Welcome back guys, this update was a bit slower because I had some things to decide on. Zaiaku's swordsmanship is going to go to a slightly more bleach'ish level. as for Naruto, he'll still use Kubikiri Houcho but not as much. Finally Gaara is going to just have to surprise you! As far as the Sasuke bashing, well if you read my first story Etched in Stone, then you will see that I wrote Sasuke as a good guy. I find his character very dynamic and at this point in the manga he could very well go either way, so I'm just exploring my writing abilities. As for the Sasuke character himself, well his character type kinda irks my nerves o.O
Disclaimer- I do NOT own Naruto
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Chapter 23: Stronger-
Hakumei frowned at his summoner, 'Naruto-sama is being curious,' thought the fox as he dodged a swipe, 'how irritable.' Taking several cautious steps back he glared as the blonde neared him, "Naruto-sama!" he barked, "this package is not intended for you!" Growling, Hakumei sped off down the mountain side, "WHY DO YOU INSIST ON PRESSING YOURSELF INTO MATTERS THAT ARE NONE OF YOUR CONCERN! GO TRAIN!"
Naruto was following, but losing ground quickly, "I just want a peek!" Hearing a loud barking laugh in his mind he scowled, 'What's funny?'
'Just let Hakumei-kun take the package to Zaiaku,' replied the Kyuubi in between laughs, 'you're not going to catch him.'
Naruto's head whipped back as a rock, that the Kitsune had hurled with his tail, pelted him in the forehead. "Baka fox!" cried the blonde as he gripped the wounded area, "FINE! I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE ANYWAY!"
Hakumei grinned smugly, "GOOD!" When the large onyx fox reached the bottom of the mountain he sat down, "Now if I were Zaiaku-san, where would I be?" Pondering a moment he opened his eyes and whimpered, "Somewhere cold."
Meanwhile Naruto was back on the plateau and pouting, "He didn't have to throw it so hard," he grumbled as he rubbed his forehead. Sighing he stood up and gripped his sword preparing to go into his kenjutsu kata.
Kyuubi snorted, 'Put that thing down, we'll work with it later.' The fox demon waited calmly while his vessel complied, 'Now what do you know about my tails?'
Flopping down on the ground, Naruto closed his eyes, 'Well, each one we release increases my power,' he thought, 'but the more I release the more I lose myself to my human emotions, like rage and lust for battle.'
'And why is that?' questioned the fox
'Because a demon is hypersensitive to human emotions,' replied the blonde, 'the more demonic chakra I release into my system, the more demonic I become.' As the kyuubi was about to speak Naruto continued, 'I feel like I'm only tapping a small portion of each tails power though, I mean there's got to be more than just increasing my strength and chakra.'
Kyuubi smiled in spite of himself, 'Despite what everyone says, kit, you're pretty sharp,' Laying down in his cage he elaborated, 'My tails are as follows: Ichi: Fire, Ni: Wind, San: Water, Shi: Earth, Go: Dark, Roku: Light.'
Naruto ticked off fingers twice, then scowled, 'Oi! That's only six.'
'We can mix our chakra from now until the day you die,' replied the fox, 'and you'll never be able to control yourself past six.'
'Will that be enough?'
Kyuubi chuckled darkly, 'When we're done, kit, you'll be destroying mountains.' He stopped his laughing when Naruto jumped up and sprinted to their campsite, 'Where are you going?'
"I've got to write Temari-chan!"
In the desert outside Sunakagure, Sabaku no Gaara dropped his gourde and layed down on the sand. 'This is pointless,' he thought as he gasped for air, 'I can only strengthen my attacks so much.' Sighing he closed his eyes and thought of home, 'I must get stronger to protect Konoha and Suna, I might not be Kazekage this time, but I will not let either fall.' Reaching down he grabbed a fistful of sand, 'Ultimate defense indeed,' he scoffed, 'a high level katon jutsu will turn it to glass and one of Zaiaku's ice jutsu can stop it in it's place.' Standing back up he hefted his gourde over his shoulder and picked up his jacket and shirt, 'but what am I to do?' Walking back to Suna he shook his head in defeat, 'Sand can only become so hard.'
'You're wrong,' interjected Shukaku, 'tomorrow we'll begin our training.'
As the demon vessel entered the house he was nearly blown off the doorstep by said door flying open, "Sorry Gaara," chirped Temari as she dragged a squirming Kankuro back inside, "Dinner is almost ready." Stepping inside he noticed a particular pungent aroma coming from the kitchen, Temari also noticed this and grimaced slightly, "the maid's ill, so Tou-san is cooking." Leaning over to him she stage whispered, "we were thinking you could get him to take us out for dinner."
Gaara cocked an eyebrow, "Why would I do that?" He noticed Temari and Kankuro blanch, "it cannot be that bad." Leaning over he noticed the Kazekage shoveling something that looked like black noodles into a bowl. "Tou-san, perhaps it would be easier to dine out?" he questioned without a second thought.
"Non-sense," replied the redhead as he absentmindedly stirred the charred remains of their dinner, "It'll be ready in a moment."
