Copyright 2007 by Ekonika (S.N.R.)
No part of this plot, my own characters, or text can be used without my permission. I do not own Naruto or any of its characters, but the plot and Yasu and Akira are my own and copyrighted.
©2007 Ekonika (S.N.R.)
The next morning when I woke up Hinata was in the bathroom, so I wandered around the lobby a bit. Everyone else slowly showed up and we ate breakfast. I wanted to get back home, or so I considered my hotel room in Konoha now. Everyone else felt the same way sort of, so we set out at sunrise. Izumi and her father saw us off at the bridge.
"I'll miss you, Yasu. Make sure to come back." Izumi gestured me to bend in closer and whispered, "I'll see you at Rei and Osamu's wedding." She grinned, letting me stand back up. I smiled at her. I guess word spreads quickly in a town like that. I hoped Osamu wouldn't feel the pressure.
We walked across the bridge wordlessly, and as soon as our feet hit the dirt on the other side, we took off running. For a while our flight was erratic and we had to keep adjusting our speed, but we soon fell into a rhythm and skipped lunch so we could get home faster. That night for dinner we were halfway home. I looked up at the setting sun and thought of home. Other heads turned the same way as mine and we all watched the sunset, thinking of those in Konoha we missed. We drifted off to sleep, only one person on watch. The watch was much shorter too, because all six of us had a turn.
The next day we were all ready to go by sunrise. I rode Akira until lunchtime, where we actually took a break. Kiba let me ride Akamaru for a bit after lunch, and I let Hinata ride Akira. We traded mounts between the group until sunset. We were all panting from running since lunch, and I'd used up half my chakra to run easier. I recognized the path near the village, and with my headband the ninja in the trees waved us by.
The sun had set by the time we reached the gate. They let us in as a group and we all panted. I caught my breath first because I used almost all my chakra for the last dash. We looked around at each other and then a myriad of hugging and handshaking followed.
"See you around." I called as I walked away waving. Kiba, Shikamaru, and Hinata called back, the others just grinned and waved. I jogged home, smiling to myself. Akira walked by me and I rested my hand on his shoulder.
What do you think, Akira? I'd definitely fight for them. I believe they're life-friends now.
Akira spun his head to face me and nuzzled my shoulder, nodding. 'They surely will come anytime you call them. Do not abuse that power.'
"I wouldn't abuse my power!" A nearby shopkeeper packing up late looked at me oddly. 'See, now look, Akira, you made me speak out loud.' Akira laughed and bit my arm.
'Ride me. We need to get to your room, and you've used up too much chakra.'
'I know. Thanks for worrying.' Akira snorted, acting offended, but gave me a last gentle shove with his nose before I climbed onto his back. He became easier to understand as time went by, and now we could speak in words between each other.
When I arrived at the hotel, I looked down the street and saw a light on in Naruto's building, but had no idea if it was Naruto's room or not. I wanted to go see him, but it wouldn't be polite so late at night. I walked inside and heard something fall. I jumped to the ceiling and stuck there, crouching upside-down by the chakra I had left. I looked around and saw a scroll that had fallen on the floor. I got down and picked it up, putting it back on the counter. I read the tag on it and it said 'For Yasu'. I unrolled it and was tentatively peeking at the first few characters when a voice sounded behind me.
"That's yours; you don't have to act like you're going to get in trouble." I dropped the scroll and spun before Hiroko finished speaking her first word. I blushed and picked up the scroll again. Did she really ever sleep? I took the scroll to my room, embarrassed and disgruntled. I read it:
Yasu:
Come to the first bridge after the waterfall in the east end of the village.
Be there at sunrise, and don't bring Akira. I don't mean it to sound like
I'm cutting Akira out, but just leave him at home tomorrow.
Oh, and welcome back to the leaf village.
Jiraiya
He'd signed his name in fancier writing than the rest of the letter. After I put the scroll on my dresser, I took a shower and dusted around my room. When I finished unpacking it was late or very early, and I fell into bed, falling asleep immediately.
