Four Letter Words

Summary- After stealing the Scroll of Seals, Mizuki reveals the truth to Naruto. Iruka orders Naruto to run, and fights with Mizuki. Now Mizuki is dead and Iruka in critical, Naruto keeps running only knowing he's leaving behind a village of hate filled liars.

Chapter 2: Rain

ANBU captain Rai, codename Kanna, paced along the hallways in the basement of Hokage tower. His dog mask was firmly in place and covered his scowl. Rai followed the trail he assumed the demon vessel took, looking for any signs of passage. There were plenty. Poisoned kunai and other implements of activated traps littered the floor. This is so unbelievably sloppy. How the heck did that brat get past all of us?

Rai stopped at the entrance of the jutsu library. "Old man, what do you remember from last night." The dog mask effectivly muffled his voice enough to be unrecognizable.

The white haired bookkeeper looked up from his orange novel. "Last night? I remember..." A goofy look came on the old lechers face as he blushed. "I remember a blonde goddess with breasts and hips nicer than Junko's."

The ANBU sighed and turned. "Next time old man, pay attention and stop day dreaming." This is a dead end. The pervert must have been asleep having sick fantasies when the demon came in. Can't even get a proper timeline set up. Rai's hand flew to his sword handle at the feel of a sudden chakra signature behind him. His grip relaxed when he realized it was one of his team. "Ayumu. What is it?"

"Hokage-sama wishes to speak with you about the report, at your convenience of course." Ayumu bowed. Rai could here the smirk in his voice. The brat was way too cocky for his own good, the over confidence was well founded but could easily be the death of him someday.

"Okay. Thanks for the message." Rai brought his hands together to perform the teleportation jutsu but paused and looked at his subordinate. "How's that john doe?"

"Him? He'll live, expected to make a recovery with time but with more scars than Ibiki. Possibly loose some sight, full damage report's still not done. Identified as a chunin academy teacher. Ironic huh."

"Yeah...ironic." Rai whispered and triggered the jutsu. Academy teacher...probably the demons own. We never should have let the thing go. We never should have let it live in the first place.

Naruto stumbled on a tree root and went flying. He didn't know how long it had been since leaving Iruka-sensei, he didn't know much at that point. His mind stopped working hours ago when he was too tired to think. He crashed head first into a tree trunk and screamed. Blood stained his yellow hair as he struggled to get up.

He had to keep going, get as far away as possible. Naruto stumbled for several feet before getting back his mindless stride. Lift foot, lean forward, put down. Repeat. Overhead the sun loomed like a fiery eye, increasing the humidity in the air. The dampness gathered moisture to the running boy's clothes, making them heavy to his exhausted mind and body. Red drops continued to slick down his face and beneath his black shirt but the injured blonde paid no attention to uncomfortable sensations racking his body.

Finally unable to do more his legs gave out and sent him rolling. One arm came up to protect his face from twigs and rocks while the other grabbed the bundle on his back. Naruto snapped his eyes shut and continued his downward fall clutching the great scroll. Sharp rocks occasionally caught on the orange fabric of his clothing and tore it, but eventually the boy stopped when his back rammed up against mossy buttress roots.

Blood and drool mingled as both trickled out his mouth. Naruto lay there at the base of the tree, exhaustion taking hold with a vengeance. His eyes slowly closed and breathing eased. Naruto rested far from the place of his nightmares, but even in sleep his hands held the forbidden object in a white knuckled grip.

"Rai-san." The famous third Hokage of the leaf said with steepled fingers. He peered out form under his hat, the very picture of a calm interrogation officer. "Your report was suspiciously vague."

Rai reached up to take off his dog mask. A small strand of chakra from his fingers loosened it from where it was placed. "There wasn't much to report, Hokage-sama." His dark brown eyes revealed nothing. Inside he seethed, he wanted to be out there hunting down that damn fox. Several chunin and jounin teams were already out in the forest scouting for it, but only ANBU or Hunter nin could follow it out of the country. Every second wasted was another second given to the demon to hide.

