Psychic King: *waving to the readers* you actually read my stuff!
Hurray!!!
Naruto: *walking on screen* How can you tell?
Psychic King: *points to the computer screen, full of not yet read reviews* See! Reviews!
Naruto: *glancing at the computer* Um. Why are all these reviews written to someone named 'Psychiatrist King'?
Psychic King: *runs to the computer* WHAT?
Naruto: Yeah, see here? *points to one message* 'Psychiatrist King, I loved your story about the inner workings of the psyche. I agree with you that people spend too much time worrying about the Now and Before rather than the Now and Latter, which you explained in your candy scenario.' What the heck does that mean?
Psychic King: *laying on the ground creaming* ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!
Sakura: *innocently walking by holding a laptop* Oh my! What's wrong with her?
Naruto: Donno. She just suddenly started screaming. Hey! OK, just the last few were written to Psychiatrist King, the rest were for her stories.
Sakura: *quickly hiding laptop* I don't know how that could have happened! We better not tell her, it would be terrible to shock her again so soon after the last one.
Naruto: *dubiously* If you say so, Sakura-chan.
Sasuke: What's up with the reject?
Naruto: *poking the still screaming Psychic King* She seems to be in shock because she got some reviews mailed to her that weren't intended for her story. *sends a worried look to Sasuke* I wouldn't call her that, if I were you. When she comes out of it, she is gonna be SO pissed.
Sasuke: *backing away slightly* I don't think she could hear me over her screams.
Kakashi: *suddenly appearing* Oh, I don't know about that, Sasuke. Women have very selective hearing when it comes to some things.
Iruka: *steps over the screaming author* what's going on?
Naruto: *a bit sadly* She's in shock.
Iruka: *Coolly* Oh! I thought she was normally like that.
Sakura: *in a frightened tone* Iruka's still holding a grudge that she made Kakashi carry her in the last chapter.
Naruto: *still looking at the computer* Hey! She has chapter four written.
Sakura: *runs over to computer and skims the chapter* Hum. We should delete it!
Sasuke, Kakashi and Sasuke: *quickly* Wait!
Kakashi: *in a teasing tone* I understand why Iruka and I are eager to see the next chapter. *muttering* Still hoping she'll get over her fear of lemons.
Iruka: *glomped onto Kakashi's arm, nodding*
Kakashi: *still in a teasing tone* could it be that you are eager to see some 'progression' of your own?
Sasuke: *flustered* SHUT UP!
Naruto: What do you mean, Kakashi-sensei?
Sakura: Oh no! I 'accidentally' hit the delete key!
Sasuke: WHAT? *runs to the computer and grabs Sakura by the shoulders* WHY?
Kakashi and Iruka: *smile at each other* Yeup. 'Progression.'
Psychic King: *standing slowly* heh heh heh. It's OK. It's OK. Writing is its own reward! *sniff*
Naruto: Oh! About that, only like three e-mails were sent to that Psychiatrist King person. The rest really were for your stories!
Psychic King: *energy returning all at once* Really? Oh thank God!
Naruto: But Sasuke's going to kill Sakura!
Psychic King: Oh. That's nice, Naruto-kun.
Naruto: Because she deleted chapter four of your story!
Psychic King: *runs over to Sasuke, still holding Sakura by the shoulders and shaking* WHAT??? *pushes Sasuke to the side* WHY would you do something like that? *starts shaking Sakura*
Sakura: *between gasps for breath* It- was- a- jo- ke.
Psychic King: *releasing the girl and glancing at computer* Oh, yeup, there it is. *pats Sakura on the shoulder* You should have just said so. *to the readers* Anyway, just a quick note before I start the story, I own nothing in this story except the original characters. *sigh* Well, without further ado! The long awaited fourth chapter of the story!
Sakura: Long-awaited? She barley let the readers take in LAST chapter.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Embrace of Solitude Chapter 4
The sky was unusually dark. Naruto sat on the side of a large hill, watching the darkest clouds quick approach.
"Looks like it's gonna be a bad one." Illia commented, stepping out of the cave.
"Yes." The blonde grabbed Illia's slender hand and pulled her into his arms. "Let's watch the approach together."
The red headed woman nestled into his chest, and Naruto couldn't help but notice how well they fit together. "I thought you were going to check on your brothers?"
"No." He replied softly, brushing his lips against the top of her head. "I can't leave you alone with the cubs with this kind of storm coming. The lightning makes their hair stand on end."
Illia gave her husband a gentle shove, playful tone in her voice. "I wish you would stop calling them cubs. They're our children, not some kind of animals."
The blonde took the abuse in good nature, but shook his head in reply. "They are our children, but my blood runs deep through their veins. Whatever you would call me, so will they be. Demons, monsters, animals, gods, it's all the same. Not exactly human." The last was said with at least some amount of bitterness. "I wanted more for them. Living like beasts alone in a cave is a pathetic existence."
Illia brought her hand to her husbands face. "We live and we are together, for now isn't that enough? We can worry about civilizing them when they are older." The last was said with a weary tone; the children, although the light of both Naruto and Illia's world, were wild, rambunctious and disorderly. She stood, wiped the dirt from her dress, and offered her hand to Naruto. "Come; let us see what our little angels have done to our home in our brief absence."
As Naruto took his wife's hand the scent of something more than the coming storm reached his nose. "Trouble is brewing somewhere." He commented, but the fiery woman had already released his hand and was far ahead of him. As the memory of their meeting flashed through his mind, Naruto couldn't help but shake his head. She had been brought to the cave he lived in with his brothers by the youngest of the four, Kentaar. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, then and now. The last six years and the troubles of giving birth to three healthy boys and one healthy daughter had only served to make her shine even brighter to her entranced husband.
