Story chapter! This one covers mostly Syng and characters till now unused in the fanfic (Umino Iruka-sensei, Asuma-sensei...) And battles!! Lol, yes! Battles, emotions and much more!

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Chapter 19: The Night Before Crisis

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

Last Night before the third exam.

-Oi, Syng... you look depressed! Cheerfully smiled Naruto.

-We should too... "To think we might fight that sand guy..." thought Shikamaru.

Syng ignored the comment and continued walking.

-What's your problem? Said Naruto, walking slower.

-I'm not in the mood right now... the exams are tomorrow and I don't feel well... carefully said Syng.

-Its quite rare to see you in that state... you can go home if you want, my mom will cook you something, said Shikamaru who had gotten a bit more sociable since Syng was staying at his place.

-If you're tired of that lazy Shikamaru, you can come at my place too! Smiled Naruto.

Syng turned to face the boys. He remembered slightly the uncomfortable couch of Naruto... but then, he wasn't sleepy at all. It was around 8, darkness had just covered the sky...

-Say guys... when you're depressed, who are you talking to?

Two name came out: Iruka and Asuma. Since he had already met Asuma a few time, he would go to him first. Syng summoned a sword from his body. And a slash, he swung his sword in the sand around him, creating a cloud of sand which, once was down, had made Syng disappeared.

-Where... is he? Asked Naruto.

-Probably gone looking for Asuma-sensei and Iruka-sensei, said Shikamaru, stating the obvious.

-Why would he?

Shikamaru stayed silent. Not even he could answer that question.

Somewhere farther away, in another Konoha's street, was walking a great jounin together with a beautiful kunoichi. As they were talking, a blade started flying toward them, which they barely escaped from.

-What the hell? Said Asuma, still smoking his cigarette.

Another sword was thrown toward him.

-Who's attacking us?! Asked Kurenai.

-I don't think it's attacking you! Said Asuma, taking out his fist blades.

A shadow fell from the roofs around in front of the man a swung a third sword to the man, which he had to parry with his own weapons. Kurenai hastily performed seals with her hands. While Syng and Asuma where fighting quite violently, she disappeared in an illusion movement. The boy turned around and threw an exploding kunai on the ground, where apparently nothing was there. The kunoichi dispelled her own illusion to escape the explosion.

-How could you!? Said Kurenai.

-I've lived with a girl who can do genjutsus by far better than those, Kurenai-sensei., said Syng with a smile, resuming his fight with Asuma.

The two sword which had been thrown in the ground now were floating around Syng, while he was himself fighting with a third one.

-Those swords... that voice... Whispered Asuma while fighting.

-Dispel! Shouted Kurenai.

The shadow wrapped around Syng vanished, revealing who he really was. The three sword dropped on the ground as Syng looked at the ground in shame and fell on his knees.

-Syng, what's up boy? Asked Asuma, putting a knee on the ground.

-Asuma, he just attack you! Said Kurenai, confused.

-He had a reason... He's Shikamaru friend... I've seen him train and fight with my students quite a few times...

Flashback

-So, you're gonna try your father's trick? Laughed Syng.

Shikamaru was on the ground, panting heavily while Asuma and Shikaku were looking the fight.

-The problem is, even if you control my body, you can't control my swords, since they aren't a part of my body, but are rather controlled by my mind. Only the mind transfer jutsu of Ino would slightly work, but since she wouldn't be used to it, while she would control the swords, I would take over my body! Explained Syng, knowing his abilities the best.

Syng was holding a sword while two other were floating around him. He pointed at Shikamaru with his left arm and then got a shock.

-Except if you're holding one the sword with your hand! Said Shikamaru, controlling the boy with his shadow. Its easier for you to be moving the other swords if you first held up on one, right? Said the genius boy.

-Then it's a matter of who's the fastest to attack! My two swords on you, or you controlling my arms to make me stab myself? Laughed Syng, still not able to move.

/Flashback

-You two are almost of the same strength, but there's something that makes you stronger... Said Asuma, helping the boy getting up.

-What makes me stronger is actually a weakness, a fear... answered Syng. Fight me, please...

-Why would I fight you? Said Asuma.

-Because... Shikamaru said... he talked to you when he wasn't feeling good, simply said the boy.

-That doesn't make sense, noticed Kurenai, still on her guards.

-Syng-boy... I would have talked to you even if you haven't fought me... Here in Konoha, we listen to each other by other means than showing our strength... What did you wanted to talk about? You can't be afraid of tomorrow exams, right?

-Its... what I don't understand...

