AN: So here we are at chapter 8. I've decided to quit whining about the lack of reviews and just write. The rest will fall into stride around chapter 50 or so, lol. And so everyone knows, as long as I feel the urge to write, this story will keep growing, because in my head I'm already up to about the 40th chapter. We shall see, ne?

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Tracing the Clouds

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Chapter 8: The Ruse

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The blonde shinobi strutted his way fearlessly through the clearing, completely oblivious to the world around him. Marching directly up to the restrained pink-haired Kunoichi, he gave her his biggest, best toothy grin. "Ah, Sakura, I see you have a bell! One might wonder why you're tied to a tree, but a wise man once said 'Don't look a gift-horse in the mouth' so..." With that, he reached up, plucking the tinkling silver orb from her grasp.

"Naruto NO! It's a—"Too late. A large log swung low, sweeping an agape Naruto off his feet, and depositing him into a nearby tree trunk, his abdomen crushed flat on impact. Kakashi's eyebrow raised, and Iro grimaced. "Too hasty, Naruto. Gift-horses have dental problems." All three observers, however, gawked when the Naruto that had become one with nature disappeared in a puff of smoke, after muttering darkly about not 'getting paid enough for this'. The real Naruto chuckled as he lowered himself stealthily down behind a dumbfounded Iro.

"Don't underestimate me, Sound-nin." Naruto pulled his arm back to place the finishing blow on the boy's head, but was rudely interrupted as two kunai appeared from nowhere in his target's hands, which were then thrust into his abdomen. Naruto disappeared once again, this time a log taking his place, which suddenly advanced on an agitated Iro at an alarming rate, smiling blonde Leaf-nin in tow. The smile faltered slightly as the log continued to travel, meeting only air as it hurled directly through where Naruto's adversary had crouched only seconds ago. Letting the log continue on it's merry way, sailing into the brush, the sandy-haired ninja perched lightly on the very branch Iro had just disappeared from, glancing left and right. Cerulean eyes grinned down at Iro as they spotted him, struggling not to breathe hard as he returned the stare from the forest floor.

Kakashi's visible eye widened ever so slightly. He hadn't been able to track the kid's movements. Was it possible he could move faster than the eye could track? No, the human body simply didn't permit it. It had to have something to do with his clan's special abilities. He made a mental note to question him further on this subject later. Doing his best not to draw too much attention, he brought a hand to his Hitai-ita, adjusting it, allowing his Sharingan to acquaint itself with the assailing sunlight. He'd get to the bottom of this, and hey, who knew? Perhaps he'd learn a new trick or two.

Sakura's face fell, her inner half's jaw resting firmly on the ground. They were so fast. Her vision had trouble following Naruto, and her eyes seemed to fail Iro completely. He had altogether disappeared a moment ago, leaving her breathless as she frantically scanned the tree line for any sign of him, green eyes finally coming to a stop on his tense form as it seemed to jump into existence a few feet to her left. She hung her head. When was she going to stop being such a Mary Sue, anyway? She was so tired of always being so weak. Sure, he was in actually a Chuunin, trained under what were in all likelihood much stricter guideline with much more deadly opponents, but still, he was barely a gennin here, and the fact that he had downright whipped her twice now still stung.

Naruto simply grinned, knowing he had the upper hand. Sure, Iro had easily dodged his attack, and yeah, whatever it was the young man had just done was mind-boggling, but he still had his victory in plain sight. Iro's normally tight-woven hand bandages hung loosely now, his scarred digits and palms seeming to radiate with an unnatural power. He had caused the other ninja to get serious, and now it was only a matter of time. 'Hey Fur ball!' He called out mentally, waiting expectantly for an answer. What, punk? 'Be ready, I may need a boost, depending on what new rabbit this guy pulls out of his bloodline hat.' Alright, alright, just keep it to a low roar, I'm trying to get my beauty-sleep. Naruto rolled his eyes mentally. 'Yeah, We'll be dead long before that helps you any. Just be ready.'

The Leaf Chuunin's gaze shifted back to his adversary, who was currently blazing through a long list of varying hand-seals. Naruto couldn't read the jutsu, but he felt a sizeable surge of chakra flow forth from the scruffy-haired ninja who stood in a battle-stance, still blurring through seals. Naruto decided his best option was to make a quick interrupt, and leapt at his opponent in hopes of breaking his form before whatever nasty surprise he was preparing could be carried out. Iro wore a broad, sadistic grin. This was exactly what he had hoped for. The actual jutsu was a simple one, only three seals, and relatively low in the department of chakra-use. It had been completed long ago, the additional seals and chakra expenditure merely a clever ruse to push his enemy into affirmative action. As Naruto entered the point of no return, Iro's hand flashed to the hilt of his back-mounted Katana, bellowing the name of his surprise technique. "ROKOTSU-IGAMI HASHI NO JUTSU!" Blade left sheath at a blinding speed, and the precise blow met Naruto's head with lethal accuracy.

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CLIFFHANGER! Suffer you infidels, SUFFER!! AHAHAHA!!

I promise the next chapter will be up soon, please don't hurt me

PLEASE REVIEW! 15 reviews for 7 chapters makes baby Jesus cry :(