Hey~ Everybody! Dark0Insanity with Chapter 11! Would've posted it earlier in the month but I was busy moving; moving isn't fun :( Well... there was that brief moment were I took an online quiz and found out that I was a "bad ass uke" ... what does that say about Yoru? ...Anyway! I hope you all enjoy this chapter! ^v^''
Review Responses:
Theta-McBride: Thank you! :D
WindWhistle21: Aw~ stop it~ you're making me blush~ ^w^
rakat14: I might add more, but it'll possible later on in the story
Tamani: Sasuke and Gaara already know about their backstory and whether or not Naruto knows will be in this chapter :3 XD You have no idea how long you made me laugh XD
MindfulThoughtlessness: I try to go back and fix most of the typos but it seems like some still get past my sight, *glares at hidden typos* and I'm glad you liked it ;3
ninjawolf2018: Here you go~ and I'm glad you like it ^v^
suntan140: I'm not telling~ ):3
HesperideIsis: X3 He is very sensitive about it
llat-2: She might... she might not... I'm not saying -w-
Rikka-tan: X3 it is very possible for him to have a bijuu harem, I was actually thinking about putting up a poll some time in June so keep an eye out for it ;)
Allykrau: Hugs are very good :3 and glad you did ^w^
Radiant Celestial Aura: Wait no longer! The next chapter is here! :D
UzumakiWhirlpool: Thank you ^u^ and it is very sad that they don't like hugs :(
4everfictional: Round Two... start! :3
Silvermane1: ^u^ The next chapter is up and ready! :D
ArmCannos34: Thank you! I will try :)
llat-2: Don't worry, they will be dealt with, just wait a little bit longer, ok? owo
Blackcurse11: I'm glad it makes you feel that way ^u^
domine: I really wish I knew what to say to you to express my joy at finding that you like the story but I can't find anything else to say except for thank you for the review and I am over the moon that you enjoy the story :)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters, I only own my OCs
Enjoy~!
Third Person POV ~Yoru~
The halls were empty, not a living soul in any of the training grounds for an early morning spar; all four occupants of the base nearly escaping the grasp of sleep.
Soft, even breaths left the eldest one's mouth as he laid curled under his covers, his bangs settling on the top part of the white blindfold shielding his eyes. Out of nowhere, a groan left the black-haired teen's lips as he buried his head deeper into the blanket's warmth.
Groaning again, Yoru sat up and yawned, "I'm getting up, impatient bijuu." As the blankets pooled around his waist, the metal from the netted shirt glinted in the dim room as old and new scars were barely visible; the only scar standing out against tanned skin showed on his collar bone, pointing down at an angle towards the right side of his hip. Yoru stretched his arms over his head, the shirt slightly following his movements and revealed the same scar stopped at his hip.
With a single scratch to the scar, he jumped out of the blankets' grasp and walked steadily towards a set of doors which slid open to reveal only a single pair of clothes which consisted of a gray vest, netted shirt - most having a black hood sown on - and black pants. Grabbing each one, he closed the doors and walked to the single dresser to grab underwear proceeded to strip off the clothes he was wearing and replaced them with the clean ones, placing a small paper bracelet on his wrist after doing so.
With one last stretch, Yoru wrapped a long red scarf around his neck and in the process covering the hitae-ate with a line going though the Shimogakure symbol and only after grabbing a scroll from underneath the bed and strapping it to his side did he leave the room.
A sad smile spread across his face as the door closed.
Third Person POV ~Naruto~
Bored red eyes watched in disinterest as a spiky haired blond rushed about the room in a hurry. The whiskered blonde grabbed nearly all the kunai, shuriken, and senbon scattering his dresser before sealing them in a scroll while being mindful of the points. The other yawned, flashing sharp canines, and continue to watch the blonde pack up everything in the room besides the bed which was being used and the dresser.
"You should've done everything last night, kit." The fox stated as nine tails waved lazily behind him. All he got was a quick glare in return as the blonde continued to pack up.
A few moments passed in near silence as Naruto looked in every nook and cranny in his room for anything he might've missed. Finding nothing, he sighed in relief a slid to the ground, "Finally done." He muttered, not noticing the smirk on the other's face.
