XxX Chapter 8 XxX
Tsunade felt anxious.
Why was Kyuubi taking so long. He had promised that it wouldn't take long, if anyone was to convince Naruto to return, it was Kyuubi.
She was sure that Kyuubi would be able to persuade him back but doubt rose within her. A part of her whispered that he would not succeed.
She hoped she was wrong.
She glanced at Jiraiya, he seemed rather calm about the whole situation. It irritated her how he could have his emotions in check. Sure she could do the same but she let them loose far more easily than he did. She envied that quality in him. Not that she'd ever tell him.
As she studied him Jiraiya looked up and met her gaze. She turned away, she had been caught.
"You know it's rude to stare…"
"I wasn't staring I was just-" Tsunade tried to defend herself.
"Though I know the temptation with such a Handsome devil that I am" Jiraiya finished.
Tsunade growled and punched him squarely in the face.
He groaned.
Ha! Take that.
She crossed her arms and glared at him.
"Tsunade, that was completely uncalled for. But, I know you're in denial so I'll forgive you" Jiraiya said with his hands over his face.
"Shut up Jiraiya! " Tsunade said threateningly.
Jiraiya snapped his head to right, his body tensing.
"He's coming"
She could feel him, he was getting closer.
A flicker and Tsunade caught Naruto by the collar of his shirt. He gave a swift and powerful kick her and she was down. Jiraiya was instantly on him.
He tried grabbing him but he kept slipping away, dodging him. He almost had him. He clutched his shoulder but all too soon Naruto saw and attacked. He was thrown backwards by a roundhouse kick. He landed at the base of a tree a few yards away.
And he was gone just as quickly as he had come.
Kyuubi reached them moments later.
He looked them over.
"Come on, we can't let him get any further" Kyuubi ordered.
Tsunade stood firmly on the ground and ran after Kyuubi, Jiraiya keeping pace with her.
They were now headed into the direction in which they had come.
Was Naruto headed to that village? Tsunade wondered.
He was close now. He was almost there. He needed to find Sai and quickly.
His eyes scanned through the masses of people. It seemed that the streets were now bustling with life.
He saw, in the tight packed crowds, a gap.
There was no question in his mind, it had to be Sai.
He walked swiftly and soon Sai was within seeing range. He bypassed the villagers that were near him and went to Sai.
"I found you" Naruto said relieved.
Sai for the most part was surprised. He hadn't expected to see Naruto so soon. Seeing as Naruto had left only a couple of minutes ago.
"Come on let's go" Naruto said hurriedly grabbing Sai by the arm and pulling him farther into the depths of the crowd.
There were many low whispers as they passed.
Naruto ignored them and as he glanced back at Sai. It seemed that he too ignored them.
He looked around and could feel Kyuubi's, Jiraiya's and Tsunade's presence nearby. He knew they would never be so bold as to drag him away with so many humans present. No it was far too risky. They wouldn't deliberately expose themselves, or their inhumane power.
No they wouldn't do it, he was sure of it.
Sai was looking at him curiously.
"I thought you were leaving" Sai questioned.
"Well I changed my plans, seeing as I came here completely unprepared and with no lodgings I was wondering if I could stay with you during my visit here in Europe, oh and I'll even pay" Naruto said charmingly.
"No, you don't have to pay, you'll be my guest. And I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind, though you'd have to sleep in my room or the living room whichever you prefer" Sai said his voice sounding soothing to the ears.
Naruto felt himself relax. He hadn't known he had felt so tense, strange.
"You know there's this store I know that sells great tea, would you like to try some of it" Sai asked.
Naruto nodded "Sure, why not"
"Okay stay right here, I'll be back soon" Sai said as he easily made his way through the parted crowd.
Naruto stood still, and waited. He wondered how long it would take for Sai to return.
He felt something or rather someone bump against his legs, followed by a thud.
He looked down and saw a small little boy on the floor.
Naruto bent down until he was eye level with the young child.
"Are you alright" Naruto asked.
He wasn't truly concerned but the child's fall was partially his fault.
The little boy blinked and looked up.
His eyes got immensely wide and his mouth opened in awe or was it terror?
"Angel" he whispered.
Naruto stilled, had he heard right did this child call him an Angel?
"Angel" the boy repeated again.
"I'm no angel" Naruto told the little boy.
"Yes, you're an angel" the little boy insisted.
Naruto felt disturbed by the child's words. He was no not a human and he most definitely was no angel. Weren't angels suppose to have souls? Did he have a soul?
"Devil" the child whispered his eyes full of fear.
He wasn't pointing at Naruto though, he was pointing at someone behind him.
He looked behind and saw Sai. Why would such a young boy call Sai a devil?
He turned to the young boy but only saw his retreating back.
"Come on Naruto, let's go" Sai said this as he handed Naruto his drink.
"Why did he call you a devil?" Naruto asked curiously.
"You know….this is a very religious village" Sai said this slowly stirring his drink.
Naruto listened glancing around to see if anyone was eavesdropping on their conversation. No one was.
Sai continued "There are certain traits that angels and devils have. Angels have light colored hair and eyes. Devils on the other hand….have dark hair and dark eyes" Sai finished still stirring his cooling drink.
Naruto scanned at all the villagers that he could see. None of them had dark hair or eyes. He glanced back at Sai.
So he was the only one with the traits of a devil.
Naruto felt something overwhelm him to say something anything, and he did.
"Sai, I'm not a religious person at all. I will not claim any religion because I don't believe in their beliefs and I will not reform." Naruto said sipping the hot liquid.
"Thank you" was all Sai said.
Naruto hid a smile.
Kyuubi stared and stood to leave. They could do nothing now. There were too many humans around they would notice if Naruto struggled.
And he was sure Naruto would.
"Let's go" he ordered.
Tsunade gasped.
"You can't be serious, we can't leave without him"
"We won't go back home. But Naruto won't come back to us by force, he has to come by his own free will. That means we have to keep our distance. But we will not leave, understood" Kyuubi explained.
Reluctantly they both nodded.
'Sai, I hope you live a very long life because Naruto will not survive the death of another friend' Kyuubi thought grimly.
Naruto was leaning against the wall of a store. People passed. He was waiting for Sai, he had gone to the bathroom.
Naruto closed his eyes and let his mind open. He could hear them. He could hear their thoughts.
Words were jumbled, incoherent and undecipherable.
He concentrated harder. The voices increased in amplitude getting louder.
Not enough.
Naruto endured. He would listen to it all.
He would listen because it was a punishment.
A punishment that he had imposed on himself. He would listen because he hadn't listened before.
If he had listened to the thoughts of his enemies then maybe….he could have prevented Madara's and Arashi's deaths.
But he didn't because he hadn't thought it was necessary. He was wrong.
And because he hadn't listened before he would listen now.
With his eyes clenched shut he pushed himself to further expand his hearing range .
His head throbbed. Yes, he would listen.
He would listen because it was his fault.
Tbc….
A.N: Just on a side note I have modeled the village after the village from Soul Rescue, its a nice manga, you should check it out. The people in this village unfortunately aren't going to turn a new leaf.