I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters of the Manga or Anime. If I did I wouldn't have so many damn fillers.
A Price for Peace
Chapter 16: Conflicting Feelings
"So do you guys see anything?" Kiba asked as he sat atop Akamaru looking over the scorched landscape and giant craters that littered the land where Naruto and Sasuke had fought to the death.
"It's difficult to tell. The Byakugan may be an impressive Dojutsu, but it's night vision is still somewhat limited. Perhaps we should make camp and resume our search in the morning?" Neji suggested.
"A sound plan, we should also check the location that Naruto's body was found, if our target came this way, then that would be her likely destination." Shino reasoned logically.
"I would agree, but I think you will find the sight that Naruto's body was found has been disturbed by more than a few people since our target would have left. We will set up camp here, I need to send a message to Kakashi-sama informing him of our current status." Sai said passively.
"How are you going to report to Kakashi-sama from all the way out here? It would take a day even for a messenger hawk to reach Konoha." Kiba asked.
"My ninjutsu uses ink, my messenger birds can travel great distances in much shorter of a time than the normal hawks. Kakashi-sama will have the report within a few hours. So we should have a reply by tomorrow." Sai answered expressionlessly.
"Man that's a useful technique." Kiba said, clearly impressed with the stoic ninja's abilities.
"That is why Danzo-sama used to send me as a spy into enemy teritory, any information I could find would be sent as quickly as possible and my ink creatures cannot be captured like messenger hawks, they simply disperse if they're prevented from reaching their destination." Sai said in a matter of fact tone.
"Yes I see how that could be an advantage, it would stop a large chance of miss information or counter intelligence." Shino said with an approving nod. "Now would it be to much trouble to help set up the camp, we have much to prepare and it's already dark." The Aburame clan heir added. The two nodded in agreement and Akamaru barked his approval as they began setting up the tents and gathering wood for a fire.
A short distance away Hinata and Neji stood with their Byakugan activated looking over the wasteland before them. "It must have been quite an amazing battle, look at the damage they caused." Hinata said in awed reverence.
"Indeed, it is a shame I will never get the chance to have a rematch with Naruto. Although I fear the result would be no different to the last time we fought." Neji replied.
"Neji-Niisan, do you think we will find Karin?" The kunoichi asked slightly timidly.
"I am afraid that I do not think we will. It has been a long time so she will not be around this area anymore. Also Kakashi-sama cannot put off Naruto's funeral much longer, we will be recalled and a Anbu team designed for long term missions will be sent out in our place. That is standard procedure for this type of threat. My guess would be she has fled to a non iffiliated village to seek refuge, if that is the case it will not take long to find her, the reward offered and threat of antagonising the five great shinobi villages will be too great." Neji answered calmly.
"I see." Hinata sighed sadly.
"Is something wrong Hinata-sama?" Neji asked.
"You don't need to call me that Nii-san, just Hinata is fine. To be honest I wanted to be the one that caught Karin, that way I could do something to make sure Naruto can rest in peace." Hinata explained while slightly downhearted.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto was most certainly not resting in peace, in fact he was finding it nigh impossible to get comfortable. The large cave he was staying in was so warm that the thermal sleepwear and sleeping bag he brought with him felt like an oven. And it didn't help that he was sleeping on a thin futon on a solid stone floor. Normally he wouldn't mind to much, but less than three feet away Karin lay quite contently on one of the most luxurious looking beds the blond had ever seen. Letting out a sigh Naruto kicked out of his sleeping bag and slowly made it to his feet.
He stretched out cracking his joints that were sore from laying on the hard ground before heading for the exit. He had just made it to the thick curtain when he felt Karin move around behind him. "Where are you going?" she asked through half lidded eyes that were lacking her usual glasses.