"Sure about that?" The humanoid fox questioned, making Naruto look over in question.
Something flashed in his clear blue eyes before he leapt towards the fox lazing around on his bare bed, "Give it back, Kurama-kun!"
Kurama snickered and simply pushed blond away with a few of his tails as two of his tails held a stuffed fox in one and two three-bladed kunai in the other. Seeing as his attempts were useless to the bijuu after being blocked so many times, he fired an annoyed glare towards the fox whose hands were supporting his head and spread his fingers across his own whiskered cheeks; refusing to back down from the glare pointed at him.
"Did I come at a bad time?" An amused voice asked. Both fox and boy turned their heads at the exact same time to see Yoru leaning against the door frame with his arms playfully crossed and a smirk slowly twitching up into a grin.
"No./Yes!" They answered simultaneously. Naruto frowned at the fox, while said fox had a mask of boredom expertly placed on his features.
Yoru snickered, "Alright, alright. I know when I'm not needed," He turned to exit the room before pausing, "Could you give Naru-chan back his fox and kunai, Ku-kun? We're leaving after I make sure Gaara-chan and Sasu-chan are up and ready. Thank you in advance! Remember to meet the rest of us at the entrance!" He cheerfully chirped and walked out, gently closing the door behind him.
The fox clicked his tongue in annoyance before handing over the items to an ecstatic Naruto; he sent a questioning look to the blonde as Naruto carefully turned the kunai in his hands for a few minutes before sealing both them and the stuffed fox into the scroll before blurting out a question with stopping himself, "What's going through your head, kit?"
Snapping his head up, he looked at the red-head with a questioning expression until he saw the seriousness on the fox's face.
Sighing he looked down at his slightly dulled white shirt with an orange Uzumaki swirl peaking out from the left side and right side of his body and a crossed out Shimogakure symbol resting above his heart and black pants with the ends being held up by white bandages to them from tripping him and started rubbing the fabric of his shirt, a burnt orange jacket resting on the door handle.
Sighing he responded, "I... I know tou-san did it for me to live happily but... I can't help but wonder what it would've been like if otou-san and oka-san made it out alive or what would've happened if tou-san never picked me up." Naruto's voice got smaller the more he talked and by the end his voice was practically a whisper.
Blood red eyes studied the blonde before the fox spoke up once more, "Do you regret Yoru ever picking you up?"
Blue eyes snapped to the fox; a fierce fire burned in those eyes, "I don't! Every time I think of tou-san picking someone else that day... it hurts. I can't stop thinking about what would've happened if tou-san never picked any of us up and if he would pick anyone else up or if he wouldn't pick anyone at all."
Kurama studied his host for awhile before speaking up once more, "Are you happy that he did?"
A soft smile spread across the twelve-year-old's face as he whispered, "Yes."
Nodding in satisfaction, Kurama stood up and the dark red kimono fluttered into place as the fox stretched, "Then let's get going already." A poof of smoke surrounded Kurama and when it dispersed, a red fox with black tipping his ears and single tail stood in his place. As Naruto strapped the storage scroll to his side and slipped on his jacket, Kurama leaped and landed on the blonde's shoulder. After getting settled on his shoulder, Naruto left the bare room.
A flash of excitement flashed in his clear blue eyes as the door closed.
Third Person POV ~Gaara~
Pupil-less eyes scanned over the items organized in front of him, the gourd he got years ago strapped into his back with the other person in the room lounging on the floor in front of him. One by one, the thirteen-year-old sealed all of his possessions inside of the scroll, completely ignoring the other. A single tan tail with purple markings thumped impatiently on the floor as the owner of the tail leaned his head against one of his clawed hands as he loudly crunched whatever he was eating in between his teeth as his golden eyes never moved from his host.
With one final crunch and a gulp, his dry voice cracked through the silence of the room, "Done yet?"
The red-head silently sighed as he sealed up the last of his things save for the dark red, long-sleeved shirt which held a white Shimogakure symbol with a line going through it above his heart, his black pants with a kunai pouch strapped to his outer thigh, and his dark red jacket that went all the way down to his ankles. Along with his gourd of course, "I just finished, Shukaku-kun."
