June: Aaargh, practically no-one liked my NaruIno last chapter! I worked hard on that, ya meanies!
Kit: Just ignore her she's having mood swings and is secretly excited that I am fully co-writing this chapter with her, get prepared for lots of hilariarity and crack as we catch up with the Elements team!
June: Mood swings... che... THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO EMERALDE, HIYAMI AND RAZIEL144, BECAUSE THEY ARE GREAT REVIEWERS!
Kit: See mood swings!
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Disclaimer: I own almost all the characters in this chapter except for Sai, Yamato, Naruto and maybe Itachi if I can worm him in.
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ANBU Elements
Chapter 8: Nature, Sins, IQs and Premonitions.
Written By June and Kit x
xxx
"OWIE!" a young girl screamed, her hands threaded in her blonde hair clutching at her head. "That hurt, you bitch!" She screamed at her companion a raven haired girl with a rather cold aura about her.
"Sorry what was that?" the raven replied.
"You heard me!" The blonde shrieked.
--WHACK--
A brunette appeared along the two, her hand also connected with the blondes head, just as the ravens had previously.
"Why do you always gang up on me!?!" The blonde cried as she crumpled to the floor still clutching at her head.
"Because your a nuisance. Pick yourself up now, we need to keep moving." The raven answered.
"You do realise I'm losing brain cells every time you hit me! If my IQ score goes down, you'll pay bitch!" the blonde screeched indignantly.
"If you shut up and stop telling me about different flavour lip glosses every five seconds maybe I wouldn't hit you!" The raven said rounding on her companion.
"Will you guys quit it! We've been out of Konoha for almost a year now and all you do is argue! Please just stop!" The brunette yelled getting in between her friends.
"Fine." Both girls murmured as they reluctantly agreed.
"Isn't Naruto-kuns birthday coming up?" The blonde piped up, the raven gave a nod. "OOOH! What could we get him? I wonder what Sai will get him? I have to wrap it in pink as well! Ooh, and I have to make him a card! and..."
--WHACK--
"Itai!" The blonde screamed "What the fuck is your problem!" She hissed at the raven vehemently.
"Kawaii, keep your thought process inside your brain, or has my hitting you begun to quite literally knock your thoughts out of you?" the raven asked her coldy.
Kawaii just glared, her pretty pink eyes watering up at the pain and harsh comment. "Bitch!"
--WHACK--
And so the process continued with Kawaii screaming profanities at Raven, and Raven just looking plain bored and finding hitting Kawaii a mere past time, in the background a young brunette watched her team mates and sighed.
--BOP--
Llida twitched what the? "Oww!" She exclaimed rubbing a bump on her head, her team mates stopped their activities momentarily to glance back at her and throw her an inquisitive glance "Something hit me on the head!"
"It was probably Raven." Kawaii grumbled but only got a glare from the dark girl.
--BOP--
Llida held her head once again as it was attacked, Raven merely raised a slightly amused eyebrow, Kawaii though managed to catch a glimpse of her friends assailant, bending down she picked up the object.
"Its an acorn." She stated.
"Thank you, Captain Obvious." Came Ravens sarcastic reply, growling the blonde made an unruly attempt to aim the acorn for Raven, it instead rebounded and hit herself in the forehead.
"FUCK!" The blonde screamed rubbing the soon to be bruise, Raven smirked in amusement.
--BOP--
Both girls quickly drew their attention back to the nymph, who--
"Pft..." Kawaii bit her lip to restrain her laughter, Raven also had to do the same.
--to put it simply the earth nymph was sitting in a meditative pose hands together in a prayer position, all the while she was being pelted with acorns from an unseen attacker.
"Llida..." Kawaii managed to get out in between her giggles "Are you being attacked by nature?"
The brunettes eyes flashed open emeralds glinting dangerously, "NO! I am one with NATURE! It's not attacking me!" She yelled.
