I
Without much emotions he looked out into the shadows of the trees, and it the night sky where the stars and moon bring not much light, such shadows are everywhere.
He checked the horizon and he knew time had slowly melted away. Eleven days it has been and not a single sign of humanity save himself. Food, and thank the heavens for preparing some food before departing, or he would starve by the isolated shores. The only reprieve, perhaps would be that he would die in a land of great natural beauty.
Suppose it is time to return for a small errand or so to keep the wallets full, but he is a mere genin, alone.
Thus again he listens for the silent murmur of the waves, for the eerie calls of the forests beside, and his footsteps between the two titans.
He slowly climbed up the rock steps, his eyes looking at the horizon who shall receive the rising sun soon enough. As if to convey wear, he yawned, and after he stared momentarily at the sleepy waves. He awoke before dawn, summoned back to the world by Kagizume. His stomach was partially full, since the pieces of bread has since been devoured.
From the top of the cliff he looked around, and how majestic it was when the sun rises in the crack of dawn, the glimmer of light that breaks the deep blue and erases the darkness. From the sun his vision is soon extended, and he could see a port town to the edges, and the sight of the place called to him, figuratively.
Thus he jumped down the cliff with slight dexterity honed from his early years as a ninja, and extended tutelage of the monastery. From the rocky grounds he took a moment to recompose, and he sped of again to embrace people once more that he lacked during the eleven long days.
II
Stepping foot into the slightly sandy floor of the town, he could feel the suspicious glares of the people looking at him either in curiosity, surprise or perhaps others which would not be named. For a moment, he was worried that they knew he was the vessel that holds the ninetails, but such thoughts vanished as quickly as it came, because people returned to their work regardless.
Walking through the streets, neither too quiet, nor too lively. Stress was rather low, and people seemed friendly.
"A smiling face might hide a thousand sins."
He sighed to the himself, and he replied inwardly. 'Do you have to ruin the situation every time?'
"Just be careful."
'I will.'
Slowly he browsed through the shops where food, accessories, electrical appliances, clothing, and fishing equipment, and he continously marvelled their works that were displayed, while he somewhat regretted that he did not have the money to purchase one such work.
III
Two figures drinking at a shop, and to the normal citizens they seem like mere travelers out to see the world and it's manifold facets and cultures.
But they are no ordinary people for they are armed and wanted in the lists of ninjas, and should they make themselves known, chaos should find it's way quickly through the town of not more than 20,000.
Itachi and Kisame, both comrades of the Akatsuki glanced out the window and a smile made it's way to their faces.
"Well, he came to us instead." Kisame remarked while taking a sip of the cup of coffee he ordered from the waitress.
Itachi, on the other hand, kept his eyes on Naruto, who happens to still be looking at the items of the stalls. "We should get to work."
"I'll finish this first. You go ahead." Kisame took another sip, it's strong aroma tickling the depth of his noses.
So Itachi stood up, and he left the shop.
Then he walked towards Naruto and observed his childish antiques of admiration for items.
IV
Kagizume was immediately alerted of the presence of the ninja whom he know not the name, and for that he alerted Naruto about it.
That instant, he turned to look at Itachi, and perhap fear and surprise crept into him.
"So, we meet again, Naruto."
His golden hair swayed to the sea breeze, and yet his body was tense and surprised.
"You... You're that.... that... Who are you?" Naruto asked, cursing himself slightly.
Then, Itachi's sharingan began to swirl, but had yet to awaken the much feared mangekyou sharingan.
"Sasuke's brother?" Naruto guessed, his body still and unmoving.
Kisame, soon joined Itachi, yet the passerbys were oblivious to the tension and danger that might, should the three enter a battle.
Nervous, from adrenalin rush that flows within his blood, and Kagizume soon called to him. "Let me take over."
"...What?"
"Cast aside your worries, Naruto. I am just going to take you out of town."
"...I guess I should."
V
Kagizume looked around the town where fishing, foraging and forestry are the major sources of income, and he was reminded of the small town atmosphere during a time of his human life. People, who are almost ignorant of everything beyond their borders, and life that is stable and quite fulfilling.
Then, his eyes moved to stare at Itachi.
