Defeat

One after the other, cards keep falling upon each other. The numbers keep changing and the shapes keep transforming. This wasn't any ordinary speed game that Naruto was playing. It was much more, time consuming.

Naruto and Kabuto's match has already started with a twist. Instead of using one deck for this game, they were using two. Additionally, its not called speed. Its, Infinite speed. Once the last card is place down by both sides, the game continues. Either of the player must decide which pile to take at the center. Normally, the least pile is taken and it continues. In a cycle until there is only one pile of cards.

Its an impossible game one would see it but, there is a way. Kabuto knows it thats why he made Naruto accept it. Though, he was too anger to realize what he did. To anger to feel the shocks emitting from the bracelet. He hardly said a thing ever since he picked up his cards. His eyes were shadowed by his hair. Kabuto couldn't help but smirk.

It wasn't a normal game either. There speed was like a second limb. Only takes a second until a card falls. Their hands keep clashing. They reached the end of no cards to play countless time and Kabuto keeps getting the small pile while Naruto gets the big one. As well as a shock.

He was sweating and breathing heavily yet keeps on going until he wins. His desire to win comes from a bad place. He couldn't hear the voices behind him telling him to stop. He only had one thing on his mind. "I must win" he thought.

Flashback

"I must win" Yusei said standing in the battle field.

There was a barrier placed around him and Zane who was on the opposite side of him. The two were staring off. Loud explosions and roars can be heard in the distant city. They sky was covered in smoke.

"Its finally time…." Zane spoke. "Your my target"

Flashback ended

Their speed was beginning to slow down. Sasuke and Kankuro can tell but not to everyone else. The amount of shocks the two were dealt was did affect them but it wont make them stop. Kabuto notice something Naruto was doing in this match. It was quick and clean.

"The more rounds we play, the more I see...you learned something from me" Kabuto states amused. "Next to your talent...you have an interesting way….of, cheating"

Naruto stopped placing down his cards and look at Kabuto. It was true, he was cheating. That's the only way to beat him. During the rounds, Naruto quickly peaks on the card that will be next. Both, in his deck and the side cards. He also does something involving hiding one card underneath the card that gets placed down. Sasuke wasn't to surprised. By the way Naruto was acting now, he was going to do anything to beat Kabuto. Though, he believes cheating wasn't the right way.

Ino had no words to say about this card match. She was stuck behind Naruto who wasn't acting himself. The sound of shock, Naruto was feeling, was hurting her as well as the others. She may not understand all of what was happening but she does know that Kabuto was causing Naruto to suffer. He must have been the reason why Naruto started hating playing cards.

The pieces started getting together in her head but there are some pieces missing. What is filled already was the three childhood friends. Sasuke, Kabuto and the goofy blond who was with her for this long and she didn't notice. It could be because the goofy blond changed so much. She didn't feel the same atmosphere as the boy who taught her how to play cards. This boy standing in front of her was, someone different.

OOO

Yusei started running toward Zane, swinging his sword at him. Zane just blocked it with his hand covered in black stone. They clash constantly, with their legs, fist, weapons and even shoulders. There wasn't time to breath for air. The two were on a roll with each other both grinning like mad men.

They were on opposing sides and started to release their power that glowed brightly.

OOO

Kabuto and Naruto were not letting each other get the upper hand. They were even getting paper cuts by how fast they were placing the cards down. Kabuto adjusts his glasses and slammed his hand down right before Naruto. The left pile was more while the right was less. Naruto reached for the small while Kabuto the tall.

"I thought you sharpen your skills Naruto" Kabuto said putting cards in his hand. "But the more we play….the more I see...you losing your touch...was our battle to much for you...did it ruin the fun you had…"

Naruto may have chosen the small pile but, Kabuto was slamming cards down so fast that his pile became smaller than his in one shot. This surprised him, giving Kabuto the opening to attack.

