Foul Tongue

Chapter II: Brat

Disclaimer: This story's base idea does in fact originate from VforVendetta34's original fanfiction called "Fouled Tongue" and I did get permission to use it. VforVendetta is also co-authoring with this fic after she abandoned her original.

Other than that, I do not own Naruto nor any other characters.

A/N: The story begins after Tayuya's "death" but the story will indeed proceed to the older Naruto Arc as well later on.

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The whole journey to Konoha remained the same. Two bickering men and a thunderstruck invisible girl they never noticed leaping from one tree to the other. It wasn't long until the border of the Hidden Leaf Village could be seen through the dense forest. The tall gate was certainly a sight, painted with bright colours and adorned with the Hidden Leaf sign. Tayuya would have probably given a crude remark comparing her town to this but she was too preoccupied with her current problem that nothing else really mattered to her.

Landing silently like any well-trained ninjas would, both men fluently kept their conversation intact while they made their way towards the hospital. Some villagers had stopped to curiously peek at the scene but they hadn't had the time to properly assess the situation due to the fleeting ninjas. Ironically, even with all the attention Tayuya was getting, no one noticed her walk through the entrance nor cried out in shock at a trespassing enemy. Sighing, Tayuya closed her eyes and concentrated on her recollection of memories. What had happened after she closed her eyes to let death take her away? Irritatingly, the harder she tried to remember, the more the memories slipped away. Had something happened while she was unconscious? Her mind whizzed around in circles… The last thing Tayuya remembered was waking up to find a man staring at her while he tried to heal her. The only recollection of the dream that resurfaced in her head over and over again was an offer of help, but Tayuya didn't recall the medic nin ever saying, "Let us help you."

Those were the words… by which voice, Tayuya couldn't remember.

"Fucking shit!" the girl cried out in frustration and finally took off looking wildly around for anyone who can see her. Her aggravation could not be described in words. She felt like utter shit, and no one would even give a glance at her battered body.

Taking a moment to breathe in and out slowly, Tayuya rubbed her temples. The only thing she could do right now is follow her body and hope for the best.

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Naruto could feel the white searing pain of his wounds. The Kyuubi chakra had already sealed up most of his gashes and was still in the process of closing the less important ones but it was extremely painful. Yet even with a pain this fervent the burning sensation became a distant thought as his heart beat loudly against the cage of his ribs. Naruto had bigger problems to tend to… like the unbearable confrontation he would have with Sakura. How would he tell her he failed to keep his "cool guy" promise? A promise was a promise and under no circumstances should it be broken. That was and still is his ninja way.

Muscles, bones, and brain seemed to be out of commission yet with the mental burden on his back, the Kyuubi's vessel couldn't stay put. It was when the nurse left his room that he followed her out the door and into the vast and confusing hospital corridors. The hallways were dark. The blond boy was determined to think up of things to say to Sakura, or perhaps escape reality for a bit.

It was dim and damp but more comfortable than where Naruto previously was due to the shadow's cooler air. The lack of light made it easy for him to avoid passing people as he ducked behind boxes and laundry baskets. It was sure busy that day in the hospital… and that reminded him... What of Shikamaru, Chouji, Neji and Kiba?

Moreover, Sasuke was another issue he couldn't seem to let go of. Why did he choose the snake bastard instead of staying in Konoha to become stronger by himself? Did he desperately need Orochimaru to achieve his ambitions? Through a cheap exit with a man that promised power when it was a lie? Sasuke was obviously going to be used by the snake man, no doubt about that. Naruto had thought Sasuke was smarter than that but perhaps his thirst for revenge had clouded his mind to the point of stupidity. Sighing the blond genin walked grudgingly towards the exit that was now at the end of the corridor, oblivious to the oncoming Tsunade who was too engrossed in her papers to notice him as well. Thankfully, at the last minute, the genin looked up, uttered a small squeak and quickly escaped behind the closest door. The Hokage didn't seem to have detected him as she walked right pass the room but as Naruto began to wipe his forehead in relief, two Anbu stationed themselves right outside the room. He was trapped.

"You can't fool me Uzumaki!" Tsunade's voice resonated from down the hall, her footsteps getting further and further. "You better stay in there or I'm gonna drug you to sleep."

"Dammit…" the blond boy cursed but decided to back away from the door as the Anbu stared him down. "What the hell is that hag thinking… making Anbu watch over me…"

Frustrated, Naruto turned to look at who was the unlucky soul to have been messed up in his un-stealthiness. There was a girl in the bed, red vibrant hair pooled over the pillow as her chest heaved up and down slightly as she breathed. She seemed awfully familiar, but Naruto didn't have much time to think about it as someone spoke.

"You! You're the shithead!"

Naruto turned to look at another girl who he hadn't noticed earlier. She was huddled up in the corner, her hair as flaming red as the one in the bed. They resembled each other very much actually.