"I just thought I would go for a walk, you know have a look around. We didn't really see much on our way in, besides I thought it would be cool to meet some of the Snow Leopard clan." Naruto half lied, he didn't want to tell her that he couldn't get comfortable because it was too hot and the ground was so hard his sleeping bag was about as useful as a piece of cardboard.
"Oh how long will you be?" she asked.
"I don't know, probably not long, you can go back to sleep."
"I can't sleep, I have... something on my mind, it's really annoying, and kind of stupid, but I just can't stop thinking about it."
"Well you can come have a look around with me if you want, it might be fun, we could go meet some of your new partners together, you will want to befriend them if you're going to fighting together." Naruto reasoned.
Karin shook her head weakly. "No I think that would just make things worse at the moment. Thanks anyway." 'Maybe time away from you will help me clear my head, that damn elder leopard has made me all confused, I shouldn't be thinking about Naruto, he's a friend and nothing more. Hell he's probably not even a friend, we're just traveling together.' she told herself for what was the hundredth time that night.
Naruto's smile faltered for just a second. "Oh well, I guess I'll see you when you I get back if you're still awake." she said before pushing through the curtains and out into the giant open cave that rose high up the inside of the mountain.
'You're getting attached to her.' Kurama said flatly.
'I don't know what you're talking about.' Naruto flatly denied the fox's assumption.
Kurama scoffed at his jinchuuriki. 'You think you can lie to me Naruto? I know you were upset that she didn't want to come for a walk with you.'
'I just thought she should meet some of her summons, it would be better if she was around as she's not really an outsider like I am. That's all!' He told himself, as well as the fox.
'If that is what you wish to tell yourself then fine, I am not going to argue.' Kurama replied.
'Oh what do you know anyway.' Naruto scoffed halfheartedly, he knew that when it came to being an empath there was no better being than Kurama.
'She has been in a state of confusion since coming back from that old cat, I don't like it. Her emotions are unstable, like she's fighting with herself over something, she may be planning on betraying you.' The fox informed the blond.
'He's a leopard, and he left me confused as well, I don't see it as a big deal.' Naruto answered.
'Betrayal hurts more when it is done by someone you trust, the more faith you place in an individual the more it hurts if they turn on you.' Kurama spoke.
'That's a very lonely way of looking at the world Kurama, you trusted me and we became friends, before that you were all alone, which one do you prefer?'
'You are... different, we both know that. Regardless as per your insistance I am willing to give the girl a chance. I just hope you don't regret it, and maybe restrict the time you spend ogling her in the future.'
Naruto's face heated up and turned scarlet. 'I didn't do that, she walked in on me in the bath, it's not my fault. Still she is quite pretty, and I am a male-'
'You are sounding like your perverted hermit sensei.' Kurama said with a smirk.
'I am not like Ero-sennin, it's just hard not to notice something like that when she walks in covered only in a towel.'
'Careful Naruto, your mind is wondering.' The fox teased.
'This conversation is over!' Naruto declared before shutting off their communication link. 'Still I wonder what Karin really thinks about me?' he thought to himself before shaking his head clear. "What am I thinking, my head is just clouded because I almost saw her naked, thats all." he told himself out loud as he casually walked down towards the base of the cave, following a large circular path that spiralled around the edges of the cave leading to the base level where most of the leopards had gathered below, like most felines the snow leopards were mostly nocturnal so they were far more active now than they were when Yuneko had carried them in.
Naruto arrived at the base of the path and we greeted by Namayu, the snow leopard that naruto assumed was working as the elders assistant. "Ah young sage, what brings you here, are your accommodations not to your liking?"
"No... Well now that you mention it, we only have one bed, and the floor is rather hard." Naruto admitted somewhat tentatively.
"Is the bed not big enough for the two of you? I was under the impression that human mates shared a bedchamber together." Namayu queried.
Naruto's face burned red with what the leopard was insinuating. "We're not like that. Karin is just a friend, not a girlfriend, and certainly not a mate." He attempted to explain as quickly as he could to clear up any misconception that the large cat may have had.
