Foul Tongue

Chapter III: Journey

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 or any other characters.

A/N: And so begins the journey.

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Gloomy, dark clouds hung overhead casting little light through the windows of the hospital. The humidity in the air was comfortable as strong breezes flew in and out of the room. It was going to rain soon.

"What a fucked up day," Tayuya thought bitterly to herself.

It truly was a depressing day.

The redheaded girl brooded to herself as her petite frame sat idly on the windowsill of the blonde boy's room. She watched silently as Naruto desperately tried to explain to that Sakura girl who had walked in an hour ago, how he had miserably failed to bring Sasuke back. To make matters worse, Naruto insisted that he'd keep the promise.

Tayuya scoffed. How stupid. Sasuke was going to die soon and it would leave him all depressed and shit again.

Brushing away a pathetic tear, Sakura smiled at him and agreed. Except this time she'd do it with him.

The redhead 'tched'. This girl was sure dependent. Moreover, they were sure determined to get a useless boy back. What was up with that? Hopeless. That's what this country was.

"Hopeless," the konoichi muttered. Naruto's head snapped up in her direction and she could feel his blue eyes burn through her angrily but she merely smirked as he said nothing. Tsunade had informed them- or rather Naruto to keep Tayuya's form a secret. Even from Sakura or any other friends.

"Naruto?" The pink-haired girl pulled the blonde boy's attention back as he grinned stupidly again. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah! Don't worry about me! Sakura-chan! I… I'll definitely keep my promise! I said that it was a lifelong promise!" The blonde boy sure knew how to brighten everyone's mood. Everyone in the room cracked a smile. "I won't go back on my words! Because that's my ninja way…"

Tayuya didn't know how she kept herself from throwing up. This guy couldn't be serious. His ninja way? Please, no one could make such big promises and keep them. No one.

Short but disgustingly inspiring goodbyes were made and the girl left soon after. Everyone had been touched by Naruto once again it would seem, but not Tayuya. She knew this was all fake. Like any other people, he would only disappoint.

The sky cleared little by little, showing bits and pieces of the sun. Warm rays cascaded through the window hitting Tayuya's soul. She could almost feel its warmth pass through her as she observed the shadowless floor. Her mood wasn't improving, she still felt depressed from Tsunade's information.

The old hag had stated that Tayuya must be going through some sort of bloodline ability whilst in a coma. They had no record of such thing before, nor could they do anything about it now. She had promised to look into it further but it would have to take some time. Tayuya was doomed to stay only existent to a dumbass for a while longer.

"Fuuck, thought she was never gonna leave," the red head stretched out her arms but then remembered she couldn't really feel anything.

"Tch." Naruto simply ignored her and looked away. He seemed quite irritated at her already.

"Hey, be happy I wasn't dancing around her calling her named while you both talked."

"……"

"Can you at least talk shithead? It's quite boring being a 'ghost'."

Eyes downcast the boy didn't respond at first earning a death glare from the girl but she said nothing as she watched him clench and unclench his fists. The bundle of thin fabric twisted under his palms threatened to rip from the pressure from his fingers. He finally spoke, asking a question that had been repeated at least twenty times. If it weren't for his serious and pathetic tone then Tayuya might've punched him.

"Will we really be able to find Sasuke?" he asked in a low voice. If Tayuya didn't know better, she would have thought he was in love with both Sasuke and Sakura.

But then he was asking her as if unsure of his success. Tayuya knew it. This boy wasn't for real like the rest of them. No one could keep a promise. No one was trustworthy in this world.

Rolling her eyes, the redhead managed to chuckle under her breath without having him notice. Might as well play dumb.

"Yes, yes, geez how many times do you want me to say that? I'm not your psychologist I don't wanna hear you grumbling and complaining about drama shit twenty-four/seven.."

The room seemed to have brightened a bit as that idiot Naruto half smiled at her.

.

That sound ninja's sarcasm was going to be the death of him. Each word spurt out from her mouth became as sharp as a kunai and hurt as much when she came up with particularly smart ass comments. They were annoying, hurtful, irritating, but mostly… amusing. He had to admit the girl had a sense of humour and a good one too.

"Finally you crack a smile."

The blonde boy chuckled, "what? Do you really wanna see me smile that much? Here."

The large grin plastered on his face must have embarrassed the girl since she grimaced and looked away.

"Geezus, wipe that ugly smile off your face. This isn't the smiling olympics." Tayuya peered at him again but narrowed her eyes. Naruto was still smiling at her- and if possible- he managed to make it even bigger.

"Hehe! You don't know how to react to smiles? Boy you sure led a sad life!"