"Yes, I would understand that. However you left out anything concrete. Do youknow if the boy has the scroll? He may have hidden it right under our noses. That would be like him..." The old ninja muttered the last to himself.

"We should assume the worst. All I know for sure is one chunin is dead and another out of commission. How that happened is anyone's guess...that, boy, did have the scroll at some point."

"I don't like what your implying." Would Naruto really use the scroll to kill his own teachers? He always seemed so...inept. He adored Iruka. "And what is your opionion of Iruka Umino's condition?"

"Umino? Ah, the chunin. If Tsunade-sama was here I have no doubt he would make a full recovery but as it is? He will have some permanent injuries."

"That's not what I meant."

"Hokage-sama?"

"I know he was somewhat attached to the boy, and that he is alive and the other not...if what you think happened did, then what do you think should be done about him?" The Third was careful not to let his emotions show. He gagged the ANBU captain carefully and considered. He had seen the look of despair on Naruto's face with Iruka after failing the genin exam. He knew from his scrying crystal the boy grew to have enormous stamina, and was worried. If he feels cornered by the retrieval teams, will he fight and tap into the Kyuubi? Will our intentions only serve to fine tune a weapon against us?

"Umino is our only possible lead right now. Teams are scattered over such a wide area even those specializing in tracking will have a hard time of it. All the hunter nin must be, pardon the pun, hunted down to be given any new orders and all of the ANBU besides my team and two others our out patrolling the border. By the time someone is able to alert them to the danger it could have already passed through to another country." Rai calmly stated. He was starting to feel stupid. Only when he actually said it he saw the flaws in the Konoha security system. With this revelation he started to see how the Hokage tower had been breached, and was ashamed. All it took was someone with a slip of skill in basic jutsu...there's a reason the academy teaches those. Why didn't I see it before. They're so simple no one ever thinks about them, if I had paid attention to that chunin yesterday tripping on the bucket... my own superiority complex has come back to bite me.

Sarutobi stood up and walked over to the window. He lit his pipe and looked into the distance. "It looks like it's raining out in the forest. Think the scroll will become illegible?"

"If we were that lucky Hokage-sama the fox never would have attacked in the first place."

The Hokage exhaled a long stream of smoke. "I suppose that's true. The rain will only help hide his tracks. Take your team and join the search, but send updates daily. You have permission to cross the border, but only if you believe yourselves to be a day behind Naruto. Any longer requires my express permission. But, if he surrenders you are to bring him back alive."

"Hokage-sama." Rai bowed and replaced his mask. As he left the office and summoned his team he thought about one thing, the demon brat. That damn fox kit would pay for the shame he was feeling. The entirety of the ninja in the tower missed his intrusion because he had so little chakra active it completely passed beneath their notice. Hell, if the blonde brat had actively used any chakra for longer than the second to do his kawarimi they would have noticed. And all the traps! He didn't even need to dodge most of them! Rai nodded to his team of four others. Frog, goat, bird, and rabbit masks all nodded in response as they jumped up and headed for the forest.

"Kanna-san, orders?" Asked the goat woman.

"Get the scroll back, use force at your own discretion but we can't go more than a day across the border."

The rabbit mask laughed. "Then we better move faster. I want to be the one to end that things miserable existence."

The frog masked ANBU clucked his tongue at his comrades words. "Neh, Huyn. Don't be so bloodthirsty. More than you want a piece of the boy. Beside's it's not healthy."

They couldn't see it because of her mask but the woman quirked a manicured eyebrow. "We are ninja, and ANBU no less. You think that's healthy?"

"I meant mentally."

"I stand by my statement." The group of five vanished into the trees as silence descended on them. Two were thinking of the mission, two were wanting the blood of a young boy, and one was strangely enough wondering if he remembered to turn off the coffee pot.

The Hokage walked out of his office and found the secretary shinobi stationed at the desk. He was a genin, likely pressed into service while the more experienced left to hunt down Naruto Uzamaki. The boy lazily glanced in Sarutobi's direction, then jumped up in surprise. Apologies spilled out of his mouth at the sight of Hokage robes.

The Third raised a hand to forestall more comments. "Calm down. You know how to use the messenger birds, yes?"

