Bitz and Bites: -Skids into the room, three kunai held between the gaps in her fingers.- Oro?Oh! Hello there! I'm back from the dead as it were, with a new name and a new purpose; To write for my enjoyment, and your own. This is my first Naruto based fanfiction so if things seem.. well, crappy then I pray you can forgive me. Writing this has proven to be quite fun, and I plan to try and update every week or so.. so sit back and enjoy the ride!
WARNING! This story contains yaoi which is male x male pairings! Some scenes may not be suitable for younger readers or those that do not enjoy this genre. IF you do not find yourself drooling and creating a fan club over Naruto male pairings then please, do not read and try your best not to flame.. last I checked everyone was entitled to their own opinions. You have been warned, and for those of you that enjoy the lovely lemony mush.. ENJOY!
Manditory Mumbo Jumbo: I do not own Naruto, neigh. Masashi Kishimoto, the god of all gods, does.. Worships. However I do own, the story and if you wish to incorporate any ideas from this plot.. please give me credit. Nothing upsets me more than thevies.. -Brandishes scythe at the scoundrels in the shadows and marks their impending doom.-
-Summary- Uzumaki Naruto has always found it difficult to be accpeted in society, but as of late the world seems to look down on him. Forced through many hardships and now twice that many.. will our "loud-mouthed" shinobi survive what has to be one of the toughest chapters in his life?
"SPEECH", THOUGHT, FLASHBACK
..AND SO! On With Chapter One!
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Shadows And Strangers
The sunlight was slowly beginning to diminish under the powerful grasp of dark storm clouds, which swirled and washed their way over the once blue skies, turning them a degrading shade of dark gray. The forest which had once been alight with the gorgeous and warming rays of the sun, were becoming blanketed in a thick and near suffocating, cold shadow. Forest inhabitants, sensing the change in the weather began to scurry back to their homes, and those that enjoyed such dank and miserable events began to emerge.
As the winds picked up and began to thrash their way violently through the trees, villagers rushed to complete their last minute shopping before retreating to their abodes. However, one villager.. A young man, stayed in the center of the building storm. He was situated in the middle of the forest, surrounded by a large circle of trees. His body was poised and tense like that of a wolf preparing to strike, as limbs lashed out mercilessly at an old tree trunk. The subject's brilliant orange jacket and dark blue shirt were tossed, unceremoniously in a heap beside the tree which was being onslaught. A bead of sweat trickled down his bronzed temple and his vibrant golden locks, swayed with each strike on the withering tree. His breath came in heavy pants as his body slowly began to succumb to the stress it was being placed under, but the subject's large cerulean blue orbs remained focused on the point his appendages were hitting.
He barely noticed when the waves of rain began to fall from the heavens, and soak the land below it. Within moments, the young man's body was drenched to the bone. His blonde, once spiky mane now sagged under the weight of the water and caused the owner of the hair's bangs to fall before his eyes distractingly. His rolled up, orange sweat pants were thoroughly soaked forcing them to cling to his calves, and thighs like a second skin. It seemed that this had no affect on the subject, his bright blue eyes narrowing and darkening to a deep sapphire as he continued to relentlessly pound his weighted fists and feet into the tree trunk. His pattern seemed endering; right hook, left hook, right thrust, left thrust. A never ending symphony of powerful blows to the blessed creation of Mother Nature.
It seemed to go on for hours, his body never once stopping to the stress it was being placed under. It was only when the rainfall slowed, and the familiar feeling of a hand on his shoulder occurred that the subject finally ceased his war on the now near-destroyed tree trunk. The young male spun around, his cerulean gaze locking onto the deep and becoming eyes of his sensei Hatake Kakashi. When he realized who it was, his body relaxed and a small smile formed over his lips. Kakashi's eyes brightened softly as he smiled back warmly, his grip becoming softer for a moment before his fingers slipped from the young man's shoulder entirely. The golden haired male sighed deeply, his he allowed his gaze to trail toward the sky, where the sun was now peaking its way bashfully through the thick mass of depressing cloud.