He remembered her defiant eyes as Kentaar claimed her to be his future mate. The eldest of the brothers, Tagen (a half dragon), also noticed the hate in her eyes and took her to stay in his section of the multi-caverned cave with his human wife, Ulran and their three daughters. Tagen looked to Naruto, the second eldest, to help him keep the peace and protect the girl from Kentaar.
The time Naruto spent watching over Illia had only served to grow deep seeded feelings of love for her. When he found she returned the feelings, Naruto told his problem his younger brother, Aki (a half hawk), whom he had always been close to. Aki encouraged the two to be open about their feelings to Tagen and ask to be allowed to marry. Tagen agreed to the marriage, but constant conflict with Kentaar made it impossible for the two to continue living with Naruto's brothers. They moved out and set up a cave of their own, closer to the peaceful ninja village that Illia was from.
"Papa!" The voice of his youngest son from inside the cave brought Naruto out of his reverie. "Tenmar's picking on me!"
With a smile on his face, he walked into his home.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Naruto woke suddenly. "What the-?" His dreams were getting weirder and weirder. The other night he dreamt about standing outside the cave he lived in with Illia waiting for his sister in law to come and tell him that their first son was born. The dreams were strange, but so real. He WAS the fox demon while he dreamed, and the dreams ranged from a simple day of the demon's life to things as important as the birth of his children or the day he 'married' Illia (Naruto had never seen a wedding like that before, and wasn't sure if he would classify it as an actual wedding, but the meaning was there). It was becoming increasingly hard for him to think of the fox as a demon. The question that really started to bother him was WHAT had caused the fox, someone that seemed like such a peaceful, kind person, to go crazy and try to destroy the village that his beloved was from?
The question of where these dreams were coming from was also on his mind. Was the demon reaching out to him? That was the most likely option in his mind. He was also open to the idea that the seal was weakening, although that thought bothered him a bit. The option that bothered him the most, however, was that perhaps these were not visions sent to him by the demon for some reason, but that they were his own memories. That he WAS the demon and the seal only served to lock his power. That meant he'd been lying to himself his whole life and brought with it a guilt that was almost too much to bear.
Naruto tried not to think about that one, instead focusing on his training and missions which had started up again now that Kakashi deemed him 'fit to serve.' Relations between him and Sasuke had returned to normal, each enjoying the others company in private and ignoring each other or fighting constantly in public. It was a good arrangement and Naruto felt more comfortable in Sasuke's company than anyone else he could think of.
It was his relationship with Sakura that was suffering the most since the dreams began, a fact that caused constant torment to the blonde boy. Every time she talked, every time she moved a constant comparison would jump to Naruto's mind between her and Illia. It didn't make the girl look favorable. His infatuation was quickly dissipating, leaving him to wonder if he would ever be able to look at a girl again without having Illia's perfection thrown into his mind. At least he was still able to look at the pink haired girl as a friend and important teammate.
"Good morning, Sasuke!" He said in his normal I'm-cheerful mode. "What's for breakfast?"
Sasuke was not a morning person, a fact that Naruto found out after quickly after moving in. "Hurm." Came the reply, as the dark haired boy set some sort of steaming plate on the table.
Naruto quickly grabbed a spoonful of whatever it was and heaped it n his plate. Sasuke's cooking was never something Naruto recognized as anything specific, but it always tasted decent, more than Naruto could say for his own cooking. The remainder of breakfast was spent in silence, Naruto focusing on his food and Sasuke focusing on waking up.
A knock on the door signaled that Sakura was there to walk to their meeting place with them. This had become tradition in the last week. Sasuke and Naruto would eat breakfast and then Sakura would show up. The three would walk to meet with Kakashi and then go on their missions. Afterward Naruto would walk Sakura to her house, chat with her mother for a moment and then return home to have dinner already cooked by Sasuke. Afterwards Naruto would do the dishes and then he and Sasuke would go outside and train either together or separately until they decided to go to bed. Privately it made Naruto really deviously happy to force Sasuke into the role of his personal chief.
"Good morning, Sakura-chan!" He intoned around bites of his breakfast.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun! Naruto." Sakura still treated Naruto like he was something unpleasant to her, but it was becoming more of an act now. The fact was the boy's attitude towards her changed recently and it was making her. sad. In fact, ever since that day he was in the hospital, Naruto's attitude towards everything seemed to have changed. He was becoming more serious during training, he had almost completely stopped flirting with her, AND he never picked any serious fights with Sasuke anymore. He was still Naruto, still the number one loud mouth Ninja of the Konoha village, but he was now a more mature loud mouthed ninja. And for some reason the loss of his affections was pissing her off.
Naruto finished off the remainder of his breakfast and followed Sakura and Sasuke out of the door. Sakura was trying to glomp on to Sasuke's arm, but the stoic boy was resisting her advances. "Hey! Look over there!" Naruto pointed across the street where Skikamaru, Choji and Ino were heading into the barbeque restaurant. "Oi! Shikamaru!" He started doing extravagant hand waving, while jumping to ensure that he got Shikamaru's attention. "Over here!"
Sakura and Sasuke both sighed in disappointment when the other Gennin noticed Naruto and headed over with his team. "Geez, Naruto, you're so annoying." Shikamaru stated, scratching the inside of his ear.
Ino promptly tried to affix herself to the side of Sasuke that was NOT being occupied by Sakura. "Hi Sasuke-kun! Sakura. Naruto."
Choji pulled out a bag of potato chip and started munching. "What're you guys doing here?"