The boy nodded. "Yeah, that was the first thing they taught me at this internship, Hokage-sama."

"Good, I want all chunin teams recalled and any genin teams if they are out there. Only jounin, and ANBU are to keep looking. Understood."

"Yes sir! May I ask why? It seems like overkill for one academy student." The genin turned back around after releasing the right hawks but found himself alone in an empty room. He shook his head and sat back down with his comic book.

The Third returned to his office and looked at the file sticking out of his bookshelf. It was labled 'Ne'. It is overkill boy. But I can't take anymore chances. There just isn't enough information...Arashi I'm sorry. I should have paid more attention, village consul be damned. If Naruto is against Konoha, I can't give him time to improve. I'm so sorry Arashi. He took off his hat and held it in his hands, absently twirling it while in thought. With a resigned sigh the old man crossed the room to his bookshelf.

Calloused fingers pulled the file from its brethren and he paced the floor. The Hokage hoped it wouldn't come down to Root. If Naruto surrenders and hands back the Scroll of Seals we can avoid all of this. I hope he listens to reason. Angry with himself and his mistakes Sarutobi threw down the file only to watch the papers explode into the air.

Cold drops splattered on Naruto's head. Blue eyes opened in annoyance and surveyed the small clearing he was laying in. Rain fell down all around him, drizzling in a beat that soothed his nerves. Ouch. My head hurts. Where am I? How the heck did I get...here...

Naruto started hyperventilating as everything that transpired the night before came crashing back to him. "I-Iruka-sensei." He whined and curled up hugging his knees to his chest. Naruto tucked himself into the slight cave made by the tree roots as he told himself to calm down. "I obviously can't go back to the village. So that's out, and I can't just give the stupid scroll away. I promised Iruka-sensei to keep it safe. What to do?"

The blonde propped the green scroll against the tree and leaned back to let the raindrops wash off him. The water soaked the area effectively drenching the boy. He smiled and stared up at the canopy, ignoring the faint stinging in his eyes from the drops. As the water flowed off him it took with it dried blood and dirt. Naruto laughed at the absurdity of it all. Fresh tears sprung from his eyes as he continued to laugh.

He clutched his stomach and rolled. The situation was so funny and stupid to him he couldn't help it. Rain continued to fall turning the ground slick with mud that soon covered the blonde. He gasped and sat up trying to get the giggles under control. "It all makes since now. The cold stares, the hate, the threats. Why did I ever want their approval?" Naruto asked himself. He tilted his head back to catch the water in his mouth and thanked whichever god looked after orphans that it was raining.

Naruto slipped off his jacket and threaded a finger through one of the holes. "Damn. This thing's all torn up, and I don't have anything to replace it." He muttered. With the unsatisfying inspection of his jacket the boy looked over the rest of his clothes only to find them in the same shape. "When life gives you lemons..."

The bottom half of the jacket was promptly ripped off. Naruto's tongue stuck out as he began a quick surgery on his clothing. The boy tore orange cloth into several strips, one of which went around his forehead in place of a forehead protector or goggles. Iruka-sensei said this was a mission, so I'm kinda like a ninja. Maybe not official, but still. He smiled to himself and whistled in the rain while tying together a harness for the large weight leaning on the tree. Soon he had to loops around each end of the scroll, with several strips crisscrossing the bulk to help support it. Throwing the newly constructed carrying net across his back Naruto jumped up and down testing it out. The scroll settled nicely across his lower back.

"Yup, this is much better. Now I won't have to worry so much about dropping it when I'm running." Grinning to himself he started moving north. "I hope Iruka-sensei figures out what's happening and finds me soon." Naruto cheerfully ran along the damp forest floor as the rain washed away his fears about his chosen course of action. He wasn't sure exactly where he was headed, because he never paid attention in geography, but it was an adventure. Adventures were always fun and interesting.

"I hate rain." Random chunin number one growled as he and his companion jumped through the trees. He was tempted to turn around and head back to the village but his hate for a certain blonde boy urged him on.

"We could go back you know," the other ninja remarked. The both of them jumped through the tree branches, careful to land on the dryer spots. "I saw another recalling hawk a few minutes back. We should return."

