Sorry about the long wait, but I hit that oh so dreaded 'writers block' humph. I know what am doing in the next few chapters, but I was a little unsure of this one…damn. And I've been helping my sister, YaoiRocks, with her stories… sigh…
Oh, and I've changed the name of the ultimate defence that Naruto has… it's now "Sono akki biyoko no mai". There…
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, but I do own all new characters and the Village
Chapter Eight
Naruto was a little angry… ok, scrap that, he was pissed. It was only meant to be a friendly one on one spar with Keiko, but she just had to take it one step further. Naruto was low on chakra, and it didn't help that she would use S-rank genjutsu- the speciality of her clan- on him in an attempt to wear him down. Damn she was a sneaky bitch. She smiled at him and her hands flew through the seals, saying,
"Shingai Meiro no Jutsu!" (Terror Maze technique)
Ah, shit…
Then, the environment around him changed and he found himself surrounded by tall dark looking hedges. He looked behind him and all he saw was a long corridor with the hedges as walls. It was the same as in front of him. Suddenly, a loud wailing started, causing the blonde to flinch at the volume. He sighed,
"Great, another genjutsu. Has she no limit?"
The wailing took on a shriller note and Naruto was reminded of a certain pink haired female back in Konoha…
This genjutsu was something that she had developed on her own. It put the victim in the illusion of a Maze and then show them horror after horror and it was quite possible to give someone permanent physiological damage. Nice, huh.
He concentrated, gathering his chakra in his eyes and he smirked, feeling the genjutsu dispel around him. He then felt extremely drained as the sparring field came into view again. Keiko looked at him and asked,
"You alright, Naruto?"
"Er, Keiko, I think you overdid it that time…"
"What do you mean?"
Before he could even answer, Naruto collapsed from chakra exhaustion, not before calling Keiko a bitch mind you.
Keiko blinked and then blinked again. She walked over to Naruto's sleeping from and shook him slightly. She narrowed her eyes and said,
"Oops."
Yes, just a little bit. A familiar voice sounded in her mind.
Sorry, Kenjiro-sensei. I guess I got carried away.
Just a little bit… take him to the hospital. Now.
Keiko sighed and threw Naruto over her shoulder. He was quite light, so she didn't complain…much.
Naruto slowly woke up and frowned. He could smell detergents and a few other chemicals. I must be in the hospital, he decided. He was then aware of a small pressure on his stomach. It was light and warm. Then, he heard a voice,
"Karli, get off. What if mother finds you here?
Naruto liked the sound of her voice; it was sweet, but not too sweet. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the girls that had escorted Orochimaru. He then looked down at his stomach and blinked. Lying, curled up on his stomach was an artic fox cub. The fox was staring up at the girl's grey eyes with a disgruntled expression on its face.
"Karli, please! If mother finds you annoying the patients, we'll both get in deep trouble. You know how mother is."
The little fox made a small sad noise, but didn't move.
"Karli, I'll force you!"
Naruto watched the scene with amusement and decided to sit up, causing the cub to yelp and fall into his lap. The cub, a female, glared up and he couldn't help but laugh. The girl looked a little shocked and bowed to him slightly,
"Ah, sorry, Uzumaki-sama. I'll take Karli away now."
"No, it's alright. And can you call me Naruto please."
"Hai, Naruto-sama."
"What's your name?" He asked curiously.
"Ah, Yurikoyoko, Kitsune-hi Yurikoyoko."
Naruto recognised the last name. The Kitsune-hi clan were a minor clan that specialised in medical and ice jutsus. They mainly worked in the hospital, with only a few fighting shinobi.
Naruto looked down at himself and realised that he was wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts. He looked at the pale girl and asked,
"Can I have my own clothes back now?" The girl smiled and exited the room, leaving Naruto alone with the fox. Naruto looked down at the fox, who was staring up at him with wide eyes. Naruto grinned and scratched the fox behind the ear, watching as Karli crooned, closing her eyes. He stopped and the fox growled,
-Don't stop, that feels good.- A little voice said. Naruto jumped and then stared at the grinning fox, who waved her tail. The fox then nuzzled his hand and he re-resumed scratching her ears.
-Ah, thank you.- Naruto stared… the fox was talking!
"Well, no, not in a sense." Kyuubi said.
"What do you mean?"
"She is talking in her own language, but you can understand her because of me. Cool, huh?"
"Are you trying to be funny?"
