Sorry this update took so long everyone. But I had to rewrite this a couple of times. There were certain facts and points that had to be put in this chapter for the rest of the story to progress properly. But now that I won't be as busy, updates will be done on a regular basis. Thank youto everyone that stood the long wait.
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Ino decided to start the day by going to see Sakura. She knew tomorrow was a big day for Sakura, so she wanted to make a quick stop to see her. Oddly enough she was alone, without Shikamaru being anywhere in sight. She felt that it was time to bug her friend rather than her possible love interest. She knocked on the door loudly.
"Who'd be here this early?" Ms. Haruno wondered as she went to answer the door.
The door opened and Ms. Haruno's face began to heavily grin. It was a long time, but Ms. Haruno remembered the young kunoichi all too well.
"INO? God it's been so long since I've seen you around here. The last time you visited you were so small." Ms. Haruno referenced back to a time when Sakura and Ino were friends. A time before Sasuke.
"I'm still small. Just not as small..." She immediately hugged her friend's mother.
Ino's thoughts
" Geez, the years have gone by fast..." Ino sadly thought about the long term effect of her and Sakura's constant fighting.
Ms. Haruno released Ino and gave her a long hard look with a smile. Ino had grown up very well. Both her and Sakura were on the verge of womanhood.
"It's really great to see you again hon. Are you staying for awhile?" Ms. Haruno was more than happy to have Ino around. She immediately figured with Sasuke no longer between them, the two girls would resume their friendship.
"I well...uh..." Ino stuttered as she watched Ms. Haruno
Ino's thoughts
" Same Ms. Haruno. How could I refuse?" Ino knew she couldn't deny the offer considering the long hiatus.
"Yes ma'am." Ino smiled
"Wonderful, I'll go get something ready for us to eat." Ms. Haruno replied merrily
She then turned around and headed toward the kitchen. However, for a moment she stumbled. She began to fall towards the ground. This didn't go unnoticed by Ino. Immediately, Ino was at Ms. Haruno's side.
"Are you ok?" Ino asked with worry showing in her gaze
Ms. Haruno looked a little different at the moment. She seemed oddly tired. But she played it off easily enough
"I'm ok. Don't worry about me. Could you go and wake Sakura up for me?" She sweetly asked as Ino helped her to her feet.
Ino was worried about her. For now, she seemed fine. But for that brief moment, Ms. Haruno's body showed an eerie sign of weakness.
"Are you sure you alright?"
"Ino, since when did you become so motherly?" Ms. Haruno joked
"Ok, ok I'm going" Ino knew when to give up
Ms. Haruno had continued on to the kitchen to cook while Ino made her way upstairs and to Sakura's room. It was as if nostalgia was the theme of the moment
Ino's thoughts
" Geez everything looks the same. Just smaller. Kinda nice really..." Ino smiled as she browsed through her memories of her younger days.
She had made it up to Sakura's door and lightly knocked. But there was no answer. Instead, the only sound that made it through the door was a low mumbling. So she tried again. This time knocking slightly harder.
"Sakura?..." Ino called out. But still, no answer
She opened the door. Sakura was sleeping rather uncomfortably. Ino walked over to her. She thought maybe Sakura was just acting. She was normally one that was up early. Ino walked over to Sakura's bedside and watched over her carefully.
Ino's thoughts
" What are you dreaming about forehead girl?" She was worried about the pain expressions Sakura's face were showing.
A tear gently slid down from her eye to the side of her face. It sent the message to Ino that whatever Sakura was dreaming about, it was something she had wanted to let out for a long time. Something pent up.
Sakura's dream
The young teens with souls full of emotion were in front of the gates of Konoha. An event in which Sakura would consider the ultimate disaster was about to take place...
The beautiful pink haired Sakura stood at the gates of Konoha, with all the memories of Naruto's past. 10ft.opposite of her, the young sexy Morrigan stood in the middle of the dirt road with nothing but open fields And in the middle stood Naruto, the source of the tension between the two.
"Naruto, come home...to Konoha. You're going to be Hokage one day." Sakura spoke
Morrigan immediately interrupted
"Home is where you should be feel safe foxy, not a place where you're loathed just for being alive. For reasons you don't even know" Morrigan countered sadly
All Naruto could do was look down to the ground. His eyes were glassy. He stood a broken man as emotions were being stretched in two directions. With both women having equal pull. Slowly, Naruto's knees buckled as he conceited to the ground. He stared down to the ground with tears of pure confusion dripping from his eyes.
Sakura walked over to Naruto and sat to his right beside him on the ground.
"...Naruto-kun..." She called his name softly
Naruto looked up and met Sakura eye to eye. With tears still slowly flowing, he gazed both intently and warmly into her eyes
"...You have people that care for you...Friends who miss you..." Sakura softly reminded Naruto of the few that called him dear.
"...Foxy..." Morrigan called his name as softly as Sakura
Hearing his name, his gaze shifted from Sakura to Morrigan
"...You shouldn't have to enter a trial by fire for friendship...You should never have to prove your worth for acceptance...friendship isn't proven, it's mutual..." Morrigan said as she sat at Naruto's free side.
"...Naruto-kun... you're an inspiration for all of us"
"How can you be an inspiration if the people don't even respect you..." Morrigan cinched her hands together and softened her voice.
"Naruto, come back to the life you've always known..." Sakura said as she stood up and held her hand out to Naruto
"Foxy, come with me. To a life that's brand new." Morrigan rose to her feet and held out her hand just as Sakura had done.
Naruto's eyes were no longer teary. He stood up slowly. The determination in his eyes were a clear indication of his decision. He placed his hand in Morrigan's and their hands slowly clasped together. He turned to Sakura one final time.
Inner Sakura
"no...NO!..." Sakura began to slowly reach out toward Naruto. But she couldn't reach him due to forces unknown.
" ...Don't go Naruto-kun...I love you..." Sakura said crying as she made one final attempt the reunite with Naruto
"I'm sorry Sakura-chan...goodbye..." Naruto said with a genuine voice
Both Naruto and Morrigan then turned toward the vast open world that awaited them. The two slowly began to walk away from Konoha, never looking back. Leaving a hurt, crying, and dejected kunoichi in their wake as she felt the full effect of true heartbreak.
Sakura's dream end
Ino watched as Sakura had begun to flow tears at a harder pace and she began to let out a soft whimpering. Ino felt that she needed to wake her friend up. She began to prod and shake her.
"Sakura!...Sakura!" Ino began to shake Sakura back and forth
Sakura had begun to wake up as Ino consistently jerked her friend's body back and forth. Ino was unaware of the nocturnal sorrow in which she had saved her friend from.