"And let that thing get away? Not a chance." He whispered darkly.

"Come ooon Shingo. I don't like the rain any more than you do, we have a reason to get out of it. Lets take it. My sister is making cookies at home anyway. It's to celebrate the kids departure."

Shingo's resolve started to break. His partner's sister made really good chocolate chip cookies. "Fine, but lets go just a bit further first. If we don't see any signs of passage in the next five minutes we'll go back."

"All-right! Cookies and milk here I come!" The still unnamed chunin celebrated. Shingo rolled his eyes and kept moving. His feet hit the thick braches without a sound as they continued. Thoughts of revenge and blood ran around in his head with pictures of fresh gooey cookies.

Damn Gurio and his cookies. I can't think proper angsty thoughts with his sister's baking stuck in my head. Shingo lamented. The rain kept coming in a steady downpour, and he was about to suggest to his friend to head back when something caught his eye. "Hey, Gurio. What does that look like to you?" The chunin asked while pointing to several broken bushes.

"Oh, dang it. That's a trail. Guess it means we follow it." The cookie obsessed chunin said with a resigned sigh. Shingo nodded happily, and the two jumped over to the path. "Definitely came this way. There's a bit of orange fabric caught in these thorns."

Shingo's eyes went cold as they followed the impromptu trail snaking down the slope. "It's fox hunting season."

Naruto whistled to calm his still frayed nerves. Who am I kidding? I don't have any idea where I'm going. Adventure or no it still sucks. At least the rain will slow Mizuki-sen, no Mizuki-teme, down if he got away from Iruka-sensei. With that thought in mind the blue eyed child changed his tune to 'Singing in the Rain'. A spring added to his step as he transversed the forest floor unmindful of the danger lurking behind him.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the demon brat. Enjoying the rain like any other ungodly creature." Naruto's eyes popped as he spun around looking for the speaker. "Put the Sacred scroll down, and step away. I promise your death will be quick, but bloody. I don't want to stain the thing if I can help it."

Automatically the boy felt false confidence spring up like armor. He was so used to the act it was natural for him to talk back, even though the two chunin he faced were obviously stronger. "Yeah well, I made a promise and Uzamaki's don't go back on their word. Take it from my cold dead fingers." Naruto reached in for a kunai, one of the few he had with him, and watched the two. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, almost like a rabbits as the adrenaline began to circulate.

"Boy. I intend to. Gurio lets take this demon out." The chunin grunted to his companion who nodded.

"Thencan we eat cookies?"

I don't believe this! Here I am, possibly my first real fight and they're talking about cookies after my death! Naruto gaped at the indignity of it all. He was ready to lay his life on the line and those two wanted to think about food. It made him angry and agitated his already volatile nerves. Naruto's eye twitched.

"Kyaaaa!" Shingo cried as he charged. Three shuriken went spinning from his hands as he moved, but Naruto saw them coming. He ducked to the side and rolled, then used a tree truck as a springboard to launch a kick at the murderous leaf shinobi. The chunin laughed and caught Naruto's foot, then tossed the boy over to Gurio who then punched the crap out of the blonde. "Did you honestly think you could take a chunin? Let alone two? There's no way a failure who couldn't even get through a simple genin exam could put up a challenge." Shingo was enjoying the verbal abuse immensely.

Naruto coughed and shakily stood up. "I made a promise..." The kid rushed in, and surprised that he could still move Shingo wasn't able to block the kick to his head and he went down hard. Gurio whistled in appreciation and took out several kunai from his leg holster. His mind worked over time and Naruto could practically see the steam coming from the mans ears. "I made a promise to Iruka-sensei, and not you or anyone will make me break it."

Gurio let one kunai go in Naruto's direction, and the boy started to run but slipped halfway. Sliding through the mud he almost crashed into the cookie loving chunin. The chunin in question easily jumped out of the way and tossed his other kunai at the mud covered demon vessel. Naruto bit back a scream as the metal pierced the red spiral on his jacket and dug into his back. He rolled along the ground to avoid the barrage that followed the single shot.