"Oh really? So what's this then?" Raven asked picking up a acorn in fake innocence, she smirked as Llida opened her mouth and closed it -looking like a fish- desperately looking for a good excuse.
"D! E! N! I! A! L! What does that spell? DENIAL!" Kawaii yelled in a cheerleader cheer.
"I am not in denial!" Llida all but screamed.
Raven gave a sigh, the acorns were still coming, and she really really wanted to get off this dirt road and out of the sun, she never was one for the sun. Usually she would just go fuck this, create a lightning orb and float/fly to the nearest village, but these were her her team mates, her friends, and she really couldn't afford another team mate losing IQ points. With another sigh, Raven used her amazing speed to capture the attacker.
Kawaii collapsed to the floor in laughter when Raven came out holding a squirrel by the tail.
"Llida, I think your out of balance with nature." the raven stated.
"I am not! The poor thing was probably just confused about being around my comforting and nurturing force!" To prove her point Llida outstretched her hand to the adorable squirrel to show it friendship, it was all fine and dandy--
"OW!"
--except the squirrel bit her.
"Rabies!!!! Ewwwww disinfect her!" Kawaii screamed as she began to run round in circles waving her arms.
Raven sighed dropping the squirrel -vermin should learn to fly if they don't want to get hurt in her opinion- she knocked out her blonde companion who had herself begun to foam at the mouth.
Llida though was in shock, a creature of nature had committed a violent act towards her... a child of MOTHER NATURE! Did it not know who she was? Did it not understand the severe consequences-
--BOP--
Llida twitched as yet ANOTHER acorn hit her head, her eyes turned to green ice, and she fixed a glare at the squirrel... and in her most deadly tone... she muttered a life changing threat.
"This. Is. War."
"Okay... when your quite done threatening the vermin, can we get a move on?" Llida turned round and gave her a teammate a confused look when she saw her blonde friend over the girls shoulder. "Rabiesphobia." She said in answer to the look.
Sending the squirrel one last glare, the girls walked into the sunset, trailing once more down the dirt road.
xxx
Bright flashing lights, red, pinks, yellows and other neon colours brightened up the stained sidewalk. Whores stood against buildings in cliques of friends gossiping about their lives and latest clients, junkies stood in allies where you could hear cats wailing and drunks yelling, a few people, stood in the main part of the dirt road, trying to attract a few of the passersby into their area of business.
Buildings thrummed with loud music, brothels, clubs and pubs all stood alike, looking as sleazy and dirty as the other buildings.
One building stood out with it's bright purple exterior, red lights flashing, and a classy black and white sign saying in fancy letters The Juniper Juice, a bizarre name which must of had a meaning at one time, it was the only building in the district where peals of laughter -that didn't sound overly drunk- could be heard.
A young boy of perhaps thirteen pushed open the doors to the entertainment house, the air was smoky, and smelled of alcohol, the people reeked of sweat, but all that was forgotten amongst the huge grins on the customers faces.
The Juniper Juice was one of a kind, owned by a young man and his whores. The man Kyosuke, was of about 28 or so in age, he ran the house. The whores worked for a good pay, they did their business in allocated rooms for their own protection, there was seven of them in total, they rotated between being waitresses, whores and stage entertainment.
The Seven Whores brought in good business having been a reknowned clique even before The Juniper Juice, they were named after the seven deadly sins.
Luxuria (lust), Gula (gluttony), Avaritia (greed), Acedia (sloth), Ira (wrath), Invidia (envy), and Superbia (pride).
Luxuria had long white hair down to her waist, and crimson red eyes, she was awaiting her next customer dressed in a loose white robe with red lacy underwear on underneath only.
Gula had short black hair and silver eyes, her eyes were currently glazed over, she was intoxicated from drink and drugs, but still more and more sake found its way to her mouth.
Avaritia had aqua hair and matching eyes, she was currently serving men in a skimpy waitress outfit, taking advantage of their unaware states she overcharged them and her eyes glowed with glee as she counted the money.
