(Sorry for the wait again but here you go now…..)
Joker
The room was being filled with boxes. The tv and the couch were already in place. Naruto was on the couch staring at the blank tv screen. His thoughts were filled with Kabuto. The things he said, how he acted. Naruto never thought he would turn out like that.
"Naruto"
He hears his father calling him from behind but keeps his eyes looking in the same direction. This was day two of moving in to his new home well his new apartment. On the first day was about arriving to the place and setting up some of the furniture. Today, was the day to unbox all the boxes. His father gets in front of him.
"I know you're sad but...you will meet them again someday" Minato said in a kind tone while holding a box.
Naruto's parents knew about the friends he made and it was tough for them to separate him from them. However, Naruto was dwelling more on the card game he played. It left a feeling inside him that made him think. His thoughts get interrupted once Minato placed a box down on the coffee table. He begins pulling out the items from the box and placing them on the table. Naruto was surprised to see his father place his orange deck of cards then a couple of oddly shaped rocks.
"I notice that there was some cards missing" Minato spoke looking at his deck. "Did you lose them?"
"Hmm..not really" Naruto answers not wanting to tell him the truth.
"Hmm..well if your not going to help me or your mom…" Minato said picking up the remote control. "You might as well watch something while you wait"
The tv turns on to a channel. Minato walks away and gets back to unboxing while Naruto looks at the tv. It was a dark screen but there is a faint sound.
"...loneliness...that's what my life always was...along with emptiness"
The sounds of footsteps can be heard through the speakers of the tv. There was silhouette of feet flashing from every step. Naruto raises his head.
"Though it isn't a bad thing now...being alone is just another part of life"
Small pieces of the character talking in the screen were shown. A bright flash illuminates the screen. The character is revealed to be a teenage around 15 with black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a dark maroon cloak with long sleeves. He was standing on the edge of a mountain looking over the clouds below.
"Plus...there isn't anyone holding you back..you are free to do what you want and...think for yourself...I am who I am...and no one will take that away from me"
The character had his hand covering half his face with a big grin behind it. Naruto gulps hearing the background change into something suspenseful. The character's eyes glow a crimson colour. The clouds spread revealing a village.
"...this is my story...on how I...became something greater than who I thought I was going to be…"
A gust of wind swirls around the character then bursting in crimson flames. The music begins and the title of this anime was shown.
"The Rogue Hero" Naruto said softly to himself with a small sparkle in his eye.
OOO
Naruto opened his eyes slowly. He sat up slowly and felt seasick even though he never been on a boat in his life. He arches forward, holding his head and tries to calm himself. Once he does, he realized the sheet covering his legs. He raises his head and looks around.
"Well look at who is finally awake"
Naruto shifts his eyes to Anko who was sitting in the desk with a smirk on her face.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"The nurse's office...a student from another school found you passed out and brought you here" Anko answers.
"Another school" Naruto repeats then remembering seeing Kabuto. "Was he wearing glasses?"
"Ya he was...a kind guy carrying you here by himself" Anko said with a smile.
"I wouldn't call him that" Naruto mumbles.
"What was that?" Anko asked but knew he wouldn't tell her anyways. "Forget it...why don't you tell me why you came to school in your condition?"
"Didn't want to miss another day in school...I might get behind-" Naruto replies.
"Your health is more important than a few lessons being missed" Anko states.
"My health is my own to worry about" Naruto exclaims and sliding his legs to the side of the bed.
He gets up but gets a little light headed. Anko stood up from her seat noticing it, fearing he might fate or fall but he caught himself. Naruto's throat was dry. He needed water. His eyes move to the window and notice how dark it was.
"How long was I here?" Naruto asked fearing the answer.
"Maybe...a few hours.." Anko replies. "The nurse left and asked me to watch over you since the school ended and she need to get home"
"Uh...jeez..now I need to walk in the dark" Naruto said sighing until he hears a jiggling sound.
"Want to ride with me?" Anko said smirking, shaking her keys.
"No" Naruto simply said quickly with a sickly expression.
He gets a fist to the head by Anko who had a tick mark on her forehead.
"A boy your aged would be more enthusiasm to ride with me" Anko states with her arms crossed. "Let me take you home...you're still too sick to be left alone"
"heh..I can handle getting there on my own-" Naruto said stepping forward.
"Sorry...not going to happen" Anko said glaring at Naruto. "School is over...and you know what that means...we are not student and teacher anymore"
Naruto flinches after hearing Anko cracking her knuckles. She was chuckling to herself evilly. He takes in what she is trying to tell him. He looks down.