Tayuya's own lips curled into a sneer. She wasn't amused and neither was he anymore. There was a silence between them. They both stared at each other, Naruto unsure and Tayuya menacingly. Had Naruto struck a nerve?

The room suddenly became hard to breathe in. Naruto was unsure of how to react now, should he apologize?

Thankfully the stillness was broken by the familiar voice of both a pervert and a man Naruto admired. It was a huge relief to the boy. The weight felt momentarily removed from his constricted chest.

"Hey!" came Jiraiya's cheerful greeting. "How you holding up?" At first the blonde boy had thought Jiraiya was floating in front of his window before one of the frogs became visible under him.

"Ero-sennin!" called Naruto his eyes wide with surprise. From the corner of his eye he saw the redheaded girl break from their stare and look off into the distance.

"I came to talk to you about an important matter today," said Jiraiya, tone hushed and serious. "From now on you're officially my apprentice. I will train you one-on-one for three years."

The genin looked at him questioningly.

"The Akatsuki… they won't be after you for three or four years."

Naruto nodded, "alright then, I can't waste time on training. I must go after Sasuke."

Jiraiya looked at the young ninja for a moment and sighed. His arms were firmly crossed over his chest as he sat at the open window. A slow breeze came floating in sweeping the old man's hair back. He seemed reluctant to speak yet his statement- or rather his order came out loud and clear. "Forget about Sasuke."

Even Tayuya turned her head to the old man and stared at him wide eyed. Naruto himself couldn't believe what Jiraiya had just said.

"W-wha-"

"Orochimaru had recently switched bodies and now cannot transfer to Sasuke in another three years." The atmosphere lessened but just as Naruto thought the old man was joking, he continued. "He made his own choice going to Orochimaru. You as a shinobi should know that a proper ninja must not only need jutsu and power but proper judgment and good decisions." His back was turned to the boy. The white-haired man gazed at the chiming tree while sitting proudly. "If you want to live as a shinobi, you must be wise. If you want to live as a fool, then it will be a world of pain."

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Tayuya incredulously looked at the crazy man that had come bursting in to deflate the boy's blinding spirit. Sure he needed a nice jab at that balloon head of his but this might be a little much. Plus Tayuya needed something the boy could put his trust in her for, and by having him lose all hope…

"I understand…" muttered the genin.

Oh no, no, no. This couldn't happen.

Just as Tayuya was about to shake some "false" sense into the boy, he raised his head with one of the most determined looks Tayuya had ever seen in her life.

"If that's what it means to be wise…" he breathed out heavily as if to let his anger calmly seep out. A smirk even made it on the corner of his lips. "I'd be happier living as a fool."

The redhead stared at him. Was he serious? Giving up on the great opportunity Jiraiya offered him to go chase after this guy? And giving up his pride for him too?

There was a fleeting pang of admiration and jealousy but Tayuya brushed it off. She was used to having no one care for her, and she didn't need it now either.

"…" The old man hopped back on his frog. So they were really going separate ways. Oh well, it didn't make much of a difference for Tayuya. "Oh by the way, idiot."

"What?"

"Where's Tayuya?"

The kunoichi's head snapped up. Tsunade must have told him about. Perhaps he could help!

"Huh? Oh. She's right here." Naruto motioned his hands towards the other windowsill where the redhead sat silently. "How did you know her name is Tayuya?"

"Orochimaru had four elites. The only girl's name is quite known." Jiraiya turned around and rested his elbows on the window. Tayuya couldn't help but feel a little bit of pride. "Well anyway," his head turned towards the young girl. "I may know a bit about your problem but as a ninja from Konoha, I'll have to evaluate your trustworthy-ness before I can help."

The redhead twitched. He could help but of course there was a catch. How the hell was she supposed to prove to him that she wouldn't "stab" them in their backs?

"Tell your old man I obviously wouldn't be able to back stab him here. Doesn't he have logic?"

Naruto gave a pout. He probably knew he'd sound like a fool each time he had to speak for her. "She says you're an old, ugly man, and that she wouldn't be able to betray us here anyway. You can trust her… oh and she said you're stupid."

Great. Just great. Of course the idiot had to put in his immature comments to what she said. This was going to be hell.

Jiraiya laughed heartily, chest heaving up and down. His frog seemed to become a little impatient as the Senin's frame started to wobble from side to side. "Well Tayuya, seems like we'll get along just fine! But I gotta warn you that you just lost some points! Good luck convincing me!" He smiled at the irritated girl. "Naruto, you big idiot, and Tayuya the grouch, see you guys at the front gate tomorrow morning. We're going on an adventure!"

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A/N: Sorry for the wait, had a load of projects to do. This chapter's short, my apologies but the next one will be longer and up faster too hopefully. Review please! They give me motivation.