(Kagizume in control of Naruto's body)
"Introduce yourself." Kagizume spoke.
Itachi, soon felt a drip of sweat ran down his face. "We do this somewhere else, Naruto?"
"Not a problem either way." Kagizume replied
The three walked rather quickly towards the woods that stretch forevermore to the normal citizens, and when they felt there was no other sign of human life left, they stopped.
Kagizume was well aware of the terrain he was born to read, and from the body language of the two who stand before him, he could tell they were both nervous.
"What do you want with me?" Kagizume asked.
"Kyubi."
Inwardly, Kagizume could not hold back a chuckle. Again this was a reenacting of humans attempting to wield a power that would blow up at the slightest trigger.
Naruto, who was eavesdropping every word uttered within the woods, asked. "What do we do now, Kagizume?"
'You might disagree with me on this, but I have a nice idea. You join them.'
"No! They are evil, they are murderers, they... they are criminals."
"That's why you have to join them. They can be destroyed from the inside. In addition, we also need their vast information collecting abilities."
'For what?'
"I will explain. Just let me."
'........ As long as no one comes to harm."
"That is for you to decide."
"I still don't like the plan. I don't want to be a criminal."
"Konoha won't call you a criminal if you help give them information about these criminals. You would be a hero should they fall"
"... Fine."
Then, Kagizume stared silently at the two missing-nins.
"Well, introduce yourself, and we can talk." Kagizume said.
"Uchiha Itachi, Kisame."
"It took you a while to come and get me." Kagizume replied, instantly triggering some form of surprise in both Itachi and Kisame. "Anyway, I would like to join the organization which you claim serve." The two seemed to be struggling to hold back a great deal of surprise, and Kagizume was delighted at their faces.
Kisame, being the more rude and straightforward of the two, asked, "Why?"
Kagizume flipped through the pages of Naruto's memory, and he answered, "I am sick of the way the citizens look at me in both denial and hatred. My future there is as dismal and empty as the desert should I choose to stay."
Naruto inwardly countered. "Hey! Konoha is great!"
"I know you believe in your home, but this is merely a method to manipulate these criminals to help you. So, just play along."
VI
Light, soft and yellowish, filtered pass the wall of leaves that would be the canopy, bringing much needed hope to the undergrowths. The constant hum of insects, birds, animals and all other lifes offers a layer of comfort in the intensity that is the world. His blue eyes stole a glance at the small flower of pink by in the sun's rays, and he felt relaxed.
Kyubi, the reborn sealed within him seemed quiet, preferring to take a nap instead. Itachi and Kisame had since then left, which Kyubi summed up that they are returning to discuss with the other members at the next course of action. Naruto sat on the floor, and he felt really tired. The sudden change of lifestyle was unwelcomed, from hated ninja to wandering criminal-to-be.
Within the midst of the thick woods that be, he softly laid his back on the floor, wishing that all this had never happened.
But he could not sleep even if he wanted to, and he placed his tired eyes of the scattered remnants of rotten leaves, fallen twigs and tangled roots. A huge mess of moss that is home to countless microbes, parasites, bugs and perhaps bacteria agents. His hand touched the dirty and wet floor, and with a sigh, he stood up again.
"What do I do now?"
Kyubi yawned and his dark yellow and red eyes pierced through him. "Work, get some money and food. Then, we train."
Naruto breathed out the welled pain, and he started to take steps towards the port town.
VII
Jiraiya was peeping when the news came, and when it did, it striked fear and anxiety into him.
The news, and how much a simple news could do. He began to speculate, curse and criticize. "Damn. Tsunade's gonna get me." He was afraid that Akatsuki would get his hands on Naruto, because should they gain possession over Kyubi, many things could happen, and many of those possibilities are bad.
But does it matter to the citizens? If Akatsuki would to contact him, many of the Anbus and ninjas would use the news as a license to execute Naruto. Hell, by leaving the monastery, they would consider it an act of defiance against Konoha, and they would instant send pursuing killers.
The hot spring's warm smoke then beckoned him out of the thoughts, and so he was back to peeping once more. But he got a big splash of hot water on him instead.