Naruto and Shikamaru both were engrossed in staring at Sasuke's magic ability to steal the women and Sakura and Ino looked like they were about to tear each other head off, so Sasuke was left to answer. "Training."
"Really?" Choji asked, grabbing another handful of potato chips. "We were just heading off to do that, too."
"You do your training at the Barbeque restaurant?" Naruto asked doubtfully to Shikamaru.
"No." Shikamaruto responded with a dismal wave. "It's the only place we can get Choji to meet us. It's such a pain."
"I didn't think the restaurant even opened that early." Naruto added, still in a doubtful tone.
"It does for Choji's family."
"Well, Ino-pig, I'd LOVE to stay and play with you guys, but WE have some REAL training to do." Sakura's voice dripped with insincerity. "We can't play all day at the Barbeque rest-." her words ended as she glanced at Naruto. He was looking at her like that again. The look held disappointment, distaste, and sorrow all at the same time. Throughout the week when ever Sakura did something unseemly or cruel his eyes would get that look.
"Hai, she's right." Naruto's VOICE even held some of the emotion. "We gotta meet with Kakashi-sensei! Of course, he won't be there, but." The group said their goodbyes and Sasuke sighed in relief as Ino finally let go of his arm, causing Sakura to let go as well.
The three members of team seven reached the bridge and began the long wait for Kakashi. Their wait was short in comparison to usual, to each of their silent relief. "Sorry I was late, I ran into an old friend and-"
"Liar!" Naruto and Sakura yelled simultaneously.
Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "Anyway, I have decided to cancel training for today! I leave you all to your own devices." With those words he was gone, leaving the Genin to stare blankly at each other.
Sakura immediately turned to Sasuke, "Why don't we train together, then? We could work on our team work."
"No." Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and turned away from the other two.
Sakura's face fell and Naruto felt a stab of pity for the girl. "Sasuke, you anti-social bastard!" He called to Sasuke's retreating form. "Ne, Sakura-chan, I'll train with you!"
"Pass!" She said shortly.
Naruto was about to comment on her being too cold, but his the corner of his eyes caught a box shaped rock moving towards him. "Huh? Is that." He moved forward quickly, and the rock followed. Naruto spun and stuck his finger at the device. "I know that's you, Konohamaru! Rocks aren't shaped like rectangles and don't follow people around!"
"I should have expected as much from you, Leader!" A young voice called, as the box exploded revealing three coughing children. Naruto watched with a bored face as the children once again went through their introductions (did they really think he had forgotten their names, or was this an attempt at dramatics?).
"Hai, hai, Konohamaru, what do you want? I was about to do some training!" Naruto grinned at Sakura and gave her the thumbs up sign.
The girl rolled her eyes and the children finally took notice of her. Konohamaru elbowed Naruto in the stomach. "Oh, I see. So she's you're. Eh? Eh?"
Naruto shook his head. "Naw, that's just Sakura-chan. She's too scary for me." He answered playfully.
Sakura felt as if the world had ended. 'Just Sakura-chan?' Since when had she been JUST Sakura-chan to Naruto?? The children's attention passed on quickly when they realized she was no one special and Inner Sakura was raging and breathing fire and throwing curses upon the unsuspecting Naruto. For calling her scary. yes, that was what was bothering her.
"'Sakura-chan?'" Naruto repeated innocently, already starting to back away.
"DIE!" Sakura screamed, throwing all her anger and confusion into her fists and throwing her fists towards Naruto.
"Uh." Naruto quickly backed away, but Sakura continued her attack. Giving up, Naruto turned and fled from the pink headed demon. "Gah! Sakura-chan! Kowai!"
"Leader, we'll save you!" Konohamaru called after the retreating blonde. "You monster! What kind of girl are you, to scare away our leader like that?" The three children were quickly pursuing Sakura, who in turn was chasing Naruto. They ran right past a pair of Sand-nin and a group of Ninja from the new Sound village in ignorant bliss, totally missing the fact that a worried Sasuke was trailing after them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In another section of Konoha the Hokage was announcing the upcoming Chuunin exam to the surprised Jounin Teachers. "Is it that time already?" Kakashi asked, feigning interest.
"Indeed, it seems like it's come early this year." Gai added, glaring at his rival.
"Even if the time has past quickly, it is here all the same." The Hokage insisted. "As are Ninja from our neighboring countries to participate. So I would like to know which of you plan on entering your students into the exam for the year. We'll start with the rookies."
Iruka sighed. He and Kakashi had talked about this. Well, argued was a more appropriate word. Kakashi insisted they were ready, Iruka begged that it was too early for them, especially considering the problems that Naruto was having. Kakashi returned that BECAUSE of the problems this would be a good exercise for the troubled boy. Iruka argued back that it would only be helpful if Naruto actually would be able to BEAT the other participants, and Iruka wasn't sure that was possible. Kakashi ended the argument by pulling his ultimate trump card. HE was now their teacher. HE had confidence in their abilities and if Iruka couldn't see how much Naruto had grown than perhaps he needed to talk another look at the boy. It was their first real fight as a couple and, although it ended with no name calling or blood shed (or even worse, talk of breaking up), it still had done its damage. The 'honeymoon' phase was over.
Kakashi stepped forward after giving Iruka's arm a reassuring squeeze. "I would like to nominate from my Team 7, Uzumaki Naruto, Uuchia Sasuke and Haruno Sakura."
Iruka turned his gaze out the window as the other Rookie Team leaders also nominated their students. He was a bit surprised that all nine of the rookies were nominated, but had trouble getting excited about it. He was not at all surprised when Gai nominated all of his students, though. Lee and Tenten certainly had grown in the last year. Neiji probably could have taken the test right away. He might not have passed, but he most definitely had the power to hold his own. As older students were mentioned he allowed his mind to wander. He wasn't familiar with students much older than the group with Lee as he only had been teaching a couple years.
