This was pulled and replaced. There were some small things I wanted to change and I added a little to the fight. Thanks for reading.
OK ladies and germs, here's chapter 7. You all must love me.
Sadly, many Cat-Girls have lost their lives. I don't know why people can't review, it's easy.
So, for the next chapter I will have the names of those that killed the Cat-Girls.
Chapter 7: Truth is told.
The sun was shining. Well, as much as it can shine in a dark forest. The sound of an irritating wood pecker woke Sakura up, and it was safe to say that she did not feel like moving any time soon.
"Hey, forehead, you awake?"
"Right here, piggy. How do you feel?"
"Same as you, like I was standing between Choji and a buffet," Ino said with a small smile.
"So, what the hell was that, anyway? You and I have never fought like that before," Sakura said while looking up to the top of the tent.
"I have no idea, but for some reason I felt like if I lost to you, then my life would be over."
"I know what you mean. I felt the same way, like I just had to beat you. Not that it happened, you kicked my ass anyways," Sakura said with a chuckle.
"What are you talking about? You were the one that almost burnt me to a crisp with those fireballs of yours. As much as it pains me to say it, you and I are dead even," Ino said as she sat up with a painful grunt.
"I guess I'm going to need to train harder to beat you next time, won't I?" With a wince, Sakura sat up and gave a look around. "How did we get in the tent any way?" Sakura asked. When she turned to look at Ino, she received a look of complete and utter shock from her friend, only to give her the same look.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU WEARING?" came a twin shout from both girls. They then looked to see what it was, only to be met with, "It's bright," Ino said.
"It's hideous," Sakura said.
"It's my worst nightmare." Ino continued. "N... No, this can't be," Sakura said getting scared.
"It's…it's…" both girls said.
"It's my jacket." Both Ino and Sakura turned to see Naruto coming into the tent dressed in only his pants and black T-shirt with an irritated look on his face.
"Why the hell are we wearing your jackets, Naruto?" Sakura asked.
"Look, I know you don't like them as much as I do. However, it's either that, or you can just spend the rest of the tests in your bras, which I won't complain about," Naruto said with a grin.
At this, Ino and Sakura both pulled down the zipper of their jackets a little and looked under, just to zip them back up at the speed of light with huge blushes painted on their faces.
"What the hell, Naruto? What did you do to us you pervert?!" Ino screeched as she threw her arms around herself.
"Whoa! Time-out, I wasn't the one that fought 'till my clothes were nothing more than very tiny revealing rags. It's not my fault you were in your underwear," Naruto yelled.
"You are right. Thank you Naruto, we're lucky to get you as a teammate," Sakura said softly.
"You are lucky. I mean, since when is a guy that cover's a half naked girl a perv- Wait, what did you just say?"
"She said 'thank you', and she's right. Who knows what might have happened if anyone else found us like that. Thank you, Naruto," Ino said with a small smile. "So, where are the bags so that Sakura and I can get dressed?"
"Well, that's a problem. During your fight, they were sort of burned up. The only things I could save were your scrolls, the two pairs of shorts that you are wearing an-" Naruto was hit in the face by two speeding fists sending him out of the tent.
"Don't ever dress us again Naruto! Just cover us up the next time!" both girls yelled.
"Hey, be happy I did that. I was content on have you two stay in your underwear. I mean, damn! Both of you are beyond steaming, so I hope the next time is sooner rather than later!" Naruto said going back into the tent only to be sent flying again.
"Pervert!" yelled two blushing ninja hopefuls.
Somewhere in the trees nearby:
"You know what? I'm starting to like that kid, he's got balls," Anko said with a smirk.
"He can also take a mean hit," Hana added in.
"So anyways, what do you think of our team?" Anko asked.
"Well, despite Naruto taking longer than needed to dress the girls, I think he shows plenty of promise, and he may be the pillar that holds the team together. Especially when the girls learn the cold hard facts about being ninja. The girls also have great potential," Hana said
"You are right. Naruto will be the powerhouse due to the fact that he seems to be a natural with jutsu to such a high degree. It will be very hard for anyone to beat him in a one on one fight. If he can learn to control the fox's chakra, it will be almost impossible. With the support the girls can offer, this team will be feared far and wide," Anko said with a grin.