"...huh...Ino?" Sakura had opened her eyes to find the female ninja opposite of her
Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes. She regained her composure and then faced her friend with as normal a face she could. Ino smiled to see that her friend was for the most part ok.
"Sleep well?" Ino asked even though she clearly was aware that Sakura's rest was anything but blissful.
"...Yes..." Sakura replied with a smile. However, the smile was short of sincere. It was weak and defeated.
Ino's thoughts
" You don't have to lie..." Ino knew better than to believe that answer. But she accepted it anyway
"Ok...think you're ready for tomorrow?" Ino referred to something of great importance
"The chuunin exams? I'm more than ready." Sakura replied confidently
"Oh?" Ino gave Sakura and her confidence a sly look.
"Be real Ino pig, I have too much back up." Sakura was still confident
Ino still had a kind of sarcastic expression on her face. She still had a great deal of work ahead of her. But even so, Ino was aware that this was becoming a far cry from the old Sakura that always needed the security of Naruto and Sasuke to drive her on.
"Stop looking at me like that. Mom is always behind me. Tsunade is an excellent sensei. Kakashi will be assisting me. And I even have my childhood friend back." Sakura smiled as she patted Ino's shoulder
"There's so many sources of inspiration around me. I can't fail even if I wanted to" Sakura was still confident in voice. As her body language foretold otherwise.
Ino's thoughts
"...With one source...a very important source of inspiration absent..." Ino thought out her words rather than spoke them. She didn't want to say anything that would make Sakura doubt herself.
"Blah blah blah..." Ino said playfully as she began on her way out of Sakura's room.
Ino had begun to walk out of the door. Before exiting out, Sakura had called out to her.
"Ino...?" Sakura gently called to her friend
"Yeah?" Ino turned to answer
Sakura and Ino made eye contact. Sakura's weakened version of a smile down graded itself to almost a gloomy appearance. Ino looked on with great concern. Sakura began to speak
"...I lied...I didn't sleep well...not at all" Sakura had gave Ino an opposite answer to her earlier question.
All Ino could do was warmly yet sadly stare at her friend.
"...I know..." Ino replied as she left and closed the door behind him.
Once the door was closed, Sakura got to her feet and walked toward her window. She leant out of the window a bit and allowed the sun to illuminate her skin.
Inner Sakura
"...Not even confessing my heart was enough..." Sakura nervously looked out towards the sky. Her beautiful faced plagued with pain and tears as she tried to contemplate the meaning of that hurtful dream.
Sakura took her mind away from her emotions long enough to prepare herself to face the day. She knew her mother and Ino were waiting for her. And she didn't want to keep them waiting long.
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Morrigan had just made her way downstairs. She noticed Atwright had just came in. But something was different about him. His face was full of serious intent. She knew that face well. It was a face in which Atwright dawn for only the most dire of matters. He went directly into the living room with a case in hand.
Morrigan's thoughts
"What's with dad?...Something must really be wrong." Morrigan thought as she covertly hid on the side of the living room entrance.
She had begun to peek in...
Jiraiya and Rina were already anxiously sitting in the living room. Atwright sat across from them and placed the case on the center table. He then opened it up to reveal the gene-twili key.
"So...this is it..." Jiraiya begun the conversational exchange.
"Yeah...a dangerous object in the wrong hands...this is not to be misused in even the smallest of ways." Atwright answered.
Morrigan's thoughts
"Now I KNOW something is up. Dad would never give that to an outsider if things weren't serious" Morrigan became nervous
"I assume you've already planned your next course of action.." Atwright figured Jiraiya was already prepared with his next course of action.
"Yeah...there is only one person that might be able to help Naruto. It's our ONLY chance." Jiraiya knew the perilous risk that was about to be undertaken
Atwright and Rina both gave Jiraiya gazes of caution.
"But who could help the poor boy?" Rina questioned
Jiraiya for a moment had thoughts of another student of his in days long past. The nostalgic remembrance almost brought Jiraiya to tears.
"Someone that Kyuubi really despises..." Jiraiya dared not utter the identity of the person in which he spoke of.
"Your eyes...they're talking to me...telling me you know this person very well" Rina was able to read Jiraiya body language.
Atwright listened to Rina's words and then he too noticed Jiraiya's offbeat body language. Morrigan was still spying with the greatest of stealth. As Morrigan continued to watch on, Atwright didn't want Rina to press too hard into Jiraiya's past.
"Rina, that isn't needed information. However he knows this person is of no importance. The focus is on how exactly can this person help" Atwright said in his normal strict voice.
"You're right,... sorry hon" Rina apologized to Jiraiya
Jiraiya then began to reach for the gene-twili key that was on the center table. His hand had stopped just short as he noticed an uneasy, violent aura reveal itself
Jiraiya's thoughts
"What is this reaction?..."
"DON'T TOUCH IT!" Atwright yelled with great urgency
Both Jiraiya and Rina had looked at Atwright as if he was out of his mind. They both had nervous, rattled looks in their faces. Morrigan knew about the gene-twili key. She was well aware of why Atwright told him not to touch it
Morrigan's thoughts
"Looks like you saved the old pervert from hurting himself dad. Close one."
"Don't touch it? Why not? You touched it." Jiraiya almost sound insulted
"It was encased. I never literally put my hands on it. Naruto is the only one that can touch it. Because he's hasn't been influenced by the world around him." Atwright knew of something Jiraiya didn't
"The hell? What does that mean?" Jiraiya's voice echoed even more annoyed than the last
"What it means... 'Sannin', is that he is still pure, the evils of this world have yet to ware on him. Are you pure and untainted old friend?" Atwright answered sarcastically
Rina giggled at the look on Jiraiya's face. Even she knew Jiraiya wasn't exactly the most saintly of men.
"Fine..." Jiraiya retreated back to his original spot in which he sat.
Rina had stopped her laughter. It was a good mood lightener within an overall serious conversation. But curiosity and worry about Naruto overwhelmed her. She decided to once again press into matters that weren't of her immediate concern.
"...Jiraiya...I'm sorry...but..." Rina was nervous.
" Why do I feel like I already know what's in your pretty little head?" Jiraiya could tell just by her questionable glare what she was going to ask about.
" Sorry...and yes...how well do you know this person that's supposedly going to help Naruto?" Rina dared to question
"RINA!" Atwright was fairly pissed at Rina's persistence.
"No, she actually deserves to know. You both do." Jiraiya calmed his friend down
Jiraiya began to once again think about times long past. The two just looked at Jiraiya ever so concerned. It seemed as though every time Jiraiya reminisced about this particular person at this particular time, he'd become overwhelmed with sadness. Rina was about to tell him it was ok to keep it to himself. But Jiraiya spoke up before she could.