"Its that time already?" The blonde inquired softly, his voice sounding curious and almost saddened. Kakashi nodded somberly, his head bowed as he gazed down at his current attire. The copycat shinobi was dressed down in complete black, similar to that which was worn at the funeral of the Third. The young boy bowed his head, hands clenching into tight fists that nearly drew blood from his palms. "Come now Naruto, it was expected. She knew the circumstances of the mission and took them with stride, she died honorably on the battlefield protecting those she cared for and loved more than anything. As a medical nin she had no choice, you of all people should understand that.." Kakashi sighed softly as he noticed his Kyuubi's hands begin to tremble more and the Jounin was not at all surprised when Naruto's rage erupted and was wrongfully directed at the poor sensei. "HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT!!" The boy raged, his eyes briefly flashing with that blood red tinge which indicated he was losing his temper at a rapid pace. "HINATA WAS THE ONLY REASON ANYONE FELT GOOD IN THIS GOD-FORSAKEN VILLAGE.. AND BECAUSE OF THAT DAMNED SNAKE BASTARD... She's dead." The golden haired shinobi bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut to force back those tears that threatened to leak from within his body. "Because of that disgusting, perverted, sadistic fucking asshole... Hinata is dead, and all because she had to protect the one she loved... If anything I feel bad for Shino."
At the mention of his former friends name Kakashi tensed, his one visibly eye closing to subdue the tears that were appearing. It took the slightly perverted Jounin a moment to collect himself before he rose his head and met his former student with a level gaze, his pale hand reaching out to lift the blonde's chin gently. "If anything Naruto-kun, you should at least go to her to funeral, she would want you of all people there... Considering you were her best friend and the only person besides Shino who she could talk to on family like terms." The Kyuubi nodded his head softly and smiled gently, "Your right Kakashi-sensei.." at these words the boy stepped forward and embraced his former sensei, almost exploding into tears as he did so. Kakashi smiled gently, but the sadness was visible in his darkened eyes. "Come Naruto... you should prepare, you have less than fifteen minutes before the precession begins." With a gentle squeeze of the young boy's body he drew back and turned away, disappearing in a wave of white smoke.
Naruto drooped his head and sighed deeply, "Hai, I suppose he's right." With a somber shuffle, the blond began his slow, sluggish return to his bachelor pad. It was only when he realized that he was going to be exceedingly late that he launched himself onto the roof of his favorite ramen shop and began to race across the roof-tops at a steady pace. As the shinobi landed upon the shingled roof of his home, he slid slowly down until he reached the window and braced himself. Planting his blood-dried palm on the edge he spun around in a three-sixty and sailed down, flying gracefully through his bedroom window. Almost as instantly as he landed on his feet, Naruto reached out and snatched his formal garments for the depressing event.
He was in the midst of pulling his black shirt of his outfit over his head when he heard the sharp but familiar knock of his teammates. Naruto hastily ran his fingers through his golden tresses and tied his forehead protector around his neck loosely, making his way for the door... He was not at all surprised when his fingers clasped the door handle and he found himself hesitating to open it. Though he loved his friends deeply, seeing Sakura's face would surely bring back everything he wished so much to forget. Still, he promised himself he would go to this event; hell he promised Shino he would go. So with an inhale of breath he swung open the door and met the faces of his comrades with a faint smile.
Within a matter of seconds his eyes flew up to meet Sakura's and he could see that they were dark, entirely devoid of emotion as he gazed into them. The usual mint green gleam was a deeper shade of jade, and the paleness of her face proved that she had been struggling to even live after the sickening events he surely would not argue she had seen. You see, Sakura Haruno was there on the front lines, when they had gone into battle. She and Hinata had become close friends in a matter of months and Naruto was sure that his close and beloved friend had seen the caring Hyuuga's death before her very eyes.
