Live or Let Die

Sunlight filtered through the windows of the small cottage and lay peacefully on the bed.

Naruto groaned in painful wakefulness as the sunlight slowly pulled him from his painful slumber. Slowly he opened his eyes. Instead of seeing the tall branches of the forest trees, he saw the roof of what appeared to be a cottage.

'Where the hell am I?' Deciding to push himself into a sitting position, he was met with blinding pain. The pain was so intense, he yelled out in agony.

Another person was apparently in the room because when he painfully called out, another person came into his line of vision.

At first all he saw was yellow, then his eyes focused and he was able to see individual features: handsome face, blue eyes darkened in concern.

'This guy looks really…' Naruto's eyes widened. He realized that this man he was looking at was no ordinary man but that he was the Yellow Flash of Konoha: the 4th Hokage.

Another violent wave of pain assaulted him. It was no physical pain but more like his heart was being carved out of his chest with blunt knives. Some of his anguish must have shown up on his face because the 4th's brow wrinkled in concern and he asked worriedly, "Are you okay? It doesn't hurt too bad, does it?"

Naruto couldn't help his next action. It was too much for him: seeing him look so concerned, like he gave a damn, pissed Naruto off so much because this bastard was the reason for all his pain.

Naruto found movement in his good arm and (SLAP!!) slapped the hell out of the 4th Hokage.

The 4th's head violently whipped to the side. If you had been listening closely enough, you might have heard several neck bones pop.

The look of utter shock on the Hokage's face would have made Naruto howl with laughter any other time, but now he was too furious to even crack a smile.

Once the Hokage got over his shock, he turned to Naruto, and with his slightly deep voice set in a very monotonous tone laced with bored amusement he asked, "I'm…uh…wondering what that was for?"

Naruto hissed in anger. The Yondaime raised his eyebrows at him.

"Ooh what's your problem kid? I know you're hurt but do you have to be so nasty? I mean…I've never been hissed at for helping someone before."

Naruto hissed even louder at him. He could no longer from words, he was so angry.

The 4th looked at him incredulously.

"Still hissing? Can't you speak?"

Naruto didn't know what to do: his father was right there, unprotected and ready to be killed, but Naruto couldn't because of his wounds. Naruto took a deep breath. He had managed to calm himself down when the Hokage asked, "So what's your name?"

This time the Hokage saw Naruto's hand coming for his face and deftly caught it. He looked at Naruto's face in a sort of angry curiosity.

"What the hell's your problem kid?!"

Naruto was irritated that he had been denied the satisfaction of slapping him again, but he knew his next words would more than make up for it. Looking the 4th Hokage straight in his dark blue eyes, Naruto said, "My name is Naruto Uzumaki."

-

-

-

-

-

-- Ah I love a cliffie (as they call 'em)