Thanks for the views and reviews, readers! Now onto my next chapter! And I don't own Naruto or the song/lullaby that appears in this chapter. Yes, there's going to be a song. Woo.
Chapter 17
Naruto stared moodily at the ceiling of his room. 'Stupid teme. Stupid, stupid teme. What the hell was wrong with him yesterday? Fate and all that other bullcrap...what the hell...,' thought Naruto crossly, ignoring the ringing of his alarm clock. It displayed seven'o'clock, about an hour and a half later than he usually set it. Guy had left a slip of paper under his door telling him that he could sleep in and to head straight to Hokage Tower for a mission assignment. Naruto sighed in annoyance, both at Neji and the alarm clock, and slammed the off-button.
He got up, threw on his clothes, and headed out the door, still fuming about the day before. 'Hinata is trying, dammit, but of course he can't see that. Bein' a genius and all, he doesn't get trying. Bet he'll get me beating a lick of sense into him.' Naruto tried not to trip over any rocks that dare rise up while he was thinking.
The sun was shining brightly when Naruto entered the Hokage Tower, grumbling under his breath. He stomped heavily up the stairs to Mission Report and nearly beat down the door when he knocked. He opened it without waiting for permission and scanned the room for his team. Only Guy was there, so Naruto leaned against the wall near his sensei, arms crossed. 'Teme oughta know by now that me getting me was no fluke or something...'
Naruto's mental rants continued even when TenTen arrived, Neji running uncharacteristically late. She grinned and was going to ruffle the blonde's hair until she caught an angry look from him. She frowned and put a hand on her hip. "What's wrong, Naruto?" He didn't answer, just turning away. "Hey, c'mon, you can talk to me."
"And be called an idiot and get punched?" snapped Naruto, "I'd rather not."
"Hey! Look, I don't know what the hell made you mad, but calm down and talk to me."
"No."
"Why not?" she demanded indignantly.
"Because it's not your business."
Guy frowned as he secretly eavesdropped. TenTen narrowed her eyes. "If this affects teamwork, then it's my business, Naruto," she countered, "C'mon, tell me. Is it about what happened on your birthday? Those guys'll never get you-,"
"It's not that."
"Then tell me what the hell it is!"
Naruto glared at her. "Fine. Your boyfriend has me rather pissed at the moment, and I would like to take that pole up his ass and take to whacking him with it. Happy?"
"Neji ain't my boyfriend, and how's this time different from any other time you've gotten mad at him?" asked TenTen bluntly. Naruto bit his lip but didn't answer. Guy leaned over to hear the conversation better. "Well, Naruto?"
"This time, it's personal," explained Naruto shortly.
"How?"
"He's insulted someone close to me."
TenTen frowned and thought for a minute. "Iruka? He insulted Iruka?"
"No, not him, and I'm not telling who, dammit."
"Why not?"
"Quit bein' so damn nosy, TenTen!"
"Only when you tell me!"
"No!" The Hokage, seated in his usual seat in the up-center part of the room, looked curiously over at the two. The Chunin and Jonin around him either tittered or gazed irately at them. "Why do you want to know anyway?" demanded Naruto defensively.
"The team might not work if-,"
"If what? If I don't tell you my personal life? No, I think it will be just flippin' fine, thank you."
"But-,"
"TenTen," interjected Guy, turning to them finally, "leave it be." He had heard enough to get the feeling that this really wasn't the time to antagonize the blonde into telling what was bothering him. Whatever issue between Naruto and Neji had to be settled between the two of them. "Trust me."
"I'm just trying-,"
"-to help," Guy finished for her, "I know, but don't force help on those who don't want it." TenTen pouted and turned away petulantly. Naruto met Guy's eyes, a reluctant but thankful look on his face. The blonde sat down, pulling out a scroll and putting his nose in it. TenTen watched him but said nothing. The Hokage regarded them for a moment and then returned to scanning reports.
There was a loud, uneven knock at the door, and Anko tromped into Mission Report, cursing. "D-ranks, D-ranks, D-ranks! Why the hell can't my team get another Goddamned rank besides D-rank nowadays? Frustrating as hell and damn annoying, I tell you..." Her spiel dipped down to mumbling, and Yakumo peeked her head in the doorway before entering.
Naruto raised his head to look at the new arrivals before he went back to his scroll. Another knock at the door, and Lee entered, a wide grin on his face as he greeted Yakumo with a wave. TenTen, just noticing her, waved over at Yakumo and asked, "Hey, Yakumo! Whatcha doin' here?"
Yakumo shrugged and looked over at her brooding sensei. "Not quite sure myself. Sensei just wanted us here early. Something about getting the juicy missions early. Why are you here?"
"I actually woke up later than usual, if you can believe it," TenTen answered, "I usually get up early with training, but sensei said to skip it and get here by seven-thirty." She played with her hair. "Bet we're gonna get something hard today."
Lee shot her a thumbs-up. "Never shrink away at the signs of adversity, TenTen-san! Always confront it and defeat it! Is that not right, Guy-sensei?"
Guy shot back another thumbs-up. "Indeed, Lee! I'll be generous and reduce the number of laps today by two!"
"You are too kind, Guy-sensei!" protested Lee.
"Well then, I'll make it one!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!" Lee saluted, eyes watering. Anko rolled her eyes behind Lee, and Yakumo giggled and poked him in the side. There was a knock, and Tomitsu opened the door, wearing a new outfit. He wore a black kosode, a shorter kimono halting at the waist, and a black divided hakama, a loose type of pants. White underclothing was visible at the collar of the kosode. The white sash he had worn was still at his waist, his sword strapped to feet were in tabi and straw sandals. The arm and leg guards were gone.
TenTen blinked, and Naruto furrowed his brows. TenTen asked, "Tomitsu, that a new style?"
Tomitsu glanced down at his clothes and shrugged noncommitally. "No. This uniform reduces the difficulty I have while fighting. The kimono I had once wore was becoming a hassle in the midst of battle."
Lee clapped him on the back. "This is much like you, Tomitsu! You are very focused on the...what do you call it?"
"The art of battle."
"Yes! The art of battle! So much youth-filled power, wouldn't you agree, Guy-sensei?" Guy nodded vigorously, and Lee grinned widely. "Yes! Power of Youth!" He along with Guy pumped their fists in the air. Naruto smiled at their energetic spectacle, nose dipping back down into his scroll. Anko rose to stretch and walked in front of the Hokage.
