coming on. However, he couldn't give up. Struggling to stand, he saw sparkles in front of his eyes and the tiny flow of blood on the back of his head. He felt his Sharingan give out as he shook his head to rid himself of the pain. Bad idea. Now he was dizzy as well as painful. Growling, he reached into his belt pocket and pulled out a few shuriken, tossing them with lightening speed at Naruto.
Naruto, however, had been ready for such an onslaught and, deciding to experiment, whipped one of his other tails. With a burst of smoke, the shuriken caught fire and burnt away into ash before they even touched Naruto. Reveling in this defense, he sat on his haunches arrogantly, fully able to see Sasuke now.
However, he noticed that Sasuke looked a little different. He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he knew something was definitely wrong with what he was viewing. Maybe the burn to his eyes had messed them up in some way...
No, it is a bunshin. Notice how you cannot see the faint chakra lines around his body.
Kyuubi's help had come just in time as Naruto went on full alert and caught the Uchiha's arm gently in his mouth as Sasuke went to punch him. Sasuke was quite surprised, but quickly figured those demon eyes of Naruto's were somewhat like the Sharingan. The grip on his arm tightened, bringing a prick of blood from the sharp teeth.
All previous friendliness put aside, both glared at the other. Breaking the contest, Sasuke used his staggering lightening speed to grab a spare kunai and hold to the other boy's throat. However, at the same time, Naruto had let go of his hold on Sasuke's arm and had leaned up farther to lightly clamp Sasuke's throat in his jaws.
The resulting scene had caused Sakura to gasp and Kakashi to nod to himself in satisfaction. Rising lazily into a standing position, he held out his arm to indicate that the match was over.
"Draw."
Both boys held their tense position (still in their 'kill or be killed mode') a moment longer before relaxing. Twirling the kunai expertly, Sasuke placed it back in its holster in a well-practiced move. He stretched, wincing when the back of his head began to throb from the contact with the tree. Reaching back and touching the bump gently, he pulled back when he realized it was bleeding.
Naruto, in a fox-like act, stretched, his paws sliding forward in what appeared to be a bow before yawning, once more revealing the pearly white fangs lining the inside of his mouth. A scent caught his attention and he turned to Sasuke, who had a splash of blood on his hands. Whining, Naruto twirled his ears to lay against his back.
Although Sasuke had done pretty much the same to him, he still felt badly about it.
Hearing the whine, Sasuke merely shrugged.
"It's nothing."
However, Naruto still felt guilty and made it be known by staring at the other boy apologetically. Sighing, Sasuke rubbed Naruto's ears in an affectionate manner, successfully communicating that all was well.
Sakura just stared at the exchange.
"I shouldn't have used that flame jutsu to your face, I had forgotten that you may not be used to your new form quite yet."
The fox seemed to shrug before trotting over to Kakashi and Sakura, awaiting the "results." Slower, but with the same intention, Sasuke followed, absentmindedly rubbing the slightly bloody palm against the grass to get rid of the stain.
"You did quite well, Naruto. Nice display with the Kyuubi's power. However, you should learn to expect the unexpected. You were caught by surprise several times during that fight and a shinobi should learn to always be on high alert."
Naruto was proud of his progress anyway, besides, he had just received a draw with the almighty Uchiha survivor! Not that it mattered, but it was a nice touch.
Besides, now he could give Sasuke that excuse to have ramen again that night. He could think of it as a reward as a job well done for nearly besting him.
"Sasuke, you also did well. In an unusual situation, it was a good adjustment, especially with the bunshin, but same as Naruto, you need to expect the unexpected."
Sasuke nodded, and, deeming that training was over, turned around and began to walk home.
Naruto, realizing that he was being left behind, leaped forward into a canter to catch up, all the while scowling at the smirking Sasuke.
"You know the way back, dobe, don't throw a fit."
This comment sent Naruto into a fit.
How dare he!!
Dancing around the Uchiha survivor, Naruto barked and growled insults back, only causing Sasuke to smirk more.
"What's that? Oh I know I'm good looking, you don't have to tell me that."
This caused Naruto to stop completely, a completely blank look on his face. However, Sasuke just continued to walk, a little lighter in his step at the look on the other boy's face. Knowing that he had just confused the boy and not to mention irritated him to no end, he whistled a quick note.
"Come on, dobe, I don't have all day to show you back, since you have forgotten."
A quick yip and the sound of bounding paws behind him made him duck as the fox soared over his head. Unflinchingly, Sasuke continued his way home, albeit a little faster, creating a race between the two.
"Too slow!"
A growling acceptance to the challenge and the two disappeared into Konoha.
All the while, Sakura just continued to stare. And stare.
Why does Sasuke act this way around him?
She turned to Kakashi to ask the same question, but was met with nothing but empty air.
Sighing, Sakura slowly got up and made her way home as well.
Inside his cage, the immense form of Kyuubi paced, ears perked to something only he could see. Something was coming. And he had a feeling it was going to involve his host in a way he wouldn't deem comfortable.
(1): Kyuubi is making fun of Naruto by saying he has little brain control or something of the like.
(2): This whole time Naruto has been standing around doing nothing. Kyuubi feels that this is a bad image for himself (because Naruto has taken his form).
(3): By moving his tails slightly, I mean that Naruto could just crook his tail a little and that could be a hand seal to a fox.
I KNOW you guys aren't particularly happy with me, I wouldn't be either.
So, anyway, I'm sorry if my writing style changed at all....and if Kakashi was a little out of character, but I just wanted to focus on Naruto and Sasuke. However, I don't think I did that right either. Does it sound okay?
I'm personally going to kill this whole QuickEdit crap. Won't let me make a ten space indent to each paragraph....It looks so much better on
Mah, if you are looking for the chapter after Naruto has a nightmare and whatnot, it is Chapter 11. I just accidentally posted 10 twice and replaced the extra with Chapter 11.
For all my old fans: Read the note all the way at the top. It should pretty much explain why I abandoned it for a long while. I'd like to apologize for leaving you hanging for so long. Though, don't expect chapters real often. I'm rather lazy.
To new fans: Welcome aboard!