" You see,...long ago I had another student. It was a long...long time ago..." Jiraiya began.
" That's why this hits so close to home huh..." Rina commented
"You don't know the half of it...I taught him everything I knew...and I couldn't be more proud of him. But...I made a mistake...one dire, fatal mistake." Jiraiya had to collect himself
Atwright and Rina were ever so intently listening. As was Morrigan. Even she was compelled to know of this particular part of Jiraiya's past. And the object of compulsion for her was that this part of Jiraiya's past tied into Naruto's present and inevitable future.
"I think I'm beginning to understand" Atwright was catching on
"Yeah...the nine-tailed fox demon Kyuubi attacked Konoha more than a decade ago. My former student was the fourth Hokage at the time. I taught him a forbidden jutsu. And that very technique was enough to seal the evil demon" Jiraiya continued on with his remembrance of the horrid event.
"...That is why...we have to head to the evermore plains
"But...to go to the evermore plains...that would mean..." Rina jumped to the next
Jiraiya and Rina met eyes. Jiraiya could tell what conclusion Rina had come to. And she was right.
"Yes...he is dead...a forbidden technique is forbidden for a reason. Some kill you over time. Some kill instantly. It wall depends on the user and the target of the attack. My young student...he sealed the demon but...well...the forbidden skill cost him his life. The God of death claimed him..."
"So, since this is the only person to fair well against the demon, you think he might know of a way to beat him?" Atwright asked
"That's the bulk of the idea yes." Jiraiya replied
"But Jiraiya...what could your former student know of about defeating the demon. He lost his life and the demon was sealed. To me...that's not a victory...and hardly a draw..." Rina was overall correct.
Jiraiya sighed and looked downward. Even the normally hardened Atwright almost dawned a frown of hopelessness. Rina had no intention of bringing down their spirits. She was just speaking her mind
"I know it's slim...and probably won't work. But this is our only option. It is THE option. He deserves to chance to live. Demon within or not, it is his right. So no matter how much the odds are against us, if there is even the smallest of chances, we WILL take it."
Morrigan stared on. She used to think Jiraiya was just your average, simple-minded everyday letch. But hearing his words, she saw that she just might not be the only person that wanted the best for Naruto.
Morrigan's thoughts
"Ok, maybe he's not the old cog and perv I thought. And...it's good to see that there is one more person that cares about my foxy and his well-being. You rock old man..."Morrigan dawned a small smile.
"That sounds like the Jiraiya I remember" Atwright for once and on this rare occasion seemed proud of his friend
"That's so like you" Rina smiled and blushed
Jiraiya smiled at Rina then averted his stare at the gene-twili key still resting on the center table. Thoughts began to well inside him. There was one part of the past that he'd willingly withheld from his friends. It was th true connect between his former student and his current one. It seemed as though the more he cared, the more deception would surface itself.
"So when do you plan on breaking the order the Hokage gave you and tell the child that the demon is within him? Atwright asked in a forward manner
"...I can't...You're asking me to tell a child just on the verge of adulthood that a demon's life force resides within him. I can't tell him yet..." Jiraiya said with sorrow.
" I'm not one to repeat myself, but we've had a similar conversation about his before Jiraiya. You already accepted him as being a man. You can't just keep parts of his life from him like he's a child." Atwright yet again was pressing his case.
"Jiraiya hon...this is really bad. God forbidden if someone else close to him knows about this" Rina too was fearful for Naruto's well-being.
Jiraiya gave of a peculiar silence. It was the kind of violence that spoke volumes. Rina realized that the strange silence could only mean one thing.
"...Hon?..." She said nervously. She knew his reply would reveal others close to Naruto that knew of his plight.
Jiraiya took an extremely deep breath before his next words. He was about to bare a bit of the truth and the very thought of it wasn't easy for him.
" Seven...with the two of you included. The Hokage, her assistant, and Kakashi knew of the matter before I did. Then there is myself and even his comrade, Sakura is aware of it. This wasn't supposed to be spoken of outside of the original five. But...with all that has happened...you deserved to know..." Jiraiya confessed
Morrigan stood in this belief. She couldn't believe that people that Naruto considered close could ever omit something so life threatening from him. Especially in regard to a certain young female ninja. Nobody was aware that the number seven 'in the know' had secretly became eight.
Morrigan's thoughts
"...You're supposed to be his friend...all of you are supposed to be his friends...Friends don't keep secrets orders or not. " Morrigan became sad for Naruto
"And you,...Sakura...you of all people..." Morrigan began to wonder on the fact that Sakura also knew of Naruto's secret.
"Foxy...how can you give this girl so much... I...I'm the one that's here for you." Morrigan's eyes were about to water
Just then, footsteps that were heavier than normal made their way behind Morrigan. A blond teenager with a huge backpack in tow had finally made his way downstairs. Everyone could here his heavy footsteps. Morrigan gave him a very welcoming smile as he approached her.
"Hey Morrigan-chan, why are you..." he was cut off as Morrigan put her hand over his mouth
She didn't want the others or Naruto and realize that she was spying on the conversation. She took him by the hand and led him to the living room. Once realizing that Naruto and Morrigan were entering, all talk about Naruto's impending digression into the Kyuubi was instantly silenced.
Atwright's thoughts
" Hand in hand...'bout time she found someone she likes" Atwright was pleased to realize the possibility of Naruto being his son in law. Although such a thought was going a bit too far, as a father wanting his daughter to find a suitor soon, it was something to hope for.
Jiraiya stood up
"It's about time the two of you made it down." Jiraiya sounded with impatience.
"Sorry I took so long. But this bag is freakishly heavy." Naruto had an excuse.
"Foxy stop complaining. You need the exercise. Laying up in that hospital probably made you stiff." Morrigan offset his complaint
"Quite true." Jiraiya nodded his head as he agreed.
Atwright and Rina stood and laughed as the two went on jokingly about Naruto's heavy back pack woes. It had been few and far between when it came to moments of any laughter. And things would unfortunately get worse. Naruto pouted, but wasn't too upset.
"Anyway, What is that thing?" Naruto was pointing to the gene-twili key which was still in its stationary position on the table.
"That's the gene-twili key that I told you about, remember?" Morrigan reminded him about a past conversation the two had
"It looks like an ankh." Naruto saw it as a familiar shape
"And like an ankh my boy, this as mystical properties of its own." Atwright added.
