Hi guys! Thanks for being patient about me needing an extra week to update. I seriously needed that extra time, even though i wrote two halves of this chapter at once...Quidditch match at home, Hogsmead at school..... Either way, we will now resume our regular updating schedule.
On another note, I am watching the Super bowl...and Saw a Gibbs-slap commercial. Very amusing if I do say so myself.
Anyways to: FallenHope-Angel, genderless-but straight, TrenchcoatMan, Mitsu-Aya33, Saiai Angel Alchemist, mangamaniacgurl, for the reviews and sympathy.
I'm sad to say we didn't make it to 100 though....we were just one away...*sniffsniff* But that does mean that I've got a proposition for you somewhere in this story.
Oh...and part of this story....has been in my head....since the third damn chapter. So I'm kinda glad I finally get to put it out there. Even if it's changed about 20 different times since the beginning....yeah
Remember...I don't own Harry Potter or Naruto....
and Quidditch matches are evil to write...that's why there isn't much of one...
The next morning was thankfully clear, though it was cold enough that everyone was forced to break out the scarves, sweaters, hats and gloves that had been packed for Hogwarts winters (or in Naruto and Shino's cases, conjure up a pair). Naruto found himself all but jumping up and down with excitement as they headed to the stands to watch the match; he'd learned about Quidditch and the basics of flying, he'd watched every practice they'd let him see, and he was more than ready to watch an actual match. He'd confided to Shino that he wanted to fly a damn broom, and that it pissed him off Sasuke insisted that a flying Naruto would be dangerous.
Flashing Shino a quick, but sympathetic grin, Naruto leaned back into his seat. He'd gotten lucky, his sensitive ears had gotten him as far away from Luna's roaring hat as possible, sitting next to Sasuke. Who sat next to Draco, who was still developing an opinion on the new arrivals, and therefore wasn't as comfortable with the two people who'd fought the war to try and stop the family he'd disagreed with; which left Shino between Lexi and Luna, and therefore forced to sit through the lion's roar of anticipation. It was officially the closest to mortified Naruto had ever seen an Aburame, and was honestly, pretty funny.
Flinching as Sasuke elbowed him to draw his attention from his thoughts to the field, Naruto surveyed the team. He could officially name the players and their positions by name; Ginny, Dean Thomas and Demelza Robins, the beaters Ritchie Coote and Jimmy Peakes, with Harry as the Captain and Seeker, and (sadly) Ron freaking Weasley as the keeper. He hated the stupid red-heads attitude, his lack of dedication and generally just the vibe he gave off. Sasuke had mentioned Ron had been cheated for two years before hand….he didn't get why Harry wouldn't cheat against him. Stupid morals.
With slightly narrowed eyes as he leaned forward, Naruto watched Harry shake hands with the Hufflepuff captain, some guy named Zacharias Smith. Brooms were mounted afterwards, and in just an instant, the wizards were flying. They were freaking flying.
The shock of just what could be done with magic never got old to Naruto, and from the studious look on Shino's face, he felt the same way. Flight was something that had never been considered back home, for wizards to do it so easily…
Naruto cut off that thought as the game began, Hufflepuff with the Quaffle. He watched as they passed it back and forth, steadily working closer the Gryffindor goalposts. Sasuke grinned as Coote hit a bludger towards a Hufflepuff chaser's head, laughing as she ducked and dropped the Quaffle.
It was on.
Nearly an hour later, the game was close at 90-70, with Gryffindor leading. On several occasions, it'd appeared a seeker had seen the snitch, and had gone racing towards it, only to be cut off by another seeker, a bludger or to find it had vanished.
Naruto had been long since forced to admit Smith knew how to put together a good team, His beaters especially seemed fierce, and no one in the stands would be surprised if every Gryffindor player sported bludger sized bruises the next day.
Naruto grinned as Harry took off across the field, cutting off his own chaser as he did so, steadily flying closer to the ground. The Hufflepuff seeker launched across the field as well, closer and closer, and for a moment, it looked like the two would collide, until the Hufflepuff seeker pulled out of the dive, just a moment before Harry's fingers closed around the snitch.
Once more, Gryffindor had one a game.
