The Dragon Dilemma
I don't own Naruto and Zoids
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"Talking"
'Thoughts'
/-- Scene change
)-()-( Different point of view
?-? Flash back
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Chapter 10
The rain ends just after the day their client gets back from trip to get the gems. He reflects that it almost doesn't seem fair, though he has to admit that he's kind of glad to have some time away from his cell. Thinks hadn't really healed between Sakura, Kakashi, and Sasuke and that means to leave Sasuke socialising with him then with either of the others. One of the things that Sasuke talked with him about was that size jutsu he performs on the scrolls he has.
Bored out of his mind, he taught Sasuke the jutsu and observed Sasuke using the jutsu almost everything the dark haired boy can get his hands on. It was amusing truth be told, watching someone as serious as Sasuke act like a kid with a new toy. He also had Sasuke promise not to go through his collection of scrolls before he taught his team mate the jutsu.
He can't help but grin as he remembers the look in Sasuke eyes as he used the jutsu. Sasuke didn't shout out the name of the jutsu, but then, he didn't either and he also doubts that Sasuke would want to dwell on the incident, especially with what happened between Kakashi, Sakura, and himself. He's kind of lucky that none of the three seem to be angry with him, which is kind of a shock to him for he was sure that Sakura would find a way to blame him for the fight she had with Sasuke. It was kind of the first time he had been indirectly involved in an argument that didn't lead to anyone laying blame on his shoulders and he kind of had mixed feeling about that.
He looks up and sighs mentally as he notices the scout again. He's been calling this man the 'scout' for the simple reason that he always comes in every day and look around. At times the man would try and ask question under the pretext of being curious about his team mates and instructor. He usually just shrugs and says something along the lines of fine relations within the group and hope that the man leaves after he begins to ignore him.
He pauses and studies the 'scout' more carefully and begins to note that something's off. He presses his palm on a jutsu that will alert his teacher about a disturbance. He waits until it's warming up before moving his hand. He then acts like he usually does as he waits for things to unfold.
)-(Kakashi)-(
He's thoughts circle around the unfinished jutsu that Sasuke used on Naruto. The jutsu called Inner Beast Form and the reason it's considered unfinished was for the simple fact that it always seems to have different results with each victim. Though what's more troubling is the form that Naruto ended up in, he could see the elements of the fox demon within the form, but he was kind of uneasy about the scales and thick claws that were also present in the form Naruto ended up in, for it shows a conflict between the demonic Kitsune and Naruto's view of himself.
'Just what kind of animal does Naruto see himself as? And is this the last time we'll see Naruto in that form?' He snaps out of his thoughts as he feels a pull towards town. He raises an eyebrow at this and puts his book away. He does the teleportation jutsu and soon finds himself on the roof of their client's building. He also notices a gang surrounding the building. He sighs and wonders just what kind of property damage will occur from the fight.
)-(Naruto)-(
Though he didn't show it, he was tense as three men entered the store with a swagger in their steps, meaning that they thought highly of themselves and that this was a piece of cake. He already has his left hand on his kunai pouch as he watches the conversation occurring between 'scout' and the other three. One of the men handed the 'scout' a long sword and then as one they turned to face him.
The men walked up to the counter and the one with his head shaved and has tattoos covering his head growls out, "Hand over the sword, kid, and we won't hurt you much." He smirks at this and says calmly, "It's my job to keep that sword from thugs like you and I don't see that changing anytime soon." The men laugh and the one that handed the sword to the man he still dubs scout says, "Just because you're playing ninja doesn't mean anything. We have this building surrounded and there's only one of you and thirty of us." He barks out a laugh at the number. "I alerted my teacher, I doubt your 'friends' can stand up to a jonin and as for numbers, I can even that out." He says and does the seals for Water Clone jutsu.
Soon five water clones appear around him. 'I was going for three, o well.' He thinks before saying, "If you can't beat them, then you don't stand a chance against me." The men growl and reach for their swords, before they could pull them out, his clones had always begun their assault on the thugs. Soon the clones drag the thugs out of the store before anything gets damaged.
"What's going on?" Their client asks from the door behind him. He answers without looking, "Just doing my job, sir. Don't worry, they'll keep the fight outside." "Good." Was the reply he receives from the smith and he tries his hardest not to get up off his stool and watch the fight. Soon four of his clones come walking into the store with Kakashi trailing behind. His instructor looks around and seems relieved that nothing's damaged. "Well, no real harm done. Mine having them," Kakashi thumbs at his clones, "Keep watch over the prisoners?" He glances over that the remaining clones and they walk out of the store.