"Good...follow me to my car" Anko said leaving the room with Naruto following behind.
OOO
The streets were empty making the ride to Naruto's apartment a whole lot easier for Anko. Now, she was just dealing with the awkward silence the two were sharing in her car. Naruto had his body turned to the window. He was staring through it just like in class.
"...so how's the club?" Anko spoke trying to break the silence.
"...nothing much to say about it" Naruto replies quietly.
"Uh...it isn't fun?" Anko asked.
"Well not for me" Naruto mutters.
"Is that why...or is it who is in it?"
"...that reminds me" Naruto said shifting his eyes to her, avoiding her question. "I hear you told the queen of hearts about what we talked about"
The car stops and it unlocks. Anko clenched her steering wheel feeling his gaze burning into her. She knew it was wrong to tell her but Ino seemed trouble. She rather avoid this conversation. She spent too much time on Naruto today. Plus, she is already at her destination.
"That has to wait now..." Anko tells him. "Your home"
Naruto opens the door and leaves her car. He starts to walk over to the door of the apartment. He stops after hearing Anko call his name.
"Your not an adult yet...remember that Naruto" Anko tells him and drove away while Naruto enters the building.
Naruto enters his apartment and walked to his room. He rubbed his head and turned on his lamp. The small light revealed notes and books opened on his desk. Above his desk on the wall was a board with notes pinned on it. He sat down and leaned back on his chair.
He groans feeling his head spin but he needed to study. If he stops now, he won't become what he wants. Most of his time, other than eating and watching his favorite anime, he studies. He reads over the textbook about the lessons covered in school and out. It wasn't easy to keep his mind focus either. Probably because in the past, he hardly studied and just slacked off but then after watching that anime. "Become something greater than who I thought I could be" he thought. He didn't quite understand what it means but liked hearing it. He even wrote it on one of the pinned paper on his board. That sentence was his beginning of something new even if he needed to be alone to do it.
Get the grades, graduate, enter university and do it over. Hopefully that will lead him somewhere good in life. A simple stress free life. He smiles wishing he can have that now. He will work hard to obtain that. His eyes gazes over a sheet of paper with colours on his desk. "Hokage" he thought reading the title. A sketched imagine of cards were on it and titles underneath it. This was a rough sketch of a card game. It wasn't hard to make plus this game is a parody of another card game called President. He could have just pitched that card game but his mind decided to combine the card game with what was in the anime.
Naruto sighs and turns off the lamp. He walks over to bed and falls over it. He knows he hates cards game but he turned a simple card game into something more fun and interesting. Makes him chuckle a little. He begins dowsing off to sleep.
OOO
"...what's the matter...are you afraid" A cold voice said. "..you should be...since, I arrived now...and plan to have some fun"
Naruto had his tv on to the anime, the rogue hero, while he was eating a bowl of cereal. He was back to health and was so glad. It was Monday and too early for school. However, it was important for him to wake up at this time. 6am. He received a notification about a new arc beginning for the rogue hero. He was pumped up and needed something to eat.
From what was already seen in this episode, it was wrapping up the current arc and moving to the new one. A new character was shown with white hair and black clothing. He had a vest on and baggy pants. His hair was everywhere. The scene had the main character standing in a beat up piece of land. It was dark giving off a perfect mood.
"..who are you? The main character asked.
"...Someone you will be seeing quite often for now on...since the sage of six paths finally allowed us to meet...though three are missing still...oh well"
"What..are you talking about?"
"..eh.." a grin appeared on his face. "This new game….that will lead to you losing everything"
That sent shivers down Naruto's spine. It felt like deja vu. He doesn't feel like finishing his cereal now but takes another bite from it anyways while his eyes were glued onto the screen.
"Me losing...I don't plan to lose ever...you hear!" he shouts.
Naruto smiles hearing his catchphrase which was you hear. It was something he repeated countless times in scenes when someone gets him angry. That usually ends up with him unlocking a new power and winning the fight. Though that didn't happen this time.
"...Yusei!"
The other main character who joined Yusei in his journey and ended up forming a relationship with him along with his friends. Behind Yusei, shows his friends and her but there was people wearing cloaks holding weapons to each of their necks.
"..I hear you loud and clear...so hear me when I say this.." He gets close to his ear and grins. "You are lucky that no one has a hit for you...because if they did..they would call me"
He turns around and begins walking away. The cloak figures appear behind him and follows him.
