Chapter 14: Time to talk
"Such as…..Naruto what about what happened between you and Gaara, you defeated him didn't you? And that didn't start because you had the nine tails locked away in you did it now?" Said Arashi as he looked at the blonde.
"…"
"Hmm, or…what about that time you got the Fifth Tsunade, you were the only one to make her believe there is more to life, and come back to Konoha" Smiled Arashi.
"…Because I won a bet"
"Is that all you think that was because of some bet? You made he believe Naruto…something I don't think I could have done if I was alive"
"…"
"…What about you and Sasuke? That whole…relation ship thing you guys had going, friends…that's what you guys became"
"But he left"
"He's diluted…Naruto the only reason he left was because he wanted power, he wants to kill his brother…that's what he lives for, even if he tried…well almost succeeded in killing you last time…you still go after him right? You believe there's something left to save…that's why Tsunade hasn't sent out hunter nins, and ANBU to go after him yet. She wants you to get him because you have a power"
"Power?"
"Yes"
"….The nine tails charka"
"…No Naruto you have a gift, something only you seem to posses, a gift to make everyone and anyone your friend even if you only speak to them with a few amount of words."
"…I guess"
"Or what about that time you saved Gaara, I heard about it, when was it last year…or two years ago when you were fifteen. You went out to save him, because he was like you. He knew how you felt you two shared the same pain even though he may have gotten it a bit worse….but you also made him change…hadn't you…Naruto just because you have the nine-tails doesn't mean you're a bad person, heck with it I think you have become an even greater person in my opinion." Smiled Arashi.
"I guess your right"
"I know I am right"
"…Fourth?"
"Yes, Naruto?"
"Why is it that you….Care for me so much? You have taken me into your home…told me stories no one ever would, shown kindness only a person with a family has…why?"
"Why?"
"Yeah"
"Do I need a reason to?"
"…Yeah" said Naruto as he gave him this strange look as if to ask. 'Do you know who your talking to'
"A reason, Naruto people were wrong to treat you the way they did. You are not a monster, you're a human being…just like the rest maybe even better. I should be the one saying I am sorry for causing you such pain. I never really heard about others whom had the demons within them So I had no idea what life would be like…But just keep a smile on, come now lets go inside before you are to sick to go and get your friend" Smiled Arashi as he started to walk towards the house with Naruto slowly following.
"Your move" Said Shikamaru as he sat at his home. Sitting on the outside walkways, the rain silently fell. He was sat playing the game in which him and Asuma would play almost every day. There were a carton of cigarettes next to him and a lighter. But there was an empty space before him, one that would never get in his mind 'filled'. The pieces never moved but, he silently moved them to were he knew Asuma would.
"…I thought I would just tell you I got him…I may have told you this last year, but I got him. It doesn't make any difference, Even if I had killed him it would not have brought you back. You can't bring a person back from the dead…no matter how much you want to" Said Shikamaru as he looked at the tiles before him. Foot steps could be easily heard coming closer and closer, but he paid no mind to it, if it were and enemy they wouldn't be so loud. He sat there until the foot steps just stopped and there was another body in the place of Asuma's memory.
There sat Temari, her hair was dripping her fan was leaned up against the wall, and she was sat crossed legged in front of him. He merely just looked at her, with questioning eyes. She on the other hand had somewhat of a saddened face to see him there.
"…" he remained silent for once.
"Are you still thinking about him?"
"…"
"Shikamaru…it's been a year, I know its hard when you loose a loved one. It the pain never goes away…and this gloomy thing you have going on. Really isn't you." Said
Temari as she looked at him.
"Yeah, Naruto has told me quite a few time…but its……."
"Hard…I know but think about people have it way worse then you" said Temari who gave a small smile.
"…Want to play a game?"
"…Against you? But you never loose"
"Chicken?"
"…"
"Fine don't play…" Said Shikamaru as he stood up and started to pat down his pants to get the dust off.
"…Nara, I'll play" Said Temari as he saw what looked to be a glint off somewhat happiness across the slackers face, he then sat down and moved all the pieces back to there original spot, and then they started.
"How's the Kazekage?" Asked Shikamaru.
"Fine surprisingly, hasn't killed anyone yet, so it looked like it will be alright….but there's something off about him."
"…Off?"
"Yes…something that seems to make him, I don't know…well I have caught him sometimes just looking out the window"
"And that's bad?" Said Shikamaru as he moved another piece.
"…Well it's not him, there's just something not right ever since that ANBU girl came to inspect our village, he's been acting weird ever since"
"…Heh" Shikamaru barley said with a small grin upon his features.
"What is it? …Nara tell me"
"If you can beat me, I will tell you"
"…"
"…."
"Fine, so if I beat you….you will tell me what ever stupid thing you thought of?"
"…" (Shikamaru smiling)
"…Alright prepare to get beaten"
The game had gone on for what seemed like forever, well in reality about an hour. Surprising. Temari then moved the last piece into play with a smile upon her features. Shikamaru looked for a few moment, trying to think, he then put the tips of his fingers together, and turned then towards her and just sat there in silence. She looked at him for a while confused, then she remembered. He did the same thing to her at the Chuunin exams. She tried to remember what it meant, but then at the end of the match she remembered, he had told her he had thought of over 200 moves he could have done to win, but gave up. She then realized what he was doing, as she looked back to him her eyes widened because at that moment his eyes snapped open and looked at her. And simply moved a piece across the board and waited for her.
She looked at him, and looked at were he moved and thought it was a stupid place, then easily took out his piece. (the knight) and within ten moves of the one taken away, he beat her.
"…How"
"Strategy"
"…Damn"
"You still want to know?" Said Shikamaru as he put his hands behind his head and leaded back.
"….Wha, your going to tell me?"
"…."