"Hey, Hokage-sama, can my team finally get a-," What she was about to say was cut off by the door slamming open. She frowned over at the person who entered. "Hey, Hyuuga asshole! No more of that!"
"I regret it deeply," apologized Neji sarcastically, "I really do." He looked over at Guy. "I also regret being tardy. Forgive me." Naruto had not moved since he had recognized Heji and he still did not move as he scowled at the Hyuuga. Neji paused as he saw the blonde, seeming to weigh his decisions, and settled for a neutral nod. Naruto didn't return it.
Guy also walked over to the Hokage, intending to receive a more challenging mission than weed pulling. Anko picked up her question again, "Before Hyuuga here interrupted me, I was gonna ask about another mission. A tougher one'd be nice."
Guy spoke, "I request one as well. A more difficult one too." The Hokage shifted through his papers, and then he stopped, an idea coming to mind.
"Bomaru, could you fetch me the team records for Genin teams?" he asked one of the Chunin aides. The aid bowed and disappeared out of the room. Hokage addressed the senseis, "If my memory serves me right, both of your teams have outstanding records. I might just..." He trailed off, the Chunin reentering the room and handing him the records bound in a small note book. The Hokage flipped through them, pulling out two papers.
"Here we are," he said, "Team 9 consisting of Neji Hyuuga, TenTen Jinta, and Naruto Uzumaki has an overall record of forty-three D-ranks and four C-ranks. Team 6 consisting of Tomitsu Gitsuuga, Yakumo Kurama, and Rock Lee has an overall record of thirty-seven C-ranks and six C-ranks." The Hokage hummed. "Quite impressive."
Anko was not impressed. "Yeah, yeah, we got a decent record. Joy to the world. Can I get a damn exciting mission now?" she demanded, crossing her arms.
The Hokage smiled. "Of course. You and Guy can have your exciting mission."
Guy frowned at the wording. "Mission? Wait a minute..."
The Hokage nodded and picked up a piece of paper. "Yes, Guy. A mission carried out by an eight-man squad consisting of Team 6 and Team 9. A B-rank escort mission to be exact." All were silent, Tomitsu arching a brow and Lee clapping his hands together in adoration. Naruto, TenTen, and Yakumo exchanged looks, and Neji stoically crossed his arms.
Guy protested, "A B-rank! So soon? Maybe a high C-rank for each of us, but definitely not a B-rank, Hokage-sama!"
Anko loved the opportunity. "A B-rank! Awesome! Hey guys, get ready for some prime-time action and carnage!" She grinned wickedly. "Hell yeah! Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
Guy continued to protest, and the Hokage held up a hand to stop him. "Guy, I know what I am doing. Your two teams are enough to handle Jonins or Chunins, and then they have you two. Don't doubt them or yourselves." Hokage gestured to the same Chunin who had brought the records and handed him the paper entailing the mission. "Can you bring in this client?"
Guy mumbled under his breath and then asked, "Who is this client?"
"She's the daughter of an important dignitary from the Waterfall Village, and she was visiting here to see him. Her father wants her protected until she reaches the Waterfall Village as she is a valuable target," explained the Hokage. The door opened, admitting the client. "Ah, here she is!"
All of them turned to see a girl of average height but with unusual mint-green hair and bronze eyes. Her skin was tanned, and she looked about fourteen. She wore a white, open jacket with green shorts. Under the jacket she had on a green shirt. A clip the same bronze color as her eyes held up a corner of her hair. The girl waved cheerfully at the group, and Naruto noticed that Tomitsu's eyes had widened and fists had clenched.
"Hi!" chirped the girl, "My name's Fu! What're your names?"
The first ten minutes walking on the dark, forest-choked path were silent except for the whistling of Fu. She was surrounded by the Genin in a diamond shape, Neji in front, TenTen and Yakumo just behind him, Naruto and Lee just behind Fu, and then finally Tomitsu at the rear. Guy was at the head, just in front of Neji, and Anko covered Tomitsu.
"Neji," called Guy, "Any sign?" Neji surveyed the area with the Byakugan. Nothing but the stray deer or opossum.
"No."
"OK, but stay attentive. You never know." Neji nodded. Naruto glared daggers at Neji's back, gnashing his teeth. TenTen frowned over at the blonde, her hands carving the last details of the bird. She absently played with it; how long had she been working on this bird? A few months? More than that, it felt like. It was amazing she wasn't done yet.
Fu's whistling changed in pitch and tune randomly, but it wasn't irritating, strangely, as the transitions were flawless. She cheerfully rocked her head side to side, eyes searching the sky. She stopped whistling to point excitedly at a cloud. "Hey guys, look! I see a horse!" Naruto raised his eyes, and he smiled slightly as the cloud Fu had pointed out indeed looked like a horse.
"Good for you," said Naruto dryly, "You should meet some of the Nara people back in the Leaf. They always stare up at the clouds."
Fu wrinkled her nose. "Always? Don't they get bored? I know I would."
"Nope, they never get bored," confirmed the blonde, "Naras are known for being lazy but smart. Very smart. Winning shogi with them is impossible."
"They sound boring to hang around with," Fu stated.
"They are sometimes. Other times I just laugh at them." Fu giggled, and she looked at the carving in TenTen's hands.
"TenTen? What's that in your hand?"
She glanced down at it. "This? A hobby of mine, and I'm nearly done with it."
"Can I see it?" asked Fu excitedly. TenTen hesitated, but then handed it to her. "Oh, it's so pretty! It looks so real, too. Where'd you learn how to do that?" Fu handed the carving back.
TenTen shrugged. "No one taught me. I just kinda taught myself."
Yakumo nodded. "I've heard the best artists are the self-taught ones. I'm self-taught."
Fu rounded on her with big eyes. "Really? What do you do?"
"Paint and draw," answered Yakumo, smiling and pulling a sketchbook from her pack, "Here, take a look." Fu admired the stunning drawings of wildlife with an agape mouth, TenTen leaning over to look over her shoulder. "Well?"
"They're amazing, Yakumo!" chirruped Fu, "I like this one!" She turned to a page showing a bedazzling waterfall, the light and water perfectly captured. "It looks so real."
