Well, hot damn, it's been a while.
But most of the updates are ready to go; I just need to upload them.
And, for those who don't know, you check out what I'm up to by looking at my profile.
But for now, on with the chapter!
- x - x - x -
'Where..am I?'
"..."
'What are those...'
'Voices?'
"We'll see each other again. Promise?" came the voice of a little girl.
'Naruto…?'
"It's the promise of a lifetime."
'Naruto…'
"Naruto!"
(*FWUP*)
She shot up, her head colliding with the wooden ceiling.
"Ouch!"
She rubbed her forehead in pain. That'd definitely leave a bruise.
"You must really like ramen, hm?"
She turned her head at the sound of her roommate. Soul was grinning at her from his position at the next bunk over.
"And I thought you didn't like fish?"
She continued to stare at him.
"...You were muttering about fishcakes in your sleep," he said.
"Oh! Um, it's nothing…" she said, face going red.
"I dunno' it doesn't sound like nothing to me," said Liz, slyly, "So, what's that about?"
"Come on Maka! It can't be that bad!" said Black*Star from his bunk below Soul's.
"I said it's nothing! Why don't you guys go sing your stupid songs or something!"
"We would," said Kid, "But the speakers blew out when we entered the region. So, we can't really do much."
"You can always form an acapella group or something," said Liz from her bed.
The boys stared at her for a moment before rushing out the door.
"Morons," she muttered.
- x - x - x -
The pink haired ninja idly poked the small fire with a stick, causing the flames to waver slightly, She reached over and turned the skewered fish a few times, making sure it was evenly cooked.
She glanced back at their small tent, concerned for the safety of the last loyal Uchiha.
"I'm back!"
She turned to see her blond teammate holding up at least 7 fish in his hands.
"I got more food!" he said, happily.
Sakura huffed, "And you expect us to eat all that? I'm on a diet you know."
"Eh, to hell with that. This is a survival exercise, and I'll be damned if you slow us down because of an empty stomach."
She just huffed again and turned her head.
He shrugged, "Hey, it's your funeral. More for me then."
(*VWIP*)
A kunai lodged itself in the ground over 100 feet away, scaring away a group of squirrels. From his extended arm, it was clear Naruto had thrown it.
"Hey, what the hell did you do that for!?" You scared the crap out of me!"
"Sorry, I didn't want those traps you set up to go to waste on some squirrel. Your welcome by the way."
…
"Sorry about yelling, I'm just stressed out over Sasuke-kun over there," she said, head bowed.
"Eh, don't worry about it. If you're really worried about it, eat some fish," he said, passing her the skewer.
She happily obliged, taking the food and cleaning the bones rather quickly.
"Geez, if I knew you were this hungry, I would've caught more fish," he said, smiling.
"...Yes please."
Naruto just laughed and stood up.
"Like I said, don't worry about it! I'll go grab some more; you just keep your eyes peeled," he said, walking off.
'My clothes are probably done drying off too,' he thought, referring to his jumpsuit he'd washed in the stream earlier.
...
He walked for a good 5 minutes before arriving at his previous spot.
He threw off all but his boxers and leapt into the water.
'Time to catch me some fish.'
- x - (In the bushes, by the campsite) - x -
"It appears as if the blond one is leaving," whispered Dosu, "we commence attack at my call, alright?"
"Hai."
"Ssss."
"...Break!"
And with that brief exchange, the three Oto nin leapt into battle.
- x - (In the bushes, 30 feet away) - x -
"It looks like the Sound Ninja are attacking," came a lazy voice, "Team 10 move out!"
The 3 Konoha nin leapt to intercept.
- x - (In the bushes, 30 feet away from them) - x -
'Sakura-chan is in danger! For YOOUUUTH!"
The spandex-clad nin charged blindly into combat.
- x - (Down the river, 200 yards away) - x -
Naruto had just set down his 21st catch of the day when the unmistakable sound of battle reached his ears.
"Shit!" he exclaimed.
He leapt to the water's surface, using chakra to stand firm. Focusing his power into the Ram seal, the water flew off him as if he were a magnet whose poles had been reversed.
He threw on the pants and jacket, not even bothering to zip the latter up, and, damn near skated, on top of the water, back toward camp.
'I just hope I'm not too late!'
- x - x - x -
"Dynamic Entry!"
The flying kick sent the spiky-haired Sound Ninja flying.
"Dammit Zaku, quit screwing around!" yelled his comrade.
"Shut the hell up Dosu! The little f*cker came out of nowhere!"
The boy clad in green landed softly before the Konoha Kunoichi.
"Sakura-san, are you alright?" he asked without turning.
She smiled, "I'm fine now, thank you Lee."
"If I may ask however, where is Naruto-kun? Surely he would not leave you alone?"
"...Actually he did. It's my fault though, I sent him off to get more food…"
"But he still left you alone! Ah, this is so unyouthful of him! I must give him a youthful slap when he returns to restore his Flames of Youth to their former glory!"
"...Whatever floats your boat, Lee."
While that was going on, Team 10 moved into position.
"I'll protect Sasuke-kun!" announced Ino, pulling out two kunai from her pouch, "You two help out Lee-san!"
The two nodded in silent agreement and ran forward, flying through hand seals as they went.
"Baika no Jutsu!"
The Akimichi leapt upward and fell to the earth with a deafening "THUD". The boy had taken the form of an enormous boulder.
"Konoha-Ryu Taijutsu: Nikudan Sensha!" he roared, rolling toward his foes at top speed.
"Sss! Too easy!" muttered the girl, as she tried to move out ot the way…
...only to find that she couldn't.
"Eh?"
"Kageshibari no Jutsu, success," muttered Shikamaru with the Rat seal.
The poor Oto nin couldn't do anything as she was crushed by the...erm...big-boned boy.
"Kin!"
Choji stopped and cancelled the technique.
"...Did that...actually work?"
Nobody noticed the small black snake slithering away.
- x - x - x -
(*WHUMP*)
Maka closed the thick book she had been reading and left it on her bed. She put on her coat and headed outside for some fresh air...
"This is the tale! Of Captain Jack Sparrow!"
...only to find that her classmates were at it again.
'Idiots…'
(*CREAAAK*)
Maka was thrown off balance as the boat suddenly lurched, before it shook violently. From the sound of it, they had collided with something.
Meanwhile, as the boat was still almost sideways, Liz and Patty had fallen off their beds, the latter laughing up a storm as she went. Meanwhile, the boys had fallen through the open door back into the room, and Kid had passed out due to the room's newfound asymmetrical state.
Suddenly, the boat righted itself, as if nothing had happened.
(*BZZT*)
Spirit's voice buzzed in over the intercom.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Land of Fire!"
- x - x - x -
I think this a good place to stop.
I guess I'll update Mystic Naruto and Avenger: Uzumaki before the week is out.
'Til then!
- Objection234 (Akane Sasu Sora on YouTube)