The group took off quickly, joining the group of students that were congratulating the team. Every Gryiffindor Naruto saw had a look of excitement that Naruto knew had to do with more than just winning the match. It was time to party.
It took a while to reach Harry and Ginny because of the small crowd that had gathered around the team. It seemed that no matter how much they one, everyone loved it, especially when it was The Boy-Who-Lived; poor Harry hated the attention it gave him.
Finally reaching them, Sasuke grinned, hugging them both, congratulating them, and waving to a few people to go set up the party all at once. Naruto too, was pulled into a hug, as was Draco, though much to Shino's probable relief, he was not.
By the time the team managed to get the crowd to disperse, and finally reach the Common room, the party was in full swing. There was no music, however there was plenty of food, with all the candy and drinks that the group had gotten the night before spread out on a table. In addition, it looked like someone had raided the kitchen, and brought out some cake, as well as a mystery drink. Sasuke had taken a look at it and claimed someone raided Slughorn's supply, but he hadn't bothered explaining it to Naruto, opting instead to pass him a glass of butterbeer and raise his own in a mock toast.
Two hours into the party, everyone who wasn't a fifth year or older had been sent to their dorms, courtesy of (the–oh-so-mighty-Head-Girl) Hermione, and most of the team had crashed from a long day as well. The mystery bottle, as well several like it had been brought out along with some cups, and Seamus had gleefully announced that it was time for drinking games.
Now Sasuke explained, it was Rosemerta's firewhisky, which was an alcoholic beverage, much more alcoholic than butterbeer and therefore far more fun.
It began simply, seeing who could down the most firewhisky, the fastest, while still staying coherent. And Ginny, Seamus, Sasuke and Naruto were the best off from the beginning, easily out drinking Harry, Dean, Lavender, and Parvati.
Of course, once they'd all gotten suitably tipsy, the tactic had switched to the muggle game, I Never, which Lavender and Parvati wisely passed on, choosing instead to retreat to their dorm. Once the rules had been properly explained to Naruto, and shot glasses had been passed out, the game began.
It started innocently enough, with simple questions such as "I've never gone commando" (which Naruto, Sasuke and Harry drank to) and "I've never worn women's underwear" (Ginny and Naruto drank that time, with Naruto claiming vehemently that it was all Kiba's fault)
Ginny grinned, "I've never gone skinny dipping." Naruto shook his head, downing another shot, with Harry, Sasuke and Dean.
"You're just trying to get me drunk…." He muttered
Sasuke laughed, "I've never snogged a girl."
Naruto raised his glass to that, as did Harry and Dean, each of whom gave Ginny a pointed look, Seamus, and Ginny, who just muttered something about a dare.
An hour of drunken confessions later, everyone had retreated to their rooms, Dean, Seamus, Harry and Ginny were completely wasted, while Sasuke and Naruto were mildly drunk. Sasuke had credited the Uchiha's high alcohol tolerance, while Naruto gave all the credit to the Kyuubi.
While everyone else had retreated to their beds, Naruto had sprawled across Sasuke's bed, the Uchiha's mind far to relaxed and slurred to decide the blond was a nussance.
Sasuke looked over to the blond, who'd stolen half of his bed, and looked nearly asleep. He shoved him, forcing him to wake up. "Hey, Dobe….who'd'ya kiss?"
Naruto shoved him back, "Sakura….was a party…..'n a dare. We hooked up….but…I didn't work out…" He yawned, "She's jus'a sister now…"
Hogsmead was beautiful in the moonlight, but it was even better by day. Just one week after the match, found everyone aged thirteen and up present at the town, enjoying their freedom from the teachers watchful eyes.
Ginny had already slipped off, intent on spending some "girl time" with Luna, and Harry and Draco had a hidden agenda of their own. Lexi had darted off immediately as well, leaving Sasuke to be the sole tour guide for the two shinobi.
They (or at least Sasuke and Naruto) had already bought all the candy they could carry, and it was now Naruto's life mission to make Shino eat a bug related candy, like Cockroach Clusters, and judging by the Aburame's response, he had a long way to go.
They'd dressed heavily to combat against the biting wind and snow, and Shino especially looked as if he despised the cold, despite all the calm and focus that he possessed. They were all grateful when Sasuke led them into the Weasly Wizard Wheezes shop that had opened over the summer.