Leaping off of the ground, Shukaku grinned, showing his bloodied teeth, "I thought you would never finish." His sand colored kimono matched his tail and hair, even sporting some purple curves and swirls seen on the tail and on his face.
"So you're done already, Gaara-chan?" A familiar voice questioned. Both the red-head and the sandy haired bijuu looked over to see Yoru peeking his head in and 'looking' at them, though it was hard to tell with his eyes covered by the blindfold.
Gaara nodded, "I am, we were just about to go to the entrance and wait for everyone else."
"Ah, I see," Yoru grinned, "Naru-chan and Ku-kun should be there by now. I'll meet up with you four after I get Sasu-chan."
"Alright." With one last wave, Yoru left the room, shutting the door behind him as he did so. When footsteps could no longer be heard, Gaara sent a glare towards the other, "Why do you insist on attacking Yoru every time you two are in the same room?"
Shukaku clicked his tongue in annoyance as he ripped his tail out of the sand's grasp as he answered, "I have my reasons; they don't concern you however. Besides, shorty just happens to be in the way."
A few moments of silence passed before either one of them spoke, "What do your reasons have to do with Kono-jiji?" He didn't receive an answer as a sudden poof of smoke enveloped the one-tail and a normal looking raccoon leapt onto his shoulder before the smoke disappeared. Pupil-less eyes watched in slight annoyance as the raccoon got settled in the space in between his back and the gourd. Releasing a deep breath to calm himself, Gaara leaned down and rolled up the storage scroll before strapping it to his side and making his way towards the door.
A calculating look was fired over his shoulder towards the lazy raccoon as the door closed.
Third Person POV ~Sasuke~
Onyx eyes scanned over the last of the books he remembered his older brother giving him the day Yoru took him under his wing. The twelve-year-old read over the last paragraph of the letter he got only a few weeks ago one final time before sealing it into the scroll with its brethren; leaving the room empty and hollow besides the bed and the dresser, both holding air. Sasuke rolled up the scroll after rechecking the room, making certain nothing was left out, and strapped it onto his back.
After dusting off his navy blue short-sleeved shirt complete with a slightly raised collar and black shorts with leg bangs going from his open-toed sandals to just under his knees. His shirt sported a small, gray crossed out Shimogakure symbol above his heart and an even smaller version of the Uchiha flag on the back of his neck that one would have to really be looking and know what they were looking for if one wanted to find it, it would be harder to find once he had on his black jacket complete with a hood which once up would cover nearly his whole head save for his mouth.
"Are you done, Sasu-chan?" Looking back, he saw the form of Yoru standing in the doorway, his knuckles resting against the door as if he was just knocking.
The young Uchiha nodded, "Yeah, just finished."
A gentle, toothless smile graced his features as he nodded, "Then should we meet the others at the entrance?"
Sasuke almost nodded when something came to his mind, "They're getting closer aren't they?"
Yoru flinched, raising a hand to scratch the back of his neck in embarrassment as he responded, "They are... but a 'buddy' of mine is allowing us to stay at his place for a while until the ANBU diminish around here." When Sasuke finished processing this new information, he nodded in satisfaction and made his way towards the elder.
With a glance towards the scroll holding the letter, determination sparkled in his eyes as the door closed.
First Person POV ~Yoru~
Sasuke and I walked down the long hall way in silence... well... for Sasuke at least. Inside my head was a different story...
IT'S ALMOST TIME! I announced rather loudly, much to a certain bijuu's annoyance.
Okono growled as I felt his tails hit the walls of my mind, Stop yelling!
Sorry! The corners of my lips twitched upwards as he growled at me once more.
Besides, we still got a few months left. So technically it hasn't started yet.
I hummed, It's better if we get down there sooner rather than later though, Okono.
He scoffed, And the fact that the Konoha shinobi are getting closer every day has nothing to do with the move?
I flinched much to his amusement, Okay... that might be part of it... but I refuse to let them destroy all of our hard work! Besides, if they do take them away, who knows what they will do. Okono stayed silent but I could tell he agreed with me. My even well-placed steps soon developed a little jump which steadily grew until I was skipping down the halls with Sasuke watching in amusement as he trailed behind me; my own chakra growing more and more excited and bubbly the closer we came to the entrance where four other signatures were coming from.