-What don't you understand, said Kurenai while getting close to the boy.

-Konoha... the will... of everyone here... Misty can't stop talking about the will of the sword in Tsurugi... I don't understand.

Asuma stayed silent, chewing on his cigarette as always. Kurenai wasn't able to talk either, not knowing what to say in those situation... After a few minutes, a the great surprise of the boy and the kunoichi, Asuma smiled and burst in laugh! When he was finished, he threw his cigarette and light another one.

-Want one? Asked Asuma.

-No thanks, I don't smoke... but... Syng sighed.

-Kurenai? Mind leaving us alone, I'll catch up with you! Smiled Asuma.

The kunoichi nodded and went on alone on the street. After a while, Asuma took a cigarette and gave it to the boy. He took it and light it with the matches Asuma was giving to him. After a few cough, Syng finally thanked him.

-In Konoha too, there's a will, boy, started Asuma. My father, the Hokage, once explained this to me... when I was younger... The young ninjas of the village are the leaves of a great tree... little seeds ready to bloom and make trees themselves for new leaves to grow... (Konoha means Leaf) Like each genins who wear their forehead protector, there's a new generation of genins who tied theirs... They all fight together for a better future, cleaning the past mistakes. People doesn't feel the need of getting paid pack when they help each others, they doesn't need to have something in return of each actions they do. We all live here, together, sharing the same sky, the same as the sky of Tsurugi too. That's the will of fire, the greatest strength in Konoha.

-What about... when you're... afraid? Shyly asked Syng.

-When you're with your friends, together with your family or people which you care for or you share the same will, there isn't fear.

-But...

-What about when you're afraid of dying? Laughed Asuma a little.

Syng was shocked and surprised from that revelation.

-Don't be surprised, Ino's one of my students, so I know that you're one and only fear is death, boy... but... I don't know the full story and I don't need to. I would gladly die to save my students, my family, Konoha or any ninjas in it.

-How... can you trust so much people?

-There is someone here, in Konoha, who is trusted by everyone... he could help you better than I, and Kurenai's waiting for me... I can't make the lady waits, boy.

-Arigatou, Asuma-sensei, said Syng, bowing to the man.

Asuma blushed a little and smiled. Syng jumped out of sight, leaving Asuma alone with his cigarette. "Shikamaru must find that boy so troublesome" Asuma thought while smiling.

Farther away, jumping from roof to roof was Syng, chewing himself on a cigarette. He stopped for a while, took the last puff and threw the cigarette away. "That isn't so bad when you get used to it" he thought.

At the Aburame residence, a shy boy was still training with a kunoichi at this late hour. Bugs swirled out of Shino's coat to attack Misty. The girl faded in darkness to appear behind Shino with her dagger pointed at his neck.

-How could you lose to Sasuke? I haven't won once in a month of training. Asked Shino.

-I decided to lost, simply answered Misty.

She released him and hid her dagger in her sleeve. All the bugs went inside Shino silently. Misty got close to the boy, he could feel her breath on his skin.

-If I touch you... will it be dangerous for the bugs? She asked.

-No. They might even like it...

-What about you? Smiled Misty behind her scarf.

The boy blushed. Misty was well, as they both hold each other in their arms. The sky was shining with so many stars... She closed her eyes and remembered.

Flashback

-That star is called the Lady Flower! Smiled the older boy.

-Why is it called like that? Smiled a younger Misty.

-Because it shine great and bright like the flower called "Lady of the Mist"... Just like your name, right? Answered Juusan.

-Yes, sensei.

-Misty, continued the shinobi, sitting in the grass while Misty was still lying beside him. I have to go by myself... I must destroy a demon who could do harm to the village, to your family and friend.

-Why... are you afraid? Asked Misty.

-No, because... I have the will of the sword, smiled the sensei. I feel I can do anything for the people of Tsurugi...

/Flashback

-Misty... are you... crying? Asked Shino, watching the girl cry on her chest.

It was kinda obvious.

-Please...just stay here... Slowly said Misty, holding hard on the boy's coat.

Shino lift his head and looked at the sky, still holding the girl.

-The Lady Flower is shining bright this night, he simply said.

She lift her head to watch the sky too, but slowly, her eyes went down to Shino's face. She smiled and removed her scarf. Shino looked at the beautiful girl in front of him, smiling to him like there wasn't tomorrow... She removed his glasses to look at his eyes again... He slowly bent over to kiss her warm lips as they were holding each other under the blessing of the Lady Flower...

In the Konoha's hospital, Lee was still lying in his bed, still shocked about what happened with Gaara. At his side was a girl, smiling to him and massaging his still-fine leg.