Acedia wore a black fishnet dress, with a black corset over the top and a black lacy underwear underneath, she wore an open black trench coat, she was lying on a mattress her blonde hair fanned out beneath her, offering herself to the guests.
Ira had crimson hair and crimson eyes, currently entertaining guests upon the stage, her spitfire personality was rare in the area, her rants on the world were humorous and her sarcasm was as sharp as the vodka she took sip of regularly.
Invidia had long green hair and green eyes, dressed the most decent of the girls and the youngest, still maturing she was often overlooked, she was also in a waitress outfit, serving guests with a bright smile, but a dangerous flash in her eyes.
And last but not least Superbia, brunette hair pulled into a sharp bun, and dressed in tight black leather, cracking a whip, for those men who needed a lesson.
The young boy coughed slightly as he entered the place, his eyes taking in the atmosphere, Gula appeared at his side, a long posh cigarette in her hand, she exhaled softly, the boy coughed once more, and she used the opportunity to check him out, the boy had choppy raven hair which ended at his jaw line, dark eyes, he wore a black fighting outfit with pouches, she then spotted the hitai-ate around his head... a shinobi. The symbol was in the shape of a leaf.
"Er... hi, I'm in need of your help..." the boy began, an eerily innocent smile on his face, before she could reply Invidia appeared.
"We're at you service..." she trailed off awaiting a name.
"Sai."
"Sai-san, I'm Invidia, what is it you require?" she asked sweetly
"I require the expertise of the seven deadly sins, I think my last 3 S-class missions, and SS-class mission pay is more then enough to ask you to shut the The Juniper Juice down for the night and help me with my problem." Sai said presenting a great deal of money.
Invidia and Gula eyed the money with wide eyes, Avaritia suddenly appeared at Sais side eyeing the money with a great deal of interest.
"Sai-san, I'm positive we can comply with your request..." Invidia finally managed.
xxx
RANDOM INTERLUDE: The 6 O' Clock News BOLD - RAVEN ITALICS - KAWAII
"Hello and welcome to this evenings news, I'm Raven"
"And I'm Kawaii Ichigo"
"We bring you the latest update on the squirrel abnormality"
"Is abnormality even a word?"
--WHACK--
"If I want it to be a word it's a word, got that?"
"Hai!"
"Yes... the latest update on squirrel abnormality."
"It seems that squirrels are turning against nature"
"Brutally attacking their Mother."
"Mother?"
"Sweet Mother Nature."
"I didn't know you considered anything sweet..."
::Sweatdrop::
"Mother Nature has a sadistic side as well you know, have you never been in a lightning storm or seen a tornado?"
"Oh, I thought that was just you in a bad mood and Naruto joining you in making havoc..."
"So who caused the tsunami then?"
"Oh that was me throwing a tantrum."
"No it wasn't you were baking cookies!"
"How do you know?"
"Because you and Naruto forced me to help!"
"Cooking is stress relieving"
"I use a punchbag to relieve stress!"
"Then why do you hit me?!?"
"...Your my punchbag..."
"..."
"So yes, you didn't cause the tsunami because you were busy enjoying my pain."
"Then who caused it?"
"SWEET MOTHER NATURE!"
"I thought she was sweet, so why would she do that?"
"She has a sadistic side"
"Oh... she does?"
"I give up..."
"What were we talking about again?"
"Squirrels..."
"Oh yeah!"
"..."
"What about squirrels?"
::Sweatdrop::
"The brutal attacks..."
"RIGHT! The series of acorn missiles has led to extreme measures to be taken, and we kicked Llida out the inn asking her to take her war somewhere else, please call this helpline if the war ends up in your area... 0-1-8-0-0-What-Do-You-Want-Us-To-Do-About-It?-Pft-Baka, we'd like to know so we can help"
-mumbles under breath- "Code for laughing at your pain."
"Where is Llida?"
"Outside the tent with an OMFKS face..."
"OMFKS?"
