Boy, where have I been, well to answer that, not anywhere special. To answer why it has been so long since my last update, that has more to do with computer problems and me getting a job that requires way too much of my time. Hopefully I will update sooner next time, but I doubt it will be in a few days as I lost all my previously written chapters when my comp died. I also had a long period when I just didn't feel like writing, as the last few chapters, before the Gaiden Arc irritated me to no end, I just couldn't take the Sasuke-parading around, DAMN YOU KISHIMOTO AND YOUR FREAKIN GOLDEN BOY
BTW, Me no own Naruto, not that I would want to own the last 100 Chapters, not counting the Gaiden Arc, which I love….cause the Yondaime is a HOT pimp and is so Naruto's daddy, but in the non-sexual way, cause incest bothers me…most of the time.
Master of the House
He was running down the street, blending in as much as he could as he passed the various people setting up shop for the day. The sun had only been up for an hour now and he had already run around the village 10 times. He still had some of his morning exercises to do, but he planned on cutting them short as he was not quite sure what Asuma had planned for today. Making his way to his private field in the woods, he lit a fire a began to meditate, this time avoiding all human like shapes for fear of becoming more obsessed with certain people. Eventually finishing his meditation and other exercises with jitsus, he returned to the Yamanaka home to find most of them awake, all except Ino. Taking a quick shower and grabbing a bite to eat from the kitchen, he waited patiently for Ino to get up so they could go to Asuma's training location. When the time reached half an hour till the meeting, Namaru became antsy and got the location out of Shina, who said she would go wake Ino and send her along later. After his quiet farewells, he found himself at the location fairly quickly with no one there but a boy roughly his age, lying on the grass watching the clouds facing away from him. Namaru was more than aware of Shikamaru's pastimes, and didn't want to bother him, or more so didn't want to be asked questions by the genius that could reveal his identity, so sitting in a tree branch and hiding his presence with a half hearted effort, wanting to know how good the Chuunin was. Eventually twenty minutes past and Ino came running up to the tree and leaned against it, trying to catch her breath. When she eventually succeeded she leaned against the tree watching something, what, Namaru couldn't tell. Eventually she sighed as Chouji showed up, followed a few minutes latter by Asuma smoking a cigarette.
"Ino, where's the new guy, I thought he was staying with you and your family?", Asuma asked Ino with his usual dislike of tardiness.
"I thought he would be here by now, my mother said he left before I did", Ino said looking around
"He arrived a while ago, but I lost track of him after that", Shikamaru lazily added as he joined the group
"Really, oh well lets start with today's training", Asuma said half bored
"May I join you today", Namaru said indifferently as he appeared out of hiding, causing Asuma and his team to stiffen slightly as they went on guard.
"Namaru?, I take it", Asuma asked, after a nod in response, he said, "Next time make your presence known earlier, I hate tardiness"
"My apologizes"
"Ok, today we are going to work on teamwork, starting with introductions, then a little game", Asuma said with a sadistic grin, "I'll decide on what to train you all on after today's training and I see what Namaru can do"
After ten minutes of introductions, Namaru saying nothing more then he was from outside the village, and was trained by his grandfather, they began there little exercise, hunting Asuma, or closer to reality, hunting him with out being hunted themselves. Ordinarily, a Genin, even Genin with superior talent and experience, had no chance against a Jounin, but three Genin and a Chuunin all with experience and decent talent, could more then be a challenge for a Jounin, even one as powerful as Asuma. The moment that Asuma said to begin, Namaru, threw a smoke bomb and grabbed his two new team mates and fled from the clearing. When the smoke cleared Asuma just smirked and disappeared himself, the game had begun.
A good half mile away from the clearing they had started in, Namaru, his two partners, and unexpectedly to him Shikamaru, appeared.
