Chapter Nine: Naren
Note: My friend "Not-the-Norm" helped me a lot with this idea. She's a really good writer so you should read some of her fanfics! She's doing a REALLY interesting vampire/werewolf Naruto fanfic. By the way she talks about it on the phone I can tell its going to be awesome; so check it out! You can look her up on my favorites or my reviews. But I just wanted to give credit to her for giving me this idea! XD
TO Dragon of Twilight: No they're not in the Chunin Exams yet... do not fret! lol. I don't think I'm going to have them go to the Chunin Exams until around 6 months or so... XD
Tidbit: Naren means Sunflower
A/N: Chapter Nine is where things get interesting.
Sachiko: This is one twisted plot. I hope your readers don't get confused!
Author: Shut up! If they read carefully they'll understand my twistedness…
Sachiko felt so relieved to be back in her bed even if it wasn't really her bed and it was just her temporary one. She sighed out loud as she fell into it. She took a whiff of her pillow and felt right at home because it already had her scent. She smiled into the pillow and then turned to lie on her back.
She looked out her window and saw the figure of someone familiar. A grin appeared on her face when she saw an old friend enter through the window.
"Naren!" She cried out as she leapt up from the bed.
"Hey kiddo," Naren said with a flip of her slanted short black hair, "Long time no see."
"I haven't seen you for…" Sachiko started off as she counted on her fingers to figure out the exact time. "For about five years! Where've you been?"
"Traveling around for a bit," Naren said as she sat on Sachiko's bed, "Nice place you got here."
"How'd you know I was here?" Sachiko asked her excitedly, still in shock to see her friend.
"Eh, dug through some of the mission reports and files," Naren replied casually as if it were no big deal at all, "The usual."
"Wow," Sachiko said in astonishment, "You haven't changed a bit…"
"Course not kiddo," Naren said as she laid herself out on the bed, "You have though."
Sachiko blushed a bit and then asked, "Have I really?"
"Nah," Naren said with a grin, "I was just messing with you."
"So are we going to have fun like we used to have," Sachiko asked, eyes filled with eagerness.
"Sure, why not? But uh, you just can't tell anyone I'm here," Naren said a bit nervously, "I'm not necessarily an authorized Sand Village visitor like you are… I snuck in."
"Oh of course," Sachiko said bopping herself on the head, "You still know that jutsu!"
"That's right… The jutsu… I can just be invisible… Bloodline trait actually," Naren said proudly, "What about your Kekkai Genkai? How's that holding up?"
"Oh! That reminds me," Sachiko said as she took a few steps toward the window, "It's a full moon… you know the drill…"
"Yeah about that," Naren said as she walked up to Sachiko. She grabbed some strands of Sachiko's hair and twirled it in her fingers, "That's what changed about you… Your hair got longer… Anyway, about your routine self-inflicting pain thing… I think you should just let it go."
"Let it go? What do you mean," Sachiko asked as Naren continued to play with her hair.
"Exactly that; let it go… I mean nothing's gonna happen Sachiko… I'm here… Your demon isn't going to come out," Naren told her reassuringly as she finally let go of her hair as if to emphasize her point.
"You're right Naren," Sachiko said with a smile, "Nothing bad ever happens when you're around… You're like my good luck charm."
"That's right… I'm your good luck charm kiddo," Naren said looking out the window and at the full moon, "Let's have fun tonight, kiddo."
Sachiko nodded and examined her longtime childhood friend. Naren had grown so much since the last time she saw her. Her hair was darker than black you could say and so were her eyes. Her hair was short in the back but slanted and grew in length. It fell in front of her face so perfectly. Her black eyes were slit like a cat's and adorned by the prettiest of long, black, curly eyelashes. Naren seemed perfect to Sachiko and at times, Sachiko felt a bit jealous of her.
"Before we go Naren," Sachiko spoke hesitantly, "There's something I have to tell you… It's about this shinobi… you see he—"
"—has a demon too. Sabaku no Gaara," Naren said in a tone that showed she wasn't the least bit disturbed.
"Yeah… How'd you know, Naren?" Sachiko sat at the edge of her bed to rest. The satin sheets felt so soft and welcoming.
"I read the mission reports remember," Naren said hastily as she checked for imaginary dirt underneath her black fingernails.
"Oh yeah," Sachiko said regaining her train of thought, "Well I got in trouble here and my punishment is to always be around him… Plus… he keeps watch on the roof at night… So he'll see us…well he won't see you but he'll see me."
"Don't worry kiddo," Naren said as she finally set her hand down, "We just need a diversion."
"A diversion," Sachiko repeated as many thoughts came to mind, "What kind of diversion?"
"You'll see," replied Naren with a confident smirk, "Follow me."
XXX
Sachiko and Naren snuck into the courtyard of Sand Castle. It was lit by lanterns so Sachiko and Naren stuck to the protective shadows. Naren laughed when Sachiko told her about what happened to the Kazekage's statue.
"I'm so glad you're here with me again Naren," whispered Sachiko as they walked on in the courtyard, "You're the only friend I've ever had… my best friend."
Naren blinked a couple times in a hesitant manner and then said quickly, "You're my best friend too… Now let's get this diversion going, kiddo."
Sachiko nodded and performed the hand seals needed to create a cloud. Naren performed hand seals as well. Her hand seals were swift and without a single flaw. She bit her thumb to draw blood and placed her hand on the cloud. A tiny black cat appeared.
"Alrighty Nekamoto, go distract the funky raccoon's vessel," Naren instructed the cat. The black cat mewed in agreement as the cloud carried it up to the roof.
"How'd you know his demon was a raccoon," Sachiko asked her, a bit wary.
"In the mission file," Naren said promptly, "Duh."
She paused a bit and then spoke again, "Well let's go… Nekamoto should be distracting Gaara right about now."
Before Sachiko could say a word, Naren grabbed her by the wrist and began to lead her out of Sand Castle.
XXX
As the full moon rose to claim the sky Naren's impish smile only grew wider. Sachiko smiled with her, not wanting to be left out of the fun.
"Look at that sorry looking old geezer," Naren whispered to Sachiko as she pointed to an old man, "Now he's just asking for someone to pull a prank on him… Whaddya think kiddo?"
"Yeah let's pull a prank," Sachiko agreed, flashing a grin.
"Glad you agree… Here's what we'll do…"
A/N: Short but I have a reason for it… I wanted a bit of a cliffhanger. XD Also, the next chapter will be longer than this one! So what do you guys think of Naren? Hmm?
Naren: I think I'm pretty cool…
Sachiko: Naren is my very best friend!
Author: Deflate your ego Naren…
Naren: Whatever… Review because I'm the coolest character!
Sachiko: Review because Naren is my best friend!
Gaara: Review or I'll kill you…
Author: Where the heck did he come from? EH, Review because I am Author-sama?
Gaara: That was weak… I should kill you…
Author: Well go ahead because if you do then there is no more fanfic!
Gaara: Like I care… I just want to kill…
Author: (fretting) Uh, but then I won't be able to write about all the people you kill and hurt!
Gaara: You have a point…
Author: (runs for life) AHHHHHHHHH!! Must write! About Gaara! Killingggg!!