Without once questioning his motives, Naruto crossed the threshold of his door and quickly embraced the friend named after one of the most beautiful flowers. She wore a rather surprised expression, but was slowly able to return the show of affection. The Kyuubi drew back, his hands placed upon her shoulders with a gentle squeeze of reassurance. "I'm sure... that even though she is gone from us now Sakura-chan, she would not want you to be saddened by her leave. Although.. I cannot doubt it is going to be a hard, and depressing struggle to get through this event. I'm positive, Hinata is watching over us and pushing us to prevail like she always did in the past.." Naruto smiled softly, his eyes alight with loving emotion for his dearly departed comrade and best friend. It was nigh impossible to question whether the golden haired shinobi had changed over the years.. he was practically a different person.
Sakura nodded with the same gentle smile and moved forward to hug the once hyper ninja tightly, she leaned into his muscular frame and stood slightly on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear.. "Arigatou, Naru-chan." She then pulled back swiftly and turned away, beginning to advance down the hallway to the aparment's exit. Naruto watched her for a moment, his eyes clouding over for the breifest of seconds as a wave of thoughts rushed through his brain. It was only when a gentle tap on his shoulder made itself known, that the Kyuubi was drawn from his confused, and tangled web. He was slightly surprised when he met the gaze of Uchiha Sasuke, and he became near flabbergasted when he saw the faintest traces of a smile on the top-ranked shinobi's lips.
"That was a nice thing for you to say Naruto-kun.. you may be a dobe at times but, your never one to be aruged with when it comes to kindness.." Sasuke winked with yet ANOTHER smile and turned his back on the cerulean eyed shinobi, walking with his aura of power down the hall and after Sakura. It was only when the sharingan user had disappeared around the corner, that Naruto lifted his jaw from the floor and began to quickly run after them as he realized time was getting short for his arrival. Did Uchiha Sasuke just compliment me, and.. and.. SMILE?! The Kyuubi shook his head quickly to rid his mind of his self-centered thoughts. Now was not the time to thinking of himself, it was a time to be thinking, remembering, and caring for others.. in fact for all of the villagers in Konoha.
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The rain was practically ripping apart the ground beneath it, as it washed and drowned its way over the village. When Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had reached the reception; the winds were wailing and howling.. almost as if they were in pain. As he gazed around at the many people of Konoha village, Naruto was not at all surprised when he saw Aburame Shino, secluded. He was leaning on the wall of the village dojo, clothed entirely in black much like the rest of his homeland people. His arms were crossed and his head lowered, the usual air of significance he once held was gone and smothered beneath a wave of sorrow. The Kyuubi held his breath for a moment, casting a wary glance at his pink-haired companion.. She had seen the bug-master and already her eyes were clouding in the obvious form of tears. A heavy weight suddenly dropped upon the loud-mouthed shinobi's heart and he frowned so deeply that creases in his brow appeared. He had to do something.. he just had too.
With his mechnical jumble of a brain in overdrive the golden haired boy thought up a plan so quickly that you could have sworn you saw one of those trademark, light blubs appear over his crown. His movements, swift and steady, Naruto walked quickly to Sasuke's side. He leaned his body forward and with his lips meer inches from the Sharigan user's ear he whispered his solem request; "Keep Sakura-san busy for a moment, I need to speak with Shino before she has a nervous breakdown." As he pulled back, Naruto noticed the Uchiha's eyes flicker from the bug-master to his once cheery and compassionate teammate. Sasuke nodded slowly and muttered, "Don't be slow about it.. I'm no good with condolences." before he ventured forward towards his side mission and left the once-hyper shinobi on his own to comtemplate his next move.