TenTen grinned sheepishly at Yakumo. "Compared to your drawings, my things suck. I can't even get close to something like that."
Yakumo waved the compliment away. "Drawing and wood carving are different in my view. Carvings are actually something you can touch, but pictures...well, not so much. I can make a picture look like you can touch it, but you never really can..."
"Yeah, see what you mean," said TenTen, "Still, I'm jealous." Fu went back to searching the sky for oddly-shaped clouds, smiling every time she made out one. TenTen's hands wandered back to the carving, and the knife again cut into the wood.
Guy called out, "Neji?"
"Nothing."
"Good."
"It's been nothin' and it's gonna be nothin', Guy," said Anko from the back, "Ain't no one gonna attack us 'til nightfall."
"Just making sure."
"Yeah, well, it's getting annoying." Naruto glanced back at her, at the same time looking at Tomitsu. His eyes had been gazing intensely at Fu's back ever since the journey started. It was if he knew her, but didn't want to confront her or didn't quite know how to react. But if he knew her, why didn't she know him?
Fu stopped her cloud-gazing to lean back to look at the blonde. "Hey, Naruto, where'd you get those marks?" Naruto frowned and raised an eyebrow. "On your face. All over here and here." She patted her cheeks, and the blonde shrugged.
"Birthmarks, that's all."
"Birthmarks like whiskers? That's so cool!" The blonde smiled again; Fu certainly was an energetic character. He expected her to be pompous because of her position, but she was really quite approachable, that is if she didn't talk first. "Who'd you get 'em from? Kaa-san? Tou-san?"
Naruto shrugged. "Never knew either of 'em. Orphan."
"Oh," said Fu, stopping her words short, "Er, what happened?"
"Don't know that either. Probably in an attack or something."
TenTen looked back at Naruto curiously, just tuning into the conversation. "Attack? Like the Kyuubi Attack twelve years ago?" Guy sent a sharp look at TenTen. "What?"
Fu blinked. "Kyuubi? Wha's that?" she asked innocently.
"Nothing," answered Anko, glaring at TenTen, "Just a small incursion that got a few of our people." Naruto stuck his hands in his pockets, understanding the reaction of both senseis. Secrecy and all that jolly-good stuff. How exactly a village could keep a Kyuubi attack under wraps was beyond him, however.
"Hey! What the hell did I do wrong?" TenTen demanded, hands on her hips.
"Wrong subject, Buns," explained Anko flatly, drawing a laugh from Naruto and an angry growl from TenTen.
"Quit calling me Buns!"
"Quit putting your hair into buns then."
TenTen glared at her and furiously tore the elastics holding her buns in place. Her hair fell free, falling just past her shoulders. "Happy now?" Everyone who could see her halted, and everyone who couldn't turned. Neji raised an eyebrow, and Fu looked wonderingly at TenTen.
"Wow, TenTen," whispered Fu, "You look really pretty like that." TenTen blushed but still glared at an impressed Anko. The Jonin laughed.
"Hell yeah, I'm happy, and so is your Hyuuga boyfriend in the front!" teased Anko, winking at Neji who scowled emotionlessly back. TenTen huffed and tied her hair back up into its signature buns. Guy sighed exasperatedly and glanced at Neji.
"Neji, report."
"Nothing to report, sensei."
"Good."
Two hours passed, Fu's whistling being the only sound that they made. Naruto was getting bored quickly, Fu having not talked for those two hours and instead staring up at the clouds. TenTen had continued carving, and Guy and Lee were unusually quiet. Naruto kicked at a passing rock in frustration, stubbing his toe.
"Ow! Son of a-!" He cut himself off, biting his tongue. He drew the attention of the others, and he embarrassingly rubbed the hurting foot. "My fault. Kicked a rock." This received an insolent glare from Neji and a laugh from Fu.
"Why'd you kick a rock?" Fu asked.
"Too quiet."
Tomitsu spoke for the first time since they had left. "There other possible ways to alleviate the oppression of silence, Naruto-san." He startled Fu who turned to him.
"Hey, Tomitsu! You actually talked! Just when I thought you didn't have a voice," said Fu happily. She dropped back closer to Tomitsu, and she poked at his katana's sheath. "Is this real?"
"It is indeed," replied Tomitsu flatly, "Why would I wield a false copy?"
"I don't know," Fu said, "Maybe you just wanna scare people off?"
"A ploy such as that is dishonorable."
"Disa-what?"
"I would have no honor if I were to wield a copy."
"Oh. Well, aren't you a ninja?"
"No." Naruto glanced over his shoulder, arching a brow in question. "I am a samurai."
"Same thing."
"No, there is a distinct difference."
"Then tell me what that is," ordered Fu skeptically. Tomitsu sighed and launched into a long explanation of how the samurai lived by a code and ninja lived freely, radically by samurai standards. Ninja primarily fought with jutsu and secrecy; samurai confronted their opponents directly. Samurai were the precursors to ninja, or so he had been told, but never used any jutsu. This sparked a question from Lee.
"Tomitsu, if you do not use ninjutsu, then what was that technique you used against that man?" Naruto and TenTen frowned.
"What man?" TenTen asked.
Tomitsu sighed again. "Let me resolve this. What I used-Heavenly Blade-is considered an ancient technique developed well before ninja existed. It does not-," Here he paused, suddenly unsure, "-utilize any chakra-I believe."
"You believe?" repeated Lee.
"No, I am certain," corrected Tomitsu, a bit forcefully, "It does not and did not ever utilize chakra."
TenTen piped up again, "Hey, who the hell is the that man Lee was talking about?" Tomitsu looked at Yakumo expectantly, and she told the tale of the disastrous C-rank Team 6 had involving Daito, Fenji, and Muko Mininju. Lee's jaw clenched as she neared the part involving Muko's genjutsu use, but she excluded the part about him lying on the ground absolutely useless.
Naruto looked impressed by the time Yakumo finished, and Fu had clung to Tomitsu's sleeve the entire time, staring wide-eyed. Tomitsu shifted awkwardly but didn't move her hand away. Fu finally let go to smile brightly up at him. "So you beat that Daito guy?" she asked. Tomitsu nodded, face impassive. "What, aren't you happy you beat him?"
"I am," said Tomitsu quietly.