Eyes widening the girl seemed to be surprised at Naruto or something because her mouth was hanging open…

The red hair that loosely cascaded down her shoulders and back somewhat rang a bell in his mind but he couldn't put a finger on who it was… Those dark, brown eyes that had once pierced his in anger were once again boiling within him. Even the insult was something that was oh-so familiar.

Then it clicked.

"YOU!" he jumped right in front of her and pointed his finger directly in her face. His own facial expression matched one of utter rage and shock. It had surprised the girl at first as well but her raised eyebrow soon lowered and became part of scowl. "You're Sasuke's kidnapper!!!"

This had caught the Anbu's attention as they opened the door to see what was going on.

"H-hey!!! Why are you letting her free like this?" Naruto's voice was raised a little higher than he intended.

Both ninjas exchanged glances. One of them replied slowly as if implying that the genin was an idiot, "The girl's under tight security here. Besides, she can't move, she's in a coma."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, his mouth hung open slightly in disbelief. He squinted at the girl in the corner, and then at the one in the bed before finally pointing back to the corner. "What the hell are you talking about, she's right here, standing."

There was a moment of silence as the Anbu stared hard at the boy. They must've thought he was delusional since they simply shrugged and closed the door behind them once again. Naruto wasn't sure of himself anymore. He looked back at the corner and the girl was gone. Either he was going crazy, or either the drugs Tsunade gave him earlier made him hallucinate.

"Oi shithead, over here."

The genin spun quickly around but he was caught off guard by a fist colliding with the bridge of his nose. His legs lost balance as he tumbled to the floor adding pain to his sore-ridden body. The moment he collided with the floor, the painful pulse caused by the punched coursed through his nose.

"W-what- Anbu- what's going on?" Naruto rubbed his new sore and stared angrily up at the chocolate brown eyes. He wasn't sure where to begin since he didn't understand the situation himself.

The girl looked like she didn't really know either as her eyes darted from the door and back to him. "You can see me?" she asked, her voice suggesting that she was curious despite her emotionless exterior.

The blond boy raised a curious eyebrow. "Yeah… yeah I can…"

Another silence, but this time both ninjas stared at each other, unsure of what to say. It was the first time Naruto talked to this girl without fighting for a barrel which contained his best friend. She looked like a person who could've belonged here in Konoha but her cold eyes stated otherwise. Her red hair suited her well and without her cap Naruto had to admit she was kinda cute. It was a fleeting thought, but the boy wondered how she would've been like as a friend if it weren't for the unfortunate fate that brought them at each other's throats.

"What the hell you starin' at you fucker," the girl snapped as she pulled him up by his collar. "Because of you and your friends, my friends are all dead- and I don't even know whether I'm still alive or not. I don't know which spiteful God I pissed off today but his version of mercy is looking like a pain in the ass. Why does it have to be you. Why can't anyone else see me huh?!" her voice was raised to the point where Naruto had to cringe. The girl's eyes were narrowed dangerously and her mere presence was intimidating but Naruto could feel her fist shake against his neck. Was she scared?

The boy's anger subsided a little. His confusion allowed him to think rationally, after all, this girl had only followed orders. "W-what do you mean I'm the only one who can see you-"

A violent shake of his collar made the boy jerk. Naruto was getting a little annoyed by the brash behaviour he was being subjected to. "You saw it didn't you?! The fucking Anbu think you're crazy because they can't see me! They can't even hear me! Right now they think you're talking to yourself!"

As if on cue, the Hokage of Konohagakure opened the door and stepped in, curiously peeking at Naruto. Her eyes were stern with concern.

"Uzumaki, what are you doing kneeling on the floor?" she asked, walking in and offering a hand to help him up. "The guys here told me you've been arguing with yourself… or with Orochimaru's pawn who is clearly in a coma."

Gathering himself up, the ninja broke away from the redhead's grip and looked back and forth between Tsunade and the konoichi.

There was a pause but the blond boy sheepishly rubbed the back of his head and adressed the redhead, "you're right, they really can't see you."

Tsunade's brows furrowed. "Who are you talking to Naruto?"

"Hmm, I wanna try something out!" A devilish grin stretched across the ninja's face as he took the foul mouthed girl's hand and quickly placed it on the Hokage's breast before either women could react, but to his surprise it went right through Tsunade which left Naruto's hand firmly on top of the mound.

A cry of anger and the boy crumpled to the floor a few feet away from the ghost. Tsunade blinked in surprise seeing she didn't have to hit him when he had already flown across the room and landed in a heap behind the bed because of some unknown force. Her eyes were wide with shock. Never has she seen something like this before. Perhaps Naruto wasn't delusional after all and the girl's spirit was really there… but why could only Naruto see her?

"Naruto, I'll be right back, in the meantime stay put!" and with that, the older woman was gone leaving Naruto to fend for himself again. Hadn't they considered the possibility of the girl's spirit killing him?

