Last time, Will accidentally created a Fold, in which Matt and Nigel fell through. After explaining the situation to him, Nigel demonstrated his physical prowess, i.e. he has super-strength. This is going to come in handy since the Naz'riak have returned. But we'll get to that in a bit. On with the show!
Chapter 6: Shinobi Allies
Back in Konohamaru, Hay Lin and Taranee were anxiously waiting for the gathering of Naruto's friends. "So who's coming?" asked Hay Lin. "If these demons are as dangerous as you said they are," said Naruto, "Then we'll need all the help we can get, believe it. So I asked a couple of my fellow Chûnin to come along."
"What's a Chûnin?" asked Taranee. "It's one of three ninja ranks," said Naruto, "Genin is a beginner, Chûnin is a journeyman, which is where I am now, and Jônin or elite ninja. Beyond Jônin is the rank of Hokage, the best. That's where I'm gonna be someday, believe it." "Why do you want to be the best?" asked Hay Lin. "So that when I'm the next Hokage," said Naruto with a huge grin, "Everyone will respect me."
Just then, three ninjas entered the room, two boys and one girl. The girl had exceptionally long blond hair in a ponytail. "That's Ino Yamanaka," said Naruto, "She can posses people with her mind." The first boy has slightly shorter than Naruto with black hair in a short ponytail. "That's Shikamaru Nara. He can control people with his shadow." The last boy was also shorter than Naruto, but quite wider, considering he was stuffing his face with nachos. "Finally we have Chouji Akimichi, you have to see his specialty to believe it, believe it."
Shikamaru then walked up to Naruto and asked, "So what's the mission?" "I'll explain once everyone is here," said Naruto, "And here's Sakura." In cane a girl with medium length pink hair. "This is Sakura Haruno, one of my teammates." Sakura nodded at Taranee and Hay Lin, then glared at Ino, who glared back. "I see you're on this mission." Spat Ino. "If I knew you were coming," said Sakura, "I wouldn't have volunteered. Just stay out of my way." "Fine by me." Said Ino.
"I take they don't like each other." Whispered Hay Lin. "No duh." Whispered Taranee as another three ninjas entered the room, another two boys and a girl. The girl had a shy look on her and had very pale eyes. "That's Hinata Hyuuga," said Naruto, "She may look shy, but don't underestimate her. She can see through solid objects." "Cool!" said Taranee. The first boy was wearing a fur-lined jacked, and in the jacket was a small looking dog. "That's Kiba Inuzuka," said Naruto, "And his dog Akamaru. They have a special relationship."
The other boy had his jacket collar turned up so Taranee couldn't see much of his face, and his eyes were hidden by dark sunglasses. "That's Shino Aburume, he has a special relationship with bugs." "Have I mentioned that I don't like bugs?" said Taranee slightly nervously. "It's a shame," said Shino darkly, "They don't like you." "Don't mind Shino," said Kiba, "He's always like this." "So who else are we waiting fore?" asked Hinta quietly. "We're waiting for Bushy Brows and Saske," said Naruto, "And one other who may or may not show up." "Saske's coming?" asked Ino earnestly. "Of course Saske is coming," said Sakura, "So you'd better stay away from him, or else." Unknown to everyone in the room, Sakrua's inner ego was screaming, If that creep Ino touches my beloved Saske, I'll turn her inside out!
"Or else what?" said Ino, who was interrupted by the arrival of said Saske. He was slightly taller than Naruto, with dark eyes and dark hair. Hay Lin thought to herself that this was someone who would be a bad idea to get in his way. "This is Saske Uchiha," said Naruto, "Of the Uchiha clan." Saske nodded at Taranee and Hay Lin.
"Now where's Bushy Brows?" asked Naruto, "Ah, here he is." There stood at the doorway a boy with very bushy eyebrows. He had round hair and black eyes. His hands were bandaged as if he'd been in a rough fight. When he saw Taranee and Hay Lin, he smiled so brightly, Taranee would later swear his teeth 'pinged.'
"Rock Lee, taijutsu master and all around super-cool guy, at your service." Said Rock Lee as she shook Taranees' hand. He then noticed Hay Lin, "And I am especially at the service of such a beautiful young lady as you," said Rock Lee as he kissed Hay Lin's hand. Hay Lin promptly blushed. "So is that everyone?" asked Shikamara. "Who else are we waiting for?" asked Sakura.
"Me, that's who." Said a dark voice. There stood a boy with short red hair. He had no eyebrows, while his eyes were darkly highlighted. Tattooed above his left eye was the Kanji symbol for 'love.' Taranee and Hay Lin wondered why someone so dark would have something like that on his forehead. On his back was a large clay gourd. "What's he doing here?" asked Kiba, who sounded both angry and scared at the same time, his dog Akamaru was shaking in both fear and hate.
