A New Player
It was finally time for the loner to take flight, into the world alone. Well, the festival alone. Naruto wasn't sure what he should do. He doesn't have anyone dragging him or anyone suggesting where to go. Just him and the crowd of people.
He takes out the pamphlet and starts searching for something to do before he had to leave. "The anime club….I wonder" he thought, that sparked and idea. He started making his way over.
Just like he thought. A world filled with manga both old and new. Books were on displayed for anyone to see. Tables with heaters for anyone who justed wanted to sit and read. Though, Naruto isn't too much a manga freak unless, it involves the Rogue hero. That special manga was display at the main table. He quickly walks over and gazes upon the glory. A hand quicky slam into his vision.
"Is there anything you like?" Tenten asked.
Naruto blinked, surprised to see his classmate here. She didn't seem the type or act like one.
"Ya" Naruto responds softly.
"Don't be shy...pick one up and read" Tenten said smiling then picked up one manga. "This is where the series is at now"
"R-really" Naruto said not even at the latest episode.
He takes the treasure in his hands, gazing upon its beauty but was afraid to look at its contents. Though the cover of Yusei's silhouette did intrigue him. The memory of Ino trying to spoil him came into his mind. That enraged him but didn't stop him from opening the first page.
Curiosity killed the cat and him. The first page showed a colour image of Yusei standing tall with one eye opened. His chest was bandaged up. He had his arms crossed staring intensely in front of him. Kira was right next to him and underneath them is what jumped out to Naruto the most. It was a dragon but something more. There was a text near the figure.
A new rebirth of power spills out from Yusei, transforming into a dragon made by his inner spirit.
This sent chills down his spine. He quickly shuts the book and places it back to its rightful spot. He wasn't going to read any further. He needed to see it in action.
"Uh?...are you done already?" Tenten asked.
"Y-ya" Naruto said in a sad tone. "I don't want to spoil myself"
"Oh I see...the anime does do a good job in expressing the essence of Yusei" Tenten said.
"That can't be true"
"But it is...he goes here"
"That's just a rumor"
"Some people said they saw him"
There was a small crowd of students exchanging information near Naruto who was curious at what they were talking about.
"Hmm...that rumor being spread again" Tenten said sighing.
"What rumor?" Naruto asked.
"There is some kid who actually saw Yusei in real life" Tenten replies with a giggle. "And actually goes to this school...ridiculous"
"Y-ya very" Naruto said but can't really judge since he was able to see Yusei in his head.
"But its just a rumor...even if it were true...it might just be someone who looks just like him" Tenten states noticing someone waving to her. "Well time to go back to work...enjoy the festival"
Naruto's been hearing everyone for so long and not once he heard about a Yusei look alike. That really makes him wonder if that kind of person really exists.
OOO
Sasuke was doing a great job, seeing how he is left with one flyer. All the flyers were already taken by so many students. Just one more and he can finally stop going around the whole school. He looks around for potential customers but notice each one already were going to the opposing clubs.
Standing alone started to make him think about Ino's christmas miracle. Today was a day for such a thing to happen and she told them nothing. He was curious even though he doesn't show it. The only thing that came to his mind is Naruto but what will that do. It's too late for him to do anything. They already have Neji and Sai helping. The flow of people coming in is over what they expected to have.
The christmas miracle started to look poor. They don't even need it. Ino's plan is good enough. What more can the club do. Sasuke decided to head back but notice an unfamiliar face. The person had a green coat on. His hair was spiking backward. He didn't look like a student that belongs here. The thought of Kabuto's people came to mind. Sasuke started walking toward him with a cold expression.
OOO
The tickets continued coming in. Ino smiled from the sight during her one on one card matches. From yesterday to today, none of her members lost. Except Neji and Sai who are just helping out and not being the one setting the card game.
Sara was enjoying herself along with Choji. Ino felt the pieces moving smoothly. There is just one more thing and looking at the time on her phone, he should be here.