"Must every thing you touch be feared?" Hana rolled her eyes
Anko looked at her lover and proceeded to smack her ass and palm it firmly. "Well, I'm touching your ass, and no one fears this firm piece of meat."
"No, but I can make you fear me," Hana said in a playful voice.
"Oh?"
"No more sex."
Anko's face was so white her old master would be jealous. "But…but…but!"
"See? Everything you touch," Hana said giving Anko a peck on the lips.
Anko cleared her thoughts. "Anyway, if they don't bond soon, I'm going to send them back to the academy. If they don't connect, they won't live past their first real mission," Anko said
"Hey, I'm going to set up the camp. It's going to rain soon," Hana said. "And don't worry, they'll do fine," she said while dropping down the tree.
A few hours later we find Ino, Naruto, and Sakura sitting in the tent as the rain began pouring down. For their part, Sakura and Ino were still a little uneasy about Naruto dressing them, but were also very happy with the meal that he had provided for them.
"Naruto, how can you make squirrel and rabbit taste so good?" Sakura asked with a full stomach.
"Yeah Naruto, this is really good," Ino said although she had barely touched her food. A fact which did not go unnoticed by either Naruto or Sakura.
"Well, to be honest, I hunt all the time and I learned what types of spices go well together," Naruto said rubbing the back of his head.
Ino and Sakura looked to one other before looking back to Naruto. "What do you mean that you hunt all the time?" Sakura asked
"Yeah, have you never heard of the store?" Ino laughed.
Naruto's face went from a smile to a somber one. "I'm not liked by many of the villagers. That goes for the stores too."
"Well, I've seen how some people treat you. You must have done something to piss everyone off," Ino said in a matter of fact way.
"Yeah, what ever it was must have rubbed them the wrong way. You might want to make a formal apology," Sakura said with a shrug like she knew what was going on.
"Done something?! I'll tell you what doing something has cost me!" Naruto stood up. "I'm not allowed in the normal stores and shops. The stores I am allowed in charge me more than anyone else. Those jackets you are wearing cost me 350 dollars each. If it wasn't for the old man's ramen, I would have starved to death years ago! I have been beaten, stabbed and poisoned all on the same day and left for dead. That was all before the age of 7." At this point tears were threatening to spill down Naruto's cheeks. "Hell, this is the first time you and Sakura even talked to me in almost 10 years. So tell me, what in the hell can a little kid do to deserve that!" Naruto yelled as he dropped 2 small velvet pouches to the ground and walked out of the tent.
Sakura and Ino were in a state of shock. They had never seen Naruto yell at anyone like that, nor had they seen him so upset.
"His life can't be that bad, can it Sakura?" Ino asked trying not to believe what she just heard.
"I think it might have been. I mean, I've seen him trying to buy things from time to time, and the shop keepers always chase him away," Sakura said in a sad voice.
"What I want to know, though, is why?" Ino asked
"That is something only Naruto himself can answer," Ino and Sakura looked to see the owner of the voice only to see their sensei.
"What do you mean Sensei?" asked Sakura.
"Everything Naruto said is true, if not worse. I think he added the sugar coating for your benefit," Anko said in a tone that said she meant every word she said.
"What does he mean that we haven't talked to him in 10 years though? We haven't known him that long. Hell, you and I have barely known each other that long," Ino said.
"Like I said before, that is something only Naruto can answer," Anko said as she bent down to pick up the small pouches.
"Come on, Sakura, let's go get Naruto to tell us what the hell he is going on about," Ino said as she and Sakura got up and put their sandals on.
"You will do no such thing," Anko said firmly.
"Why not, we want answers?!" Ino shouted.
"Because this is something that if he feels the two of you should know, then he will tell you on his own. Do you know why that is important?"
Both Ino and Sakura exchanged looks before shaking their heads no.