"Your rank is the Rogue hero...so you should know mines is…Assassin" He grins evilly. "...Zane"
A new character makes his mark in the series and had Naruto shaken in fear. He turned his tv off right after. Something tells him, this new character will be different fro the others who faced Yusei and his team. Naruto gets out from his couch and places the bowl on the table. He enters his room and begins to get ready, hoping to distract himself from the episode.
Naruto began walking on his usual route to school. There weren't many people so it was quiet and relaxing. The wind wasn't too cold instead felt nice against his skin but something tells him it won't last. The sky was grey and cloudy. It might rain again meaning he might get sick again. He brought two umbrellas this time just in case. Though, hopes he doesn't have to give one away.
Upon arriving to school, he spots Sara going to the back of the school. Naruto was curious but kept walking forward until something caught his eye. On the floor, there was a few cards scattered. "Is there a club meeting outside...this morning?" he thought not remembering receiving a text from Ino. Though, after she came to his apartment, he doesn't think she will text him for awhile. There was still plenty of time before class starts.
Naruto began making his way to the back of the school. His ears were attracted to a familiar sound of coins falling. His eyes widen after noticing a table and cards scattered on it along with some money. The ground was also filled with cards. "What happened here?" he thought.
"Naruto" Sara calls him surprised to see him here. "What are you doing here?"
Naruto shifts his eyes to Sara who was picking up the cards.
"I could say the same thing to you?" Naruto asked until hearing another voice behind him.
"She is helping me out"
It was an older woman with long blond hair wearing a black suit with a white undershirt that didn't seem it could hold her breast well. She also had a pair of red glasses.
"Principle-" Naruto said recognizing her.
"You can call me...Tsunade" she replies and scans the area. "Seems like there was some illegal gambling here"
"Gambling…" Naruto repeats to himself.
"Surprisingly...this area wasn't under survialannce" Tsunade said shifting her eyes to the top of the wall not seeing any camera. "But judging form the scene in front of me...gambling was involved"
"Do you know who did it?" Naruto asked curious.
"Some students came to me and asking that a female student from another school stole their money but...they were the students gambling with her so...they were suspended but for the female...I have no right since she is from another school"
"Why were students from another school here?" Sara asked.
"There was a friendly kendo match...between Neji from our school and...Gaara from the other who was allowed to bring friends to watch" Tsunade answers.
Naruto realized Kabuto must have been among those friends. Things were beginning to fit and it wasn't a good thing. The gambling must have been Kabuto. No doubt in his mind. It didn't seem like he changed and the worst thing about this was that, Kabuto found people who are willing to play his kind of card game. It angers him.
Naruto leaves the scene, biting his lip and clenching his hands. Sara notice this small action wondering what made him so angry.
OOO
Class started and everyone were sitting in their seats. Iruka started the lesson and almost everyone were paying attention. Sasuke may had his eyes on the board but the encounter yesterday was on his mind.
Flashback
"Temari" Sasuke repeats her name that she said.
"Yes..and who might you be?" she asked crossing her arms.
"Sasuke.." he replies back. "What were you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" she asked with a small grin.
"I rather hear it from you…" Sasuke responds.
"hmph...I was bored and found a few guys who wanted to play my game with me" Temari answers swiping one of the cards on her side of the table.
"So you were the one who started this" Sasuke states.
"Ya...why, is it wrong to play a little card game" Temari said holding the card in front of her lips hiding her grin. The cover was coloured light violet.
"It isn't….until you add money.." Sasuke notice the bills and coins on the table.
"But that what makes it interesting" Temerai said biting the edge of the card.
Flashback ended
Meeting Temerai just reminds Sasuke of Kabuto. It was a short encounter that ended with Temari getting a call and walking away. Sasuke doesn't have a good feeling and wonders if seeing Kabuto again will come sooner than he thinks.
Ino's mind was also not focus on the lesson. She found out from Gaara and Kankuro that Kabuto was in the building. It surprised her and made her happy hearing one of her childhood friends were here but their reaction when she told them was a chuckle. Though, she didn't care that much. At least she knows that Kabuto was doing well so that just leaves one more. She ruffles her hair trying to think of the goofy grin boy's name. Ino rest her head on the desk and turns to the side. That's when she realized Naruto was here. He had the back of his head facing her. "..is he not sick anymore?" she thought.