"Very well," The Hokage said. "These names will go on my list unless there are any complaints?"
A few heads turned expectantly towards Iruka, but he shook his head. "If the Jonin have confidence in their students than I will trust their decisions." He could see Kakashi smile at him from under his mask.
"Fine, meeting adjourned. I leave each of you to tell your students the good news." And with that the Hokage was gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Iruka returned to his class room with doubts in his head, trying desperately to keep Kakashi assurances in his mind. The Chuunin exam was dangerous and, even in his own experience, many people died. How would Naruto handle that? He began systematically cleaning the room and setting things up for tomorrows lessons. Cleaning had the effect of calming whatever inner demons he struggled with and he could feel his breath even out.
"You should pay attention to your surroundings more." An unfamiliar voice said from behind him. "I would have had many chances to end your existence if I had wanted to."
Iruka spun around to stare in surprise at the speaker. He didn't recognize the man as someone from the village, but there was definitely something familiar about the way his blue eyes pierced into Iruka's soul. "I'm sorry; I don't think we have met. My name is Iruka." He extended his hand to the man.
The man looked at the offered hand for a moment as if unsure what to do with it before finally stretching out his own in a hand shake. "Tenmar. I am right in assuming that you are the man that trained the boy, Uzumaki Naruto?"
Iuka felt his shoulders stiffen, a bit of fear creeping into his heart. "What would you want to know something like that for?"
The man's returned smile was like seeing joy itself, and there was no mocking in his voice when he replied, "I was unaware that this question would cause any trouble."
The teacher felt a slight blush cross his face, suddenly feeling rather silly for making a big deal of the question. His eyes traveled down the man's body. He was rather handsome, with long, wild blonde hair tied in a quick pony tail, a thin, but muscular build and a face that held both innocence and wisdom. He was obviously younger than Iruka, but probably only by four or five years. Iruka's blush deepened as he realized he was caught staring and that the man was still waiting for an answer. "Yes, I was Naruto's teacher."
The man smiled that million dollar smile again. "Great! I have a few questions for you, then." The man's stomach gave a sudden growl. "Perhaps we could discuss it over something to eat?"
Nodding silently, Iruka followed the man out of the school.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kakashi: *angrily to Iruka* how COULD you just go off with some random guy that you are OBVIUOSLY attracted to???
Iruka: *backing away from the angry man* I-I didn't do anything! It was Psychic King-sama that wrote that! I had nothing to do with it, honest!
Kakashi: *rounding on Psychic King* Rewrite it!
Psychic King: Aww. Is Kakashi-chan intimidated by the big pretty blonde boy that's gonna steal Iruka away?
Kakashi: You WOULDN'T!
Psychic King: *sadly* No, I probably wouldn't, but I LIKE Tenmar. And he likes Iruka, don't you Tenmar?
Tenmar: *suddenly appearing in Psychic King Space* What? Where am I?
Psychic King: Ah, there you are! How does it feel to spontaneously come into existence?
Tenmar: *looking around suspiciously* Fine. I guess. I was just looking for Naruto-sama.
Kakashi and Iruka: *in surprise* Naruto-SAMA?
Psychic King: *clearing throat* I think that's enough of dropping hints on my future plot plans! *glances around* It's a good thing Naruto wasn't here. He has a terrible time keeping his mouth shut.
Iruka: You mean he knows something about this guy? *gestures to Tenmar*
Psychic King: *holding up hands* Oh no! NO, no, no, no, no! That trick won't work on me! I'm not telling you nothing! *turns to Tenmar* Don't you go telling them anything, either. Anyway, I called you here for a reason. What do you think of Iruka-sensei?
Tenmar: *blushing* that's not- I mean, he obviously has a partner! I don't think that I should. I mean, what I think doesn't really matter in this situation, right? *looks up hopefully*
Kakashi: *cracking knuckles* If you come within ten feet of my Iruka I'll kill you.
Iruka: *also looking menacing* Why would you say 'sama' at the end of Naruto-kun's name? Are you some kind of pervert??
Psychic King: *cackling evilly* Hee hee hee. It's SO nice to have you here, Tenmar-kun! Now that you've stumbled into my home you'll never find your way out! Hahahaha!!!!!
Tenmar: *gulping* Um. help?
Psychic King: *walking away from the three men* I'll just leave them to bond. *turns to the audience* Sorry, but I introduced another self created character. But Tenmar is harmless, really! Well. not completely, but he's a nice person! Unless he's been crossed or is really pissed off. Anyway! Back to my typical groveling. Please review! I love reviewers and I read my review to encourage myself to write more, so if you like what you read let me know! If you hate it let me know too! If you want something to happen let me know even more! Some basic notes to clear thing up.
YES, Naruto, Tagen, Kentaar and Aki are all half brothers and each is a different animal demon person thingy... There will be more information on this latter in the story, I promise. I will be having a large amount of self created characters. Mostly bishonen *scratches the back of head* Heh. I kind of LIKE bishonen. (Ok, more than kind of.) I am going out of town for the weekend, so the next update may not be for four or five days (but I might be able to get one more in before I go). =) The next chapter starts the Chuunin exam Psychic King style. Anything that is going to be a blantant repeat of what happens in the series (which I don't think will happen at all, to be honest, I have lots of ideas.) will be skimmed over IF and when it pops up. I don't like rehashing something that everyone is probably familiar with.
Psychic King: *waves enthusiastically at the readers* OK, you all come back now!
