Thanks go out to Momochi Zabuza and Fei-sama for their utter dedication in supporting me! Author gives both a Neji plushie anda Kimi plushie
Oh, BTW, I will be writing a KimiNaru fic soon.
Chapter 13: Failure to Kill
Kyuubi raised his great head and growled menacingly at Orochimaru. The snake-sannin had drawn a long gash down his arm and was writing furiously on the scroll using his blood as ink. Recognizing the seals, Kyuubi drew back his head and spewed a white-hot fireball in the form of a blazing fox at the scroll. Orochimaru dodged nimbly, still scrawling strange markings on the scroll. The white fox followed him, but Orochimaru managed to successfully evade all of its attacks. A smile slid over the snake-sannin's features. The seals were almost complete, and soon the ultimate power of the demon fox would be his.
Golden-bronze eyes widened in surprise as Orochimaru felt a pair of arms wrap around him, completely constricting his movement. He wrenched his head around only to see Naruto hanging onto him with all he could muster. Panic surged through the snake-sannin, and he thrashed and bucked like a frantic bird so close to freedom. Naruto hung on determinedly though, and Orochimaru's efforts only proved to tire out the sannin.
"Let go of me, you bastard!"
Summoning the sword contained deep within his stomach, Orochimaru reared and plunged it into Naruto's shoulder. The fox-child winced as he felt the warm liquid course down his shoulder, but he only tightened his grip further and sank his teeth into Orochimaru's neck as a reply. The sannin howled with surprise more than pain (although it hurt like a mad bastard) and repeatedly stabbed Naruto in the side and the arms. The kitsune still refused to let go although he was drenched in his own blood and was close to fainting.
Kyuubi spun and cried a warning to Naruto. The white fire-fox was growling ferociously and was pawing the ground, getting ready to charge.
"Kit, let go of him or you'll be utterly destroyed! I have no control over this one!" Naruto smiled wanly through the crimson-hued fluid oozing down his forehead.
"I won't let him go. I'm taking him with me." Kyuubi let out a cry as the fire-fox shrieked and plunged itself into Orochimaru.
The very moment Orochimaru saw the fox charging at him with a clear lust for blood, he felt his dreams and all that he had achieve shatter. Utter shock and panic racked the sannin's body as the fox connected and a white hot pain shot through his writhing form; he felt that his skin had been ripped from his body and he screamed, he screamed, he screamed; it was oblivion he was screaming for; oblivion to knowing and feeling, but oblivion would not come.
Kyuubi answered Orochimaru's death shriek with a howl of his own, yet this one was for a far different cause. The white fire-fox had completely enveloped Naruto as well, and Kyuubi flinched as he saw the blonde crumple within the bright white-hot light. There was a gigantic explosion which rocked the foundations of the mansion, then there was nothing at all.
Kabuto screwed his eyes shut and threw his arms across his face as the white fox collided with Orochimaru. Bearing the full brunt of the explosion, he slowly lowered his arms to find a thin wisp of unearthly haze rising out of the air. A jolt ran through his body, and he quickly made a series of rapid seals, producing a fine glass-spun ball. The ball sucked the purple haze down into its contents, and closed with a snap.
The great fox's peripheral vision caught a slight movement, and he turned to see Kabuto negotiating the haze into the ball. A tremor ran through his body as he watched the medic-nin work; that kinjutsu was eerily familiar, and if Kyuubi didn't stop it now, all they had worked for would be lost. The fox reared towards Kabuto with a frantic howl but faltered midway and fell to the ground. He turned to see Naruto's poor, broken form on the floor a few yards away.
The fox made his way over to his kit and nuzzled him gently. His stamina was controlled by how much the fox-child could sustain him, and right now the blonde was comatose on the ground. If Kyuubi didn't return to his seal, Naruto would die. With a last threatening glance at Kabuto, Kyuubi withdrew into a hazy fog of red and diminished inside Naruto's navel.
