Chapter 4: Rivals
Authors note: "Summons talking,"
'inners/Demons'
'Thinking'
"Talking"
disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any characters I do own the plot, though!
Chapter 4: Rivals
Hyuuga v.s. Haruno
Neji stared at Sakura, waiting patiently. "Well, you see, there's a story I learned. It's about a Lion Demon named Hyuuga who creates the Byakugan. The story goes on about how the Byakugan was passed to humans, what it is, and a little bit about how to use it. That last part is no use, so I skipped over it – I can't use it, so why read about how? I only know the basics of what the Byakugan does." Ok, so I was partly lying. I knew pretty in-depth what the Byakugan could do, but why would I tell everything I know to that Hyuuga prick? He gave me a very skeptical look.
"A Lion Demon?" I rolled my eyes. "It's a story, idiot, but yes, a Lion." His eye was twitching slightly now. "You are probably the stupidest person I have ever met." He told me. I burst out laughing. "Then you haven't met Naruto." Gai spoke. "Naruto, as in Uzumaki Naruto?" I nodded. "Yea, that stupid fox boy is probably one of the dumbest people I have ever met, but that's why he's my best friend." I said, a grin on my face. "So you hang out with this guy because he's stupid?" Hyuuga asked, I noticed that Gai-san was extremely quiet, with a serious look on his face. I waited a moment, then as casually as I could, I said.
"Well no, I'm just saying that without me, he'd probably trip over his own two feet and impale himself on a kunai." Tenten laughed. "He must be really uncoordinated." "Sometimes," I said, "But he's a good friend that you can depend on." She nodded in understanding and suddenly, my stomach let out a huge growl. A large blush of embarrassment covered my face, but Gai-san merely laughed and said, "Perhaps since you gave Neji such a run for his money, you'd like to join us for lunch?" I nodded. "As long as it's not ramen." Neji, although he looked a bit irritated, said nothing.
--Sushi Bar--
Gai took us to a nice place which wasn't too expensive. I ordered a medium-sized plate of sushi, shrimp, and a bit of steamed white rice. I guess we were all pretty hungry, because all conversations stopped when our food came. I pulled apart my chopsticks and was just about to begin when I heard, "Sakura, how many times have I told you, you can't take people hostage to get food!" I turned to see Kyo-sensei behind me, one of his eyebrows arched, giving me a serious look. "I didn't take anyone hostage, I swear!" I argued with him. "Yosh! Your student is so youthful that she nearly beat Neji here, and as a treat, I took them to get some food."
Gai said, giving a thumbs-up and striking a strange pose. Kyo-sensei seemed to pale a bit, but he gave me a smile. "Okay then...oh before I forget, you meet your new team tomorrow, and after you get back from that, we're going to have a long training session." I let out a groan. Kyo-sensei's training sessions tended to last for hours, sometimes even days. I could already feel the aches in my body. Kyo-sensei gave me a smirk as he turned to leave. "Where's Naruto?" I asked, just realizing that they should be together. "Talking to the Hokage. He's really not too happy about being here, but apparently he and that man were really close." I nodded. At least Naruto liked someone here. "I'll see you later, Sakura," he said turning around, and walking away.
"That was your sensei?! He looks so young!" Tenten exclaimed after he was out of ear shot, I gave her a grin, and replied. "He does, doesn't he? In truth he's actually pretty old." "No way!" Tenten gasped. "Yes way! He's actually 180 years old," I told them, causing everyone but Neji to burst out into a fit of laughter. "Funny Haruno, stop being so childish for once." Neji said, Kami, he was so annoying! I glared at him "Oh so then, you know exactly, what high concentration, of an ancient demonic blood will do, when you are part of one of our Tribes?" I asked my voice cold with anger. Thankfully he shut up seeming to not know what to say. "What do you mean high concentrations of demonic blood?" Gai-san asked, 'nice going, genius now you're going to have to explain everything to him!' Mentally I let out a growl at my inner persona, 'just shut up for a second will you? You're getting on my friggin' nerves! I already have cramps; I don't need you constantly annoying me to!' I quickly, snapped out of my thoughts and answered, Gai-san, "Well you see..." I began slowly, everyone at the table, leaned in slightly; with the exception of me and Neji.