"Why did you grab us like that!", Ino asked more than a little angry
"Yeah, you nearly choked me with my scarf", Chouji added in, not really angry, just really slightly irritated he was choked
"If we are to hunt him, we need a plan", Namaru said plainly
"And you have one", Ino asked
"Not at the moment, but I can track him easily enough, the smell of his cigarettes are powerful, as is that "unique" cologne"
"Well what about you Shikamaru", Chouji asked
"He's aware of what we can do, but not you, there fore we play your strengths and weaknesses to trick him, how is your taijitsu", Shikamaru asked Namaru
"Upper Chuunin, Lower Jounin level"
"and your gen and ninjitus"
"I know enough to make him nervous, but he knows who my grandfather is so most likely he will have a good idea of what I know, as for genjitsu, I only know a few, none of which are too strong. "
"Ok then, you will track him, Ino you look for traps, Chouji, you watch there backs, once you find him, you are going to drive him back to clearing, which I will be laying in wait."
"How do you suggest we drive him", Ino asked
"Chouji and Namaru are going to fight him in taijitsu only, if they don't use ninjitus, he won't likely use his daggers, which means you should be able to last long enough to get back to the clearing, Ino while they are fighting, you are to keep attacking him with genjitsu and try not to hit Chouji or Namaru with them."
"But my genjitsu isn't powerful for him to fall for it, he should be able to see through them", ignoring the comment
"That's not the point, he will to distracted fighting them and avoiding and shrugging off your genjitsu to notice that I am not anywhere in sight"
"Hmmm, we may not have to track him, he is heading our way", Namaru interrupted, before Ino could get mad
"Do you know how far away he is?", Shikamaru asked
"About a quarter of a mile, but he doesn't exactly have us, it looks like he lost our trail and is now trying a circular search pattern to find it, I suggest you head back to the clearing, I will flush him off our trail and then start tracking"
"How", Chouji asked
"Like this" and Namaru broke into a few seals. A small orb of fire appeared at his feet that then multiplied into four, "head north at a varied moderate speed, and in a minute, begin to burn off your chakra to a noticeable level" and with that the little fire orbs flew off into the woods, "I suggest we move to a new location and begin your plan, Nara-san"
"Alright", Shikamaru said a little curious as to what he had just saw
"When this is over you have to explain what that just was", Ino sound equally curious, but not as reserved and Shikamaru
"As you wish Ino-san", Namaru said and they were off
A minute later, Asuma, who was attempting to pick up their trail again detected a slight emanation of chakra, coming from multiple sources, heading north, "That didn't take long", and headed off after them, not realizing that hot on his trail was Namaru, Ino and Chouji. After several minutes of tracking what he though was his students, he finally caught up with them to realize that they were not his students but strange little orbs of fire. "Well that's odd", he said as he took out another cigarette and lit it, then blocked an incoming kunai with his lighter, "Better than I expected, but you owe me a new lighter", and as he turned around to run, he nearly met a kick to the face by Chouji. As soon as he tried to engage Chouji in taijitsu, Namaru came in a actually landed a blow on Asuma's side, simultaneously taking one of his knives as he really didn't want to have to deal with those. As they fought back and force, Chouji would attack with all his force, his only concern Asuma, while Namaru would perform quick strike attempting to stop blocking, all while Ino performed genjitsu after genjitsu on Asuma, causing him to falter occasionally. They would continue to go back and force, eventually forcing Asuma to move in the direction they wanted, and so far, the plan was working beautifully, until, Chouji actually hit Asuma, square in the chest, causing him to get serious. Drawing is single knife and performing jitsus on them, forced Namaru, to get serious him self. Blocking with his arm guard, he grabbed, Asuma's wrist, while Chouji used the opening to perform a push kick on Asuma, effectively throwing him fifteen feet closer to the clearing. Taking this opportunity, Namaru performed multiple fire jitsu, forcing Asuma to head even closer to the clear, and allowing Chouji to run up to Asuma and begin his assault again. After another ten minutes of fighting, Ino was getting extremely chakra depleted and Chouji was also getting tired of the constant assault. As Chouji began to slow down, Namaru began to pick up the slack, forcing Asuma to focus on him more so then Chouji. Asuma noticing the switch, while being slightly impressed, began to really focus on Chouji. Unexpectedly though, Namaru, kicked Chouji out of the way, surprising Asuma, and then really became serious with his taijitsu, causing Asuma to be fully on guard. The two went back and forth for about thirty seconds, Asuma the better fighter of the two landing far more hits than Namaru, realized his folly, when Chouji rejoined the fray, fully revitalized and just as dangerous as before, if not more so. When they finally reached the clearing, Ino jumped down for the tree and began using the last of her chakra to launch low level, but annoying jitsus at Asuma, waiting for Shikamaru to strike.