VIII
He had gotten use to this body, the body of a natural born killer of the wilderness, a body crafted for battle. Yet, the body was not as powerful as his own, or the prodigy's, but all things are steps to a higher cause, and he would obtain what he wanted in the end. Staring out his office, he felt disappointment swamp over him, and for a person like him, he expressed the disappointment by destroying the table.
Kabuto watched his master silently, knowing of all the implications should he slip.
His yellow eyes noticed the ninja's presence, and he asked authoratively. "How's the plan?"
"Going as it should."
"Make sure no failures this time round."
Kabuto went out the door after a small bow of acknowledgement, but somehow Orochimaru knew that the ninja held no respect for him, and he had to be careful. Then, he stared out the window again, and the dreams where Konoha will burn awakened once more.
IX
Itachi and Kisame made their way as swiftly as possible to meet with their colleagues, but on the way, through the deep woods Kisame asked his questions.
"I don't like that kid. He scares me with his strangely still voice."
Itachi sighed, "I don't like the fact that he switched to our side so quickly. It seems... planned."
"I don't think Konoha would send a genin to spy inside Akatsuki though."
"Neither do I. It is way to risky for a genin, and sending the Kyubi's vessel right into our hands is pure idiocry."
They jumped from tree to tree with agility of the beasts of nature, an ability sharpened through practice and enhanced through talent.
Kisame landed, "So, what should we do? The boy doesn't seem to be intimidated by us at the forest."
"But I could sense his fear for a while when I first made contact." Itachi said. "Then, it was replaced by a strange icy cold character."
Kisame continued. "I don't like it no matter how we look at it, save the power Kyubi could offer." They passed the flickering woods, and soon landed on a field of grass.
"..." Itachi looked into the sky, "But a part of me believes that he really wants to be a member of Akatsuki."
"So do I. I wonder what the hell is wrong with that kid."
"He is an odd kid, but then, Kyubi is no ordinary creature. Perhaps he is honest with us?"
"Never trust a fox." Kisame replied. "But we could use them."
IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Hate me or like me, it is your choice, but just leave a review!
Without much emotions he looked out into the shadows of the trees, and it the night sky where the stars and moon bring not much light, such shadows are everywhere.
He checked the horizon and he knew time had slowly melted away. Eleven days it has been and not a single sign of humanity save himself. Food, and thank the heavens for preparing some food before departing, or he would starve by the isolated shores. The only reprieve, perhaps would be that he would die in a land of great natural beauty.
Suppose it is time to return for a small errand or so to keep the wallets full, but he is a mere genin, alone.
Thus again he listens for the silent murmur of the waves, for the eerie calls of the forests beside, and his footsteps between the two titans.
He slowly climbed up the rock steps, his eyes looking at the horizon who shall receive the rising sun soon enough. As if to convey wear, he yawned, and after he stared momentarily at the sleepy waves. He awoke before dawn, summoned back to the world by Kagizume. His stomach was partially full, since the pieces of bread has since been devoured.
From the top of the cliff he looked around, and how majestic it was when the sun rises in the crack of dawn, the glimmer of light that breaks the deep blue and erases the darkness. From the sun his vision is soon extended, and he could see a port town to the edges, and the sight of the place called to him, figuratively.
Thus he jumped down the cliff with slight dexterity honed from his early years as a ninja, and extended tutelage of the monastery. From the rocky grounds he took a moment to recompose, and he sped of again to embrace people once more that he lacked during the eleven long days.
II
Stepping foot into the slightly sandy floor of the town, he could feel the suspicious glares of the people looking at him either in curiosity, surprise or perhaps others which would not be named. For a moment, he was worried that they knew he was the vessel that holds the ninetails, but such thoughts vanished as quickly as it came, because people returned to their work regardless.
Walking through the streets, neither too quiet, nor too lively. Stress was rather low, and people seemed friendly.
"A smiling face might hide a thousand sins."
He sighed to the himself, and he replied inwardly. 'Do you have to ruin the situation every time?'
"Just be careful."
'I will.'
Slowly he browsed through the shops where food, accessories, electrical appliances, clothing, and fishing equipment, and he continously marvelled their works that were displayed, while he somewhat regretted that he did not have the money to purchase one such work.