It could easily be considered Naruto's perfect heaven, and the product selection had encouraged greatly over the past two years. Against one wall were two selections of products, a deep blue Wizards section, and a glaringly pink Witch's section. The opposite wall had an expanded combat based selection, and held every defense, stealth and prank fighting product developed, while the wall along the register had products developed especially for students; spell-check quills, day dream charms, skiving snack boxes and more.
Sasuke grinned at the sight of vibrant red hair and clashing magenta robes as he approached the register, well aware of Shino and Naruto sneaking off.
"Hey George, how's it going?"
The red head laughed, eyes flashing mischievously. "Oh you know…same as always."
"Who'd you get today?''
"Let's see here….slipped some U-No-Poo in some bratty kids stuff….then there was this old guy….slipped some Canary Creams into his bag…"
"You are a bad, bad, person. I love you."
The red-head grinned, "Don't they all?" He laughed, "Now who're the kids you brought with you?"
"Naruto's the blond….he might be your best customer. The other guy's Shino." He said, sparring Naruto a quick glance, he saw the blond was looking at every prank item he could get his hands on, while Shino was browsing the combat based section. Typical.
George nodded, "Then I…shall be happy to corrupt him. Now go! Shop….and spend all the money you want, I'm sure you deserve a discount for something."
Sasuke rolled his eyes, but complied, vanishing into the crowd.
Half an hour later, the boys were ready to check out, with Sasuke buying some of everything, Naruto buying every prank-item in the store, as well as some cheating items for school. Shino was the only practical buyer, as he bought Peruvian Instant Darkness Powder, a pair of shield gloves, extendable ears and a few rolls of rope that turned invisible when tied.
Once Sasuke paid, the group left the shop, resuming their wandering, though this time in the direction of the Shrieking Shack.
After a while the group stopped by another store, this one smaller, closer to the forest, and selling more practical items. Bags, shrinkable shelves and storage areas, jackets and sturdy clothing lined the shelves. Shino had gotten them to come into the store, pointing out that the leather pouch he'd worn had been destroyed.
In the shop, Naruto had instantly been captivated by the jackets, several of which were orange, and though they were admittedly still a horrible color for a ninja, it was a bit better than his old jacket.
However, just as he looked at the price, a feeling washed over each of them, subtle but deadly in its own way, and the jacket nearly slipped from his fingers.
Chakra washed over all of them, though it held a sinister hint, almost poisonous in it's pressure, threatening upon suffocation.
The chakra was reminiscent of the Kyuubi, Naruto shook his head in an attempt to clear it, joining Shino and Sasuke as they headed towards the door, fighting the Kyuubi's steadily increasing influence. It wanted out, to deal with that threat, to take care of what challenged it's power.
Sasuke pressed a hand to his shoulder, Sharingan activated, the tomoe spinning in an attempt to force the Kyuubi back, helping Naruto suppress it temporarily.
Both Gryffindors looked to Shino, who looked troubled, nothing had to be said to ask their question. "There's only one person with chakra here…" He murmured, "One aside from us at least…and it'd answer questions…But there's always a chance it isn't her…"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow, they'd yet to explain that aspect of Shino's suspicions to the Uchiha, "But this?"
"Anything possible….we just have to be careful. I'll take care of it. You need to get back to the castle."
"What? Hell no I don't!"
"Look at yourself, Naruto." Shino replied, "The Kyuubi's only going to get aggravated. It's going to cause issues if you can't control it, and if you can you'll be so focused on doing it….you'll be distracted. And Sasuke needs to head back to keep you under control." His words were firm, holding no room for argument.
"Or you know…you could get yourself killed going in alone." Naruto replied, looking towards the woods, where the chakra radiated faintly from.
"With these levels, the host is still under control. If it's Lexi she won't attack me. If it's not, then I can attack with the intent to kill, and if that happens, it'll be easy enough." Shino retorted
"But-"
"Naruto, do this for me." Shino said, "You know fully well I can handle it when a demon comes after me. And you know I can kill if necessary. You need to trust me on this"
The blond snarled, but complied after a moment of staring the Aburame down. "Fine. But dammit Shino, if you die……"
He nodded, "Uchiha, take care of him. I'll see you tomorrow, if I don't get back in time." With that, Shino slipped into a forest, unnoticed, before shifting to the branches, while the others exchanged worried looks, but headed back to the castle.