"And I win" Ino said matching the last pair.
"Awe" said her opponent in defeat.
"So who's next?"
There is one bad effect for being undefeatable. No one will try to battle you. There was a good amount of tickets but it seems like things are slowing down. The students were afraid to get their butts wiped. Sara notice too. Things weren't looking good for the next days.
"It was a matter of time for things to slow down" Choji states.
"Don't worry...we still have our secret weapon" Ino said not looking worried.
"The Christmas Miracle?" Sakura said.
"The what?" Neji asked.
"It's a secret Ino is hiding" Sara said to him.
"So what will this Christmas miracle do?" Sai asked curiously.
"It's not a what" Ino said crossing her arms. "It's someone I know"
OOO
The spiky haired body started walking with his hands in his pockets. Naruto could be seen leaving the anime club with a manga of Yusei. He didn't look like he is was paying attention to what's coming for him.
"Oh!?" Naruto said bumping into the mysterious. "S-sorry about that"
Naruto gave a smile while scratching the back of his head. He then realized who he was. Not a student that goes to his school. He felt a chill while staring at him. Before he could say anything, the guy spoke.
"The Rogue Hero...I like that anime" He spoke.
"You do!" Naruto said with a surprised tone.
OOO
"Is it someone we know?" Choji asked.
Sara and Sakura had one person in mind but that wouldn't be possible. Neji felt a little sting wondering who this person was that Ino couldn't stop smiling for. Sai just smiled out of enjoyment.
"No, he doesn't go to this school" Ino states.
"What!?" Sara asked in shock.
"So he's someone out of school?" Sai asked.
"Yup...I think he is who we need so the rest of the week turns out great for us" Ino said with confidence.
"How can you be so sure?" Sakura asked raising an eyebrow.
OOO
"My name is Naruto" He said raising his hand to the spiked haired boy.
"I'm Shikamaru" He replies taking his hand.
The two kept their stares at each other for a few seconds before letting go of each others hand. Naruto started to feel a sudden chill running down his arm.
"S-so what brings you here?" Naruto asked.
"For a friend, she asked for my help" he said with a sigh, rubbing the back of his head.
"You don't seem to happy about it" Naruto states.
"I'm not...I had to travel all the way here from my house...on Christmas..I could be just relaxing at home..letting time pass by…how troublesome" Shikamaru exclaims.
"so why didn't you just said no" Naruto said shrugging his shoulder.
"I owed her...plus if I did...I'll just add more problems into my life" Shikamaru said rubbing his temple.
Naruto chuckles at his response and patted his shoulder.
"I understand" Naruto said with a slight frown.
They both lowered their heads and sighed. They soon smiled and looked at each other.
"Are you going to keep exploring?" Shikamaru asked.
"Hmm...I was going to leave since I have plans later" Naruto replies.
"I see...so you won't be able to see it" Shikamaru states.
"See what-?"
A deck of dark green cards came into Naruto's finish. Then it all connected. The person Shikamaru was talking about was Ino.
Sasuke could see Shikamaru in his line of sight but he was too late. He found Naruto. Sasuke quickly started to run at Shikamaru but tripped.
"Guh" Sasuke said and looked at what tripped him.
It was a someone's foot. He looked up to see the person but he started walking away. He shifted back to Shikamaru but he was gone with Naruto.
Sasuke got up and started looking for the two. He feared Naruto was in trouble.
OOO
As time went by, the festival started to end. It wasn't as crowded like the morning. Ino was still waiting for Shikamaru. She has been texting him wondering where he ran off too. He should have been here including Sasuke, who still didn't come back. He should have used up all those flyers already.
"Hi Ino" Shikamaru calls her walking in.
"THERE YOU ARE!" She yells causing him to cover his ears.
The rest of the team turned and looked at Shikamaru. Neji had his eyes locked on him.
"What took you so long!?" Ino said in anger.
"I ran into someone on the way here" Shikamaru states.