"It's because that way you know you have his trust, which will improve your team work as a whole, and make for a stronger friendship with the strength of steel. If you were to force him to tell you, he will only resent you for it, and keep you away," Anko said.
Seeing both young girls nod their heads, Anko turned to leave. "Very good. Now, I know that this is a test, but I feel the two of you need some shirts." With that, Anko set down two black tank tops and their pouches. "I would still keep those jackets though. It's going to start raining soon, and for a good part of the next day as well. Good night." Anko was gone as fast as she had shown up as it started to rain.
At Anko's camp site:
Anko landed in front of her tent, looking forward to a good night's sleep.
"You are playing a dangerous game there, Anko."
Anko turned around to see none other than the Hokage himself. "What do you mean lord Hokage?"
"You know precisely what I mean, Anko. You were dangerously close to breaking my law. Why are you forcing the situation?"
"You mean why am I pushing them so that they will survive in their line of work? Or why I'm pushing for Naruto to tell them about the Kyuubi? If I knew back then what I know now, then you can bet your old ass I would have done so many things different. Those kids think that being a ninja is all, 'get the bad guy' and 'lock him up'. They need to know that they will be putting their lives on the line and to learn that it's 'kill or be killed' instead of that fairy tale bullshit." Anko took a minute to see if the Hokage was going to say something, but he only just stood there. "Those girls in there have no idea what is in store for them. They don't know what kind of things they will see or what they may have to do. Sakura and Ino are going to need each other to get each other through it, and they will need Naruto even more. The sooner they open up, the sooner they can start protecting each other. I'll be damned if I'm going to just spring it on them like it was done with Hana and myself!" By the end of her speech Anko was screaming, tears glistening in her eyes from the past memories. Hana had come out of the tent to see what all the noise was about, and had almost started crying because of the memories.
"Anko, you only just met these kids, and you already care so much for them. Now you know why I had pushed so hard for you to be a sensei. I knew you would do great. Please, I implore you, do all you can for them Anko." With that the Hokage disappeared in a poof of smoke.
As soon the Hokage was out of sight, Anko broke down, falling to her knees crying her heart out. Hana tried to calm Anko down, but failed as she started to cry as well.
Back with the others:
Ino and Sakura were just sitting in the tent, thinking about what Naruto said and what Anko had said. They were so deep in thought that they failed to notice the rain was coming down harder by the minute. That is, until Naruto came running in. "We need to go. The water from the river is rising, and fast."
"What?" came two shouts as both girls shot bolt upright.
"That's not possible Naruto; there has never been a flood in all the history of the village," Sakura said.
"Umm…guys?" Ino asked.
"True, but we are not in the village anymore, Sakura. We are 13 miles from the village in the Forest of Death. I don't think they record the weather patterns for this place!"
"Umm, guys?" Ino asked a bit louder and pointing.
"You may have a point, but if this is an area that the village uses often, there would be something on the books," Sakura shot back.
"GUYS!" Ino said again almost yelling.
"Sakura, this place is only used 5 days a year for the Chuunin exams. The rest of the year it's used for private training. The village does not send people here, they come on their own, so there is no need to record the weather patterns!" Naruto said as he grabbed his bag.
"I don't c…" Sakura was cut off as Ino made herself known.
"WILL YOU TWO SHUT THE FUCK UP? WATER IS COMING IN THE TENT!" Ino screeched.
Naruto and Sakura looked down to see that they were standing ankle deep in water.
"Ok Naruto, you win, let's just get out of here," Sakura said as she got out of the tent while being followed closely by Ino.
"Hey! Wait for me!" Naruto yelled as he left the tent only to see Ino and Sakura standing staring past the tent. "What are you looking at?" Naruto asked as he turned to see what they were looking at, only to see a wall of water coming right at them.
'That is a lot of water.'
'That's not helping fox!'
Thinking quickly, Naruto grabbed both Ino and Sakura and put as much chakra into his legs as he could and jumped onto a tree that was close by just as the wall of water came crashing down on the tent, washing it away along with the remainder of the food and their bedding.
"Great, what the hell are we going to do now?" Ino asked.