With most of the citizens not attempting to enter the store, it leaves Kakashi and himself alone within the store. After a few minutes, the jonin says, "You seem to be getting along with Sasuke recently." He sighs and replies, "He's more interested in what I know then in getting along with me." Kakashi studies him before saying, "He might be trying and be your friend." He snort and says sourly, "We both know that considering Sasuke's ambition, that its doubtful that it's the case. Something will show up and Sasuke will try his very best to leave to get stronger. I might as well be a stepping stone in the long run." "Your not giving yourself a lot of credit." Kakashi says. He shrugs and replies, "It's not like I have any real plans on continuing my ninja career once I make chuunin. By then I should be able to retire without too many problems."
Kakashi seems to want to say something, but the police arrive and the older ninja heads out of the store to supervise the police take the thugs away. He sighs and wonders just what Shadow's doing at the moment. He smiles at the thought of his friend and naturally begins to think about the white Zoid that they found as well. He can't keep a grin from his face as he remembers the joy ride he took with Liger Zero.
)-(Shadow)-(
He can't believe how much it rained during the last few days. Other then that dream that he shared with Naruto, he hasn't seen the blond for some time. They were lucky enough to find some plastic tents lying about. They used these plastic to cover the Liger just in case it began to rain, considering this country was called Rain Country. It finally lived up to it's name a bout two days after finding Liger Zero.
He had been fusing with the Liger once a day, just to increase his ability to stay fused with the Zoid for longer period of time. He was stunned at how powerful the Zoid is and he's ability was increasing, he can now stay bonded with the Zoid core for thirty minutes, better then the four minutes that he started out with. He also can't help but wonder which Zoid would come out on top, the Geno Breaker or Liger Zero, for both were powerful Zoids that he couldn't spend a great deal of time bonded to without harmful effects.
He also had to marvel at how quickly he's been able to adapt to Liger Zero's power levels. He wonders if it might have something to do with the strange energy that ninjas use to do their jutsu. He kind of has to admit that he still can't understand how they access that energy and be able to do those hand seals to signal the specific jutsu that they want to do. He wonders what kind of rate his improvement in fusing with Liger Zero's core if he fuses with Naruto once again.
He pauses in his thoughts as his scanner beeps, meaning that a Zoid is coming within his range. He glances at Liger Zero, then opens his wings and takes off towards the unknown Zoid coming their way. It only takes him a good seven minutes of traveling through the air before he found the Zoid and its pilot.
He snorts as he identifies the Zoid as a Hel Digunner. He pauses and begins to observe the group of humans around the Zoid. He lands softly and moves into range to listen to what's going on. He notices the music symbol on the headbands of four of the men gathered around. "Are you sure one of the boys has a fan on his back?" The pale man that reminds him of a snake asks. "My source confirms it." The man surrounded by eight guards with the same uniform. "Excellent! We'll put the plan into action in three days." The pale man says and he snorts as they chat about details.
He turns and decides something on a whim. He opens his wings and then jets through the air as quickly as his jets can carry him. He rips the Zoid core out of the Hel Digunner with ease. He hears gasps of shock as the Zoid turns to stone. He hovers over the tree tops, letting those below get a good look at him and then ascends higher into the air before heading back to the Liger. He feels satisfied with the looks he received from the group of men. He knows that those ninja were shock to their core that the thought that something as small as him could do that to a much larger Zoid.
'What do they want with Sasuke?' He thinks as he flies lands by the Liger Zero. He has quite a bit to think about until Naruto comes for a visit. He just knows that something bad was on the way, he just wonders if it'll affect Naruto deeply. Thinks rarely turns out fine for the blond, which makes him stand firm that if anything happens to Naruto, he'll be there to defend the blond. He wasn't going to lose his latest partner to a bunch of power hungry humans, not without a fight.
)-(Sasuke)-(
His dreams changes and he frozen in front of a huge snake, he feels dread emanating from the gigantic snake. As the snake moves to bite him, something gets in the way and he stands before the body of his blond team mate. He flinches as he hears someone laugh in dark amusement as he can't take his eyes off his fallen team mate.
Then something appears opposite of him and he notices a man with yellow eyes that reminds him of a snake. Then he watches as a pair of glowing blue eyes appear behind the man and then a sudden snap and the pale man falls to the ground with his neck at an odd angle and he feels that whatever owns those glowing blue eyes, that they weren't satisfied with just this man's death.
He wakes in a sweat and searches the room for either the pale man or for a pair of glowing blue eyes. The door opens and Naruto enters into the room. The blond cocks his head to the side and gives him a puzzled look. He gulps as the image of Naruto's dead body enters his mind. He bolts out of the room, not able to face Naruto at the moment.
To be continued …