Naruto: *walking on screen* How can you tell?
Psychic King: *points to the computer screen, full of not yet read reviews* See! Reviews!
Naruto: *glancing at the computer* Um. Why are all these reviews written to someone named 'Psychiatrist King'?
Psychic King: *runs to the computer* WHAT?
Naruto: Yeah, see here? *points to one message* 'Psychiatrist King, I loved your story about the inner workings of the psyche. I agree with you that people spend too much time worrying about the Now and Before rather than the Now and Latter, which you explained in your candy scenario.' What the heck does that mean?
Psychic King: *laying on the ground creaming* ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!
Sakura: *innocently walking by holding a laptop* Oh my! What's wrong with her?
Naruto: Donno. She just suddenly started screaming. Hey! OK, just the last few were written to Psychiatrist King, the rest were for her stories.
Sakura: *quickly hiding laptop* I don't know how that could have happened! We better not tell her, it would be terrible to shock her again so soon after the last one.
Naruto: *dubiously* If you say so, Sakura-chan.
Sasuke: What's up with the reject?
Naruto: *poking the still screaming Psychic King* She seems to be in shock because she got some reviews mailed to her that weren't intended for her story. *sends a worried look to Sasuke* I wouldn't call her that, if I were you. When she comes out of it, she is gonna be SO pissed.
Sasuke: *backing away slightly* I don't think she could hear me over her screams.
Kakashi: *suddenly appearing* Oh, I don't know about that, Sasuke. Women have very selective hearing when it comes to some things.
Iruka: *steps over the screaming author* what's going on?
Naruto: *a bit sadly* She's in shock.
Iruka: *Coolly* Oh! I thought she was normally like that.
Sakura: *in a frightened tone* Iruka's still holding a grudge that she made Kakashi carry her in the last chapter.
Naruto: *still looking at the computer* Hey! She has chapter four written.
Sakura: *runs over to computer and skims the chapter* Hum. We should delete it!
Sasuke, Kakashi and Sasuke: *quickly* Wait!
Kakashi: *in a teasing tone* I understand why Iruka and I are eager to see the next chapter. *muttering* Still hoping she'll get over her fear of lemons.
Iruka: *glomped onto Kakashi's arm, nodding*
Kakashi: *still in a teasing tone* could it be that you are eager to see some 'progression' of your own?
Sasuke: *flustered* SHUT UP!
Naruto: What do you mean, Kakashi-sensei?
Sakura: Oh no! I 'accidentally' hit the delete key!
Sasuke: WHAT? *runs to the computer and grabs Sakura by the shoulders* WHY?
Kakashi and Iruka: *smile at each other* Yeup. 'Progression.'
Psychic King: *standing slowly* heh heh heh. It's OK. It's OK. Writing is its own reward! *sniff*
Naruto: Oh! About that, only like three e-mails were sent to that Psychiatrist King person. The rest really were for your stories!
Psychic King: *energy returning all at once* Really? Oh thank God!
Naruto: But Sasuke's going to kill Sakura!
Psychic King: Oh. That's nice, Naruto-kun.
Naruto: Because she deleted chapter four of your story!
Psychic King: *runs over to Sasuke, still holding Sakura by the shoulders and shaking* WHAT??? *pushes Sasuke to the side* WHY would you do something like that? *starts shaking Sakura*
Sakura: *between gasps for breath* It- was- a- jo- ke.
Psychic King: *releasing the girl and glancing at computer* Oh, yeup, there it is. *pats Sakura on the shoulder* You should have just said so. *to the readers* Anyway, just a quick note before I start the story, I own nothing in this story except the original characters. *sigh* Well, without further ado! The long awaited fourth chapter of the story!
Sakura: Long-awaited? She barley let the readers take in LAST chapter.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Embrace of Solitude Chapter 4
The sky was unusually dark. Naruto sat on the side of a large hill, watching the darkest clouds quick approach.
"Looks like it's gonna be a bad one." Illia commented, stepping out of the cave.
"Yes." The blonde grabbed Illia's slender hand and pulled her into his arms. "Let's watch the approach together."
The red headed woman nestled into his chest, and Naruto couldn't help but notice how well they fit together. "I thought you were going to check on your brothers?"
"No." He replied softly, brushing his lips against the top of her head. "I can't leave you alone with the cubs with this kind of storm coming. The lightning makes their hair stand on end."
Illia gave her husband a gentle shove, playful tone in her voice. "I wish you would stop calling them cubs. They're our children, not some kind of animals."
The blonde took the abuse in good nature, but shook his head in reply. "They are our children, but my blood runs deep through their veins. Whatever you would call me, so will they be. Demons, monsters, animals, gods, it's all the same. Not exactly human." The last was said with at least some amount of bitterness. "I wanted more for them. Living like beasts alone in a cave is a pathetic existence."
Illia brought her hand to her husbands face. "We live and we are together, for now isn't that enough? We can worry about civilizing them when they are older." The last was said with a weary tone; the children, although the light of both Naruto and Illia's world, were wild, rambunctious and disorderly. She stood, wiped the dirt from her dress, and offered her hand to Naruto. "Come; let us see what our little angels have done to our home in our brief absence."
As Naruto took his wife's hand the scent of something more than the coming storm reached his nose. "Trouble is brewing somewhere." He commented, but the fiery woman had already released his hand and was far ahead of him. As the memory of their meeting flashed through his mind, Naruto couldn't help but shake his head. She had been brought to the cave he lived in with his brothers by the youngest of the four, Kentaar. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, then and now. The last six years and the troubles of giving birth to three healthy boys and one healthy daughter had only served to make her shine even brighter to her entranced husband.