"Would I ever do such a thing as that?" Kyuubi said, faking innocence.
Naruto ignored Kyuubi and turning his attention to Karli. The little fox looked up at him and said,
-You've been sleeping for three days. You must have been tired nii-san. Are you feeling better now?-
Naruto smiled and said,
"Much! Thank you for worrying!"
"Er, Naruto-sama, who are you talking to?"
Naruto looked up to see Yurikoyoko staring at him, his clothes in her arms. Naruto laughed and scratched his head.
"I'm talking to Karli!"
"Oh." The girl said, but she didn't seem to know what else to say. There was an awkward silence for a while then Naruto asked,
"Can I get dressed now?"
The girl jumped and then blushed slightly,
"Ah, sorry Naruto-sama. I'll leave so you can get changed. Mother said that you are allowed to leave when you have finished."
"Thanks." He said as she left the room, leaving him alone with Karli. He sighed, rolling his eyes, before changing into his regular clothes. He then turned to the fox and asked,
"Can you show me the way out?"
The fox nodded and jumped into his arms, snuggling close to him.
Naruto exited the room and looked around at the straight white halls… how dull.
Karli nudged his cheek to point him the right direction. Obediently, Naruto followed the direction that Karli had pointed him in. The little white fox directed him down several other corridors to the main reception area.
"Thanks" He said, giving Karli a scratch behind the ears as a reward. She crooned and said,
-No problem nii-san.-
Just then, Naruto saw Yurikoyoko's figure exiting the hospital. He easily caught up to her and tapped her shoulder. She yelped and whirled around and then blushed,
"Ah! You scared me Naruto-sama."
"Sorry."
"Please don't be!"
Naruto cocked his head and narrowed his eyes in thought. She seemed shy and very evasive. She seemed to be the one that tried to stay out of trouble. Karli crooned in a reassuring way and Yurikoyoko smiled and picked her up from Naruto's arms. Just then, Naruto's stomach decided to rumble. They blinked and stared at it. Naruto then frowned and said,
"I think I better have some ramen…"
The pale girl looked at him and blinked,
"You like ramen?"
Naruto grinned widely,
"Yes! I live for ramen!"
The girl giggled and asked,
"Do you want to get some? I was just on my way for some…"
"Really? Can we go now before I die from withdrawal symptoms… I mean I haven't had ramen in three days! Three days! It's a crime!"
The girl's giggle turned into laughter and she smiled at him,
"I like you, you're funny!"
Naruto grinned as they neared their destination, looking at the ramen bar before sitting himself on a stall. Yurikoyoko sat herself next to him, placing the cub on the table, who immediately went up to Naruto and nuzzled his hand in a begging manner. He sighed as he scratched the cub's ears. The owner came up to them smiling,
"Hello Yoko-chan… and Naruto-sama! How are you?"
Naruto yawned and stretched,
"I'm hungry…"
"Ah, what do you young couple want?"
"Hmm, I'll have miso ramen please…"
"I'll have pork thank you."
The man nodded and moved away to deal with their orders. Naruto looked at the girl and asked,
"What do you do? Are you training to be a medic nin?"
"Yes, I want to become a medic nin and join a team…"
Naruto nodded and then grinned as two steaming bowls appeared in front of them.
"Ah! Itadakimasu!" He exclaimed before diving into the bowl with haste. Yurikoyoko laughed slightly and then started on her bowl…almost as enthusiastically as Naruto…
"What are you going to do, Naruto-sama?" She asked between mouthfuls.
Naruto paused, thinking,
"Well, I will stay here and become an elite Chaldea. I'm going to Konoha soon to take the chuunin exams, so I'll go there and show them what it means to Kick Ass!"
She chuckled and then asked,
"What about your clan?" She then looked away as she realised how personal the question on.
"Ah, sorry, that was personal!"
"What's so personal about it?" Naruto asked. Yurikoyoko looked at him and blinked in a confused manner.
"Wh-what do you mean?" She asked.
"Well, isn't it obvious? The other clan heads will marry me off so that the clan can be rebuilt… I don't mind…I've never had much of a family before I came here, it would be nice to have a family of my own here."
"Oh." Was all she said before falling silent and staring into her now empty bowl.
Naruto shrugged and asked the man for another bowl.
When Naruto got home, and don't ask how many ramen bowls he ate since they lost count, he immediately came face to face with a grinning Keiko.
"About time! I was starting to get worried! Well… not really, but you know what I mean!"