"Are you. Or are you just lying to me?"
"I'll tell you"
"…"
"Your brothers in love"
"…But that can't be…he's Gaara!" Said Temari with a looked of surprise across her face.
"So?"
"So!!! But he's….Gaara?!!"
"Naruto is Naruto? He fell in love…even if it didn't work out he still fell in love…your
Temari…im Shikamaru….Ino is Ino? What makes Gaara so special that he can't, love or like another human being?" Asked Shikamaru as he propped himself on his elbows.
"…But…"
"Listen…he's your little brother, and a Kage, I can understand, but he's not defenceless…he needs to grow up, you need to let him go"
"…."
"What's she going to do? It's not like she's after the one tailed demon, the group has it….the worst she can do is hurt his feelings"
"That's what I am afraid of"
"…Temari.. Your brother is smart, he knows not to senselessly kill people well….just let him go…and if he did kill her he knows it would start a war…and then leaf and sand would fight. And we'd win" said Shikamaru as he laid back down. Then remembering the time he caught him in the sand coffin Jutsu and gave a small shiver. 'damn…hope she doesn't do anything stupid' Thought Shikamaru as he looked at Temari who looked completely lost.
"Who said you'd win?"
"We have Naruto"
"So?"
"…" All Shikamaru could do was smile, and close his eyes.
"…Come, you have to see the Hokage right?"
"…Yeah"
"Before it gets dark" said Shikamaru as he raised himself up and started to walk, then hearing the girl pick up her fan and put it in her belt and slowly follow.
"Rain is so boring" Complained Sakura as she looked out the window to Konoha.
"It will end soon enough"
"….Tsunade"
"Yes, Sakura" Asked the fifth as she looked up from the papers to the pink haired Ninja.
"…Did you know about Sasuke….wait stupid question never mind"
"Sakura what are you going to do next time you see him? Freeze up, try to make contact, talk?"
"…Talking never got us anywhere before…neither did brute strength"
"True…But, you have Naruto"
"…What do you mean?" Asked Sakura giving the Hokage her full attention. "I know Naruto is strong….as in technique, and chakra wise…but still…I don't understand brawn won't just beat Sasuke?"
"True Sakura…but"
"But?"
"Naruto is…one of those people you can relay on when your in trouble…believe me…even if you give up hope…Naruto will find a way…but"
"Another but?"
"You also have Arashi with you"
"..Huh?"
"Heh, Arashi as you know was the fourth Hokage, they said he was the greatest one and I do believe that"
"Are you saying?"
"Yes Sakura, I am saying the fourth is even greater then I….but I do not believe the fourth can beat both the Sannin and Sasuke...Jiraiya and I had a hard enough time with just Orochimaru…but"
"BUT!?"
"Even if the fourth does battle Sasuke he will not win"
"Then…its hopeless"
"No…there's one person, whom I believe to be able to surpass the fourth Hokage…only one person I can think who can surpass him"
"Only one…who"
"Oh…you know him very well" Smiled Tsunade as she intertwined her fingers and
places her chin on them.
"You don't mean"
"Yes…I do mean…"
"NARUTO"
"I'M COMING!" yelled Naruto as he ran down the stairs tripping over every second one as he ran down to get some practice with the fourth.
"Your late"
"…Am not!"
"…Hurry up, were going to the training grounds"
"…But its raining?"
"So? You won't always have nice weather to battle in Naruto, might as well go now so you can get somewhat used to it"
"….Stupid training…." Muttered the blonde as he wore his black out fit, due to the fact that his other one was soaked…and right when he got dry…he'd have to get wet again.
"Naruto"
"What"
"…If you can make it to the training grounds without getting wet, I'll buy you Ramen for a month"
"…No tricks….wait! HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO GET THERE WITHOUT GETTING WET!"
"You'll find a way" Smiled the blonde as he poofed in a puff of smoke.
"Wait I can do that t…"
"Before we start…a little reminder no poofing" Smiled Arashi as he scared the living daylights out of the blonde who looked wide-eyed on the ground. Naruto sat there for a while till a certain green/blue haired ninja came along.
"The Hokage wants to know what is taking you so long?" Asked the ANBU as she looked at the blonde who stared at the rain with full hatred.
"…."
"Naruto come on cheer up. You'll find a way to do it!" She said as she removed her mask to look at him.
"Can you do it?" Asked Naruto almost hopeful.
"No" She said simply.
"…Great"
"Naruto you have the Jutsu to do this…you have the charka as well…"
"How's Gaara?"
"Wa??????" Stated the girl as she backed away slowly and gave his the really weird look.
"How is he I heard you were there last week"
"I was"
"Why do you keep going back?" Smiled Naruto.
"….Your supposed to be thinking of a way to do this"
"If you tell me I'll do this"
"…You sure are unpredictable"
"Do you like Gaara"
"Sure, he's nice"
"…Nice? Your first impression of Gaara is nice?"
"Yes"
"Not, cold hearted….kind of scary at night…scary in general"
"I thought you were his friend"
"I am…but he has all those features….and you say nice…I don't understand women"
"Don't worry you never will, or have to Naruto"
"…Fine"
"Fine what?"
"I'm going now" said Naruto as he made three clones, and made one into an umbrella, and the one went ahead, while the other stayed close behind.
"…But I never told you?"
"Your blushing when I said his name" Smiled Naruto.
"…."
"I have been team mates with Sakura for years, I know what it means when a girl blushes…when a guys name is said…and when you said he was just nice? You have to be somewhat in love with him.." Smiled Naruto as he walked alone leaving the girl there.
"….Naruto maybe you do understand women…there actions anyways" Smiled the blue/greenette.
"I DON'T LOVE HIM!" She yelled as the boy laughed and started to run away.
Canadain-Girl