He remembered her defiant eyes as Kentaar claimed her to be his future mate. The eldest of the brothers, Tagen (a half dragon), also noticed the hate in her eyes and took her to stay in his section of the multi-caverned cave with his human wife, Ulran and their three daughters. Tagen looked to Naruto, the second eldest, to help him keep the peace and protect the girl from Kentaar.
The time Naruto spent watching over Illia had only served to grow deep seeded feelings of love for her. When he found she returned the feelings, Naruto told his problem his younger brother, Aki (a half hawk), whom he had always been close to. Aki encouraged the two to be open about their feelings to Tagen and ask to be allowed to marry. Tagen agreed to the marriage, but constant conflict with Kentaar made it impossible for the two to continue living with Naruto's brothers. They moved out and set up a cave of their own, closer to the peaceful ninja village that Illia was from.
"Papa!" The voice of his youngest son from inside the cave brought Naruto out of his reverie. "Tenmar's picking on me!"
With a smile on his face, he walked into his home.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Naruto woke suddenly. "What the-?" His dreams were getting weirder and weirder. The other night he dreamt about standing outside the cave he lived in with Illia waiting for his sister in law to come and tell him that their first son was born. The dreams were strange, but so real. He WAS the fox demon while he dreamed, and the dreams ranged from a simple day of the demon's life to things as important as the birth of his children or the day he 'married' Illia (Naruto had never seen a wedding like that before, and wasn't sure if he would classify it as an actual wedding, but the meaning was there). It was becoming increasingly hard for him to think of the fox as a demon. The question that really started to bother him was WHAT had caused the fox, someone that seemed like such a peaceful, kind person, to go crazy and try to destroy the village that his beloved was from?
The question of where these dreams were coming from was also on his mind. Was the demon reaching out to him? That was the most likely option in his mind. He was also open to the idea that the seal was weakening, although that thought bothered him a bit. The option that bothered him the most, however, was that perhaps these were not visions sent to him by the demon for some reason, but that they were his own memories. That he WAS the demon and the seal only served to lock his power. That meant he'd been lying to himself his whole life and brought with it a guilt that was almost too much to bear.
Naruto tried not to think about that one, instead focusing on his training and missions which had started up again now that Kakashi deemed him 'fit to serve.' Relations between him and Sasuke had returned to normal, each enjoying the others company in private and ignoring each other or fighting constantly in public. It was a good arrangement and Naruto felt more comfortable in Sasuke's company than anyone else he could think of.
It was his relationship with Sakura that was suffering the most since the dreams began, a fact that caused constant torment to the blonde boy. Every time she talked, every time she moved a constant comparison would jump to Naruto's mind between her and Illia. It didn't make the girl look favorable. His infatuation was quickly dissipating, leaving him to wonder if he would ever be able to look at a girl again without having Illia's perfection thrown into his mind. At least he was still able to look at the pink haired girl as a friend and important teammate.
"Good morning, Sasuke!" He said in his normal I'm-cheerful mode. "What's for breakfast?"
Sasuke was not a morning person, a fact that Naruto found out after quickly after moving in. "Hurm." Came the reply, as the dark haired boy set some sort of steaming plate on the table.
Naruto quickly grabbed a spoonful of whatever it was and heaped it n his plate. Sasuke's cooking was never something Naruto recognized as anything specific, but it always tasted decent, more than Naruto could say for his own cooking. The remainder of breakfast was spent in silence, Naruto focusing on his food and Sasuke focusing on waking up.
A knock on the door signaled that Sakura was there to walk to their meeting place with them. This had become tradition in the last week. Sasuke and Naruto would eat breakfast and then Sakura would show up. The three would walk to meet with Kakashi and then go on their missions. Afterward Naruto would walk Sakura to her house, chat with her mother for a moment and then return home to have dinner already cooked by Sasuke. Afterwards Naruto would do the dishes and then he and Sasuke would go outside and train either together or separately until they decided to go to bed. Privately it made Naruto really deviously happy to force Sasuke into the role of his personal chief.
"Good morning, Sakura-chan!" He intoned around bites of his breakfast.
"Good morning, Sasuke-kun! Naruto." Sakura still treated Naruto like he was something unpleasant to her, but it was becoming more of an act now. The fact was the boy's attitude towards her changed recently and it was making her. sad. In fact, ever since that day he was in the hospital, Naruto's attitude towards everything seemed to have changed. He was becoming more serious during training, he had almost completely stopped flirting with her, AND he never picked any serious fights with Sasuke anymore. He was still Naruto, still the number one loud mouth Ninja of the Konoha village, but he was now a more mature loud mouthed ninja. And for some reason the loss of his affections was pissing her off.
Naruto finished off the remainder of his breakfast and followed Sakura and Sasuke out of the door. Sakura was trying to glomp on to Sasuke's arm, but the stoic boy was resisting her advances. "Hey! Look over there!" Naruto pointed across the street where Skikamaru, Choji and Ino were heading into the barbeque restaurant. "Oi! Shikamaru!" He started doing extravagant hand waving, while jumping to ensure that he got Shikamaru's attention. "Over here!"
Sakura and Sasuke both sighed in disappointment when the other Gennin noticed Naruto and headed over with his team. "Geez, Naruto, you're so annoying." Shikamaru stated, scratching the inside of his ear.
Ino promptly tried to affix herself to the side of Sasuke that was NOT being occupied by Sakura. "Hi Sasuke-kun! Sakura. Naruto."
Choji pulled out a bag of potato chip and started munching. "What're you guys doing here?"