"Everyone ready to go?" I asked, giving Naruto, Gaara, Kurama, and Shukaku a quick look over to make certain they had everything.
Naruto nodded as he bounced in place, "Yup! We have everything packed into the storage scrolls!"
Unable to help myself, I asked, "Even the kitchen sink?"
The result was immediate, Naruto's chakra instantly coated over in dread, "Crap!"
I grabbed him by the back of his hood when he tried to bolt past me, "I was kidding Naru-chan." I snickered, setting the blonde back on the ground when he understood and completely ignored the glare he was giving me. I turned to all five of them - ignoring the sleeping fox and raccoon - and spoke as I stood under the sheet of chakra keeping the water out, "Remember, this isn't like our shopping trips or hunts, until we get to our destination we have to be silent and stay hidden. The shinobi patrolling in the area are looking for all of us and would be more than happy to split us up." I paused and looked at the three of them, their chakra had gone from somewhat light to dangerously serious and alert.
"Stay together, stay alert, cover your tracks." With that, I sent a burst of chakra to the bottom of my feet and propelled myself past the sheet into the water with them following after.
~Small Time Skip~
As we jumped from branch to branch, we were careful not to make any unnecessary noise that would attract the unwanted shinobi to us even if we had been jumping for an hour and the base long behind us; we were still in "enemy territory" as I told the three. In fear of leaf shinobi confronting us, I had them pull their hoods up over their head.
When I no longer felt the sun's heat against my skin, we dropped down to the ground and as they unrolled their sleeping bags I placed seals around the campsite which would make our makeshift camp invisible to the ones trying to locate us. After the seals were activated, I took my position on one of the many branches covering our camp high enough to spot anyone heading towards the camp while it also being low enough for me to hear the conversations taking place an for me to participate without having to yell down to them.
And the best thing about my position was Shukaku wasn't able to get me with the sand without Gaara interfering immediately.
As the night rolled on, all five of them slowly drifted off into sleep leaving me alone with my own thoughts and Okono's own talking.
At the rate we're moving, we'll meet up with that 'buddy' of yours in about two or three days, given that you don't get off track. Okono mused as my once peaceful expression evened out into an expressionless mask I had yet to lose even with me being here for twelve years.
My thoughts screeched to a hault, Twelve years...
Hm? He questioned, but I could tell he already knew what was going through my mind.
It's been twelve years since I "died", if I hadn't died I would've been twenty-nine back at my old world... My heart thumped painfully against my chest as I curled in on myself, my emotions spiraling downwards at an alarming rate, What would've happened if I lived? Would I've gone to college? What kind of job would've I got?D-Did he ever stop his drinking?
Yoru.
W-What if he didn't? What if it got worse with my death?
Yoru!
Oh god, what if he became suicidal? What if my death caused him to break entirely and-
FOR FUCK SAKE LISTEN TO ME PUP! Okono's yell caused my thoughts to make a complete halt and only then did I realize I was hyperventilating and my heart was pumping too fast to keep up with my breathing. Once Okono saw I had stepped out of my thoughts, he continued talking but in a somewhat softer tone, There we go pup. Now listen to me; you are here in this world, you don't need to worry about the other world anymore. Sure there might be some things that you won't get here, and there might be some things others won't get about you. You can't change what already happened in the past, but you are changing this world's future for the better. See those three kids down there? They would've never been this close if you hadn't come around. Naruto wouldn't have known what a family was like, Sasuke would be going down a dark path, and Gaara wouldn't have known what it was like to be safe and to trust someone.
I looked at the three of them, some time during my little episode the three of them had managed to scoot next to each other and create their own little comfortable place. Naruto was silently snoring with both of his arms outside of the sleeping bag and grasping onto Sasuke's hand with his left, and Gaara's hand with his right; Kurama and Shukaku even resting on the stomach of their rightful host. A soft smile managed to spread across my face as I took in the little moment and thought over Okono's words.
... Thank you.
Okono clicked his tongue in annoyance as his tails hit the walls of my mind, Next time you do that, I'm taking over your body for good! I chuckled, making his annoyance grow, Hey! I am not joking Yoru!