After a few more minutes of fighting, Ino was out of the fight and Chouji was tiring again, although Asuma was slowing down a little him self. It was at this time that Namaru noticed Shikamaru concentrating chakra somewhere in the area, as did Asuma, who jumped away from Namaru and into a nearby tree. Jumping after him, Namaru performed a high arc kick after he twisted in the air, a move very specific to his taijitsu style, which forced Asuma to falter for a second, allowing Namaru to kick him to the ground. When he got up, he realized he couldn't move, his shadow was connected to several points coming out of holes all over the area, he was effectively captured.
"Great job, you actually managed me to get serious and still trap me", Asuma said, "Release me and we can all get lunch"
"Do you surrender", Namaru said with deadly seriousness as he placed a large senbon needle to Asuma's corroded artery
"Calm down Namaru, when he tells us how we did, the exercise is over", Shikamaru said
"My apologizes sensei"
"That's ok, always good to be careful", he said rubbed his neck where the needle was poking him, "Come on, lunch my treat", and all five went back to town for food. When the arrived at the Barbeque place, Shikamaru, Chouji and Asuma watched in interest if Namaru was going to take off his mask, but were let down when he only took off the lower jaw revealing his chin and mouth.
"So what's with the mask anyways, I thought it was armor at first, but that doesn't seem to be the case", Shikamaru said very straightforward.
"Shikamaru!, be polite", Ino yelled and hit him in the head, then blushed at the outburst that had everyone in the restaurant looking at her.
"I don't mind Ino-san, to answer your question Nara-san..."
"Shikamaru, just call me Shikamaru, I hate being called Nara-san, makes me sound like my old man"
"Shikamaru-san, you were partially right, it is used as armor, but it also hides my defects caused by my blood line", he said, his voice low
"Defects?"
"I am badly marred all over my body"
"You don't have to tell us any more than that, I am more curious as to who taught you taijitsu, you use a very unique style", Asuma interjected
"I am not allowed to reveal my sensei's name, but you probably have some clue as to what she was"
"I wouldn't have guess until that last kick, I have only seen two others use that move before, the rest of your taijitsu was fairly basic or I couldn't see it very well"
"What type does he use, it looked fairly normal to me?", Ino said as she took a bite of her meal
"Something powerful from what I observed", Chouji said, "What is the style called?"
