Hello, everyone! Many apologies for this chapter not being out much sooner…I realize that you are all probably wondering what the heck I'm doing, especially when you see the size of it ;)….but my stupid internet has been on the fritz for a while, and it just now got fixed…so while the sixth chapter was ready and waiting, I couldn't update….I was going to save it on a disk and use the library computer if I couldn't by the end of the week :-D…Thanx to everyone for your patience!
Soooo...on with the story!
Chapter Six: Explanations-
Um...
Your guess is as good as mine?
Fine, Fine...
Chapter Six: Explanations-
Kakashi covered his already masked mouth with one hand as he giggled at the contents of Jiraiya's latest book. Naruto shook his head and scowled at the older man.
"Pervert," he muttered. Though the blonde knew Kakashi had heard him, the jônin was ignoring him pointedly, immersed in his reading. Ino sighed as Hinata covered a small chuckle. The four had just left the village of Sand wehre they had been watching the Jônin Exams. Lee had finally passed, much to Gai's joy. Now, Naruto was geared up to participate in the upcoming Chûnin Exams with his female teammates, which was to be held in the Country of Earth in six weeks.
Suddenly, Neji and Shikamaru appeared beside them, hauling a woozy-looking Lee with them.
"Someone apparently heard of the infamous 'drunken master' and gave him sake," Shikamaru explained, dropping the boy into Naruto's grasp carelessly. "He ran wild until Temari blew him away with her fan and made him hit his head against a wall."
"The Kazekage said to be sure we got rid of him," the mentioned female smirked, appearing beside them with Gaara, who was carrying a black-haired girl over one shoulder. "Here," she said. "Lee also managed to knock her out." Gaara handed TenTen over to Ino.
Suddenly, the boy cried out as he fell to his knees while he clutched his head in obvious pain. Naruto stepped forward worriedly.
"G-Gaara!" his older sister exclaimed, fearing a relaspe. "Are you okay?"
"U-Uzumaki NARUTO!" Sand began to pour out of Gaara's gourd and spin around uncontrollably as he screamed.
"Uh-oh," the blonde said, jumping back. The damn fox had been interfering with Naruto's life lately, by "helping out" while he sparred, giving him unexpected jolts of chakra during missions, etc…When an explanation was demanded, the fox claimed that he was bored and decided that if he couldn't eat his host, then he would make the boy wish to be eaten. The Shukaku in Gaara seemed to sense the power that lay closer to the surface than usual, and was demanding blood, enraged at the intrusion on "his territory."
Damn it, Naruto thought, backing up some more. I don't want to fight Gaara again. Not like this…
Suddenly, violent red chakra began to surge wildly out of the blue-eyed genin. Everyone, even Kakashi, cried out as the wave of energy slammed into them. The red chakra pulsed once as if a star going nova, then burst into a cloud of glittering red light, as the image of the ten people present began to fade.
'Wish granted, my little host!'
The rumbling voice and a deep-throated chuckle rang out as the Kyuubi laughed long and hard.
FireDragonBL -- Thanx for reviewing…as for the shinobi's current ranks in my story….well, for one, it is AU….obviously, unless I missed something, lol…and a lot of it, well, I just felt like it…as for Gaara, I couldn't keep with the Kazekage thing…for one, there's the whole Akatsuki thing, taking him away from the group and not making it possible for them to be transported to the Galactic Republic (read chapter) and two, I wouldn't be so mean as to 'sever the head from the body' so to speak….think of the panic that would occur in Sunakagure if their leader just suddenly disappeared : ) hope that clears things up
Taijutsukenka -- Um…I'm not sure I really understand that last part of your review…but the Jedi understand that the nins are from someplace beyond them, from another existence…well, Luke understands anyway…the Force and chakra have nothing to do with each other; because, for example, if you were to pour the Force into a certain type of stone that happens to be attuned to it as there are such objects in various parts of the galaxy then the stone in question will begin to glow…try that with chakra, or almost anything, for that matter, and it will not be intact for long…does that make sense? I think I just confused myself
John 'Tenchi' Fimont-- Nuh-Uh! No way! Hahaha, thanx for the suggestion about the light saber, but I want the two fighting styles to remain separate and apart…anyway, no one is going to suddenly become a Jedi , and no one is going to suddenly become a ninja :-D
To Everyone-- THANX!