She poked him playfully in the side, drawing amused looks from the others. "Aw, cheer up, Tomitsu! So what was that technique thingamajig you used-,"
Neji, his Byakugan eyes wide, whipped around, "Get down!" Tomitsu dropped to the ground, grabbing Fu. Naruto and TenTen crouched and activated barrier seals at either side of the party, covering them. Arrows pierced through the forest and pinged off the barrier. Tomitsu rose and helped Fu to her feet. He looked to Neji.
"Neji-san, what's the primary direction?"
Naruto listened, summoning a single clone. Neji pointed in the direction that the arrows had come from, and they both exchanged looks. The blonde glanced at Lee, "Lee, when we get done, check the forest for any others. Yakumo, TenTen, follow him. Teme," Neji kept his insolent look, "protect Fu and don't move an inch even if fate ordains that you do."
Naruto ripped away the barrier seal, and the half facing the attackers dissolved. Naruto grinned at Tomitsu whose katana was unsheathed.
He and his clone both in unison flicked through the signs. "Fire Style: Grand Fireball!" Two roaring fiery orbs erupted from both of them and engulfed the swath of forest. Screams and shouts were heard along with the crackling of flames, but then Tomitsu unleashed his power.
"Ancient Technique of the Samurai: Heavenly Blade!" White, flickering light coalesced around Tomitsu's blade and tightened its swirl until it was flush with the blade's surface, and he released it in a smooth, perfect arcing swing. A bright crescent leaped off his blade and slashed through the area already devastated by the fireballs. The shouting stopped.
Naruto and Tomitsu stood down, both of them breathing heavily. Neji and TenTen were in awe, Neji a bit reluctantly, and Lee edged carefully into the burning forest, TenTen and Yakumo right behind him. Naruto shot a grin at Tomitsu. "Nice one, Tomitsu. So that's Heavenly Blade."
Tomitsu nodded and inhaled deeply. "Yes, that was." He exhaled and turned around to the rest of the party. "Is everyone well?" Anko and Guy nodded, and Neji did not indicate with a yes or a no. In the forest, the search group split up. Fu stared in wonder.
"W-wow," she murmured, "Th-that was..." She was silent as she found the right words. "...a beautiful catastrophe."
Naruto laughed. "You sound like Tomitsu when you say that, y'know." She didn't answer, instead staring up at Tomitsu, a spark resembling recognition in her eyes. Before she could properly say something, however, a colorful line of curses reached them.
"Well, dem Goddamn sons-ah-bitches done an' went an' killed ever'one of my damn men." They all wheeled around, Neji berating himself for deactivating the Byakugan. A man with shaggy, dirt- and vermin-ridden hair leaned against a tree not far from them, digging in his ear. "Dem sons-ah-bitches, I oughta kill'em," he said, pulling the finger out of his ear and sniffing it.
Anko rolled her eyes. "Hey, bumpkin! Lookie here, you the bastard in charge of this damn attack?" she asked bluntly, causing the others to wince. The man looked curiously at her.
"Why, yes'm, I am. What'sa lady like ya doin' out here all by her lonesome?" His look turned to a leer. "Come tah papa and he'll keep ya real warm."
"Such a charmer," said Naruto dryly, unsealing a kunai into his hand.
Anko smiled wickedly. "I like his style."
Tomitsu settled into a stance with his sword glinting just in front of his face, his eyes gazing over the top. "May I kill him yet?" he asked simply.
Anko glanced at Guy who shrugged. "Go ahead," she said carelessly.
Tomitsu tensed to flash at the man, but his target held up a hand, "Wait'a'minute, now, ya jus' can't go 'round killin' people like me willy-nilly now," he said, waggling a finger at the samurai, "But ya can kill dese people." Feral men charged from the brush, and Tomitsu's eyes widened before he blocked a wild swing of a rusty knife. Naruto threw his kunai, catching one of them in the side. He motioned to Fu.
"Fu! Run! Get outta here!" She nodded frantically and ran in the direction that the search party had went, and the man sighed in irritation.
"'Fraid I can't let yer little lady friend go," he said, "She gotta a big bounty on 'er head. Men, get'er!" The feral pack parted from battle, their number less now, and bolted on all fours toward her. "Don'tcha kill 'er either!"
Tomitsu glared at him before asking, "Anko-sensei, Guy-sensei, may you defeat this buffoon? I, Naruto and Neji will pursue the beast men." Naruto cracked his knuckles, and the three of them took off after the men. The leader moved to chase them but found his way blocked by both Jonin.
"Where do ya think you're goin', bumpkin?" inquired Anko evilly.
"I'ma gonna chase afta dem boy ninjas, ya big boobed-," He was cut off by a sharp kick to the gut by Guy. He coughed and hunched over. "Damn ninjas," he said weakly, getting him a punch to the face by Anko.
Naruto reached the feral pack first. He pulled back on two men's hair and threw them down to the ground. He felt Tomitsu blast past him, and then Neji. He called out to them, "Hey, someone catch Fu and protect her! Tomitsu?"
His voice floated back to Naruto. "I will."
"Good!" Naruto settled into Iron Fist as the two men rose and snarled like animals. They yipped and circled him, their clothes matching the pelt of a wolf. Naruto grimaced. 'I've had enough of wild animals, y'know.' His eyes followed one, and the other edged out of his vision. There was another howl, behind him now, and he loosened his muscles.
An force slammed into his back, arms scrabbling for purchase on his jacket, but Naruto grabbed the arms and twisted them, drawing a yelp. He was sideways now, the attacking man in his vision and the other out. There was the sound of running feet, and Naruto bent backwards, using the arms as a sort of balance. The claw meant to gouge his eyes raked across the other man's face, and he shrieked in agony.
Naruto straightened and released the arms, punching the injured man and kicking the other. He jumped back, considering the situation. The man whose arms he had twisted was holding his face, blood trailing down to his neck. The other roared at Naruto who smiled.
"Aw, you upset, little doggie?" he taunted, earning another roar, "Well then, get over it! Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A great plume of smoke erupted around the blonde, blanketing the entire area. There was a frustrated sound from the uninjured feral man. He sniffed the air experimentally and stiffened. The smoke faded, and the reason why he stiffened was clear.
Clones of Naruto covered every available area, be it on the ground or hanging off a tree. The original was nowhere to be seen, or at least it would be like finding a needle in a haystack. One of the clones near the beast man said with a smirk, "You scared yet?" The man whimpered. "Aw, how cute." The smirk turned into a malicious smile. "You better run along now, little doggie."