Kimimaro, Neji, and Sasuke quickly ran to Naruto's side, not noticing Kabuto slip out into the darkness. A hoarse laugh emitted from the boy, and he gave a hint of his usual vulpine grin. Dropping his head once more, he tried to move his hand, but finding his could not, he looked to Sasuke for assistance.
"Sasuke….teme….there's a bottle….in my you get it out….and pour the liquid on….my wounds….please….?"
Sasuke suppressed a grin (the dobe still had the nerve to insult him even though he was half-dead on the ground), and pulled out the bottle, emptying a few drops onto Naruto's chest. Taking his index and middle finger, he rubbed the ointment on Naruto's tanned skin, lathering the blonde with slow, circular motions. There was a faint hissing sound, and the gaping holes in Naruto's torso closed completely. The kitsune held up a hand to stop him.
"That's enough for now…I might need some later, but Kyuubi will do the rest. Thanks Sasuke….you actually managed to do something useful in your pathetic little life…." With that, Naruto closed his eyes and gave in to the welcoming darkness. Sasuke shook his head. Naruto could be so damn cocky….even though he was injured and more lifeless than a fish out of water…
Kimimaro sighed and picked up the blonde, cradling him gently in his arms. Neji walked over and stroked Naruto's heaven-spun hair, caressing the blonde tresses softly and gently, a soft, sentimental look in his eyes. Naruto had done so much for everyone around him, yet he was repaid only by the scandalous looks of the villagers. Poor child….it was one of the reasons why Neji loved the blonde like he did.
Kimimaro bent and nuzzled Naruto's cheek, staring sadly at the blonde. He turned and led the others out of Orochimaru's mansion, carrying Naruto as if he were made of glass. He looked down at the blonde and started with amazement as he saw the wounds on his body slowly closing up. Turning a quizzical gaze at Neji, he got the word "Kyuubi" as a reply. The Kaguya nodded and climbed the stairs of Orochimaru's lair that led to the forest outside.
Neji and Sasuke followed as well, emerging into the lush green environment. Kimimaro waited patiently as the Hyuuga and the Uchiha stepped into the woods, then addressed the Uchiha.
"Where do we go now?" Sasuke responded with "Konoha", and the three leapt back to the Hidden Leaf, bearing their precious burden with them.
At the Gates of Konoha
Genma was bored. Genma was very very bored considering that guard duty was one of the most bo-ring jobs there were in Konoha. If one had guard duty, one had to make sure that one brought along a nice thick book to enjoy during one's shift. Hence the fifteen or so encyclopedias on jutsus and such stacked neatly next to the Jounin.
A flash of movement snatched at the Jounin's peripheral vision, and Genma whipped his head around to focus his hazel eyes on the Uchiha, they Hyuuga, and one other person bearing an object in his arms. Squinting, Gemna could make out a tattered and torn fox-child in the arms of the stranger, but the stranger himself had a simple elegance in the way that he held himself that Genma couldn't ignore. Motioning them through, he snuck a curious glance at the stranger, then marked a report on his clipboard, making a mental note to ask Tsunade about this later.
In the Hokage Tower
Neji rapped smartly on the big wooden door that separated Tsunade's office from the rest of the tower. Heeding no reply, he repeated his knock, three quick raps on the frame of the door before opening it and silently slipping in. Tsunade had her back to the door and was staring out the window with a faraway look in her eyes. She didn't turn even when the three plus a comatose Naruto slipped in the door.
"Genma, leave the report on the desk please." Neji cleared his throat.
"Tsunade-sama, we're back."
Tsunade stiffened and remained as rigid as a statue for a long period of time as she digested the information. Neji and Sasuke backed away to opposite corners of the room, frantically motioning Kimimaro to do the same. The Kaguya looked questioningly at the pair, a curious look in his eyes. The two boys flailed their arms wildly at him, but they were too late. Tsunade gave a shriek that seemed to topple the tower and catapulted out of her chair, making straight for the nearest person with half murder half relief in her eyes. The whole world turned upside down for the Kaguya as Kimimaro was enveloped by the finest cleavage in all of Japan and slammed three stories down into the floor by the sheer power of Tsunade's tackle. The Kaguya choked and gasped for dear life as Tsunade gripped him in a bone-crushing hug. Two of his ribs promptly snapped while his collarbone and spine gave a few ominous creaks, which didn't bode well on his pain tolerance.