The next day I jumped up and stretched before falling back into bed. I curled up away from the lightening sky. A shadow moved across me and I opened my eyes. Akira dropped the scroll on my head and I remembered. I changed into my day clothes groggily. Akira pulled at my shirt until I realized it was on backwards I splashed some cold water on my face after I dressed and looked around, fully aware, but not awake. I hugged Akira around his neck, saying goodbye. I left and Akira watched me go.
When I arrived at the bridge I rubbed my eyes and walked out into the middle of it. I had prepared for this, and I acted sleepy, but I was fully awake. If it was an ambush, I was ready to flee or fight. I looked around and found Jiraiya sitting in a tree. He was obviously trying to conceal himself, so I ignored him and threw sticks into the water to watch them drift under the bridge and downstream. The sun rose and I grew bored with floating things downriver.
After a few more minutes Jiraiya hadn't moved. He occasionally glanced at me, but mostly seemed to be writing something. I looked up, startled, when I heard the repetitive thudding of someone running. They sounded like they were late for something. I quickly located the sound and brightened.
"Naruto!" He glanced up from his running and nearly tripped. I ran towards him and we collided on the bridge in a friendly hug.
"Why didn't you come see me last night?" Naruto said after we separated.
"I got back late! I figured you were asleep." We danced around a bit, too excited to stay still. I filled in Naruto on the mission, and he told me all that had passed while I was gone. After about ten minutes of joyful reunion, Naruto and I sat next to each other leaning against the bridge rails. Jiraiya finally jumped down from his hiding spot and landed in front of us. Naruto was surprised, but I just stood up.
"What did you do that for, pervy sage! I almost fell off the bridge!" Naruto accused, recovered already.
"What were you doing, sitting there the whole time while I waited? You did summon me here; it's not polite to be late." I asked.
"Wait, you- Jiraiya summoned you too?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, I got a letter yesterday, late last night."
"Ok, what's the deal?" Naruto and I waited for Jiraiya to answer.
"Alright, I have a proposition. First, Naruto, how would you feel about having a fellow student? To train with you, go on missions together and stuff." Naruto thought for a few seconds, then his face brightened.
"Is it going to be-" Jiraiya covered Naruto's mouth.
"I'm glad you like the idea." My heart started pounding and something in my brain tried to connect. I knew something that wasn't reaching my conscious mind. "Yasu! How would you like to train under me! Toad sage and Legendary Sannin!" It clicked, and I froze for a minute. Train… with Naruto? And such a skilled teacher?
"Y-yes! I'd love t-to! Thank you, Master!" I bowed deeply. Naruto squirmed free of Jiraiya's grasp and scoffed.
"Don't call him master, once you see his habits you'll change your mind." Jiraiya reached out to grab Naruto, who dodged and stood by me. "You taught me too well, sensei!" Jiraiya shrugged.
"A pupil should always try and out-do his sensei, but don't get too confident!" Naruto and I laughed. "Ok, you two, since I'm training both of you now, come here: it's time for your first assignment." Naruto and I stepped up obediently. Jiraiya lifted our hands and tied something around my wrist. He dropped my arm and Naruto's. I pulled away from him and my arm got caught on something. A shimmering rope stretched between Naruto and me. I pulled again and Naruto did the same. It stretched a little, but didn't break.
"That rope won't break at all. I can make it longer or shorter. Try sliding it up your arm." Jiraiya offered. I did, and the rope disappeared for a second to reappear around my stomach. "There, so it won't get in the way if you need your hands. It's a chakra rope, and it'll solidify in a minute. It absorbs all chakra attacks at it, transforms to fit you if you change size, shape, et cetera. Alright, this will teach you three lessons, and I'll explain them to you as we go. First lesson: teamwork. I'll let you two use today to get used to it, and tomorrow we'll practice and get down to the real training."
Naruto and I stared at Jiraiya, still stunned.
"But… wait a minute!" Jiraiya paused and looked questioningly at me.
"Yes?" I stuttered at the indignity, and tried to think of something good. I didn't come up with anything besides this:
"It's not right!" He looked at me questioningly still. "I mean… what about when we have to use the bathroom? Bathing? Sleeping?!"