"What are you talking about Ino? We have no food, no clothes, and no shelter. We failed the test. Now we're going to be sent back to the academy," Sakura said angrily.
"Sakura…" Ino was going to say something, but stopped when Naruto jumped to the next tree over and stood up.
"Sakura, Ino, if we are going to be on the same team, you are going to need to learn that giving up is never an option." Both Ino and Sakura looked at their teammate with the same thought.
It was Ino that spoke up first. "Naruto, how can you keep going after every thing that's happened? I mean, how are you so strong?"
"No matter how hard things may seem, it can always get worse. I mean, I saved your scrolls," said a smiling Naruto while he held up the two scrolls. "Now, come on. It's raining and it's late. We need to find a place to sleep."
Naruto jumped off. "How can he just keep going? We just lost everything we started with, and he's smiling?"
"Well, I guess we have no other choice, but to get used to it. He said giving up is no longer an option. Come on, let's go before he comes back," Ino said with a smile before jumping off with Sakura right behind.
It didn't take long for the three to find shelter under a large hollow tree trunk.
"Well, we can stay here for the night before we head out," Naruto said.
"At least we'll be dry. Thanks Naruto," Ino said while sitting down to rest her legs.
"I have to admit, she's right, and there's no way we can be flooded out this far from the river," Sakura said sitting down as well.
"Well, I aim to please. Go ahead and get some sleep," Naruto said turning to leave.
"Where are you going?" asked Ino.
"To find a dry tree to sleep in," was his simple reply.
"What's wrong with here?" Sakura asked gesturing to the log.
"Well, like the tent, I just figured you don't want me sleeping here."
"Don't worry its raining and well." Sakura looks to Ino and gets a nod. "And you earned our trust."
"Really? I don't have to sleep in the rain?"
"Nope. Just don't try anything buster, or I will remove what makes you a man," Ino threatened with a grin. A grin which Naruto could not tell if she was serious or not.
A rock flew into the tree, barely missing Ino's head by an inch.
"What the hell?!" She picked up the rock and found it was wrapped in a piece of paper. She unwrapped the paper and read it. "'The test has changed. All you need to do is survive.' It's signed by Hana-Sensei."
"Damn it, why can't you just leave the test alone!" Naruto said standing up and hitting his head.
"Well, I for one think it's great. Now we don't have to worry about moving, or have to worry about picking up the box or scroll," Sakura said with a smile.
The group stayed there for the next two days with little problems, so they just sat there waiting out the rain, reading their scrolls, and holding leaves to their bodies with chakra. They often made a game out of it, to see who can hold the most. Well, Ino and Sakura did, Naruto never won a game.
"Hey, Ino, what's it like in someone's mind? I mean, is it a mess of thoughts, or is it like a library?" Naruto asked
Ino was taken aback a little. No one had ever asked her about her blood line before. "Well Naruto, it's more like an art gallery. The memories appear on the walls as pictures, and all I have to do is touch them so I can see the memory play out. Not all of them always look the same. They are unique to the person. There are some that look like grassy planes, some like the sea, or some like volcanoes. It all depends how many good and bad memories that person has."
"So the more good memories they have, the happier the setting, and the more sad memories they have, the sadder the setting?" Sakura asked.
"Yep, that's it in a nut shell. Why do you ask, Naruto?"
"Well, I guess I was just curious is all." He looked out of the tree at the rain. "The 6th day here starts tomorrow, and it looks like the rain is giving out," Naruto said, happily eating some fish.
"Naruto, stop talking with your mouth full. You are in the presence of the most beautiful girls in the village, right Sakura?"
"That's right. You should count your lucky stars to be here with us."
"I'm sorry my ladies. How can this humble servant be of use to you?" Naruto said kneeling in front of them.
Both girls just started laughing at Naruto's joke. "You can start by wearing a leather collar that Ino and I are going to buy for you after we pass this test," Sakura said.
"Right on Sakura," Ino said giving her best friend a high five.
After some more laughing, Ino and Sakura looked to Naruto with sadness etched upon their visages. "What is wrong you two?" he asked.