"Naruto, Naruto, Narutonarutonarutonarutonaruto….."
Tsunade rubbed her face against Kimimaro lovingly and was about to squeeze the bejesus out of him once more when she paused, confusion marring her lovely features. Naruto didn't smell right. Naruto had always smelled of ramen and mint and forest and various other types of assorted scents, but this individual smelled different. Come to think of it now, she hadn't taken a good look at his face. Letting up a little, her eyes focused on Kimimaro's terrified face as he gagged and gasped like a wounded fish on the floor. Smiling sheepishly, she rolled off of him only to realize that he held Naruto in his arms, and Naruto didn't seem at all to be in good shape, before or after her tackle.
Laying there on the floor, what was left of Kimimaro's poor tattered mind had somehow registered that the situation was distressing, dismaying, annoying, amazing, and rather odd.What kind of a Hokage half killed her villagers? Or any other stranger that happened to pass by the tower? He thought he knew why the Anbu at the door twitched violently at mention of the Hokage and exchanged glances when he entered the office. He made a very painful effort to get up, which was rather harsh on his nerves since his body seemed to be made of barbed wires and nails, and turned to face the blonde woman in front of him.
"I-I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else." Kimimaro nodded and gestured rather awkwardly to the fox-child in his arms.
"Could you take care of him please? He needs help."
Tsunade muttered something that vaguely sounded like "oh yes he needs help, both mentally and physically" before accepting Naruto gently and carrying him to the local hospital. She gestured Kimimaro to come, demanding explanations later, and managed to coax Neji and Sasuke to come as well, with promises of no physical damage whatsoever. The walked in silence to the hospital where Sasuke checked in Naruto and Kimimaro and Tsunade made their way to a nearby ward.
The Godaime gently set Naruto on a bed, stroking his cheek with a wistful look in her eyes. Nawaki…the resemblance to her younger brother was shockingly great. Summoning her chakra, she painstakingly peeled back what remained of Naruto's clothing and began her process of healing the blonde. Kimimaro observed her chakra flow with a watchful eye; no wonder this woman was a Sannin, for he could sense her immense chakra control. He continued to watch gravely as Naruto's wounds slowly healed and the now flawless skin take on a healthy complexion.
Now done, Tsunade flapped her hands impatiently at the Kaguya, motioning him down onto a nearby bed. Kimimaro made several vague protests, only to be silenced by Tsunade's reprimanding look, and settled for watching as she healed the various scratches and bruises he had somehow obtained during his battle at Orochimaru's lair. That being completed, she assigned him to look after Naruto, and bustled out of the room, hollering for Neji and Sasuke to get their dose of healing as well. Kimimaro smiled wryly. She thought he was a child. It was somewhat annoying, but nevertheless he had a kitsune to take care of, so he stayed put.
A grimace disfigured Naruto's countenance and he murmured something incoherent in his sleep. A soft smile graced Kimimaro's elegant face, and he rested his chin on his hands, content to watch Naruto sleep. Watching the blonde snooze before him was really quite relaxing…it put a damper on his nerves and made him feel young once more. He had to admit, the blonde kitsune had a mesmerizing aura that somehow drew everyone to him like moths to a flame. Naruto was so cheerful and always bubbling with energy and positive emotions…anyone in their right would be drawn to that….
Naruto stirred and moaned in his sleep. Astoundingly long eyelashes fluttered once before the blonde opened his eyes completely. He blinked dazedly at the sheer white of the room, not comprehending where he was for a minute before his mind registered that this was a hospital room, and that Kimimaro was watching him with an intense yet curious look in his gem-cut eyes. Sitting up, he wiped the sleep from his eyes and ran a hand through his tousled hair before giving the Kaguya a cheeky grin.