"I see, do you not find Karin attractive?" Namayu asked in an emotionless tone.
Naruto paused for a moment. "Well I guess I find her attractive, she's pretty, even with her glasses, and that crazy hair. But that's not the issue, we're not dating or anything like that."
"I see, I do not understand the concept of dating, but if I am to understand you correctly, you are traveling all alone with Karin yet have no desire to mate with her? Humans are indeed strange creatures." Namayu mused.
Naruto rubbed the back of his neck trying to get his head around what the leopard had meant. "Well I guess that's an accurate assumption. Although personally I think you're the weird one, we're just friends nothing else."
"Perhaps that is so, we do have different value systems to those of humans after all. We respect strength and commitment. Which is why our determination to protect these mountains from intruders is unrivalled only once were we ever bested. But you humans, cherish bonds between others. You travel with and protect Karin, even though she is not your mate, I fail to see the purpose in that. If it not to protect the one you desire to carry your cubs, why risk your life?" The snow leopard asked.
"Because she is a comrade and I would never let a comrade die if I could help it. Plus she is a friend I would be... sad if anything happened to her." Naruto tried to explain.
"I see, so there are emotional bonds that can be formed outside family interest, you humans are rather interesting. I am afraid we do not have another cave prepared for you to use during your stay, but I am sorry that I have misread the status of your relationship with our summoner and I apologise for the inconvenience. I will see that a new room is prepared for you." Namayu said with a bow.
"Nah it's alright, really I was just being fussy because I was sleeping on the floor." Naruto explained.
"I see. If I may ask, as your relationship status with Karin is one of friendship, would it not be possible to share the bed we have provided." The leopard questioned.
"Well I guess we could, but it's probably not a very good idea, besides it seems rather intimate to share a bed with a girl." Naruto answered with a slight pink hue on his cheeks.
"I do not fully understand, but I will accept your premise. I will prepare a separate room for you tomorrow should you decide to stay another night. Thank you for your time young sage."
"It's Naruto."
"Pardon?"
"My name, it's Naruto. I figure you seem friendly enough, even if you are kind of odd. So call me by my real name okay?"
"Very well, a pleasure to be granted this honour... Naruto." Namayu said with a bow of his front legs before stalking off.
'That was rather embarrassing, and now I am more awake than ever. Maybe I'll go do some training, I'll wear myself out, then I can just fall asleep out of exhaustion.' Naruto thought. He moved into the centre of the cave and placed his hands in a very familiar hand position. The next second close to one hundred identical clones of the blond had appeared. "Alright a quarter of you run through my Toad style katas, half work on some Fuuton manipulation, while the rest of you, I want to spar with." Naruto said removing his top due to the heat.
The group of clones split up effortlessly and each took to their assigned task. Naruto had to react quickly as three clones shot at him as the original he was slightly faster and stronger but one against twenty five was not going to be an easy task. Off to the side many of the leopards gathered around to watch the rather unique show, it was not often that they saw a human, not to mention one that would create copies of himself to fight with.
Naruto ducked and weaved in between strikes, his reaction time from fighting with Kurama had improved greatly, but he was still taking a few hits from his clones, simply because they outnumbered him so heavily. But because they were in essence him, he could see their strategy early enough, one group would rush in and attack at key area's while another group would sit back and look for an opening should the initial attack be thwarted.
Deciding to go for the attack Naruto slipped through the first attack and intentionally made what would appear to be an opening for the second wave to attack, however the moment they came in the real Naruto used his superior speed to dispel several of the clones. Instantly the clones gave up that strategy and decided to adopt another one, a sophisticated plan often referred to as a 'bum rush', all clones diverged on the real Naruto as one.
High up above Karin was still having no luck getting to sleep, she had hoped that Naruto leaving the room would let her clear her mind of thoughts of the blond, yet it had not worked out that way. She soon found herself somewhat anxious that he would leave her here and make his way north on his own. 'His bag is still here, he wouldn't leave without it... right?' She told herself.