"Naruto, we never thanked you for what you did in the fight we had with that Hyuuga. If she would have landed that blow, neither Ino nor I would have made it to the team selection," Sakura said.
"The truth is that Sakura and I are happy we were put on the same team as you, Naruto. Thank you," Ino said with a radiant smile.
"We can't for the life of us figure out what would possess you to put yourself in harms way, though," Sakura said.
"For us, anyways. I mean, we treated you like trash Naruto, so why?" Ino asked sounding sad.
"What? Would you have me stand there and let my friends get hurt?" Naruto asked looking down.
"Umm… Naruto, I'm sad to say that we weren't fri…" but Naruto cut Sakura off before she could finish.
"At the time, no, you two didn't see me as a friend. However, you used to see me as your best friend." Naruto saw the confused looks on their faces. "I guess I should start from the beginning?" The girls gave a nod.
"Okay then. Well, you met me before we ever went to the academy. Ino, the day you met Sakura under the oak tree in the park I was there. I saw how the other kids made fun of Sakura and you sat under that tree to cry. Then Ino came up to you, and you stopped crying so I watched the two of you for a day or so. I saw that you guys became very close, so I thought if I sat under the same tree, that I also would get a friend. I did after a few days of sitting there. Both of you came up to me and started talking to me. As the days passed by, we were inseparable. We would play, laugh, and eat lunch together every day. Hell, I even beat up anyone who made fun of you two. One of my favorite memories is when Sakura brought a book that had a picture of a fox in it, and said it looked like me, after which you both started calling me fox-kun. Unfortunately, though…"
Flashback
"Sakura-Chan, Ino-Chan! I have something I want to give you!" yelled a small blond boy.
"What is it, Fox-kun?" questioned a small pink hired girl.
"Yeah, what did you get us Fox-kun?" inquired a young blond girl.
"This," was all little Naruto said as he pulled out a large crystal with an orange swirl wrapped around a yellow Lighting bolt. "This is the only tie I have to my mom and dad. It is my most beloved item, and I want you two to have it."
"It's so beautiful Naruto," said a star struck Ino.
"We can't accept that! It's special to you," Sakura said never taking her eyes off the crystal.
Naruto gave a real smile, before he sent some chakra into the crystal. It split right down the middle of the lighting bolt into two separate pieces; he gave one to Ino and the other to Sakura. "I know, that's why I'm giving it to you both."
The next thing Naruto knew, he was getting a kissed on both cheeks from Sakura on the left and Ino on the right. "Thank you Fox-Kun," a twin cheer came from the girls and they hugged him hard.
As Naruto's luck would have it, however, just as the girls finished their hug, a strong kick sent Naruto sailing into the tree. "Demon! Stay away from my daughter."
"I wa..." Naruto didn't get to finish as a fist made contact with his face sending him down.
"Daddy, what are you doing, he's our friend?!" Ino cried as she tried to stop her father.
"Ino, it's a monster and I don't even want you thinking its name."
"Same goes for you, Sakura. Stay away from that creature," yelled an older pink haired woman.
"But… Mama?"
"No buts Sakura, that thing will kill you."
End flashback
"And that was the last time I saw either you. That is, of course, until I entered the academy. By then I guess your memories of me were gone, and both of you were chasing after Uchiha, so I left both of you alone in hopes that at least you two could find the happiness that was so elusive to me."
By the time Naruto was done talking, Sakura and Ino held their heads down in shame.
"Naruto, I'm so sorry for way I treated you," Ino said.
"I don't deserve this, Naruto. Please take this back." Sakura pulled out her pouch and handed it to Naruto, with Ino not far behind.
"Sorry ladies, but a gift is a gift, and I'm not going to take them back. Besides, we're friends again," he said with a grin.
"Why though? Why aren't you mad at us, and why does every one treat you so badly?" Ino asked softly.
"I... I can't say right now."
"Why? I thought we were your friends. Why can't you tell us Naruto?" Sakura pleaded.
"That's just it. I just got you back, and I don't want to lose you, not now. I'd rather not have that happen again," Naruto said looking at the ground. "I'm going to go to sleep now, ok? I'll see you in the morning."