"OH MY FUCKING KAMI SAMA... Anko taught me it when I was three..."
"That explains a lot..."
::Glare::
"Think Llida resolved the war?"
"Don't know, don't care."
"What was the news for then?"
"Bored..."
"And..."
"Wanted to announce Llidas misery to the world!"
"Sadistic bitch"
"And Proud!"
Both look out the inns window at Llida who is being pelted by rain and... hail? ...Wait ...no... acorns
Llida is still watching them with an OMFKS face, Raven and Kawaii smirk, then wave and they then go and lie in their nice warm beds...
Somewhere in the world a squirrel laughs.
xxx
"...so thats what I need your help for" Sai finished.
Sai looked expectantly at the seven sins and Kyosuke. The Sins exchanged a few glances before all seven women burst out laughing. Kyosuke smirked also slightly amused.
Acedia was the first one to stop laughing, she was lazy and it was too much effort to continue to laugh.
"Sai-kun, you don't seem to understand... we know nothing about love, whatever we do here is all an act" She told him.
"But if it is an act, you still must know about it."
"Sai-kun there are a few signs on the outside, but it's impossible for us to describe the feeling of love." Luxuria explained.
"Still what are the signs?"
"Apart from wanting to be with your 'love', the signs can vary." Ira answered
"But is love deep?"
"Its the deepest feeling there is, we sins are the temptation which you must ignore, love is the virtue you must cherish." she replied.
"I still want to know how do I know if I'm in love?"
"You resist temptation." Gula answered exhaling smoke.
"How do I know if I do that."
This time Invidia answered "We-" She said pointing at herself and the other girls, "stand for seven sins, Luxuria is Lust, the least important, to resist this you must have the virtue of Chastity, so are you a virgin?"
"Yes."
"Gula represents Gluttony, her constant over-indulgence, to resist this you must have the virtue of Temperance, Sai-kun do you have self-restraint in every matter."
"Of course, Root gave me complete control of that."
"Avaritia represents Greed, to resist this you must have the virtue of Charity, do you give all you can Sai-kun?"
"Yes every mission I've been on I give it my all, I give my clients everything they want of me."
"Acedia represents Sloth, to resist this you must have the virtue of Diligence. Do you feel excited when you train, do you train intensely and work till it is perfect?"
"Of course, I'm on a training trip now, I must keep up with my friends."
"Ira represents Wrath, to resist this you must have the virtue of Forgiveness. Sai would you be able to forgive a sinner?"
"...Some people hurt my friends and I, although it hurts and I am not in any way fond of the culprits, I do not seek revenge, I would listen to their side of the story, I know how lonely it can be when no-one listens to you due to a pre-conception."
"I Invidia represent Envy, to resist this you must have the virtue of Kindness. Tell me Sai, is there someone better then you who you admire and want to stand by, or would you rather rival them and stand in front of them?"
"I admire Naru-Chan, he has a nice personality, he is friendly and I am his friend, I stand at his side now, and I am content there."
"Lastly Superbia represents Pride, to resist this you must have the virtue of Humility. What do you treasure the most about yourself Sai?"
"My art."
"And when you look at your art what do you think? Do you hold it loud and proud, and think it is the best? Or do you think it's OK but it's there for other peoples enjoyment not mine?"
"I do not show it anywhere, I cannot name my artwork, it is a mystery to me, what can I say and be proud of when I myslef do not understand?"
"There you have it Sai, you resist all seven temptations and you carry the seven holy virtues." Invidia said finally flashing him a grin.
"Why do you keep the virtues Sai? Who do you keep them for?" Superbia asked.
"I keep them because... I'm a virgin because I have no interest in that area, I restrain myself because it is necessary, I give my all because it is asked for, I train hard to remain with my friends, I forgive because I understand, I admire because Naru-Chan deseves a friend, and I am modest because taking pride in a mystery makes as much sense as claiming to see when you are blind. I do it for no-one."