-You aren't obliged to do this, you know, blushed Lee.

-I'm doing this because I want to. Smiled Tifa.

-Why... why do you?

-Because you're an hard worker... I've seen you so many times since I came to Konoha... you're optimist, and you protect the people you love... their isn't anyone like this in Tsurugi. You're someone's great... really.

-Thanks, blushed (deep-red) Lee. But... there is someone who fights to protect others. You probably haven't noticed it because of his fear... or because you don't want to... but there's someone out there waiting for you, Tifa-chan.

Tifa blushed and just continued the massage without saying anything. Tomorrow would end up this masquerade... they would go back far away, and forget about Konoha... it hurt like hell inside her heart, but she knew it was for the best... She would forget Lee, Konoha and everyone... but she wouldn't forget him, would she? She raise up, her eyes mid-closed and got over Lee. She bent a little over him.

-Tifa-chan!?

She kissed him on his cheek, making him blush so hard, his legs were numb from the absence of blood.

-Thanks Lee.

She got up and walked slowly outside the room. A blonde and pink-haired girl came to her smiling.

-Is he feeling well? Smiled Sakura.

-Much better... he'll be able to go watch tomorrow's match... softly said Tifa.

-Great! Wanna go out? Its your last night in Konoha, right? Smiled Ino. We have to celebrate hard for you to come here again! Tenten is already at the restaurant and Hinata will meet up, she was looking for Syng, probably because she wanted to see Naruto...

The Hyuuga was slowly walking in the dark street, looking at every people walking, searching the boy she wanted to talk to. The shadow jumping on the rook quickly found the confused girl and stopped by her side.

-Hinata-chan...

-Syng-kun... I wanted... to give you this! She said quickly while showing a little box.

-What is this... Hinata?

-An ointment... Naruto... the others said that when you were fighting, you were cutting yourself...

The girl was blushing while Syng was smiling.

-Thank you Hinata, but you should give it to Naruto... When he'll win the tournament, he'll have cuts from my blades in the final rounds, smiled Syng.

Hinata looked at the boy, still blushing.

-He's an hard worker... he can be stronger than anyone, because he had to face his fear for a so long time... The crossroad for him, too, would show only one path... Loneliness... Please Hinata-chan... stay with him, Syng ask before jumping away again.

"The will of the fire, eh?" He thought. "I hope I wasn't hard on her... I'm sure she understood what I meant."

He looked a little longer around him and finally saw the house he wanted to find. He got down the roof and knocked at the door, waiting. There was still light inside... After a while, a tall shinobi opened the door in only a shirt and boxers. A scar was across his face, on his nose.

-Who are you? Asked the man.

-Itadakimasu! Said the four girl joyfully.

-You're gonna have a hard time sleeping with all that sugar, laughed Ino.

Name of the restaurant: Chocolate Sweetness. The table was filled with sweetness, chocolate and candies from everywhere in the country and neighbour countries! The girls were happily drinking milk.

-How can you drink that?! Almost puked Tifa, with her tea.

-Oh, sorry, we forgot, smiled Sakura, putting away her glasses and sipping her tea after having taken a bite of a chocolate bunny.

-It's a great thing! Too bad there's only one girl in the finals! Tifa will kick the boys ass! Smiled Tenten.

-You forgot that sand girl! Answered back Tifa abnormally full of energy. Hey Hinata, why are so depressed.

-Nothing, she smiled after a while.

-Now, now! We've been eating sweets for an hour! I won't be able to sleep for tomorrow's match! Continued Tifa.

-We could relax or walk to burn all the sugar, proposed Ino.

-We could spar, everyone against Tifa to train her before tomorrow too! Smiled Tenten.

-What? You got no chance... Smiled Tifa, accepting the dare.

All the girls smiled.

-Y-y-you're all sure? Asked Hinata.

-Its okay to try, friendly, of course, said Sakura.

The girls paid the addition and got out of the candy store. They walked to the forest and finally got to the training area of the team 8 (Hinata Team).

-Okay, let's start! Kuchiyose no jutsu! Shouted Tifa, putting her palm on the ground.

After the cloud of smoke was dispelled, four felines figures appeared around Tifa. First a small black cat with a white round to the head, then two small black panther looking like the cat, but in bigger version, and then her big panther Tsuki, on which she was sitting on with her weapon staff in her hand.

-You girls are gonna get some! Laughed Tifa, still high on sugar.