Shingo cursed as he got back up. His temple throbbed from the physical assault of the impossibly strong non-ninja. He looked up to see his partner launching kunai and shuriken at the blonde menace that was barely dodging the projectiles. Naruto was using the terrain to his advantage, a trait of his they should have known about with all the pranks he used to pull off. Bushes, rocks, and branches were employed as makeshift weapons and shields. "Damn it Shingo, if the kid would just stay still I could cream him." Gurio spat out. He had realized moments after confronting their prey the mistake the chunin had made.

The demon vessel was relatively fresh, having just woken up from a nap and not using any chakra to tree hop. The two chunin on the other hand were not, they had been burning chakra all for two days without sleep looking for any signs of the brat. They were among those that had been deployed when the Scroll of Seals had first been discovered missing. At their present state Gurio would say it might be an even fight one on one, and could turn in their favor if Shingo would just get up.

Naruto winched as his body slammed into a boulder. "Give it up!" Shingo screamed and stomped on the blonde head. He laughed. "This is for everyone you've mocked with your mere existince!" He flipped the body over with the tip of his sandals and reached down for the now exposed scroll. "What a pathetic excuse for a life. I think I'll take this..."

Shingo was about to cut the harness from the beaten boy when a small cold had wrapped around his wrist. "I made a promise... you will NOT touch this scroll!" Naruto screamed with his second wind. He jerked the chunin toward him by the captured wrist, and reached for the kunai that Gurio had thrown earlier. His free hand plucked the blade out of his injured back and plunged it into Shingo's heart with a twist. Blood squirted out all over the young boy. Panting, the demon container kicked the body off and jumped up out of sight.

Gurio stared at his now dead partner in disbelief. How? It should be impossible for a drop out to take an experienced ninja that easily! Gurio narrowed his eyes and scanned the area for his target. Distantly he heard a scream of, "Kage Bushin No Jutsu!" He bit his thumb and took out a scroll from his green vest, running the blood along the length of the paper he retrieved a pair of katana. Damn it! All I wanted were those cookies...Usagi-chan.

Naruto was no where in sight but Gurio knew he was around. The chunin looked for the chakra signature but was surprised to not find anything substantial. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on his senses. Rain still pounded away relentlessly and Gurio was reminded once again how foolish they were to not go back when called. The rain drowned out all sound and scent. Everything he was trained to look for wasn't reliable in the downpour. It's like nature itself is helping the brat!

Cursing, the remaining chunin spun on his heel as his blades flashed. They deflected a brace of kunai from the foliage, but Gurio was a little slow. From seemingly every direction rocks, kunai, shuriken, and even mud balls were hurled from the surrounding trees and bushes. One shuriken grazed his leg and a rock slammed into his neck. Gurio's vision swam and his movements became jerky. More and more weapons hit their targets until he fell; the chunin hadn't noticed that the first one to hit opened up his femoral artery. He died of blood loss.

Six identical Naruto's staggered out of the surrounding brush, all were breathing hard. Five consecutive poofs of smoke signaled the departure of his clones. The blonde boy stood in the middle of the small clearing and looked up at the sky. Tears fell unseen from his eyes.

The boy shuffled to the dead weapon user and stared down at his cloudy eyes. He stood in the same spot for ten minutes, watching the blood fade into the mud. Naruto's gaze moved over the many weapons littering the ground. He kneeled down and clapped his hand together offering a prayer to his fallen opponents. That done the boy stared at the forehead protectors, considering. "What was that thing Mizuki-teme always lectured about in history? Spoils of War?"

Naruto reached down and untied the forehead protector from Gurio's corpse. He took one of the katana, sheathed it, and strung it through the net like carrying case with the Scroll of Seals. Following that he wiped off several of the thrown weapons and slipped them into his pouch. The blonde walked over to Shingo's cold body and took his forehead protector as well.

As Naruto left the battleground he took out a kunai and began carving names into the forehead protectors. "He called that one Gurio, and the other was Shingo..." Naruto rubbed his aching back as he jumped up into the tree branches. It was time to start running again. "I hope Iruka-sensei is okay."

END.