She rolled over onto her back and let out a frustrated and annoyed yell. "Dammit what the hell is wrong with me." A loud explosion from outside jumped her back to her senses. 'What was that? What if the snow leopards are attacking Naruto-kun?' she thought suddenly. Quick as a flash she was out of bed and pushing through the curtains out into the giant cave. What she saw made her stop dead in her tracks. She let out a breath that she didn't know she had been holding when she saw that Naruto wasn't being attacked, at least not by the summons. But down below there were so many of him she had no idea which was the real one. "Amazing, they're all shadow clones, he must be using them to train, that's ingenious." she realised.
When she located the real Naruto he was being chased by a group of close to twenty clones, avoiding a few strikes before throwing one of his own, often the clones who knew his movements perfectly would use that moment to mount a stronger attack of their own. Karin was mesmerised and sat on the edge of the path to get a good seat to watch the show.
She soon found herself engrossed in every detail of his spar, the way he would anticipate and read even the most subtle of movement, almost like Sasuke with his Sharingan, sure they were clones of himself so he would have an advantage but to register a that level of anticipation was still impressive. His style was certainly far more direct and rougher than Sasuke, he fought more like Juugo, but even so not one move was wasted, the directness made it look like there were openings where there were none.
Naruto ducked under a round house kick from one of his clones and through a punch of his own, hoping to hit the planting leg, all he needed to do was strike a clone once to dispel them. His fist came within a fingernail's length from striking before his target was yanked away by two other clones, with several more converging on him from almost every side. Naruto knew it was a trap but at this stage he had no other option, he fell back in the direction they were forcing him.
Moving with all the skill of a master tactician the clones continued to shepherd Naruto in the direction of their choosing, the blond noting that every so often one of the clones would break away. This continued for close to a minute until naruto found himself perfeclty surrounded by his own clones, each holding a kunai, without giving him time to think all the clones tossed their blades in one swift motion.
Karin's heart stopped as the kunai all punctured the blond from every angle. She let out a breathless scream, her voice lost in her throat. Suddenly the naruto that appeared to be bleeding popped out of existence indicating it was a clone.
"Huh when?" one of the clones asked.
"When you tossed those kunai." Naruto replied where one of the supposed clones were standing. He had substituted himself with a clone at the last second. Not wanting to give his copies a chance to regroup Naruto took advantage of the fact they were currently all separated and quickly took the clones apart. Running to the left planting a knee into the closest clones face while at the same time sending several kunai to those standing at the opposite side, each having yet to register just what was going on.
By the time they had figured it out it was too late, Naruto had decimated their numbers leaving only two remaining, while they put up a valiant resistance they were nothing compared to the real Naruto and he soon had them both dispelled.
High above karin was clutching at he chest with a small tear of joy running down her face. "Thank kami he's safe." she said, as she looked down at the blonds satisfied smirk and bare chest she felt her face warm considerably. 'Oh no... I like Naruto-kun.' she realised, she was both thrilled and horrified at the thought, the revelation had sent her heart racing as she watched him. 'But what will he think of me, I am nothing. It wasn't all that long ago that I would have killed him without second thought if Sasuke had wanted me to. I am so messed up, what am I supposed to do now.' she thought tucking her knees into her chest and wrapping her arms around them, all the while her eyes followed the blond as he began to do one armed push ups. 'I can't tell him, at least not yet. I haven't known him long enough. He will think I am weird, besides I don't deserve his love anyway. But at least I can watch him for real now, and one day he might feel something for me too.'
Naruto ran through a rather intense training schedule, he wanted to be so tired that he would drop the moment his head hit the pillow. Every so often he would dispel one or two of his clones to amass the fatigue they had accumulated in their training but he had been used to using many more when he was training to learn his Fuuton manipulation and the Rasenshuriken.