Sakura and Ino did not go to sleep for a few hours. They were so deep in thought that sleep was elusive.
Naruto's Mind:
"You know, you are going to have to tell them sooner or later.'
"Don't you think I know that? I just don't want to lose them again."
"If they really care about you, then they will know that you are not me."
"Thanks Fox."
"Even I have a soft side."
"Who would have guessed?"
"Now, get over there, pull their pants down, and ram them till they can't walk without remembering who did it to them!"
"I knew it! You're only in this for yourself, you bastard!"
"Well, what else would you think? I've been in this wasteland that you call a brain for damn near sixteen fucking years! I'm horny, and with the stamina boost you get from me, you can take the both of them six times at least!"
Naruto was about to say something when a new thought popped in his mind. 'At least 6 times, hmm?'
"I heard that," Kyuubi said with a large grin.
"I hate you, you understand that much, don't you?"
Kyuubi made a kissing motion. "I love you too, brat."
With that, Naruto left his mind to get some sleep. He slept like a rock, but all that ended when he heard his name being shouted by his team. Naruto rushed out, only to see both Sakura and Ino looking ready to fight, and standing next to a man in a gray ninja flak jacket. It had sashes across the beltline and extended past the waist. There was one scroll pouch, located over the left breast. His pants were dark blue with black slashes on each hip, and he also had black sandals on. There were bandages wrapped all around his arms with shuriken winding all around them. His green hair was kept from covering his face with a black head band that had the symbol of the cloud village.
"Ha-ha, this must be my lucky day! Not only did I complete my mission and find a bonus, but now I get to kill 3 little brats! The leaf is truly generous," bellowed the Cloud Nin.
"What kind of mission can you have here?" Ino demanded.
"I guess I can tell you, seeing as how I'm just about to kill you," the Cloud Nin let out with a snicker. His snicker escalated into full blown laughter when he saw the fear written on both Ino's and Sakura's faces.
Naruto jumped in front of his teammates and got into a fighting stance. "You will not hurt my friends."
"What do you think you can do to stop me? The other so called ninja could do nothing to stop me from getting them!" the Nin said pointing to a tree.
Naruto looked to where the man was pointing to see two children, a boy and girl, tied and hanging from one of the branches. Naruto quickly recognized one of them. 'Konohamaru!'
"Naruto! Help us!" Konohamaru yelled.
"Let me go you pedophile!" yelled the young Hyuuga.
"You see, kid? The girl there is a Hyuuga. I killed 3 Jonin and 6 Hyuuga bodyguards to get her. That loud ass wipe? Well he's the grandson of your older than dirt Hokage."
"Naruto, what are we going to do?" Sakura asked with a scared voice
"What do you think? We are Ninja of the leaf. It's our duty to try and stop this guy."
"Bu… but Naruto, there is no way we can beat this guy!" Ino said.
"Like it matters. I'm just going to kill you any way, after which I will take my prisoners back to Cloud."
Naruto wasted no time as he raced towards the foreign ninja, only to have the cloud Nin sweep out his legs from under him. Before Naruto could even hit the ground, the Ninja drove his left knee deep into Naruto's stomach before using his right leg to kick Naruto into a tree.
"Naruto! Get up, we need you!" Konohamaru yelled.
The young Hyuuga just kept trying to get free from her ropes with little success.
"It's ok, Naruto will get us out of here." Konohamaru stopped what he was saying when the young girl looked at him with some anger.
"What the hell are you talking about?! He just got power kicked into that tree! If we don't free ourselves, we are doomed!"
"No we are not! Just you wait and see! Naruto will win!"
"You just keep thinking that while I try and get myself out of here."
The Cloud Nin was walking to where Naruto had landed with a kunai in hand when a green vine wrapped around his arm with its thorns digging in to his skin. The Cloud Nin turned to see that the vine was actually a whip, and followed it back to where Ino was holding the other end.
"You know little girl that's not very smart."
"Don't you think I know that? I'm not about to just sit here and let Naruto fight alone though," Ino spat out.