Naruto walked over to the table. He stared at it hard. He wasn't one that would be considered a man of the world, so he wasn't too accustomed to being around powerful artifacts of any sort. Just like his sensei, he leant over to pick it up. Jiraiya stared in anxiety as Atwright's stare was totally opposite. His was a look of confidence. Naruto picked it up as the gene-twili gave off an aura totally different from Jiraiya. It was a calm, inviting aura.
"..." Naruto acted as if he was Ballistic mime for this moment. With nothing to say, he was in awe.
"See the difference Jiraiya...think PURITY" Atwright whispered to Jiraiya.
Jiraiya just frowned at the comment. But as he realized the inviting aura that the key gave off in Naruto's hands. He could only wonder what would have happened if he had touched it.
"It's yours Naruto. That key only allows those who are pure of heart to touch it." Atwright gave Naruto the rights to the important item.
"...Uh...okay but...what would I do with something like this? And what does it do anyway?" Naruto had asked a reasonable, intelligent question.
The room went quite as Naruto asked his question. In order for his questions to be properly answered, Jiraiya would have to go beyond Tsunade's decree and tell him about himself and the real reason they are away from Konoha in the first place. All eyes were on Jiraiya at this point.
Atwright's thoughts
"Now would be a perfect time to fess up"
Rina's thoughts
"...He deserves to know Jiraiya, and it is for YOU to tell..."
Morrigan's thoughts
"Someone he holds dear should tell him...you are his sensei"
"...There's...someone you need to see. And that key will allow you to see him" Jiraiya replied. He told the truth, yet at the same time omitted the ENTIRE truth.
Atwright left the room, shaking his head in disgust. He was becoming tired of trying to lecture Jiraiya. All he could do was hope and prey that Naruto would be able to handle things once his world came crashing down. Even Rina gave him a disappointed stare.
Jiraiya's thoughts
" I cant tell him...I can't" Jiraiya said in his head frequently.
Naruto was confused by everyone's odd actions. But since he didn't understand what was going on around him, he decided not to pay it much mind.
" Well, that's good enough for me. Hey old man, when are we leaving." Naruto impatiently asked.
"We'll be heading out in about an hour. I see you made sure to pack. Very good, you didn't make the same mistake you made when we left Konoha. Ninjas never make the same mistake twice." Jiraiya mocked a little
"Yeah whatever. But I have Morrigan-chan here took care of me. She packed up for me" Naruto gave credit where it was due as he slung his arm around Morrigan's shoulder.
Morrigan's thoughts
" I packed for me too" She thought as she blushed and smiled at Naruto for his acknowledgment of her efforts.
" Chan?" Jiraiya cocked his eyebrow and looked at Naruto
Jiraiya's thoughts
" The only other person Naruto ever addressed with 'chan' was Sakura...that reminds me, I'm calling him on our little bet. It's past the due date..." Jiraiya had just remembered something he had set aside before the previous attack.
Morrigan blushed lightly and she wrapped her arms around Naruto's waist. Naruto was embarrassed. Jiraiya and Rina were looking at them with smiles. With Naruto's arm draped around Morrigan's shoulder and her arms wrapped around his waist, they looked like a couple. Noticing this, Rina walked over to Morrigan and whispered in her ear.
"I've been watching you princess, don't do anything that would taint his purity" Rina playfully warned
Morrigan shot her an angry stare. It was easy to see that she didn't like Rina's words. She released her grip on his waist and grabbed his hand.
"We'll be waiting at the front gate." Morrigan said annoyed as she pulled Naruto out with her.
As per normal, he didn't know what was going on. But it was slowly becoming something he didn't like. In the back of his mind, he started to feel like everyone was in the know except for him. It wasn't a feeling he liked at all. The two had left, closing the door behind them. This left Rina and Jiraiya alone.
For the first time in a very long time, Rina found herself very angry with Jiraiya. Her eyes were piercing his soul. And he knew exactly why her gaze was so fierce.
"...I'll tell him...but he isn't ready yet..." Jiraiya said
Rina slapped Jiraiya hard. He saw it coming a mile away. But he felt it was best not to dodge.
"When the hell when he be ready? When YOU say?...When your HOKAGE says?" Rina's voice became progressively louder as she grabbed the collar of his shirt harshly.
Jiraiya said nothing. He had resigned himself to take the scolding Rina was delivering upon him.
Jiraiya's thoughts
" Yeah...you should be disappointed with me... And my student WILL be...but... if the choice is between him hating me or his safety well...then he'll have to hate me till the end of time" Jiraiya thought to himself
Rina had released his collar from her angry grip. Her eyes had begun to soften and her voice toned down. She was still upset about it, but she resigned herself back to her normal manner
"Hon?..."
Rina softly placed her hand upon his cheek
" What are you going to say to Naruto when he realizes the truth? He looked you in the eye and asked you what the gene-twili key was for. And you lied to him...to his face..." Rina spoke as her eyes showed worry.
Jiraiya was speechless. He was aware of his audacious act. But to hear it literally told to him. And by Rina no less made it that much more scarring. He and anyone that Naruto was close to in Konoha may find themselves the boy's enemy. But like Jiraiya stated, better to have him safe rather than a friend given the choice.
"Sometimes, we do more harm than good when we try to protect those we care about hon. Remember that...k?..." Rina left the room and left Jiraiya to his thoughts
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Mad clown and Ballistic mime and eventually returned to the prison. They stood at the front door, worrisome about whatever awaited them on the other side. Neither was exactly enthusiastic about walking inside, but being known for their many misdeeds over the years, they had little choice.
"..."Fear of the unknown was shown in Ballistic mime's body language
His still battered and bruised brother weakly placed his hand upon Ballistic's shoulder
" I know...but...we've no place else to go. Our criminal past runs deep..." Mad clown spoke without his normal laughter.
Ballistic mime's sense of fear grew. If Mad clown ever spoke without his normal laughter, it was an omen of bad things to come. They walked through the corridors of the dank prison. Many inmates eyes were on them, sensing their failure and mocking them harshly. They had reached the chamber where their master resided, guarded by two elite ninjas.
"Where's the girl?" One of the elite asked
"..." Ballistic mime made eye contact with the elite
"Move aside!" Mad clown demanded
The two elites just faced each other, then turned to once again face the brothers.
"A hobbled ninja giving orders?" The second elite mocked
" hmm hmm...you don't want to get on my bad side right now?" Mad clown threatened
The two elites were practically ready to explode with laughter
"Yeah we wouldn't want to do that. I mean c'mon, the last guy that got on your nerves kicked your ass." The guard was mocking
The wounded brothers were ready in arms to fend against the two elites. In-fighting was a common occurrence within the confines of the prison. There was no love lost for the next person. And the only thing that cutthroats respected were other cutthroats. Before any scuffled had begun, an intimidating voice rang from within the room behind the two elites.