Sakura also had her head in the clouds but that was because Ino was talking to the other students after the match. She felt bad for Neji since she was smiling with the other two about something they couldn't hear. "Uh..how does she know them" she thought.
Naruto continues to stare through the window. He notice the trees moving violently. The clouds were moving through the sky more quicker than usual. A storm was coming. He was tapping his finger on the desk.
OOO
"Alright...let me all introduce you to our new member" Ino said with Sasuke next to her. "Sasuke Uchiha"
Choji and Sara were shocked how cool he looks but more on the fact that someone like him would join their card club. However, Naruto wasn't surprised or tuned in. He let his body go on autopilot to walk over to the club room while he thinks about Kabuto.
Ino notice Naruto's disinterest but continue to talk.
"Well I guess your feeling alot better now..Naruto" she said to him. "Are you ready to pitch your card game for this club-"
"Speed" Naruto answers without hesitation.
Sasuke was surprised by this. Ino caught him up on their meetings they had so far. Telling him how Naruto was not interested at all in joining or playing cards. So this came to a shock for him and to the rest of the group along with the one who said it. Naruto snapped out of his thoughts and opened his mouth a little. He didn't mean to say that.
"O-oh.." Ino replies massaging her hands.
Ino wondered if the game she had with him brought him to bring this idea to the group.
"Well..why don't you explain how to play then" Ino spoke feeling nervous.
"...w-well...what I meant to say was-" Naruto said trying to take that back.
"How about you and me have a tutorial match Naruto" Sasuke said pulling out his deck of blue cards.
"Sasuke" Naruto said softly.
"Oooh the new member wants to verse Naruto...sounds interesting" Sara said getting excited. "Well then"
After moving the position of the tables. Naruto and Sasuke was facing each other while the club members were sitting to the side of the table. Sasuke passes Naruto his deck. Naruto stares at it for awhile before taking it off his hand. He begins making the layout of the game. Lastly, Naruto's begins to split the small deck in his hands equally and gives Sasuke one half.
Sasuke placed his fingers on top of his deck and swiped gently five cards into his hands then bringing them close to him.
Sasuke's hand
4 of spades
5 of hearts
7 of diamonds
Ace of spades
2 of spades
Sasuke smirks seeing the cards. He didn't have to order them. He reaches down to the left card in the middle.
Naruto grabs his pile of cards and places five down quickly. He puts his pile down and slides his hand over the five cards and looks at them.
Naruto's hand
Jack of hearts
King of spades
4 of hearts
6 of diamonds
9 of clubs
Naruto wasn't able to organize his hand. Though, that isn't what he needed to worry about. He looks at Sasuke and reaches down for the other card in the middle.
Ino knew that Naruto was good at the game but what he doesn't know was Sasuke's skill. "...it will be a quick win for Sasuke…" She thought. Her eyes shift to the window after hearing a small bang. The wind was strong seeing it hit the wind.
"Ready.." Sasuke spoke in a serious tone.
Naruto nods. The two flipped their cards. A loud thunder clap was heard outside with a strong gust of wind that almost shaked the window.
Middle cards
3 of diamonds and 10 of hearts
Naruto grabbed his 4 and zoomed it to the 3 but Sasuke's hand made it first and slammed his 4 first pushing his hand away. Then putting the five right after. Sasuke put two more cards in his hand.
The one thing Naruto had to worry about was. "His speed" Ino thought seeing that his skill has not changed. Naruto put his jack down and picked up a card from his pile.
Naruto new card
Queen of clubs
Sasuke new cards
4 of diamonds
Queen of hearts
The instant Sasuke's saw the letter Q, he moved his hand quickly toward the jack before Naruto could even react.
"His speed...is amazing" Sara said impressed. "I don't think I would have been quick enough-"
Sasuke new card
9 of spades
Naruto moved on from the pile with the queen and placed his six down over the five of clubs.
Naruto's new card
5 of spades
Naruto's eyes widen to his new card and the four in his hand. He put the five over the six quickly and grabbed his four but Sasuke's four was faster. Naruto bit his bottom lip.
Naruto's new card
Jack of hearts
Sasuke's new card
8 of hearts
Sasuke's pile looked a little smaller than Naruto's now who was sweating. While Sasuke had a calm expression.