Kimimaro continued to watch as Naruto extracted himself from the tangles of the sheets. The blonde kitsune stretched and yawned before coming forward and giving Kimimaro a warm and unexpected hug. By now the Kaguya was used to these and returned the hug, wrapping Naruto in the many layers of his gray yukata. Naruto pressed his nose against the fabric once more, inhaling Kimimaro's exhilarating scent that seemed to waft about the Kaguya like a thin haze. Kimimaro stroked the boy's head, kissing the blonde locks before releasing him gently.
"Are you well?" Naruto bobbed his head, displaying his teeth in a grin.
"Tsunade-baachan is a great healer." He looked worriedly out the door, then turned back to Kimimaro.
"I wanna check on Neji-kun and Sasuke-teme, so you stay here, okay?" At Kimimaro's somewhat reluctant consent, Naruto bounced out of the room and down the hallway to Sasuke's ward.
Tsunade had just finished healing him, and was going through the necessary precautions to make sure he stayed in bed. At a glimpse of Naruto, she shot him a glare and motioned him to get back in his own bed. Naruto poked his chin out defiantly and padded softly over to Sasuke with a concerned look in his indigo eyes. Tsunade shook her head, smiled at the boy, and withdrew from the room, closing the door behind her.
Naruto perched himself on the edge of Sasuke's bed, staring wide-eyed at the Uchiha. Sasuke squirmed slightly under the gaze, but managed to still himself as a flash of annoyance streaked across the blonde's eyes. It was a long time before the kitsune spoke.
"Ne….are you feeling better?" Sasuke nodded and averted his eyes, a somewhat disturbed look in his onyx eyes. Naruto watched anxiously before probing the Uchiha further.
"Are you okay?" Sasuke bit his lip. When he spoke again, his voice was filled with regret.
"I'm….I'm sorry, Naruto. I shouldn't have gone to Orochimaru. I shouldn't have betrayed you again." To his surprise, Naruto snorted.
"Are you still worried about that? I told you, I forgive you. Anyway, what's done is done, you can't change it anymore. So get it out of your mind." Sasuke rolled over and smiled at Naruto before pulling the blonde down into a hug, nuzzling him gently.
"Thank you, Naruto. But…I was wondering…" Sasuke paused, searching for the right words.
"Who would I choose if I had to choose between you or Neji?" Naruto finished for him. Sasuke gasped, a little surprised.
"How did you know?" He could feel the smirk rolling off Naruto in waves. The blonde wrapped his arms around the raven-haired youth, squeezing him teasingly before replying.
"I know you better than you ever will know yourself, Sasuke. Besides, one can easily distinguish the jealously in your voice." Sasuke swallowed.
"And your answer is…?" Naruto laughed, the peals of joy reverberating around the room and giving it a more amiable feel.
"You know as well as I do that I love you and Neji equally. Heck, I love Kimimaro as equally as well. But if I had to choose….I'd say Neji. He does have one hell of a body, and that hair of his gives him a damn sexy look. Besides, you're too scrawny for these tastes of mine." Naruto playfully squeezed Sasuke's arm, then winced as the Uchiha rapped him smartly on the head.
"Seriously Naruto, who would you pick?" Naruto let out an overdramatic sigh.
"Isn't this the life, being wanted by the three most eligible—and good looking—guys in all of Fire country. I feel so lucky…." At Sasuke's glower, Naruto gave in.
"Okay okay, but I already answered your question. I love all three of you the same. It won't ever change; I won't see one of you as more attractive than the other, but I love you just the same as I love Neji and Kimimaro." Sasuke pondered this opinion over carefully, then nodded, content. Suddenly another question rose in his mind, and he turned to voice his troubles to the blonde.
"But you know how possessive we can be..." Naruto laughed.