Naruto stared at her and then finally shrugged, moving further into the house. Keiko skipped along side him with an 'I know something' look on her face and it was starting to irritate him. They reached the kitchen and Naomi smiled at them.
"Tea?" She asked.
"Please." Came the response from the pair.
"So, Naruto, who's you girlfriend?" Keiko asked. Naomi looked around and stared at the two cousins. Naruto stared at her and asked blankly,
"What do you mean?"
Keiko sighed and rolled her eyes.
"I saw you with a girl at a ramen stand…it was obviously a date!"
Naruto blinked and then blushed slightly,
"It wasn't a date… Yurikoyoko looked after me when I was at hospital- no thanks to you! When I left the building she was going out as well. We were hungry, so we went for ramen… we're just friends!"
Keiko snorted with disbelief.
"Yeah right!"
"Shut up!" Naruto growled, his blush getting worse. Keiko laughed and said in a sing-song voice,
"Naru-chan's got a girlfriend; Naru-chan's got a girlfriend…"
Naruto made a disgusted noise and turned away. Naomi came over and handed him his tea, which he sipped gratefully.
"Who is it?" Naomi asked curiously,
"Er, she said her name was Kitsune-hi Yurikoyoko. Yeah, that's it."
Suddenly Keiko stopped teasing and stared at Naruto, and then burst out laughing, causing Naruto to scowl at her,
"What's so funny?" He demanded. Keiko looked at him again and carried on laughing, her tea forgotten.
"Oh dear…" Naomi sighed, looking at her daughter.
"What are we going to do with her Naruto?"
"Stick her in a mental home." Naruto suggested brightly. Naomi laughed lightly and then hugged him.
"Welcome home."
Later, Naruto wanted to kill Keiko. She was like your average woman… a great gossiper… and gossip she did. Naruto wouldn't have minded if she told a few people…but it was the fact that she told EVERYONE, that made him wonder if anyone would miss her…
For some reason, the clan heads were pleased about this, and Naruto had absolutely no reason why. So he sulked for a few days, trying to figure out the best killing method to use on his beloved cousin.
He had also noticed that Keiko and Kichiro had suddenly started hanging out with Yurikoyoko. Naruto was not sure why everyone made such a huge fuss about it… he and Yurikoyoko were just friends.
Naruto looked down at Karli, who was curled up asleep in his lap and sighed, Ever since meeting Yurikoyoko and Karli, the little fox always sought him out, causing a very worried and concerned pale girl to chase after her… causing Naruto and her to meet up. Finally Naruto gave in and arranged to meet up every day so that the little fox saw him everyday and to prevent the little thing to chase after Naruto.
Keiko teased him about it night and day, making him wish that she would just leave him alone before he turned homicidal on her…
"Naruto-kun? Are you listening?"
Naruto snapped out of his thoughts and looked over at Yurikoyoko, who was looking him in a worried manner. Naruto grinned and rubbed his head saying,
"Ah, sorry, I got lost in my thoughts."
She cocked her head in a cute manner before shrugging and looking at the fox in Naruto's lap.
"Do you like her?" She asked.
Naruto looked down at Karli and shrugged, saying,
"I guess I do. She seems good company. That and she's cute!" He scratched the cub's ears and the little creature made a soft crooning noise in her sleep. Yurikoyoko smiled and said,
"I can get you one if you wish. Karli was a present from another minor clan."
Naruto stared at her and asked,
"Can you really?"
"Yes… If you want one."
Naruto smiled and grabbed her in a hug,
"Please! You're the best Yurikoyoko!"
The pale girl blushed and said,
"No problem Naruto-kun."
Naruto muttered several curses under his breath, quite pissed off. He was hot, tired and hungry, but he couldn't give up, especially with Kuro there watching him.
"Oh, stop complaining." Kuro said before grinning and dodging the kunai sent his way by the enraged blonde.
"Do you want to do this?" Naruto shouted. Kuro cocked his head and said,
"It's your idea…and your bloodline."
"Then shut up!"
Naruto had for the last few hours been playing around with his 'Sono akki biyoko no mai'. He had noticed before the chakra died down completely, it separated into nine separate strands. Naruto was curious about this and decided to experiment with it, so far not getting much of a result. He had managed to get nine separate strands, but they were slightly unstable and disappeared soon after.
Naruto sighed, closing his eyes and concentrated on manipulating his chakra into the nine strands. Sweat gathered on his brow as he concentrated on keeping the flow of chakra in the positions he wanted.