"Its name is classified, only a select few in the village use it", Asuma said before Namaru could speak, "so in other words, don't ask, and you can't tell them, as you should already be aware"
"Awww, but I wanna know", Ino pouted
"I am more curious about the jitsu you used to trick Asuma-sensei", Shikamaru asked
"It's related to my blood limit, explaining the mechanics of it would take all of the rest of today and half of tomorrow"
"Well anyways you four, meet me tomorrow morning for training, today's exercise told me your ability to work with others is quite excellent, except when you kicked Chouji, but I am guessing that was more so he could rest and take a soldier pill", Asuma said as he got up to leave, Chouji looking a little surprised that Asuma figured it out, and Namaru, well no one could tell what he was thinking as his mask was back together and no one could see his face. After Asuma finished saying his good byes, Ino suggested that they all hang out and get to know each other better, or in reality get Namaru to be around people. Shikamaru, seem entirely put out by the whole thing, which was the usual, Chouji seemed indifferent, although he would like to know about the taijitsu that Namaru used and Namaru himself felt incredibly uncomfortable with the idea. He had no problem being on a team with these people, in fact it was preferable to a lot of other people in the village, but he still was uncomfortable around people. After five minutes of begging/threatening, he gave in and the four of them left. After a quick walk, in which Ino mostly talked about herself, in which her other teammates were bored as they heard this almost all the time, and Namaru glad as he didn't have to talk about himself. They eventually made there way over to the ninja administration building, where they went inside and eventually to a lounge. Namaru became a little uneasy when he realized how many people where inside, even more so when he recognized many of them. In the corner was Kiba arguing with Shino about something, with Akamaru sitting by his master. Tenten, sharpening her weapons, as another girl was talking to her about some subject. Neji sitting near Tenten, trying to be part of the group even though the look on his face said otherwise. Others in the large set of rooms were other genin of various ages, some younger than him and many older. Sitting down with the rest of his group, they all began talking, occasionally asking Namaru questions, who answered what he could, but felt very uneasy with so many people looking at him, but then again the mask was there to protect his identity, and that thought did help somewhat. Eventually he got more accustomed to being around people, that and people stopped starting when Tenten came over after her conversation, curious who the new addition to team 8 was.
"Greeting Shikamaru-kun, Chouji-kun, Ino0chan, who is that with you today", Tenten asked trying to get a better look at the face behind the hood that hid it
"Oh this is Namaru-san, he is staying with my family and is our new team mate", Ino said as she looked up at the other girl and offered her a seat
"Hello, my name is Tenten, nice to meet you", she put out her hand to shake, in which Namaru put out his hand somewhat hesitantly and eventually shook it quickly and pulled his own hand back.
"Tenten and her family are all weapons experts, they forge most of there own stuff" Ino said
"Oh we're not that great, although my aim is near perfect", Tenten bragged slightly, "So, what's under the hood", she asked fairly straight forwardly
"My mask", Namaru said as he pulled back his hood revealing his mask, eyes glowing a soft red, causing Tenten and a few other of the younger Genin's to catch their breath in their throats and a few of the older ones to look on in curiosity. Noticing all the stares, he immediately pulled his hood back up. By the time it was back up, he looked down to notice a medium sized dog sniffing his leg, then backing up to growl at him. He couldn't quite explain what happened next, but he was bending down low and started growling at Akamaru, asking him what his problem was. When Akamaru opened his mouth and said, "You're the fox who claimed my friend", Namaru was speech-less. When no one else seemed to notice the dogs speech, he looked back down at the dog and said, "What do you mean?", he responded by saying, "You smell like the scent on her". Confused at both the fact that he was talking with a dog, and what the dog was apparently saying, "Who?". Everyone else was watching as Namaru was talking to Akamaru, who apparently was answering him back. This might have disturbed them more so, if they didn't normally see Inuzuka's doing it all the time. What happened next was both Akamaru and Namaru simultaneously raise there heads and turn towards the door, at which point Akamaru ran to the door running fast, tail wagging and Namaru, slinking back into his chair. The Door opened a moment later to reveal a group of medical nin students, one of which being Hyuuga Hinata, causing Akamaru to jump up and bark happily at her and Namaru to slink even further back into his chair. Everyone's eyes now on the barking dog, didn't notice his behavior, except one, Ino. She leaned over and asked him what was wrong; his response was a sort of mumble. Eventually Hinata, greeted her teammates, said her hello's to a few other people in the room and eventually work her over to Ino and her group.
"Greetings everyone", Hinata said with a bow, Shikamaru and Chouji nodded a hello and Ino greeting her in a friendly manner, Namaru trying to hide himself.