"Then Sai-kun you are not in love, you do not keep the virtues because they are wanted by someone else. If so you would remain chaste for your live, you would restrain yourself because just a look at your love would quench your want, you would give your all because you would want to show you would do the same for your love, you would train hard to remain with your love, you would forgive because it would be the only way you and your love would ever be at peace for eternity, you would admire because you love him, and you would be modest because your only pride is your love and you do not yet have your love as 'yours'. This is how I have come to the conclusion, you are not in love." Avaritia answered finally giving Sai the full answer.
"So I have yet to full in love with a woman..." Sai gave a sigh, before giving the helpful whore an eery smile. "Arigatou, minna." Sai said thanking them, Kyosuke stood up - he had red hair and violet eyes, a strong build and a fun character, it had been very unusual for him to be quiet throughout the little discussion - everyone turned to look at him with curiousity, Kyosuke looked at Sai with a strange glint in his eye.
"Who said you would love a woman?" And with that Kyosuke leaned forward and gave Sai a full frontal snog, Sai froze in shock.
When Kyosuke released Sai he smirked at the boys stunned expression and then simply turned and walked away.
"Love knows no boundaries Sai-kun. Gender, Religion, Race, Status and Age, none of it matters." Kyosuke called before he disappeared into the back. Sai came out of his shock-coma and gaped slightly at the mans words.
When Sai finally stepped out of The Juniper Juice he gave a sigh of relief. Well that was definately a lot more interesting then a book.
xxx
Dream Scene (A/N It's NaruRae fluff everybody! Which means minimal Kit and her crack!)
A scream.
A scream so deadly, haunting, and a name.
"I know that name," Blood spilled everywhere. "I know this..." A partial summoning "Why do I feel like I'm being torn apart?"
xxx
Raven was sat in her black lightning orb, except this time the size of the orb was endless, she was pacing up and down as if waiting for someone.
"Raven?" A weak voice called out
"Naruto, is that you?"
"Raven..." Naruto coughed up some blood "I think I'm dying." Ravens eyes watered before she grabbed her sunshine and buried her face into the crook of his neck, Naruto wrapped his arms around her, smiling slightly.
"Iie, you can't leave me... I need you..."
"Raven..."
"NO!" she screamed pulling out of his arms, "You promised! You promised you would stay by my side, that you would summon me if you needed me and that you would kill Itachi with me! UZUMAKI NARUTO DOES NOT FAIL A PROMISE, ESPECIALLY NOT THE PROMISE OF A LIFETIME!" tears fell and Raven shook uncontrollably.
"Raven..."
"You. Will. Not. Die" She raised her head and their eyes locked, her violet eyes blazed with determination. "You owe me. You made me live, you brought me out of my coma, it's time to return the favour"
"Don't be a fool Rae, if I die, I die!"
"Shutup!" She hissed "If you die, I die!" she grabbed his shoulders and shook him "Wake up sunshine! Where is your determination? Your blazing fire? Your bright smile? Your positivity?"
"Rae..." Naruto muttered weakly
"What the fuck do you think you have Kyuubi for? Get that baka fox to heal you! I don't care what it takes! Do you hear me? I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES!" She broke down sinking to her knees and dragging Naruto down on to his as well, her hands still clutched at his shirt. "Get up, Wake up, I don't want you here! LIVE! DO YOU HEAR ME! That is an order from your team captain! LIVE!"
The world around them began to get darker...
"Naruto... Please... I'm weak without you..." Raven was sobbing, and Naruto froze in horror, he had only seen Raven in this state once before, when she was 10 and he was 8, when Itachi put Raven in the mental-coma, this was the state she was left in "Naru,... pl... I... c..n't... do... pl... it... hurts!" her words were just incoherent over her uncontrollable sobs, the world around them continued to get darker and the lightning no longer retained its orb shape.
Naruto began to understand what was happening, Raven was losing her mental stability all over again.
Naruto wrapped his arms around her, he also began to let the tears fall, he was responsible for Raven, he had promised she would never fall back into that state, he NEVER wanted to see her like how Itachi left her.