For a moment, Naruto stood stalk still watching Shino from the corner of his eye. He was still unmoving, still looking as though he was bearly breathing.. if he was breathing at all. The Kyuubi was unsure of himself, he did not want to open his mouth and say something, only to have the thin ice beneath him crack and swallow him whole in the cold waters below. Closing his eyes, Uzumaki remembered faintly his teamate's words piror to this point; "That was a nice thing for you to say Naruto-kun.. you may be a dobe at times but, your never one to be aruged with when it comes to kindness..". With that thought fresh on his mind, Naruto turned heel and walked towards Shino with confidence. It seemed however, that the closer and closer he got to his companion the more that confidence dwindled and his steps were becoming more cautious by the minute. Finally after what seems like an eternity, the golden haired man arrived before the-bug master. Clearing his throat lightly, Uzumaki desperately tried to get Shino's attention.. but the boy seemed to like being unresponsive, acting as though Naruto was not even there or was just another crumbling brick on the wall. Growing somewhat angered by his friend's attitude he slowly began to lose his cool and say the one thing he never meant to say; "Stop being such a mopey dumbass Shino!" As those fateful words left Naruto's lips, they were just as quickly covered by his hand and the Kyuubi stepped back as though he had been scorched by fire.
"S-Shino.. I'm sorry I.. its just that.." Unable to find a reasonable explaination for his outburst, the Kyuubi lowered his head and frowned hard into the thickening mud under and around his feet. For a long moment, nothing was said, silence hung between the two like a massive cloud of darkness.. Then a voice, deep and masculine with a hint of power sounded beside them. "You know Aburame, the kitsune is right.. she would not want you to be sulking around and lacking in life like this.. its not you. In fact I think if Hinata-chan could see you now she would surely slap you harder than your life depended on, so lift that drooping mug of yours and try to brighten the hearts of those around you and those close to the one you loved.. much like Naruto-kun is attempting." After this long, almost heartfelt sounding speech, the voice went silent. A russle of cloth could be heard and moments later, much to a rather shocked Naruto's surprise, his chin was lifted by a cool index finger and the golden haired shinobi nearly gasped at what he saw before him.
Warm and brilliant green eyes. Not like the eyes of Sakura, no, these eyes were full of masculinity and were a much darker shade of green like that of a rainforest. These were the once constantly hidden eyes of one Aburame Shino, the eyes that were near always hidden behind a pair of accenting, round black sunglasses. Naruto almost lost his sense of reality as he gazed into those eyes, he could see years of wisdom that had already passed this young man by and he was not even in the age of his prime. The Kyuubi was rather shocked out his dream world, when a pair of strong arms embraced him gently and chin was placed upon his golden tressed crown. I never knew Shino had grown so tall.. Naruto mused as he returned the friendly and caring hug heartily. Then he heard Shino's voice, even through the heavy downpour that had begun he could hear it, crisp like an unplayed record
"Arigatou..Naruto-sama, I understand your intentions and you are right.. as always Naruto you are right. You know-.." Shino pulled back, looking down into the ice colored orbs that belonged to his companion and he smiled, speaking once more. "-your kindness is something that should never be argued with." Stepping back entirely, and letting go of the shorter boy Shino nodded a farwell before he slipped into the crowds, no doubt to find his good friend Sakura.
Naruto stood there, staring at the wall as though it held all the answers to the world within its many cracks and crevases, thus he was a little surprised when a warm hand came down onto his shoulder that caused light tingles to course through his nerves and veins.. and then that deep voice spoke once more, although this time much softer and more meaningful than the last. "He's right Naruto.. quite right.. I hope you never change." Even the voice caused a slight temor in the Kyuubi's body and finally his curiousity got the better of him. Spinning around almost in slow motion, Naruto came face to face with a man he had never thought he'd see again, and from this point on would never forget. "Gaara..."
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Word From Our Sponser: -.- ;;; Mou.. that was rather.. erm, surprising? Yeah! Anyhow, hope you enjoyed the first installment of this hopefully good fanfiction! Oh! And thanks to UnerasableSin for her support and proofing! YOU ROCK SHIKA-SAN! -Points to the reveiw button with a flash of puppy dog eyes, before scuttling off.-