'Too bad that cute Hyuuga, won't lean in... Then you could kiss him again!' 'No way! That kid got a stick shoved way to far up his ass!' I yelled at my inner self 'yeah... his hot ass!' I shuddered mentally, that was going way too far. Meanwhile everyone was still leaning in waiting for my answer, swallowing I said "You see...it's a family secret I can't tell," I kept my voice serious, while I wore an innocent look on my face. Lee Gai-san and Tenten all sweat dropped.
"It seems everything with you is a family secret," Neji, said, Kami knows it took all the self restraint I had to stop my self from ripping him limb from limb. "Alright Hyuuga I've I had enough of that arrogant attitude of yours! From this day on you and I are rivals." I said my through my teeth. He being the cocky bastard he is cocked an eyebrow mockingly, and in an arrogant voice said, "oh really? Funny I have two rivals now and neither will never be able to beat me." I let out a growl and taking out a kunai I made a deep and long cut on my wrist. Neji's eyes widened, Tenten gasped, and Lee and Gai-san were gaping like fish.
"By this wound Hyuuga Neji, I Haruno Sakura, daughter of the Shinigami and Tenshi Tribes, member to the Silver Dragon's Gang, and member of Masatake-sama's pride, will defeat you." This would be fun for me, since my other rival, Fuyumi, was back in the tribe, and I have always been told, that a little healthy competition- especially rivalry was good. A grin spread across my face, I really need something to motivate my training and I think this is my something. 'Yeah let's kick his sexy ass, with our awesome jutsu! Shannaro!' 'For one I agree with you! We're going to kick ass!' 'If you agree with me then... that means you think he's sexy! Hah, I win! Shannaro!' 'No I didn't mean that! You little...' my angry rant was cut short with my inners constant victory scream and her stupid dance.
I rubbed my temples and leaned back in my chair.She was giving me one hell of a migraine. "Sakura, are you all right?" I stopped, and stared at her for a moment before saying, "oh... yeah just dandy... anyway I should get going, I owe you one for lunch Gai-san!" I said happily, before adding "I'll see you guys soon, but I've got tons of work to do around my house, so thanks and bye!" I quickly stood up and left the restaurant, using a simple medical jutsu one I was back on the roof tops. My wound closed almost instantly, I loved medical jutsu!
I was about to head home, when I heard, "hey watch it you stupid dope!" "Don't call me a dope teme!" that was Naruto's voice, please Kami tell me he didn't get into a fight! I was about to jump down and scold him when his words came back to me, "I never had time to think about that stuff when I was being beaten, or running for me life!" my stomach began doing flips, and I felt horribly sick. Naruto might be the one in trouble this time! He might need my help! I froze terror stricken about what might happen to Naruto when I heard "You Demon Brat! How dare you, talk to Uchiha-san like that, I'll teach you a lesson!" Hearing that I snapped jumping down in front of Naruto, the villager stopped abruptly, and said "Watch it little girl, I need to teach that kid a lesson," "Sorry but you'll have to go through me first!" I yelled jumping in the air I swung my leg around delivering a strong kick to the tall man's head, which knocked him over.
Landing I turned towards Naruto and said "lets go!" "No way in hell! I've had enough of this! I'll kill those bastards!" He said charging, at the man I just kicked. Quickly, I darted ahead of him and stood there, my arms spread out, "please Naruto, if you do this...They'll have a reason to come after you, if there's one person I can't bear to lose it's you!" My voice was beginning to break as I pleaded with him, he stopped lowering his head. I took a few steps toward him, and hugged him whispering "Let's go home, Blondie," in his ear, he knew I was trying to cheer him up with his nickname. He responded by grabbing my hand, and leading me away quickly. Turning my head I said a black haired boy, his back turned to us, and guessed he was the one called 'Uchiha-san'. But Naruto was quick about getting me out of there and I understood, that man obviously out for Naruto's head.
-- The Apartment--
When we reached, the apartment, Naruto went straight to his room without a word. I went to mine Yuki's sword was still lying on the floor I picked it up again, holding it close to my body. Please... please give me the strength to get the real Naruto back, not this hollow shell. Taking a deep breath, I went towards Nartuo's room and raised, a hand to knock on the door hesitating for only a moment. "Naruto... it's me Sakura please let me in," I said while knocking. The door opened slowly to reveal me blond friend standing there, "what is it?" he asked me. Taking another breath, I said "We... we need to talk," he hesitated before opening the door farther so I could get in. He closed the door, and fell on to his bed. He looked... like he wasn't real just laying there, his eyes staring dully at the ceiling. "Listen Naruto, I know you don't want to be here... but please just give these people a second chance--" "why should I after all the pain they put me through?! You know what they did--," The anger was so real, so hateful as though all though years of hate had piled up and were coming out now.