"Rae..." he pulled her closer to his chest "Listen..." he pressed Raes head against his chest.
Ravens sobs calmed down at the sound of his heart beat.
xxx End Dream Scene xxx
Raven woke up gasping in horror, her body wracked with dry and empty sobs.
"No..." She whispered pulling her knees up to her chest "Please, Kami no... Not Naru..." She cried herself to sleep.
xxx
(A/N Change of Co-author, Mina has temporarily taken over for Kit, not for ever don't fear, it's only for this last scene...)
It was a normal morning on the dirt road, the girls were coming out of their tents and Raven was already eating, what she was eating... she didn't really want to know... it was better that way.
Raven sighed, she was worried about Naruto there was a slight twinge on her summoning, but it wasn't strong enough to pull her to Naruto, but it was enough to confirm there was a threat to Narutos life.
I have to be professional though, I must prepare for the worst... ANBU Elements is going to need a new team member, and in the best case the person would just become a backup.
Kawaii all of a sudden came flouncing out her tent, Llida looked up from where she was brushing her hair and Raven just ignored her... nothing new there.
"Good Morning Sunshine" Llida giggled slightly at her friends good mood, whilst Raven, was just Raven. "Good news everybody..." Raven raised an eyebrow in slight acknowledgement.
"You captured that damn squirrel!" Llida cried, hope glistening in her eyes.
"No..." Llida lost all interest in whatever the blonde was saying "...But! I am in looooooooovvvvvvvvvee" Raven and Llida exchanged a glance before sniggering. "What?" Kawaii asked, her pinnk lip-glossed lips in a pout.
"Who with this time?" Llida asked, Kawaii had a new love interest every week, even when they were on a dirt road, in the middle of nowhere, miles away from civilization (but not squirrels), or so it seemed. Llidas eye developed a twitch at the thought of the bushy tailed vermin, that had been haunting her for almost a year.
"Naruto!" Ravens head whipped round, her eyes blazing.
"What?" Raven asked venom coating her question.
"I'm in love with Naruto!" Ravens posture relaxed slightly and smirk found its way to her face.
"Did I hit you too hard or something?"
"No! Well yes, but...no... but... well-"
"I'll take that as a yes" Raven cut in "Well anyway, while your wooing Naruto from all the way out here were we have no contact with even a mass murdering psychopath who supposedly lives in these places, and Llida is twitching away, I have something to do today... Ja ne" and with that Raven disappeared in a flash of lightning.
"We just got ditched..." Kawaii muttered in shock, then began to laugh insanely.
"BOOMERANGS!" Llida screamed, for the perfection, the total and utter perfection, she would win... because flowers can talk to her, she had the power!
"I know better then to ask..." Kawaii muttered recovering from her slight hysteria and watching the brunette dive into her belongings.
xxx
"I'm back..." Raven announced that night, a shadowy figure followed her.
Kawaii was sitting in utter boredom and Llida... was surrounded by boomerangs... Raven knew better then to ask.
"And I brought a potential new team member with me..." Both girls looked up in shock at the face of...
xxx TBC xxx
June: HA! CLIFFHANGER! This is payback Emeralde, not telling me who that kiss was..., yes and you won't know who the mystery character is until CHAPTER 14!!!!
Mina/Dobe/Shadow: BITCH!!!
June: Thats what Kit said last chappie, I need to get new friends, btw the boomerang was Mina... just dont ask. But we have a poll!
Who should get Narutos first kiss?
Raven (but then it won't happen for a long time...)
Kawaii (She seems like the type, both Emeralde and I think)
Sai (This will just be a pure crack scene, equal to the SasuNaru kiss)
Ino (It would happen next chapter)
The kiss decides nothing, except who gets the kiss, I really don't want it to be Raven, because then it won't happen for ages... but I don't want to recieve hate mail if I make it someone else...
See you at Chapter 9!!!!
June
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