With thoughts about my other world reburied, Okono and I talked about the plans and giving them a once over, readjusting them as we went through them until I felt the sun's warmth on my skin once more. Taking in one last deep breath and placing on the childish mask I knew all too well, I jumped off of my branch and landed next to the five; Kurama staring at me with a calculating look as Shukaku glared and tried swiping at me with the strings of sand.
"Hey now, mind holding off until I get them to safety?" I asked the glaring raccoon.
He scoffed, "No promises, shorty." I twitched, and quickly gathered up my Killer Intent before it got out and gently shook Gaara.
"Hey... Gaara... time to get up." Gaara, being the light sleeper he probably always will be, woke and stretched as his chakra pulse slowly became faster until it swirled eagerly, waiting to be used. When he stood up and sealed his sleeping bag back up, I looked at the still sleeping Sasuke and Naruto; Kurama had gotten up when I woke Gaara and was now sitting on my shoulder.
"I say you dump water on both of their heads." The fox stated, irritation showing in his large chakra as he glared both at the Uchiha and Uzumaki.
Knowing that he wasn't going to let up for the whole trip if I didn't do it now, I grabbed one of the bowls near the ashes of the fire and walked over to a small puddle. Filling the bowl part way, I placed both hands on the outer side and concentrated; I directed my chakra to my hands and once I had a fair amount pooled in my hands, I focused on making the chakra lower its temperature which was very hard to do, I had learned in the month Okono was teaching me that chakra hated being cold and will tend to be practically immoveable when the user wants it to be cold unless said user was either experienced with making his or her chakra temperature colder or if the user had a kekkei genkai based around the cold.
Thankfully I did have enough experience with it and it only fought back for just a moment before cooling both the bowl and the water inside until a thin layer of ice started forming on top of the still water. I cut off the flow and waiting until my chakra regulated to walk back over to the still sleeping duo as the fox wagged his single tail at the thought of his host and the young Uchiha getting freezing cold water dumped on them. I sighed at the fox who was suppose to be at least hundreds of years old acting like a child.
I didn't say this out loud though; I valued my head and internal organs way too much.
Silently, I asked both Sasuke and Naruto to forgive me as I raised the bowl over both of their heads and dumped the freezing cold water directly on their heads.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" They both shot up simultaneously and started jumping as well as shaking themselves free of the excess water while I was trying extremely hard not to laugh as the fox nearly rolled off of my shoulder a few times caused by his laughing.
I sighed and massaged my temples as the two quickly unsealed their extra shirts and jackets as they shrugged off the wet ones, I am so glad I didn't take the seals off of the trees yet.
Okono just chuckled and enjoyed the entertainment.
~Another Time Skip~
Just like Okono estimated, it only took us two days to reach the water and I was currently standing on the sand waiting for that 'buddy' of mine while the others were hiding in the trees.
As I took in the situation at hand and how tense the trio's chakra had become, I noticed two/three chakra signatures coming from the water and walking towards me. While I stood on the sand, I scanned over the three signatures to make sure they were the ones I was waiting for. A grin spread when I saw the very light blue - almost white - chakra and the blue tinted with red and purple next to the smaller one along with the darker blue signature strapped onto the back.
Still grinning, I twirled my scythes around in my hands and waited until the two of them where on the sand before greeting them, "The stars are winking brightly tonight... don't you think so?"
Hearing my greeting, they both eased up only slightly before the taller one's deep voice ripped through the silence, "They are only hiding the secrets the night keeps to itself."
I puffed out my cheeks and crossed my arms, "It's for their own good that the night keeps secrets." At my response, they eased up drastically but were still alert.
The taller one scoffed as he too crossed his arms, "Finally decide to visit Snow Demon? I was worried you forgot about us." He said with fake hurt in his voice.
I smirked, the ends of my scarf wagging behind me like a tail, "Aw, does someone need a hug?" I teased, slowly scooting forward towards him as I uncrossed my arms and had them ready to pounce on the swordsman.
He glared at me, his hand reaching for the handle of Kubikiribōchō resting on his back, "Don't you dare get close to me." Holding my hands up in mock surrender, I took a few steps backwards until Zabuza let go of the sword.