'He's got to be kidding!' cried Shukaku
"Gaara said he'd love to take us out!" interjected Kankuro, this earned a scowl from Gaara and a curious look from the village leader
"Really?" questioned the Kazekage, 'thank kami-sama.'
Gaara pinched the bridge of his nose as he glanced around at the oddly hopeful faces of everyone, "Of course." Dinner was interesting with the constant stares and giggling, "Do they still think that I am a monster?" questioned the redhead.
"Actually," replied Temari, "you've gained yourself a fanclub, most everyone here heard about your part in the battle. You've got a lot of people that admire you now." She pointed to a group of women who immediately began giggling under his scrutinizing gaze. The sand kunoichi rolled her eyes, "The only way it could be worse is if Zaiaku and Naruto-kun were here."
The Kazekage cocked an eyebrow, "Naruto-kun?" Temari blushed immediately while Kankuro fumed, "I see," stated the older man as he let out a chuckle. "I hope you're a lady around him," he added with a mock scowl
"T-TOU-SAN!" she cried indignantly as she noticed a jounin approach.
the man gave a deep bow to the Kazekage, "Kazekage-sama," then he turned to Gaara, "this has just arrived for you from Konoha Gaara-san."
The redhead took the letter and smirked as he noticed the Hyuuaga crest, 'Hinata.' He was too elated to notice that Temari and Kankurou were leaning over his shoulder
"Is that from Hinata?" questioned the kunoichi trying to shift the attention off of herself, and it had worked.
Gaara glared and pocketed the note without a word. Later that night he made sure he had no eavesdroppers and opened the letter,
Gaara-san,
I hope this letter finds you well. I was informed today that I begin training with Neji, under Tou-san and Hizashi-san. It seems that our sparring sessions have proved quite beneficial. My only wish is that we could continue, but I do realize that you were anxious to see your home. I hope to recieve your letter soon, and I eagerly await your safe return.
Sincerely,
Hinata
Gaara couldn't help but grin at the formality of her writing, after a drawn out sigh he pulled out a piece of paper and brush. After forty-five minutes of staring at "Dear Hinata" he grunted in frustration. He was never good at writing anything down.
A month later In snow country, Zaiaku knocked on the familiar door of the village blacksmith, "Oi! Oji-san!"
After a moment the door opened to reveal the little blacksmith, as always, covered in soot, "Ohayo!" Zaiaku groaned and pointed to the clock on the wall that currently read four o'clock p.m. "Ah, I've gotten away with my work again," replied the old man sheepishly. Opening the door fully he gestured for Zaiaku to enter, "So," he said as he took a seat, "what can I help you with, another order?"
'What are you planning little one?' questioned Shiva
Zaiaku ignored her, "Hai," he responded. He placed his forehead protector on the table, "Secure this," he said as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a black choker, "to this." The old man nodded, "And one more thing," stated the teen as he made for the door. Half an hour later he was outside his old home, "Well it's still here." Stepping inside, he was immediately reminded that he was alone, "I should get used to an empty house, ne?"
Shiva groaned, 'Stop wallowing in your self-pity, it's not very becoming, little one.'
The ice shinobi continued to ignore his entity, reaching to his sash he removed his sword and set it over the fireplace, "I won't subject you to my anguish." As he attempted to release Shimotsuki, ice formed around his hand and forearm, preventing him from relinquishing the weapon, "Great," he growled, "now it's two on one!" In frustration he drew his arm back and slammed his frozen fist into the stone wall, accomplishing nothing. "ARG!" he yelled at the sword and continued to slam his frozen appendage into the wall, "LET GO!" Zaiaku glared down at the sword, "WHY WON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?" he yelled
'You've forgotten your promise already,' stated Shiva sadly, 'and we are both concerned for you!'
Zaiaku slumped against the wall, "I was an idiot," he whispered, "she could never care about me, no one could."
'Zabuza-san, Naruto-kun and Gaara-kun do,' replied the ice queen, 'and I do, my little one, as does Shimotsuki. We all fight beside you because we do care about you.' Then she smiled, 'and I am pretty sure that Sakura-hime does as well.'
'How can you say that?' he thought, 'she looked so happy.'
-Flashback-
"I have the evening off, I'm having dinner with Sasuke-kun."
-End Flashback-
Shiva huffed, 'You're so bullheaded!'
'Zaiaku sighed, 'I'm going to be-' he was cut off as a scratching noise came from the direction of the front door. "Someone there?" he questioned as he reached to unsheath his blade, "OI!"
"OPEN THE BLASTED DOOR!" boomed the voice of Hakumei from the other side. Zaiaku immediately bolted for the door and opened it for the fox, "I have it on a reliable source that wave country is pleasant this time of year, could you not have gone there?" he questioned
Zaiaku just stood dumbfounded, "Um...no?"
"It doesn't matter," huffed the fox as he shook himself to remove the snow, "Here." It was then that Zaiaku noticed the package clenched in his teeth, "I hope you are appreciative!" Hakumei didn't utter another word as he dropped the package and then flopped down in front of the fire.