"I said to be here before the festival!" Ino said with a sigh. "Now, it's almost done"
"Um Ino" Sara spoke. "Mind introducing us?"
"Oh right…"Ino said facing everyone. "Everyone...this is my cousin... Shikamaru"
"Your cousin" Sakura said surprised.
"Oh so your the miracle Ino was talking about" Sai said with a smile.
"Hi, I'm Neji" He said shaking his hand.
"Ya..hey" Shikamaru said feeling awkward with this handshake.
"Ok...so why is he here again?" Sara asked.
"You haven't told them?" Shikamaru asked Ino.
"No" Ino said crossing her arms. "I wanted it to be a surprise"
"Ugh...so troublesome" Shikamaru said rubbing his temple. "Well if that's the case, what I can say is that...we will be putting on a play"
"A play!?" everyone said in a surprised tone.
"Yup!" Ino said grinning.
"What are you thinking?" Sara asked unable to read Ino's thoughts.
"I thought this is a card club" Sai states.
"We don't have to focus on cards...we need to focus on the experience" Ino states walking over to the table.
OOO
Sasuke found himself back into the school. His search for the mysterious boy lead him walking all around the festival. He swear he saw him and Naruto enter here. He notice blond hair at the corner of his eyes and turned his head. It was fast but the direction it was going was at the corner down the hall. He starts walking, eager to see them.
OOO
Naruto blew into his hands feeling the temperature drop a little. It was getting to cold. He stands at the entrance of the school, looking at the clubs.
OOO
"The feeling someone gets when playing a card game...like the last festival" Ino exclaims with a slight frown. "Everyone crowded around to watch Naruto and Temari play...we need to replicate that feeling again...and Shikamaru here...has the key"
"So your telling us...he's a good card player?" Sara asked raising an eyebrow.
"Cards aren't my thing but...I know my way around them" Shikamaru states showing them his deck.
"More like...he's a pro at it by playing once...he's able to strategize around any card game" Ino said.
"Uh...very interesting" Sara said getting excited.
"But who's going to face him?" Choji asked.
"Right….if he is that good...facing a random student won't really bring that attention like Naruto did" Neji states.
"Well there is Sasuke-" Ino said until getting interrupted.
"I have someone in mind" Shikamaru state with a slight smirk. "He was the main reason why I was late"
OOO
"I never been here before" Sasuke thought walking slowly feeling uneasy. There was one door down the hall. Sunlight was entering through the window from the left. It was quite making him feel uneasy. He gets closer to the door and notice a sign beside the door.
OOO
"Though...hard to say if he will agree...he's not much of social type" Shikamaru states and started shuffling his cards.
Ino tapped her chin wondering who Shikamaru knew in this school until her eyes notice something within his deck.
"Thats-" Ino said with her eyes widening.
OOO
"The Chess Club"
Sasuke reads with curiosity never once heard this club. He doesn't think it even attended the festival. He could hear voices behind the door then a big slam. He reached for the door handle but felt his cellphone vibrate in his pocket.
OOO
"I keep losing my cards" Naruto states while walking with his cards in his hands.
He was down four cards now. Naruto smiled and continued his walk home. He could feel a cold breeze pass him by.
OOO
"Oh this" Shikamaru said pulling the orange card out of his deck. "There is someone else I met...I told him why I was here...and then"
Shikamaru turns the card around revealing the joker card to them.
"Asked if he was willing to face me in the card match"
OOO
Sasuke pulls his phone out and turns around. He starts walking away from the door. He received a message. The sender had no name just a purple heart.
OOO
"Who?" Choji asked.
"A guy named..Naruto Uzumaki" he responds causing everyone's eyes to widen. "I didn't think he would but he then showed me his deck"
Shikamaru slides the card into his pocket but felt something hard hit his fingers. He pressed that item and smiled. It was a wooden chess piece called the pawn. "Well if you didn't want to...I'll go with someone else"