Now I decided to cut him off "yes I know what they did, but not all of them are bad, you obviously are friends with the ramen chef, and the Hokage. Maybe there are more people out there who aren't stupid." I hoped this would cheer him up or something...it didn't. his silence was like torture, I walked towards him and standing over him I said "If you don't want to be happy, about seeing old friends , then do it for me ... do it for Yukihiko," His eyes found mine and searched for something in them, my soul perhaps? "Alright I can't promise but I'll try..."
"Oh thank you so much! Now I can introduce, you to my new friends... and this stupid prick who's my rival," I said happily. He gave a sigh and said, "Wow you already, have friends, incredible," He told me shaking his head. "Yeah, I do but one of them is a bit weird... he wouldn't stop calling me beautiful." I told him grinning and shaking my head, "Anyway, I'm going shopping for some food, wanna come?" I asked standing in his doorway. Giving me a foxy grin he said "Sure,"
--Naruto's P.O.V--
The way Sakura begged me to try, and be happy for her, and Yukihiko was enough. It was enough to give me some motivation to at least try. So I guess it wouldn't kill me to try. But then there's the matter of her new "friends" it's not that I didn't trust people Sakura met, it the fact they're from Kohona was what made me edgy. However if they or more specifically he called her beautiful, he must have had some sense. Because Sakura is beautiful...like a movie star; the kind of beautiful that made peoples heads turn. I should know I've known her for like eight nearly nine years, and I've seen how guys look at her. She's lucky, I'm her brother-well almost brother anyway, because if she didn't have me she'd have tons of trouble with the perverts here in Kohona. "Oi! Blondie hurry up, otherwise I'm leaving without you!" I heard her voice yell at me. So as quickly as I could I jumped up and ran towards her, all the instant ramen was waiting after all.
--Sakura P.O.V. --
Naruto and I hurried out of the apartment; we walked on the paths talking about random topics when he said, "Hey, where'd you get those new clothes?" "Oh! Ami made them; these were in the package she gave me, you probably have some in yours too! I hope so, you really need a change of wardrobe," I told him poking his orange jumpsuit. "Hey I love this Jumpsuit! It's who I am!" He yelled mocking a hurt look. Rolling my eyes, I told Naruto, that I wasn't going to spend over a hundred, when we entered the supermarket, so I limited him to twenty packages of instant ramen which came out to be about ten dollars. He immediately ran to find all his favorite flavors. While I went to buy eggs, meat, veggies, rice, and some other stuff so we could finally eat something other than ramen, fish, and deer meat.
We got home at about fife thirty, and thankfully Kyo-sensei was home, so it was much easier to find dishes and the pans we brought. I put away all the ingredients, we weren't going to use to night, while Kyo-sensei prepared the meat. Naruto was chopping the veggies and now finished I started on the rice. I put the rice in the pot, with oil, and a bit of water, put it on a burner and waited for it to boil. Then I took the already prepared meat and veggies and cooked it in a wok. It took about forty-five minutes to finish cooking, and thirty to eat. So it was about six forty-five, meaning I had enough time to go out and train a bit more.
After taking care of my dishes I went out again, and found training ground ten, Lee and the others seemed to have finally gone home, and the training grounds were pretty well, secluded. I took a deep breath before making the rapid hand signs for a summoning jutsu, and a large lion poofed up, "hello Takaho-sama, I was wondering if you would be kind enough to help me train," I said bowing respectfully, Takaho-sama was Masatake's favorite mate. Masatake-sama was the leader of a lion pride that had gotten me my contact, so I owed them my total respect. "I suppose, I could, since the cubs are going to be on a hunt," I gave her a grateful smile, and we began. It took over three hours for one of us to win, and I had used almost every jutsu I knew, and guess what? I still didn't win, and I was exhausted, so tired that I had to be carried home by Takaho-sama.
When I finally got home I did get to take a nice hot shower, and ease away all the aches and pains in my body. After that I made some herbal tea for my now retuning cramp pain, thank god it would be the last day for them other wise I would die. Saying good night to Naruto, and Kyo-sensei I got to my bedroom and went straight to bed. Tomorrow would be a painstakingly long day after all.