III
Two figures drinking at a shop, and to the normal citizens they seem like mere travelers out to see the world and it's manifold facets and cultures.
But they are no ordinary people for they are armed and wanted in the lists of ninjas, and should they make themselves known, chaos should find it's way quickly through the town of not more than 20,000.
Itachi and Kisame, both comrades of the Akatsuki glanced out the window and a smile made it's way to their faces.
"Well, he came to us instead." Kisame remarked while taking a sip of the cup of coffee he ordered from the waitress.
Itachi, on the other hand, kept his eyes on Naruto, who happens to still be looking at the items of the stalls. "We should get to work."
"I'll finish this first. You go ahead." Kisame took another sip, it's strong aroma tickling the depth of his noses.
So Itachi stood up, and he left the shop.
Then he walked towards Naruto and observed his childish antiques of admiration for items.
IV
Kagizume was immediately alerted of the presence of the ninja whom he know not the name, and for that he alerted Naruto about it.
That instant, he turned to look at Itachi, and perhap fear and surprise crept into him.
"So, we meet again, Naruto."
His golden hair swayed to the sea breeze, and yet his body was tense and surprised.
"You... You're that.... that... Who are you?" Naruto asked, cursing himself slightly.
Then, Itachi's sharingan began to swirl, but had yet to awaken the much feared mangekyou sharingan.
"Sasuke's brother?" Naruto guessed, his body still and unmoving.
Kisame, soon joined Itachi, yet the passerbys were oblivious to the tension and danger that might, should the three enter a battle.
Nervous, from adrenalin rush that flows within his blood, and Kagizume soon called to him. "Let me take over."
"...What?"
"Cast aside your worries, Naruto. I am just going to take you out of town."
"...I guess I should."
V
Kagizume looked around the town where fishing, foraging and forestry are the major sources of income, and he was reminded of the small town atmosphere during a time of his human life. People, who are almost ignorant of everything beyond their borders, and life that is stable and quite fulfilling.
Then, his eyes moved to stare at Itachi.
(Kagizume in control of Naruto's body)
"Introduce yourself." Kagizume spoke.
Itachi, soon felt a drip of sweat ran down his face. "We do this somewhere else, Naruto?"
"Not a problem either way." Kagizume replied
The three walked rather quickly towards the woods that stretch forevermore to the normal citizens, and when they felt there was no other sign of human life left, they stopped.
Kagizume was well aware of the terrain he was born to read, and from the body language of the two who stand before him, he could tell they were both nervous.
"What do you want with me?" Kagizume asked.
"Kyubi."
Inwardly, Kagizume could not hold back a chuckle. Again this was a reenacting of humans attempting to wield a power that would blow up at the slightest trigger.
Naruto, who was eavesdropping every word uttered within the woods, asked. "What do we do now, Kagizume?"
'You might disagree with me on this, but I have a nice idea. You join them.'
"No! They are evil, they are murderers, they... they are criminals."
"That's why you have to join them. They can be destroyed from the inside. In addition, we also need their vast information collecting abilities."
'For what?'
"I will explain. Just let me."
'........ As long as no one comes to harm."
"That is for you to decide."
"I still don't like the plan. I don't want to be a criminal."
"Konoha won't call you a criminal if you help give them information about these criminals. You would be a hero should they fall"
"... Fine."
Then, Kagizume stared silently at the two missing-nins.
"Well, introduce yourself, and we can talk." Kagizume said.
"Uchiha Itachi, Kisame."
"It took you a while to come and get me." Kagizume replied, instantly triggering some form of surprise in both Itachi and Kisame. "Anyway, I would like to join the organization which you claim serve." The two seemed to be struggling to hold back a great deal of surprise, and Kagizume was delighted at their faces.
Kisame, being the more rude and straightforward of the two, asked, "Why?"
Kagizume flipped through the pages of Naruto's memory, and he answered, "I am sick of the way the citizens look at me in both denial and hatred. My future there is as dismal and empty as the desert should I choose to stay."
Naruto inwardly countered. "Hey! Konoha is great!"