The smaller male giggled at our actions, "It's nice to see you again, Yoru-san."
"You too, Haku-kun." I grinned, flashing my teeth in his direction; I could barely keep still from the excitement coursing through my veins.
You might want to introduce the chibis soon; they're getting restless. Okono stated, I looked back at where they were hiding and saw how close Naruto was to revealing himself.
I sighed and muttered, "I have to teach him patience when everything cools down." Turning so my right side was facing Zabuza and Haku, I semi-yelled out to the three still in hiding, "You guys can come out now!" In a flash, the three - fox and raccoon included - of them leapt out from their hiding spot and landed to the right of me.
Haku's chakra seemed to lighten up slightly at seeing Naruto, "You've gotten bigger, Naruto-san."
Naruto looked at the male before his chakra lighten up as well, "Haku-nii!" I didn't bother to try and hide the laughter spilling out of my mouth as Naruto pretty much glomped Haku without warning. Sasuke, Gaara, and Shukaku watched on confused while Zabuza's and Kurama's chakra flared in annoyance aimed at the blond; Zabuza hid his annoyance better than the fox if Kurama's snarls were anything to go by.
After I had introduced Sasuke, Gaara, Shukaku, and Kurama to the Haku and the swordsman along with getting Naruto off of the senbon user, all of us started making our way towards their hideout while Zabuza and I shot insults at each other as we ran across the surface of the water; even going as far as throwing weapons at each other as we did so.
When we finally got to an tiny little island that was home to Zabuza and Haku, I quickly blocked the sword that was headed straight towards me with my one of my scythes and flashed my teeth in a blood thirsty grin before I slashed him with my other scythe; I clicked my tongue when he dodged it and leaped back to create distance between us.
Off in the background, I heard Haku sigh, "Come on, let's go inside until they're done sparring. But be careful, the Demon Brothers have returned from their last bounty hunt and are still riled up." I heard the three of them agree in their own unique ways before their footsteps grew distant, leaving Zabuza and I free to spar.
"Hope you're ready, Snow Demon. You won't catch me off guard this time." He sneered, his chakra twisting excitedly anxiously waiting to be used; every pore of his body leaking out Killer Intent.
I held up my scythes in a defensive position as I readied my own chakra and let out the Killer Intent I had been bottling up for way too long, "I suppose it's a good thing I've been practicing since we've last met."
Distantly, I heard Okono sigh as he settled and didn't try to stop me as I propelled myself towards him, This is going to be a long few weeks.
We both pounced.
~Skippidy do dah, skippidy day~
With the weeks that passed, it was mostly spent on sparring with Zabuza or training Naruto, Sasuke, and Gaara for the upcoming mini-battle while also pushing thoughts of my past deeper an deeper into my mind; I didn't want to have another "episode" when events were catching up to us.
When the Demon Brothers left to kill the bridge builder - much to the disappointment of Naruto - I followed after them a little ways before stopping at the spot where Zabuza originally meet Team Seven. I took a few calming breaths to slow my frantic heart.
Once there I settled on a rather high branch and unsealed my scythes, setting one down next to me before turning to the other scythe and getting a cloth out of my back pockets and started cleaning the blade while also keeping my excitement down so I wasn't bouncing off of the branch.
Would you settle down! Okono growled at me.
I can't! I told him, It's nearly show time! I felt him shake his head at my unneeded excitement before staying alert to our surroundings while I grinned, Only a matter of time.
Yay! Chapter 11 is done! :D Time for me to work on chapter 12 now :3 *sigh* A writer's work is never done -w-
Sneak Peek of Next Chapter:
Are you really going to sit here and wait?
Patience is a virtue Okono... and I just so happened to enjoy being on top of high places.
So that has nothing to do with sitting on top of a tree?
... Not at all.
...
"You want to say that again, dog breath?"
"I said, 'Your tou-san's head is full of hot air'!"
"That's it!"
"WHOA WHOA WHOA! NARUTO! OFF OF THE INUZAKA!"
Reviews motivate me to upload chapters faster! Constrictive criticism is welcomed, flames (however) are not.
See you guys next time!