"N… no, Ino, run," Naruto said in a small and raspy voice.
"Heh, fine, have it your way. You can die together then!" he roared. He jerked the vine, and Ino was catapulted straight towards the tree that Naruto had just been forcefully introduced to a while ago. Ino went flying with a sickening crack before falling next to Naruto. "Well, well, well, looks like you don't have much strength to use that effectively, now do you?"
The Cloud nin gave a half smirk before going through some hand seals then ripping six shuriken off his arms and throwing them at the two blonds. "Lighting Shuriken Jutsu!" As soon as he finished, lighting rushed from his mouth energizing the shuriken. Three of the shuriken landed next to Ino, and the others next to Naruto. Electricity began to arc from shuriken to shuriken with 12 thousand volts coursing through them. With a scream, both Ino and Naruto fell unconscious.
"Do you know how hard it is to sneak up on someone who knows where you are?" the Nin asked looking to a tree.
Sakura's eyes shot open in fear. 'He knew I was here the whole time. We... we are not going to survive this."
The young Hyuuga kept struggling against her bindings. "See? The two blonds there just got fried. How are they going to save us, huh Konohamaru?"
"Umm…I... I don't know," he said softly as he watched the fight.
The Cloud Ninja strolled on over towards the tree that Sakura was hiding behind.
"Why don't you come down and say hi?"
Naruto's eyes fluttered open and heard what was being said. "S…Sakura, don't, run please." It was at this time that some red chakra began to flicker around Naruto.
Sakura jumped down from the tree with a look of absolute terror plastered on her face. "Well, well, well, it looks like the little mouse is scared. The cat will give you a free shot. Come on, give it your all," the Cloud Ninja said with a big grin as he spread his arms wide to either side.
'I can't do it! I'm going to die!'
'That may be true, but I think if we are going to die, then let's go out with a bang. Now pull yourself together and make his ass well-done!'
"Right." Sakura ran through the hand signs faster than she thought she could. "Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" Four burning balls of fire shot out at the enemy Nin from her mouth.
The older ninja, in his arrogance, was caught off guard and had no time to dodge. He crossed his arms and was hit by the fire balls. Sakura was in a state of shock that she had hit him and a smile made itself known. She was about to check on Ino and Naruto when a voice came from behind her. "Nice try girly." Sakura spun around to see the enemy standing there without even a single burn mark. Sakura looked back towards the "body" only to see a burning log. "Mind Shocker Jutsu."
Sakura was on the ground instantly as a small bolt of lighting shot from the Ninja's finger. The only thing that was moving was her eyes.
"You must be wondering what it is that I just did to you, right? Well, this is one of my favorite jutsu. In essence, it sends an electrical discharge through your spine and messes with the messages that your brain sends to your muscles through it. Basically, it shuts down all your bodily functions by overcharging the outgoing connections of your spine. What makes this jutsu so unique is that it makes all incoming relays stay open, so you feel every thing. So think about it. All the feelings of a touch, the pain of a kick, you feel it all and you can't do a thing about it, not even scream," the man said sickly.
"What am I going to do? I have to save Sakura and Ino," Naruto said to himself as he struggled to stand. The red chakra appearing from him helped to dull the pain and make it easier to stand.
"Guess what? Because you like fire so much, I think that I'll let you play in it. How does that sound to you?" Sakura was scared and her eyes showed it when the man started some hand signs. Lighting then struck the ground, starting a fire not too far from Sakura.
'Kyuubi!! I need you to help me! Give me your chakra!'
'Kit, if you take my chakra, it will speed up your transformation into a demon an…'
'Will I be able to save Sakura and Ino?'
'I don't know. There is a chance, but the difference in skill between what you and our enemy has may be too much.'
'You had me at I don't know.'
"So, you are still able to stand? That is very impressive," the older Ninja said as he walked past Naruto. Naruto could now see that Sakura was in danger of catching on fire.
"You and your little bitches have really put me in a bad mood." He bent down and picked up Ino, throwing her over his shoulder. "You know what? I think she can help me with all my pent up stress," he said as he began to grope Ino's butt.