Naruto's new hand
King of spades
Queen of clubs
Jack of hearts
9 of clubs
4 of clubs
Sasuke's new hand
7 of hearts
8 of hearts
9 of spades
Ace of spades
2 of spades
"Speed is important in this game" Choji said watching the card match while eating a chip. "Even it says in the title...Sasuke has the upper hand"
"That's right...and seems like Naruto is getting nervous" Sara states noticing Naruto tapping on the table while staring at the cards in the middle.
"Its true that speed is important...for this kind of game...but there is more to it" Ino thought biting her thumb while staring at the cards. "There was one person who was able to beat Sasuke's lightning fast reflexes...with that one card"
OOO
"Kabuto….you promised me a challenge…" Temari states playing with her cards while sitting down.
"Enough wanting a challenge…." Kankuro said counting the cash on the table. "Just enjoy what you have from winning"
"Unlike you...I'm not in it for the money..." Temari said sliding her cards together. "Well not completely"
"tch….Gaara agrees with me right?" Kankuro ask turning to Gaara who was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Gaara didn't respond and kept his eyes on the floor. They had their school uniforms on and in a room.
"Don't worry…you will get your challenge" Kabuto spoke, standing near the window looking out at the stormy weather. "I already have three in mind but….leaving them aside for a minute...we have some work we need to do before meeting with them"
Kabuto moves away from the window and walks over to the table. He pulls out a sheet of paper and lays it on the table so everyone can see it.
"The City festival...is in 6 months, the schools in the city will participate in this festival by accepting certain clubs to represent their school...it will be held in two areas….the National park...and the beach" Kabuto states then adjusting his glasses.
"You do know that our club needs to be chosen right?" Temari said. "Hell...no one knows this card club even exist!"
"That's why...we will make this club popular" Kabuto said smirking. "There will be three mini festivals before the City Festival but in each school...one in October another in December and lastly...March..during these events...clubs will be showing what they have to offer"
"But how does our club fit…" Kankuro said then chuckling. "Our club isn't popular because its a cover up for our real club….the gambling club"
"True...though, that doesn't mean the card club doesn't exist" Kabuto states with a grin. "Like you said Kankuro...its a cover up for our main purpose-"
"...your not only planning to enroll our card club to the mini festivals.." Temari said with a soft chuckle. "But your going to enroll our gambling one too"
"Though that's not all" Kabuto said taking his glasses off. "We are going to use these festivals to get more members...but for our second club"
"Heh...that means..we are going to have to test them" Temari said bending some of the cards back and letting them go after. "A lot more challenges"
"And money" Kankuro adds smirking at the idea.
"Going back to the three I was talking about before...I must warn you about them" Kabuto said, sliding his glasses back on. "One has speed, another has memory...and the third...is a jester...though not a clown...the kind of jester who wears a mask covering up…his true face...the joker card gets toss aside in most card games...do you want to know why?"
Kabuto reaches into his pocket and slides a black cover card out. He wipes it in the air causing it to spin. It glides down on to the table. It was faced up showing a colourful joker wearing a mask and a jester's hat. He was bowing but his head was looking straight. His arms were spread open. The symbols of the cards suits were in a arc above his head.
"It can be any card in a game"
OOO
Naruto's hand
King of spades
Queen of clubs
Jack of hearts
Ace of hearts
Sasuke's hand
3 of hearts
8 of diamonds
Jack of clubs
6 of diamonds
6 of clubs
Naruto cards left : 10
Sasuke left : 8
The cards in the middle
2 of hearts and joker
Everyone was surprised to see Naruto put that card down over the seven of hearts.
"The joker...I thought Sasuke took them out" Sara said surprised that Naruto used it.
"He doesn't have to...the joker is part of the game but….it's an unfair card" Choji states.
Ino was stunned to see that card used. Throughout the game, she was remembering what cards had been used. At first, she thought Sasuke was going to win. Until, Naruto threw that card down. "That would mean...they were playing with 54 cards..and each got 21 cards" she thought. What she thought the outcome would be changed. Her eyes shift towards Naruto and was surprised to see him grin.
Seconds after, multiple cards slammed onto the table.
(Now, first of all The Rogue hero anime is a parody of the Naruto anime….though different plot. I did plan for Naruto to watch an Anime related to his series but then I thought of something different. I didn't plan to put ocs in this story because they don't fit in it. Good thing I remember about Kabuto so it's fine. My ocs fit more into action based stories and that's when I thought, of the Rogue hero and boom. Though it will connect with the main story later on. Mostly, the characters within the "anime". Well I hope you enjoyed, the next chapter will be up when I completed it. )