"You'll figure SOMEthing out. It'll be fine. Oh, one more thing about the rope: I'm able to sense it anywhere, so I'll be able to find you guys anytime, anyplace. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have some work I need to get done. So long." And he was gone. Naruto and I stared at each other. I sat down, and Naruto started running in circles around me. The rope let him without tangling me up. He stopped and sat down, his back against mine.
"We can't walk around like this! People will laugh!"
"Or think it's a training exercise. If they don't we could set them straight." I stood up and started walking. Naruto followed along grudgingly, with his hands in his pockets. He walked behind me looking at the side of the road.
"Where are we going?" Naruto asked after a bit.
"I don't know. I guess we should go to the training field." We walked along the least busy streets we could find. As we turned onto a street I felt Naruto get nervous. I found the problem almost immediately, and they found us.
"Naruto! Have you gotten yourself in trouble so soon?" Gai and Asuma stood in our path, clearly seeing the rope. I tried to ignore them, but Naruto's clear humiliation got to me.
"Yasu, how'd you get dragged down with him? Normally Naruto gets into trouble by himself. Or are you setting him straight?" Ok, now it was personal. I glanced at Naruto and touched the rope softly. Naruto nodded, and we stepped away from each other, walking towards the laughing teachers. As we passed them on either side, Naruto and I suddenly jumped forward, pulling the rope taught around their ankles. We kept running as the astonished guys landed on their feet, looking around for us.
I ducked around a corner, panting. Naruto hit the wall next to me and I peeked around the corner. They hadn't spotted us yet, and they were looking around, bewildered. Naruto and I looked at each other and burst out in silent laughter. We continued to the training field joking about how the rope wasn't all bad. Unfortunately, everyone was training today.
Neji, Rock Lee, Shino, Choji, Ino, Shikamaru, TenTen, Kiba, Hinata, Sakura, and Sasuke were at the training field, and after Kiba spotted me, they all ran over so the people I hadn't met could meet me. I was delighted they wanted their friends to meet me, but, in this condition… well, it was a training device.
"So, Yasu, we meet again." TenTen spoke. "Last time you really couldn't call it meeting." Yeah, I suppose you couldn't.
"So, you're Yasu?" Choji said, munching. Neji watched me carefully, and I turned my attention to the quiet boy I hadn't seen before. I replied to Choji when I saw a beetle land on the quiet guy's jacket. I picked it up and let it crawl on my finger. Everyone watched in surprise as Shino (of course it's Shino!!! ;-P) held his finger up to mine and the bug moved over to him. I felt a little ashamed, because I suddenly realized it was Shino's beetle.
"Wow, Yasu, I kinda figured you'd be scared of bugs." TenTen said.
"Nope, just spiders. And they're ok most of the time."
"So, what's with you two?" Sasuke spoke, asking about the rope between Naruto and me. Of course, Sasuke had to ask. Everyone repeated the question after Sasuke.
"It's a training exercise, for teamwork, Jiraiya says. He'll take it off on Friday." Everyone pretty much forgot about it after that. We all trained together, using anyone and everyone's kunai and shuriken, or dueling. Naruto and I weren't dueled so much because of the rope. In the afternoon Naruto and I left the training grounds to get some food, a lunch-dinner sort of thing.
Naruto walked a bit in front of me, so I walked a little faster. He glanced at me and sped up a little. In no time we were tearing down the streets, not paying attention to where we were going, just racing like terror was after us. We tore through town and were soon in the forest. I dodged around a young tree and heard a splintering noise behind me as I was jerked to a stop by the rope.
I grabbed the rope and curled up before I hit the ground and looked around to see the splintering noise. The tree was about five inches thick, and the rope at the speed Naruto and I were going snapped it. The stupid tree was now falling at me because I landed in front of it. I staggered to my feet quickly and felt something hit me again. This time I landed on something soft and heard the tree hit the ground behind me. Naruto had shoved me out of the way. I stood up a second time and felt incredibly grateful, but annoyed.
"I could have gotten out of the way myself." I lifted him to his feet and he put his arm around my shoulder. I followed his example and we leaned on each other for a bit.
"I know, but I wanted to make sure. We hit that tree pretty hard. Is your stomach ok?"
"Yeah, it's fine. I'll be sore, but after a good night's sleep it'll be great."