"LET THEM PASS!" a familiar voice sounded with utmost authority
Immediately yet reluctantly, the two elites manned their original positions and opened the doors. Ballistic mime and Mad clown walked into the chamber. The figure sat in his normal seat, as Malhavoc was at his left. And Zabuza along with Sasuke were on his were to his right. He decided to be forward and get straight to the matter at hand.
" The girl...where is she...?" The figure was blunt
Ballistic mime and Mad clown were silent. Both afraid to answer and admit their mutual failure.
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After hanging out at the Haruno household with her mother for awhile, Sakura and Ino decided to catch up on some of the extensive lost time.
"This place has really picked itself up after that attack from those rogues. Our beautiful Konoha is nearly back to normal" Ino began the conversation
" No kidding. But we are the strongest of all the ninja villages. If we can't pick ourselves up after a disaster, we wouldn't deserve to be called the strongest" Sakura replied
"Exactly, that proves that everything is back to normal" Ino smiled
Sakura smiled back. They found the pizza shop that Sakura and Naruto ate at before he left. It brought the memory back to Sakura
"You know, Naruto-kun took me her for lunch before he went away." Sakura told Ino
Ino got really quite for a moment. Then observed Sakura. She didn't want to have the day ruined by having feelings of heartache reveal themselves.
"We can hang someplace else you know" Ino mentioned
"No it's ok. It's time I started doing what's best for both me and. He'd want me to be happy." Sakura replied. She was beginning to accept the fact that Naruto was away for now.
She was no longer crying over him being away. Rather now, she slowly began to find strength within herself and would patiently await his return. At that moment, the two girls caught sight of a group of three random girls from the village. The seemed to be about the ages of Sakura and Ino if not slightly older.
"I wonder where that hottie Sasuke's been. He hasn't been around anywhere." One of the random girls said fairly audible.
"Haven't you heard?" The second young girl answered
"Heard what?"
" The word around here is that Sasuke's been missing. Now that I think about it, that would explain the lack of cute guys" The third girl gave her own opinion.
"I don't know about that. There's been a lack of ugly guys too" The second one said.
"Yup, that little turd Naruto hasn't been around either. He's been gone just as long as Sasuke. That ugly little barf on two legs probably kidnaped him, then hid himself to escape justice." The first girl spoke again
The three girls went on praising Sasuke and reviling Naruto. Sakura and Ino saw it. They both observed the girls closely. They both were mad. Especially Sakura. But, seeing the sight made them melancholy. It reminded them of the way they were not so long ago.
Sakura propped her elbow onto the table and leaned into her palm.
" You know, we use to sound like them. Almost word for word" Sakura sadly remembered
Ino folded her hands together.
"Were we really that mean to Naruto though? I mean look at them. They talk about him like he's trash" Ino couldn't bring herself to believe they used to be so cruel
"I...think we were worse." Sakura regretted those days very much.
Viewing the girls and their rude antics toward Naruto and their fanatical praising of Sasuke made her truly soar. From the false feelings for Sasuke to the hurtful actions she used to take toward Naruto, she couldn't believe how backward she was.
Inner Sakura
" I was just like them..." Sakura stared almost in a daze
"Hey, think we should let them know who their 'Sasuke' really is? Or should do you want to let them know how cool blond loud boys can be" Ino proposed to set the fan girls straight.
Sakura shook her head and smiled.
"No that's alright. It's better they realize for themselves what Sasuke is really about...besides..." Sakura smiled
"Besides?" Ino cocked her eye as she awaited whatever else Sakura had to say
" Besides I don't want to have any competition for Naruto." Sakura replied. But her face momentarily saddened with her next thought
Inner Sakura
"...I may already have all I can handle with...her..." Sakura had realized that once again, Naruto wasn't traveling with Jiraiya alone.
The two continued on. They had their food and made fun of the groupies from across the room and themselves alike. They felt that they both had evolved from that stage of their lives. So as they watched, it was nothing more than taking a look into their mutual pasts.
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Back at the prison, the two ninjas were doing whatever they could to best explain their reason for returning without Princess Morrigan. Malhavoc enjoyed hearing of their failure.
"Tell me, how do two ninjas of your skill level manage to come back from a simple retrieval mission empty-handed?" Their enigmatic leader asked.
"We weren't told that wave had ninjas" Mad clown replied to what he felt was misinformation
"They don't" The dark figured replied annoyed
"But there were ninjas there. I myself fought a man with long gray hair. And his jutsu was unlike anything I've seen." Mad clown replied.
"Explain!" The figure pounded his fist on his arm rest.
"When we fought, he was able form this sort of light and use it as a projectile. Whoever this man was, he...was definitely well-seasoned" Mad clown began to explain as best he could, still trying to recover from Naruto's assault.
The figure began to ponder who this new opponent could be. He had an idea of who it was. But he needed more information. So he decided to probe more
"Is that all the information you have?" The figured needed more to go on
Ballistic mime looked at his brother nervously. He didn't want Mad clown to reveal too much. He knew that once their master had what he needed, he would soon hunt down his new friends.
"..." Ballistic mime placed his hand on his brother's shoulder
Mad clown's thoughts
"I know...but we don't have a choice...there is no place for us..." Mad clown felt that telling whatever they knew was their one...only option.
"He had a symbol on his person. It looked like the symbol that boy bears" Mad clown pointed to Sasuke
Sasuke had a curious look on his face. To his knowledge, the person Mad clown described thus far wasn't remotely familiar.
Sasuke's thoughts
"My symbol?...He's saying this man came from Konoha?" Sasuke continued to pay attention to Mad clown's information
The dark figure's thoughts
" Bearing Konoha's insignia...there is no question...Jiraiya... This will be interesting.." The evil one had an evil smile
Sensing the two had a little bit more to tell, the evil one continued to press once more
" The two of you were beaten by this one man? Deprived of your mission by this ONE MAN?" The figure became loud once more
"There was ...one more..." Mad clown began to talk slower. He felt as though he would regret his next words.
Ballistic mime once again placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. Except this time, he was digging in. He knew what Mad clown's next words were going to pertain to.
"..." Ballistic mime slowly nodded his head negatively.
Mad clown looked into his brother's eyes. He knew Ballistic mime was aware of what he was about to say. Nor did he want to say it.
Mad clown's thoughts
"I don't want to either...but..." Mad clown regretfully took his brother's hand from his shoulder and continued on.
"There was also a young blond child. He was teenage...with whisker marks on his face...and he too bore the mark just like his" Mad clown once again pointed to Sasuke
Zabuza's thoughts
"...Can't be..." Zabuza recognized who he was talking about through the description
Sasuke's thoughts
"...Naruto?" Sasuke was aware as well
The dark figure knew as well of the owner of such a description. But he would need one final piece of information.