With a terrified yip, the able-bodied man fled, leaving the one clutching its face alone. Naruto, hidden among the clones, considered the threat, and he settled for tying the man to a tree, losing a few clones in the process. The man securely tied, Naruto breathed and dispelled his clones. He rolled his neck, but then froze as the howls changed from ones of pursuing to ones of satisfaction.
Fu could see a flash of pink and green as she crashed through the brush, and she called out TenTen's name desperately. She tripped and scrambled back up, but then she heard the howling of the men behind her. 'Damn! If I could only use-,' The flash of pink again caught her eye, and TenTen peered around a tree. She started to wave, but then her expression changed to one of shock.
"Fu, get down!" she shouted, unfurling a scroll. Fu hit the ground in front of her and heard several things whiz over her head. Howls changed into snarls and yelps, and TenTen took Fu by the arm. "C'mon!" They ran deeper into the forest, TenTen hoping to find either Yakumo or Lee. The howls faded for the moment, and TenTen slowed their pace. She asked, "Are the guys behind you?"
"Who? The animal guys?"
"No, Naruto and the others."
"Oh, I-I think so."
"Good. Do you know how many?"
"How many what?"
"How many animal guys there are," repeated TenTen irately.
"T-ten? Twelve? I-I don't know." Fu nervously wrung her hands. 'If I could just-' The howls sounded again, and closer this time.
TenTen looked in the howls' direction with an angry fear. She grabbed Fu. "C'mon, we gotta keep moving and find Lee or Yakumo!" Deeper into the forest they went, the trees blocking most of the light and casting surreal shadows. TenTen bit her lip, and they cut to the right. "C'mon!"
"I'm hurrying!"
The howls were coming closer.
"Hurry!"
Closer.
"I am!"
Beside them.
"Damn!" TenTen turned and unsealed her staff, charging it as soon as she caught it. A growl was heard, and a feral man broke from the darkness around them. TenTen pushed Fu to the ground and swept his feet from under him, following it with a flat strike to his gut. The lightning crackled, and the man convulsed before stilling.
TenTen shifted her weight to her back foot, and she said to Fu, "Fu, get to cover." No answer. "Fu?" Nothing. TenTen looked from the corner of her eye, and she swore to see Fu gone. "Dammit, Fu!" Another break in the darkness, and TenTen viciously turned to unseal and smash her hammer into the chest of another man. There was a sharp crack of bones, and the man fell.
The howls were fading again. TenTen swore again and chased after Fu.
"Tomitsu-san, Fu's signature is heading north-northwest, departing from TenTen. Lee and Yakumo are still far away but heading to Fu's position," reported Neji steadily, "We are not far behind."
"May you give an approximate distance, Neji-san?"
"We're about a hundred yards from Fu."
"Good," said Tomitsu. He stopped suddenly, and Neji nearly crashed into him. "Neji-san, I will move on ahead and intercept Fu. You will reach us soon after. Do you agree?"
Neji narrowed his eyes but then shrugged. "If you die, I will not cry."
"Nor will anyone else." Tomitsu nodded respectfully to Neji, and he blurred away at a speed only matched by Lee or Guy. He dodged trees, low branches, and protruding roots, and his ears caught the sound of feet hitting the ground. He smelled the stink of the pursuing men. Tomitsu passed by the entire pack without being noticed, for his speed was too great, and he drew his sword as he neared Fu.
She could hear them coming inexorably closer and closer. Fu stumbled but recovered. Her arms were covered in scratches in various stages of healing. Her clothes had tiny rips. She panted, her side paining her. She stumbled again, and this time she fell to the ground. She struggled to rise, and she tensed as she heard someone come near.
"Go away!" she shouted, "I-I can still fight!"
"I highly doubt that, Fu," said a familiar voice, "You're exhausted." She saw Tomitsu standing above her, and she nearly fainted from relief. He knelt down and examined her, planting his katana in the ground. He took her hand, and she blushed.
"I-I'm fine, Tomitsu. Thanks, though," she said, trying to brush him off. Tomitsu met her eyes, and she again felt that odd pang of recognition. She couldn't place it, but it was something about those stunning blue eyes...Her eyes widened in fear as she looked past him, shouting, "Tomitsu, behind-,"
"I know," he said calmly, uprooting his blade and plunging it into the abdomen of a feral man. "They have reached us. Keep down, Fu, and don't run." He widened his legs into a low stance, his katana held parallel to his face. "The others should arrive shortly." The howls surrounded them.
The first attack was a clumsy swing of a machete, and Tomitsu cut through the weaker metal and sliced the man's chest. He turned to parry a knife and retaliated with a kick and a overhead strike. He heard one break and charge for Fu, and he flashed in front of the feral man and wrapped a hand around his neck. Tomitsu threw him into one that had just broke cover, and he slashed downward on the pair.
"Tomitsu!" He whipped around and saw six men padding toward Fu, predators on their prey. He narrowed his eyes, and he relaxed for a moment, taking in everything. With a sound like swishing fabric, he appeared behind one, katana jutting out of the man's chest in a shower of blood. Another swish, and two men gripped their slit necks. Tomitsu materialized just in front of Fu, pointing an ironically unbloodied sword at the three remaining men.
"Flee, if you value your lives." They snarled fiercely, and they charged in unison. "Then may He Who Watches take you." He disappeared, and the men froze before their chests spurted red. Fu raised an arm to shield herself from the bloody rain, but Tomitsu was instantly by her side, covering her. He regarded her silently before asking, "Are you well, Fu?"
She nodded, and Tomitsu smiled in relief. He sheathed his katana and held out a hand to Fu. She took it, and Tomitsu pulled her up, accidentally pulling her closer than he had intended. She was against his chest, hearing the steady drum of his heart. She blushed and stuttered, trying to say something that eased the awkward situation.
Tomitsu smiled in amusement. "There is no need to excuse yourself, Fu."
She smiled weakly . "Well, it-it's just that I-I didn't mean to-,"
"It is through no fault of your own." Fu laughed in embarrassment, but then she pointed behind him frantically.
"Tomitsu! There's one more!" Tomitsu spun, more annoyed than anything, and he held a hand to stop a knife from plunging into his chest, but there was not enough time-
"Dynamic Entry!"