That was it for Naruto. The dam could take no more. Naruto exploded in a fury of red chakra. Naruto's hair started to change as the tips became red and his whiskers became much darker as he grew claws and fangs. This caused the Cloud Ninja to drop Ino at the feeling of such a powerful chakra. Naruto jumped clear through the flames and emerged from the other side with Sakura in his arms. Clutching her closely, he checked to make sure she was alive. He saw tears flowing profusely down an otherwise emotionless face.
It was at this time Ino opened her eyes to see Naruto walking out of a fire with Sakura in his hands. Naruto walked up to Ino who had stood and handed Sakura to her. "Keep an eye on her Ino-chan."
Ino stood there looking at Naruto and his new features, red chakra roaring all around him. The voice still had the same warmth that Naruto's speech carried, but it was darker and deeper. "Ok Naruto."
"You!" Naruto pointed a clawed finger at the now scared Cloud Ninja. "You come into my home. You try to kidnap my friend. You tried to burn Sakura-chan alive. You said you were going to rape Ino-chan. I will not permit you to taint this world that I live in any more!" Naruto's voice echoed through the trees.
Naruto charged at his prey while taking random strikes of lighting. The man from Cloud dropped Naruto with a punch to the jaw, only to pull back in shock as Naruto came back to his feet. "I don't know what you are, but I'm going to kill you!" The Nin slapped his hands together and his hands started to glow bright blue.
"Let's go you little bastard" He dodged a swipe from Naruto's clawed hand and gave the claw an uppercut at the wrist, snapping it.
"GRAAAAA" Naruto grabbed his wrist for a second. "You think a broken bone will even slow me down?" Naruto pounced knocking the Nin to the ground and started to slash left and right tearing into the man's clothes and skin. He grabbed his enemy's shoulder and drove his open mouth at his throat, but an elbow to the head knocked Naruto off.
Naruto recovered quickly and charged, taking the Cloud Nin with enough force to make them both tumble back. When they stopped, the man was laughing as his kunai found Naruto's stomach. The laughed died with the man as Naruto jammed a clawed hand right through the former Cloud Ninja's heart.
Naruto's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he lost consciousness, never seeing his sensei land next to him.
"What in the blue balled hell happened here?" Anko yelled.
Ino, eyes overflowing with fear and confusion, filled in their sensei on everything that had happened. Anko picked up the now bleeding Naruto, while Hana grabbed Sakura, and they all went to the hospital.
7 hours later at the hospital:
"Ino, what do you think happened to Naruto back there?"
"You know as much as I do. Whatever it was, I was afraid. I actually felt safe at the same time, though. I must sound crazy."
"No, I know what you mean. Even though I couldn't move, I felt the same. The look in his eyes…"
"Ughhh…" Ino and Sakura were pulled from their conversation by a noise from their male counterpart.
"Naruto, are you ok?" asked a concerned Ino.
"Gaaa…Ino…Sakura…." came Naruto's soft groan.
"We are here Naruto." Naruto turned to the voice to see Sakura and Ino standing to the left of him.
"Sakura w…what happened to your hair?"
Sakura grabbed her new shoulder length hair and then looked at the ground with a sad expression. "It was burned off in the fire."
"Sakura, I'm sorry. If I was stronger, I could have protected you."
"Naruto, don't. If it wasn't for you, I would be dead and god knows where Ino would be. Besides, Ino managed to even it out and I don't look half bad with short hair. It's hard to feel bad when one has a friend that would cut her own hair to make you feel better."
Naruto looked over and saw that Ino's hair was now a short pony tail. "Naruto, what happened to you back there?"
Naruto's heart sunk to the area of his stomach, and now he knew there was no way around it. "Ino-Chan, Sakura-Chan… I want you to know it was nice to be your friend one last time…"
A/N I know many of you are upset that Naruto did not do anything to Ino or Sakura when they were in their underwear, but I swear by the various Fan-Fiction gods it will come back later so don't hire professional assassins to murder me with six well placed tacos.
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