"So how was you training today, learn any new jitsu", Ino asked
"Nothing just yet, I am learned better control at the moment from my new mentor, a medic Nin named Shizune-sensei"
"O-Ne..", Namaru started to say, but the shut his mouth
"Do you know her Namaru-san", Hinata asked
"Sh-she was one oo-of my traveling c-c-companions, my O-Nee-san" Namaru said in a stuttery hurry
"Really, is she your real sister, cause she doesn't cover her self like you", Ino asked
"No, sh-she is not my real sister, but I do l-like to think of her as such"
"Do you have any other family"
"Just my O-Ji-sama, the rest are dead or have abandoned me", said calming himself down as the memory of his better half still depressed him greatly
"Thanks awful", Hinata said out loud in a matter of fact way
"It is not that bad, besides some of us in the world deserve to be alone, excuse I have to go", and with that, before anyone could answer, he got up and disappeared in a pillar of flame. After the shock of seeing a person burst into flame for a moment then suddenly disappear, Kiba came over to Hinata and told her, "Stay away from him, he doesn't smell right, and what Akamaru has told me worries me" after which he left as well, leaving a very dumbstruck Hinata, Ino and the rest of the group.
The Hokage was in her office, doing what she usually did, avoid any real responsibility and procrastinate on her paperwork, when there was a knock at her door.
"Come in", she said somewhat in a panic as she tried to look busy
"I have come to report another change in my condition", Namaru said as he came in, not bothering with pleasant greetings
"What is the change you have come to report, physical, mental or other", she said half joking as she was just glad it wasn't one of her assistants coming to check if she was working hard or hardly working. "Seriously thou, is it something that could possibly threaten the village or your identity"
"My identity is in jeopardy, I discovered that I can speak with dogs today, when an Inuzuka dog came up to me and chatted with me. He didn't know who I was, but he did identify as a fox, which has me concerned as older dogs and family members of the Inuzuka clan my recognize me via scent, or at least make a connection to the fox."
"Hmm, this is a problem… for now I want you to do nothing, but I do have an idea how to handle this. I was going to tell you tomorrow, but since you are here now, I might as well tell you, tomorrow I am declassifying that Naruto has been killed and will release that information to certain people in a few days, there will be a service at the end of the week"
"What if someone asks me about it, as I did supposedly travel with him"
"Tell the truth, for the most part, he died protecting you, just tell them that it happened six months ago, which is the official date"
"Yes Hokage-sama", he said as he got up to leave
"By the way, I am inviting his old team to the funeral, does this bother you"
"No", he said with an incredibly low voice suppress great amounts of rage as he dug his claws into the palms of his hands.
The rest of the week went on in a similar fashion, he would train in the morning, go to his team meeting/training session with Asuma, which turned out to be a better workout then he expected and then would return in the afternoon to the Yamanaka residence and would rest, after which he would go back out for more training in the woods with Rock Lee and would be back for dinner lest Shina beat him over the head, which she threatened if he were ever late. Two days before the funeral, the messengers were traveling around giving out invitations for the funeral to several people and families, not that Namaru expected that many people to show. The Yamanaka's had gone out for the evening to join the Nara's and Akamichi's for a big get together, which he was invited too, but declined as he felt he would feel out of place. It had been raining for half an hour when he heard a knock at the door, opening it, expecting to see a messenger, he found a soaking wet Hyuuga girl cry her eye's out, asking for Ino.
"H-H-Hinata-san, are you alright?", He asked as he was still unsure how to act around her
"Ino, I need to see Ino, please", she cried in total despair
"I'm sorry she's not here right now, can I-I help you", He asked, smelling the chemical markers of despair and sadness coming off of her. She immediately grabbed on to him pushing him to the floor crying into his chest, saying over and over again that he was dead, he was dead. Squeezing him tightly he didn't know what to do.
Ok, that's all for this chapter, I'll write the next one when I get the chance, hopefully soon