"Hyuuga Style: Palm Bottom!"
Tomitsu and Fu ducked as Lee flew over them and landed a solid kick on the attacker's chest, and Neji, just appearing out of the forest, simultaneously slammed a palm into his back. The man choked and crumpled into a heap. Neji threw a chastising look at Tomitsu. "Be more watchful. You cannot rely on your ears alone."
"Yet they have served me quite well," countered Tomitsu. He bowed to Neji and then to Lee, the boy's spiked knuckles hanging loosely to his side. "I thank both of you for saving me. That blow would've been fatal had you not intervened."
"Do not mention it, Tomitsu!" said Lee cheerfully, giving him a flashy smile, "Nice guys always rescue the less fortunate!"
Tomitsu nodded. "One day I will repay you, Lee-san. Thid is the second occurrence that you have saved me." He smiled. "Do not plan for it to become a habit, however." Lee laughed, and Yakumo ran up to them, panting. "Yakumo-san? Are you well?"
"Just...give me...a minute," she breathed. Lee looked concerned as she recovered her breath.
"Are you okay, Yakumo? I did not mean to leave you behind-,"
She waved the issue away. "Don't mention it. You got to Tomitsu and Fu, didn't you?" She noticed the bodies. "Goddamn, Tomitsu, you scare me sometimes."
Tomitsu shrugged. "They threatened me and Fu. It was necessary."
"True that, I guess."
TenTen, and, close after her, Naruto arrived. TenTen was furious. "Fu! What the hell were you thinking, running away like that?" demanded TenTen, "I was protecting you!"
Fu squirmed uncomfortably. "I didn't want you to get hurt. I-I knew those guys were gonna follow me, so I ran."
"I could've took 'em!"
Naruto shook his head. "I counted at least twenty when we first saw them. I guess that maybe fourteen to sixteen took off after Fu. Maybe more. You would've been overwhelmed."
"You don't know that!"
Naruto sighed. "I do know that." He met her glare. "By the way, the two men you encountered are dead."
TenTen felt her stomach sink. "How did you know I killed them?"
"Electric burns and dent in a guy's chest. Who else uses lightning and a blunt weapon?"
TenTen kicked at the ground. "Dammit! I didn't mean to!"
Fu tried to apologize, "TenTen, I'm sorry-," Tomitsu cleared his throat. Everyone looked at him.
"TenTen-san, was it in self-defense,?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Then why fret? I have done the same." He motioned the bodies.
"I just killed, dammit! I ain't as cold-hearted as you!"
"That you may not be," conceded Tomitsu, "But these men intended to kill or be killed."
Lee nodded. "I understand your anger. No one intends to kill unless they are truly a malignant person."
TenTen's temper cooled to a smolder. "Dah...none of you get it."
"Then enlighten us," said Naruto, a tad sarcastically. TenTen glared at him but said nothing. The blonde sighed. "Well, the threat seems to be gone, so let's go find our senseis. I pity that poor guy for going against them."
As it turns out, the leader had fled, and very adeptly at that as Anko nor Guy could track him. They found Anko angrily kicking a tree and swearing vividly and Guy standing with crossed arms. He looked up as they approached, and he smiled widely. He informed them of the man's escape. "But it's not all bad," said Guy, "There's no other signs of any other activity near here, so we shouldn't be bothered until we get out of this forest."
The Genin nodded, and Guy asked what happened while they were dealing with the leader. Naruto glanced at TenTen before saying, "After the men broke off in pursuit of Fu, I was able to catch up with two and disable them. I told Tomitsu and Neji to go on ahead. As for the others..."
TenTen stepped up unwillingly. "I got two of 'em while protecting Fu." She closed up, and Tomitsu took over.
"Fu fled from TenTen, but I caught her before she could go farther into the forest. I defended her from attackers until they seemed to stop. I was wrong. There was another who ambushed me-,"
"-and I and Neji-san stopped the man from injuring him!" said Lee stoutly, "After that, we regrouped, the search party and the party sent after Fu, and resolved to find you! And we have."
Anko looked through the canopy of leaves to the sky which was slowly darkening. "Hey, we might hafta hurry along if we wanna get outa here tonight. I know I do. This forest's giving me the creeps."
Yakumo laughed. "Really? A forest? That's it?"
"Ah, shaddup, Princess."
They made camp at the border of the forest, and Anko set up a small fire at the disgruntlement of Guy. "Anko, are you sure we shouldn't make a cold camp for tonight? This fire will seen for miles-,"
Anko snorted. "Yeah, that way." She pointed to where the trees terminated. "But not any other way. Damn trees get in the way."
"Light can still be seen from that far-,"
"Yeah, but only off a hundred feet or so with the trees. Trust me, Guy, I ain't crazy." Yakumo snorted in her bowl of soup that she had prepared for the whole party, and Anko shot her a pointed look. "Be quiet, Princess."
"What'd I do?" she asked guiltlessly. Yakumo smiled knowingly at Lee as Anko turned away, and he smiled back. Tomitsu kept out, drinking his soup in silence. Naruto slurped his own soup meditatively, glancing over at Neji who sat by himself out of the fire's range. 'He couldn't have seriously meant all that fate crap yesterday, right? About his Kaa-san and Tou-san...was that true?'
Naruto took another slurp of soup, and he asked Neji brusquely, "Hey, teme, those things you said yesterday...are they true?"
There was a tense silence before Neji answered, "Every last one of them, Uzumaki-san. Why would I lie about such things?" TenTen narrowed her eyes, but she was wise enough not to butt in. This could be why Naruto had been moody that morning.
"I don't know," said Naruto, "You could just be protective or something, and saying that would-,"
"No, you ignorant fool, I'm not protective of her. I despise her very existence," Neji hissed.
"Well, excuse me then, teme, but you don't need to get your panties in a bunch-,"
"So I cannot fret about the death of my loved ones?" said Neji dangerously, "Is that what you're meaning?" TenTen looked sharply at the outline of Neji
"What? No! Dammit, why you gotta be so stubborn? Why blame her when she didn't have anything to do with it?"
"She had everything to do with it!"
"OK, so her Tou-san saved her from being kidnapped, but that's it! She has absolutely nothing to do with it!"