"Tell me Mad clown, your injuries. Which of the two assailants visited such pain onto you" The dark one asked, although he already had fair knowledge of the answer.
Mad clown didn't want to think back to that night. It was a painful thought. Not only was that battle life-threatening, it was also the first failed mission he and his brother ever had.
"The boy with the whiskers...he did this to me..." Mad clown remembered the horrible one-sided battle
"Give me your scenario, what brought out such violence in this boy?"
Both brothers had vivid memories of this. Especially Mad clown. For he was the one that experienced the fury first hand.
"We took the princess away from him...and...the moment she was gone, I felt a foul, evil aura fill the air. And then he changed...it was like fighting a beast."
Zabuza's thoughts
" That seems familiar to me..." Zabuza had felt that kind of chakra in the past
The dark one's thoughts
"I see...my original theory was correct. The demon is invoked when those he cares for are threatened. In that case..." He had a sinister thought in mind
"Zabuza!"
"Yes?" Zabuza responded normally
"From this point on, Sasuke will under my instruction only. This relieves your instructional duties as well Malhavoc. He has to be able to keep up" The dark figure ordered.
The two jounin looked at each other with questionable faces. Yet neither dared to question the evil one's authority. Sasuke too looked confused. And he himself was beginning to question his reason for being there.
Sasuke's thoughts
"What does he mean...'keep up?'...I came here to become stronger...but why does he want me to become stronger...am I being used?..." The longer Sasuke stayed at the prison, the more he began to second guess his reason for being there.
"Mad Clown!"
"Yes boss..." The wounded ninja answered.
"I don't tolerate failure. Nor do I care about your injuries. You and your brother are to capture the target no matter what. You will both put your lives on the line for this cause. Do you understand?" The evil one commanded.
"...Yes..." The near-handicapped Mad clown answered
The two brothers took their leave as Sasuke, Zabuza, and Malhavoc watched them leave. As shortly after, they too took their leave of their master's chamber.
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Naruto and Morrigan were doing as said earlier and making their way to the front gate. Morrigan, who would normally take this chance to flirt with her favorite fox, was oddly quiet. Naruto had grown use to Morrigan's daring attitude. So for her to act any bit out of character worried him. She was very quiet as she had her arms wrapped around, hugging his left arm.
"Since when are you this quiet" Naruto bluntly asked
Morrigan looked up at him and tried to be a bit more light hearted. She began to smile and flirt as she normally would
"A girl could take that as a way of saying you miss her... Miss me foxy?" Morrigan playfully asked as she pressed herself into him.
Naruto didn't allow himself to fall prey to her advances like he normally did. He was sure something serious was on her mind. And he felt like he needed to know. And more so, she had to get it off of her chest.
"Morrigan..." Naruto put his hand under her chin and tilted her eyes to his
Morrigan felt like his eyes were a mirror to a world opposite of the one they called reality. His eyes were pure, warm, and sincere. Unlike the tainted, cold, and deceptive world in which they lived in. She was mesmerized by his eyes. She knew it was like falling under a spell. But she didn't care. Because it was her foxy's eyes.
"...Let's sit down..." Morrigan took him by the hand and lead him to a bench by the gate.
Naruto's thoughts
"Something must really be bothering her..." Naruto was worried as he sat the huge backpack to the side of the bench.
The two sat down and for a brief moment silence presented itself. The two actually took the silent moment in and enjoyed each other's company and the serene environment around them. But Morrigan soon broke that silent splendor.
" How's your arm? Are you adjusting to it well enough?" Morrigan started the conversation.
"I guess...but I won't really know until I start training again" Naruto answered.
Morrigan smiled at him. Then looked away
"Foxy?..." Morrigan was ready to get things off her chest.
"Hmm?" Naruto was at attention
"What would you do if someone you trust...betrayed your trust?" Morrigan wanted to take this slowly
She was nervous to tell him of what she had over heard. Her question immediately reminded Naruto of an event from the past. A very hurtful memory.
Naruto's thoughts
" What would I do?...Sakura-chan...I ran away from her. When I felt betrayed...I used this mission as an excuse to run away from her..." Naruto closed his eyes
"...I don't know...I would probably...go away. Maybe go somewhere new, where I can start over." Naruto almost said exactly what he thought
Morrigan's thoughts
" So...he'd run away..."
"Naruto, did you leave with Jiraiya to escape Sakura?" Morrigan read him like an open book
Naruto turned his face away from Morrigan. He didn't want her to see his hurtful frown. He didn't answer. Rather, he immediately became quite. Morrigan placed her hand on his knee and her turned to face her.
"You don't have to answer that..." She glided her hand from his knee to his hand
Naruto opened his hand and entangled his fingers with hers. It was a move that she didn't expect from him. But it was a very welcome move. She liked it
Morrigan's thoughts
"...Foxy's hands are strong and warm...this is wonderful..." Morrigan was lost in his touch
Morrigan was becoming increasingly aware of Naruto's loneliness. And the void of Sakura's fling with Sasuke ran deep. Morrigan wanted to fill that void within him. But she didn't allow herself to fall into the pleasure of his touch as they were still holding hands. She continued on.
"...How much do you know about yourself Naruto?"
Naruto became increasingly worried. The series of questions Morrigan was asking odd to him. It was as if she was probing him for something. Or even more curious, looking to make him aware of something he should know.
" I guess as much as anybody would know about themselves. Did you want to know something in particular?" Naruto sensed there was more to these questions.
Morrigan chuckled and then asked something less broad
"What were your parents like?" Morrigan smiled as she asked
Naruto scratched his chin and looked to the sky. He only knew whatever was told to him. Which was next to nothing.
"Well...I never knew my parents. All I know is whatever I was told by the third Hokage...before he passed away" Naruto began to think back.
"What did he tell you?" Morrigan curiously asked
"He told me...that when I was very young. A powerful demon named Kyuubi attacked Konoha...my mother was killed during the battle." Naruto began to recollect
"And your father? What about him?" Morrigan probed more
"Him? Well, he fought the demon head to head. But...he died too...he sealed the demon away and he was revered as a hero..." Naruto remembered what he was told well.
Morrigan began to worry. The events of the previous night. The conversation she had overhead with Jiraiya, Rina, and Atwright. And now, Naruto's story of his parents. She was now starting to peace things together. And what she was beginning to figure out scared her. But she had one final question to ask before she could confirm her frightening theory.
"So...where is this demon?" Morrigan by now was certain of where or WHO the monster was in.