"Garra is here because we may need his specialties," said Naruto, "You got a problem with that, Kiba?" "Yeah I do," said Kiba, "He's a f#cking psycho, that's my problem!" "You and your dog gonna bark all day?" said Garra, "Or are we going to do this?" Kiba was tense for a few seconds, but then seemed to relax. "Okay, let's do this," he said, "But I'm keeping an eye on you, so no funny business."
"What's that all about?" asked Hay Lin. "Garra of the Sands," said Naruto, "Is a natural born killer. Kiba and his team saw firsthand what he could do in the heat of battle." Taranee saw that Garra and Rock Lee were glaring at each other, but then nodded in acknowledgement. "Is there something between them?" asked Hay Lin. "Three years ago during the Chûnin exams they fought in a preliminary match. The fight nearly killed each other. They hate each other, but still respect each other's fighting skills."
"Now let's get down to business," said Naruto, he then said to Taranee and Hay Lin, "Tell them what you told me." And so Taranee and Hay Lin explained the situation in Meridian. "Let me get this straight," said Shikamara, "Demons are kidnapping children in a parallel universe, and you need us to help stop them." "That's it in a nutshell," Said Hay Lin, "Any questions?" "Yeah, I got one," said Chouji, "What's the food like in Meridian?"
"Oh please," said Kiba disdainfully, "You just ate a whole bag of nachos." "Well I'm still hungry," said Chouji grumpily, "I need to eat to keep my strength up." "That's not all your keeping up." Muttered Shino. "I've got a real question," said Ino, "Why are the demons taking the children?" "We don't know yet," answered Taranee, who then held out one of the green stones left by the Naz'riak, "But for every child taken, one of these is left behind."
The stone was passed around the assembled ninjas. "I've never seen anything like this before," said Sakrua, "But it feels evil." When Hinta held the stone, she stared at it for sever minutes before saying, "There's a lingering presence within this stone. Whoever made it, made it out of pure darkness." "Before we go any further," said Naruto, "I just want to point out that this is an 'A' class mission, border-lining on 'S' class. I'm going because I want to go, nobody is asking any of you to go. If there is anyone who wants out, now's the time."
Everyone stared at teach other, as if trying to guess who'll chicken out. It was Chouji who said, "Demons or no demons, I'm in." Shino stood forward and said, "Count me in too." Rock Lee stood forward and said, "None shall call me a coward!" "If Rock Lee is going," said Garra, "Then I'm going as well." "Well that settles it," said Ino, "We're all going."
Unknown to Hay Lin, Taranee, Naruto and the others, they were being watched via crystal ball in the Hokage's office. "He has the loyalty of his friends." Said Yan Lin, referring to Naruto. "He should," said the Hokage, "He earned it. Three years ago I wouldn't have said this, but now, that boy may definitely be the next top ninja in this village. That is, if my grandson doesn't beat him first, right Konohamaru?" As it turns out, the Hokage's grandson was hiding behind a sheet of cloth painted to look like the wall. "I'll get you one of these days grandpa!"
Two hours later, Taranee and Hay Lin were waiting for Naruto and his fellow ninjas as they went through their final checklist. "Okay," said Naruto, "First-aid kits…" "Check!" said Hinata. "Camping gear…" "Check!" said Ino and Kiba, while Akamaru barked. "Extra kuni and shuriken…" "Check!" said Rock Lee and Shikamaru. "Exploding shuriken…" "Check!" said Saske. "Emergency rations…" "Check!" said Sakura, "Just as long as Chouji stays away from them." "I'd never do that!" exclaimed Chouji, while chomping down on some dried fruit. "Instant ramen…" Everyone looked at Naruto who then slapped himself in foolishness, "Oh yeah, I've got it. Check!" Everyone sighed in annoyance.
"Okay, we're ready," said Naruto, "Now, how are we getting there?" At this, every one except Taranee and Hay Lin sighed in annoyance again. "Well," said Hay Lin, "My grandmother has her own way home, so were using this." She pulled out a small blue crystal, which was given to her by the Oracle before they left Candracar. "Everyone get within twenty feet of me, and we'll be on our way." The eleven ninjas clustered around Hay Lin and Taranee. There was a bright blue flash, and they were gone.
The end of chapter 6. Next chapter, Will and the others battle against the Naz'riak, while waiting for Taranee and Hay Lin to arrive with help. Please read and review. See you next time!