"I think I would've won." Naruto laughed and stood up on his own, taking his arm away. I felt a little sorry for it, but sighed quietly and got over it.
"Definitely not. I was in the lead, you know it." I shoved him playfully and he spun away, too surprised to keep balanced. When he fell over the rope pulled me onto his chest, tangling us both in the rope. We both had our arms tucked up in front of us as the rope held us nose-to-nose. I couldn't help noticing the muscle under his jacket. We stumbled to our feet clumsily, still tangled. I realized his hands were locked against my chest as well and blushed furiously.
I tried to shove off his chest, but the rope didn't budge. Lucky for him, he didn't shove off my chest at all, or I'd have had to injure him. I tried to think clearly, but it proved hard. I took a deep breath and noticed how good he smelled, like… well, ramen, and I couldn't exactly place it, but it was the most relaxing scent, and it was deep and warm. He stared at me oddly, then his eyes softened and he looked away sharply, closing his eyes. Without his stare on me I was able to focus and untangle the rope.
A minute later, I fell backwards onto a patch of grass and Naruto fell as far away from me as the rope allowed.
"You're a pervert." I stated. He sat up and half-glared at me, but he looked amused as well.
"No I'm not. I swear I didn't plan that. If YOU hadn't shoved me it wouldn't have happened!" I rolled so I was faced away from him, huffing. True, he was probably a bit of a pervert, but I was mostly arguing to cover up the embarrassment. After a minute of silence behind me, I looked back. Naruto was resting his head on his knees, and looked genuinely sad. I couldn't help it.
"What's wrong?" He looked away from me a little.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, honest." The female kindness/compassion thingy kicked into gear, and I crawled over to him. I put my arm around his shoulder, and he looked at me.
"I was just giving you a hard time, don't worry about it Naruto. It was fine, an accident." I closed my eyes and hugged him, and I could feel the astonishment. Gawd he was so cute! He hugged me back tentatively, and we broke apart. "Just don't make a habit of it." I joked, and we stood up.
"Want to go have some ramen for dinner?"
"If there aren't any trees on the way. Race ya!" We took off again and had a quiet dinner of delicious ramen. After that, we focused on the problem of where to sleep.
"It's improper for a girl to stay at a guy's place overnight!"
"Well I'M not moving my whole house!"
"Then bring over stuff like it was a sleepover!"
"THAT'S not proper either!"
We settled on Naruto coming over to my hotel and he would sleep on the floor. I stood outside his room as he gathered his belongings for the sleepover and winced whenever I heard a clatter of things falling over. Several times the rope around my wrist tugged and Naruto called out.
"Don't come in! Just stick your arm in the door, I need another foot." He didn't want to show me his room, and that was fine with me. It was probably a mess. After a while, he came out with a bundle of blankets and other things, including a plant.
"Why do you have a plant?" I questioned. He didn't seem like he would.
"Well, I'll be at your house 'til Friday, and I can't leave it unattended." We came to my room and I nodded at Hiroko as we passed her. Naruto set up his stuff on the floor next to my bed, and I sat and watched him, not able to go do anything. I walked into the bathroom unthinkingly, and closed the door. When I came out, I sat down on the bed again and realized I'd just solved the bathroom/bathing problem. Because Naruto's bed was in between mine and the restroom, he was close enough that the rope had enough slack. I crawled into bed and looked over at Naruto, feeling a little weird.
"Goodnight."
"Yeah." We looked at each other, uneasy, then I rolled over and fell asleep.
Thud!
I woke up to pain in my side and Naruto's face three inches away. He tried to roll and the rope pulled tighter. I realized it was wrapped around Naruto and had pulled me off my bed.
"Naruto. Hey! Naruto! Wake up!" He opened his eyes and looked at me, three inches from his face. "You tangled yourself AND ME in the rope. Roll that way." He did so, quickly. I stood up and climbed back into bed, then reached out to Naruto and took his nightcap. I put it on my own head as he sat up and watched after his hat. I took it off and handed it back to him before falling asleep again, happily.
Well, this took forever and I think it's not a good chapter all-together, but here it is indeed. And, I haven't started ch. 11 yet.