" He never told me...nobody ever told me..." Naruto answered curiously.
Morrigan's thoughts
"...Foxy's father...is Jiraiya's previous student...And Foxy is the person he sealed the demon in." Morrigan turned her face away from Naruto so that he wouldn't see her cry.
Naruto didn't understand why she was crying. He was clueless that her tears were for him. He took her hand and stood up, bringing her up with him.
"It's alright Morrigan-chan...I'm used to not having an actual family...But I have people that care for me that fill that void...you included" Naruto said as he was unaware of why Morrigan's tears flowed.
Morrigan wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled herself close to him.
Morrigan's thoughts
"They've kept so much from you...your reality is incomplete...But I don't care...I don't give a damn if there is a demon inside of you. You are MY foxy first, foremost, and if you'll let it happen...forever" Morrigan was still true to Naruto even after putting together the truth.
"I've gotten used to you Morrigan-chan...I know there is something you're struggling with. Something you want to tell me..." Naruto felt there was much more to her questions than simple conversation
He felt Morrigan's trembling through her embrace. Her body language told him she was afraid.
Morrigan's thoughts
"It's his life...he deserves to know"
"...Whatever it is, it makes you uncomfortable...so I don't want you to tell me right now." Naruto was only willing to hear Morrigan's words when she was truly ready. Unforced and without pressure.
Morrigan's thoughts
"...sometimes you're too nice..." Morrigan thought as she leant to his face and gave him an extended kiss on his cheek
Naruto felt the gentle force of her lips. Her pressure was warm. And the longer she stayed attached to his cheek, the redder his face became.
"What was that for?" Naruto asked blushing
"Like I'd ever need an explanation to kiss my 'soon to be'" Morrigan said smiling
Naruto's thoughts
" Soon to be?...Does she mean? Who am I kidding...I know what she's saying..." Naruto could already guess what Morrigan's words meant.
Morrigan noticed that although he stayed silent and neglected to give an inviting response, the was one other thing he neglected to do. He didn't say anything that lead to pushing her away either. So since they were still alone at the moment, she decided act as she always does and take things further.
" We can make it official if you want foxy..." She smiled as she once again leant to kiss him. But now she was aiming for Naruto's lips.
Naruto's thoughts
"...Morrigan-chan..." He was speechless and frozen
She teased him very seductively. She stopped almost exactly an inch way from his face. Her scent was pleasant to him. As nervous as he was, her closeness gave him great comfort.
" You know, you wouldn't be so stiff if you'd just let it happen foxy." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and began running her left hand through his hair.
Naruto and Morrigan had no idea they were about to have company. Rina had decided to walk Jiraiya to the front gate. They walked until they saw the young teens. They watched as the two seemed to be getting very close.
"You know,...I was wondering if she'd ever find someone she liked...I'm glad Naruto came along. She never seemed well, complete until he came around." Rina admitted this was the first time the princess had ever shown such contentment.
Jiraiya looked at the young teenagers and smiled. Morrigan wasn't the only one that seemed happy.
" Naruto's pretty content too. He really needed to get away from Konoha." Jiraiya smiled watching his student.
" I just hope the poor boy can survive the princess" Rina said jokingly
"He'll be fine..." Jiraiya replied
Morrigan was still soothingly running her fingers through Naruto's hair
Jiraiya's thoughts
"...I know how women look when they have that want from a man... Hell I'd know" Jiraiya snuck a glance at Rina
Jiraiya's thoughts
"...That girl has THAT look... Well, the boy needs to stay pure in all manners of the word. At least until this journey is over with. And as my own personal gripe. If I'm not getting any, NOBODY ELSE CAN!" He had a sinister grin. He remembered when I interrupted Kakashi and Shizune.
Jiraiya's thoughts
" So with all that being said..." Jiraiya had a mischievous grin on his face
"MAKING OUT IN PUBLIC IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED...IF IT'S NOT ME..." Jiraiya and finally made his way to the gate along with Rina.
Naruto and Morrigan were surprised. Morrigan jumped back and released Naruto from her hold. She turned to the source of the disturbance with great anger in her eyes
Morrigan's thoughts
" Of all people, HE has the NERVE to mess up the moment" Morrigan thought angrily as yet another chance to entrance Naruto slipped away
Rina punched Jiraiya in the arm for ruining their moment like that.
"You didn't have to startle them like that!" Rina whispered to Jiraiya
"Well he has to say pure right?" Jiraiya replied
"What are you saying?" Rina asked feeling as though Jiraiya's reply implied something more
"I'm saying that he won't stay pure too long with her all over him like that. I KNOW women" Jiraiya was confident in his knowledge of the other sex.
Rina's grew furious hearing that. She walked up to him until they were face to face. Then in an instant, she lifted her leg and her knee was threatening to damage a spot on Jiraiya's body where ALL men feel pain.
"So, what do you KNOW about women?" She had a cruel smile on her face as her knee slowly continued its upward advance.
Jiraiya went from a man to a whimpering mess in almost an instant. Every second Rina's knee stayed pressed to his unmentionables, the more of his pride and manhood slipped away.
"...Nothing, I know absolutely, positively nothing about women and their ways" Jiraiya defeated squealed out.
"That's what I thought" Rina victoriously smirking, gently placed her foot back on the ground. Thus removing her knee and saving Jiraiya further humiliation.
Naruto watched on as the fabled sannin-womanizer was made to look soft. The only other woman that Naruto was aware of that ever delivered pain on Jiraiya was Tsunade. But in thinking so, Naruto had something pondering in his head
Naruto's thoughts
"Maybe I shouldn't tell granny about Rina getting friendly with Jiraiya-sensei." At one time Naruto was considering telling. But he felt a soft spot within himself that changed his mind.
Rina saw the relief in Jiraiya's face. He felt as though the gods were kind today as his manhood was still intact and safe. Rina decided she'd make up for her punishing of the Sannin.
" I'm sorry." Rina apologized as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed warmly on the lips.
Jiraiya being the person he is, began to attempt placing his hands in places he shouldn't on Rina's body. Naruto and Rina watched on as they couldn't believe how shameless the old man could be.
"We're in public!" Rina yelled out as she smacked his hands off of her but.
Naruto's thoughts
"You know what...I'm telling granny Tsunade..." Naruto had a thick grin on his face.
Jiraiya looked at his student's face. He didn't like that grin.
Jiraiya's thoughts
"Little brat...what's he smiling about. He better not be scheming." Jiraiya was wary of that grin.
"Ready kids? We don't have to slack." Jiraiya was prepared to leave
Naruto looked at Jiraiya and nodded his head positively. He then took a look at Morrigan. He gave her a sad smile. It was a rare smile. The kind that told the recipient that he didn't want to leave her behind.