Zaiaku stared at the package before he decided to open it, 'must be Naruto,' he thought as he removed the string, 'that would explain Hakumei.' As he removed the wrapping his mouth curved into a smile, it was a jacket that was similar in style to his current one, which looked worse for wear. Pulling off his old coat he slid into the new one, it was white and trimmed in ice blue, a blue "Hyou" emblem embroided on the right sleeve. "I like it," he stated, "tell Naruto than-"
"Naruto-sama didn't send that," interjected Hakumei
Zaiaku frowned for a moment, "Well then who?" shoving his hands into his pockets, to assume his normal thinking posture, he felt a piece of paper. He removed it and noticed the handwriting, "Sakura?" He looked up to the fox who only nodded without opening his eyes. Quickly opening the letter he began reading,
Zaiaku-kun,
I don't know when you'll get this, but I hope it's soon. I don't really know how to say it, so I'll come right out. I can't lie to you, I was extatic that Sasuke- (it looked as if she had scratched something out, quite ferverntly at that) asked me out to dinner, that is until we got to the resturaunt. He was his normal condescending self, then when I questioned him as to why he asked me out I got the answer I didn't want. He was jealous that you beat him and jealous that I was taking care of you, he never cared about me, he just wanted to beat you. I actually hit the bastard, I think Naruto was going to kill him. I'm sorry, I don't know what I feel right now, I thought I knew what love was but that was dashed to pieces. I know I hated seeing you injured so badly, I hated myself for not staying with you during the battle, and I hate having you so far away that I can't take care of you if you get hurt like that again. I think I'll leave the rest for when you come back, all I can tell you is that I'm ready to try and figure this out if you are.
Sakura
P.S. - I hope you like the jacket, your other one looked pretty beat up. This one is a bit more durable and it has mesh woven into the fabric, so it doesn't just look cool.
Zaiaku smiled as he read the note over, at least, two more times. "I was wrong to ever doubt her," he sighed. Turning in his chair he nudged Hakumei with his foot, "Oi! I need you to bring something to Konoha for me."
Hakumei paled, "As much as I enjoy the human world," he replied, "I am going back home!"
In a poof the Kitsune was gone, "Well great," huffed Zaiaku, "now what?"
'Now you're wanting my input?' replied Shiva curtly
The ice shinobi shook his head, 'I'm sorry for being like that,' he replied, 'I don't know if you can hear me Shimotsuki, but I'm sorry.' He smiled as the ice around his hand and arm began to melt, "Now to solve our first problem: What to write in reply?" he questioned, "then how do we get it there?"
'The first problem is yours to solve,' replied the ice queen, 'the second, however, is something I can assist you with.'
Three weeks later, Sakura and Hinata were sitting in the hokage's office, the older woman was peering at them intently, "Are you sure?" Both girls nodded ferverently, "Hinata are you certian that you can train with me and keep up your studies under your uncle and father?"
The lavender haired girl nodded, "Hai, Tsunade-sama."
"And Sakura," she added turning to her apprentice, "You'll assist her?"
"Hai," she responded
As Tsunade was about to issue Hinata her first assignment there was a knock on the wooden door, "Come in," she replied without looking up. "Well?" she questioned, "what is..." She trailed off as she noticed the new comer, "Is that a?"
"Wolf," finished Hinata with wide eyes, "big...w-wolf."
"I am Rittou," stated the arctic wolf as he inclined his head slightly, "I am looking for Hanuro Sakura."
The pink haired girl gulped at the wolfs gravely voice, "T-that's me," she said shakily. She went pale as the wolf eyed her for a moment, then began sniffing her face, "hahahha...stop..ahhaha...please..." she began giggling.
Satisfied Rittou stepped back and sat down, facing her, "Firstly I must apologize for startling you. Second, Zaiaku-sama sends his gratitude for the gift you sent. Finally, Zaiaku-sama says that he too is prepared to 'figure this out' when he returns." The wolf watched as the girls face broke into a grin and she wrapped her arms around his neck, "I am assuming this is pleasing?"
"Hai!" she replied as she sat back into her chair.
"Then I take my leave," said Rittou as he bowed again, "Sayonara, Sakura-san." In a poof of smoke he vanished
Tsunade was grinning at her student, "Do you know what that was Sakura?" the pink haired girl shook her head.
Before the sannin could finish Hinata interjected, "It was a summoned creature," she stated, "it means Zaiaku has signed a contract." She noticed the incredulous looks of her new sensei and partner, "Gaara s-sends his mail by his now," she replied as she blushed, "His Tanuki, Hizoku, brings his letter once a week."
"Once a week?" cried Sakura in disbelief, "well at least you know for sure he's interested."
Tsunade came to a decision during the girls banter, "Alright!" she cried as she slammed her hands on the desk, "you're getting outstripped by your men, that won't due. Tomorrow's lesson: Summoning!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End Chapter 23: Stronger
Read and Review - Kind of a slow chapter, I wanted to fit in the letters, and give a small inclination that the boys are getting stronger without following them everystep. Next chapter will cover the other gennin and what they're doing during this time, and kind of their thoughts on the three boys. Also Naruto's letter to Temari
Preview Chapter 24: Rookies