"I know you believe in your home, but this is merely a method to manipulate these criminals to help you. So, just play along."
VI
Light, soft and yellowish, filtered pass the wall of leaves that would be the canopy, bringing much needed hope to the undergrowths. The constant hum of insects, birds, animals and all other lifes offers a layer of comfort in the intensity that is the world. His blue eyes stole a glance at the small flower of pink by in the sun's rays, and he felt relaxed.
Kyubi, the reborn sealed within him seemed quiet, preferring to take a nap instead. Itachi and Kisame had since then left, which Kyubi summed up that they are returning to discuss with the other members at the next course of action. Naruto sat on the floor, and he felt really tired. The sudden change of lifestyle was unwelcomed, from hated ninja to wandering criminal-to-be.
Within the midst of the thick woods that be, he softly laid his back on the floor, wishing that all this had never happened.
But he could not sleep even if he wanted to, and he placed his tired eyes of the scattered remnants of rotten leaves, fallen twigs and tangled roots. A huge mess of moss that is home to countless microbes, parasites, bugs and perhaps bacteria agents. His hand touched the dirty and wet floor, and with a sigh, he stood up again.
"What do I do now?"
Kyubi yawned and his dark yellow and red eyes pierced through him. "Work, get some money and food. Then, we train."
Naruto breathed out the welled pain, and he started to take steps towards the port town.
VII
Jiraiya was peeping when the news came, and when it did, it striked fear and anxiety into him.
The news, and how much a simple news could do. He began to speculate, curse and criticize. "Damn. Tsunade's gonna get me." He was afraid that Akatsuki would get his hands on Naruto, because should they gain possession over Kyubi, many things could happen, and many of those possibilities are bad.
But does it matter to the citizens? If Akatsuki would to contact him, many of the Anbus and ninjas would use the news as a license to execute Naruto. Hell, by leaving the monastery, they would consider it an act of defiance against Konoha, and they would instant send pursuing killers.
The hot spring's warm smoke then beckoned him out of the thoughts, and so he was back to peeping once more. But he got a big splash of hot water on him instead.
VIII
He had gotten use to this body, the body of a natural born killer of the wilderness, a body crafted for battle. Yet, the body was not as powerful as his own, or the prodigy's, but all things are steps to a higher cause, and he would obtain what he wanted in the end. Staring out his office, he felt disappointment swamp over him, and for a person like him, he expressed the disappointment by destroying the table.
Kabuto watched his master silently, knowing of all the implications should he slip.
His yellow eyes noticed the ninja's presence, and he asked authoratively. "How's the plan?"
"Going as it should."
"Make sure no failures this time round."
Kabuto went out the door after a small bow of acknowledgement, but somehow Orochimaru knew that the ninja held no respect for him, and he had to be careful. Then, he stared out the window again, and the dreams where Konoha will burn awakened once more.
IX
Itachi and Kisame made their way as swiftly as possible to meet with their colleagues, but on the way, through the deep woods Kisame asked his questions.
"I don't like that kid. He scares me with his strangely still voice."
Itachi sighed, "I don't like the fact that he switched to our side so quickly. It seems... planned."
"I don't think Konoha would send a genin to spy inside Akatsuki though."
"Neither do I. It is way to risky for a genin, and sending the Kyubi's vessel right into our hands is pure idiocry."
They jumped from tree to tree with agility of the beasts of nature, an ability sharpened through practice and enhanced through talent.
Kisame landed, "So, what should we do? The boy doesn't seem to be intimidated by us at the forest."
"But I could sense his fear for a while when I first made contact." Itachi said. "Then, it was replaced by a strange icy cold character."
Kisame continued. "I don't like it no matter how we look at it, save the power Kyubi could offer." They passed the flickering woods, and soon landed on a field of grass.
"..." Itachi looked into the sky, "But a part of me believes that he really wants to be a member of Akatsuki."
"So do I. I wonder what the hell is wrong with that kid."
"He is an odd kid, but then, Kyubi is no ordinary creature. Perhaps he is honest with us?"
"Never trust a fox." Kisame replied. "But we could use them."
IIIIIIIIIIIIII
Hate me or like me, it is your choice, but just leave a review!