"...Morrigan-chan... I'm going to miss you..." Naruto turned his head so that Morrigan couldn't see his sad smile turn to a complete frown.
Morrigan gently took his hands in hers and grasped them firmly. Her thumbs were gently caressing the inside of his palms. Naruto in awe turned to see her again. She smiled at him and ask something that was expected of her.
"...Don't you want to do more than just say 'I'm going to miss you'?" She asked as she released his hands and stepped back.
"...Come to me foxy..." Morrigan opened her arms, awaiting Naruto to walk to her and accept her warm embrace.
He did as she implied and warmly hugged her. And she did the same to him. For a moment, he allowed himself to fully take in the feel of her body touching his own.
Naruto's thoughts
" You're amazing Morrigan-chan...It would have been nice to spend more time with you..." Naruto thought to himself as he was unaware that reality was very close to his own thoughts.
Morrigan was enjoying Naruto's strong arms surrounding her. This was one of those rare occasions where they had any sort of physical contact without him being nervous.She leant into his neck and took in his scent. She then averted her eyes to his ear. She noticed her bite mark hadn't healed.
"I branded you good didn't I foxy?" Morrigan brought attention to Naruto's ear.
" Yeah...your 'brand' dug deep." Naruto replied.
" Well what can I say, you're skin was pretty unmarked. So foxy...you were unclaimed" Morrigan released him and playfully folded her hands behind her back.
"Geez Morrigan-chan, I'm not land" Naruto exclaimed
Morrigan giggled
"No you're not. But you are uncharted territory foxy. And being the explorer that I am, I want to be the first to discovery." Morrigan resumed her flirting
Morrigan's thoughts
"...and like any discoverer, I want to be first to 'settle'" Morrigan had less than innocent thoughts on her mind.
Naruto's face was red. That was all she needed to see. It showed that he understood what she meant.
"COME ON! We don't have all day" Jiraiya was impatiently waiting.
"Morrigan-chan...take care of yourself for now...I...I want to see you again someday...someday soon" Naruto began to walk off
Morrigan was walking behind him. He felt bad for leaving. To him, it was like leaving Konoha all over again. Which mean once again, leaving a girl close to his heart behind.
Naruto's thoughts
"Why is Morrigan-chan walking behind me?...It's hard enough to leave as it is... if she asks me...I don't think I'll be able to leave." Naruto was afraid to turn around to meet her face to face.
As they walked off, Rina was waving goodbye. But before they were too far out of sight, she had remembered a message that Atwright had asked her to pass along. She called out to both Naruto and princess Morrigan.
" Princess! Naruto!" Rina yelled out
Both teens stopped and turned as did Jiraiya. Seeing that she had received their attention, Rina continued.
"You're father gave me a message to give to the two of you Princess..." Rina yelled out
" Yes? What was it?" Morrigan asked
Rina had a warm smile on her face.
"He asked for you to do what he felt he couldn't Naruto...he asked for you to keep the princess safe." Rina paused for a moment.
Naruto's thoughts
"Keep Morrigan-chan safe?...What a minute...she's...?" Naruto had processed Rina's words.
Naruto felt a gentle, smooth female hand take his in hers. She pressed herself to his side. He had an awe-like look in his eyes. He was beginning to realize why Atwright would ask such a thing of him.
"And princess, he said for you not to give Naruto too much trouble and that Naruto's mission comes first. Don't allow personal intentions to hinder him." Rina finished
Morrigan had a fairly pissed look on her face.
Morrigan's thoughts
"He's too shy to let my personal intentions get in the way...AND WHAT THE HELL? I WOULDN'T CAUSE TROUBLE FOR HIM!"
"...So this bag Morrigan-chan..." Naruto finally understood why his bag was so big and heavy.
"...Yeah foxy, you have my stuff in there with yours" Her face gave way to a slight smirk
"I came back from the hospital and right off the back I'm everyone's work mule" Naruto said. But since it was Morrigan, he wasn't mad about holding the extra load. He was just having fun fussing.
"Oh stop complaining. You'll be happy your lugging that stuff around when the cold nights come around" Morrigan countered his jovial complaints.
"How so?" he was curious.
"Tired muscles, cold body..." Morrigan spoke. But before she finished, she said the rest into his ear so that only he could hear it.
"...nightly massages...a warm woman's body close by...get it now foxy?" Morrigan said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"...Oh..." was his only reply as he just looked away, keeping his red face from plain sight.
Naruto's thoughts
"This is gonna be...interesting..." he couldn't help but smile at the thought of having Morrigan travel with him.
Morrigan's thoughts
"I want to go...because he needs me...when his world comes crashing around him...I will be there...and I will be his comfort" Morrigan remembered overhearing the conversation about Naruto earlier. She tightly squeezed his arm as the thought of the latter coming to pass worried her.
She rested her head onto his shoulder as they began on their way. For her, this was heaven. She really enjoyed traveling with him the first time. Having another chance at it was intriguing to her.
Finally, Naruto and Jiraiya were on the path to continuing their quest. And now with princess Morrigan by their side, they now had someone with medical knowledge. And more importantly, someone in which Naruto could talk to. The evermore plains awaits them, as do dangers both new and old.
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Back at the prison, the dark figure was preparing his next move. Soon, he would fully take control of training Sasuke. Sasuke would soon become a master of many forbidden arts. But before that, there was one other matter to attend to.
"Guard!" the figure called the elite ninja that stood outside the chamber.
"Yes..." the elite answered obediently
"Find Malhavoc, send him here." the figure commanded
The elite bowed his head and immediately did as he was told. Within a short time, Malhavoc was within the chamber, awaiting further orders.
"You called master?" Malhavoc bowed as he addressed the figure.
"Yes, I have two of missions for you."
Malhavoc's attention was at it's peak.
"Your second mission is to succeed where Mad clown and Ballistic mime failed. You are to capture the Princess. Take as many men as needed.
"I don't understand. You sent them out for that very mission not so long ago." Malhavoc was confused.
The evil one had a sinister smile on his face.
"That's right. Which brings me to your primary task" the evil one continued.
Malhavoc understood what his master was going to say next. It was something he wanted to do for a long time. And now, he finally had the approval for it.
"You are to kill both Mad clown and Ballistic mime" the evil one ordered.
"Yes..." Malhavoc was itching for this chance
He stood up and began to walk out of the chamber. But he was stopped by his master's call.
"Remember, I don't tolerate failure. If you fail me again Malhavoc, it won't be too long until you too become hunted.
"...Understood master..." was Malhavoc's short, simple reply
to be continued...