"Wait! Mo... they left me here," Naruto sighed, mouth forming in a pout. "And I'm hungry, damn this sucks."

The other patient in the room fixed him one of her coldest glares as she tapped her foot impatiently. "You think she can fix me?" she asked, the corner of her lips twitched. The boy wondered if she was going to permanently scowl.

With the help of the bed, Naruto hoisted himself up. He observed the redheaded girl sit on the edge of the bed staring at her unconscious self. The girl did in fact look cute from up close. "Pfft, the old hag can be stubborn sometimes but if she knows something maybe she will."

The young boy found himself stare at her again and luckily, she was too busy scrutinizing her coma-self to notice. "What's your name by the way."

Bad move. His question earned him another death glare.

"Can't you remember?"

"No, not really…"

"Try you dumbass!"

Naruto's lips jutted out in a pout. How the hell was he supposed to remember her name? Scrutinizing the girl's face the boy tried to rake his brain for any kinf od memory that would help him remember. Recalling a name you only heard once could become quite hard if you didn't really care about your enemy.

"Ehh…" Naruto puffed out. Was it Temari? No, no, Temari was that girl from the sand. How about Terra? No that didn't sound right… The scowl on the girl's face did bring back memories though…, of a fouled mouthed girl shouting profanities at both him and Shikamaru. Then that Kimimaro guy showed up and threatened to kill… "Teriyaki! That's your na-"

BAM!

"It's Tayuya you idiot!"

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This guy had to be the biggest idiot this town's stupid inhabitants could ever have produced. They must have dropped him on his head at least ten thousand times for him to be this retarded. Why did she have to be stuck with him?

He just called her Teriyaki and she just decked him good in the face again.

"It's Tayuya you idiot!" Honestly, couldn't he remember her name if she remembered his? Uzumaki Naruto, the famous Kyuubi bearing genin. She would have thought that he would be a little more special, but no, he was just another idiot that she was stuck with. "Tch, in any case," she eyed the blond boy who grudgingly picked himself off the floor yet again. "Looks like you're my spokesperson for the time being."

"Like hell I'll be! You're beating me around! What makes you think I'd want to help you?"

Tayuya had to admit his blue eyes were annoyingly mesmerizing most specially when they were big and full of anger. "You better! If you want your precious Sasuke dipshit back."

This had gotten Naruto's attention. He no longer bared the idiotic aura that seemed to hang around him as his lips thinned and his eyes widened further. It was as if he could read her soul… and ironically he was able to considering she was in spirit form.

"Will you really lead us to Orochimaru's hideout if we help you?" his voice held no hint of idiocy.

If Tayuya could feel then she would have felt her throat going dry. Would she really betray Orochimaru to regain her body? No. Orochimaru-sama gave her power and hope… there was no way she'd betray him… but for the sake of it, why not regain her body and say nothing afterwards? She'd fake her coma until the time would be right to make a break for it. Tayuya just hoped Konoha's Hokage and friends were that stupidly trusting.

"Yeah." She stared back at him with equal intensity and fake-honesty. "I'll lead you guys to them the minute I regain my body." The konoichi often had missions involving some acting skills so winning over the overly trusting boy's reliance was an easy feat. "Just… make it quick."

Tayuya shouldn't have been so 'nice' in a sense that would make her seem like a good person after all. The stupid boy's face lit up as his aura of stupidness came back flooding around him. "Alright!"

So it was settled. They were going to have to deal with each other for the time being as torturous as it would be.

Oh no. The idiot was coming towards her with outstretched arms. No way in hell was she giving him a hug. Luckily the bed and Tayuya's body were between them, she'd have some time to prepare her punch.

But instead… the Naruto shit bent over and gave her real body a tight squeeze…

And a very tight one- Tayuya knew that because she felt her arms snap to her body as warmth washed all over her soul and pressure was applied against her. Naruto curiously looked up and grinned at his new found discoveries.

"So your body must be linked to your soul somehow! That's why you're not dead yet ." Did he really think things were that simple?

"L-let go of me shithead!"

"Hehe, well as a payback for punching me several times, I get to hug you again!" Naruto grinned as he squeezed her body a little more… but this time Tayuya managed to advance towards him and headbutt his sorry face to the ground. Unfortuantely for Tayuya, when she was angry, she didn't think much. Her action caused the boy to plummet down onto her real body as she was sent to the ground as well. To make matters worse his hand had landed on her chest.

An explosion of profanities sent the boy running for his life.

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A/N: The next chapter will finally be new material which will get the story moving from where VforVendetta34 left off on her "Fouled Tongue"

Thank you for the kind reviewers! It keeps me moving.

For those who are waiting for "Treasured", the chapter's almost done, it'll be up by today.

Just warning you guys, I update kinda slow 'cause I do have a very busy life! Nonethless I write whenever I can!