Neji rose to his feet as did Naruto. "You do not understand," stated Neji coldly, "Only a Hyuuga would understand the act of shaming another. She came to my mother's funeral-," The whole party regarded the pair with shock. "-and said that my mother was indeed a 'loved member' of the Side Family. She blindly follows the Main Family's lies and spits upon my mother's name!"
"She would never lie about a person. Your Kaa-san must've really been a caring person-,"
"Shut up! A person can tell the truth and it still be a lie!"
"She isn't blind, you bastard! She is one of the clearest-eyed people I've met! And you don't hate her, you hate the Main Family!"
"Yes, I know," said Neji lowly, "I hate the Main Family and anyone who defends its ideology and tyrannous rule."
"So you hate me?" asked Naruto, fists clenched. There was an ominous silence, Guy glancing between the two carefully. The entire group was quiet, gazing wide-eyed at the two boys. Naruto asked again, "Well, teme? Do you hate me if I defend her with every bone in my body?" Neji still didn't answer. TenTen stared at him, wondering just how much she actually knew about him.
"I-I," stammered Neji, "I-,"
"Well? I am everything you hate: a person who doesn't believe in your fate bullcrap, a person who defends the Main Family, a person who dares to defend the very person your hate focuses on!"
Neji's fists clenched and unclenched. He stuttered and then became quiet. He seemed to finally decide. In an unwavering voice, he declared, "Yes, Naruto Uzumaki, I do hate you. You too have been blinded."
Naruto felt his heart leap into his throat, but he responded evenly, "Good. At least we're being honest. And I'll return the favor. I hate you as well. Your damned theory is getting in the way of what's really happening. Look with something besides that dojutsu of yours."
Guy finally interrupted them, "Hey, c'mon, don't talk like this, guys-,"
"Stay out of this, Guy-sensei," said Neji bluntly.
"I will not. You are my students, and students under the same sensei are not going to hate each other!"
"Too late," muttered Naruto. Guy glared at them both, and they sat back down, refusing to look at each other. The rest of the party left their soup untouched after the argument, and Fu scooped up the dirty dishes.
"Well," she said, "There's a stream not too far from here, I might just go wash these-,"
Guy shook his head. "You need to be with us at all times, Fu. I'll send someone else to wash them."
Tomitsu spoke, "Guy-sensei, I could escort Fu to the stream and aid her in washing. She will be well-protected under my vigilance." Guy hesitated but then nodded his approval; Tomitsu wasn't a flirt, or at least he didn't seem to be. Fu beamed at Tomitsu who bowed his head to her.
Tomitsu watched Fu silently as she rinsed out the bowls, humming a happy tune. It was a wonder she hadn't recognized him, but then at the same time it wasn't. That day was a long time ago, a very long time ago. He wasn't entirely sure himself if Fu was the person he though of, but they certainly appeared to be the same...
Fu glanced at him and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Tomitsu, you mind drying these for me?"
"Do you have a cloth?" he asked.
She pulled a rag from her jacket. "Yup! Catch!" She tossed it to him, and the samurai sat down beside her and wiped any moisture remaining on the bowls. She started to hum again, the tune of it tugging at Tomitsu's memory. She stopped humming, disappointing him, to observe, "Y'know, it's kinda weird to see you drying bowls."
He raised a brow. "How so?" he asked, not stopping in drying.
"Well, it's just you're so manly-looking and noble-,"
"Noble? Manly-looking? My appearance is strange in correlation to performing this particular activity?"
She laughed. "And your words! You speak like a rich person!"
"And you're not, being the daughter of a dignitary?"
"Well...it's not what it's cracked up to be, actually," said Fu, fidgeting, "He really doesn't make a whole lot."
"Ah, I see, but I still do not understand why you apply the word 'strange' to seeing myself drying bowls," said Tomitsu, pausing.
"Well," Fu sat up, "It's just that...well, I don't know, you don't strike me like the chore-doin' guy. You're a friggin' samurai of all things!"
Tomitsu blinked in confusion. "And that affects your view in what manner?"
Fu giggled and shook her head. "Never mind, it's hard to explain, but," she smiled wickedly, "you are manly-looking and noble. I wasn't lying about that."
Tomitsu felt himself blush, something he hadn't done in a long time. "Thank you...I believe." Fu laughed and returned to rinsing, and Tomitsu to drying. After a minute, she began to hum again, the same familiar tune. It teased the phantom edges of his memory almost painfully, and Tomitsu eventually stopped to ask, "Fu, what is that you're humming?"
"Eh? Oh, a lullaby taught to me by my mom. You wanna hear it?"
Tomitsu shrugged. "If you do not mind."
Fu smiled and cleared her throat. She breathed deeply, and then sang, in a melodic, harmonious voice:
"Flowers in the meadow softly sway
And all the little birds sing merry May Day
Rabbits in the orchard sport and play
And all the little creatures smile all day
"I am near
My darling, do not fear
Love is all around you
Comforting
With gentle lullabies
To make your heart sing
"Flowers in the meadow softly sway
And all the little birds sing merry May Day
Rabbits in the orchard sport and play
And all the little creatures smile all day
"I am near
My darling, do not fear
Love is all around you
Comforting
With gentle lullabies
To make your heart sing"
She stopped and smiled sadly, not noticing how tightly Tomitsu's hands were gripping the bowl. "My Kaa-san used to sing me to sleep every night, but now..." She shook her head, "Never mind, you wouldn't want to hear."
"No," Tomitsu's voice was strained, "I would quite like to hear."
Fu gazed at her reflection in the water, smoothed by her halt in her rinsing. "My Kaa-san...died several years back, when I was about five. My father..." She trailed off, resuming her rinsing distractedly, and Tomitsu didn't pry, too preoccupied with his own thoughts. They finished the dishes in silence and returned to the camp. Naruto sealed away the bowls, and Anko organized the watches, putting TenTen on first watch.
TenTen sighed in irritation as her companions settled into their sleeping bags, and she pulled out her carving knife and wooden bird. She studied it; the bird was complete, each detail painstakingly etched into the wood's surface. Its wings were spread wide, and one could almost see life in its brown eyes. Her gaze became thoughtful as she remembered the day's events.