"I had plans for our reunion Naruto….one involving you creating a card club...are clubs could have met in the final festival…" Kabuto said shifting his eyes to Ino. "though, I never suspected she would be running things….her skills can't compare to yours...the only thing she has is memory…"

Naruto hesitated to put a card down again. Kabuto was getting into his thoughts. He needed to focus on beating him. Right before he can put a card down, Kabuto slammed his card down with his.

"You had potential Naruto...but it's time to finish you" Kabuto said smirking.

Naruto felt a turn in the game. His eyes widen seeing Kabuto's side was empty. Naruto quickly finishes and notice the two piles were the same height. "Whats going on?" Naruto thought confused.

"Tell me Naruto" Kabuto said grabbing one pile. "Have you figured out...how I am cheating?"

OOO

Yusei got slammed into the ground with a big attack from Zane who was up in the sky. There was dark energy covering around him. There wasn't a scratch on him except dirt. Yusei on the other hand, was badly hurt. It wasn't as though his attacks weren't hitting. They have but, Zane was able to handle it. Not many could.

"Your end is near….it seems like you haven't awaken yet" Zane said smirking. "I'm the assassin Zane...all my targets are eliminated...it won't change with you"

Yusei bit his lip in anger and glared at Zane. Crimson flames burst from his right arm. He wasn't finished yet. He won't back down.

OOO

Naruto thought he was using the same tricks as before. His eyes were open after spotting a different method Kabuto was using this round. His only focus was on the left pile while the right had only two cards. Naruto figured out what he was trying to do. The winning method for this game. By focusing on one pile, at the end of the round, the one who chooses the small pile wins while the other is left with the large pile. Naruto smirked and followed along until he realizes he couldn't put a card down yet. He didn't have the right cards in his hand. Everytime he sees a card in the left pile, Kabuto quickly fills that.

There was more to it. Naruto's hand had many doubles. This was odd to him and suspicious. He felt nervous. Kabuto was cheating, he said so himself but how exactly. The more cards being placed down, the closer Kabuto was to win. Naruto needed to start moving again.

OOO

Yusei jumps up with his fist clenched and teeth. He pushes forward his right arm. He could see Zane coming down to him with excitement in his expression. The closer the two were getting, the more clear things became to Yusei. Things were moving slow for him.

OOO

"...you won't win….not with the person you are now.." Kabuto states. "Like I said before...I wasn't planning to meet you this early in the game...my initial plan was….adding a deal"

Naruto froze before putting his card down. He started to shake a little. His vision began to blur.

"...the winner of this deal would keep their club while the other...had to disband the club" Kabuto said with a serious tone. "And I think you wouldn't mind that...Naruto"

Temari felt a vibration in her pocket. She pulled her phone out and saw an urgent message. "How?" Temari thought shifting her eyes to Sara who had her phone out.

"Are you going to let it happen?" Kabuto said having only a few cards left to place down. Naruto just stared at his hand.

OOO

It was quick, like a snap from a finger. Yusei had his eyes widen and blood came out from his mouth. Zane got a direct hit without any damage on himself. His black stoned weapon went through Yusei's gut. The grin was wide in his face.

"This is the end of this fight" Zane whispers pulling the weapon out.

Yusei falls down to the ground with the life taken out of his eyes. The scream of the one he cares about the most was heard to everyone in the city and around them.

OOO

"Speed" Kabuto said slowly.

Naruto felt a shock that finished him. He dropped the cards in his hand and started to feel the effects that his anger was hiding. He fell to his side and everyone shouted his name. Naruto was losing consciousness and could hear a loud bang behind him.

"Whats going on here!"

The voice was familiar to him. "Anko?" he thought until falling into a deep sleep.

OOO

Naruto sat in his living room shock at what he just witness. His favourite character in the anime, was lying on the ground with a wound so big and blood coming out. He couldn't believe it or want to believe it. He felt terrible inside. Yusei was an inspiration for him. There was still so much things he needed to learn from him. The worst part of this episode was the very end. The series was taking a break for awhile. So, Naruto had to deal with this outcome until he comes back. Yusei had to come back since, he's the main character. Things are going to be hard for him. His daily dose of The rogue hero is gone.