Karin just sat high above and watched for the next hour as the blond pushed himself harder. Even from her lofty perch she could see the strained look on his face, the sweat rolling off his torso and down his arms was quite noticeable. 'He's down to his last few clones, I wonder if he will be finished soon?' She wondered, a new found anxiety crept its way into her chest. 'I hope he hasn't noticed that I have been watching him.'
After a few more minutes the last of Naruto's clones had dispelled and he stood alone in the large clearing. The snow leopards for the most part had given him a wide birth, a few had watched his unique method of training himself, but none of them had moved close enough to warrant interaction with the young jinchuuriki. "That should probably do it, it's been months since I have been able to train properly like that." He sighed happily to himself.
His mission was accomplished, Naruto felt both mentally and physically drained from his exertions while no way near as bad as after his fights with the likes of Nagato, Madara, and Sasuke, he was confident that once he took another dip in the hot spring bath he would easily be able to fall asleep on the floor.
Wearily he trudged back up the circular path leading to the cave he was sharing with Karin, his feet somewhat dragging behind his body. He pushed passed the curtain and into the homely cave with an audible yawn and silently made his way to the bath, careful not to make a noise that might wake Karin.
Little did he know she was awake the entire time, she had stayed up hoping to greet the blond as he returned but a small anxiety attack had caused her to fake sleep when the entrance to the small living area began to move. 'What am I doing, I can at least talk to him. We still have such a long way to travel together, I need to calm down.' she told herself, sitting back up in the bed once Naruto had well and truly passed into the bathroom.
She sat up in silence, knowing that Naruto would be having a bath after training so hard. The thought was comforting to Karin as it gave her ample time to prepare, she constantly told herself to act normal. When she had been crushing on Sasuke she made no attempt to hide how she felt, but this was different. It would complicate things if she threw herself at Naruto and he rejected her.
Around fifteen minutes later Naruto reappeared wearing only a pair of orange boxers with small toads printed on them. Both teens froze when they saw each other. Naruto quickly wrapping a towel around his mid section and Karin silently thankful it was so dark and he couldn't see the massive blush that had spread across her face.
"Sorry, I thought you were asleep." Naruto apologised.
"No it's alright I should have said something when you came back." Karin said equally apologetic.
Naruto nodded and quickly deposited himself into his sleeping bag to avoid any more awkwardness. "That's the second time that's happened tonight." He chuckled lightly hoping that by livening the mood he could escape any backlash.
"Yeah, but I guess that's what happens when you're living together with someone, mistakes happen." Karin replied.
Naruto was surprised she was somewhat forgiving, Sakura would have never let him off so easily. "Well after tonight it won't happen again, at least not during our stay here."
"Huh, how can you be so sure?" Karin asked in a slightly teasing manner, which she silently berated herself for a second later.
"Well I went out for a walk because this floor is so uncomfortable to sleep on and I ran into that leopard Namayu. I told him that we needed another bed, and he agreed to organise another apartment for me in the morning, I figured we could stay here a few days and revitalise before moving on." Naruto explained.
Karin's face fell slightly. "Is the floor really that uncomfortable?" she asked weakly.
"Yeah, when we were camping outside the snow and soft ground created a decent barrier but this floor is solid stone. I ended up training so I would be exhausted enough to not worry about it and get to sleep." Naruto laughed. "Kind of stupid huh?"
"If it's that bad why didn't you tell me?" Karin asked.
"Well I guess I didn't want you to feel guilty about taking the bed, I am not even sure why I am telling you now. Maybe because I am so tired now." He answered.
"You um, you can share the bed with me. It's only for one night so I don't mind." She said gulping nervously. She was trying desperately to keep any hint of longing out of her voice and to remain calm.
Naruto sat up slowly from his place on the floor. "Are you sure? I mean you aren't worried that I would do something perverted?"