Naruto and Shikamaru both were engrossed in staring at Sasuke's magic ability to steal the women and Sakura and Ino looked like they were about to tear each other head off, so Sasuke was left to answer. "Training."
"Really?" Choji asked, grabbing another handful of potato chips. "We were just heading off to do that, too."
"You do your training at the Barbeque restaurant?" Naruto asked doubtfully to Shikamaru.
"No." Shikamaruto responded with a dismal wave. "It's the only place we can get Choji to meet us. It's such a pain."
"I didn't think the restaurant even opened that early." Naruto added, still in a doubtful tone.
"It does for Choji's family."
"Well, Ino-pig, I'd LOVE to stay and play with you guys, but WE have some REAL training to do." Sakura's voice dripped with insincerity. "We can't play all day at the Barbeque rest-." her words ended as she glanced at Naruto. He was looking at her like that again. The look held disappointment, distaste, and sorrow all at the same time. Throughout the week when ever Sakura did something unseemly or cruel his eyes would get that look.
"Hai, she's right." Naruto's VOICE even held some of the emotion. "We gotta meet with Kakashi-sensei! Of course, he won't be there, but." The group said their goodbyes and Sasuke sighed in relief as Ino finally let go of his arm, causing Sakura to let go as well.
The three members of team seven reached the bridge and began the long wait for Kakashi. Their wait was short in comparison to usual, to each of their silent relief. "Sorry I was late, I ran into an old friend and-"
"Liar!" Naruto and Sakura yelled simultaneously.
Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "Anyway, I have decided to cancel training for today! I leave you all to your own devices." With those words he was gone, leaving the Genin to stare blankly at each other.
Sakura immediately turned to Sasuke, "Why don't we train together, then? We could work on our team work."
"No." Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and turned away from the other two.
Sakura's face fell and Naruto felt a stab of pity for the girl. "Sasuke, you anti-social bastard!" He called to Sasuke's retreating form. "Ne, Sakura-chan, I'll train with you!"
"Pass!" She said shortly.
Naruto was about to comment on her being too cold, but his the corner of his eyes caught a box shaped rock moving towards him. "Huh? Is that." He moved forward quickly, and the rock followed. Naruto spun and stuck his finger at the device. "I know that's you, Konohamaru! Rocks aren't shaped like rectangles and don't follow people around!"
"I should have expected as much from you, Leader!" A young voice called, as the box exploded revealing three coughing children. Naruto watched with a bored face as the children once again went through their introductions (did they really think he had forgotten their names, or was this an attempt at dramatics?).
"Hai, hai, Konohamaru, what do you want? I was about to do some training!" Naruto grinned at Sakura and gave her the thumbs up sign.
The girl rolled her eyes and the children finally took notice of her. Konohamaru elbowed Naruto in the stomach. "Oh, I see. So she's you're. Eh? Eh?"
Naruto shook his head. "Naw, that's just Sakura-chan. She's too scary for me." He answered playfully.
Sakura felt as if the world had ended. 'Just Sakura-chan?' Since when had she been JUST Sakura-chan to Naruto?? The children's attention passed on quickly when they realized she was no one special and Inner Sakura was raging and breathing fire and throwing curses upon the unsuspecting Naruto. For calling her scary. yes, that was what was bothering her.
"'Sakura-chan?'" Naruto repeated innocently, already starting to back away.
"DIE!" Sakura screamed, throwing all her anger and confusion into her fists and throwing her fists towards Naruto.
"Uh." Naruto quickly backed away, but Sakura continued her attack. Giving up, Naruto turned and fled from the pink headed demon. "Gah! Sakura-chan! Kowai!"
"Leader, we'll save you!" Konohamaru called after the retreating blonde. "You monster! What kind of girl are you, to scare away our leader like that?" The three children were quickly pursuing Sakura, who in turn was chasing Naruto. They ran right past a pair of Sand-nin and a group of Ninja from the new Sound village in ignorant bliss, totally missing the fact that a worried Sasuke was trailing after them.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In another section of Konoha the Hokage was announcing the upcoming Chuunin exam to the surprised Jounin Teachers. "Is it that time already?" Kakashi asked, feigning interest.
"Indeed, it seems like it's come early this year." Gai added, glaring at his rival.
"Even if the time has past quickly, it is here all the same." The Hokage insisted. "As are Ninja from our neighboring countries to participate. So I would like to know which of you plan on entering your students into the exam for the year. We'll start with the rookies."
Iruka sighed. He and Kakashi had talked about this. Well, argued was a more appropriate word. Kakashi insisted they were ready, Iruka begged that it was too early for them, especially considering the problems that Naruto was having. Kakashi returned that BECAUSE of the problems this would be a good exercise for the troubled boy. Iruka argued back that it would only be helpful if Naruto actually would be able to BEAT the other participants, and Iruka wasn't sure that was possible. Kakashi ended the argument by pulling his ultimate trump card. HE was now their teacher. HE had confidence in their abilities and if Iruka couldn't see how much Naruto had grown than perhaps he needed to talk another look at the boy. It was their first real fight as a couple and, although it ended with no name calling or blood shed (or even worse, talk of breaking up), it still had done its damage. The 'honeymoon' phase was over.
Kakashi stepped forward after giving Iruka's arm a reassuring squeeze. "I would like to nominate from my Team 7, Uzumaki Naruto, Uuchia Sasuke and Haruno Sakura."
Iruka turned his gaze out the window as the other Rookie Team leaders also nominated their students. He was a bit surprised that all nine of the rookies were nominated, but had trouble getting excited about it. He was not at all surprised when Gai nominated all of his students, though. Lee and Tenten certainly had grown in the last year. Neiji probably could have taken the test right away. He might not have passed, but he most definitely had the power to hold his own. As older students were mentioned he allowed his mind to wander. He wasn't familiar with students much older than the group with Lee as he only had been teaching a couple years.