"I know. But you'll have to get over that, won't you? Don't worry, even if you are too possessive, I won't change my love for each of you. But I will forbid you to go slaughtering Neji and Kimimaro if your twisted illusions somehow portray me as showing them more affection." Sasuke nodded reluctantly, and Naruto smiled.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Hyuuga to talk to." Laying his lips against Sasuke's in a long, slow kiss, he withdrew himself from the room.
Neji was already sitting up in bed, and the somewhat evil smirk he had pasted on his face slightly gave Naruto a sense of foreboding as he walked into the room. He had no sooner reached the bedside when the Hyuuga caught him in an iron grip, flung him violently to the bed, and just about dissolved Naruto's lips with the pressure of his own. Forcing his tongue in the other's mouth, he licked and nipped the blonde, his hands roving about Naruto's body with a will of their own. It wasn't until Naruto started to take on a tinge of blue in his complexion that Neji let up, smiling triumphantly. Naruto massaged his throat, making a series of grating squeaks before gaining access to his voice.
"Urk…Neji….what was that for?" Neji dipped his tongue once more in Naruto's mouth, extracting a strand of saliva. It connected the two, then snapped.
"So I have one hell of a body, hmm? And my hair makes me damn sexy, am I correct?" Naruto's eyes widened.
"Nae-JIIIIIiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiiIIIIIIMMMmmmmmpppphhhh….." Neji kissed the blonde once more. Naruto struggled and sat up, indignance flashing in his eyes.
"You were spying on us, you nasty little creep!" Neji clicked his tongue much like a scolding adult would.
"Oh when will you ever learn to respect your elders, Naruto? After all, I have been spying on you for quite a long time." Naruto began to protest, then gasped and threw himself away from Neji like they were opposite sides of a magnet, clasping his hands over his body as a horrifying realization came upon him.
"Then….then….YOU'VE BEEN SPYING ON ME IN THE SHOWER AS WELL!" Neji laughed.
"There are times when I was enormously thankful for my bloodline, yes, but—" Contrary to his expectations of Naruto yelling the building down, a sly look came across the kitsune's face.
"YOU ARE A PERVERT! Nae-jee's a purrvurrt, Nae-jee's a purrvurrrrt… Oh boy, what will Ero-Sennin think of THIS little piece of info…" The Hyuuga's eyes took on a look of panic and he sprang forward, pinning Naruto to the bed.
"You wouldn't."
"I would. And even if you stop me, Tsunade's gonna be relaying the news to Jiraiya. After all, she does have that crystal ball of hers…."
Neji was about to protest when the sound of footsteps made him release the boy. He turned to see Sasuke and Kimimaro enter the room. They looked a little confused at the sight of Naruto sprawled so messily on the bed, but decided not to question. Kimimaro got straight to the point.
"Orochimaru's body has been destroyed, but Kabuto has saved his soul. He is most likely to use Kabuto's body for his vessel now, and we need to stop him. How do you think we'll be able to do this? The Kyuubi alone couldn't subdue him." Naruto grinned.
"I thought you would never ask. To Kyuubi, killing Orochimaru is no more of a task than killing a half-dead fly, but unfortunately he had to retreat back inside me to heal my wounds. Had he not, I would have died. We still have an extremely good chance of locating Kabuto and killing Orochimaru. You can guide us, Kimimaro, because you used to be one of his most loyal followers, and that is a great asset to us. You can lead us to his hideout." Kimimaro nodded, but was stilled by Naruto's hand.
"Once Kyuubi is out and battling Orochimaru, we need some form of backup to make sure he doesn't get away again. Letting Kyuubi out taxes my strength, so he has a limited amout of time to get rid of Orochimaru. If he fails to do so, we need backup." Naruto drew in a breath. When he looked up, a glint of determination was seen in his eyes.
"That is why we're going to pay a little visit to a friend of mine, so don't unpack quite yet. We're leaving tomorrow for Suna."
Thanks again Fei-sama and Momochi Zabuza for reviewing my fic! Love reviews...flames or not, I really don't care...keep it up!