Karin blushed but shook off the thoughts quickly. "No I think I can trust you. It's only for one night so I think I can stand sleeping beside you." she said, shuffling over to one side of the bed and folding back the covers. "I don't mind, besides it can't be good to sleep like that even if you are really tired." she said silently praying that he would take up her offer. 'Still I wish I was wearing something a little more revealing than a baggy top and sweat pants. Oh this is killing me, maybe I can make him fall for me.' she thought hopefully before shaking herself to her senses. 'I can't think about that stuff with him, I need to behave.'
"I guess so. Give me a second." Naruto said and quickly pulled on a plain white Tee shirt and some track pants that he had stored in his bag. Sliding into the bed it felt like his back had found heaven, it had been so long since he had lain on anything so comfortable, almost immediately he began to feel the fatigue catching up with him. "Thank's Karin-chan, goodnight."
"Goodnight... Naruto-kun." She whispered back laying down facing the other way so she could try and calm herself down. Barely two minutes passed before she heard light snoring coming from the blond. 'He must have been really tired, I guess training with that many clones must be exhausting.' she thought rolling over to stare at his peaceful face. 'I wonder?' she thought and slowly rose a hand in hopes of stroking one of his whisker marks.
She almost had a heart attack when his eyes shot open. But they were not the Azure blue that she remembered, no this time his eyes were blood red and slitted, his whisker marks were rapidly widening. "Do not touch him!" Naruto's voice was distorted and Karin's eyes widened in fear when she realised just what it was she was now talking to.
"You... You're the Kyu-ubi" she stuttered almost falling out of the bed.
"Correct." Kurama replied firmly.
"How?" Karin asked, she was completely terrified at this point, the last Bijuu she had seen was the Hachibi and it could have easily killed her several hundred times over.
"Naruto allows me certain freedoms, I simply took control of his body while he's sleeping to protect him. We watch out for each other you see. So if you think I am going to let you harm him then you are sadly mistaken. He may be a trusting and forgiving fool, but I am not. You stink of that foul Uchiha even now. So what do you want? To kill him in revenge for that piece of trash? I won't allow it!" Kurama said.
"No I wouldn't. I would never hurt Naruto-kun, I swear!" Karin replied desperately.
Kurama's eyes widened. "You're telling the truth... then this negative emotion I am sensing from you is... Oh I see, how pathetic. You have gone and fallen for him, haven't you? You sad child." the fox laughed.
"What don't be ridiculous." Karin denied but the blush on her face was already giving her away.
"Don't think you can lie to me worm, I am the greatest of the nine, your emotions give you away. But don't worry I won't tell him. This could even prove amusing to me." The fox added.
Karin let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, he can't know. I, I don't deserve his love, not after all the horrible things I have done." she admitted sadly.
"It seems we are on the same page in that regard. But don't fret girl, I won't share your secret. Watching you suffer in silence will be entertaining to me. Now I have been in control for long enough, and I guess that I'm satisfied Naruto is in no danger." Kurama said with a sinister smirk gracing Naruto's features before his eyes closed and his body returned to peaceful sleep.
Karin's heart was racing, she knew one thing, and that was that she did not want to tangle with Naruto's Bijuu again, she could feel the dark aura of it's chakra and knew that should she ever try to harm the sleeping blond in any way it would be the last thing she ever did. Lightly she stretched out and stroked his cheek once, glad that this time there was no surprises from the fox. She let out a sigh and rolled over and waited for sleep to claim her.
End Chapter!
Well another chapter done, I hope you liked it. I would say we have three chapters max left before they make it over the mountains. I know it seems to be going slowly but without the cannon as a guide for people to follow making the story flow with continuity while being easy to follow and with believable characters becomes harder. If I raced through it there would be gaps and character development would suffer.
No Manga this week, kind of annyoing considering we missed one two weeks ago. I guess it can't be helped with it being a public holiday in Japan, but still wanted a chapter, even if chances are it would leave me disappointed.