"Very well," The Hokage said. "These names will go on my list unless there are any complaints?"
A few heads turned expectantly towards Iruka, but he shook his head. "If the Jonin have confidence in their students than I will trust their decisions." He could see Kakashi smile at him from under his mask.
"Fine, meeting adjourned. I leave each of you to tell your students the good news." And with that the Hokage was gone.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Iruka returned to his class room with doubts in his head, trying desperately to keep Kakashi assurances in his mind. The Chuunin exam was dangerous and, even in his own experience, many people died. How would Naruto handle that? He began systematically cleaning the room and setting things up for tomorrows lessons. Cleaning had the effect of calming whatever inner demons he struggled with and he could feel his breath even out.
"You should pay attention to your surroundings more." An unfamiliar voice said from behind him. "I would have had many chances to end your existence if I had wanted to."
Iruka spun around to stare in surprise at the speaker. He didn't recognize the man as someone from the village, but there was definitely something familiar about the way his blue eyes pierced into Iruka's soul. "I'm sorry; I don't think we have met. My name is Iruka." He extended his hand to the man.
The man looked at the offered hand for a moment as if unsure what to do with it before finally stretching out his own in a hand shake. "Tenmar. I am right in assuming that you are the man that trained the boy, Uzumaki Naruto?"
Iuka felt his shoulders stiffen, a bit of fear creeping into his heart. "What would you want to know something like that for?"
The man's returned smile was like seeing joy itself, and there was no mocking in his voice when he replied, "I was unaware that this question would cause any trouble."
The teacher felt a slight blush cross his face, suddenly feeling rather silly for making a big deal of the question. His eyes traveled down the man's body. He was rather handsome, with long, wild blonde hair tied in a quick pony tail, a thin, but muscular build and a face that held both innocence and wisdom. He was obviously younger than Iruka, but probably only by four or five years. Iruka's blush deepened as he realized he was caught staring and that the man was still waiting for an answer. "Yes, I was Naruto's teacher."
The man smiled that million dollar smile again. "Great! I have a few questions for you, then." The man's stomach gave a sudden growl. "Perhaps we could discuss it over something to eat?"
Nodding silently, Iruka followed the man out of the school.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kakashi: *angrily to Iruka* how COULD you just go off with some random guy that you are OBVIUOSLY attracted to???
Iruka: *backing away from the angry man* I-I didn't do anything! It was Psychic King-sama that wrote that! I had nothing to do with it, honest!
Kakashi: *rounding on Psychic King* Rewrite it!
Psychic King: Aww. Is Kakashi-chan intimidated by the big pretty blonde boy that's gonna steal Iruka away?
Kakashi: You WOULDN'T!
Psychic King: *sadly* No, I probably wouldn't, but I LIKE Tenmar. And he likes Iruka, don't you Tenmar?
Tenmar: *suddenly appearing in Psychic King Space* What? Where am I?
Psychic King: Ah, there you are! How does it feel to spontaneously come into existence?
Tenmar: *looking around suspiciously* Fine. I guess. I was just looking for Naruto-sama.
Kakashi and Iruka: *in surprise* Naruto-SAMA?
Psychic King: *clearing throat* I think that's enough of dropping hints on my future plot plans! *glances around* It's a good thing Naruto wasn't here. He has a terrible time keeping his mouth shut.
Iruka: You mean he knows something about this guy? *gestures to Tenmar*
Psychic King: *holding up hands* Oh no! NO, no, no, no, no! That trick won't work on me! I'm not telling you nothing! *turns to Tenmar* Don't you go telling them anything, either. Anyway, I called you here for a reason. What do you think of Iruka-sensei?
Tenmar: *blushing* that's not- I mean, he obviously has a partner! I don't think that I should. I mean, what I think doesn't really matter in this situation, right? *looks up hopefully*
Kakashi: *cracking knuckles* If you come within ten feet of my Iruka I'll kill you.
Iruka: *also looking menacing* Why would you say 'sama' at the end of Naruto-kun's name? Are you some kind of pervert??
Psychic King: *cackling evilly* Hee hee hee. It's SO nice to have you here, Tenmar-kun! Now that you've stumbled into my home you'll never find your way out! Hahahaha!!!!!
Tenmar: *gulping* Um. help?
Psychic King: *walking away from the three men* I'll just leave them to bond. *turns to the audience* Sorry, but I introduced another self created character. But Tenmar is harmless, really! Well. not completely, but he's a nice person! Unless he's been crossed or is really pissed off. Anyway! Back to my typical groveling. Please review! I love reviewers and I read my review to encourage myself to write more, so if you like what you read let me know! If you hate it let me know too! If you want something to happen let me know even more! Some basic notes to clear thing up.
YES, Naruto, Tagen, Kentaar and Aki are all half brothers and each is a different animal demon person thingy... There will be more information on this latter in the story, I promise. I will be having a large amount of self created characters. Mostly bishonen *scratches the back of head* Heh. I kind of LIKE bishonen. (Ok, more than kind of.) I am going out of town for the weekend, so the next update may not be for four or five days (but I might be able to get one more in before I go). =) The next chapter starts the Chuunin exam Psychic King style. Anything that is going to be a blantant repeat of what happens in the series (which I don't think will happen at all, to be honest, I have lots of ideas.) will be skimmed over IF and when it pops up. I don't like rehashing something that everyone is probably familiar with.
Psychic King: *waves enthusiastically at the readers* OK, you all come back now!