Tenten jumped in the air, throwing first some kunai at the girl, which Tsuki quickly parried with her paws. The four girl were around the kunoichi, waiting to attack. Her two panther jumped around Ino and Sakura, which both escape the attack and tried to counter-attack.

-Byakugan! Shouted Hinata.

-Dou-Fuuin no jutsu! Quickly said Tifa while jumped near Hinata with the help of her staff.

She had put her palm Hinata's forehead after having performed seals.

-Hinata! Gasped Tenten.

-I'm... blind! Cried Hinata, getting on her knees.

-She sealed her eyes!? Shouted Tenten while jumping, unfolding her scrolls against Tifa.

With the help of her staff, Tifa parried every weapon thrown at her, but she tripped while doing so. Tsuki, her panther, charge at Tenten, throwing the girl on the ground, while Ino and Sakura were both on the ground too.

-Mouwahahaha! Laughed Tifa in an devilish way.

-And can you be so strong, asked Tenten, the felines disappearing.

-And why did you summon the little cat too? Asked Ino.

Hinata got herself up, starting to see things a little again.

-For this! She took the cat on the ground and put it in Hinata's arms.

The Hyuuga girl was reluctant at first, but started petting the little cat which was now purring from the attention.

-He'll be her eyes while they'll get back, until the seal is undone... it should take twenty minutes or so...

-I understand now how you could win against Kiba, said Sakura.

-I'M ON A ROLL! Smiled and Shouted Tifa.

-Maybe it's the sugar... Said Ino, looking at Sakura.

-From Tsurugi, eh? Said Iruka, after sipping his tea.

-Hai, softly said Syng without a smile.

-Well... I must say I've heard a lot about you actually... all the genins are talking about you, even Naruto. The Hokage and the jounins too.

-Hai, again said Syng.

He has been in there for around half-an-hour now. He was feeling great, but his heart was aching. The room was almost empty. On his table was a picture of all the genins of the years and another one with smaller students, probably his new classes...

-You don't look so well, asked Iruka.

-Sorry...

-You haven't told me... why you came here in the first place.

-Because... Naruto told me... you were like a father to him...

Iruka blushed... in reality, he was happy hearing that, Naruto hasn't forgot about him.

-A father...

-And I miss my father... and my mother, said Syng.

Iruka remembered his's. Both his parents had gotten killed in the fight against the Kyuubi years ago... He felt sorry for the poor boy. From what he had learned, he didn't even knew if they were alive, since he couldn't see them or hear about them after becoming a ninja.

-I'm... confused and afraid, admitted Syng.

-Why are you like this? Asked Iruka, himself confused.

-Because... I must go and fight a demon... and I'm afraid I'll die... but... Asuma said it was worth it... if it was... for someone else...

Syng had an hard time talking. He was both crying and panting, his heart was aching hard right now. Tears were starting rolling up in his cheeks as he was trying not to cry. Iruka was watching the boy he had only met... he reminded him so much of Naruto in a way. The man got near Syng and took it in his arms in the way a father would do. Syng put his arms instinctively around Iruka and started crying, remembering his sensei... his family, his friends... after a while of crying without the two of them saying anything, maybe Syng finally got to understand a little bit what Asuma was saying...

Iruka looked at the boy on his couch. The young boy had cried like he probably hadn't in years, it was normal after all... a shinobi mustn't show any emotions. Syng had fallen asleep after minutes of crying, in Iruka's arms. The sensei was looking at the little boy... he was tanned just like him, he was older, he could even be his real father. That thought made him smile. Maybe he'd have a son like Naruto or Syng... The man decided to go back to sleep, he wasn't afraid of leaving Syng on his couch, he could only trust him after Syng had trusted him so hard.

Shino was now looking at the stars alone on his house's roof. Misty had been sleeping on his legs for a while now... but his eyes looked toward the mountains on which the Hokages's faces were. He slowly woke up Misty.

-Hey! Look! Said Ino.

All the girls were walking in the street, getting back to their place together. Their attention had been set toward the mountains on which there was someone.

It has been only twenty minutes that he had left Syng sleeping, but then he thought about something. Iruka slowly walked with a blanket in his arms, for Syng, but when he came in the room, the boy was absent. Iruka hastily looked outside the windows...

All the shinobis of Konoha, and even those of sand and sound, were looking at the high mountains. A shadow, yet brightly shining with a silver chakra, was dancing on the high rock. There was three sword around him while he was holding two in his hand, dancing slowly in a beautiful ritual way...

-What is this? Asked Tenten.

-He's giving his blessing to Konoha... the blessing of the sword, softly said Misty, smiling.