She had killed, again, and not just one person this time. Two people. Two people. She hadn't meant to, it was just in the spur of the moment that she'd...killed them. TenTen gazed into the fire, not caring that this ruined her night vision. She fiddled with the carving and pocketed it. She hadn't meant to, dammit, it was just that-that she'd-
TenTen shook her head vigorously, and she drew up her knees and rested her head on top of them. She wiped her eyes; why was she crying? They had tried to kill her, not the other way around, but she still felt guilty. Her hand trailed to her pocket again, but this time she drew out a fresh block of wood. She examined it, as if trying to discern a shape from it.
'Why do I even bother carving for those two? They were animals, nothin' else-,' An image, crystal clear, flashed into her mind: two wolves, pictured from the side, in mid stride, muzzles thrown in up a howl. She blinked, and her hands automatically started to carve. Eventually, her anger cooled, and she changed watch.
Fu was having the strangest dream, but she vaguely was aware it was not a dream but a forgotten, faded memory.
She sat by a small stream just outside the waterfall that guarded her village, shaded from the sun by a tree. She held a stick and was poking the moist ground near the stream bank. Fu was younger then, only about six or so. She kept poking the stream bank, but then she heard the soft crying of another child.
Fu looked around confusedly, and she rose to her feet, which were bare, and walked toward the sound, curious. The crying grew louder, and she could tell it was a boy. It wasn't a hiccuping cry either; it was soft and unmoving in tone, one that told that a person had no one to comfort them. The more Fu listened, the more her heart pained for the child and the more she empathized. She herself had cried much the same when her mother died.
She rounded a tree, and she found a boy, his black-haired head bent into his drawn knees. His arms were wrapped around his knees, and tear drops were obvious on his torn kimono. She knelt by him, laying a hand on his shoulder, but the boy flinched and drew further into a ball. The boy seemed so small and fragile.
She tried to lay a hand on him again, and again he flinched. She watched him, her heart aching as he cried. She sat patiently, and an idea came to mind. She moved closer and, despite the boy's silent protests, wrapped her arms around him, and then she sang the lullaby her mother had known so well. With each soft, gentle line, the boy's crying softened until it had turned to nothing.
Fu patted the child's head after she sang. "Are you OK?" she asked. The boy looked up, and she gasped. The entire left side of his face was covered in bloody bandages, one single, solemn, ocean-blue eye pleading her for a semblance of comfort. Her emotions crumbled, and she hugged the boy close. "That was a stupid question. Sorry."
The boy muttered something into her shirt, and she let go. "What?"
"Thank you," he whispered, "I-I don't know how I'm gonna pay you back-,"
She giggled. "You don't hafta, silly! I don't mind singin' at all." He nodded, somewhat saddened, but then his face lifted. "What you thinking?"
"I got something that can pay you back," he answered, smiling brightly, "Wait here!" He disappeared into the forest, toward a road that served as a major route to almost anywhere in the Ninja Lands. She watched as his figure became smaller and smaller until he couldn't be seen.
Fu knew that this was the end of the actual memory; the boy never returned, and she had forgotten about this day. But when the boy came back, she realized she was seeing what would've happened.
The boy came back carrying a long flute, almost longer than he was tall. Fu giggled again. "Whatcha gonna do with that?"
He smiled and said, "Just listen. This will make you feel better."
"Me feel better? You were the one cryin'!"
"Well, this'll make both of us feel better," he said, putting his lips to the mouthpiece. He started to play a cheerful, upbeat tune that made her smile. His blue eye was happy, gone was the sadness. She laughed, got to her feet, and began to dance around the tree.
"That's good! It's a fun little song!" she shouted, laughing. The boy's eye smiled, and she stopped and grabbed his hand. "C'mon!" He smiled, and even though he wasn't playing anymore, the music still played. The pair of them laughed and danced together, Fu wishing this would never end.
Fu awoke, staring up at the night sky. The stars were winking back at her. She rolled over, regretting that the dream was over, but then she froze as the upbeat music continued to play. She sat up, amazed. She looked to see who was asleep. Both senseis were in their sleeping bags, and all of the Genin but Tomitsu were in theirs. Fu stood to investigate.
She followed the music, still puzzling over the dream. Her bare feet splashed into the water, and she knew she was at the stream. She crossed it, and Fu pressed herself to a tree once the music's origin came into view.
Tomitsu was sitting down on the edge of the forest, looking out over the vast field ahead. His fingers moved along the flute gracefully, and he seemed to be in a trance. Fu listened until the tune was over, who Tomitsu exactly was dawning on her. He finished and set the flute-the exact flute from the dream-in his lap. "I know you are here, Fu." She came around the tree, a look of realization on her face. "I infer that you now understand who I am?"
"You-you're that boy...th-that boy who never came back...the boy w-with those bandages..."
"Yes, I am," said Tomitsu. She came closer and knelt beside him, looking at him fully. He met her gaze, and her heart skipped. She raised a shaking hand, and, with a single finger, traced his scar.
"So-so the bandages were for this..." He closed his eyes and held her wrist, slowly moving her hand away. Her skin seemed to warm in response to his touch. "You were so small back then, and you cried..."
"Yes, I was that boy," said Tomitsu, opening his ocean-blue eyes, "but I am no more."
The leader of the-well, they were all dead now, weren't they?-former pack of feral men waited with crossed arms for his employers. The moon went behind clouds, and he caught a flash of a pattern of red clouds, a straw hat, and emotionless aquamarine eyes above a black mask watching him closely. A headband with a arrow pointing downward glinted darkly, a horizontal scratch denoting the person's rogue status.
He dug in his ear. "Hey, buddy, I'm 'ere to get paid an' tha's it. I ain't doin' no more Goddamn b'iness wit ya. Dem ninjas 'bout killed me and fo'shuh killed my men!"
The voice, belonging to the owner of the aquamarine eyes, was a rumble. "Did you see the girl?"
"Dat green bitch? Yeah, I saw 'er."
"Good." With that, black spikes burst from the ground and impaled the man through the chest. "Foolish man. What made him think I would ever pay the likes of him?" The killer turned to a cluster of tree. "The jinchuriki is indeed with this group."
Another voice answered, "Is that so?" A person came out of the cluster of trees, wearing a red cloud patterned cloak like the one the other wore. A straw hat hid the eyes. "Please tell me it's true, Kakuzu." Kakuzu nodded, and the other tilted the hat up, exposing red eyes with three tomoe centered around the pupil. "Finally, maybe I'll have a little fun while they scream for mercy." The person smiled maliciously before erupting into a fit of maniacal laughter.