The Kikai were quick to find the source of the demon chakra, and soon Shino had found the tracks leading to it. The insects quickly passed knowledge onto Shino, Lexi sat in a snow covered clearing, her chakra was balanced with a demons. The chakra aura around her was nearly poisonous in it's intensity. It screamed danger to the creatures.
The closer he got to Lexi, the less life around her, and when he was just an eighth of a mile from her, not an animal was around. They'd fled in fear.
He dropped to the ground just before reaching her clearing, before slipping from the trees, clearing his throat slightly.
She was up in an instant, demon chakra warring with magic and her own faint chakra. It all made sense now, chakra pathways had been forced to form to accommodate the demon's chakra, and like the way his chakra had been converted to magic, her magic had been converted to chakra. It was still faint, but stronger now.
Hazel eyes shone with poison-green highlights and her nails were longer, thicker and clawed slightly. She glared at him, giving off a vibe completely different from her usual attitude, the demon's influence was strong.
"What are you doing here?" Shino asked, quietly, calmly, Kikai spreading silently across the clearing, easing around the girl, ready to drain her of chakra if she struck.
She didn't speak for a moment, judging her answer; she still had her conscious thought, a good thing for Shino. "It's a spell, I'm experimenting with it."
Shino smirked, "Try again." He said simply, he and Naruto had been waiting for an excuse to figure out her chakra levels, there would be no secret-keeping here.
She was on guard now, and if Shino was reading her right, the demon wanted her to attack, and she was fighting it, hard. "How would you know?"
Decisions, decisions, how should he go about explaining this? "I've seen it happen before, it's hardly new to me."
Her control snapped, the demon took control, and the demon launched Lexi at him, clawed nails reaching for him. She was fast, for a civilian, but nothing for a shinobi, and as she neared him, he side-stepped, Kikai swarming her body. The drained the demon's chakra roughly, and quickly, taking no pity on her. The demon couldn't replenish the chakra quickly enough, the chakra pathways were too thin.
He quickly pressed her form to a tree, careful not to touch her skin. The Kikai screamed at him that she was poisonous, could destroy him from the inside, this was dangerous. They told him the rumors were true, she had killed that man.
"Let's try this again?" He suggested, still quiet, still calm, "You say goodbye to the demon for a moment, and we can talk this out like civilized people. She snarled, but it was weak this time; the Kikai had drained every ounce of demon chakra present in her body, as well as her own chakra. She had little energy left, and was fighting for consciousness, though she still fought him. "Or I could always knock you out?" To emphasize his words, the Kikai increased thee drain on her body. Another snarl was his only answer, and he shook his head, pressing a hand quickly against her pressure point. Drained of chakra and magic, she slummed forward, unconscious, and Shino sighed, binding her quickly with the charmed rope he'd gotten from the shop.
Well...I suppose that's that. Huh?
We (well you guys) finally know how Lexi has her chakra now...but of course now we only have more questions I assume? So feel free to throw some more theories at me. Cause we all know that theories are awesome. The password is theories. But seriously...email me at crystalneko ymail (dot) com ......or review them.....or something. If you got one at least. I wana know what you think about how all this lovely stuff happened. And about whats going to happen next. And about just what Naruto's gunna do with another demon in the castle. yepyepyep
And for the record...I would honestly never let an angry or agrivated Naruto anywhere near another demon. The world might just end. Hell...it might end anyways. Screw 2012. Anyways...here's the deal. The first three reviewers who put in the mystery password in their review will get one of two things, one mini-plot secret given to them, or a non-plot vital idea given to me to incorporate into the story. Just say which one you want or you get nothing. yepyep. That's what I'm doing. Cause I'm just that cool (okay, not really. Just in a weird mood....so you guys get to benefit from that. Blame the crap load of food and soda I get cause it's super bowl night.
I'd give out a next chapter preview to you guys....but i'm afraid I'm to random of an updater to tell what chapter what's going to happen in. i tend to plot like....three days before hand. I'm a bad person like that.
Oh...and reviewers get pizza rolls...cause that's what I'm about to get.
See ya!!!
~CP