"Er, Naruto." Kuro said.
"I'm trying to concentrate." Naruto growled.
"I think you did it!"
Naruto slowly opened one eyes and then the other. He blinked as he stared at the solid seeming chakra that surrounded him. Kuro ginned and shouted joyously,
"You did it!"
Naruto grinned. Kuro then smirked evilly before drawing three kunai and throwing them at Naruto. For some reason, Naruto didn't react, and he stared at the kunai. Then, just as they were about to impale his whiskered face, they stopped.
Both teens blinked in confusion. Naruto looked closely at the kunai before saying quietly,
"Kuro, the chakra stopped it. I didn't do anything I swear!"
Kuro frowned and shrugged.
"Ask Kameto-sensei when we get back; she might know what's going on."
Naruto reached up to grab a kunai, but it seemed that the chakra had other ideas. With a jerk, the chakra threw the three kunai at Kuro with deadly accuracy. Kuro only managed to dodge by sinking into the ground and then re-surfaced when it was safe.
"What the fuck did you do?" Kuro demanded angrily.
"I didn't do anything, I swear!" Naruto replied defensively as the chakra faded. Naruto went over to Kuro and helped him stand. Kuro growled and said,
"That blasted chakra has a mind of its own. You should be careful with that."
"Yes mother." Naruto said sarcastically. Kuro glared at him which caused Naruto to start laughing.
"Oh, shut up." Kuro said. They sat there for a few moments and then Kuro asked,
"You coming over mine tonight?"
"Erm, you can meet me later… I need to go meet Yurikoyoko soon."
Kuro's expression turned sly,
"So, when are you two going to be serious?"
"Oh, not you too! I have enough of Keiko doing that! Yoko and I are just friends, okay!"
Kuro chuckled and said,
"Your reaction is so telling me the opposite."
"Shut up."
"Fine… I was just asking you about your girlfriend."
"I give up…"
"So you're going to admit it."
"…"
"Ha, I knew it!"
"…Kuro…"
"Yea?"
"Shut up."
After that training session with Kuro, Naruto went into town to go meet Yoko. He got bored of saying 'Yurikoyoko' all the time, so he shortened her name to 'Yoko'…unfortunately, that caused Keiko to say things like 'Aww, your giving her pet names! It's a sign!'
Naruto approached the ramen stand to see that Yoko was already there. She saw him coming and waved at him. He smiled at her as he sat down, saying,
"How're you, Yoko?"
"I'm fine. Doing a lot of training, but I enjoy it."
"Hehe, I've just been training with Kuro and I think I made a variation of one of my clan techniques."
She smiled at him and said,
"That's great Naruto-kun! I wish I could do that…"
He patted her arm and said,
"Don't worry, I'm sure you will!"
That was when Yoko saw the various cuts on his arms from the training session. She gasped and he blinked at her,
"What, what is it?" He asked.
"Those cuts… let me heal them!"
"They'll heal." He said to calm her down, but she wouldn't listen to him. She grabbed his arm and started to heal the cuts one by one, Naruto watching the whole time. When she finished, she inspected her handy work and nodded, satisfied. He stared at her and she blushed under his intense gaze.
"Thank you so much Yoko-chan!" He said, smiling at her. Her blush deepened and she mumbled,
"No problem."
He chuckled lightly and decided to order some ramen, since that was what they normally ate when they were together.
That night, Naruto lay in bed awake. He yawned softly and turned over. He was on a futon in Kuro's room since Naruto went over his house from time to time. His parents were very nice and always happy to have Naruto over. Naruto truly liked it here. He sighed as he realised that he would be going back to Konoha soon. He wondered what their reactions would be… fear most properly, knowing those narrow minded fools. But he had a feeling that it was going to be oh so fun… ah, the pranks he could pull on those poor, pathetic, unsuspecting village people. He chuckled darkly before closing his eyes.
And he also wondered what his… classmates reactions will be and he wondered briefly if they were going to be in the chuunin exam… not likely since they were rookies… but he was rookie too, so he shouldn't say anything. Naruto fell asleep thinking of all the things he could do to the village that was his home.
YES! I finally managed it!!
YAHOO!!
Cough… well, review as always. Okay, I'll give a cookie to anyone who guesses what will happen next chappie…and it's not the exams…they start chappie 10. There are clues in the last few chapters, so see if you can figure it out.