OOO

Two weeks past from that defeat. Things weren't back to normal. Anko was called by Sara who was worried the match won't end. So the best person she thinks could stop this, was Anko. Plus, she has a connection with Naruto. Sadly, it was too late to stop it. Naruto was unconscious after the match. Kabuto's card club had to handle the teachers in his school about his club activities because of Anko.

While the students not enrolled in his school had minor punishments. The people who didn't know what was going on, Ino and Sakura were suspended from school for three days. While Sara had an extra day. Sasuke and Naruto on the other hand had two weeks of no school for letting this happen and endanger their classmates.

Ino's and Sakura's suspension has ended and were back but, they haven't been talking. There were small rumors from the other students of the reason why the popular girls in school were suspended causing their reputation to hit. On the other hand, they are getting less attention but there was a bad side of it.

The card club, Ino work so hard to where it is now, was getting some bad comments. Since, three members of that club was participating in the illegal card match, the teachers are thinking of taking the club out from the upcoming festival. Ino couldn't believe it and was depressed by it.

She and the rest of the girls tried to reach Naruto but there was no answer coming from him. Since Sakura was in charge in giving Naruto his homework, she tried talking to him but that ended with her meeting with his mother.

Ino is now stressed out with this situation she never thought she would find herself in and doesn't know what she should do. Just sitting in class and trying to pay attention wasn't working out for her. It angers her more.

The lunch bell rings and everyone started leaving the class except for Ino. She waited by staring blankly at her desk until the last footstep left the classroom. She got up and breathed out. She started walking to the club room. She wasn't going to meet anyone, she just needed a place to herself, that was comfortable. Once, she walked in, she saw the sun shining in. She takes her seat and rubbed her fingers on the desk. There was dust build up from the days they weren't here. There hasn't been a meeting or any games being played.

It may be lonely, but was comfortable. She chuckles at this and lays her head on the desk. "Isolation never been so relaxing" she thought smiling and closing her eyes.

OOO

"Wake up blondy...wake up"

Naruto opened his eyes from his deep sleep. The first thing that came to his vision was a glass of water on his night table. This was his last day of suspension and he never been so, lost. The days he was at home, it was so dark. Besides having his curtains closed in his room and locking himself in his room. From what he was told after the incident.

Anko brought him home and told his parents everything. He was brutally, yelled at and lectured by his mother and father. He deserves it but, there was too much yelling one ear can take. Still, he lost his goal, his inspiration and favorite hero. He didn't know what to do. He was also afraid of going to school because of one person he remembers well. Once he calmed down and recap on what happened with Kabuto. He realize who Ino was. It was a delayed surprise but he is surprised and disappointed at himself. He falls back to bed and covers himself with the sheets.

"The more you sleep the more time goes by"

Naruto opens his eyes again. After falling unconscious, the funny thing happened. There is a voice in his head but not just any voice. He sat up again while having the bed sheets draped over him. He looks at his window.

"That match must really got to your head….uh, Naruto"

An image of Yusei appeared within the window leaning against the pane with his arms crossed. Naruto started seeing his favorite hero in reflected glass. He creeped him out the first time but now he got use to it, kinda. Though, it was all in his head. It was stupid of him to play Kabuto's game with those shockers.

"Are you going to stay in bed and do nothing-"

"Your just in my head" Naruto said falling to bed. "Go away"

"We both know….you can't stay like this forever"

OOO

"God..so much paperwork!" Anko said looking at the pile in front of her.

"Well, you were the one that stopped it" Tsunade states.

"Ya still.." Anko said staring one sheet. "Do we have to do this over one bad mistake?"
"...We know that it wasn't their fault but...Naruto and Sasuke are members of the club...they need to know that there is serious consequences for their actions" Tsunade exclaims.

"But they aren't the president of the club...Ino is" Anko replies.

"That fact isn't known to everyone..otherwise I didn't have to make this decision" Tsunade states with a frown. "Shutting down the card club"